Kitty’s Place

We made it through a day without pappa. *laugh* the kidlet was awakened this morning when the doorbell rang and friend wanted him to come out and play. So after a quick shower and breakfast he went out cycling with his friend. He spent the best part of the day there and finally came home ot eat lunch at 1430.

I rearranged furniture and am trying to get some order here at last. Have been out with the dogs a few times but it is warm so besides the first walk this morning, they have been short walks. I also attempted to mow the lawn but the minute I got the mower out of the shed, it rained. As soon as I put it back it stopped. *laugh*

Missing my fellow a lot. I think I slept a total of two hours last night and I keep looking at the clock and thinking he should be home soon, but of course he won’t be home until Thursday. I keep thinking that vacation time is coming and we get to have him home all week, a real treat these days. *laugh* I have moved some stuff in the living room and redone our bedroom. Unpacked some treasures. My idea of treasures were some pictures of my mom and a little cup and saucer I got from my grandmother when I was little. LL’s idea of treasure was the battery operated pepper grinder with a light .. “just like Uncle Erics’”. *laugh*
The best part of the day was when my fellow called to say goodnight to the kidlet and I got to talk to him for a minute. I miss his voice. *smile*

Lots of time has gone by, how did that happen? *laugh*

We didn’t do so much last week. Monday LL had a friend over for the day. Tuesday we had fika with Anna. Wednesday was quiet. My fellow was out at meetings every night. Thursday we headed to the cottage when he got home. We left here at 1800, stopped in Uppsala for subs and then got caught in a traffic jam. So the usual 45 minute trip took 2 hours and 15 minutes. *laugh*

We had two guests with us this weekend. Ibo’s sisters cats. They are just the cutest little things. She left them with us Wednesday evening and Rusty was wild trying to play with them, they wanted nothing to do with him. Thursday was better, they at least came into the room where he was. So out to the cottage they came, with us. Thursday night we put them into the bedroom with the kidlet and shut both doors tight so the dog couldn’t go in and scare them. Friday morning my fellow went into the bedroom and counted heads, 1 kid, 1 cat … 1 kid, 1 cat, hmmm, 1 kid, 1 cat. So then the search was on. This is a small cottage, kitchen, living room, bedroom and hall, and they all open into each other. We searched in every room but no 2nd cat. Then I said what my fellow was already thinking ….. I think he is up the chimney. Sure enough, he had climbed up the chimney of the bedroom fireplace. I thought as much because of the chunks of soot that had fallen from the kitchen chimney during the night. Luckily he was able to extract the cat from an opening in the chimney up in the attic. *laugh* It was quite pleased with its’ adventure and had little black sooty paws. My fellow closed the flue. *laugh*

So we had a late start to breakfast. The chimney incident flared up allergies so my fellow was in need of an antihistamine with breakfast. He got the lawn mower out, mowed a bit of the lawn, then we went in to get more cat litter. By the time we got back to the cottage, he was tired from the antihistamine and had a sleep. I tried to get the lawn mower working but no luck. It was raining when he woke up and basically rained the rest of the weekend, so the front lawn still needs mowing.

Saturday we went to the local flea market, something I have been wanting to do for weeks. Well because of midsummer and rain, there were 2 vendors, instead of the usual field full. We did get candy at the candy store at least.

Sunday we just lazed and then in the afternoon, during a sunny spell, my fellow cut down some weeds and the kidlet picked strawberries from the strawberry patch. We got a couple dozen little ones over the weekend and there are lots of green ones waiting to ripen. We packed up and headed home, it was a much quicker trip back, dropped off cats and picked up mail and kidlet clothes from his grandmother.

Today was an errand day. I did laundry, went to the mall and had 3 pairs of shoes reheeled and my purse handle that Rusty chewed, repaired. I looked for new dress pants for my fellow but ended up only getting him underwear and socks. We also found the first Elvis book for him and packed it into his suitcase as a surprise for him when he gets to Amsterdam. Then I picked up dry cleaning, left in dry cleaning and came home to make dinner and pack for my fellow. He is off to Amsterdam again, will be home Thursday. I ironed all his shirts today so he got to pick which he would take with even. *laugh*

So my fellow is off and I am already missing him. We have been getting along so well it is almost like the days before the kidlet was born. His sister picked him up and while I knew it was her and her car, I had to do a triple take because she had her hair in braids and didn’t look like herself at all. *laugh*

One thing I realized this weekend was how much I miss having a cat. Ibo says to get one from Applegrove, they are used to dogs. *laugh* I have always had a cat until Shadow died 2 years ago and I said then I wouldn’t replace him because of Ibo’s allergies. But he seems to get better after a couple days and I do miss a cat. Rusty is snuggly but it is not the same when it is 35 kg trying to climb on your lap, as a little cat. *laugh* So I am actually thinking about it, but it will not be a spur of the moment decision.

