I feel really bad for my poor husband. And for myself as well.
Tax season is over, but he still has way too much work. This past week his only employee was out sick for the most part. So he got stuck doing her job as well. She has been with him for a little bit more than 4 months so far, and she isn't cutting it. Her job is not difficult, general office work, some basic stuff. But she forgets everything! She has no detail orientation at all! And I am not talking about anything complicated. She has an employee handbook that outlines in detail each day what she is suppose to do, since K often is out and about. All she has to do is open the current day, look and see. Things like "sweep outside the front door" on Mondays, "water the plants" on Fridays... She forgets all the time! More importantly she forgets to write down appointments with clients. She gets a call, writes it on a Post It and then promptly forgets about it... They use an online Google calender, so she can enter in an appointment and K can access it from wherever he is. But that won't do much good if she forgets to put the appointment in!
yesterday he had to print some stuff from her computer, and he noticed she had made several visits to a few job sites. He installed a surveillance program right after that, and since he is out of the office all day today, he will most likely find out tonight if she is looking for another job. Her contract states she can't use the firm's equipment for personal things, so that would be grounds for dismissal. She is 30, so she shouldn't be that forgetful! He has had several talks with her, given her many chances to step up to the plate, but she continues to fail him.
He really needs help, but real help. It might be better to cut his losses and fire her. The entire hiring process is so daunting, it is really not something we want to go through again. But, people can look great on paper, you just never know until you have worked with them for a few months, unfortunately...
Last night he had to stay until 4:30 AM (!) just to finish payroll for several companies, just because he also had to do her job. I had to call him every few hours to make sure he hadn't fallen asleep... Then he came home and slept for 2.5 hours and then into Tampa for a consulting job. Not exactly the kind of life either one of us wants.
All this working really takes away from our relationship, it puts our lives on hold, which is very, very bad. It better stop soon! I want my husband back!
Monday, April 30, 2007
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Vuxenpoäng
Hoppas att denna envisa förkylning ge rmed sig imorgon! Det finns hopp!
OK, denna utmaning har gått runt på sistone, och den går ut på att se hur många ”vuxenpoäng” man har… Själv har jag 32 poäng, så då får jag väl anses vara rätt vuxen…
x Jobb (1p) ? Jo ett av de bästa man kan tänka sig
x Visitkort (1p) ? Ja
x Konferens (1p) ? Då och då, borde åka minst en gång om året dock
- Bor hos föräldrar (-2p) ? Nej
- Vara sambo (1p) ? Nej
- Vara förlovad (1p) ? Nej
X Vara gift (2p) ? Ja sedan 1998
- Skild (3p) ? Nej
x Äga villa (2p) ? Ja
x Ha en bil (1p kombi + 1p) Ja, men ingen kombi
x Hund (1p) ? Ja, 2, Bob och Stan
x Lån (1p) ? Ja, huslån men inget annat som tur är!
- Gemensam ekonomi (1p) ? Nej gillar att ha hand om mina egna pengar
x Pensionsspara (1p) ? Ja
x Storhandla (1p) ? Jo det blir oftast 1 gång i veckan
- ICA-kundkort (1p) ? Nej, men Publix-kort :-)
x Använda rabattkuponger (2p) ? Jo ibland
x Äga hushållsassistent (1p) ? Flera olika sorters mackapärer
x Äga diskmaskin (1p) ? Ja
x Dubbelsäng (2p) ? Jo
x Ha julgran på julen (2p) ? Jo sedan dottern kom in i bilden så
- Gråa hår (1p) ? Tror inte det faktiskt, har inte färgat på ett tag och har inte sett nått
x Celluliter (1p) ? Tyvärr
x Prenumerera på morgontidning (1p) ? Ja
- Lösa sudoko (1p) ? Nej gillar inte siffror
x Välja att inte svara i telefon (2p) ? Jo, men sällan
x Putsa fönster (1p) ? Ha, ha! Vad är det! Ska dock göra det den här veckan så…
- Svampplockning (2p) ? Nej gillar inte svamp
- Långfärdsskridskor (1p) ? Nej!
x Parmiddag (1p) ? Jo, men det blir par med barn!
x Vinprovning (1p) ? Jo det vore kul med oftare
- Danskurs (1p) ? Nej, gillar inte att dansa (förutom hemma för mig själv)
x Partaja till gamla 70-talshits. (1p) ? Jodå.
- Dricka konjak alt. calvados till kaffet (1p) ? Nej
- Däcka före 23.00 dagligen (1p) ? Oftast inte
x Föredra soffan hemma före krogen/puben med bästa kompisarna (1p) ? Absolut
- Spela Bingolotto (1p) ? Nej
- Tycka att Ernst Kirchberger är en riktig pudding (1p) ? Vem?
x Ha höftproblem (1p) ? Jo tyvärr
- Köa till Allsång på Skansen kl 7 på morgonen (2p) ? Nej
x Bli förundrad över "ungdomen idag" (2p) ? Jo *skratt* man börjar väl bli till åren!!!
Alla är utmanade!
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Inte kul
Vaknade med 39 graders feber, så ingen parad blir det idag. Orkar bara inte med tanken på det! Svärmor kom förbi och vi fikade och åt lite av de godsaker som vi hade inhandlat för att ta med till festen - citronkaka och kanelkaka med nötter.
Vi har just beställt pizza och kommer att ta det lugnt resten av kvällen. Hoppas verkligen att den här eländiga förkylningen ger med sig imorgon!
Vi har just beställt pizza och kommer att ta det lugnt resten av kvällen. Hoppas verkligen att den här eländiga förkylningen ger med sig imorgon!
Friday, April 27, 2007
Great web site tip!
If you are ever in the mood for a movie, nothing is on, and Netflix hasn't delivered yet, well this web site might be the answer! Here you can find not only movies, but TV series too. Everything from latest Grey's Anatomy to HBO. All you have to do is just click and watch, no wait for a download. The quality is great! Some of the movies are still in theaters, but these are obviously taped in secret. But if you don't mind that... you can find movies like Disturbia for instance.
Don't want to leave the bed
I had to force myself out of bed this morning, I have to get out and drop some things off for K and then go by Target and get a few things for the parade party tomorrow. Not everyday shopping sounds like a bad idea... I hate colds, they are not fun.
Yesterday I stayed in bed pretty much all day except for when I went up and had some cereal and watched Lost. I can't even remember when I slept that much!
However I feel tomorrow we decided it would not be a very good idea to go horseback riding in the heat AND go to the parade... So we rescheduled the horseback riding to Sunday at 2 PM.
At the parade I can at least sit down all the time if I want to. One of the things i am getting at Target is a camp chair, just for this purpose... We have one, but knowing S I know she would want one too, and I would end up standing. Last year I sat on a stone...
When the parade goes by most people stand and try to catch all the beads, trinkets and candy they throw, but I think K will have to help S this year. Darn cold!
Yesterday I stayed in bed pretty much all day except for when I went up and had some cereal and watched Lost. I can't even remember when I slept that much!
However I feel tomorrow we decided it would not be a very good idea to go horseback riding in the heat AND go to the parade... So we rescheduled the horseback riding to Sunday at 2 PM.
At the parade I can at least sit down all the time if I want to. One of the things i am getting at Target is a camp chair, just for this purpose... We have one, but knowing S I know she would want one too, and I would end up standing. Last year I sat on a stone...
When the parade goes by most people stand and try to catch all the beads, trinkets and candy they throw, but I think K will have to help S this year. Darn cold!
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Just checking in
I am really sick today. I could barely make it out of bed this morning, all shaky and feverish. My throat hurts like hell, I am congested and have a nasty cough. Thank goodness S is in school today! I am just going to watch some TV and then sleep some more. This really sucks.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Urk!
I går trodde jag att jag hade gjort mig illa i halsen. jag satt och såg på TV och fick plötsligt en klump i halsen så där hux flux och skulle bara harkla bort den. Aj! Så jag hade ont i halsen hela kvällen och mer klumpar och ont. Jag tänkte att jag hade haft sönder nått! Knas heller... När jag vaknade (eller försökte vakna) insåg jag att jag var sjuk. Jag jäklar i mig va kul!
Bara det är OK till lördag, vi har en fullspäckad dag. Först ska vi ut på äventyrsridning, alla tre, fast S får nog rida med mig. Det är på en gård som heter Wishful Thinking Farms. Efter det ska vi stanna där och kolla in alla djuren och ha picknick, det ska tydligen vara toppen för det!
Senare kommer svärmor på besök, vi har inte sett henne på ett par månader, och hon håller på att förbereda sig för att göra en resa till Alaska, hon ska vara med i en husbilskaravan i 50 dagar! Hon kommer förbi mellan 14:00-17:00, och vid 17:15 måste vi skynda oss ner på stan eftersom vi ska på fest hos en kompis som har sin tandläkarpraktik på huvudgatan där Grand Parade går av stapeln klockan 19:00! De stänger gatorna för trafik klockan 18:00, och vi vill hinan äta med (stort knytkalas) så vi vill vara där klockan 17:30). Det kommer ca 180,000 personer för att se på paraden varje år, och det blir ca 150 vagnar med allehanda kul!
Bara det är OK till lördag, vi har en fullspäckad dag. Först ska vi ut på äventyrsridning, alla tre, fast S får nog rida med mig. Det är på en gård som heter Wishful Thinking Farms. Efter det ska vi stanna där och kolla in alla djuren och ha picknick, det ska tydligen vara toppen för det!
Senare kommer svärmor på besök, vi har inte sett henne på ett par månader, och hon håller på att förbereda sig för att göra en resa till Alaska, hon ska vara med i en husbilskaravan i 50 dagar! Hon kommer förbi mellan 14:00-17:00, och vid 17:15 måste vi skynda oss ner på stan eftersom vi ska på fest hos en kompis som har sin tandläkarpraktik på huvudgatan där Grand Parade går av stapeln klockan 19:00! De stänger gatorna för trafik klockan 18:00, och vi vill hinan äta med (stort knytkalas) så vi vill vara där klockan 17:30). Det kommer ca 180,000 personer för att se på paraden varje år, och det blir ca 150 vagnar med allehanda kul!
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Blast from the past
We wanted to do something special for K's office, so we contacted one of the area's historical societies. There we were able to get images from the local area ranging from the early 30s to early 70s. We then had them framed in beautiful classical black frames with white mats. It sure has been a conversation piece when people come through the door. It has also been fun to learn a little more about the area's past along the way. Here are some of the images:
Monday, April 23, 2007
Lots of work today
My dear girls in Hong Kong send me one of their usual brusque job requests this morning. They know I am 12 hours behind them, even so, after I apparently did not answer their first e-mail (sent at 2:05 AM my time), they re-send the job request (total of 4 separate e-mails due to large files) 3 times! As if that was not enough, they also called me when I was still sleeping (I didn't answer).
