Kitty’s Place

Sunday LL went to his grandparents after they came from the gym. I did laundry and housework, Ibo did housework as well and then went off to a meeting at 1500. After I was done with laundry I went to his parents and we had dinner there, leftover pizza and it was so good.

Monday Llywellyn was supposed to sleep over at his grandparents. Ibo had a meeting and so did I. But my meeting got cancelled late Monday afternoon. So LL went and had his arabic lesson with farfar and then went to IKEA with his grandparents but came home to sleep.

Today was swedish lessons all day. I saw Judy and Arne at fika and that was a treat. I miss both of them. Judy wants to get together with “the girls” before they move south in February. We took the dogs to the vets today, Rusty needed his second shot for his pet passport and Susan got her first. Rusty has gained 6 kg since his last visit there, he is now 23.6 kg. He still looks thin in his tummy area but he is filling out well. Susan has lost .5 kg in the last 4 weeks and is now 14.1 kg, so both are going in the direction they should.

On the subject of losing, as of this morning I am down 24 kg. I am still losing a steady 1 kg per week and that is great.

Llywellyn has decided he is going to start writing his own magazine. He has been talking about it for a few days so I suggested we start Thursday.

Tomorrow I am going to Dansens Hus to see Bounce with my school. A group of us are going to go in early and have dinner in Stockholm before the preformance. Ibo has a meeting so LL is being picked up by farfar and will sleep over there. Thank goodness for grandparents who live close by. *laugh*

I can’t believe christmas is less than a month away. I guess I should go out and shop soon. *laugh*

It is raining out, it was raining yesterday, it has rained for days and days. I want sun! *laugh*

Friday was a full day at school so Ibo came home to the dogs at lunch. I had swedish all day and it was a good day. Then we had Friday fika and from there I went and picked up LL from english class. We took the bus to the centrum where he picked up his mail, a package from Aunt Maud. Then we came home, I took out the dogs and got ready to go into the city. I left here at 1645 so I could catch the 1704 train. Ibo and LL went to Ibo’s parents for dinner.

When I arrived in Stockholm I picked up a wrap and a mineral water and ate before I headed over to the Canadian Embassy, who were hosting the Annual General Meeting of the Canadian Club of Sweden. There was lots and lots of Canadian beer on hand but no wine, so I drank Coke. *laugh* After being asked for the umpteenth time if I wanted a beer, I admitted what a bad Canadian I am, I don’t like beer. *laugh* This is the first time  I had ever been to one of these meetings but there was an email saying that the club needed volunteers if they are to continue here, so I volunteered me. *laugh* It was a nice evening, lots of fun. I really enjoy getting together with this group, they sound like home and everyone is so nice and so friendly. I think the funniest thing of the evening was when the “Prime Minister” of the club called for order and used her gavel, a small plastic hockey stick. *grin*

I got home about midnight and that was a big thing for me. I hate being out alone at night and it is especially hard to be on the train or the bus late at night. I suppose it is some leftover thing from the rape. But I walked from Central Station to the Embassy alone and made the walk back at 2230, alone. Took the train and the bus and did just fine. I have said I will be braver from now on and come in to the city for the monthly get together. (I did phone Ibo when I got onto the train to let him know what time to start looking for me to get home, so I wasn’t so very brave *laugh*)

It was around 0100 when I went to bed and I woke just after 1000 to an empty bed. Ibo had gotten up earlier and fed the dogs then he took Rusty with on a quick trip to his job. We went over after lunch so Ibo could help his dad with something and then we had dinner there. I had taken Rusty for a walk at one point and met a man who fell in love with him. We talked for almost 20 minutes, he told me about his Irish Setter and how wonderful they are and how beautiful they are and then said that now that he saw Rusty he really wanted to get another one (theirs died at age 12). He said he hopes to see us again. Ibo’s mom asked if I offered to give him Rusty *laugh*, she thinks he is a handful after watching him a couple weeks ago. But of course I didn’t say that, I adore our puppy as does Ibo and even LL, even though he gets frustrated with Rusty not obeying him.

I just tucked in LL and read him a story. I have done some homework and now I am going to do some more. I would like to get completely caught up this weekend and then work on the final assignment for the distance course, that is due next week.

