London’s calling louder than ever.  I can’t believe that only in a few short weeks we’ll be hitting the streets of London and then heading to Toronto.  I usually spend so much time overplanning our trips but this time I’ve practically left everything until the last minute.  (3+ weeks is last minute for me!)  The last time Ørjan and I were in London it was a short trip but it was definitely easy to get around only being two.  Now we’ve got the challenge of travelling with two little ones I guess this means we’re new again considering this is London we’re talking about.  I was very sour about London because it was never one of my choice-destinations but I suppose it can’t be all that bad.  At least this trip will give Ørjan an excuse to break out the new video camera I bought him for Christmas.  Now on to the list:

• purchase Visitor Oyster Cards
• plan day trip to the zoo
• pack the London Suitcase
• budget for shopping trips
• print and organize all maps
• call to confirm (i must triple confirm!) all reservations
• pack extra bag for the kids
• buy/pack memory cards
• research restaurants (we have some special dietary needs)
• map/organize all intineraries and scheduled events
• reserve all online ticket purchases

I’m not sure where to begin so for now so it’ll just be bullets:

EVENTS:

• 07.02.10 – 13.02.10: Magnus and Sophie’s 3rd and 2nd birthdays. Both the kids were sick and had diarrhea so there wasn’t much of a birthday party.
• 14.02.10: Mother’s Day (Norway) and Valentine’s Day.  Since we had just finished with the kids birthdays, and since I was working extra shifts, there wasn’t much time for any celebrating.  It was also Chinese New Year and Fastelavn but I couldn’t be bothered to make any other food because I was just dead tired.

ACTIVITIES:

• Baked for work and the kids’ birthdays
• Put way too much effort into a cake that was half eaten – still fun though!
• Spent many-a-days creating forts in the living room and stepping on crumbs after a week with the kids at home
• Finally got around to framing more art and making more plans for renovations
• Planned and budgeted a little towards our London trip
• Called home to Canada quite a bit
• The Olympics – We watch, record, and argue due to our competitiveness!  I love it!  Go Canada!
• Placed an order at the Olympic Store

• mail off updated info to NAV
• laundry x3
• pilates x3 (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday)
• sign up for PULS
• write birthday announcement for RanaBlad
• make-ahead and freeze dinners
• CHILI!!!
• frame artwork
• buy all supplies for birthday bake-a-thon
• clean kitchen
• bake for Magnus
• confirm and research for London trip
• clean living and wash the floors

For my own sake I’m just going to get this out of the way now.  I don’t usually like to make New Year’s Resolutions but I know that some of these had to wait until now and not a day earlier.  Yes, some of them will typically top any blogger’s list, but these are things I really want to achieve and include in my daily routines.  They’re not for the sake of making a list either.  (I love making lists.)  So here we go in no particular order:

