Grynes Blogg

2008-06-07T23:44:00.003+02:00

Pathfinder Investiture

Today Miriam and Mattias had their pathfinder investiture. They were both very proud of all the badges they got. Mattias was partiqulary proud of wearing his pathfinder uniform for the first time.
A lovely sunny day, very hot - over 30 degrees celcius... They all went for a very long walk afterwards, up the mountain to some waterfall. On the way down Miriam and her cousin Ylva, manged to get lost in the mountain for a couple of hours...
They are now all safely back home, tired and tucked up in bed! When asked if she was scared at all when they realised they were lost Miriam replied "Yes, we prayed four times!".
Despite the misfortune, the day was wonderful and the kids had a great time!

2008-05-21T17:36:00.003+02:00

First football match!
Mattias played his first proper football match ever on Monday evening! The entire family came along to cheer and be supportive. It was quite a facinating site....a bunch of six year olds trying to stay focused and play the ball to one another while at the same time trying to move it along to the opponents goal....think us parents on the sideline laughed as much as we cheered :-)
The result: First match - win: 1-0 Second match - loss: 2-4
I am a proud mummy though and daddy a proud coach :-D

2008-05-17T22:49:00.003+02:00

17th May!

A very cold day, but the kids still had a great time!
Miriam even led out in the singing with her singing group from the town hall balcony! She was very pleased about the fact that she got to shake hands with the mayor and received VIP treatment after the procession was finished!
It's always fun to see the children in their national costumes. They were so excited that they were up and dressed already by 7 o'clock this morning.... :-)

Hipp, hipp, hurra for Norge!!

2008-04-30T22:29:00.003+02:00

It has been absolutely forever since I last wrote a blog entry and I have seriously considered just deleting the whole thing, but then I do love the concept and in my thoughts and mind I contribute to it more than any of my occasional readers ever will realise! The last few months have just been too mad, with pressure in both work and private life. Things have not eased off much yet, but right at this very moment Victor is glued to the screen watching a "captivating" football match between Chelsea and Liverpool, so, the moment for communicating with "the world beyond" is mine :-)

So, what's new?

Mattias has started football practise. The highlight of his week these days are Wednesday nights when the leg protectors and football shoes comes on and off he and Daddy goes!
Because the second new thing that has happened is that Victor is now a football coach! He is coaching the great team of six year old's, desperately trying to get them to pay more attention to passing and playing the ball to each other rather than getting sidetracked by interesting gravel that can be thrown at each other or other fascinating distractions!
Miranda has now turned five years old and is truly a proud five year old, whose one of her main hobbies include learning to write and do pretend homework! She is also happily spending hours digging and helping Daddy in the garden which has resurfaced after the winter!
Miriam is her normal, dutiful, good girl. She is an amazing story writer and recently produced a 13 page long computer written story!! It was actually fascinating reading (obviously inherited some of her mothers lively imagination....:-s)
Miriam is also learning to play the violin, which she is enjoying! She sent me to sleep on the sofa the other day when she was practising and I was resting, it was so relaxing!
Lulu is gradually growing up and is starting to be able to control herself a bit - a bit less puppy and a bit more adult :-)
I'm attempting to brace myself for one of the busiest times of my life work wise....not totally sure whether I'm ready for it, but I work on taking one day at the time!

If anybody are still popping by my blog for a read - then I'm sorry I've been so bad, I'll do my very best to make amends :-)

2007-11-21T22:46:00.000+01:00

My love language....

