Tagged: goodthings

04
Dec
2023

SOON THE BELLS WILL START

My friends Kathey and Russell are on their way to Antarctic right now. It’s their 7th continent, which means they’ll have been to all of them after this. Quite an accomplishment, even if it did take them 36 years. (technically, I think it’s taken them their whole lives, since North America was first and that is where they were born, haha!) They are posting photos and diary logs on Facebook and it is very fun to keep up with their adventures from the warmth of my home and comfort of my sofa. I’m fascinated by travel stories and accounts of...

27
Nov
2023

C IS FOR 22 YEARS OF COOKIES

I just made Rice Krispie Holly Bar cookies for the AIC Holiday Cookie Exchange which is tomorrow evening at the last monthly meeting of 2023. I’ve been organizing the cookie exchange every year since 2001. That’s 22 years worth of cookie exchanges. Incidentally, the same amount of years that Debbie has been organizing the wreathmaking workshop that I attended last week. Rice Krispie treats are a go-to cookie because they are fast and easy and they make a lot with minimal effort. Mine are Holly bars because I color them green and sprinkle red hots liberally on top before I...

25
Nov
2023

ADVENTALICIOUS

When is it officially the holiday season? Is it Halloween that really kicks things off at the end of October, sliding through All Saints and All Soul’s Days, to Thanksgiving (if you’re American)? Here in Sweden, it’s often First Advent which starts the holiday season and all the Swedes are sure to have their advent lights up in the windows and white lights twined around trees and house edges. But First Advent this year is next weekend, which puts Fourth Advent right on Christmas Eve. Do you even know what Advent IS? For many people it’s the start of a...

19
Nov
2023

25 YEARS OF TURKEYNESS

We had our annual Friendsgiving yesterday and per usual, I did not take one single photo of the event, and apart from the kids, no one had their phones out at all, so there is no virtual record of the evening. We invited 28 people and ended up with 24, which turns out to be pretty much the perfect number, actually. With two long tables filling up the living/dining room, and everyone talking, it made for a very crowded, loud space, but it was so fun! Lots of laughter, and non-stop talking, and even after the buffet was opened, everyone...

06
Nov
2023

BUILDING CLUES

I spent the past couple of days working on another crossword after I got the idea for a really good theme. And then halfway through working on it, I thought of an even better theme-related connection and was able to adapt it. I worked really hard on it, and am really proud of it. Even though I messed up by once again not checking for duplicates until it was too late, I was able to make them work within the theme anyway, so it worked out. I was even able to add an alternate solution to one of the clues,...

22
Sep
2023

3 THINGS

3 things I’m looking forward to pottery painting again, things slowing down a bit (hahahahaha), art and handicraft fair in Malmö next weekend 3 things that were good about today talking to my mom while I was out walking, a quick backrub from Karin, getting out of Sandby ICA in under an hour on a Friday after work (though not under 1000kr) 3 things that I have to do this weekend install a new docking station for my workspace at home, buy more prosciutto manchego sticks for dinner tomorrow because I keep eating the ones we already have, pay bills...

17
Sep
2023

THE BUSY, IT’S HERE

It’s already crazy at work and busy with AIC obligations before the annual meeting in just over a week, but now my social calendar has exploded too. During the next 3 weeks, starting tomorrow, I have 7 days with no plans. 9 with no EVENING plans. 7 AIC activities. 1 massage. 1 hair appointment. 4 dinners (2 that we are hosting and 2 that are elsewhere). It’s busy time, that’s for sure. And because it’s already mid-September, my thoughts are turning to end of year events. I have Friendsgiving on my mind: need to nail down a date that both...

12
Aug
2023

TO REGARD THE PEA IS TO ENVY THE PEA.*

Thursday was my birthday and I took both it and Friday off from work, which was really nice. Vacation feels very long ago, despite my semi-long weekend of travel to see Becky and London and now this long weekend to celebrate my birthday. The kids and I went out to dinner on Wednesday night, in Malmö, though we weren’t super impressed with our meal, unfortunately. It was still nice to hang out with the kids, and going to Dolce Sicilia afterwards for gelato made up for it. On Thursday morning, I got up early, and Karin got up with me...

02
Aug
2023

TRAVEL BUG

There was an article in The Local today about how to move an elderly parent to Sweden to live with you, but when I read it, the article was basically, “it’s really hard, the criteria is ridiculous, you have no chance”. I’d love to get my mom to move over here, but realistically, it’s such a long shot. You can get 1-year visas, but I doubt she’d go for that. She has all her stuff and her place and she IS closer to Sarah by a huge amount, so. But still, it’d be nice. She and Sarah are going to...

27
Jul
2023

SLOW DOWN YOU MOVE TOO FAST

Tomorrow is Friday, the end of my second week back at work and guess what? Still stress-free! I expect it to last until about mid-August when everyone is back and things ramp up and the crazy hits the fan again. Best things about working in July in Sweden (when you’ve already had your vacation): NO traffic on the highway NO cars in the parking lot NO people in the office (mostly) NO STRESS about the amount of work coming in Today, there were 4 of us on the entire floor. Technically, we’re not supposed to even be there, because they...

May 2024
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