A pool in the making...
Cuckoo!
Not only did this election dig a hole in many people's soul but now there is also a hole in our backyard.
That's not related to what happened earlier this week at all but it is still a hole...
The hole in our garden is where a pool is about to take form.
'It's amazing how precisely they can be with an excavator!
Straight lines, flat bottom and sharp edges was the result of having that swinging steel arm creating the hole.
Next week the pool itself will be fitted into that rectangular form.
So exciting to watch even with a down jacket on...
It might actually be a little too cold to use it this time of year but on the other hand we will be ready when the heat arrives next year.
Holes in the soul can sometimes be difficult to fill though but the backyard one will hopefully more easily be filled with water, friends and fun.
And for now that's good enough!
Hippy happy weekend!
Tjingeling
Hug each other more!
Cuckoo!
In the aftermath of yesterday's chock I'm hugging my family more than ever.
In my world love is actually the key ingredient to healthy and sound values.
In our family we are teaching our kids, out of love, to be open minded and respect differences in genders, intelligence, races, religions, beliefs and everything else that impossibly could fit into just one form.
Maybe the president and all his voters never experienced enough love?!
I can not in my wildest fantasy imagine that the the disrespectful behavior, statements and actions are coming from a heart full of love.
Just beacause this way of being has resulted in a job as a president does not mean that it is the right way...
No way!
Instead i will be hugging more often and tighter, continue to send out smiles to people I meet and pass, help out when needed but not always asked for, listen, encourage but most of all LOVE and hope that more people are getting infected by the love bug.
In my naive but better world love creates togetherness, strength and kindness.
I will never give up on that!
Just sayin...
Tjingeling
Fun in the forest
Cuckoo!
Since I will be decorating the reading nook for the upcoming book fair at our middle school I have been collecting materials from nature.
Thanks to other moms at school I have been able to use their land to get what I wanted and I'm so so grateful for that.
It has made my job easier, more convenient and definitely cheaper (!).
I had the pleasure of having both one of the moms and my dog keeping me company on this adventure:)
The trees I was dealing with was slightly smaller though :)
Dangerous monsters were found here and there too which spiced up our forest experience...
To be surrounded by fall in its most glowing element was a balm for the soul and put a silver lining on the preparation for this job.
Tomorrow will be the day when I put everything together ( at least starting) , when the trees, rocks, logs and branches will create the gym at school into a wilderness.
At least that's the plan…
Tjingeling
Halloween time...
Cuckoo!
Time again to dress out, go trick or treating and get high on sugar!
First a parade at school before it's time for the real trick or treating to begin...
Friendly, fabulous and fun!
Such cute, scary and hilarious outfits my heart just overflows...
This crazy day seems to bring out so much creativity, so much friendship across the ages and respect of everbodies choices.
One could say Halloween is a day where everybody, no matter color, look or origin, comes together in peace, love and understanding:)
And sprinkled with sunshine ( and a lot of chocolate) I must say that this day was a "good" day:)
Tjingeling
A thoughtful gift...
Cuckoo!
Sometimes a simple gesture, like a smile or a kind word can make a big difference.
And sometimes a thoughtful, carefully prepared gift can make even a bigger impact in your life.
My kids now and then have that effect on me and the other day it was my youngest daughter who made my day.
She had made me a necklace and a bracelet in the colors I love, put it in a box she had decorated and enclosed an encouraging letter where she thanks me for being her mom and is thanking me actually for everything.
She must have felt that I've been a little down and stressed cause she had written with big letters at the end of her letter that it is "ok to be nervous"…
I usually tell to my kids that it is a good thing to feel.
That their life is more enriched when they can feel.
That it is ok to feel sad, happy, afraid, angry or whatever they might experience in a certain moment.
Just the acknowledge of a feeling makes them more whole as a human being...
I guess someone in my family has listened to my blurr:)
Tonight I'm going to extra much enjoy my gift, my kids and my "feeling" good!
Tjingeling
Spirit shopping
Cuckoo!
October is the month where it's time to let your spirit shine through.
The school is encouraging a spirit week with different themes every day, a Halloween parade is soon coming up at the lower school and the month itself ends with a spooky dress out trick or treat feast.