I don't know if the readers of this blog has read the book "The five love languages" by Gary Chapman - but just in case you haven't it talks about five expressions of love and it explains how to identify and communicate effectivley in a spouse's "love language". To sum up what the five are, they are as follows:

Quality time
Words of affirmation
Gifts
Acts of service
Physical touch

Being one who has been part of developing a relationship course and running marriage seminars , this is one of the books which was a "must" to read. The fact that others had read it and "had their lives transformed" as the doors were opened to their understanding of their own needs and wants from a spouse, and had amazing revelations when they realised what their partner needed and wanted, meant that my expectations were rather high before I sat down and read the book.
This happened a while back, a couple of years ago now I believe...but I have never really been settle about this topic since. For as I was reading the book I thought, I need this, I want that...etc. So, much so, that at the end I though I must be the most demanding woman ever - for I must have not one love language, not two love languages, but FIVE love languages!! Because I liked and needed them ALL!!!
Talking to my dear husband about this did not help greatly, he just put on his "ever suffering expression" and said "imagine what my life is like, having to live with this". So, realising that he was just using it to his advantage and for gaining sympathy I did not consult him anymore.
But now, finally the breakthrough has come, I have realised after a lot of soul searching what my primary love language is...
PHYSICAL TOUCH
I know I need the others too, but if it is one thing I could not be without it is hugs and affection shown in a physical way. So, for people who love me - the best way to show it is through a hug!
- but that does not mean that I won't appreciate a small gift this Christmas along with the hug ;-p

2007-11-20T13:44:00.000+01:00

My Father's 70...
the past august my father turned 70th and as a present my and my sisters gave him and my mum a weekend trip to England joined by us girls and husbands. So, with the ten kids we have between us left behind at home (with decent babysitters, just for those of you who were worried..), we set of early Friday morning.
Arrival in England was at 8 o'clock in the morning, so, it was time for both a visit to Leeds castle and a quick stop in Canterbury before heading off to our B&B. The B&B was a lovely old manor house.
Victor and myself got to sleep in a 400 year old four-poster bed (this only happened after Victor had reassured me that the mattress was NOT 400 years old!!)

Saturday we went sightseeing into London, since my father with all his visits to this amazing country, has never ever actually been to this buzzing capital!

Sunday we finished off the trip with a quick stop by at Thurrock lakeside shopping centre before heading off to Stanstead and back home to cold and icy Norway... :-)

It was an excellent trip. The first trip together as adults of the family since the offspring's started popping out a few years ago...

What I have been contemplating ever since my dad's birthday in August though, is the concept of age...just a couple of days after my dad's birthday I myself, turned 35. Time goes so quickly. I see my kids starting school and growing up. More grey hairs appearing for each time I glance into the mirror (never spend too long, looking too closely these days..). More weariness and tiredness. Where does youth, energy and enthusiasm go?? Maybe the answer is simply this: "Gryne, get your butt out of the sofa, start exercising and cut down on the chocolate intake!". This would at lease help on the energy front :-)

I have also come up with some advantages of getting older (for me at least):

I have realised and accepted my shortcomings (and to be honest and not make things up..)
I have realised and accepted my strengths (this took a lot of work...)
These two in turn have made me more confident and better both in my work and privately
I am actually happy with who I am (most of the time at least :-))
I am happy with what I have achieved so far in life
I have a wonderful husband which means no stressing trying to find the perfect partner
I have three healthy, great kids
I am more open and relaxed
I am in a different place now to what and where I was 15 years ago ;-)

2007-10-24T10:21:00.000+02:00

A lot has happened since I last wrote, and I guess the summary of it all is more or less as follows..

Very busy first weeks of the summer with, pre-camps, camps, programs and rain... BUT it was GOOD!! It was wet, tiring, but extremely rewarding and fun!
Managed to fit in a summer holiday in this year! Hurrah!! Went to UK - a few days in Grantham visiting mother-in-law, before we headed up north to Scotland with Russell, Jacquie and girls. A good and much needed break!
The autumn was also rather event full. Firstly, Mattias started school! He was very ready for it, but it was also a bit scary to begin with, but these days he seems to have settled in nicely :-) Secondly, my husband seem been away more than his been at home - but that's the nature of the job... :-) Thirdly, one of his travels involved me and the kids as well :-D Had 10 informative, warm, exciting days in Greece! Oh, how I LOVE warm, sunny countries, especially after our wet summer....
In the middle of all our business we manged to finish the flat in our basement, so, now we have a tenant!! Kids are very excited about it and I just feel a great relief to finally have the basement done...!!!
Lastly - I have, for some strange reason, butterflies in my tummy when I think of Christmas - have not been so excited about Christmas for a VERY long time! Think I am looking forward to spending it at home, in our own house. And before that I am planning to bake cookies and make Christmas decorations with the kids, FUN, FUN, FUN!!

