Hello world!

It’s been an extremely long time since I’ve posted and I have many reasons why I’ve been avoiding it.  We’ve been traveling since March and it’s quite possible that we won’t make it home until May if you can believe it.  With everything that’s been going on with the volcanic eruption(s) there’s so much to vent about, but this post will only describe the beginning of our trip.  In March we took a few days in London but the fun was short-lived and we barely made it.  We left Saturday, March, 27th, with the night train from Mo I Rana, but due to DST (sommertid) we missed our connecting train in Trondheim.  That’s right, the train company neglected to take the time change into consideration and when we arrived in Trondheim we had to wait to take a bus south to god knows where.   This might have swung but we had a flight to catch but wait, there’s more!  We were flying with British Airways but they decided to go on strike and our original flight for Sunday evening was cancelled.  Due to the strike we had to rebook to an earlier flight that evening.  So where was I?  Half way during the trip the bus driver decided to take a 45 minute break.  At that point we were freaking out.  If we missed our flight we’d have to spend a night in Oslo and might not get another flight until Monday or Tuesday.  (Many flights were cancelled due to the strike.)  We don’t usually get angry but we demanded that the train company either buy us new tickets or get us a taxi to drive us south.  So from Dombås we took a taxi to Lillehammer from where we took a train to the airport in Oslo.  Our taxi driver was fantastic though because she drove the best she could and kept calling the train company so that they’d wait for us in Lillehammer.  We arrived on the minute but she helped us get our suitcases and kids to the platform.  She was amazing and I thank God for her.  What was meant to be an easy 14-hour train ride turned into a day of hell.

We eventually made it to the airport with only 10 minutes before check-in closed.  We checked our bags, got through security, and ran with the kids in our arms so we could get to our gate at the other end of the terminal.  We hugged our kids, tried to calm them on the plane, and then breathed a very heavy sigh of relief when we arrived in London.  London was better than I expected but it a little bittersweet.  We hired a limo to drive us to our hotel (definitely a good idea) and then we tried to relax.  We stuffed our faces with food I brought from Norway along with the extras the hotel bought for us.  After very long showers and an hour of television the kids were sleeping in their beds and Ørjan and I were ready to start our vacation.  On the first day we took in a few sights, bought alot of goodies for the kids, and then took it easy for the night.  On the last day we planned to shop and  take it easy in the city but I ended up hanging out at the hotel with the kids because Magnus wasn’t feeling well.  He seemed to have a little cold and after the hellish travel we endured in Norway I had no problems letting him rest even if it meant losing a day in London. Ørjan spent the day in the city antiquing and shopping for stamps and coins.  I think it worked out for him because he needed some alone-time and the kids needed a rest. For dinner that night we took the kids out for Chinese but ended up going to a McDonalds just so we could buy Happy Meals.  (Which were later tossed minus the toys because they were so disgusting!)

On the morning we were due to leave I noticed Magnus had two spots on his face.  I shrugged it off as nothing because sometimes when he has a fever he gets small spots on his cheeks.  Bad move on our part.  After arriving at the airport he started to get warm again and a few more spots appeared.  At that point we weren’t sure if we were dealing with chickenpox or if it was something less serious.  Either way we knew we were screwed.  We got on our flight and 3 hours into it Magnus exploded with spots.  To say he broke out is an understatement.  To make it short I’ll tell you this much: The flight attendants were nice but scary, I had to be isolated on the plane with Magnus, and then the attendants handed out masks to all the passengers.  Oh dear god it was horrible.  My poor little guy was miserable and there wasn’t much we could do.  Luckily we bought an infant medicine at Boots (at the airport) and he took a little, but having him strip down to a diaper having to fan him to keep his temperature cool was never how I imagined that flight.  Eventually an attendant said things would be ok (after taking our passports and writing down our info) and said paramedics might be meeting us at the airport.  They eventually ruled this out since they believed it was chickenpox and we had a close site of residence from the airport.

