Tue 26 Jan 2010: Happy Birthday, Deb! / A Motorized Dream 2010-01-26 09:01 Today is my friend Deb's birthday. Happy Birthday, Deb! I hope you have a wonderful day! Hugs! I hope your present arrived on time. :) ***************** What do Unnur, Mohammed Ali, our Icelandic President and I have in common? We all went by bus and attended the same funeral of a favorite pop singer (not Icelandic) in my dream last night (and like a choir we, along with the other attendees, sang a moving pop song afterwards). In fact, Olafur sat next to me and bemoaned not being able to wear shoes (and having forgotten his socks) - his big toe had dirt under the nail... lol Afterwards, the bus I climbed onto for the return trip had to make its way over 6 feet snow and ice drifts (the bus just barreled through like a train!) of a washed out section of country road by the edge of a narrow river channel before finding pavement again; it wasn't the same bus I'd arrived on for I couldn't find my shoes anywhere. For some reason, the rest of the dream was about me and vehicles: driving (both a car and a motorized wheelchair - very adeptly, I assure you); catching a bus with Andri (I was late while looking for my camera and sent him out to catch the bus and stall the driver); trying to squeeze the wheelchair through a 1 foot exiting turnstile (I managed); and frowning disapprovingly at two cars revving up an upwardly inclined curved walk path - one sped up to pass the other by driving on the grass verge. I remember hoping that the cars didn't run into any pedestrians as they took this 'short cut' to the street above. And I thought about the resultant damage to the grass verge, as well. Well, dreams can be very strange, can't they? hehe Fun to remember some of the more absurd ones... [ permanent url ] [ ]

Tue 19 Jan 2010: A Request for my new Project 2010-01-19 13:28 On the 17th, Einar's nephew became a proud father to his first child, a little girl. I've seen pictures (thanks to his aunt Thorbjorg - many thanks!), and she's a real sweetie! Many congratulations to Dui and Maria! ******************* When Einar had his birthday, all at once it hit me - we are already in our late 50s! When did that happen?? Realizing it took me aback. Time marches on but the significance of that passage of time just didn't register, until now. In an aside, I get a really nice email from a friend who asked how I manage to 'never change'. lol That made me feel a little less decrepit. I do have some gray strands in my hair now. Fortunately, my natural hair color is still prominent. :) I say 'fortunately' because it is my one feature that I've always liked; I'd like to enjoy it a bit longer. As all who know me know, I have a thing about collecting pictures (of family). Well, the family just keeps getting bigger and bigger. Just before Christmas, it expanded even more. A distant cousin contacted me, wanting to exchange pictures and historical stories of our joint genealogy. I was agreeable and then, wham! I was swamped. Dwight sent me a lot more than I had anticipated! But, thankfully, my mom is helping me sort it all out. :) As a direct result, I am becoming privy to a lot more of my forebears' history (and my own) in the process. It is fascinating! I never realized how little I knew before now! Growing up, I just seemed to live in 'the now', passively accepting all that happened and never actually putting it all together. Consequently, when Dwight started asking me questions, I hadn't a clue what to tell him and had to ask Mom and then pass on the info. But now, I am a lot older and TAKING NOTICE of what I am told. And I can even ASK QUESTIONS! This has extended to family history closer to home, too. I started to ask questions a few years ago. A little knowledge goes a long way. I have a lot more questions as a consequence! This is a significant change. Not only do I have pictures of my forebears, but I also have history to go along with them and it is bringing the family alive. :) I am very happy! My only regret is that when I visited my aunt Irene and uncle Orville, I didn't have a tape recorder with me! Alas, my memory is full of holes! And I mourn the loss. I would be in 7th heaven if they would sometime put their memories of growing up (with my dad) on tape; Kathy, or maybe Jack, can you beg/borrow/steal a tape recorder? I am hoping you can make this a reality for both your own benefits as well as mine. I know it would be a lot of trouble, but less than writing it down which is what Mom has been doing for me. And I would attempt to transcribe whatever they said (and share it). As I said, that would be the best present ever (aside from another visit, hehe)! Also, gulp, I intend to try and put together the whole of what I've learned (for future generations as well as for those of current generations who are interested). This, of course, will take quite some time, but I'm willing to give it a go. Now all I need is input. :) So, dear family, help me out. Think about your past and write it down or put it on tape. You'll thank me later for the suggestion. 'Cause even if you don't share it with me, just thinking about it will bring further memories to light and it can be revelatory as well interesting, not just to you but also to your children. Mom asked me some time ago to write down my own 'history'. Well, I've been doing that, writing down 'highlights' and impressions and thoughts for the last few years. Those, along with this chatbox and emails, would go a long way to painting a picture of my life over the last 30+ years; I've written stories of the time before that; I shall have to write more, though, to cover the earliest years. How exciting! :) Einar finally got our scanner connected. It will only work with his 'mac' though. When he is not so busy (he's on earthquake watch this week and there are many more than in previous watches), I'll get him to teach me how to use it; then I will continue scanning pictures from our picture albums as well the few pictures that have trickled in over the last few years. Lots to do! :) But the closer I get to finishing this task, the more satisfaction I feel. And once that is accomplished, I have this new project of the family history to think about. It is nice to have a goal in mind. :) It is nice to have a 'reason' to get up each day. And it is a plus that it will benefit more than just myself. [ permanent url ] [ ]