This morning I was at school at 0805. I had math class first and then a student-teacher interview at 0920. I am doing ok, have a couple things left to finish up and hand in to be totally caught up and need to be there more regularly since my attendance has been erratic. Then I literally trotted to the bus station and took the bus to the other school for the final class of my distance course. That went well.

After I got home I fed Rusty then took both dogs out for an hour long walk. Rusty and I played out for 30 minutes and then I had a bit of lunch and tried to catch up with my email. I sorted laundry and now it is time to go put in the first two loads, then take the bus to pick up LL, take the bus home and then put in the other two loads before I start dinner. Maybe after LL goes to bed there will actually be time to study, it is something that is seriously lacking these days. *laugh*

So I got back to school at 1445, the meeting with the group that will be teaching our religion class started at 1500. I was glad I went and met the two who will be our “teachers”, since only a few of the students showed up. Then I helped set up for the dinner that was starting at 1700, before I headed to the bus. Got home at 1700 and saw Ibo and LL driving in as I got off the bus, so I quickly cooked dinner, Ibo took out the dogs and we had LL to his stamp club meeting at 1735.

From there we headed to a parents meeting for parents of children in the mother language program. I wanted Ibo to meet Rose, LL’s new teacher. We sat through 40 minutes of boring intro and had 10 minutes with the teacher before we had to leave to pick up LL from stamp club. Ibo ended up having to stay for a meeting at the place where we were picking up the kidlet, so he and I caught a  bus home. While LL was getting ready for bed I took Rusty out and ran into my math teacher, coming from the parents meeting we had been to. He stopped to see Rusty and we talked a bit and then I remembered to ask him if there is a math test tomorrow. Happily for me, there isn’t. *laugh* I have finished the chapter but was dreading having to do a review tonight.

I applied to a new puppy course today. It will start in a couple of weeks and I hope things go better this time. It is here in Märsta so I can go with Rusty on my own. It should be interesting taking him on the bus. *laugh*
Tomorrow is our final meeting for the distance course. I can’t believe how quickly this term has gone past. I need to get back here for 1035 but have to be at the other school till 0945. I will have to run to the bus station. *grin*

Now I think I will take this horse disguised as an irish setter to bed, so the neighbours don’t have to listen to him tromping about.

It really does seem like there is not enough time in a day to do all the things that need doing. *laugh*

Tuesday was swedish all day. By the time I got LL and we took the bus home and stopped to pick up 4 items at the grocery store, it was 1745 when we got in the door. I got dinner in the oven by 1800 but left the taking out of Rusty for Ibo when he got home 10 minutes after we did. The evening was crazy, Ibo was short tempered and I just was not in the mood for that. So I headed to bed about 2230. Getting up at 0600 every day means that I need to go to  bed early occasionally. *laugh*

Today we were supposed to have parent teacher interview for LL but it got cancelled. I had told them at school I would not be able to attend the meeting there at 1500 but with the other cancelled I could and it was an important one. So there I was trying to figure out how I could go to it, pick up LL and get home in time for him to eat before stamp club. Then I realized that his father had already arranged his day to be gone at 1500 so I called him back and asked him to pick up Llywellyn. My school is important too and he could take LL to work with him for a couple hours if necessary. So that is the plan now and since I have taken out and fed the dogs and played with Rusty for 3/4 of an hour in the dog run, I am off to the meeting at my school. *smile*

Well once I got going, I did a lot of cleaning yesterday. Vaccuumed, washed floors, did dishes, scrubbed the bathrooms and then decluttered the kitchen and did some decluttering in the living room as well. Topped the day off with ironing enough clothes for both us for the week. I also had coffee with Ibo’s mom. It is nice to actually have some will and strength to do things again. For much too long I have only had enough in me to do the basics.

Today we dropped off LL and then I took the bus back to the train station and went to see David. A very productive session with him. Then I went to Sergel’s torg and window shopped some, found a pair of red boots I fell in love with. But of course I didn’t buy them. *laugh* I headed home after that, stopping to pick up a few items at the store. Then I did more dishes after cleaning out the fridge and I did laundry again. Took the dogs out a couple of times, fed them, made dinner for Ibo and then I went to his parents and dinner with them, since they had my son there (Monday’s are arabic lessons with farfar) and Ibo had a meeting.