So there you go.  I’ve/we’ve taken some pretty disastrous flights but this one definitely takes the cake.  A missed connection due to DST, an airline strike, and chickenpox: DISASTER.  If you’ve come to this point my god you must have patience but it gets even better.  One might think that it couldn’t get any worse but it does.  Join me in our next episode of The Tragic Travels of Candace (and family) where we explore the joys of being stranded due to a volcano!

We survived Christmas.  That’s about it.  Not sure what it was about this year but I did not feel festive or merry at all, and for a lack of better words, some moments were joyless and downright crummy.  It was nice to spend some quality time with the kids but I felt this constant itch to be doing something outside the house.  I didn’t have time to bake very much, I took very few photos, and I felt like our “Christmas” festivities were too short to mention.  I don’t know. Maybe I was just too busy and stressed out to stop and enjoy this time of year.  I also sent out my Christmas cards very late and now regret that I didn’t do it earlier.  Donating money and giving to our usual charities also didn’t make me feel any better either.  To top off the prize of a miserable Christmas I’ve also been fighting a bad cold.  No fever or chills but I’ve been horribly conjested and I have a very hard and heavy cough originating from my chest.  Two days before Christmas dinner I completely lost my sense of taste and it was a nightmare having to rely on my experience to know that the food would taste ok and was up to my own standards.

At least I’ve been able to spend some time with Magnus and Sophie.  My latest work schedule has been stretching me to my limit and I’ve barely had time for them or Ørjan.  Over the past four days we’ve played with their new toys, eaten to the point of gluttony, and spent alot of time cuddling and jumping in and out of our bed.  They seem to have really enjoyed this holiday and it makes me happy.  Tomorrow I’ll be back at work for an early shift and I just don’t think I’m going to make it.  The past two nights Ørjan and I have been staying up late with wine/cocktails and The Beatles Rock Band.  (Early xmas gift from Ørjan!)  It’s left me exhausted but at least I’ve had more alone time with Ørjan because I think we’ve really needed it.

We received some very nice gifts this year which were incredibly appreciated.  (Cookware and kitchenware!!!)  Ørjan also bought me a sewing machine, what he calls “sexy underwear”, and many other things he probably shouldn’t have.  I was slightly guilty of spending a little too much this year but since I’m making more I wanted to spoil my loved ones just that much more.  I bought Ørjan a new video camera, two Bergans jackets, and other little things that I said came from the kids.  I probably should have stuck to some kind of budget because after looking at some of my receipts I realize I spent close to $3000.  Yikes.  Like I said, our financial situation is great, but I should have kept a budget and saved more money for our upcoming trips this Easter.  (London will not be cheap!)

With the new year beginning so soon I realize that there are so many things on my to-do list and it’s very overwhelming.  At least I have Christmas out of the way and I have an entire year to plan next year’s holiday.  I hope all of you had a wonderful holiday season with your families.

Last Thursday I thought about throwing myself down the stairs at work.  I was going down to the basement to look for some cases of tynnribbe and just couldn’t do it.  No I’m not suicidal nor do I have serious thoughts about harming myself, but at that moment I was on the point of breaking and thought it would be an easy out.  I came back to work too early after being sick and was probably running on a battery of 20% capacity.  My back was still sore and my hips felt like they were going to break.  When I got sick again last week I wasn’t able to eat or sleep properly due to the pain and the fever, and when I started to try eating again it never really happened.  I maybe eat one meal a day and I realize my lack of energy is solely my fault.  I’ve been forcing myself to eat and try to get something down, but it makes my stomach hurt even more.  There are a million things going on outside of my chaotic life at work and I feel like I’m drowing.  I’m surprised the stress isn’t causing my hair to fall out yet.  Every other day I think about taking a sick leave because my backpain is getting to be all too much but then stupid me becomes overwhelmed with guilt.  I need to figure this out soon because at the rate I’m going I’ll exhaust myself to a level that might be irreversible.  My mental health is suffering because I’m too gutless to ask for help and say what I really feel.