2007-05-17T21:24:00.000+02:00

Some images from the 17th May - Norway's national day!
National costumes, parade, games and fun :-)

2007-05-06T22:24:00.000+02:00

Especially for you Amanda :-)

Just thought you might like to see how much the three angles appreciate the Christmas presents the received from their auntie & uncle....

Must just add that this picture was taken a few weeks back when the weather was colder & wetter than is presently the case!!

2007-05-04T22:06:00.000+02:00

This picture just makes me smile :-)

Sometimes, like today, when I feel tired, slightly overwhelmed and not very inspired and all I really feel like doing is hiding far under my duvet and never ever get out of bed again, then the exuberance and happiness of my children turn my gloomy darkened view of the world back into the rays of sunshine. How can anybody not smile when smiles, hugs and laughter is all around. Don't know what I have done to deserve such a happy, loving bunch that is my family, but I'm non the less abundantly grateful!!!

2007-04-22T16:45:00.000+02:00

Back home again...

We are back from a wonderful holiday in England. I had not realised HOW much I miss that place. It is strange that a country which stricktly speaking is not my own still has managed to steal a chunck of my heart.

It was so good to meet up with family and friends again. The cousins also really enjoyed catching up with eachother. A lot of laughs, play and fun - for kids and adults alike!!

It was also good just to get away from the business of everyday life with work and home demands. It is what is needed at times to make one survive the pressures of life.

I feel another holiday calling - good it's not too long before summer when another England trip is in the pipeline!

2007-02-25T15:05:00.000+01:00

Involuntary exercise....

It always happen when Victor is away! Everything looks like it is clearing up, then Victor goes away for a few days and the downpour starts. It seems like it has been snowing nonstop since he left. Which means HARD work for me!
We have one of these manual snow showing tools which takes a lot of effort to show up and down the road to our house & the more snow it is the heavier it gets... This in one of those things which I am convinced is really a mans job!! I am all for equality but all in moderation. One would not want to end up looking like a man with huge bulging muscles!!
While all this white fluffy stuff keep falling from the sky my beloved husband is lazing about up north at Finnmarksvidda, skiing, dog sledging, building snow holes and igloo's and then proceeds to spend the night in them. All this from a man born and brought up in suburban Britain, not bad really :-)
Anyway, this still leaves me on my own to fight the elements here at home - maybe I should interpret this as a subtle start to my fitness regime...

2007-02-23T10:53:00.000+01:00

Tomorrow...

tomorrow has yet again turned into today. I keep making promises to myself that "tomorrow I will do better", "tomorrow I'll do something about it"...but then tomorrow never seems to happen!

The last few days I've had this aim to start the morning by doing some exercises. I don't know what it is but I have recently begun feeling older - everything is so much more of an effort. Not sure if it is related to the rapid passing of time towards mid-thirties or if is mainly pure unfitness. Not being able to do much about the passing of time, I've decided to go for the fitness regime! That is if I can ever get started...

I've found a picture from days gone by - see if me as 21 will be inspiration enough... :-)

Will keep you posted!

2007-02-16T21:07:00.000+01:00

Inspirert av Heidi's "drepe en forelske" blogg så utgir jeg nå en "forbli forelsket" liste...

