Ashes to Ashes...

Good bye and thank you.  RIP

Lazy...

So it's been over 9 months since my last post!  Apologizing for my laziness has become a regular post here, so I won't do that.  I will just confirm my laziness instead.

If you follow me on social media you will know what has been going on in our lives.  Whom I kidding, there are 7 of you followers out there!  But 2015 wasn't bad.  The world was a bit of a mess though, so it ended with mixed feelings.

2016 has started well.  Only 9 days in, but I am staying optimistic.  That's one of two resolutions I have this year.  Staying optimistic.  Mostly though I want to remember to be thankful for what I have.  Today I stood for 40 minutes in the minus 8 degree weather, while M and M skated and my toes felt like they would drop off.  It hurt and that was only 40 minutes.  Some people sit out on the cold ground all the time.  So I am thankful for our warm home, my health, the love I get from my husband and daughter, the friendships I have in all parts of the world and the great job I have with lovely colleagues.  

So let's see how it goes....

Swedish men...

There are lots of interesting things about Swedish men.  They are metro-sexual for one.  Super stylish, borderline vain and have very few manners.  Now this isn't their own fault, its mainly in my opinion with all the equality, that Sweden is so famous for.  Women equality is way ahead compared to other countries and although that is a good thing, it has got in the way of what roles each gender takes on.  Some women are offended when a man opens a door because they can do it themselves.  Well of course they can and the man knows that too, but isn't it pleasant with a little common courtesy?  There's a lot of obsession with gender in Sweden and truthfully it drives me nuts.

But one of the good things that has come out of all of this is that men are expected to, encouraged and enjoy being dads.  Parental leave is big - a whopping 480 days between both parents, 60 of which the man must take.  This is brilliant in so many ways and the proof is in the pudding in my own life.  Tilly has an amazing connection with her dad and he has had to experience all the shit mothers deal with while looking after small children.  And it ain't easy to juggle the household, cooking, entertaining and stimulating a small person on your own.

So minus the lack of manners, I am truly grateful for the bond our daughter has with both of us - equally.

Here is a Swedish photographer Johan Bävman who has documented this bond so well in these surprising and typically Swedish photos.

Enjoy.

Things I long for...

Today is one of those days you just want to have your mommy tuck you in bed and shower you with kisses.  Even if you are over 40!  So I made sure I did that to my girl the moment I picked her up at dagis.
I thought posting pictures of the things or times I long for could help me feel less blaah.
In no specific order:

Dancing!

Sydney!

A time gone by.

Honeymoon in Venice.

All these people and on this day.

The Mother City.

My greatest influence.

This miracle.

Soulmates.

What this means.

Sleep well xx

Exploding head...

This is how I felt today.  Anyone else get migraines?  I'm used to them but it doesn't change how painful they are.
It's something else being a 40 year old woman with a quivering lip on the full subway.  Sitting there in the fluorescent light with with strangers talking loudly, hoping you won't either cry out loud or barf on anyone for 30 minutes! I literally ran off the train and into my house.  Ripped off my clothes and jumped under the covers so I could just make it go away.

Now about 8 hours later I feel relatively normal thanks to a kind child and husband who have let me take it easy.

Now to wait for the next one.
Good night.

Happy New Year…

Happy 2015 from the snail blogger.  Although it's a bit much to really call this a blog, since I only post every quarter!  But nonetheless it's the start to another year and I have a feeling that this one is gonna be big.  Odd numbers work best for me, so here's hoping the pattern is right.  Let you know.
Here's what we have been up to the last 3 months…

Holy crap...

Cannot believe the last time I posted something was in June!  Good thing I'm not like a real blogger or I'd be broke and unpopular.  I guess it's a sign that I am either having too much fun, totally stressed out or am just bored with this whole malarky.  Mmmm, might be a combo.
I suppose life just gets in the way and as the great Ferris once said ' if you don't stop and look around once in awhile, you might miss it'.
So this is what life has been giving us the last while….