Thursday was very quiet here when I woke up, all alone except for the dogs. *laugh* I packed up stuff for the cottage for the weekend, took the dogs for a long walk, did a bit of grocery shopping. At 1500 Stefan messaged to say they were on their way to pick up the bags he had left here. It was an hour earlier than expected so we arranged by sms for him and Jörgen to come and fika here. We had a nice fika, Stefan got everything organized and weighed his bags here and then they headed off. It was kind of fun to see one of my “teachers” sitting in my kitchen playing with Rusty. I am going to miss Stefan, it was so much like having an extra brother here. Ibo got home about 2000, we ate, he changed and we went out to the cottage. It was so nice to have him home again after not seeing him for 4 days.

Friday was a lazy day, we didn’t really sleep in much, his phone rang at 0800 and the rest of the day was filled up with calls in regards to work or politics. He even got called out of the sauna at 2100. *laugh* But he did mow the back lawn and we made a trip to the ICA before they closed. By the time we had our sauna and dinner it was 2300 before we got to bed and we had to get up 0430. So it was a short night. *laugh*

Saturday we were up at 0430, I made some tea in a thermos and some sandwiches for breakfast and packed the cooler bag. We headed out at 0500 for Falun. We had to be there for 0800 and were really unsure of how long it would take to find the dog club we were going to so felt we should give ourselves lots of time. We stopped at Gävle and ate our breakfast, then continued on to Falun. We were there by 0700 and stopped at a service station where we picked up wiper fluid and I got a coffee and cinnamon roll. Then since we were so early, we took the dogs for a walk along the water and Rusty had a swim and they both explored and ran. Then we went the rest of the way to Falu Brukshundklubb. What a lovely spot and their clubhouse and facilities were great. There were 2 groups of 8 dogs doing MH, mentalbeskriving or mental testing. Rusty was #3 and Ibo was doing the test with him. So Ibo went along for the first test, a cute little Lancashire Heeler, as an audience member and to see what was involved. I waited with the dogs.

Unfortunately there was some disorganization/miscommunication. The people who were testing their dogs were not informed of the two separate groups. So we thought we went in order, when the first dog was done, the second started. But that was not how the club had it organized, they worked it so that when the first dog was halfway through the training course, the second dog started. This led to the second dog being taken out by a friend of the owners, because of course she was with all the other owners on the first test as an audience member. Ibo didn’t realize he had to come directly to the start point when the first was finished and the organizers tried their hardest to get me to start with Rusty while I kept insisting it was not me taking him through the test it was my sambo. Finally Ibo noticed us and came over and took out Rusty.

It went well, he passed. *laugh* Basically you pass as having good mental health or you fail as having unacceptable behavior. He didn’t have high marks on the playing part but I wasn’t to bothered by that when I was audience during his father’s test and the father didn’t play much either. *laugh*

It was really rather cool. First the dog greeted the audience, to see how it reacted with strangers in a group, then it met one of the testers and that person took the dog for a little walk to see how it reacted to other people handing it. There were a number of different tests, one with a person dressed in a hooded cape who tried to get the dog to play, one with two people dressed as ghosts. There was a test with loud noise and a test with gunshots. There were other things too and with each there was a score of the dogs’ reaction. I was glad I went along and saw the whole thing, it was really interesting.

We had lunch a bit after 1300 and had a chance to sit and talk to Lena and a couple with two Irish Setters, their oldest dog is from Applegrove’s first litter. By lunch time Ibo had a headache, likely from the sun and his lack of sleep. So we headed home to the cottage about 1500. When we got back we decided we get pizza for dinner at the local grill but it was too early. My fellow thought he might mow the front lawn so we could go to Avesta on Sunday, but instead he fell asleep. I fed the two dogs at 1800 and then they both crashed to, so I curled up with my fellow and slept as well. We woke after 2000 and went to get water and dinner. But there was no pizza. Månkarbo closes up like a clam at 7 pm on weekends. Everything was closed including the service station. So we instead took the dogs to the swimming hole where Rusty got to play some in the water. Then we went back to the cottage and I made pasta for dinner. We called it an early night but decided to pass on the dog show since it was a 2 hour drive and we would have to leave by 0800. Instead we slept till 1030 and woke to an overcast day. It started to rain before we were done with breakfast so there was no lawn cutting, instead we just relaxed inside for the day. We did defrost the fridge but that was about the extent of our work for the day. We came home about 1600 and I unpacked the dirty clothes and started laundry. We did go and get pizza and now I am just sitting her sipping on a glass of wine and waiting for the kidlet to get home from his long weekend in Gothenberg with his grandmother. *smile*

Yesterday was a busy day. We got up and it was much cooler so we took both dogs to the dog run and they had a great time. Then LL and I went to Märsta centrum where we got the dogs’ pet passports completed and then we had lunch with Linda and Stefan. After lunch we headed to Sigtuna where LL played with Viktor and I visited with his dad. We got a big bag of rhubarb from him and we all went and had ice cream before we headed home.