Alright, girls! Tone it down a tad bit! Last summer when I did a lot of work for them they asked me for my cell phone and /or pager number, so they could get a hold of me when they needed me. I politely told them I have a life beyond work, and that I am generally not available to talk to outside of the hours of 8 AM-7 PM, EST. They weren't too happy. Imagine if they did have my cell phone number... They are just so direct and demanding all the time, but I actually think it is kind of funny. They really suck at English too, which becomes apparent every time I have to call their office in Hong Kong with some question or concern. It usually takes a few of them to understand what I am saying. Good luck for me to understand their answers :-)! But they keep coming back for more, so I must be doing something right...
Today I wasn't supposed to work at all, poor S took it really well and kept herself entertained for the most part. We also did some errands to pick up a few framed certificates at a local framer and to get lunch. It was an eclectic bunch of user manuals today, one for a steam iron, two computer games and my favourite, "the remote thermometer that pages you when your meat is done"! I don't see that last one having a huge market in Sweden, but again, you never know.
This particular agency is huge in China, and most of the jobs I do for them are product user manuals. If you have looked at ANY product nowadays, 90 % are probably "Made in China", and of course, all the user manuals have to be translated into the respective country's native language. So this is a huge market for translation agencies. The beauty of being an established freelancer is that I have to do very little to promote myself. I am registered with various translation agencies, and when they get a project in my expertise area and language combination they contact me. I usually get the rate I ask for, and they add whatever they want to make on to that for their end client. Their end client is not necessarily paying more this way, they are actually usually getting more quality control. Many agencies are ISO certified, so they have to have not just a tested, qualified translator, they also have to have a separate editor and a separate proofreader. And all this is coordinated and looked over by a project manager. And if you are a large corporation that wants to ensure your product get the best possible send off in a new country, well, it would pay to pay a little more for a great translation agency to oversee this very important part of product implementation. It is also very important to ensure the product is localized into the local market. Something plain in one language can be very offensive in another... you never know unless you hired an expert who could sort it all out for you.
Having an inexperienced freelancer do the job can clearly be a bad choice sometimes. I know a Swedish lady who wanted a go at being a translator. She had never been to the US, but that didn't stop her from trying to translate a US English text into Swedish. When she came to a section about Kool Aid, she had no idea what that was (this was before Google!). She thought about it and decided it must be some kind of air conditioning unit. Of course, anyone living in the US knows Kool Aid is a drink mix... So that didn't come out exactly right... There is a great Swedish web site that keeps track of all kinds of "galigheter" within the Swedish language. Anytime I need a good laugh I go here, it is called "Avigsidan". You can also read a great selection of translation misses here.
Enough to bore you with for now :-)!
Alright, girls! Tone it down a tad bit! Last summer when I did a lot of work for them they asked me for my cell phone and /or pager number, so they could get a hold of me when they needed me. I politely told them I have a life beyond work, and that I am generally not available to talk to outside of the hours of 8 AM-7 PM, EST. They weren't too happy. Imagine if they did have my cell phone number... They are just so direct and demanding all the time, but I actually think it is kind of funny. They really suck at English too, which becomes apparent every time I have to call their office in Hong Kong with some question or concern. It usually takes a few of them to understand what I am saying. Good luck for me to understand their answers :-)! But they keep coming back for more, so I must be doing something right...
Today I wasn't supposed to work at all, poor S took it really well and kept herself entertained for the most part. We also did some errands to pick up a few framed certificates at a local framer and to get lunch. It was an eclectic bunch of user manuals today, one for a steam iron, two computer games and my favourite, "the remote thermometer that pages you when your meat is done"! I don't see that last one having a huge market in Sweden, but again, you never know.
This particular agency is huge in China, and most of the jobs I do for them are product user manuals. If you have looked at ANY product nowadays, 90 % are probably "Made in China", and of course, all the user manuals have to be translated into the respective country's native language. So this is a huge market for translation agencies. The beauty of being an established freelancer is that I have to do very little to promote myself. I am registered with various translation agencies, and when they get a project in my expertise area and language combination they contact me. I usually get the rate I ask for, and they add whatever they want to make on to that for their end client. Their end client is not necessarily paying more this way, they are actually usually getting more quality control. Many agencies are ISO certified, so they have to have not just a tested, qualified translator, they also have to have a separate editor and a separate proofreader. And all this is coordinated and looked over by a project manager. And if you are a large corporation that wants to ensure your product get the best possible send off in a new country, well, it would pay to pay a little more for a great translation agency to oversee this very important part of product implementation. It is also very important to ensure the product is localized into the local market. Something plain in one language can be very offensive in another... you never know unless you hired an expert who could sort it all out for you.
Having an inexperienced freelancer do the job can clearly be a bad choice sometimes. I know a Swedish lady who wanted a go at being a translator. She had never been to the US, but that didn't stop her from trying to translate a US English text into Swedish. When she came to a section about Kool Aid, she had no idea what that was (this was before Google!). She thought about it and decided it must be some kind of air conditioning unit. Of course, anyone living in the US knows Kool Aid is a drink mix... So that didn't come out exactly right... There is a great Swedish web site that keeps track of all kinds of "galigheter" within the Swedish language. Anytime I need a good laugh I go here, it is called "Avigsidan". You can also read a great selection of translation misses here.
Enough to bore you with for now :-)!
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Disney World
Goofy (Långben)
Chip or Dale (Puff eller Piff)
Donald Duck (Kalle Anka)
Cinderella and her prince (Askungen och hennes prins)
We had a good day in the Magic Kingdom. We got there just as they opened at 9 AM, and we were told this day was a short day with them closing at 7 PM, so hopefully this would mean it would be less crowded. We did actually not have to wait too long at any of the rides, and the few that were up to an hour wait for we just got a FastPass, so we could come back later and bypass the long line.
S and I goofing around
S and I meet Mickey Mouse (Musse Pigg)
Since we already visited several times previously with S we concentrated on having fun and going on the rides she would like the most, less stress that way. Of all the Disney World parks the Mgic Kingdom is by far the best. The weather was perfect at around 75 degrees and a bit overcast. That is usually my biggest gripe, the heat!
We ended the day with Splash Mountain, S's first time. We all got pretty wet, but K was soaked! We had a looong day of fun. Got home at 8:30 PM.
K and S in Adventureland otside the Magic Carpet ride
Friday, April 20, 2007
Lovely Husband
My dear husband just called. He is on his way home from the Tampa-area where he has a client he does consulting for on Fridays sometimes. I am just happy he is on his way home at 4:30 PM, but he also informed me he is taking us down to the beach for a long walk and a nice sunset dinner! Love him!
List-utmaning
En liten utmaning från Sara i Västerås:
A ) Fyra jobb jag haft:
1. Handläggare på Försäkringskassans studiemedelsavdelning, Visby
2. Bokningen på Regal Cruises, Palmetto, FL
3. Bokningen på Gotlandslinjen (numera Destination Gotland), Visby
4. Stipendivägledare på Säveskolans Gymnasieskola, Visby
A ) Fyra jobb jag haft:
1. Handläggare på Försäkringskassans studiemedelsavdelning, Visby
2. Bokningen på Regal Cruises, Palmetto, FL
3. Bokningen på Gotlandslinjen (numera Destination Gotland), Visby
4. Stipendivägledare på Säveskolans Gymnasieskola, Visby
B ) Fyra filmer jag kan se om och om igen:
1. Dirty Dancing
2. ---
3. ---
4. ---
C ) Fyra ställen jag bott på:
1. Gotland- Hemse och Visby
2. Jönköping
3. Rockville Center, NY
4. Bradenotn, FL
D ) Fyra TV-program jag älskar att titta på:
1. Heroes
2. Lost
3. The Riches
4. The Sopranos
E ) Fyra platser jag har semestrat på:
1. Las Vegas, NV
2. Key West, FL
3. Marco Island, FL
4. Fort Myers, FL
F ) Webbsidor jag besöker dagligen:
1. Bloggen
2. ----
3. ----
4. ----
Det beror på vad jag är på för humör, ofta svt.se, ebay.com.
G ) Fyra favorit-maträtter:
1. Kyckling med thailändsk röd curry, ananas, och färsk basilika
2. Min grillade koreanska kyckling med hemgjort stekt jasminris
3. Min hemlagade thailändska kycklingsoppa med nudlar, röd curry och kokosmjölk
4. Grillat kött med god sås, sallad och tillbehör i allmänhet
H ) Fyra ställen jag hellre skulle vilja vara på just nu:
1. I SVERIGE!
2. I Thailand
3. I Australien
4. Någon cool tropisk ö någonstans, i en lyxvilla vid havet
Stan's ears
OK, apparently he has a mild fungus in his ear, nothing too bad. A bit of ointment for a few weeks should do the trick! I took the opportunity to reserve a space for their boarding when we go to Sweden, they are already getting booked up. They will have a nice little room and access to an outdoor area at all times. 3-4 times a day they get to go to an outdoor run, and we are going to pay them extra to take them on leashed walks every day. Hey, maybe Bob will loose some weight, since there won't be any food he can steal there. It might be good for him!
Stan the Windmill
Great bone, mom!
OK, we are taking Stan the Man to the vet today. Since we got him on 2001 when he was 18 months old, he has always been an ear groomer. He loves cleaning anyone's ears, including yours if you don't watch it! He has been known to pin down other dogs and forcefully and vigorously clean their ears. He truly enjoys it! And of course his own ears are always sparkly clean!
Mmm... Sun and wind!
So it didn't register for quite some time that he was spending a lot of extre time grooming his ears all of a sudden, after all, this is normal for him. Then one night after he had shaken his head for the hundred time, letting his ears flop around like a windmill or a helicopter in high gear (in the middle of the night) I took a look inside his ears to see what was going on. Something definitely do not look right in there, so we are going to the vet to have it looked at. Poor thing! Hopefully no more "helicoptering"...
Stan enjoying a nap on a sheep skin from Ardre, Gotland
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Tartar Sauce
My poor husband only had one wish this week; that I get him some tartar sauce! (Kind of like Swedish remoladsås). I swear I don't mean to keep him away from tartar sauce, it has just slipped my mind every time I go grocery shopping. He has been asking for it for more than a month now. And it is not like he has had the chance to stop by a store himself, they are often closed when he has gotten out of the office. And the more he don't have the tartar sauce, the more he wants it. So finally I got him his favorite. But I refuse to get fish sticks, I rather have "normal" fish. And I am making some nice
tabbouleh to go with it. He deserves a little simple happiness after a long tax season. So hurray for tartar sauce in the fridge! Finally...
