Tagged: goodthings

02
Dec
2019

CREEPING UP

This weekend was filled with family thoughts in many different ways. Because it was the weekend after Thanksgiving, which we can’t celebrate on Thursday here in Sweden, it was also filled with the friends who have become family over the years. I went to the annual AWC wreathmaking workshop on Thursday evening, and we figured it out it was the 20-year anniversary. Not a huge turnout this year, but it was fun regardless, and I was quite happy with my wreath. I don’t understand why no one else takes advantage of the gold spray paint that Rosa always has on...

22
Nov
2019

THE OPPOSITE OF NANOWRIMO

There’s no shortage of days in November, no lack of days that I could have been writing, but didn’t. November days all seem to blur together in one gray, cloud-covered, drizzly blur. Today was no exception. A few weeks ago, we had so much work we were drowning in it (not waving, but drowning), and I sent out an email to all the marketing people both in Corporate and out in the regions to give them a heads-up that we were really slammed and could they please 1) give us more than 1-2 days deadline on their requests and 2)...

27
Oct
2019

SOV GOTT!

Our bedroom is done, apart from the closet, which Anders is working on now, and it’s so nice it’s like sleeping in a hotel room. We are really pleased with the result and it’s amazing how paint and new furniture can spiff up a room! I have one more painting that is at the framer’s now, but otherwise, everything is back in place. I went to the same frame shop that helped with Martin’s art back in March, and even though I was only there twice, once to drop off and decide and once to pick up the finished pieces,...

18
Oct
2019

BIBLIOMANIA

We had book group last night and we were a small gathering, only 5 of the usual suspects, but it was cozy and made for a really nice discussion…easy to follow and jump in, without it breaking down into smaller groups, which sometimes happens. The book we discussed was interesting, though I wouldn’t have read it on my own initiative: Beautiful Exiles by Meg Waite Clayton. It’s about Hemingway’s third wife Martha Gellhorn, and while I pretty much dislike HIM, even if his books are (mostly) good, SHE was fascinating, and I found myself wondering as I often do, why...

31
Aug
2019

SEASONAL TRANSITIONS

It’s been really hot here this past week, a second summer, and while most people are rejoicing, I’m basically fretting about global warming and wishing my bedroom had a better cross-breeze…even though we have a ceiling fan, it’s often stifling by evening when the whole day has been hot. Today, it’s sunny and beautiful, and the skies are blue and there’s a ruffly breeze. All the windows are open and that helps keep things cool, even though it’s well over 80. We are invited to an annual crayfish party tonight with friends that have been hosting it every August for...

19
Aug
2019

A WEEK AWAY

I love the Netherlands so much. Although, I call it Holland more often than not, because it’s my favorite place and Holland just sounds a little more cozy. On one of the last days, Karin asked me why I was so fascinated by it as a country, and I stopped and thought hard before I answered. I have loved a lot of different places. I love the drama and the beauty of Switzerland and Norway and Scotland. They give me a mountain fix. I love the smell of the air and the taste of the water in Michigan. I love...

30
Jul
2019

SUMMER STUFF

It’s been borderline unbearably hot and humid here, for me, anyway. Anything over 25C and I’m wanting to move further north…though, according to one friend who lives VERY far north, it was just as hot and humid there, so maybe there is no escaping it. Today, however, though it was hot and humid throughout the first part of the day, cooled off considerably and it’s now a lovely chill temperature. Especially since I opened the front door to create a draft and now the house is under 20C for the first time in ages. It’s quite cloudy out and I...

09
Jul
2019

IF THAT’S ALL THERE IS, IT’S ENOUGH

This morning, when I got into work, one of my colleagues commented, “Another day, eh?” and I responded, “Yeah. Sleeping, eating, showering, working…is that all there is?” “Pooping,” he responded. HA. True. Work’s been nicely slow the last couple of weeks, giving us some time to catch up and work on some of the projects we never have time to do. July is the month when most Swedes go on vacation, but almost my entire team is working right now, which is a little weird. I’ve been doing some of what is essentially döstädning lately. Just a little bit…a drawer...

17
Jun
2019

BLINK AND YOU’LL MISS IT

I came back to Sweden in full summer swing. It’s midsummer week and everything is full-blown green and blooming here. Even the roses started exploding while I was gone. I had a simply fantastic week in Seattle. The weather was drop-dead PERFECT (though I confess I missed most of it as I was indoors all day during the week for the conference). I came out of my flight to find mom already arrived and waiting for me last Saturday and we got to the hotel just in time to find a place to eat and then unpack and relax. I...

04
Jun
2019

PRACTICALLY PERFECT IN EVERY WAY

On Saturday, I’m flying to a place I’ve always wanted to visit but actually kinda never thought I’d make it to. I’m past 50 so you know the list of places I’d like to see is getting more and more improbable. I’m not sure why I’ve always thought it would be cool to visit Seattle. It’s a big city and it has what seems to be a cool vibe, and it’s on the west coast in the Pacific Northwest, which I’m partial too after visiting my best friend in Oregon a couple of times, but other than that, I just...

May 2024
S M T W T F S
 1234
567891011
12131415161718
19202122232425
262728293031  

Archives