#1 Gjem den først "mo i knærne" føelsen godt inni hjerte ditt og ta den frem og kjenn på den ofte
fordel: du glemmer aldri den betatte følelsen
ulempe: du forblir forelsket...
#2 Stirr minst 10 min på mannen i ditt liv hver eneste dag (om du ikke har den virkelige utgaven foran deg så får et bilde gjøre samme nytten) mens du sukker av tilfredshet over at han er din
fordel: du forblir betatt og synes at han er den kjekkeste mannen noensinne
ulempe: alle andre menn blekner i sammenligning....
#3 Vær oppmerksom på alle de gode kvalitetene han har som du setter pris på...
- som at han ler av dine tåpelige vitser
- som at han alltid setter pris på maten du lager selv når den ikke når opp til Jamie Oliver standard...
- som at han alltid kjører de lange kjøreturene slik at du kan sove i passasjersetet ved siden av
- som at han tar sin del av oppvasken uten å søle eller sutre for mye
- som at han henter ved og tenner opp i peisen når det er kaldt
fordel: de tingene som ellers ville irritert deg går i glemmeboken for du er så fokusert på det du virkelig liker og setter pris på
ulempe: du har ingen ting igjen å irritere deg for....
#4 Aldri slutt og overrask han
- vask bilen uoppfordret
- la han sove lenge om morgenen uten å klage og vekk han med en rykende fersk kopp kaffe og en sjokoladebit
fordel: du kjeder aldri deg selv eller han - livet blir fullt av overraskelser
ulempe: tingene blir da aldri monotone eller forutsigbare....
#5 Snakk med han! -men ikke unøvendig babbel...
fordel: kommunikasjonen holdes åpen og man fortsetter å vokse sammen isted for fra hverandre
ulempe: det kan ta tid og føre til at man deler følelser og blir mer intime og samkjørte...
#6 Ta vare på deg selv (menn liker velpleide kvinner)
fordel: du får pleiet deg selv og det er godt
du blir i godt humør
du beholder ditt fantastiske utsende
ulempe: resten av Adam's ætt kan komme til å bli misunnelige på din heldige utkårede
#7 La mannen få litt "alene" tid hver dag uten å klage (det er faktisk sant - hule tendensene eksisterer i realiteten!)
fordel: du får en blid mann som har tid og energi til å være sosial med deg og barna resten av dagen
ulempe: du får litt tid for deg selv du og....
#8 La forelskelsen gli over til ekte kjærlighet
fordel: forholdet kommer til å vare for resten av livet
ulempe: det er ingen.... ;-)

Merk - er ulempene virkelig ulemper????? :-)
LENGE LEVE KJÆRLIGHETEN!!!!

2007-02-11T10:00:00.000+01:00

I try to not constantly write about my kids or being a mother - I know (from personal experience) that when a parents life revolves very much around the little angles, but I am also very aware that I am not just a mother and my life is not just my kids, but I am afraid that today it has to be a blog about just that....motherhood....because today is MOTHERS DAY in Norway....
The day started like many a Sunday, husband away at work, so no breakfast in bed - but at least I got a lay-in until 8.30 am. which was not bad. At which time I had a squealing child on the toilet "I'm FINISHED!" and a puppy whining as loud as she could in her cage "let me out - I want to play!!". I dragged myself out of bed, put on my dressing gown (yep, old enough to be the proud owner of a thick and comfortable dressing gown :-)) and went downstairs to deal with the crises'. I subsequently put on children's television and trying to wake myself gently on the sofa with a glass of fruit juice whilst browsing in a magazine. Then the inevitable nagging starts - I want a drink, I'm thirsty - that crises dealt with - then starts the arguments - my dear son had manged to leave his Nintendo DS game in the car last night, and with husband away at work meant that the car was gone with him, so, no possibility of getting the game for a few hours. His older sister is merrily playing away on her game which he of course wants to borrow...no chance of that... It all culminates with mother (voice being slightly louder than appropriate) saying "Today is mothers day you should all be nice to me, to each other, to everybody today. I don't want any more arguments today - that can be your present to me!!" I then march off to the toilet (one of the few places a mother of three small children and two dogs can have a moment of peace). A couple of minutes later there is a knock on the door and three children come marching in pressies in hand - a lovely princess (self made from a candle), a gift card for mamma's favourite clothes store and a home made card telling me what a nice and kind mamma I am.... I am now sitting in the sofa, sipping my cup of tea, while my son is playing on his sisters Nintendo DS, the sister is sitting on the sofa knitting while the little one is dancing away in front of the stereo - The kind mamma is having a wonderful Mothers Day after all :-)