Wed 13 Jan 2010: In demon mode 2010-01-13 10:46 The last few days I have been working like a demon to get caught up entering all the many pictures that have accumulated over the last 6 months and last night, at midnight, I finally finished. Yay! Now I can get back to scanning old pictures from our picture albums and adding them as I go - only a decade to work on! Yikes! In other news, little BB turned 19 months old yesterday. I can't wait to see his new picture. :) Today should be Brynja's last exam and then she can concentrate on writing reports over the next 2 weeks. Busy, busy young lady! Good luck, Brynja! It is cold and icy out. I think I will go over to the mall and walk around a bit. Seems like an age since I last did that. I need to get a few things for Einar's birthday on Friday. hehe Tomorrow will be a treat! Our friends' (Begga and Siggi) daughter is one of 2 musicians (she plays the flute) who won a competition in November to play with the Icelandic symphony tomorrow evening. Einar and I already have our tickets. :) It should be a really fun concert. I love going to the symphony! And to listen to Helga Svala play just adds to the fun. She is VERY talented! Well, off I go. Have a great day, people! [ permanent url ] [ ]

Thurs 7 Jan 2010: Bye bye, BB and Hinrik 2010-01-07 18:03 Einar took Hinrik and BB to the airport this afternoon and returned with his mother - an efficient trip! :) This officially ends our Christmas holiday. The kids' visit was wonderful; we shall miss BB coming up the stairs and calling out 'Hi' and smiling every morning. Sigh.. I won't take down the Christmas tree and decorations until tomorrow or maybe even the weekend; it depends on my energy levels. Right now I'm pretty tired. BB woke up early this morning so the rest of us got up early, too. I almost fell asleep on the couch while waiting for Einar to return from the airport; I was half watching an episode of one of my favorite series but even it couldn't keep my eyes from slowly closing. However, when Einar and his mom came in, I stumbled to my feet and spent the next half hour uncontrollably yawning. Sheesh! Yesterday was the annual family gathering on the last official day of Christmas. Einar, Lora, Hinrik, BB and I went; our contribution this year was a potato dish. I was looking forward to seeing BB dance and sing around a tree but, for some reason, they skipped it this year. :( When Hinrik and BB came home later that evening after visiting Hinrik's folks, Einar lighted a sparkler for BB to hold. He wasn't too sure about it at first, but seemed to enjoy the sparks the longer he held it. It fizzled out fast and he actually asked for another but it was late so his father said one was enough and got him ready for bed. I think maybe Hinrik took a picture of him holding the sparkler; I hope the picture turns out. :) Einar's round of annual work/hobby get-togethers begins tomorrow evening. Seems like Icelanders crowd a lot of them into the dark nights of each early year. I guess it alleviates the gloom. :) Anyway, it's back to the normal routine for me. I have lots of blogs to catch up on. And plenty of people have lent me books to read; that'll keep me busy for a while. :) But not for too long. A birthday is coming up in just 8 more days. So I will have a quiet week. I think I need it - you know, a holiday from the holiday! hehe [ permanent url ] [ ]