Physically I’m still trying to figure out what’s going on.  I’ve cut out many foods that are high in gluten and it’s definitely helped.  Today I had a few spoonfulls of pasta (the kids refused to finish their lunch) and not even 5 minutes later I felt incredibly bloated and felt like vomiting.  I’ve been taking multi-vitamins and taking iron tablets again.  I can’t say that I feel any difference but I know when I wake up in the morning I can cope better.  Now if I could only get in some more sleep.  It’s really not for a lack of trying but many nights I wake up several times and it takes me at least an hour to fall back asleep.  I’m lucky if I manage 5 hours of quality sleep.  I think with all the stress and lack of eating I’ve also lost some weight which should be a good thing, but I feel so incredibly lousy and drained that it hardly seems worth it.  My muscles are probably shrinking as I type this.  Someone commented that I looked skinnier and I guess that’s a good thing, but I feel malnourished and that’s never been my goal.

I have tomorrow off.  I actually have a real day off.  I should probably just try to rest and maybe eat something but with the holidays just around the corner I have no time to take care of myself.  It’ll have to wait.  I’m just so tired and want to rest for at least a week without any interruptions.

It’s a very bright and sun-shiny Thursday afternoon and I’m still lounging around in my nightie. My hair is a greasy-product mess, my breath smells like liverpate and bacon, and I’m loving every minute of it. I just ordered about $400 worth of home products and clothes for myself and the kids from H&M and I don’t feel guilty about it. I really needed this holiday like you wouldn’t believe. We didn’t really make any plans to go away for Easter (like many Norwegians do) and I was the one that insisted on staying home this year because I wanted some time off. It’s not really a vacation if you’re going away and you have to pack two extra suitcases for your toddlers and stress the entire long weekend. Now I can sleep in, lounge around an indulge in some Sims, and do some baking and cake decorating experiments that I’ve been wanting to cross off my list for some time.

Unfortunately for me I have to be back at work for 7am on Saturday because it’s not actually a red day and we’re bound to have an overflow of customers  since it’s the only day we’re open. I don’t mind since it won’t be all day, but it marks the first of my shifts that will be starting earlier.  *E”s new job starts April 15th so I’ll be covering the opening hours from now on.  My job is still flexible enough but I’m dreading having to wake up at 5am and walk to work without an drop of coffee in body.  I least I’ll still have Saturday night, Sunday, and Monday to relax before my new schedule begins.

Our dinner plans will be simple this year.  I thought about turkey and the usual Ukrainian Easter food, but I really can’t be bothered this year.  I’ve been too busy to even give it a second thought and for once I don’t feel disappointed about it.  Ham, potatoes, veg – It sounds ok to me.  For our Easter breakfast Monday morning I’ll probably put in much more effort, but to ask me what I have planned yet… Who knows.  Waldorf salad and the usual breakfast items I put out?

If you don’t hear anything from me for a while it’s probably because I’ll be either in the house lounging or outside enjoying the weather.  I hope everyone has a great holiday.

Happy Halloween everyone!

Although we stayed at home it was great fun.  We had so many kids come to our place and more than half of them were definitely scared.  We had quite a setup (for these parts) with decorations, music, and extra candy and chocolate.  Both Ørjan and I took turns answering the door with the vampire mask and groaning and screaming.  The kids were definitely surprised.  I lost count of how many screams followed by, “Åh herregud!” I heard tonight. Over the past couple of weeks I’ve seen kids walk home from school and stop infront of our house to look at the decorations, and yesterday I actually had people tell me that kids have been talking about our house.  Even the visitors themselves told us that they had been tipped off to our house.  Ørjan and I laugh at this a bit because we just think about how many kids had been texting eachother with their phones. If it sounds like I’m complaining I’m not – I loved it!  I’m so happy that almost all of our goodies are gone!  (Something that Ørjan isn’t so excited about since I told him he could have the leftovers.)  Halloween isn’t exactly popular over here but over the past 4 years that I’ve been here I’ve seen more kids going out and more decorations at a few shops.  (Did I mention that this was the first year I saw spiderweb being sold?)

