Archive for the ‘Home Life’ Category

I didn’t get around to posting on Friday, nor on Sunday or Monday, although I did think about it. Ho hum.

I just thought I’d give a little update on some of the reasons it’s taking me so long to get back into blogging.

I’m going to skip all the pregnancy- and motherhood-related reasons, because I’m just tired of talking about that. So, one evening, it was time for bed, and I closed my laptop. I had a reasonable night’s sleep, and woke up in the morning, did my usual morning stuff, and sat down in front of my laptop again. I opened it, and it did not awaken as it usually does. I checked the power cable, I checked the battery, I pressed the “on” button, and it still did not awaken or turn on. I reached back into the dark recesses of my brain for my Mac Genius training, and tried some nerdier stuff, and none of that worked either. I went on Thomas’ laptop and went to Apple’s support page and made sure that the dark recesses of my brain were remembering correctly and hadn’t left anything out. There was just no way around this. My laptop had died.

I can’t say it’s totally out of nowhere. My laptop has not had the easiest life, and there is plenty of cosmetic damage to betray that fact. Still, there was nothing immediately preceding the incident to really prepare me for the likelihood of this happening. It’s not ideal, I thought, but it’s ok. We have a desktop computer, and T has a laptop that I can use when he’s at work. I don’t really need this laptop. The only thing is that my laptop was the one place I had all my files, all my programs, all my settings, and everything just the way I wanted it. Like any good nerd, I had backed it all up, of course, but it was going to take some effort to set up the desktop and/or an account on T’s laptop that would be to my liking.

One part of this is the program I use to update my blog. It was only installed on my laptop, and even if I install it elsewhere, it won’t have all my  settings and stuff. So I wanted to transfer everything from the laptop to the new location rather than starting from scratch.

I’ll skip over the part where I just didn’t get around to doing this for a while because of laziness, distractions, illness, and so on. Time passed. That’s all you need to know. Then I was ready to do the transfer. I was excited to do the transfer. “This is gonna be awesome!” I thought.

My back-up is corrupt. For the nerds out there, the sparsebundle Time Machine made of my laptop will not open, and Disk Utility gives up on repairing it and tells me to wipe and start over. For the non-nerds out there, all you need to know is that my back-up is not useable or helpful in any way.

You may recall that the problem with my laptop is that it won’t turn on. There’s a good chance that my hard drive, and thus all my files and settings and everything, are perfectly fine. I just need to get the hard drive out of the laptop and into an enclosure. (Non-nerds: an enclosure is like an empty external hard drive. You put your own hard drive in it, and it becomes an external hard drive. Neat, huh?) So I bought an enclosure. Now I just need to get the hard drive out of the laptop. I used to do that for a living, so no big deal, right? Well, it wouldn’t be, if I could find my tools. Somewhere, I have all the screwdrivers necessary to disassemble and reassemble pretty much any Mac out there. But I can’t find them. T has some tools, and I was able to remove all the Phillips screws on the outside of the laptop, but there are two Torx screws standing in my way. We’ve gone to three hardware stores so far, and no one sells Torx screwdrivers in laptop-friendly sizes. That is, they’re all too big.

So, my perfectionism is keeping me from regular blogging, because I want to use my program with my settings, and I don’t have the right screwdriver to make that happen.

Now you know.

If anyone in the greater Copenhagen area has small Torx screwdrivers or knows where to buy them, or can come into my flat and use their psychic powers to find the ones I already have, please let me know. Thanks.

You might have noticed, I didn’t really get back up to speed after all. I don’t want to make a big deal whining about a situation I knowingly and willingly put myself in, but I will just say that pregnancy is hard on me, physically and emotionally, and one side effect of that is my blog not getting the care and feeding that it deserves and is used to.

I even got my first ever blog award, and I haven’t had the energy to post it. Please don’t think this means I am any less grateful. I seriously clapped and did a little chair dance when I saw it.

I will be back when I can. Until then… *mwah*

I’m sure my devotees have noticed that I haven’t been keeping up with my regular posts lately. I could list some excuses, but instead, I’m just going to give a wrap-up of what’s been going on in my life while not posting.

First, sometime around the end of January, I peed on a stick and got two lines.