Thur 31 Dec 2009: HAPPY NEW YEAR! and THANKS! 2009-12-31 15:15 It's the last day of 2009. It has been an eventful year to say the least! There have been both ups to rejoice in and downs to simply bear and get through. But I count my blessings in that the family is still there in both spirit and heart. Those that are farthest away stay in touch by computer and phone and the sound of a loved voice or the personality in the wording of a phrase brings them closer and leaves a smile on the lips and a warm glow in the heart. :) I want to thank everyone for their remembrances this year, be it cards, emails, phone calls, gifts, hugs, visits, conversations etc over the holidays and throughout the year! All were appreciated and much enjoyed! My hope for all my loved ones, both family and friends, is that 2010 will be a year with far more ups and far fewer downs, that we will all stay in touch, maintain our health, and that goals will be reached or at least brought closer to fruition. Stay well, people, keep your spirits up (I shall attempt to do the same) and I hope that I will get to see some of you in person. If not, then I will use phone calls, emails, Facebook and MSN to keep the lines open and communication at as a high a level as possible. Take care! Hugs and Best Wishes! [ permanent url ] [ ]

Wed 23 Dec 2009: MERRY CHRISTMAS!! 2009-12-23 21:50 It's hard to believe that Christmas is so close now! But we've had a wonderful time these last few days, especially playing with little BB. :) This afternoon Lora came over. She, BB and I played together until his daddy came home and whisked him away to pick up Mommy after a long day of studying to go off and visit friends and family. Minutes later, Einar came home from Esja and then Lora and I did some last minute shopping; there was a dusting of snow just before we got home. I made vegetable topped pizza and salad for the three of us. Yum! After dinner and cleanup, I finished the laundry and made some more rice krispie chocolate clusters. Now I'm watching 'Nightmare Before Christmas' (Tim Burton's imagination is phenomenal!) and enjoying my sugarless chocolate. Nice! :) Tomorrow morning and afternoon are reserved for delivering last gifts to a special few, finishing wrapping, resting (if possible!), and getting ready for the evening's festivities, not to mention picking up our guests. hehe I hope that everyone has a wonderful Christmas! Ours will be, especially when Bjarni and Ewelina join us by phone. :) In advance, heartfelt thanks to all who remembered us this year with card, email and/or gifts! Hugs and Best Wishes to one and all! [ permanent url ] [ ]

Mon 21 Dec 2009: They're here! :) 2009-12-21 00:26 Technically, it really is Monday, but as it is just after midnight, I think of it as Sunday night. At any rate, Einar should just about be ready to drive back from the airport with Brynja, Hinrik and little B.B. :) Yay! We kept busy today during our wait. Einar and I went for a brisk walk in the freezing windy cold this morning. Then, while he took a nap, I went downtown and spent the afternoon with Lora. :) We browsed through part of the weekend jumble sale (luckily indoors) and then ate a light meal together; we both opted for salads but different kinds. Mine was delicious! :) Then we walked back to the jumble sales where we parted ways; she to explore some more, and I to drive home. The plants are watered, the laundry done, the dishes swishing, toys are out, beds are waiting and ready, bathrooms prepared, rooms straightened and cleaned, decorations up.. hmmm, I can't think of anything more. It'll just have to do, I reckon. :) [ permanent url ] [ ]

Mon 14 Dec 2009: It's a wrap! hehe 2009-12-14 19:54 As planned, to the accompaniment of Christmas music, I spent the whole day wrapping. It took its toll; by late afternoon, I had to lay down and rest for an hour before I could do anything else. But now, I'm feeling refreshed. I've eaten a little, rested a bit. And a quiet evening looms ahead. Just as we sat down to watch the news, we had a fun surprise phone call from Bjarni. :) No video, but the sound was very clear. He was telling us about his travel plans for over the next two weeks or so. They'll be in Peru if all goes as planned, crossing over into Bolivia just around New Year's. All was well and he was pleased with his new Skype earphones. :) In just a few minutes, we will have a visitor - time to get out the cookie tray. :) [ permanent url ] [ ]