With all that coming up the kids felt they needed to get accessories to enhance their own natural spirits...
'There are so much to choose from so it is easy to get overwhelmed.
One aisle after another with costumes, wigs, accessories, masks and everything else you might need for any dress out occasion.
It is not for free though so very important to go through everything and make sure that it really is what you want to have, need and can afford.
There were a few things that went back on the shelves again...
My beautiful daughter likes to get all in so her basket was almost ready to burst even after the sort out:)
But with the happy giggling from the backseat on our way home I got assured they all got what they needed in order to kick start this new week in the best of spirits!
It is so funny to see how many smiles a pair of funny glasses, Pom Pom hairband or a green tattoo can create.
To me though, just a smile is one of the best spirit enhancer and it is also totally free, but apparently not enough in this case:)
Tjingeling
A free spirit...
Cuckoo!
My youngest daughter has been moved up a level in gymnastics.
She is kind of a happy monkey now.
So happy she takes every opportunity to be a "real" monkey...
'We have a perfect wall for doing all kinds of moves, gymnastics moves, dance moves and series of skips, jumps and backwards walking.
Now and then she breaks up that routine with a tree swing, or actually many tree swings.
Is it not just so beautiful giving in for every little impromptu idea that comes up in their own world of fantasy?!
Being able to dream and execute.
Being able to choose and pick without being judged.
If she wants to be a monkey, a gymnast or a dog in that very moment that's only up to her and her imagination.
And I can just stand there watching with a overflowing heart and a smile on my lips hoping she will keep as much free spirit she can growing up.
And hope the branch will hold her weight...
Tjingeling
Grateful...
Cuckoo!
I feel I'm very grateful for most things in my life.
Everything from my family, my health, beautiful friends, the sun, a smile to a cup of tea.
And today I feel so grateful because my little puppy did not pee or poop inside for the whole day.
Thats fantastic and gives me hope for the future:)
He so willingly cooperated posing for my picture and then something started to itch and he ended up falling into the flower bed...
So adorable!
Although while I was writing this he decided to sneak into our sunroom and leave some evidence. 😏
I guess I will have to adjust my gratefulness to only include most of the day and not the whole day.
Nowadays, when the world is a little wobbly one has to be grateful also for the little:)
Tjingeling
A parent and puppy social weekend
Cuckoo!
Another beautiful weekend has ended!
One day was spent in the kitchen cooking and baking, preparing for a group of 40 parents in Bella's grade to come join us for a parent social evening.
But in between there was of course time for some puppyplay...
'It's so difficult to capture the energy from that dog.
He looks like a rabbit when he is running around and sometimes skip with all four legs up in the air.
He consider Bella a puppy too and can sometimes treat her the same way ...
Play can be rough and he tend to snap her when too excited.
Other times are more calm and peaceful.
i think just being close and around the dog the whole time is as good as playing.
Its absolutely wonderful to see how much the kids enjoy our new addition to the family.
The look in their face when they see Elvis, how their expressions kind of softens, goes straight into my heart and forms a smile:)
"A dog is not our whole life but it makes our life whole".
I might have to agree...
So a parent and puppy social weekend.
Not too bad at all:)
Tjingeling
Crossroads
Cuckoo!
A couple of time a year I always find myself in front of a crossroad.
It is more like a personal crossroad than anything else.
I tend to doubt myself, my doing and my dreams.
I feel I don't really know where I belong, or fit in anywhere, be it friends, culture or just the everyday living.
That lost feeling might be the prize I have to pay for moving around in the world like we have done.
To always brake up leaving the safe behind...
Nevertheless, when I'm doubting myself and everything I am and do I go in an isolated bubble and nothing is being done outside of that bubble.
I lose inspiration and interests, I lose power to accomplish anything, kids are just annoying and the everyday living becomes grey.
Kind of a dull life...
This is where my dear husband comes into the picture.
One or two days in this state and he takes action, ( he is suffering when I don't smile a lot and the house is in a mess)
He is talking me into the right mood, confirming me, holding me tight but is also giving me a probably well deserved kick in my little (!) butt and by that just bringing me back to reality in a blink.