I just finished homework and now I am going to head to bed. Need to reenergize so I can do more around here tomorrow. *laugh*

Today I slept till 1130. I don’t remember the last time I did that. Ibo took the dogs out a bit after 0800 and fed them. When I woke he was out with Rusty, they played and walked for an hour or so outside. So it was quiet and cosy and I am feeling so rested and happy at the moment.

I have been lazy since I got up, made us breakfast, read mail, caught up on other blogs, sent off an email or two. Rusty ate a bit ago and then we went out for a walk. His little friend Bosse was out in the courtyard when we got back so they sniffed each other and did dog greeting stuff. Bosse is 13 weeks old, a little bit of a dog, mix of papillon and daschund. As we were each going our separate ways Rusty wagging tail hit Bosse a couple of times so he barked and Rusty got scared. It was the first he had ever heard his little friend bark. *laugh*

I had a long talk with Ibo today about the medication I am taking. I am feeling better, not so sad and I am laughing and singing more these days. But I am having some side effects as well and so I think it is best I taper off the medication now, even though it has only been four weeks and the doctor suggested I take them for six weeks (he left it up to me since I am a nurse and have been on this type of medication in the past). So we will see how it goes without them. I will replace them with St Johns wort in a couple of weeks and hopefully it will help. Llywellyn commented recently that I am more like the nice mom I was before September and he was glad about that. So I am a bit ambivalent which is why I talked it over with Ibo. I will of course keep on seeing David, have an appointment with him tomorrow.

On todays agenda is homework, vaccuuming, ironing and various other household stuff. I suppose I should get off my fanny and get started soon. *laugh*

We slept in! What a treat that was. *laugh* I got up a bit after 0800 because one of us needed to go out but that is the latest I have slept in a while. I took the dogs out, got them fed, sent the kidlet to shower and then Ibo got up. So he had a sleep in as well.

LL headed out with his grandmother at 1100. I have been lazy all day. *laugh* I did shower, put on makeup, dressed and put on jewellery, but I left my hair mousseless, so it is poofy. *grin* We took a trip into Upplands-Väsby and got a different food for Rusty since he is not doing so well on the one he has now. We have to make the change over slowly so we wanted to get started. Then we went to Rosersberg Castle where there is a huge lovely park and let the dogs run and play for an hour. It was really nice even on a damp gray day. Then we stopped at Ibo’s job for a few minutes and he went to the server room. Susan was fine with the noise, she slept under the servers when we had our ISP. Rusty was totally stressed though. So I sat in the hallway with him until Ibo was done.

We headed back here since I had laundry time and then we went and got pizza for dinner. So it has been a nice day. Ibo is sleeping at the moment. He is having a hard time with this gray weather so I am going to increase his St. Johns wort and see if that helps. The disadvantage of living with a nurse, we are always looking to make someone feel better. *laugh*

It has been a busy week but fun. Monday there was school of course. After lunch there was a photo vernissage hosted by the Creative Photography course. I was done at 1145 but stayed for that since Stefan had his pictures on display. I don’t know if I have mentioned him before. He is an american man who is here on a scholarship for a year of studies. We normally don’t see the creative photography students since they have classes in a different building but Stefan comes to our swedish class every Friday. Very nice fellow, in his 30’s I think. I want to introduce him to the american women I went to school with last year but there hasn’t been an opportunity so far. We had dinner at Ibo’s parents place.
Tuesday I was at school in the morning and then had a makeup class for my distance course in the afternoon. I applied for a new distance course for spring term while I was there. From there it was on to pick up LL and we got home around 1700. Ibo got a haircut and looked great when he got home from work.