1. Quit smoking - This is at the top of my list because I’ve been smoking at work because I haven’t been able to deal with the stress and now I seriously regret it.  The cost (my health and wallet) is something I just can’t justify any longer.  I could say, “Sure, it’s only really a pack or two a week” but just one cigarette is too much.  It makes my hair and clothes smell, I don’t like keeping it a secret, and let’s not forget the stigma.  I want to be healthier in 2010 and I won’t make any progress if I continue to smoke.  I’ve been trying to cut down for weeks and I’ve been battling because of the holidays.  It’s a social thing and impossible to say no.
2. Excercise - Months ago I was doing both cardio and pilates but I haven’t been able to squeeze in the time.  I’m lucky if I can squeeze in pilates three times a week but I never feel fully accomplished.  I was going to join a spinning class with some people from work but the first sessions never happened because that week I was incredibly sick.  After that I just passed on the opportunity, but I fully intend to attend some classes in the new year.  I’d really like to get into better shape before summer hits us.  I’m not reaching for a cliche bikini-ready bod but I’d like to feel more confident when the weather warms up.
3. Save $$$ - In March and April we’ll be travelling quite a bit and it won’t be easy without some extra money.  Three nights in London, a few weeks in Hamilton and Toronto, and if we can afford it we’ll go across the border for some shopping.  I’d also like to spend a few thousand dollars on new camera equipment because at this point I’d like to take my hobby to a semi-professional status.  I’d also like to make it a point that I will be more careful about how I spend my money.
4. Read - I find very little time to read books, magazines, and my old textbooks.  I’ve been trying to keep some books by my side of the bed but I always end up passing out before I reach the third page.  I should probably make a list of books I’d like to read this year to get me started.  One thing I’d like to find time for is refreshing my language skills.  I have many textbooks and novels in French and German and it might be good idea to pull them out to see if I’m as fluent as I used to be.
5. Cut out meat - I’m not sure I’ll be able to cut out meat completely (or right away) but I’m definitely going to give it a go.  Believe it or not but once upon a time Iwent through a meatless-period and even considered myself a vegetarian.  Gasp!  Since my region isn’t exactly the most veggie-friendly area to live I don’t think I’ll give up eggs or milk but I may reduce my intake.  This is going to be hard because I really love salmon!  I’m slightly apprehensive about cutting out meat because of my anemia, but I’ve been researching iron-rich and fortified foods that I can add to my diet.  When we go into Mo tomorrow I’m going to visit the healthfood store to see what kind of tofu and meatless food they can offer.
6. Be more honest with myself and others. I consider myself to be a very honest person but at sometimes I hold back because I’d rather not reveal how I feel.  There are many times I’m unhappy or unsatisfied with something about work but I always keep my mouth shut.  There are also many days I wish Ørjan would help with the house and the kids but just sigh at the end of the evening.  Here’s the really tricky one – when people ask for my opinion I will give it to them.  No more sugar coating it!  I have no intentions of being mean or rude, but I won’t lie when I really dislike something or find something false.  I think this is a positive move on my part.
7. Start writing. This includes personal diary entires, blogging, and letters and people at home.  I’ve been slagging when it comes to that promise I made to keep better contact with family and friends.  Yes life is chaotic but there are no excuses now.
8. Make time for my hobbies and crafting. Ørjan bought me a sewing machine for Christmas and I have nothing but good intentions for a line up of projects, but the real question I have to consider is whether I actually have time for it.  I can sew, infact I’m quite ok (thanks to some classes) but I also procrastinate more than I’d like to.  I’ve purchased fabric over the past two years but have barely touched it.  Now with my weightloss I have to take in or hem my jeans and I can’t do this without my sewing machine.  Maybe I’ll start tonight.
9. Piano-love. My kids love banging the keys and playing along with me when I have my musical moments, but I’d really like to spend more time with them trying to get them interested in music.  I have no expectations that I’ll be training prodigies but it would be nice if they enjoyed it.  Perhaps when we go to Canada for Easter I’ll bring back some of my old books just for a refresher.  At the moment I’ve only been playing kids songs (themes from Totoro and Drømmehagen) and random music you might hear an icecream truck playing.  I was classically trained – I must put those years to better use!
10. Give. This is a promise and committment that I will give more time to myself, others, and the community.  Since I started working again (it was never meant to be full-time!) I feel like I’ve been more negative and have given up on many of my beliefs.  I want to be more positive and give more live and time to those I hold close.  If I can keep my life balanced I will volunteer for more than just extra hours at work.

This list isn’t written in stone and I’m sure that I’ll add more as the months approach, but I wanted to get this up as a reminder to myself that I have things to strive for this year.  It’s a work in progress and there’s no possibility for failure.

I took today off thinking that Magnus and Sophie’s Lucia/Christmas breakfast was today but ooops it’s actually tomorrow.  No worries though because I plan to use my last remaining day off to prepare for Christmas and all the insanity it entails.  In Norway we celebrate on the 24th which realistically means I only have a week to prepare the house for dinner, guests, and anything else that I’ve been avoiding until now.  Saturday was a waste because we spent half the day in Mo and then the evening playing Guitar Hero (with red wine!) and it took an extra hour to wake myself on Sunday.  Now I’ve got so much to do today and I’m not sure I’ll be able to accomplish everything.  Here’s hoping!

• Clean fridge
• Clean bedroom/wallpaper last wall
• Wrap last gifts
• Decorate the tree
• Hem the kids’ Lucia dresses
• Laundry x3
• Write remaining Christmas cards!
• Print out photos for daycare
• Upload photos
• Pepperkakehus!  (Gingerbread house)
• Pilates
• Plan next week’s schedule
• Prepare tomorrow’s dinner
• Drag myself to the shop to get foooood! (I hate this weather!
• Prepare camera equipment for tomorrow

Oh, and I forgot to mention that Friday I cut my fingers at work (got slammed between the storage door) and Saturday I fell down the stairs when I missed a step taking out the garbage.  My right hand is sore and my left foot is so tender.  My clumsiness couldn’t come out at a better time.

It’s my only day off this week and tomorrow we’re getting a visit from Ørjan’s dad.  (If you didn’t know Ørjan doesn’t have too much contact with his biological father for reasons I can’t get into now.)  It’s my strong belief that when you have guests it’s your obligation and responsibility to treat them with respect and be as hospitable as possible.  Whether you’re hosting a party or just having someone for coffee I feel it’s important to have a clean house, something to offer them, and have everything prepared well in advance.  I feel the same way about being a guest as well – As a guest you must dress your best, bring/offer something, and be well-prepared in advance.  Since Knut (dad) will be picking up the kids from daycare because I have an evening shift there’s plenty to do.