We came home and took the dogs out and then fed them. Then LL and I went a bbq. It was lots of fun. We were home about 2100 and he managed to postpone bedtime till 2200. I was up till close to 0200 because my fellow was late back to the hotel so it was late when I got to talk to him online.

This morning I was up about 0900, took out the dogs, did some laundry and then I packed the kidlets suitcase for his trip to Gothenburg. He was really excited about it! I have been out a few times with the dogs. It is much cooler but neither one is back to themselves after the heat wave. Susan is crabby and Rusty is not eating much. I did get him a nice bone at the store and he has been gnawing at that.

As for the sad part, the kennelträff we have been looking forward to has been cancelled. We are still going to Falun on Saturday for mentalbeskrivning with Rusty and hopefully we will go to the dog show in Avesta on Sunday. There will be a little get together after the MH Saturday and that will be nice. I feel really bad for Lena who put a lot of work into planning this and then it just kind of fell apart at the last minute. She did say we will have some kind of a meetup closer to home during the summer and we look forward to that. Irish setter people are really nice. *smile*

Friday we had a sleep in. Then we went and did some errands and ended up at the centrum getting some groceries. While I was checking out my fellow called and asked if we were cottage bound. We had decided not to go but minds were changed and an hour later we were on our way there. We took the kidlets 16″ bike and his old helmet with and left them there. Ibo went out with Rusty running along beside the bike and we had a quiet night.

Saturday we went to Uppsala and bought the kidlet at 20″ bike. He really is too big for it but not big enough for the 24″ so this one will be his cottage bike next summer. We also looked at a couple of Audi’s, since we need a combi to accomodate this huge beast of a dog we have. *laugh* After dinner LL went next door and invited the neighbours for fika. He has been playing with their son for a month now and has been to their home so we wanted to meet them for more than the 2 minutes we see them when Rusty runs away to their house. (they have dogs in a kennel and he goes over to see them every chance he gets). So they came over at 1900 and we had a nice visit with them, a very nice couple. I was sure they would be, their son is a really nice polite little guy. They told us how to get to the local swimming place where lots of people take their dogs. Thier beagle is going to have puppies in 2 weeks and their other dog is a mix breed, the father is a papillon and the mother is an irish setter and something that I forget now, mix. After fika the boys took their bikes and rode to the playground. We got the sauna ready and by the time the boys were back the sauna was waiting. LL decided against, he wanted to play on the trampoline next door, so it was just us. We talked a bit about the future and it was nice.

Sunday we went back to Uppsala to test drive the cars we were looking at but we didn’t buy one yet. Then we went home to the cottage, had lunch, packed and came home.  My fellow was heading to Amsterdam at 2040 and I had to iron and pack a week’s worth of clothes for him. He got off to the airport and the kidlet got tucked in bed. Before he left Ibo pointed out that the lawn needed watering. So I ran the hose from the front porch, though the front door, down the hall, across the balcony and then over it. Attached the sprinker, came back up and turned on the water and went back down where I discovered I was watering our yard and the neighbours yards too. I also got very wet trying to move the sprinker so I didn’t water their balconies too, while I went back up to adjust the water level. It was too funny. I got it adjusted to a good level and watered the lawn for 90 minutes. Then I got the hose out to the porch again and rolled on to it’s holder and then it poured rain. *laugh* I stayed up until my fellow was settled in his hotel and sms’d and then called it a night.

This morning the kidlet went home to a friend. He rode his new bike over and spent the day, they played and swam and had lots of fun. He got home about 1700 and had dinner, watched some tv, played on the computer and went to bed at 2130. I did laundry, unpacked 10 boxes, took the dogs numerous times for short walks because of the heat and rested, trying to kick this chest infection that just won’t quit. Now I am thinking it is soon bedtime for me too. *laugh*

Llywellyn had his last day of school today and they had their end of year ceremony this evening. So now we are both on summer vacation.

Yesterday was Sweden’s national day. We didn’t do so much, slept in, took the kidlet to a birthday party, Ibo and I went and had fika while the kidlet was at his party. We got home and I did laundry and such then made dinner. After we ate we walked over to a new health food store that opened last month. Then we stopped to see Ibo’s sister’s new fence. Finally we got home and the kidlet got settled into bed.  It was a lovely day weather wise.

