Decision time.

Making/taking decisions doesn't come easily for me. It's hard stuff, concerning all things, whether it be ordering a pizza, buying a new top or changing cars. It takes time and a lot of processing of ALL the what-if's and what-about's... Usually I stick to what I know or have (i.e. same pizza, no top), or I let other's decide (you know better, I trust you!(?)). But, this past week I made one decision! A huge one, one that's been brewing for a while now and that I've finally realised as ready-brewed and actually needing to be made...so...I made it! I decided, and realised that I neeeeed to make more 'cause it feels kinda good to have made one. :) It sort of forces me to take that next step and plan ahead on the step taken, rather than be stuck and pondering or what would/will/might happen if I take the step or not. My metaphorical foot was really tired and needed putting down and now the other foot can be tortured for a wee while 'til I've made yet another decision... I think that perhaps making one decision will in turn make making another one less difficult and perhaps it is making decisions is what will get the snowball rolling...? ...or (which I much more prefer than the winter symbolism) the Light shining...??

What decision did I make then you might wonder...? Well...it was probably one of the hardest ones I think I've ever had to make, one I never thought I would make.

I decided that with all things going on right now studying at university is just too damn hard. It broke my heart, more than a little bit, to realise this but I also realised that it's OK and it wouldn't be breaking my heart if I was on the wrong path. I know now, for sure that I want to teach and I'm going to teach...but... it'll have to wait for a little bit.

I need a break.

I need to find my footing again and find a way for studying to give me energy the way it has been previously. Recently I've just felt unfocused and drained, unexcited and...drained. The usual energy boost that studying has given me has just been lost with all that's been going on so...

I've given myself a break.

I'm going back to work ('til at least Jan. 2012) where my mind doesn't have to be ON all the time (sad but true) and where I can just go and do and I don't have to plan and figure things out or stress and worry about exams and papers etc. that are due and so on and so on. Planning, figuring, stress and worry I get plenty of anyways at home at the mo and I need home to be much less stressful to have and get energy to study.

It was a difficult decision to make (why start easy, eh?)...but, maybe, hopefully (?) it was necessary to make this one to be able to take the next step ahead. I am by no means thrilled about it but it does feel necessary and making it has made it easier for me to breathe and I desperately need some breathing space right now...

The ABC's of me...! *bored* ;)

Found this here and thought it was funny so I'm doing it too! ;) Why don't you do it too and let me know in the comments!? :)

(A) Age: 30.

(B) Bed Size: King.

(C) Chore You Hate: Tidying! Although I love it when it's done!

(D) Dogs? No, but we have two cats. :P

(E) Essential Start Your Day Item: Coffee!

(F) Favorite Color: Purple.

(G) Gold or Silver? It changes...it was silver in my teens, then gold and now recently I'm leaning towards silver again.

(H) Height: 6'1:ish.

(I) Instruments You Play: Maracas? ;P

(J) Job Title: Mom.

(K) Kids: 2.

(L) Live: Borås, Sweden, Europe, World.

(M) Mom's Name: Arja.

(N) Nicknames: 'Pu'.

(O) Overnight Hospital Stays? Until recently only at the birth of our little people, but now I can also count a dislocated jaw to the 'joyful' occasion for me needing to stay the night at the hospital. :P

(P) Pet Peeve: People who dig holes in the butter or slice the cheese unevenly.

(Q) Quote from a Movie: (I love quotes but I suck at movies quotes!).

(R) Right or Left Handed? Right.

(S) Siblings: 2, sisters, I'm the 'middle child'.

(T) Time You Wake Up? 5:30ish.

(U) Underwear: Ehm?! :/ Yes. Please...? :) The bigger the better! ;)

(V) Vegetable You Dislike: Haricot vert/Green Beans.

(W) What Makes You Run Late: My lazybone?

(X) X-Rays You've Had Done: Hand. Foot (ankle).

(Y) Yummy Food You Make: Lasagne.

(Z) Zoo, Favorite Animal: Wolf.

:)

So, I'm finally getting to a point where I'm as old as I feel. :) I'm almost there...! ;)

30.

The Big 3-0! :) I think I've been 'here' since I was about 14... :) Plans...? None at the mo. I'll have a b-day bash at some point ahead but I'm postponing it for a bit, just a bit! :) I'm thinking that the dress code might be 'country'...how does that sound? ;)

Kitchen pics! :)

Sooo... the kitchen got painted this weekend. :) I'm loooooving the soft muted green. ♥ I just had to post some pics, even if the windows (all taped up and waiting) and other little nic-nac-bits are still to be done. The photos aren't the greatest either, the glare from the much longed for SpringSunshine is happily (IMO) making it a bit difficult to see the result and you won't hear me complain! :)
Yay Spring! :D

You're almost getting a 360 of our little kitchen, from left to right.


The cleaning cuboard. Previously hideous corner, now all neat and green.
Cuboard again with table and chairs and the window out the back.
Where there used to be a wall and for a looong while and ugly gap. Now 'fixed', less ugly, and all loooovely greeeen.
The countertop and window facing the neighbours house. Notice, no island 'top'. *phew!*
Fridge/freezer, Cornflake's, kitchen island again minus the 'top' over the island. MUCH better, airier! Peeking into our hallway.