Sun 6 Dec 2009: Annie visited us :) 2009-12-06 20:49 This morning I woke up late but once up Einar got me to go on an hour long walk with him along the River Ellida which is a little farther east of us and right across from where Andri works. It was a lovely day! We dressed for the cold. The ground was frozen but there wasn't much ice to avoid. We walked through the trees part of the time and along the river bank in other places. The sky was blue, the breeze wasn't too strong. We passed several other walkers and even bicyclers. But, essentially, we are alone. We weren't far enough to get totally away from the sounds of traffic, but the sound was like a distant rush that competed with that of the river. When we got home, Einar decided to rest a little. While he was thus occupied, I decided to edit my final paper. It's just as well that I started it for it ended up taking about 5 hours to finish. I guess I wasn't surprised - it took a long time for his technical reader to relinquish it to me and that sort of warned me that I was in for an intense read. :) But I've sent it off and now am just waiting for any return comments. If I don't get any, I'll go ahead and send in the bill. All of which means that now my Christmas vacation has started. :) Einar got down the Christmas decorations at the same time as Annie was going through her boxes in the loft last Friday evening. Annie came just before 7; her boyfriend was practicing aikido so we didn't see him, but we had a lovely visit with Annie. :) Now I believe she and Conor are exploring the southern coastline. It's a beautiful area (for the most part) and I think they will enjoy the views. They'll be gone for a few days but maybe we'll see them on Thursday. Einar babysat two nieces last night. I didn't go because of the stairs required to mount to get to their apartment. So I stayed home and watched tv and read. I attempted to stay awake but by 1 a.m. I was out for the count. I heard later, though, that it went well. :) Tomorrow I'll make what is hopefully my last run to the post office. And then I can start decorating. I am also thinking about what (and if) I want to bake. In the meantime, I've put up 3 window lights and turned on the blue lights in the sun room. So now our neighbors can't say we aren't taking part. ;) I also put up the beautiful wreath that my mom and Joe gave us many years ago. Now that means Christmas. :) To top off our day, Brynja and Bjartur called us with Skype. There were lots of interruptions but we got to chat and see each other a bit. Poor Bjartur has been very sick this week with a cough and cold and fever. Hopefully the fever will break soon and he will be able to get back to his usual fun-filled schedule. In the meantime though, he can enjoy his current visitors: Hinrik's parents and sister are there for awhile. Lucky little guy! :) [ permanent url ] [ ]

Fri 4 Dec 2009: My brother Bill 2009-12-04 09:10 Today is my brother Bill's birthday. He would have been 58! Yikes, how time does fly! I remember once when he came to visit us here in Iceland. The kids (we only had 2 then) were very small and we had our first car, an ugly little red Datsun. One day we went out driving along the snowy paths in the boonies, wanting to show Bill a little of the countryside. We got stuck in the deep drifts. The car was so light that Einar and Bill simply pushed it out of the drift and back onto the road. :) I made him fried fish and he said it tasted like chicken. :) Then we went up in a wee little plane to view a volcanic eruption of Mt Krafla. The sight was well worth the half freezing / half roasting ride to see it. hehe Bill seemed to enjoy it, too. :) I'm glad that he got over here a couple of times to visit; even if the kids don't remember, I do. I miss my brother. [ permanent url ] [ ]

Thurs 3 Dec 2009: An unexpected bonus :) 2009-12-03 09:29 Yesterday's lunch with Begga went well. :) I had lots of help from Lora and friends in preparation - truly appreciated! I really liked the food at Tandoori. :) I had an unexpected bonus, too, one I didn't even realize until this morning. When I went to take my daily dose of meds this morning, I saw that I had inadvertently forgotten to take them yesterday (I started the day at a run and never stopped until after dinner). And my stomach didn't give me any grief! It has been a really long time since I've been able to get through a day without the meds and without my stomach giving me tons of trouble. Definitely progress! And it must be because I have been being very careful with the food combinations that I eat. So, yay for me! :) I prudently took my meds this morning though. No sense in testing providence any further than necessary! I'm no dunce! hehe I sent off lots of Christmas cards and packets yesterday. :) I have a few more to work on, but I thought the first batch was a really good start. And I am definitely starting to feel the holiday spirit. Yay! Time to eat something and get busy. I hope you all have a good day today. Hugs! [ permanent url ] [ ]