2007-01-22T09:13:00.000+01:00

I received a challenge a while back from Heidi Karethe...
Five things (most) people don't know about me...

I have a "thing" for red sports cars...
My first ever boyfriend was British (but he was not the one I am now married to...)
I drank coffee for about two months when I first started going out with Victor (oh, what stupid things love makes you do :-))
Maths was my favorite subject at school...
I used to spit after men with beards when I was a child

- anything you did not already know Heidi?? :-D

2007-01-16T10:01:00.000+01:00

One of Victor's America highlights... :-)

In Florida we rented a car for the week & Victor was most pleased... It was big, American and fun to drive (apparently...)!!!

2007-01-15T18:42:00.000+01:00

Washington DC
Despite the fear that my readers might faint with the shock of writing another blog so quick after the last one...I am willing to take the risk :-)
Going to see my father-in-law with family was really nice - it had been too long - the kids did not know their grandad or auntie or uncle, but now they not only know them they also grew to love them while we were staying with them. They would much rather have uncle Andrew and auntie Lauren babysit then come with mamma to the mall (wonder why???? ;-p). My father-in-law was an extremely patient taxi driver, taking me from one shopping centre to another...thank you!!

Seeing the capital of America was also excellent. We spend one day wondering around, going to museums, seeing the white house and having lunch at Union Station. Kids really enjoyed the natural history museum!!
We went in again on Victors birthday - that was what he wanted to do... :-) We then spend the day going to see all the memorials. They were all very impressive - I liked the Roosevelt one though, were you see the different stages of his presidency.... Also liked the latest one from the second world war! Even though walking through the memorial do make an impression, can't help but think about the fact that these were men and women who left family and friends behind so that other could gain or keep their freedom...
I am glad we were able to make the trip and finally go over and visit our family there as well as all the sight-seeing we got to do!

2007-01-14T22:13:00.000+01:00

We are back!

One of my best holidays as a family!! I have to say that I really loved my first ever visit to America (loved as in "love to go back there on holiday" not loved as in "would like to move there"... - just in case any of you were getting worried ;-p)

There were a lot of highlights, so, I am going to spread them out over a couple of blogs. For now - Florida with Disney world & Sea World.

Mattias's highlight was I believe meeting and touching "Lightening McQueen" (the red racing car from the film "Cars" for those of my readers who might not have the faintest idea of what I am talking about...

Miranda just loved all the princess's in Magic Kingdom...she is in a real princess face and is overly excited whenever she gets to put a dress on and pretend to be a princess..

Miriam enjoyed the fireworks and she also got herself a favourite Disney character - Tinker Bell! So, in the shops (which were plentiful) she spotted out all the Tinker Bell stuff and wished for it all..

My favourite was, I must admit, the Magic Kingdom. I know it is supposed to be most exciting for the young kids, but I really loved seeing all the characters which I read about when I was a child - it was magically! The size of the rids were also more to my liking...the Everest ride in the animal kingdom was not for me!!! (relived having the excuse of a young child so having to stay on the ground).

I was also very taken by Sea World! Stroking the sting rays was excellent, as well as playing with the dolphins. The shows there and Disney World was also totally memorable - it was all just awesome :-)

So, conclusion, We will be back.

The next report will be focusing on Washington, visiting family and Christmas!!