So I've decided to start off this weekend with a desicion to keep on being me , invest in myself and start believing in me, myself and I.
Beacause I'm actually good enough!
What a wonderful way to end a Friday taking the feel-good road:)
Tjingeling
Fall day, fail day
Cuckoo!
Today was a holiday here and also the most beautiful fall day one can wish for.
Blue sky, crisp air and that feeling you get when something is being wrapped up to give room for something else.
In this case a color and temperature change.
My kids could feel it, I could feel it...
It created turbulence.
Emotional roller coasters with shoutings and name calling just to mention a few.
In between we were able to squeeze in some quality time though enjoying probably one of the last days of being able to sit outside.
It is still kind of green and lush in our garden with a few remaing flowers which just put that little silver line into my everyday life, an ingredient I find so important.
Today I think we mentally covered every type of weather.
We experienced sunshine, rain, cold, heat and even something similar to a hurricane.
Yup, never a dull moment in this household:)
I have to remind myself to "love them most when they least deserve it"!
Some days that is kind of hard...
Tomorrow is another day and I'm sure that is going to be a wonderful day!
Tjingeling
Shades of grey
Cuckoo!
Instead of milkbrain I seem to suffer from puppybrain which actually also causes some sort of shortcut function wise:)
So suddenly I decided our tv room needed a little makeover...
(Because I don't have anything else to do or think of)
But, it's too much energy in that room and with colder times ahead I wanted to create a more embracing feeling.
'You can see here hints of the warm grey on the walls that replaced the white.
It still gives the room a light impression but at the same time it kind of narrows it down and passes on a more cozy atmosphere.
'At least that is the intention:)
We shall see!
Meanwhile I'm keeping an eye on my blonde American babyboy to make sure he does not jump into one of those paint jars:)
Tjingeling
Puppy love.
Cuckoo!
Puppy has arrived!
And omg, it's like having a baby in the house again.
This time the "pregnancy" was both shorter and easier though but apart from that...
He eats, sleeps, pees and poops and in between plays, jumps and runs around like a rabbit.
'He is the softest, friendliest little fluffball one can think of and every day now we are getting to know each other more and more and i have a feeling we suit each other like the hand in a glove.
The biggest challenge now is to keep one young daughter from eating him with fur and everything...
One thing is for sure though, if you would think your heart is already big enough and impossible to fill with more love, you will get surprised what a growspurt your heart are in for just to make room for more love.
In this case puppy love!
Tjingeling
To create the wilderness...
Cuckoo!
In October it is always time to do our middleshool's bulletin board for the upcoming book fair.
This year's theme was "Book fair wilderness. Get lost in a book".
This is the third year I'm being asked to do it and I love it.
'I'm afraid my iPhone does not make the pictures look the best but i hope it can still give you an idea of how i wanted it to come out.
I decided to bring in a lot of nature to try to create a version of wilderness and give it a three dimensional feeling.
I first dressed the walls in dark blue tablecloth (!), trying to copy a nightsky.
A moon and branches were added...
I continued with stars, grass and animal masks...
And lastly I "lit" a campfire to kind of welcome visitor to the wilderness, sit down, roasting marshmallows and hopefully read a book in the light of the moon and stars:)
'It's fun, very rewarding and extremely encouraging to listen to all the positive comments from curious students and to be a part of maybe waking up an interest in the kids mind in reading one of the books offered.
Yup, feels good to be contributing...
Tjingeling
A Saturday surprise
Cuckoo!
I feel so spoiled!
A brand new Range Rover was waiting for me in the garage on Saturday morning.
A disguised tractor in a luxury form.
Love love love it!
I have never really been interested in what I'm driving as long as it is rolling and it will fit the family.
'But now, I act like a nerd admiring the sleek interior design while blowing away imaginary dust, enjoying the comfortable seats (armchairs) and not to mention the sound from the motor. Broommm broooommm!
I notice I suddenly have errands to do that can only be done from a driving distance...
I notiice I suddenly wipe off my feet before climbing in...
i notice the kids are no longer allowed to eat their food in the car... ( we will see how long that lasts)
With this car I'm driving around with a smile in my face and the motorsound as music in my ears.
I knew there was something missing in my life 😝
'Where has this car been all the time?!