Thermoset Resins
The title says it all. The big project I am currently working on is not very exciting. But it pays the bills. It will be a long day!
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
Budding Artist or Wanna Be Dinosaur
I should have known she was up to something... S was hiding out playing underneath her little art table in the living room. She sounded like she was having a great time, so I didn't pay too much attention to what she was doing. Apparently she was giving herself dinosaur legs. And hands. And feet... And nose! She drew all over herself with markers in a rainbow of colors. Looked kind of cool actually! Too bad I had JUST given her a bath. I guess she will go as part dinosaur to school tomorrow :-)!
Just got back
Had an appointment with my gastro doctor this morning, Dr P. He gave me the go-ahead to start going down in dose on the steroids. Unfortunately it will be very slow, and in 10 weeks I will still be on 15 mg, not exactly fun, but we want to take it slow since I have been doing so bad for so many ears now. They are still working on setting up the Remicade treatments, but that should start within a few weeks. Oh, and Dr P said the steroids most definitely was causing the head pain problem, he said he had seen that in other patients on such a high dose. So there is hope it will start going away on its own when the dose is lessened. But it sure sucks having constant pain/pressure in your head...
Today it has been very busy, after the doctor's appointment S and I stopped by K's office for a quick lunch, and after some errands we are now back home. i have a rather large project that has to be turned in by Friday morning, so I need to work on it a bit today if I won't want to sit up really late tomorrow night. S will be in school tomorrow, so hopefully K can pick her up, which should give me at least an extra hour to work.
Yesterday was officially the end of tax season! The beginning of having regular family life again! K decided to go home early, so by 5 PM we had put some chicken in Thai marinade and went for a looong walk, the entire family! I can't even remember when we did that last time! Since K was home so early we were able to sit down and have dinner together, and S got to hang out with daddy. She fell asleep just before 8 PM, very happy.
On Saturday we are looking forward to spending the entire day at Disney World, I asked one of the neighbours to stop by and take the dogs out after lunch, since we will be gone for about 12 hours. We can't wait! There are a bunch of rides S couldn't go on last time, but she has grown since our last visit, so Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain, here we come! the weather is beautiful, life is beautiful. Take care.
Today it has been very busy, after the doctor's appointment S and I stopped by K's office for a quick lunch, and after some errands we are now back home. i have a rather large project that has to be turned in by Friday morning, so I need to work on it a bit today if I won't want to sit up really late tomorrow night. S will be in school tomorrow, so hopefully K can pick her up, which should give me at least an extra hour to work.
Yesterday was officially the end of tax season! The beginning of having regular family life again! K decided to go home early, so by 5 PM we had put some chicken in Thai marinade and went for a looong walk, the entire family! I can't even remember when we did that last time! Since K was home so early we were able to sit down and have dinner together, and S got to hang out with daddy. She fell asleep just before 8 PM, very happy.
On Saturday we are looking forward to spending the entire day at Disney World, I asked one of the neighbours to stop by and take the dogs out after lunch, since we will be gone for about 12 hours. We can't wait! There are a bunch of rides S couldn't go on last time, but she has grown since our last visit, so Thunder Mountain and Splash Mountain, here we come! the weather is beautiful, life is beautiful. Take care.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Scary
It scares me having a daughter. It scares me that I can't protect her from everything. When great tradgedies happen, like yesterday's horrible massacre at Virginia Tech, my heart goes out to the parents and families of the 32 killed and the 15 wounded. I can't even imagine how difficult this must be for them.
What compelled this Seung Hui Cho to become a mass murderer? Since he ended the killings by killing himself we might never know. Random psycopathic violence. Scares the hell out of me...
What compelled this Seung Hui Cho to become a mass murderer? Since he ended the killings by killing himself we might never know. Random psycopathic violence. Scares the hell out of me...
Monday, April 16, 2007
eBay Crazy
My doctor told me to stop the new medication and see how it goes. As it is it never really did any good, but my face is still in pain, so I don't know... I am very excited about Wednesday, I am then seeing my gastro doctor again, and he told me 3 weeks ago that if I felt like I was improving he would start going down in dose on the steroids! I can't wait for that! My belly is so bloated form it, it is very uncomfortable, and I can tell my face is starting to swell up a lot too. i haven't gained that many pounds, but I can feel the effects for sure. I can't wait to get that stuff out of my system, but he said to count on being on it for a few more months, so...
I went a little eBay crazy today... I have been bidding on spring dresses, place mats, luggage, you name it. Once in a while it is thrilling to hunt down bargains and get a good deal.
Some of the items I am bidding on...
Suitcase from Samsonite
Dress from GAP
Balloon from Disney Princess
I just won 12 auctions from a lady selling Disney Princess items; all but one won at $0.01. She gave me a combined shipping discount as well, so S will be very happy indeed! Most of it was different party favours, her party at home will have a total of 5 kids, including herself, but one is only a little baby, so there will be 4 goody bags to be made up. S is very excited about all aspects of planning this party, and she sure knows what she likes! She is quite funny! I figured I would let her get most of the things she likes, but it sure doesn't hurt getting the items at a real cheap price!
I decided to make the birthday cake myself. I was able to find the exact cake toppers that are on the cake S had picked out at the store (for $40). I don't like the American version with all that frosting, I prefer a traditional Swedish "gräddtårta", with fresh fruit and almond vanilla cream in between layers, "frosted" with whipped cream. I made that for her first birthday party, and all attending Americans was wondering what it was, they had never tasted something like it before.
It is getting close to midnight so I better get to bed...
I went a little eBay crazy today... I have been bidding on spring dresses, place mats, luggage, you name it. Once in a while it is thrilling to hunt down bargains and get a good deal.
Some of the items I am bidding on...
Suitcase from Samsonite
Dress from GAP
Balloon from Disney Princess
I just won 12 auctions from a lady selling Disney Princess items; all but one won at $0.01. She gave me a combined shipping discount as well, so S will be very happy indeed! Most of it was different party favours, her party at home will have a total of 5 kids, including herself, but one is only a little baby, so there will be 4 goody bags to be made up. S is very excited about all aspects of planning this party, and she sure knows what she likes! She is quite funny! I figured I would let her get most of the things she likes, but it sure doesn't hurt getting the items at a real cheap price!
I decided to make the birthday cake myself. I was able to find the exact cake toppers that are on the cake S had picked out at the store (for $40). I don't like the American version with all that frosting, I prefer a traditional Swedish "gräddtårta", with fresh fruit and almond vanilla cream in between layers, "frosted" with whipped cream. I made that for her first birthday party, and all attending Americans was wondering what it was, they had never tasted something like it before.
It is getting close to midnight so I better get to bed...
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Saturday Fun
I think the medicine which is suppose to help with the pain in my head is giving me a headache! I wake up with a splitting headache, which is not exactly what I need. I will have to call the doctor on Monday. It's not like the medication has helped anyway...
Today S and I are going to the nationally occurring Healthy Kids Day at the YMCA. We went two years ago, and they had a drawing that required you to go around to all these booths to get a stamp on your card to prove you visited. Very tedious, but I figured not many of the people would have the patients for it, so we stuck to it. We were grandly rewarded later when S won a brand new bike, helmet and t-shirt! I never win anything, so I was so excited! S got to go up on the stage to accept her prize, and then I had to figure out how to get everything, including S, to the car... Really awesome bike!
I figured we would check out the event again. Then we will scoot home real quick, pick up the dogs, go and get some Thai food and go over to K's office.
I have a fairly good work project to finish (a user manual for a body fat monitor) , so we will hang out there probably tomorrow too.
We have a Lingo account at the office as well as home, so I can call Sweden as much as I want from there too. I just love Lingo (who has Indian customer service, by the way). I don't know what I did before we had Lingo!
Well, better go in the shower now so we can get going. Have a great weekend!
Today S and I are going to the nationally occurring Healthy Kids Day at the YMCA. We went two years ago, and they had a drawing that required you to go around to all these booths to get a stamp on your card to prove you visited. Very tedious, but I figured not many of the people would have the patients for it, so we stuck to it. We were grandly rewarded later when S won a brand new bike, helmet and t-shirt! I never win anything, so I was so excited! S got to go up on the stage to accept her prize, and then I had to figure out how to get everything, including S, to the car... Really awesome bike!
I figured we would check out the event again. Then we will scoot home real quick, pick up the dogs, go and get some Thai food and go over to K's office.
I have a fairly good work project to finish (a user manual for a body fat monitor) , so we will hang out there probably tomorrow too.
We have a Lingo account at the office as well as home, so I can call Sweden as much as I want from there too. I just love Lingo (who has Indian customer service, by the way). I don't know what I did before we had Lingo!
Well, better go in the shower now so we can get going. Have a great weekend!
Friday, April 13, 2007
Big headache day
Head hurts... I have pretty much been out doing errands all day. It was actually kind of nice even though the headache took over on more than one occasion. S and I went down to one of the larger shopping malls that have recently been renovated. We had a nice lunch (Japanese for me) and then S played in their indoor playground. It was a hot one today, it reached 96 degrees!
After our shopping excursion we went to the County Clerk's office at the downtown Court House to apply for S's passport. Hopefully it won't take the 10 weeks they said it would...
I was just sitting here feeling my head pounding when S came in singing Happy Birthday. She had made a special Birthday Cake and I also got a present.
The cool cake I got. Play Doh, yummy!
It is of course not my birthday, but she is so into this birthday thing and can't wait for hers to come around. We are having a little lunch party for her on May 5th and then she is having a little party in school on her actual birthday May 8th. She is obsessed! Instead of our regular books she has been reading this party supply catalogue every nigt for like 2 weeks. So knows all the details by now! She put so much into picking out plates, cups and napkins (Disney Princess). So cute! Better go; need to get to the bank's ATM and make a deposit before putting S to bed (that is a great thing about US banks: you can make a deposit at any time!)
After our shopping excursion we went to the County Clerk's office at the downtown Court House to apply for S's passport. Hopefully it won't take the 10 weeks they said it would...
I was just sitting here feeling my head pounding when S came in singing Happy Birthday. She had made a special Birthday Cake and I also got a present.
The cool cake I got. Play Doh, yummy!