Here’s what I plan to scratch off my list:

• Get Christmas gifts ready
• Detailed cleaning of bathroom(s)
• Detailed cleaning of living room and kitchen
• Vacuum and wash the floors
• Clean the fridge
• Do laundry x3 (plus linens)
• Pilates!
• Print out photos for daycare x2
• Write out Christmas cards
• Homemade lasagne (which means homemade sauce!)
• Tidy bedroom
• Send and research info for Magnus’ hospital trip next month (We’ll be in Bodø [Norlandssykehuset] for a week next month for his testing)
• Upload photos
• Bake oatmeal cookies for visit and work
• Send business plan for Christmas sale
• Late night physio appointment?  (If I can manage to squeeze it in after work!)
• Skim through the 257 unread emails in my inbox
• Blog if there’s any time leftover

The list looks long but I’m determined to accomplish each task and make no excuses!  Now if only we had a little daylight/sunlight my day would be wonderful.  Yeah, it’s early December which means we practically live in darkness for the next month and a half.  Ahhhhhhh!  Maybe I should make some coffee for a quick mood-boost.  I’m already anxious… maybe because I have more energy since I forced myself to eat a bite for breakfast?  Now if only I didn’t have a sleepy kitty on my head this might work out.

It’s mid-October but my mind is already in holiday mode.  Christmas is my busiest season because not only does it mean extra hours, it also means I tend to lose my sanity as I struggle to find balance in my life and work.  People have already started approaching me about Christmas orders and while it makes me blush, I already feel a severe headache boiling in the back of my head.  In the past couple of months most of my posts have been about the stress and exhaustion I’ve struggled with to balance family and work. My main  fear for next month is that it’s just going to be shit.  I won’t lie.  I need to plan my upcoming schedule carefully because I don’t want to risk being burned out.  In any case, here’s what my week is looking like:

• Clean/scrub bathroom
• Bake for work
• Laundry x3
• Weeknight sushi! (Ørjan’s working more overtime and I like to treat him.)
• Send notices to the club
• Start organizing and brainstorm new packaging for Christmas orders
• Print and frame Sophie’s daycare family
• Order supplies from Canada
• Send out early surprise gift
• Christmas shopping!  (The madness began two weeks ago!)
• Manga order
• Photograph items for etsy shop
• Plan meals for the week
• Update my exercise routine

Granted I only have two days off (Monday and Thursday) I’m still optimistic that I can scratch everything off my list.  I just need to be strict and wake up to the reality that the next week is going to be tough.  I’ll definitely be making more money but my hours will be rough and I doubt I’ll get enough sleep.  Ouf.  I complain, but oh I love the stress.

It’s been two weeks since I’ve posted but it’s not for a lack of subject matter.  Renovations at home and work, an incredibly tight schedule, and two screaming kids that just won’t quit have completely devoured me.  Work work work and more work makes Candace a dull girl.  I’ve really been wanting to update this place but each time that I’ve tried I’ve had to close the window and take care of something else.  As always.  I could never think about closing this place but lately I’ve been updating my twitter account because I just can’t be bothered to type more than 140 characters.  Sad, I know.

The week(s) in review:

• Got sick, the kids got sick, and then we got sick again
• It snowed- fun!
• Started to bring back my cardio/pilates workouts
• Mother effing rain for weeks completely drained me and twisted my moods
• Watched seasons of House on DVD (thanks to husband)
• Kitty ended up getting a huge disgusting tick and I completely freaked out.  Thank god for my neighbour-friend-coworker that had a pen for removing it.  (She said it was the biggest she’s ever seen!)
• Sophie ran a Miss Cranky Pants fever for a couple of days (likely due to teething)
• Made huge and very expensive purchases (lists later?)
• Experienced a very unpleasant Friday at work that ended with the police showing up almost a half an hour too late to help.  Don’t even ask.

I’d really like to start adding more photos to this blog but we’ll see.  It requires more time and effort from my part but I’m going to at least try.

I can barely keep my eyes open.  I am so lacking energy.  I hope to god this means my period coming or else you know what this means!  Kidding though, I highly doubt I’m pregnant because basically at this point, I’d know it.  This morning was hard because I went to bed so late, but at least I pushed myself to stay up and scratch some things off my list.  I know I could use a good nap on my day off but I feel so much better knowing I haven’t wasted it.  Today’s achievements:

• Finally made hair appointment
• Prepared dough and fillings for dumplings
• Detailed cleaning of kitchen
• Laundry!
• Cleaned living room
• Brainstormed ideas and decided on colour schemes for the kids’ rooms

• Send goodie package to X (Liz, I’ve been meaning to send this forever!  Hopefully he’s not outgrown half the stuff!)
• Send Katja interior goodies package
• Beauty product splurge in Mo (a weekend off, whut?)
• Laundry, organization, and iron in Magnus and Sophie’s tags for daycare
• Submit new menu ideas for upcoming events and evenings
• Start planning Budget 2010
• Buy early surprise Xmas gift?
• Wallpaper our bedroom already!
• Outline and plan for possible wine and spices courses for work
• Start budgeting for next year’s Eurovision SC (Ørjan’s b-day gift)
• Send Katelyn b-day gift

Plenty plenty more.  Must come back and update later.