Poor Magnus was a bit scared as well.  A few times he tried to come down the stairs and saw the masks they were wearing and ran back up screaming.  My poor guy.  Maybe next year it’ll be a little more fun and a little less scary.

The entire night I couldn’t help but think about past Halloweens from my childhood.  Halloween was the only holiday we really celebrated and it’s probably the only one that I have good memories of.  For a long period my mother was a Jehovah’s Witness but my dad always made sure to give us a great Halloween.  He’d take my sister and I out during the first week of October to pick up makeup, costumes, and decorations, and there was never a price limit.  In the later years my parents would sit on the bench on our porch wearing masks and would pretend to be dummies.  When the trick-o-treaters would come up to the door my parents would come to life and scare the hell out of them.  Each time I answered the door I thought of my dad.  I think that Halloween is the only time I have fond memories of him.

This year we really had a great Halloween and I can’t wait for the next one.  Our kids will be bigger, we’ll be more prepared, and it’ll fall on  Saturday – party!

Yesterday was my first attempt at a real sit-down Thanksgiving dinner.  I’ve celebrated and cooked a turkey (or large turkey breast) for Ørjan and I but have never I made anything too special or planned.  Yesterday evening a friend and her son visited us, and a little while later Ørjan’s mum and Sverre joined us.  I hadn’t really been expecting them and invited them over thinking they would decline (because it was a half-serious invite about turkey) but they showed up nonetheless which was nice.  I made just enough for 4 large adult servings but now I’m left with only around two kilos of roast turkey but no garlic mash, stuffing, or veg!  Even my berry-cinnamon crumble is all gone!  At least everything went down ok, the food was good, and I don’t have to worry about a fridge full of leftovers.  I’m also pleased that most of the wine was used up so I don’t have to worry about another bottle going to waste.  There were no disasters, the kids were well-behaved, and the house wasn’t upside down by the end of the night.  I would call this a success!  Later in the evening I called home and talked to mum and then called some other family members to wish them a happy Thanksgiving.

Now I have one year to plan ahead and be slightly more prepared than I was this year.  I didn’t even plan on which dessert I was making until 2pm!  I decided to forget making a pie but completely forgot to plan what we’d have afterwards.  Sheesh.  Oh well, like I said, it was still a success.

It looks like another trip is on the horizon!  I’ve been hinting and suggesting the idea of a trip back home to Canada for Christmas and now it looks like it’s happening!  My mom was so wonderful that she actually suggested paying for our tickets, and her brother was even more generous and offered to meet her halfway with the cost.  We’ve been trying to save here and there for this potential trip and now we have no more worries.  We couldn’t be more grateful about this opportunity.  I haven’t celebrated the holidays at home since 2002 so getting us (me!) over there is very important.  It’s not very often that I’m able to see my family and it will be great introducing Sophie to everyone.  We did take a family vacation to Prague this summer and I realize the travel time for this trip would be twice as long, but the kids will also be older and it might be easier this time around.  I can’t wait to celebrate a Canadian Christmas with our own traditions.  I miss celebrating Christmas on the 25th (we do everything on the 24th in Norway) and doing all the usual things I grew up with.  I want my kids to be able to open up one gift on Christmas Eve, I want them to taste Canadian ingredients and dishes for their Christmas dinner, and I want them to experience that side that they just don’t get over here.  I like how magical Christmas is here, but it’s just not what I grew up with.  I miss the colours, tastes, and sounds of a Canadian Christmas.  And for once – we won’t have to spend Christmas in the dark!  Since we leave so far up north (yep, Arctic circle!) our winters are pretty much darkness until Easter comes around.  And I won’t lie, it’ll also be awesome being able to shop on Boxing Day. Unfortunately due to Ørjan’s vacation schedule we can only manage about 10 days but it’ll still be worth all of it.

Now we have to be quick and find a hassle-free and economic flight if it’s at all possible.  Our holiday is only 4 months away and it already feels like it’s only weeks away.  I’m so excited that I’m already planning our trip down to Oslo and a night away for us parents.  I can’t wait!