It is of course not my birthday, but she is so into this birthday thing and can't wait for hers to come around. We are having a little lunch party for her on May 5th and then she is having a little party in school on her actual birthday May 8th. She is obsessed! Instead of our regular books she has been reading this party supply catalogue every nigt for like 2 weeks. So knows all the details by now! She put so much into picking out plates, cups and napkins (Disney Princess). So cute! Better go; need to get to the bank's ATM and make a deposit before putting S to bed (that is a great thing about US banks: you can make a deposit at any time!)
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Head ready to expload
So far that medication hasn't done much. Today I woke up with a regular thundering headache on top of the pain that was already there. I am not working today, luckily, so I am just trying to stay occupied by doing some cleaning (I can see my desk again!) and watching my eBay auctions that are ending in a few hours.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Can they really do this?
I just happened to be finishing up practical stuff for our Sweden trip. I still have to apply for a US passport for S, since she can't really travel on her Swedish one without being considered an immigrant when returning (at least that is what they told me). The US does not recognize double citizenship, so in their eyes she is only a US citizen. I only got the Swedish to establish that in case she ever wants/needs to live in Sweden.
Anyway, I noticed online they had changed our flight out of Tampa to Philadelphia, where we will fly out to Stockholm from. They just moved us to a flight 2 hour later without any whatsoever notification. can they just DO that? I called and confirmed, and they wouldn't give me any explanation (we are flying US Air). We still have the same seats that I had picked out. This will of course only get us 1.5 hour in Philly before our next flight, but they said it should be no problem.
We had planned on having dinner there before boarding (our flight leaves at 5:55 PM), since we know S won't eat anything they dare serve her on the plane... But I am sure there won't be any time for that now.
Does anyone know if we have to go through security again after arriving in Philly? I figured as long as we stay in the concourse are we would be OK, but I have no idea which concourse the flight to Sweden leaves from. I should call and find out. In that case we should be able to at least grab a meal at Chick Fila or something... Grumble... *** UPDATE: I called the airport and the airline, and they both said we don't have to go through security again when arriving in Philly, but I have learned to take such confirmation with a grain of salt... But I think we should be fine! And since we have to go through the food court to go to the next terminal we should at least be able to at least grab something real quick for S... But USAir is notorious for pretty much never being on time, so I am just keeping my fingers crossed!
Anyway, I noticed online they had changed our flight out of Tampa to Philadelphia, where we will fly out to Stockholm from. They just moved us to a flight 2 hour later without any whatsoever notification. can they just DO that? I called and confirmed, and they wouldn't give me any explanation (we are flying US Air). We still have the same seats that I had picked out. This will of course only get us 1.5 hour in Philly before our next flight, but they said it should be no problem.
We had planned on having dinner there before boarding (our flight leaves at 5:55 PM), since we know S won't eat anything they dare serve her on the plane... But I am sure there won't be any time for that now.
Does anyone know if we have to go through security again after arriving in Philly? I figured as long as we stay in the concourse are we would be OK, but I have no idea which concourse the flight to Sweden leaves from. I should call and find out. In that case we should be able to at least grab a meal at Chick Fila or something... Grumble... *** UPDATE: I called the airport and the airline, and they both said we don't have to go through security again when arriving in Philly, but I have learned to take such confirmation with a grain of salt... But I think we should be fine! And since we have to go through the food court to go to the next terminal we should at least be able to at least grab something real quick for S... But USAir is notorious for pretty much never being on time, so I am just keeping my fingers crossed!
Yes, we have limes!
Last year we had a terribly dry spring, in fact, I have never seen all the lakes in the area so empty. This affected a lot of plants as well, especially our Key Lime tree, which didn't develop one single fruit... This year it seems we have better luck, I saw a couple of juicy limes on the branches!
Our Key Lime Tree
We have had two days of non stop rain, so hopefully that will help. We really needed that! You can almost see the steam rising from the saturated ground today, now when the temperature is back up.
The yard is getting greener for every day it seems, the Oleander is almost done blooming, and the Australian bottle brush seems to be on the verge of its last blooms as well. The only thing I haven't seen yet is bananas, they usually start popping out around this time. They are very delicious!
Australian Bottle Brush Tree in the back of the house
Our Key Lime Tree
We have had two days of non stop rain, so hopefully that will help. We really needed that! You can almost see the steam rising from the saturated ground today, now when the temperature is back up.
The yard is getting greener for every day it seems, the Oleander is almost done blooming, and the Australian bottle brush seems to be on the verge of its last blooms as well. The only thing I haven't seen yet is bananas, they usually start popping out around this time. They are very delicious!
Australian Bottle Brush Tree in the back of the house
En liten lista
En kul lista från Annika:
Tio första:
Första bästa kompis: Anna, sedan 1:an
Första bil: Min kära gamla röda lilla plutt Fiat! Den var så cool! Med 100 watts högtalare...
Första kärlek: Vet inte riktigt, min man skulle jag nog tro var den riktigt riktiga kärleken
Första husdjur: Alltid katt när jag växte upp, vi hade grisfarm tills jag var 4 dessutom, och höns.
Första semester: Ingen aning faktiskt.
Första jobb: Sommarjobb som kassörska på en ICA vid en camping. Det var kul, jag var 13.
Första köpta skiva: Kommer inte riktigt ihåg, men det var nog nått med Madonna.
Första riktiga kärlek: Att skriva och läsa.
Första piercing: Kommer ihåg att jag cyklade genom hela stan med öronen svidandes, så stolt så stolt när jag äntligen fick hål i öronen när jag var 8. Gjorde ett par hål till vid 13, men de har växt igen.
Första konsert: Oj, det måste nog ha varit Ulf Lundell på mitt kära gamla Gotland.
Nio senaste:
Senaste alkoholdrycken: En urgod Pina Colada (kommer du ihåg, M?) på Daquiri Deck på Siesta Key. På grund av mediciner blir det tyvärr inte så mycket alkohol, tar det försiktigt eftersom mycket bryts ner i levern. Denna drink var i september förra året.
Senaste bilfärd: Hämtade S från förskolan efter att ha gjort en massa ärenden. Var dyngsur eftersom det ösregnande och jag gav paraplyet till henne.
Senaste filmen du såg: "Monster House" med S i helgen. Var lite läskig.
Senaste ringda telefonsamtal: Till min man igår kväll.
Senaste bubbelbadet: Typ 2004 i Las Vegas!
Senaste spelade cd: Lyssnar mest på radion, men det var nog i bilen och vad heter han, Lenny Kravitz.
Senaste kyss: Fick en puss i morse, en riktig kyss har det inte riktigt varit tid för på senaste. Snart är tax season over!
Senaste gången du grät: Jag gråter ofta, renar så bra, men kan inte komma ihåg vad det var för. Jag fick tårar i ögonen igår kväll när S var så rolig och hittade på sin egen Super Hero. Han heter Coconut Boy och kastar kokosnötter på "the bad guys". Ja hon kan hon! Det var ju inte mindre roligt att hon berättade detta med en mörk, rolig röst! Kul att hon har humor!
Senaste måltiden: Frukost precis, med grovt bröd ost och en kopp Earl Grey Green Tea.
Åtta har du nånsin:
Dejtat en av dina bästa kompisar: Nej.
Blivit arresterad: Nej.
Blivit kär vid första ögonkastet: Nej.
Fastnat med blicken i någons urringning: Jo, många gånger. Man kan ju se de mest förfärliga överförstorade tuttar som hänger ut nuförtiden, lite smaklöst.
Fått ditt hjärta krossat: Jag är nog ganska tuff.
Sagt att du älskar någon utan att mena det: Nej.
Haft ett one night stand: Jorå, några stycken. Men det var helt värdelöst insåg jag snabbt.
Busringt till någon: Många gånger som barn, det är väl nått som den nya generationen inte riktigt kan uppleva.
Sex saker du gjorde igår alt. idag
1. Tvättat
2. Jobbat
3. Sprang ärenden
4. Gått ett par promenader i ösregnet med hundisarna (de var inte glada)
5. Kollat på TV (House, NCIS)
6. Ordnat med hemförsäkringen (äntligen klart!)
Fem favoritsaker utan rangordning
(förutom familjen)
1. Min bil
2. Min säng
3. Min kamera
4. Min mobil
5. Min dildo (nä skojar bara, ville se om ni satte kaffet i vrångstupen!) Mina solglasögon
Fyra personer du kan berätta allt för
Maken, min dotter, mina hundar... Min mamma... Fast riktigt ALLT får nog ingen veta ... :-)
Tre val
Blått eller rött? Blått
Sommar eller vinter? Sommar
Choklad eller chips? Choklad
Två saker att göra innan du dör (och det vill man ju tänka på redan, NOT!)
1. Resa MYCKET
2. Se min dotter växa upp
En sak du ångrar
Ja, man kan ju ångra hur mycket som helst, men det går ju inte, s9 det får bli blankt...
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
One of life's little luxuries...
I was just making the bed, and I realized how much I love it! I mean, with age comes appreciation of things I would never have thought much of in my early 20s: my precious shiny new stainless steel appliances, for instance.
But the bed. Oh the bed! It is a fairly well used Sealy Posturepedic bed, queen size. Waaay too small for us, the dogs and the daughter, which is usually what ends up in it every night... But I have equipped it with a thick memory foam mattress pad and glorious super luxe 600 thread count linens. Those linens with their cool crispness are such an everyday thing now, I forgot how my dear husband's old polyester blend used to feel like. Not. The. Same.
So if you can, get luxurious sheets. And a memory foam mattress pad. It makes a bed into a haven. And I am getting old :-)!
But the bed. Oh the bed! It is a fairly well used Sealy Posturepedic bed, queen size. Waaay too small for us, the dogs and the daughter, which is usually what ends up in it every night... But I have equipped it with a thick memory foam mattress pad and glorious super luxe 600 thread count linens. Those linens with their cool crispness are such an everyday thing now, I forgot how my dear husband's old polyester blend used to feel like. Not. The. Same.
So if you can, get luxurious sheets. And a memory foam mattress pad. It makes a bed into a haven. And I am getting old :-)!
Work day
Today it will be mostly work. I just sent S off to school with K, and I am ready to go. I have a few different projects, none which is really big, so if I am lucky I might finish up fast and be able to clean the house a bit as well.
I went to see my regular doctor yesterday, and you can tell what a difference in experience it is compared to Dr Q. I thought it was weird I could have an inflammation in the temporal artery, since it clearly says every where I read it should have cleared up immediately after starting steroids. My discomfort started after starting the steroids...