I realised that I didn't take any before pics (mostly 'cause it was really bad looking before) but (now that it's purdy) I'll see if I can't dig out some oldies to share. ;)

March 2011 - The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window... Wetness, dampness, sleet and snow. Winter's giving Spring a hard time getting started and I'm rooting for Spring! :)

I am thinking... I need to expect the unexpected more, so I'll not be as surprised the next time something weird happens. ;)

I am thankful for... Family. ♥ They are the most treasured and valuable assets I have.

From the learning rooms... Math is fun! ;)

From the kitchen... nothing inspiring at the moment, and even less at the weekend when it's getting painted. :)

I am wearing... My grey lounge-about-the-house trousers and a plum coloured stretchy top, bare feet.

I am creating... a purdier kitchen? *fingers crossed*

I am going... to loose it if Spring doesn't get her behind over here soon! :)

I am reading... Faith & Practice.

I am hoping... the kitchen will be purdier by Sunday.

I am hearing... The snowplough scraping the road clear of the slushy sleet we've been bombarded with for the last two days.

Around the house... Chaos...? Most of the kitchen is in the living room, I'm moving the hallway stuff to the basement tomorrow (wanna get it painted too, if there's time).

One of my favorite things... Blogging, reading and writing. I write for me, yet I find SO much inspiration on other's...perhaps I too can/do inspire...that's be nice. Not important, but nice. :)

A few plans for the rest of the week... Sorting out the kitchen/hallway. Kiddies will be staying at Mum's ♥ during the chaos of Family ♥ once again descending on our home to lend us a hand. ♥

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...


♥ Erin+heart = true ♥
(photo: Mine)
Little things can make a little girl very happy! :) Getting a heart shape on her slice of bread for example. ;) It is the little/simple things in Life that count.

For more daybook entries go to The Simple Woman's Daybook.

What a day/night!

Oh my goodness...I would have never thought that a 'simple' visit to the dentist's would throw me into the middle of an unreal/surreal experience...!

Yesterday afternoon I was going to my 'yearly' teeth check-up at the dental hygienist, 'lucky' for me he had time (and we had the money) to ... what might it be in English... ? remove the plaque (?) of my teeth and on he went... It all went fine 'til he was all done and I tried closing my mouth.


...



...



No.



...



No!?



...



No!


I couldn't close my mouth, my jaw was locked - mouth open - like a blow up doll. :O My jaw was dislocated and apparently (!?) this sometimes happens even if it isn't a common occurrence...! The poor hygienist was, I think, as much in chock as I was and was pleased to see that I didn't freak out completely. :) I wasn't scared, or in pain, just sort of stunned at the fact that my mouth wouldn't close. Embarrassed too...! Felt stupid and stunned...what is going on...?! The hygienist went to get the Dr. dentist and he then tried manually to re-locate (?) my jaw with no luck. They then came to the conclusion that I'd need to go to the dental specialist at the hospital.

Could I go by myself...?
Nooo!

And Stephen couldn't take me either as the kiddies needed to be picked up from nursery so Nooo...! :´(

No need to worry, they found me a pair of lovely, very sympathetic ladies to come with me. They work for the dentist's sales department with marketing and are from out of town and insisted they didn't mind keeping me company.

The dental specialist's handiwork didn't work either and he said the the ER would have to help me out with some muscle relaxants :/ which changed into me being needing to be anaesthetised for me to be relaxed enough to fix. :\ No, no, no...but then again...having my mouth open for hours anything would have been an option! The marketing ladies were keeping my spirit up - what a bizarre place for us all to be in! :D

After having to wait for ages for a tired and grumpy ear, nose and throat doctor who made absolutely no attempt at calming or reassuring me I finally got admitted to the ward where a sweet nurse did the doctor's job and promised things would be over soon...I'd be seen to within two hours, or less... *sigh!*

The prospect of waiting for another two hours didn't feel great but...it could be less too...and so it was. After about half an hour it was time to go to the operating theater. Stephen just came in time to 'see me off' (Anna had come to relieve him of home-duty) and I sent the Lovely Ladies back to their hotel. I told S to go home to as I'd be staying the night.

The 'surgery' was over in no time, I was under for about half an hour and woke up with a big bandage round my head. :P I felt much, much, much better straight away and the night passed by without major disturbances...I was hungry (and not allowed to 'eat' more than fluids) and I had to adjust the bandage at one point - although it really served no proper purpose more than to remind me to not open my mouth too wide. I promise I'll be very, very, very careful of that for the rest of my life! :)

This morning I was released from the hospital with the recommendation to open my mouth too wide for about a week "No apples or BigMacs." was the Dr's words. :) Oskar, the dental hygienist, rang to see how things had gone and to make sure I was OK. :) :) Poor guy... :)

Thankfully I can see the 'funny side' of things now...when it's all over...! What else is there to do but shake ones head and snigger at the absurdness of it all...??
That's why I'm sharing these pics with you all. ;P


Before and After
;oP

Alice

Time for another christening!
My newest niece
Alice Emma Lilo Susanna

(previously known as MiniP)
will have the 'honour' today. :)

I'm looking forward to seeing Family again and I certainly don't mind the following christening 'fika' with yummy cakes(?) that will accompany all the pleasant people. :)

Happy 30th birthday Anniina!

"We are inclined to call things by the wrong names. We call prosperity 'happiness', and adversity 'misery' eventhough adversity is the school of wisdom and often the way to eternal happiness."
- William Penn