Wednesday was a crazy day. I had school in the morning and then one of my classmates gave me a ride home. So I was here by 1130, took Rusty out and played with him for an hour then I took both dogs out for a 45 minute walk. I had planned on working out but felt bad for the puppy that there had been no real outside play time for a couple days, just lots of walking. On my way to pick up LL I stopped at the centrum to pick up soap and shampoo. I ran into Stefan at the bus stop and we chatted on the bus until I got to the school. I  picked up LL, we hurried home and made dinner and then we we headed to a political meeting. LL came along and sat out in a different room where he read for a while and then played on the computer for a bit.

Thursday LL had an appointment at Danderyd hospital with the eye doctor. She said he doesn’t need to come back to her but he should wear his glasses one more year, just to give his eyes some extra help. I took him for lunch there and while we were finishing lunch, Ruth appeared. What a surprise to see her, she had an appointment a bit later. So we had coffee and a pastry with her and visited. When we left the hospital he wanted to take the subway in to Stockholm instead of the bus to Helenelund. We lucked out because he loves the old trains and there was one heading in the opposite direction so we took it. I knew it would be coming back since it only had one station left on its run. He was so excited to get to ride so long on an old train. Kids are a hoot.

Today there was swedish all day. I had lunch with Stefan and we had a few laughs. After class was Friday fika and he and I talked about photography for a bit. Then I headed off to get LL from english class. I was supposed to go for a girls game evening at Ruth’s but it was up in the air when Ibo would be home so I called to say I couldn’t come because I didn’t know when Ibo would be home to stay with LL. She said bring the kidlet along and came and picked us up at the school. We had a lovely afternoon/evening! I met a couple of really nice american women and it was fun to see the girls and meet another swedish/american young lady. LL had great fun, the girls were so good with him. We sat around and chatted, then had Thai food delivered and after dinner (which was topped off with smore’s) we played a game called Apples to Apples. I honestly don’t remember when I have laughed so much. It was just so relaxing and fun.

Tomorrow LL is off to his grandparents house, he is going to bake with his grandmother and then sleep over and go to the theatre with her on Sunday. So we will have a kid free zone here for a bit. I have laundry time booked and we need to go and get new dog food. Otherwise I have asked Ibo to come along with me to the gym so he can check it out himself. High on the weekend agenda is homework, I really need to catch up.

Life has been hectic. Thursday there was no school, but I did have a class for the distance course I am taking. Then I came home and cleaned some before going to pick up LL after english class. He is really enjoying this new teacher.

Friday Ibo and I went to a birthday party at http://www.sigtunahojden.se/! There was a reception from 1500 - 1700, with champagne and appetizers. Then we checked in to the room we had taken for the night, showered, changed and went to dinner for 1900. It was lovely and fun and we didn’t get back to our room till somewhere around 0200. We were up and had breakfast at 0900 and that was fun too. We have never gone and stayed a night together just the two of us, in the 9+ years we have been together. Poor farmor who had to deal with the kidlet and the dogs. Actually it went ok but she had her hands full with Rusty. He is a lot of work, but he is worth it.

We got home about noon on Saturday and we were both tired and dragging. *laugh* I actually had a nap and was woken by LL to the news that dinner was ready. He and his dad made dinner and what a nice surprise that was. I had to do laundry and it only took 6 hours to get all caught up with it again. Then it was bedtime!

This morning we were up at 0700. I took out the dogs, fed them and then Ibo showered Rusty after I cleaned his ears, in preparation for the show today. The best was when he used the blow dryer to get him dry. Actually Rusty was much better that Susan ever was with the blow dryer. We had planned on leaving at 0900 but it was 0925 before we got out the door. We headed to Enköping and got to the place we were going around 1040. It was exciting. Lots of people, lots of dogs, lots of stuff for sale. We met some other irish setter owners and saw Lena and Sanna. LL bought a pen with irish setters on it and two books about them. Rusty was good, had fun, did not throw up in the car and got a diploma. I was not so good. After getting help from Lena on positioning him properly I was so nervous I forgot to do it. *laugh* On the way home he rode in the back and was not sick. So his carsickness seems to be passing.

Once we got home I got dinner cooking and Rusty flaked out from his long exciting day. Ibo took pictures but I haven’t seen them. I hope he got one of Rusty and I together, I really would like one like that.

Edited: There are now pictures in the gallery section of Ibo’s blog. Link is to the right. *laugh*