Well, after some more testing and probing Dr B said it was actually the nerve, not the artery, that is inflamed. That is great news, since it at least can't kill you or make you go blind! It is still a pain, but at least I don't have to freak out. I have had some really bad problems with an inflamed nerve in my hip for almost a year now. It can get sooo painful, but not even a strong pain killer help. This thing might come and go, but he said for some reason certain nerve pain can be helped with anti-seizure medication, the kind used for Epilepsy. Many people with MS and diabetes can have pain from nerves, and I guess it was discovered that anti-seizure meds can be of help. I told Dr b I feel like I am medically cursed or something, even though I know it is just the lupus causing all this, and he kind of shocked me by saying he thought it was a miracle I was even alive after all I have been through! Not really what I needed to hear... I have had Dr B as my doctor for 9 years now, so I trust him and he knows me very well. I just got a little taken aback. My glass is always half FULL, I believe you can't be all depressed all the time, then what would that do to you? Positive thinking have helped me through my 20 years of being sick. It does work.
I was reading up on the condition, called Trigeminal Neuralgia, and it sounds like I am pretty lucky it isn't worse. Dr B think the steroids actually have triggered it, since they apparently can cause irritation of the nerves sometimes, The medication, Lyrica, he gave me, and it sounded pretty bad, like it would make me all sleepy and dizzy, but I took it 2 hours before bed time and didn't notice anything at all, so that is a good start. I am suppose to increase the dose after 2 days, and then again after another 2. Hopefully I should feel better after 2 weeks he said, and then I can stop taking it. We will see. I am just happy I don't have to worry about going blind any more!
I went to see my regular doctor yesterday, and you can tell what a difference in experience it is compared to Dr Q. I thought it was weird I could have an inflammation in the temporal artery, since it clearly says every where I read it should have cleared up immediately after starting steroids. My discomfort started after starting the steroids...
Well, after some more testing and probing Dr B said it was actually the nerve, not the artery, that is inflamed. That is great news, since it at least can't kill you or make you go blind! It is still a pain, but at least I don't have to freak out. I have had some really bad problems with an inflamed nerve in my hip for almost a year now. It can get sooo painful, but not even a strong pain killer help. This thing might come and go, but he said for some reason certain nerve pain can be helped with anti-seizure medication, the kind used for Epilepsy. Many people with MS and diabetes can have pain from nerves, and I guess it was discovered that anti-seizure meds can be of help. I told Dr b I feel like I am medically cursed or something, even though I know it is just the lupus causing all this, and he kind of shocked me by saying he thought it was a miracle I was even alive after all I have been through! Not really what I needed to hear... I have had Dr B as my doctor for 9 years now, so I trust him and he knows me very well. I just got a little taken aback. My glass is always half FULL, I believe you can't be all depressed all the time, then what would that do to you? Positive thinking have helped me through my 20 years of being sick. It does work.
I was reading up on the condition, called Trigeminal Neuralgia, and it sounds like I am pretty lucky it isn't worse. Dr B think the steroids actually have triggered it, since they apparently can cause irritation of the nerves sometimes, The medication, Lyrica, he gave me, and it sounded pretty bad, like it would make me all sleepy and dizzy, but I took it 2 hours before bed time and didn't notice anything at all, so that is a good start. I am suppose to increase the dose after 2 days, and then again after another 2. Hopefully I should feel better after 2 weeks he said, and then I can stop taking it. We will see. I am just happy I don't have to worry about going blind any more!
Monday, April 9, 2007
Annandag Påsk
I took S to the pediatrician this morning, toting along a fresh pee sample, Luckily it seems she doesn't have a UTI; she will just need some hormone and steroid cream down there for a while. I am glad she don't have to take any antibiotics, they always do a number on her stomach even though I load her up with probitoics.
I am going to leave her with L this afternoon when I go to see my doctor, just in case they decide to send me for any tests or anything. She will have a great time at L's! And I think L has a little Easter basket for her as well. I told her not to give her any more candy; she had an overdose yesterday!
I talked to S's pediatrician, Dr L, about S's picky eating habits. I know he went through the same thing with one of his own kids, so he can relate. It sounds like I don't have to worry, but you know, I do anyway.
She just don't eat what I consider to be a balanced diet. No vegetebales (french fries is NOT a veggie, whatever you say), and she doesn't like pasta, rice or potatoes. Pretty much just chicken nuggets, hot dogs and maybe a PB&J sandwich... She likes fruit, and I make her smoothies loaded with fruit she normally wouldn't like on its own. I mixed in frozen strawberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, honey dew, pineapple, banana with a small yogurt and some orange juice. She loves it!
I also try to feed her baked chicken nuggets made out of white breast meat, rather than those ... things... they call nuggets at fast food places. I also varies the hot dogs between all beef, mixed, and turkey. The only grains she really eats is bread, so I try to either bake or buy only whole grain bread for her. She drinks fat free milk, likes yogurt and some cheese. But that is about it. Not much to work with at all!
If I try to introduce something new she freaks out. So I guess she will starve half the time in Sweden, since my family tends to serve home made "husmanskost". Or maybe this will be a great opportunity for her to start "branching out" a bit.
Oh by the way: I booked the last things for our Sweden trip: the flight from Stockholm to Visby, the ferry from Visby to Nynäshamn, as well as the hotel in Stockholm. We ended up with the Hotel Tegnérlunden after all. As you can see on this map the location is be pretty goodI got a good deal and they threw in a free fruit basket and mineral water that will be waiting for us when we get there. Not too bad all in all, I think.
Map of the area where the hotel is
Hotel Tegnérlunden
I am going to leave her with L this afternoon when I go to see my doctor, just in case they decide to send me for any tests or anything. She will have a great time at L's! And I think L has a little Easter basket for her as well. I told her not to give her any more candy; she had an overdose yesterday!
I talked to S's pediatrician, Dr L, about S's picky eating habits. I know he went through the same thing with one of his own kids, so he can relate. It sounds like I don't have to worry, but you know, I do anyway.
She just don't eat what I consider to be a balanced diet. No vegetebales (french fries is NOT a veggie, whatever you say), and she doesn't like pasta, rice or potatoes. Pretty much just chicken nuggets, hot dogs and maybe a PB&J sandwich... She likes fruit, and I make her smoothies loaded with fruit she normally wouldn't like on its own. I mixed in frozen strawberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, honey dew, pineapple, banana with a small yogurt and some orange juice. She loves it!
I also try to feed her baked chicken nuggets made out of white breast meat, rather than those ... things... they call nuggets at fast food places. I also varies the hot dogs between all beef, mixed, and turkey. The only grains she really eats is bread, so I try to either bake or buy only whole grain bread for her. She drinks fat free milk, likes yogurt and some cheese. But that is about it. Not much to work with at all!
If I try to introduce something new she freaks out. So I guess she will starve half the time in Sweden, since my family tends to serve home made "husmanskost". Or maybe this will be a great opportunity for her to start "branching out" a bit.
Oh by the way: I booked the last things for our Sweden trip: the flight from Stockholm to Visby, the ferry from Visby to Nynäshamn, as well as the hotel in Stockholm. We ended up with the Hotel Tegnérlunden after all. As you can see on this map the location is be pretty goodI got a good deal and they threw in a free fruit basket and mineral water that will be waiting for us when we get there. Not too bad all in all, I think.
Map of the area where the hotel is
Hotel Tegnérlunden
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Easter Sunday
What a nice day today have been! We started out by sleeping in - an extremely rare event for K! All was still until 9:30 AM. I just laid quietly in bed and listen to husband, daughter and dogs snoozing away... Quite nice actually!
After that we got ready for our Easter lunch, S looked like she was a spring vision in a cute pink and yellow linen like dress from GAP. It warmed up nicely and the sun shone brightly!
We had a nice meal, feasting on Easter ham and prime rib. S, the super picky eater she is, only ate bread and pumpkin pie, but that was to be expected I guess.
After that we drove around looking at the new houses that have been popping up lately.
A quick stop at home to change into something more comfortable, then we took the dogs and went over to the office.
S had her little egg hunt outside and got her Easter basket, and K and I both worked. We went for a few walks and had a small dinner before heading home for the day. K is soo tired he just couldn't work anymore. He just needed a night on the couch, even though he really has a lot to do.
I have to call S's pediatrician first thing tomorrow, she definitely has a urinary tract infection, the poor thing. I was wondering starting on Friday what was up when she all of a sudden had to pee frequently and didn't make it half the time. It became very clear yesterday what was going on, so I got her some diaper pants so she don't have to feel so bad, and also loaded her up with cranberry juice, which is suppose to help a bit. But I have a feeling she will need antibiotics for this one. So I guess it will be a day of doctors visits tomorrow, since I need to see mine too.
Those beta blockers they gave me are really making me feel weird, and I swear they are making my heart jump once in a while, a very uncomfortable feeling. This entire head thing has freaked me out so much I am almost not thinking about it, since it just is so scary. But it is hard not to, since it tends to take over. Scary.
After that we got ready for our Easter lunch, S looked like she was a spring vision in a cute pink and yellow linen like dress from GAP. It warmed up nicely and the sun shone brightly!
We had a nice meal, feasting on Easter ham and prime rib. S, the super picky eater she is, only ate bread and pumpkin pie, but that was to be expected I guess.
After that we drove around looking at the new houses that have been popping up lately.
A quick stop at home to change into something more comfortable, then we took the dogs and went over to the office.
S had her little egg hunt outside and got her Easter basket, and K and I both worked. We went for a few walks and had a small dinner before heading home for the day. K is soo tired he just couldn't work anymore. He just needed a night on the couch, even though he really has a lot to do.
I have to call S's pediatrician first thing tomorrow, she definitely has a urinary tract infection, the poor thing. I was wondering starting on Friday what was up when she all of a sudden had to pee frequently and didn't make it half the time. It became very clear yesterday what was going on, so I got her some diaper pants so she don't have to feel so bad, and also loaded her up with cranberry juice, which is suppose to help a bit. But I have a feeling she will need antibiotics for this one. So I guess it will be a day of doctors visits tomorrow, since I need to see mine too.
Those beta blockers they gave me are really making me feel weird, and I swear they are making my heart jump once in a while, a very uncomfortable feeling. This entire head thing has freaked me out so much I am almost not thinking about it, since it just is so scary. But it is hard not to, since it tends to take over. Scary.
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Easter Egg Hunt 2007
S getting ready for her turn on the field
We had a very fun egg hunt this morning! It was a bit chilly, but nothing at all what they had promised. We went out for breakfast first, and we were ready at the park when Peter Cottontail, a.k.a. The Easter Bunny arrived with the conquistadors. As I mentioned before, the egg hunt is part of the Desoto Heritage festival.