Love love love!
Tjingeling
To share a troll moment with my daughter
Cuckoo!
A slow, lazy but oh so welcomed weekend just passed.
its so nice to sometimes do absolutely nothing.
Instead there was time to enjoy the company of my daughter, sharing her dreams and wishes.
Be a part of a seven years old girl's own little world...
We happened to pass by Betsy Johnson's troll collection in the mall that apparently spoke directly to my daughter.
'I don't know if it was the colors, the fur or the happy playful items itself but suddenly her wish list for Christmas just appeared in front of her eyes:)
So wonderful to listen to her sudden needs, her reasons to why she wants it and even in what priority order she wanted her wishes to be fulfilled.
Fury rings, bracelets, pen cases, backpacks and key rings.
Colorful and happy notebooks, socks, scarves and different drink jars.
Just everything that seemed to appeal to my daughter's mood and state of mind in that very moment.
And I as a mom was there at her side to listen, agree or disagree with her instant and shallow love for things.
My heart got filled with joy and smiles and i felt so rich being able to share that girly moment with my daughter.
We did not buy anything but yet we left that place with our hands full of imaginary bags, togetherness and I with a sudden insight my daughter is growing, both physically and mentally.
Yup, a weekend with no plans but still so enriching.
Me like:)
Tjingeling
New pictures of puppy to come
Cuckoo!
Today I got new pictures of our little "baby"!
He is so fluffy I want to hug him the whole time, Bella said.
'And he already grew so much!
His "due date" is next Friday and I'm starting to be a little nervous...
From the pictures I can tell that he seems to be into agriculture or just culture because he is always pictured in a flower bed.
He also seems confident behind the wheel...
'I wonder how I can make him feel happy at our place?
So many things to prepare and buy before he comes.
Everything from a bull's penis to a bed, blanket, toys, educational toys, the right food, leash, crate, comb and everything that fits into the world of a dog.
A complet jungle...
I so need advice, a list or something to guide me so our little puppy is off to a good start in our family.
Hit me with whatever knowledge of dogs you have!
Please!
Tjingeling
The beauty of a flower
Cuckoo!
Yup, monday and i have kickstarted the week with tonnes of flowers.
An absolutely amazing way to cheer up the first day of a long week.
The rooms got dressed in warm energy-filled colors which gave each room it's own little sun:)
Again I bought a couple of bouquets at the supermarket, mixed them up with green "fillers" and sometimes also with what's left in the garden.
From there you can only create magic...
Fill up the vases you too and enjoy the uplifting energy of the flowers.
I can promise the week starts off in a more positive and friendlier way that will set the tone for the whole week.
Long live the beauty of a flower!
Tjingeling
Dress time!!!
Cuckoo!
Today I got so excited because I was going to have a dinner date with my other half and that required me to change from my usual "pajama" outfit to a look-nice-pretend-you-are-a-lady kind of dress.
And I so sometimes love to dress in a dress:)
Its like taking a sneak peek into another world...
Like having that candy as a child that was only allowed on Saturdays.
Taking an adult break in a world that circles around the kids.
Just being a grown up...
The heels, the color of the dress, the company, the weather yes everything just got me to want to bottle that feeling and drink it later when in my "pajama" and my flip flops battling a tired daughter in the mornings or a hormonal teenager or anything that makes you want to be somewhere else.
A normal life sprinkled with gold!
So grateful!!!
Tjingeling
The orange has landed...
Cuckoo!
Be aware, the orange has landed!
Despite me having officially welcomed the fall I still was not prepared for all that orange which almost attacked me today at the garden center.
Maybe it is the warm weather that kind of delays the true feeling...
Anyway, all those pumpkins definitely made a statement:)
All the stores always seem to be in such rush to get us into the different upcoming feasts mood long before it's really the time for it.
Actually behind all these Halloween decorations I already spotted boxes of Christmas decorations...
Strangely enough, i usually try to live after the "seize the day" motto, but for some reason I'm very easy to affect and can go straight into planning for future celebrations too.
Halloween is not really my thing though but a couple of pumpkins will always end up on the steps outside my entrance door.
And I guess I will have a few to choose from...
Tjingeling