2006-12-04T08:46:00.000+01:00

What is the chance of it?????Talking of misfortune - getting a bit sick of it really..!! You see, yesterday I managed the marvellous trick of falling down our staircase, with the result of a badly bruised bottom and a BROKEN toe!!! Who would have thought that those little things could hurt so bad??? Well, according to my loving husband they are not so "little" - "it's no surprise you managed to break them, they are about as long as your fingers". Ok, I admit it, my toes have been the amusement of many a joke between my husband and my brother-in-laws (seems to be a family trait, my sisters toes are equally long, slender and elegant). They claim that our toes are "the missing link".
The most annoying thing is that it means I am missing out on a trip to Denmark tomorrow and have to hobble about on the first days of our holiday... Because on Thursday we are off!!! Three weeks holiday in the Sates, I am VERY excited about it, never having been there before. Will let you all know what it was like when I come back!
Apart from the toe incident, I had a good weekend with a busy program. The highlights being the children’s Sabbath school taking the church service on Sabbath. Daniel in the lions den :-) I was very proud of my three little lions!! All the kids did really well and it was a excellent service!
Later on Saturday night we went to a Christmas concert in my church, Cornelius, which was another rewarding experience. Miriam's singing group took part as well (their CD is coming out any day now, and being the objective mother that I am I can safely and truly say it is worth purchasing :-)). All in all not a bad weekend, the toe aside ;-)

2006-11-13T14:58:00.000+01:00

Good therapy...
To get it out is good therapy; "express yourself!". I guess that is true and I guess I am working myself through the whole horrific experience of Sabbath morning by telling others what happened. At the same time it is excruciating painful because I feel so incredible stupid and guilty.
• Stupid that I managed to lose control over the car just because of icy conditions and a sharp bend...
• Guilty that I crashed my sisters car...
• Guilty that I put one of my friends through the experience...
• Guilty that I let the church down where I was going to preach...
• Guilty that it will cost us a small fortune to pay my sister back the value of the car (since it only had third party insurance)...
At the same time I am incredible grateful that
...no other cars came in the opposite direction at that particularly time
...that neither I nor my friend was seriously physically injured
...that I actually had company with me (the paradox that is...)
...that I am now safely at home and I know that the damages that has gotten done will gradually fade or get sorted...

2006-11-01T13:17:00.000+01:00

A touch of frost...
Looking out of my window I see the sun glittering in snow covered branches. The dogs leave their imprints on the white ground as they run along after each other. The kids wake up screaming of joy because winter is finally here "when can I start skiing to school?", "I am going to slide on snow racers in kindergarten!" "so am I!" :-) I run around the house pulling out drawers and searching in wardrobes looking for last years hats and mittens, while the kids put on layers of clothes. The doors are frozen to the car so I have to pull with all my might to get them opened, the seat is freezing my butt off (whatever happened to that garage we were going to build..??). Driving along on twisty narrow country roads while your car is practicing ice skating is enough to wake up even the most sleepy zombie (who needs cappuccino?). Friends walk me to the bus while being like kids and having a snowball fight...
Evening time, the fire is crackling and warming. The kids are sleeping soundly after playing out in the cold fresh air most of the day. Outside it is pitch dark. Drinking a cup of hot chocolate while Jack Johnson is playing in the background.
Winter has its challenges, but it is really not too bad at all ;-) November in Norway.

2006-10-11T09:07:00.000+02:00

The latest addition...Sometimes I think we must be absolutely mad...Victor and I have three children, seven seater car, fairly big house, three rabbits, an aquarium, six stick insects (yes - live little animals who pretend to be sticks in order not to get seen and eaten - and they are all just females, still they can produce kids all on their own - very fascinating subject, but slightly off my topic right now...) and now we also have TWO dogs!!! On the side we also have two full time jobs... Getting a puppy in the house is really like getting another baby in many ways (ok, babies do not nick daddy's smelly shoes and chew on them like crazy before we manage to pull it off her..), there are the disturbed nights - the amazing thing is that Victor (who NEVER seemed to wake up when the babies cried) is the one who wakes up and gets up and let her out. On the positive side, there are also the cuddles and affection - her favourite thing is to curl up in your lap and get cuddled. And Twiggy (our 7year old dog) is a very happy and caring "mummy". So, our little family has gotten bigger - no plans for any more additions I can assure you all ;-)