A conquistador with the field full of eggs in the background
In 1539, Hernando de Soto, the Spanish conquistador, landed at what is now Shaw's Point here in Bradenton Florida, and began his 4,000 mile search for El Dorado, the legendary lost city of gold. The De Soto National Memorial marks the site and each spring, a month-long gala celebration, The De Soto Heritage Festival, is held to commemorate De Soto's landing.
Everything culminates in a huge parade on April 28th, we attended for the first time last year and had a blast! We will go this year as well, and friends of us are having a private party in conjunction with the parade, so that should be fun.
When the Easter Bunny arrived the conquistadors were throwing beads from the ship, and all the kids went wild. S got a lot of them, and she also got a commemorative Desoto Coin from one of the conquistadors, which she was very proud of.
S hold up her commemorative coin
She even got to say hi to the Bunny himself!
S and the Easter Bunny
After that it was time for the hunt. Everyone ran out on the field (they have separate hunts for different age groups). S immediately knew the drill and soon had a basket full. You had to open all the eggs before leaving since there were tickets for special prices in some. A lady from the local newspaper took our picture, so we will see tomorrow if we made it in print, I will post the picture if I see it!
S and I getting ready to watch the older kids get their eggs
We left feeling we had a great time. It really was a great family fun time!
Friday, April 6, 2007
Oh my!
I have mentioned before that I have this increasing uncomfortable pressure in my temple on the left side. Well, last night it was just so bad I knew I had to go to the doctor today. It was just starting to be too scary.
My regular doctor wasn't in, so I had to see Dr Q. He is alright, but kind of young and unexperienced. I could tell he was a bit nervous, especially since he know I have such an extensive medical background. Finally he consulted with a couple of the other doctors, and they think I have something called Giant Cell Arteritis, or temporal arteritis. It is an inflammation of the arteries that often occurs in the side of the face near the temple.
Well that makes sense, since I am currently having inflammation in an artery in my right leg, and I have had similar inflammation in other arteries as well. I also have lots of enlarged arteries, especially on my stomach, from the blood clots. I guess the body starts trying to find new ways around blockages and that is why I have all these new, big arteries. That is what they said.
So they did some blood tests and put me on beta blockers until next week when I will see Dr B. Usually the treatment for this Giant Cell Arteritis is large doses of steroids, which I am already on... so I am not sure if they will do anything else. He said the beta blockers would help with the throbbing. Unbelievable! I feel I must be medically cursed or something...
At least it isn't a blood clot. That would have been way more scary. But apparently I can go permanently blind, have a stroke or aortic aneurysm. Not to mention there is no cure, just long term steroid treatment! I sure hope Dr B has something more to give me next week, this is just too much. Apparently it is very rear that anyone under 50 get this, and being Scandinavian increases your chance of getting it. I had never even heard of it before
My regular doctor wasn't in, so I had to see Dr Q. He is alright, but kind of young and unexperienced. I could tell he was a bit nervous, especially since he know I have such an extensive medical background. Finally he consulted with a couple of the other doctors, and they think I have something called Giant Cell Arteritis, or temporal arteritis. It is an inflammation of the arteries that often occurs in the side of the face near the temple.
Well that makes sense, since I am currently having inflammation in an artery in my right leg, and I have had similar inflammation in other arteries as well. I also have lots of enlarged arteries, especially on my stomach, from the blood clots. I guess the body starts trying to find new ways around blockages and that is why I have all these new, big arteries. That is what they said.
So they did some blood tests and put me on beta blockers until next week when I will see Dr B. Usually the treatment for this Giant Cell Arteritis is large doses of steroids, which I am already on... so I am not sure if they will do anything else. He said the beta blockers would help with the throbbing. Unbelievable! I feel I must be medically cursed or something...
At least it isn't a blood clot. That would have been way more scary. But apparently I can go permanently blind, have a stroke or aortic aneurysm. Not to mention there is no cure, just long term steroid treatment! I sure hope Dr B has something more to give me next week, this is just too much. Apparently it is very rear that anyone under 50 get this, and being Scandinavian increases your chance of getting it. I had never even heard of it before
Långfredag
This day is somewhat of a red day here for a lot of people, but not like in Sweden. The schools are already on break this week, and a lot of businesses (corporate) are closed. But other then that, things are as usual.
I think we need to clean a bit today, since I have so much work to do over the weekend. I do have a project that needs to be done today, but it is just editing and small. Editing tend to take half or less the time than translation, you just need to be very detailed and have a good eye. It is for one of my oldest clients, a translation agency in Portland, OR. We have been working on the same project for 7 years now, constantly updated user manuals for something called WARN winches. Most of these are used in front of vehicles to perform various winching tasks. Very exciting. But it has been interesting to be on such a large scale project (many languages) over the year. And I know a LOT about winches by now...
That is a huge benefit of my job, I tend to pick up all kinds of odd knowledge all the time, since I work on so many different things. I have done everything from private love letters, business correspondence, and web sites, to autopsy protocol, user manuals, and computer games. And everything in between. It's quite cool, actually. I have always been very, what is the word... "vetgirig"... you know, I have an inquisitive mind. I love learning about new things! Plus, since I don't chose the translation subjects, I get forced to learn about things I normally never would have. So for every year that goes by I just add to my odd knowledge.
I always thought I wanted to be a writer. That is why I got a degree in Communications with later the goal of becoming a journalist. While in school I realized it wasn't really for me, but I still loved to write, loved language. I just happened to slink into the translation business by accident (isn't that how most careers start?) When I made $800 my first day I figured this might be worth pursuing... Plus, when you have so many health problems like I do it is really ideal to be your own boss and be able to work from home and take on as much or little you can handle.
Barely 1 year after starting out I had to incorporate to get away from all the self employment taxes. Now I am an employee of my own coproration and since we don't have income tax in Florida I save a bundle by taking out distributions on my shares on top of my salary. It really helps being married to a CPA!
If someone would have told me just 12 years ago that I would move to the US, get married to an American, have a daughter, two dogs, own a house and my own business, I would have laughed myself silly. I would never have guessed!
I think we need to clean a bit today, since I have so much work to do over the weekend. I do have a project that needs to be done today, but it is just editing and small. Editing tend to take half or less the time than translation, you just need to be very detailed and have a good eye. It is for one of my oldest clients, a translation agency in Portland, OR. We have been working on the same project for 7 years now, constantly updated user manuals for something called WARN winches. Most of these are used in front of vehicles to perform various winching tasks. Very exciting. But it has been interesting to be on such a large scale project (many languages) over the year. And I know a LOT about winches by now...
That is a huge benefit of my job, I tend to pick up all kinds of odd knowledge all the time, since I work on so many different things. I have done everything from private love letters, business correspondence, and web sites, to autopsy protocol, user manuals, and computer games. And everything in between. It's quite cool, actually. I have always been very, what is the word... "vetgirig"... you know, I have an inquisitive mind. I love learning about new things! Plus, since I don't chose the translation subjects, I get forced to learn about things I normally never would have. So for every year that goes by I just add to my odd knowledge.
I always thought I wanted to be a writer. That is why I got a degree in Communications with later the goal of becoming a journalist. While in school I realized it wasn't really for me, but I still loved to write, loved language. I just happened to slink into the translation business by accident (isn't that how most careers start?) When I made $800 my first day I figured this might be worth pursuing... Plus, when you have so many health problems like I do it is really ideal to be your own boss and be able to work from home and take on as much or little you can handle.
Barely 1 year after starting out I had to incorporate to get away from all the self employment taxes. Now I am an employee of my own coproration and since we don't have income tax in Florida I save a bundle by taking out distributions on my shares on top of my salary. It really helps being married to a CPA!
If someone would have told me just 12 years ago that I would move to the US, get married to an American, have a daughter, two dogs, own a house and my own business, I would have laughed myself silly. I would never have guessed!
Thursday, April 5, 2007
eBay pain...
I just uploaded a few auctions with S's clothes from last summer. I usually use Turbo Lister to get everything up their smoothly, but today it kept insisting I had exceeded the weigh limit for the international shipping method I had chosen. The problem was, I didn't select international shipping... It is just too risky to ship internationally since you don't have the tracking capabilities you have domestically by using PayPal and pay and print shipping labels directly through them.
But finally I had no choice to choose an international option on two of the auctions, just to shut it up. Grumble! you can check out my auctions by clicking here.
But finally I had no choice to choose an international option on two of the auctions, just to shut it up. Grumble! you can check out my auctions by clicking here.
Easter Plans
It is tough making any plans for doing anything this weekend since K is so busy with taxes still.
But we managed to come up with some family time amidst the craziness. On Saturday we will start the day off with a nice breakfast out somewhere, preferable on the beach, but it might be too far to drive since we need to be at The GT Bray Park's Annual Egg Hunt at 9 AM.
The Easter Bunny arrives on a Pirate Ship and they throw beads to all the kids, it is part of the Desoto Heritage Festival.
The Easter Bunny arrives!
On Sunday we have reservations at the Stoneybrook Golf Club in Heritage Harbour. They usually have a really nice holiday buffet, and it kind of feels like going to a Swedish smörgåsbord, except no "sill" of course. They are casual and relaxed, but still nice enough that you want to dress up a bit. It will be a very early "dinner" since the 1 and 3 PM sittings were full, so we will get there at 11 AM. More a brunch for us, but that works too! They do a really nice Easter ham carving station.
After that we are heading over to K's office since he has to work, and I have arranged for a surprise egg hunt for S. Since nobody is there on the weekends except us, we have all the grounds to our selves. I got a bunch of eggs that have little toys and activities from the Disney Princesses, she will flip over that! My plan is to sneak out when she doesn't look, hide all the eggs outside, then go back in and tell her I think I saw the Easter Bunny outside, and we better go out and see what he is up to! Then we will "discover" the first egg, and she can hunt for the rest. This age is so great, they get super excited about stuff, and their imagination is soaring. So cute! After we are done there will magically be an Easter basket waiting for her inside that I made, that the Easter Bunny dropped off before he left... She is going to love it!
S's Easter Basket
But we managed to come up with some family time amidst the craziness. On Saturday we will start the day off with a nice breakfast out somewhere, preferable on the beach, but it might be too far to drive since we need to be at The GT Bray Park's Annual Egg Hunt at 9 AM.
The Easter Bunny arrives on a Pirate Ship and they throw beads to all the kids, it is part of the Desoto Heritage Festival.