(pretty announcement made with Mom-To-Be by Kristin Aagard and Peta Boardman)

I’m kinda guessing on the due date, but I think it’s close enough. If girl stuff makes you uncomfortable, skip to the next paragraph. I’m still nursing Bean, and my last menstrual period was in November 2007, so that cute little wheel they use at the doctor’s office to tell you your due date, which is usually inaccurate anyway, doesn’t know what to do with itself in my case. So I’m basically going off of when I felt pregnant and when I got a positive test. I’m sticking with this due date unless and until an ultrasound can give me something more accurate. Yesterday, I had my first appointment regarding my status as incubator, and learned nothing new. Long story short, they didn’t end up with so much as a urine test, but at least I gave them fresh copies of whatever forms they need to be happy.

I have a dating scan Friday morning. As long as it’s a healthy Bug, I don’t care about the date. But doctors do, so there you go.

In the middle of February, we all got sick. Everyone threw up at least once. We had to cancel our plans to go to not one, but TWO parties. Including one where I was going to dress Bean up in a costume. *pout* It was going to be so cute.

On Sunday, Thomas and his twin sister turned 30. In Denmark, round birthdays are a big deal. When you’re 29 or 31, eh, whatever. But 30? Biiiiig party! Invite everyone you know! And come on, TWINS! This is HUGE, right?! Yeah, not so much. It was just the immediate fam. I’m married to a (very hot, awesome, wonderful) lump on a log. But that’s ok, because I’m in the first trimester of pregnancy anyway. Partying just isn’t the same. But I did eat and keep down several boller, some hot chocolate, and some lagkage. So that’s worth celebrating in itself. In dedication of my man making it three decades, I present you with one of my recent scrapbooking creations.

By the way, I turn 32 on 7th March. Just sayin’.

During all this, I’ve also been running a download-a-day for my “real job” as a digital scrapbook kit designer. That’s a lot more work than it should be, because a lot of people don’t read instructions and/or think they are special and deserve more time to get each download than everyone else gets. It’s stressing me out.

And, I also volunteer to make a newsletter for a non-profit organization, and next month’s newsletter just isn’t going as smoothly as usual. I don’t want to complain too much about it or call people out, but I’m just… ugh. It’s usually much easier, but everything is going wrong this time.

Today, I’m feeling pretty good, though, and I’m trying to get back on track. I’ve cleaned a bit and everything. There’s laundry going. So far so good. Maybe I’ll even be up for a WW tomorrow. Until then….

In Denmark, almost all the festivities happen on the 24th, which means my Christmas is basically over. Other than a julefrokost tomorrow, we’re done.

Yesterday, before we arrived at my in-laws, the tree was erected and decorated. They were careful to put any that a toddler shouldn’t have access to near the top. Smart folks. (Our own tree has no ornaments at all on the bottom half, although it didn’t start out that way.)

We ate flæskesteg, potatoes with gravy, sugar-browned potatoes, beets, and red cabbage. Apparently duck is also a tradition here, but I guess not for Thomas’ family. I really like duck, but I can’t be bummed because flæskesteg is also very, very yummy. We finished up with some ris a la mand, and father-in-law won a small marzipan pig. (Fine with me. I don’t like marzipan.) While still at the table, Dagmar opened her first gift, since she was getting a bit restless. It was an adorable, wheeled wooden elephant on a leash. Apparently his name is Elmer, but I’m not sure if I’m supposed to recognize him from somewhere or not.

We sang songs while walking around the tree, eventually speeding up into a run for Nu er det Jul Igen, which I’m proud to say I have memorized now. Dagmar was particularly happy with the running part, and we got lots of laughter from our tiniest participant.

I was then designated present-hander-outer, and all the presents were distributed from under the tree, having only been put there a few hours earlier. (I still prefer the American way of having tree and presents looking pretty for weeks, but hey, no one’s perfect.) Then we took turns opening presents, thanking each other, and oohing and aahing.

Dagmar got a rocking horse, apparently purchased before we acquired one at the party earlier this month. Although she’s not shown any interest in the one we have at home, she was eager to experience this one, and has mastered getting on and off it herself in no time at all. She looked so delighted rocking on it! When I put her on the other one, she didn’t care at all. Interesting. Maybe because this one is all painted and pretty. It’s quite fantastic! She also got an easy chair, which I dare say looks nicer than my own rocker, but is more suited to her bum size than mine. Her new tea set is just incredible. Wow. I love it, and she does too! The box says 3+ years but it has no small parts and it’s wooden so I think I’m ignoring that. You might just see some of her other presents in an upcoming WW.

Then again, you might see mine or Thomas’. I just this week cleared out my closet of all the cruft that no longer fits or flatters me in any way, and although I can’t say it was in the LEAST bit surprising, I finally got a clear visual picture of how dire my clothing situation is. I had very, very, VERY little to wear. But now I have several new tops, and as they are almost exclusively items I’d never have picked out for myself but manage to look fabulous on me, I think I will refrain from shopping without my mother-in-law or sister-in-law ever again. Wow. Thomas got several new shirts as well, and a really great scarf. I was teased for admiring it, since I also received one for myself, so just to set the record straight, I think it’s really great on him. I don’t covet it.