Tue 1 Dec 2009: Happy Birthday, Begga! 2009-12-01 08:52 Today is my friend Begga's birthday. Happy Birthday, Begga! I hope that you will have a memorable day filled with happiness. :) Hugs! [ permanent url ] [ ]

Sun 29 Nov: Thanksgiving is done 2009-11-29 12:34 Yesterday we held our annual Thanksgiving dinner. We totaled 19. There was enough food and noone complained but the turkey (although very tender and juicy) was overcooked. (I was informed, via constructive criticism, that the last two years the turkey was overcooked. Sigh.) There wasn't enough gravy. The slaw was rather dry, in my opinion. And I didn't like the pies I made - well, no surprise on that one! I never like my pies! Why oh why did I not inherit my mom's touch when it came to pies??! This year I provided potatoes (in addition to chicken rice); most of them got eaten. I did get one request for a recipe, which I will attempt to provide. So, all in all, people were being good sports. But when it comes right down to it, this holiday has only ever meant something TO ME over here; the others just acknowledge it and eat the food provided. Therefore, although I thoroughly enjoy seeing people, I am seriously contemplating stopping holding these dinners. I am not a good cook and I'm getting tired of presenting under par meals. So yes, this Thanksgiving is done. Henceforth, maybe I'll just hold it inside my head. That's where it seems to belong. [ permanent url ] [ ]

Thur 26 Nov 2009: HAPPY THANKSGIVING! 2009-11-26 01:52 Today is actual Thanksgiving. Happy Thanksgiving to all those celebrating! I hope you enjoy your day, the company, the meal and don't end up with any tummy aches when it's done! Enjoy! [ permanent url ] [ ]

Fri 20 Nov 2009: Bjarni is okay 2009-11-20 19:23 In the wee hours this morning I woke up, engulfed by a spasming back. I stretched and rested, over and over for about an hour until I could go back to sleep. I let myself sleep another 2 hours and then decided that I would heed the warning my body has been giving me and took a day off to rest. I've done nothing strenuous today, either with body or mind. I was getting too caught up in the editing and not taking enough breaks from all the sitting. This was the second time in two days that I woke to such, but this morning was far worse. So. Warning heeded. I don't want to backslide so soon after getting back on my feet again. Bjarni called me this afternoon. It was lovely to hear his voice but I admit I was very surprised to get a call in the middle of the afternoon. I had an inkling that something was up. I just had no idea what. But he proceeded to tell me. In the next phone booth, Ewelina was on another line to her family. Bjarni wanted to warn me before I read the newest entry on his blog. He has typhoid fever. He and Ewelina both got a shot for typhoid before they began their vacation. Evidently, the shots are only 50 to 80% effective. Bjarni started feeling a low grade fever and cold-like symptoms a week ago. By then, they were in Peru and thinking of plunging into the Amazon jungle. But they ended up staying in Yurimaguas (a jump point for boats at a junction of two rivers flowing towards the Amazon) to see if Bjarni got better or not. He didn't. When he started aching, developing a higher fever, and suffering from diarrhea, he went to a doctor where all sorts of tests were done with the upshot that he had typhoid. He registered 1/80 (not sure what exactly was measured). 1/300 is severely dangerous, so Bjarni's case is mild according to his doctor. He got 3 shots immediately, and was put on a 10 day course of meds for the typhoid. Ewelina is fine so far. He and Ewelina plan to stay where they are until Monday, at least. If he feels better, they'll decide whether to continue on into the jungle or head to Lima. If he is feeling no better (or worse), he will go back to the doctor and/or Lima (where there are more doctors and hospitals, etc). It was pretty scary to hear all this - still is - but Bjarni is being prudent and they are being watchful; he is staying calm and they will do what is best, but they intend to continue their big adventure, given the opportunity. As Bjarni put it, it was a 'once in a lifetime' chance to take such a trip and they were determined to enjoy it to the fullest. I don't blame them. But I wish it did not involve such health risks. Sigh. [ permanent url ] [ ]