The Easter Bunny arrives!
On Sunday we have reservations at the Stoneybrook Golf Club in Heritage Harbour. They usually have a really nice holiday buffet, and it kind of feels like going to a Swedish smörgåsbord, except no "sill" of course. They are casual and relaxed, but still nice enough that you want to dress up a bit. It will be a very early "dinner" since the 1 and 3 PM sittings were full, so we will get there at 11 AM. More a brunch for us, but that works too! They do a really nice Easter ham carving station.
After that we are heading over to K's office since he has to work, and I have arranged for a surprise egg hunt for S. Since nobody is there on the weekends except us, we have all the grounds to our selves. I got a bunch of eggs that have little toys and activities from the Disney Princesses, she will flip over that! My plan is to sneak out when she doesn't look, hide all the eggs outside, then go back in and tell her I think I saw the Easter Bunny outside, and we better go out and see what he is up to! Then we will "discover" the first egg, and she can hunt for the rest. This age is so great, they get super excited about stuff, and their imagination is soaring. So cute! After we are done there will magically be an Easter basket waiting for her inside that I made, that the Easter Bunny dropped off before he left... She is going to love it!
S's Easter Basket
Chrysler Sebring Convertible
If you buy the new Chrysler Sebring Convertible in Sweden, and you don't understand the user manual: blame me! I was part of translating it, and we just finsihed the project.
Since one of our cars is this particular vehicle it was kind of fun to do this project, I normally don't get too excited about any kind of car translation.
But lets just say that we probably will replace this car soon, and it will not be a Chrysler. Of any kind. You can interpret that however you want...
Me & K next to our Chrysler Sebring Convertible
This is my trusty Toyota Corolla (now with a Swedish sign in the front)
And this is the reason I got my car. S is only 3 months old here.
Since one of our cars is this particular vehicle it was kind of fun to do this project, I normally don't get too excited about any kind of car translation.
But lets just say that we probably will replace this car soon, and it will not be a Chrysler. Of any kind. You can interpret that however you want...
Me & K next to our Chrysler Sebring Convertible
This is my trusty Toyota Corolla (now with a Swedish sign in the front)
And this is the reason I got my car. S is only 3 months old here.
The mysteries of men
Of what I have understood from friends I am not alone in this...
Last night I e-mailed a short list for the husband to go by the grocery store on the way home. He didn't bring the list. Even if he did, the result might have been the same.
I asked for specifically FAT FREE organic milk. I got 2 % Organic milk. He knows I hate anything but fat free.
I asked for white bread since I am not supposed to eat anything else right now. He comes home with this monstrous thing called an Easter Bread! It is like a loaf of bread crossed with fruit cake. Nasty!
I said get fruit. He got fruit. That one is an easy one right? Well, one time he came home with pickled grapefruit. PICKLED GRAPEFRUIT???
The rest of the stuff on the list (read the most important stuff) he forgot.
It is ALWAYS the same thing. And then get pissed because I am pissed. Just buy what you are supposed to! Especially when he knows I will be pissed if (when) he screws it up! I don't get it! He can run a complex CPA firm, but not get a few groceries???
Don't get me started on other things, like throwing his used clothes on the floor NEXT to the hamper instead of inside it...! Or putting empty food containers back in the fridge... or... yeah, you know, husband stuff.
Good for him he is so cute!
Last night I e-mailed a short list for the husband to go by the grocery store on the way home. He didn't bring the list. Even if he did, the result might have been the same.
I asked for specifically FAT FREE organic milk. I got 2 % Organic milk. He knows I hate anything but fat free.
I asked for white bread since I am not supposed to eat anything else right now. He comes home with this monstrous thing called an Easter Bread! It is like a loaf of bread crossed with fruit cake. Nasty!
I said get fruit. He got fruit. That one is an easy one right? Well, one time he came home with pickled grapefruit. PICKLED GRAPEFRUIT???
The rest of the stuff on the list (read the most important stuff) he forgot.
It is ALWAYS the same thing. And then get pissed because I am pissed. Just buy what you are supposed to! Especially when he knows I will be pissed if (when) he screws it up! I don't get it! He can run a complex CPA firm, but not get a few groceries???
Don't get me started on other things, like throwing his used clothes on the floor NEXT to the hamper instead of inside it...! Or putting empty food containers back in the fridge... or... yeah, you know, husband stuff.
Good for him he is so cute!
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Time to break out the fake bake!
Today it felt like summer was back! So hot! I was standing talking to the neighbour for just a few minutes, and it was sweltering! I figured since I am so white it was time to break out the instant tan stuff to go with the weather. I was wearing a khaki skirt the other day, and you couldn't see where the skirt ended and the leg started, I was so pale! Hopefully i won't be all streaky tomorrow... :-)
I like Sublime Bronze Tinted Self Tanning Lotion by L'Oreal Paris. I had very good results with that last year.
We will see tomorrow when I get out in the reality of the harsh sunlight!
I like Sublime Bronze Tinted Self Tanning Lotion by L'Oreal Paris. I had very good results with that last year.
We will see tomorrow when I get out in the reality of the harsh sunlight!
Unwelcome side effetcs
I really hate steroids! I forgot all the nasty side effects that usually comes with it...
I can't remember when I ever took this high dose before, so I shouldn't be surprised. But it happened. I got a yeast infection. And I am not talking about a regular old fashioned yeast infection. Steroids knocks out the whole body, and it is in the skin, colon and other places. It hurts!
Since I often get this type of infection due to all the steroids, I already had the medicine at home, waiting for me. It is a little pill you take that take 24 hours before it starts working. And usually several days before you feel any relief. Nasty, nasty... And last night that head pressure thing was pulsating so bad I just couldn't fall asleep for hours. So uncomfortable!
I also have started to get major bruising all over my legs, not a pretty sight. And I always worry about the 50 % increased chance of a stroke, especially since I already had several blood clots. The side effects are many with Prednisone, especially on 40 mg.
I can't remember when I ever took this high dose before, so I shouldn't be surprised. But it happened. I got a yeast infection. And I am not talking about a regular old fashioned yeast infection. Steroids knocks out the whole body, and it is in the skin, colon and other places. It hurts!
Since I often get this type of infection due to all the steroids, I already had the medicine at home, waiting for me. It is a little pill you take that take 24 hours before it starts working. And usually several days before you feel any relief. Nasty, nasty... And last night that head pressure thing was pulsating so bad I just couldn't fall asleep for hours. So uncomfortable!
I also have started to get major bruising all over my legs, not a pretty sight. And I always worry about the 50 % increased chance of a stroke, especially since I already had several blood clots. The side effects are many with Prednisone, especially on 40 mg.
Sverige-resan
Kanske någon av er som besöker Sverige lite mer regelbundet kan vara till hjälp...
Vi ska till Gotland den 6 juli, men på hemvägen tänkte vi stanna i Stockholm 2 nätter och titta runt lite, kanske ta S till Skansen (K och S har aldrig varit i Sverige).
Vi ska boka allt det sista nu i helgen, och jag håller på att bli tokig på att fundera ut vilket hotell vi ska bo på! Antingen nått precis bredvid Arlanda, men kanske bättre att ta nått "mitt i smeten"?!?
Vi vill bo så billigt som möjligt eftersom vi bara ska sova där. Jag funderar på Hotel Tegnerlunden, jag kan få ett dubbelrum där för 2 nätter fö 1980 SEK. Verkar vara ett OK läge. Vad trors? Har ni några andra förslag?
Vi ska till Gotland den 6 juli, men på hemvägen tänkte vi stanna i Stockholm 2 nätter och titta runt lite, kanske ta S till Skansen (K och S har aldrig varit i Sverige).
Vi ska boka allt det sista nu i helgen, och jag håller på att bli tokig på att fundera ut vilket hotell vi ska bo på! Antingen nått precis bredvid Arlanda, men kanske bättre att ta nått "mitt i smeten"?!?
Vi vill bo så billigt som möjligt eftersom vi bara ska sova där. Jag funderar på Hotel Tegnerlunden, jag kan få ett dubbelrum där för 2 nätter fö 1980 SEK. Verkar vara ett OK läge. Vad trors? Har ni några andra förslag?
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Work day!
I just sent S and K off, and today I have a lot of work to do.
I have this longtime client that is really odd. I love the girls in their office, especially since they send me a lot of work, but they have no people skills! They are located in Hong Kong, and I know from phone conversations that their English is not the best, so I am accepting it is a cultural difference. But I have close friends from Hong Kong, and they are NOT like that!
Anyway, I get a new project from them early this morning. This new project manager I haven't worked with before says: "This is for very important client! You do your best work! Don't mess up!" OK!!! Be a little more subtle... Plus they know I am very detail oriented with work and they always give me great feedback from their end client, so it is not like I need an extra slap in the right direction or anything. Just kind of funny...
I have this longtime client that is really odd. I love the girls in their office, especially since they send me a lot of work, but they have no people skills! They are located in Hong Kong, and I know from phone conversations that their English is not the best, so I am accepting it is a cultural difference. But I have close friends from Hong Kong, and they are NOT like that!
Anyway, I get a new project from them early this morning. This new project manager I haven't worked with before says: "This is for very important client! You do your best work! Don't mess up!" OK!!! Be a little more subtle... Plus they know I am very detail oriented with work and they always give me great feedback from their end client, so it is not like I need an extra slap in the right direction or anything. Just kind of funny...
Monday, April 2, 2007
Tired to the bone
I guess I am still not as well as I thought. I had some major colon bleeding today, a setback I wasn't expecting after several weeks on hard core steroids! Oh well, at least I am getting a little bit more sleep, always something. I just made and ate my Thai pork with red curry sauce. The dish always comes out differently, depending for what I am in the mood for I guess. Toady's version you can see here in the picture. Note the Swedish wooden spoon!
I am going to call it a day for S in a minute, she is just so into this new show on PBS she has never seen before, but it is almost over. Then a little wash up, brush her teeth and time for bed! I am looking forward to a new episode of The Riches on FX. If you haven't discovered this show, check it out!
We went by L's house today, but she was pretty busy getting ready to fly back to work, so we barely stayed an hour, just to see her a bit and say hi.
I better go for now.
I am going to call it a day for S in a minute, she is just so into this new show on PBS she has never seen before, but it is almost over. Then a little wash up, brush her teeth and time for bed! I am looking forward to a new episode of The Riches on FX. If you haven't discovered this show, check it out!We went by L's house today, but she was pretty busy getting ready to fly back to work, so we barely stayed an hour, just to see her a bit and say hi.
I better go for now.