The presents we picked out seemed to be well-received, too, which is always nice to see.

A bit of a downer is that all the presents I ordered for my family have still not been shipped, and if I think about it too much, I’ll probably get really fuming mad at the company, so I’m just going to stop here at least until I hear their side of the issue. I’m sure my family will have a fantastic day tomorrow regardless of the status of this parcel. We’re spending the night at my in-laws and I’m hoping to be able to Skype with them in the afternoon on the 25th (today for me, tomorrow for them ) and see everyone. Yay!

Whether you celebrated already, haven’t celebrated yet, or won’t celebrate at all, hope you do/did it well and are happy! Mwah!

March 7, 1978:
My father was about to retire from the air force and take a civilian position doing the same thing for more money. They decided to induce labor so they could still get nearly-free maternity care at the hospital on base. I was born about a week before my due date, and saved my parents a few thousand dollars in the process.

March 7, 1979:
Mom baked me a cake shaped like Winnie the Pooh. I reportedly dove both fists in the middle and attacked with gusto. My two older brothers protested, and my mother replied, “it’s her cake. She can do whatever she wants!” I think I wore it well.

March 7, 1989:
I kept asking for a birthday party, and my mother insisted I was too old for one. I was upset with her about it, but never suspected she was planning a surprise party behind my back. Sneaky mommy. I couldn’t find the picture of me with my arms up and mouth agape as people threw streamers at me. Sorry!

March 7, 1996:
This was the first day I ever got sent flowers. My brothers surprised me with them and an attached balloon. Before that, though, I got a cake, and blew out the candles in my pajamas. At least I think I’m in my pajamas, because the rest of the pictures from that day have me wearing a green shirt.

March 7, 1999:
My mother and I landed in London at around 8 a.m. My then-fiancé met me at the airport, with not so much as a balloon to commemorate my transatlantic journey on his behalf, much less my birthday. Is it any wonder I ended up calling that off? I was 21 in a country where that didn’t matter, and my mother still complained when I ordered a beer. Not my best birthday.

March 7, 2002:
I don’t really remember much about this birthday, but it must have been my birthday because I’m wearing my birthday button. You probably can’t read it, but it says, “Today’s my birthday! Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!” I’m standing in the kitchen of Munir and Samir’s place, before the three of us moved into a different place, which is the only way I’ve come up with the year. Grad school is a bit of a blur now, since I was mostly miserable the entire time.

March 7, 2003:
Despite repeated reminders from yours truly, Samir never spayed his cat. Nimra was pregnant on my birthday, but the picture with kittens is cuter, so you’re getting a picture from the day they were born, on March 13. Munir and I kept the orange one, named her !, discovered ! to be inadequate since it can be neither yelled nor whispered, and changed her name to Tzeitel !. When Munir and I broke up, I would lose her in the custody battle, not that it was much of a battle since I got to keep Lidja and we both believed we got the better cat.

March 7, 2004:
I had a successful birthday party this year. Many people came, and it was fun. I’m over by the fishtank, looking happy. I lost the original of this picture somehow, so this is the thumbnail. I have a large number of pictures only in thumbnail, and I can only guess that I did something uncharacteristically stupid for that to happen, but oh well. Anyway, at this time in my life, I think I had more friends than at any other time, and I’ll probably never have a birthday party that large again, unless you count the ones I may throw for Dagmar in the future.

March 7, 2007:
I had to work on my birthday, so I celebrated the day before by going across the street to Sisu Coffee and getting Italian wedding soup, a three-cheese sandwich on fresh herb bread, and a large, hot chai. Sadly, Sisu Coffee went out of business shortly after I moved to Denmark, because the landlord tried to screw them on their rent. I really loved their fresh food, including traditional Finnish pulla and piirakka as well as more traditional American fare, and they used their walls as a gallery for several local artists. There was always new art on the walls, and on one occasion, I even bought some.

March 7, 2008:
I was pregnant, and finally starting to feel a bit better. I forgot until it was too late that round birthdays are a big deal in Denmark. I planned nothing for my 30th birthday, when it should have been an occasion for inviting everyone I’ve ever met to a big dinner and having them sing about me. It’s just as well, since I hadn’t actually met that many people yet, but now I have to wait until 2018 for a big party. Sniff.

