Einar came home and the first thing we did was vote. :) It is good to have him back home again.

Brynja and Hinrik and Bjartur came home as planned on the 1st. Yay! Luckily, Bjartur remembered us and seems to have finished the shy stage. So we have all been having fun, enjoying one another's company. Lots of play and laughter. :) It is wonderful to have them home again! There was a dinner party when they came; Ingimundur, his mom Ella, and his niece Linda Elin joined us. Fun!

Great news is that the same evening Brynja received word that her 1st choice in London schools for her master's studies plans to send her a formal offer of acceptance very soon. Brynja was pleased and we were all very happy for her. :)

Joy sent some really fine pictures of her kids and one of the whole family. I loved them all, but the family picture was my favorite. Then I can look at all of them at the same time. :)

Our Lora is in the process of moving. Yesterday she (and her landlord) were painting the tiny apartment. And Einar helped move the few big pieces of furniture. Brynja has already peeked at the apartment and pronounced it quite cosy. Lora has a great talent for making things cosy. :)

This is the time of year when birthdays abound in the family. This year differs in that not many (dinner) parties have been held in celebration. Despite that, congratulations have been conveyed to each, in turn. So far, that includes cousins Ingimundur, Andri and Arnar, along with our own Bjarni. :)

Not all the news is good though. Einar's father is in the hospital. His daughter Ella has been by his side for the past 2 weeks+. She finally decided she had to go home today. The whole family has rallied around, taking turns visiting Kjartan each day or talking with him on the phone. And Ella has been keeping us all informed with email updates each day. She has been incredibly industrious and her efforts, as well as those of Nina, and Kjartan's cousin, Tomas Arni have been very much appreciated in explaining things and acting as go-betweens with the doctors and nurses for the rest of us. We shall all try to take up the slack now that Ella has gone home. I got some of Kjartan's favorite chocolate at the store today and one of us will take it over. :)

We heard from Unnur who is currently in Mexico City. She (along with flat mate, Logi) caught the flu (swine flu), but recovered and subsequently wrote an article describing the situation over there. The article was perceptive, not least in describing the difficulties a foreigner is faced with when ill in a foreign country, dealing with another language and lacking the innate knowledge of someone born there. The article appeared in yesterday's paper (in Icelandic) here, but I read a draft of it in English. I don't know where or when it will be published in English, but it provides a unique viewpoint, well worth reading, so I hope it happens. She has promised to keep us informed about how she is doing for which we are grateful.

As for me, same 'ole, same 'ole. Some days/nights are easier than others. Last night was rather difficult. My back kept spasming, making it difficult to find a comfortable position in which to rest. I countered each spasm with exercises and after a while, it made a difference. Today, I am better, and counting my blessings. :)

Each day brings new challenges. Hopefully, they will continue to be met and conquered. Can't ask for better than that. ;)

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