Yet another busy day!
S and I spent the morning coasting around town delivering for K. Can't wait until Tax Season is over so life can go back to normal. It is always crazy this time of year! And it being only 2 weeks left now also means K is at the height of stress and he has no energy left. We really need some R&R after this! It wasn't supposed to be so tough this year, with K having a full time accounting specialist and hiring a CPA for the season. But the first CPA was a total waist of time and effort, she completely lied about her abilities... And she was a PhD! The second CPA he hired wasn't much better, but he just don't have the time to get a new one. So he looks at her as a very expensive administrator, since she does help out in that department. But so far he has had to redo most everything she has done in terms of tax returns... Not what he was hoping for!
I guess the plan will be to hire a full time CPA for later this year. Maybe someone younger straight out of school would be better, someone who is willing to learn and wants to show his feet. K really needs it! And we would like our K back, so we need it too.
After dropping off property tax returns for a few clients we headed over to Super Target to get some party stuff for S's 4th birthday. It isn't until May 8, but she has been so excited about it lately we figured we could get a few thing, get the party favours and so on. It was fun to see how excited she was! This is really the first year she has had any interest in the fact she actually has a birthday coming up.
Her birthday will fall on a day she is in school, so we are bringing in cupcakes and goodie bags for everyone, that is usually the drill. Everything has to be store bought so they can tell what is in it, since there are a few kids with allergies.
For a home party I think we will just have a few friends over for cake (so she can use her fancy Disney Princess plates, cups and napkins she picked out!) We usually do a little lunch time BBQ on the beach. We know this great little park right next to the playground at the north tip of Anna Maria Island. It is right on the beach of the Gulf of Mexico, and the view is beautiful! It is also always a nice breeze under the trees where the picnic tables and grills are, so it never gets too hot. Perfect! We brought over balloons, cake and the whole shebang last year, and it turned out great. I don't know if we will invite any kids though, probably just a couple of our older friends that adore S.
The house is a mess, we haven't really been home much the last 3 days. I guess it will have to wait mostly until Wednesday, since I have to work tomorrow.
Making Thai pork with red curry, veggies and jasmine rice tonight. One of my favourite dishes.
I guess the plan will be to hire a full time CPA for later this year. Maybe someone younger straight out of school would be better, someone who is willing to learn and wants to show his feet. K really needs it! And we would like our K back, so we need it too.
After dropping off property tax returns for a few clients we headed over to Super Target to get some party stuff for S's 4th birthday. It isn't until May 8, but she has been so excited about it lately we figured we could get a few thing, get the party favours and so on. It was fun to see how excited she was! This is really the first year she has had any interest in the fact she actually has a birthday coming up.
Her birthday will fall on a day she is in school, so we are bringing in cupcakes and goodie bags for everyone, that is usually the drill. Everything has to be store bought so they can tell what is in it, since there are a few kids with allergies.
For a home party I think we will just have a few friends over for cake (so she can use her fancy Disney Princess plates, cups and napkins she picked out!) We usually do a little lunch time BBQ on the beach. We know this great little park right next to the playground at the north tip of Anna Maria Island. It is right on the beach of the Gulf of Mexico, and the view is beautiful! It is also always a nice breeze under the trees where the picnic tables and grills are, so it never gets too hot. Perfect! We brought over balloons, cake and the whole shebang last year, and it turned out great. I don't know if we will invite any kids though, probably just a couple of our older friends that adore S.
The house is a mess, we haven't really been home much the last 3 days. I guess it will have to wait mostly until Wednesday, since I have to work tomorrow.
Making Thai pork with red curry, veggies and jasmine rice tonight. One of my favourite dishes.
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Free calls to Sweden! Tip!!!
A lot of you are Swedes like me living in the US. I am sure you have looked into different alternatives to be able to call friends and family back in Sweden. Well, I needed a solution, my phone bills were crazy! Plus, I call all over the world in my line of work, so something international would be great... A few years ago I started to hear more and more about VOIP, and after doing several translations where I got some inside information on how it worked I started to research this as a n alternative to our regular phone service.
After an extensive search I came up with LINGO. We have been super happy customers for almost 4 years now! i can with all my heart recommend this company! For as little as $17.95 for 6 months (after that $21.95) you get:
Unlimited calling to anywhere in the US, including HI, AK, USVI and PR.
Unlimited calling to US, Canada, Puerto Rico, and 21 Countries including Western Europe (including Sweden) and Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and South Korea
FREE unlimited calling to other In-Network Lingo subscribers
Local Number Portability so you can keep your existing phone number
Online account management makes it easy to manage your settings, voicemail and more through the web
Select a phone number from over 220 US area codes (International and additional US phone numbers are available for an additional monthly fee)
Plus, all the Advanced and Basic Features
Basic Features:
Anonymous Call Rejection
Call Forwarding
Caller ID Block
*69
Call Waiting
Caller ID with Name
Do Not Disturb
Redial
Speed Dial
Voicemail
3-Way Calling
411 Directory Assistance
Emergency Calling Service
Advanced Features
Universal Number
Simultaneous Ring
Local Number Portability
Online Account Management
Toll Free Number
The option we have is the Lingo Chatter Box. There are others cheaper an dmore expensive plans. the quality is great! There is an activation fee of $29.95.
Since it is hooked up to your broadband you can only hook up phones in that room, but you can solve this problem like we did and get a phone with multiple handsets to place in the rooms you want phone access.
If you are intrested, let me know. I can send you an e-mail link to get you and me a free month each. This is a really great company! Highly recommended and never a problem!
After an extensive search I came up with LINGO. We have been super happy customers for almost 4 years now! i can with all my heart recommend this company! For as little as $17.95 for 6 months (after that $21.95) you get:
Unlimited calling to anywhere in the US, including HI, AK, USVI and PR.
Unlimited calling to US, Canada, Puerto Rico, and 21 Countries including Western Europe (including Sweden) and Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and South Korea
FREE unlimited calling to other In-Network Lingo subscribers
Local Number Portability so you can keep your existing phone number
Online account management makes it easy to manage your settings, voicemail and more through the web
Select a phone number from over 220 US area codes (International and additional US phone numbers are available for an additional monthly fee)
Plus, all the Advanced and Basic Features
Basic Features:
Anonymous Call Rejection
Call Forwarding
Caller ID Block
*69
Call Waiting
Caller ID with Name
Do Not Disturb
Redial
Speed Dial
Voicemail
3-Way Calling
411 Directory Assistance
Emergency Calling Service
Advanced Features
Universal Number
Simultaneous Ring
Local Number Portability
Online Account Management
Toll Free Number
The option we have is the Lingo Chatter Box. There are others cheaper an dmore expensive plans. the quality is great! There is an activation fee of $29.95.
Since it is hooked up to your broadband you can only hook up phones in that room, but you can solve this problem like we did and get a phone with multiple handsets to place in the rooms you want phone access.
If you are intrested, let me know. I can send you an e-mail link to get you and me a free month each. This is a really great company! Highly recommended and never a problem!
Sunday afternoon
Boy I am tired! We are still at K's office and we are all really tired. Not that we really did THAT much today... The Twin Rivers place was a bust; the drive there was long (though the commute south would be better), but the place felt very bare and uninspiring. Really boring! No, I think I will dream about the Waterlefe Golf and River Club. Much nicer and great location! It is close to everything, 3 minute drive to new shopping center with nice grocery store, close to S's school and in an A rated school district. It helps it is right on Manatee River as well, you can dock your boat in your backyard and have access directly out in the Gulf of Mexico!
A little adventure drive...
Today I was thinking S and I was going to go for a little drive before heading over to the office. I am doing great on that big job and should be able to finish it today, which is great since it isn't due until Thursday!
Anyway, one of my little "hobbies" is to get to know my community better. I have been living here for 11 years now, so I am pretty familiar with everything, but they build all the time and the expansion has been pretty extensive the last few years.
I always look at houses online, to get an idea of where we want to go next when the time comes. Being familiar with the real estate market helped us find our current house and get a good deal. I found this community called Twin Rivers, normally I wouldn't considering something that far out in the country. It is just north of us, on the other side of the river in a place called Parrish. It has had a boom lately and many very nice new communities have popped up, followed by the conveniences of everyday life such as grocery stores etc. They have also built several new schools to off set the influx, so the quality of life would be there. I also found a house that is close to my "dream home dream", so if I were to win the Lotto soon, this is where you would find me! Twin Rivers Dream Home.
One concern I had was the drive for K, he really hates commuting, and now he has about 15-20 minutes which isn't too bad. (Mine is better: 0 minutes!)
So I was looking on Google Maps to see if there are any "back roads" he could take. The Interstate is after all often clogged anyway... And wow! There are all this cool little roads, and mainly just one short and one longer he could take, straight to where his office is! I have been on these roads partially when going canoeing and such, but never driven the entire stretch. So I figured, instead of going I-75 today, I am going to go north one exit, check out this community and then drive the road he would have to drive.
Another benefit is the view! These roads are all surrounded by Florida nature at its best! (Can be a problem too; i.e. the poor deer we hit at dusk that totalled our car back in 1999...)
So a little adventure it is!
Anyway, one of my little "hobbies" is to get to know my community better. I have been living here for 11 years now, so I am pretty familiar with everything, but they build all the time and the expansion has been pretty extensive the last few years.
I always look at houses online, to get an idea of where we want to go next when the time comes. Being familiar with the real estate market helped us find our current house and get a good deal. I found this community called Twin Rivers, normally I wouldn't considering something that far out in the country. It is just north of us, on the other side of the river in a place called Parrish. It has had a boom lately and many very nice new communities have popped up, followed by the conveniences of everyday life such as grocery stores etc. They have also built several new schools to off set the influx, so the quality of life would be there. I also found a house that is close to my "dream home dream", so if I were to win the Lotto soon, this is where you would find me! Twin Rivers Dream Home.
One concern I had was the drive for K, he really hates commuting, and now he has about 15-20 minutes which isn't too bad. (Mine is better: 0 minutes!)
So I was looking on Google Maps to see if there are any "back roads" he could take. The Interstate is after all often clogged anyway... And wow! There are all this cool little roads, and mainly just one short and one longer he could take, straight to where his office is! I have been on these roads partially when going canoeing and such, but never driven the entire stretch. So I figured, instead of going I-75 today, I am going to go north one exit, check out this community and then drive the road he would have to drive.
Another benefit is the view! These roads are all surrounded by Florida nature at its best! (Can be a problem too; i.e. the poor deer we hit at dusk that totalled our car back in 1999...)
So a little adventure it is!
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