Today we dropped the kidlet off for his final day complete with bathing suit, towel, crocs and a water pistol. They had a water pistol fight at school and then went swimming. All had a wonderful time. I got dropped off at the centrum at 0815 and went in to order a cake for Ibo’s meeting this evening. Then I stopped at the grocery store on the way home and got some more groceries. When I got here I did laundry yet again, then mowed and raked the lawn and then it was time to go and get the cake and the rest of the food we needed for the picnic we were having at the school after the ceremony.

I picked the kidlet up at 1630 and we took the bus to the road leading in to his school. Ibo was to pick us up there so we could have LL’s parent-teacher interview. Then he went home and picked up the picnic stuff and came back in time to see the kidlet sing and play bongos. Then he headed off to another meeting and we had a picnic with farmor and LL’s faster. They brought us home and the kidlet played a bit on the computer then headed to bed, exhausted from his big day.

At the moment it is 27C outside, a gorgeous sunny day, just like yesterday. They are promising this weather for the next 5 days too.

Up at the usual 6 a.m. and saw my fellow off to the airport then got the kidlet and I onto the bus to take him to school. Once I got home I took both the dogs for a walk before it got too warm, we were out for 45 minutes and they both had fun. Then I went to the centrum here and bought groceries, came home, unpacked them and went back and bought fresh veggies and fruit. I can only carry so much each time so it was multiple trips yesterday and today instead of one big shop, since my fellow has no time to take us with the car.

I cleaned out the fridge, did more wash, picked up some and then took the dogs out for a shorter walk. Now I am making some lunch and then it is more laundry and more picking up on the agenda. It is nice being home and being able to work away at stuff without being rushed because there are only a couple more hours till bedtime and there is still homework to look at. *laugh*

My cold has lodged itself in my throat today and I have no voice at the moment. Well I have one but it is a very deep and quiet man’s voice. The cough sounds like I have pneumonia but it is just a cold.

Today is the start of my summer vacation. I was up at 0600, got the kidlet up and organized for school, got my fellow’s breakfast and lunch ready and ironed clothes for him and then we took the kidlet to Sigtuna to school and I walked home with Rusty. No clue how long a walk it is, took us a bit over an hour to do it and that was with a couple detours into the woods. It was  nice walk and I was wishing I had a camera along when we surprised a grouse. So no sleep in, laze about day for me. *laugh* Still on the agenda is grocery shopping and gift shopping for the teachers at LL’s school and of course picking up the kidlet at 1600. My fellow has a meeting so he won’t be home till after, I will make us dinner then. There are beds to be stripped, laundry to be done and a lawn to mow. Where exactly does the vacation part come in? *grin*

Saturday my fellow was tied up from noon till three with Drogkampen. I called him at 1500 and asked him to stop at his mom’s and pick up the salmon and salad she had forgotten to drop off before she went away. He said while on the phone, shall we go to the cottage when I get home? So I did a quick pack up and we headed out about 1630. I had to wait until the final load of laundry was done and hung up before we could leave. *laugh*

At the cottage we had dinner, had a sauna and then watched a movie until after midnight. After dinner but before our sauna, my fellow took the dog and they biked around, no idea how long that path is either but when we walked it with them last month, Susan quit the final km and had to be carried. *laugh*

Sunday we got up about 10, had breakfast and then I cleaned up and packed up. My fellow worked on the bike, it needs sprucing up and apparently the gears aren’t working properly. Then about 1300 we headed back to Märsta, dropped off our suitcase at home and then went to the kidlet’s school for a picnic. This was something that was arranged by some of the parents and it was really fun, there was a good turnout, the kids had a great time and so did the adults. Rusty got to swim around a bit and lots of fuss was made over him and Susan. We got home about 1800 and it was back to the grind, laundry, dishes and the assorted things that are the “mom” jobs.  *laugh*

Hmm, that is what was missing today. We did have two psalms we sang though. *smile*

Today I graduated, again. I am now a high school graduate in two languages. *laugh* Actually it was a really important day for me, I feel like I have really accomplished something worthwhile. I wish my fellow could have come, but the kidlet did in his place, since pappa is in Amsterdam again. I got my school pin, got my copy of the book we published, had lunch and said good bye to schoolmates and teachers. We all signed each other’s books and there were speeches and song. So it was fun but bittersweet.

When we were done with lunch, Stefan joined us and we went with him to get the bag he is storing here for the next two weeks. He also had some things he sent home with us for the cottage. He gave me a copy of his book and I am looking forward to sitting and reading it later. Time was tight. LL had his english class party at 1420 and a birthday party to attend at 1600. He was 30 minutes early to the english party and 10 minutes late to the birthday one. I left him and hurried back to the bus stop and got home by 1700, in time to take out the dogs and play with Rusty some. My fellow is on his way home as I type this, the kidlet is getting a ride home from the parents of the birthday girl.

Lots of other stuff has happened this week, but it graduation that is my focus of the day. *laugh*