March 7, 2009:
I’m at the in-laws’ in Nivå, and so far I’ve been treated to warm leverpostej, chocolate cake, ice cream, hot chocolate with whipped cream, and several items from my birthday wish list. We’ve also taken a stroll around town to get Dagmar to nap, which was fun and relaxing. Later, I will get flæskesteg. I may never get a surprise party again, or a bash with dozens of people, or Italian wedding soup made by friendly, art-loving Finnish-Americans, but this is still my best birthday ever. I really love my life right now and feel exceedingly lucky to have it!

Yesterday was Thomas’ 29th birthday! I love birthdays, and I think it’s very important to start one’s birthday off on the right foot, so I made breakfast a little extra special for Thomas yesterday. I made French toast, which is a favorite. (Surprising, as it has no meat!) Real butter (already soft, thanks to the butter bell) and real maple syrup are essential for French toast in my household. Extra cinnamon-sugar blend is on the table, if desired. Mmmm.

But merely making a delicious breakfast is only part of making a special start to the day. Nothing says special quite like food coloring. My French toast is normal-colored, but HIS is RED. Now that’s special! And his is covered in sprinkles and surrounded by strawberries, and on a plate that even TELLS him he’s special.

In Denmark, Danish flags are typically used in abundance on special days like birthdays, so even if it seems really strange to you to have all those flags on the plate… trust me, it’s not. I could have used a lot more and it would have still not been strange. So that’s why I chose red food coloring and sprinkles.

Today is Big Clean Day at the Fach-Pedersen flat. I was really FLYing before the whole morning sickness thing, and I’ve never really caught up since then. Hopefully after today, I won’t have to worry about that. We’re doing a half-hour “on” and 15 minutes “off” cycle. So far we’ve cleaned the bathroom for a cumulative hour, and we’re almost done. It’s looking good and we finally got rid of that stupid towel rack that I’ve hated ever since we moved here. Tycho will be disappointed, since he used it as a perch during our showers, but that’s just not enough to justify its presence. If you’re lucky, I’ll post before and after pictures later. I know you’re waiting on pins and needles for that!

I’ve officially given up on Apple Mail as an RSS reader, and although they don’t want to make the transition easy, I’m slowly making my way to Google Reader. In the process, I’m weeding out some feeds since I don’t have time to read all of them anyway. If your blog frequently discusses make up and/or how your love for Jesus makes you do stupid things, it probably didn’t make the cut. Sorry. We can still be friends, though.

While in the States, I found a few cross-stitch projects for cheap. I finished the first, which is one of those informative baby plaques with D.L.’s birthday, length, and weight. I had wanted to have one done sooner, but the selection in Denmark sucked. I like the results though. Now I’m on project 2, which is my first foray into stamped cross-stitch. I’ve always done counted, and this is a bit weird, but I loved this quilt that much. It combines three of my loves: D.L., animals, and onomatopoeia.

Thomas and I still feel mildly ill. It’s getting really, really old.

Most mommy forums seem to be frequented only by moms who believe whatever they’re doing is right, obvious, and proof they love their child more than everyone else. Either babywearing is the cure for all society’s ills, or it’s a painful, confusing, baby-spoiling device. Either you’re a sadomasochistic baby-hater for making your baby cry it out, or you’re a sadomasochistic brat-maker for not letting her cry it out. Either you’re a sheeple who drank the kool-aid from big pharma for vaxing, or you’re a crazed, braindead conspiracy loon for not vaxing.

Here’s the real deal:
1. We all love our babies.
2. We’re all doing what we think is best for them.
3. We’re all going to screw up sometimes.
4. It’s ok to like your sling, your pram, your crib, your co-sleeping arrangement, your formula, your boobs, keeping your cat locked out of the baby’s room, letting your cat in baby’s room, or whatever else you’re doing, and it’s also ok for other people not to want those things.
5. No matter what of those things you’re doing or using, sometimes life is hard. I don’t care what all those sugar-coated posts say.
6. Even if you’re wrong, it doesn’t make you a sheeple, a loon, a baby-hater, or a moron.
7. …unless you ask emergency medical questions, like “My baby has blood coming out of all her orifices and has cried non-stop for a week. Should I call a doctor or is there a homopathic remedy I can apply while beating a drum and singing an ancient Celtic war song?” on an internet forum. Then you might be a moron.

But I bet you still love your baby.

Chart A

If your filing status is… Married filing separately

AND at the end of 2008 you were… any age

THEN file a return if your gross income was at least… $3,500

gross income: $0

*chucks tax forms in trash*

Ah, that feels good.