2006-10-03T23:06:00.000+02:00

Tuesdays with Morrie; an old man, a young man and life's greatest lessons

Read an amazing book whilst in Israel! It was a truly moving story with deep reflections of the meaning of life and the various elements within it. I am not giving a résumé of the content, only a quote:

"Whenever people ask me about having children or not having children, I never tell them what to do,"..."I simply say, "There is no experience like having children." That's all. There's no subsitute for it. You cannot do it with a friend. You cannot do it with a lover. If you want the experience of having complete responsobility for another human being, and to learn how to love and bond in the deepest way, then you should have children."

Finally I want to recommend that you: “Get the book and read it!”
….a handy tip…keep a tissue box nearby…

PS. Another book by the same author worth reading is “The five people you meet in heaven”.

2006-10-03T14:24:00.000+02:00

Returned Home
Israel - after ten days on an intense work journey to Israel I am left with an abundance of impressions. Victor is wishing I would stop chatting for at least a couple of minutes, but I have too many experiences that I need to share and unload :-)
I think the way I would describe the country is a melting pot - it is such a mix of old & new - old ruins and new buildings, various cultures and people - Jews, Arabs, Africans, Philippines etc, different religions - Judaism, Islam etc, religious and secular - it was all just melted together...! Can't really be described, needs to be experienced!

Other things I experienced on the trip were:
- A vegetarian village - everybody who lived there was vegetarian :-)
- Swimming (read: floating) in the Dead Sea
- Seeing various sites where Jesus walked
- Becoming a film star (well, we did go to make a TV program :-))
- Behaving like a film star (oh, well worth a try ;-))
- Being offered 100 camels for my hand in marriage (ok, he did drop the price to 10 camels when I informed him I was already spoken for...)
- Missing my family so much it physically hurt - Hurrah, I'm home!!
- Start of Sabbath by the Wailing Wall - one of the strongest spiritual experiences in my life!

2006-09-12T11:13:00.000+02:00

British supermarkets – a true little piece of heaven on earth!
I am writing this with the risk of being accused of being irreverent – comparing a shopping experience to heaven. But to my defence I have to say “I live in Norway!!!”. Norway is not exactly shopping heaven – especially not when it comes to supermarkets –yes, ok, you do get your basic needs covered – there is the milk, cheese, egg and bread – and you might even have the choice of three different types of apples. When it comes to speciality items like Marmite, you will be lucky if you find it at all (there are those rare, extortionate, speciality supermarkets which might stock it – but then again they would see no difference between Bovril or Marmite – “yeast extracts – one and the same thing”)! So, wandering down the ails in Sainsbury, Tescos, ASDA, Waitrose – is like wandering down an exotic world of groceries. Having a couple of days to soak up the experience while attempting to keep my VISA card under control is worth the whole trip back to my second “home” which Britain is.

2006-09-08T21:44:00.000+02:00

Off again!
On Sunday Victor and I are off back "home" to the UK. I am always excited to go back - I do miss Britain - especially Suffolk :-) Not to mention Sainsbury, Starbucks and the shopping centres... But this time I am not as excited as I usually am. Reason being that the kids stay behind. It would probably not have been too bad if it was not for the fact that I know that when I come back to Norway at the end of the week I will have less than a week with them again before I am off to Israel for a week and a half - again with kids left behind at home...
Strange how you can miss someone so much in such a short space of time. The good bit is that I get to take my darling Victor with me when I go to England at least ;-) While when I'm in Israel he'll be a home alone dad with three demanding children, full time job, house and laundry to do, dog to walk, rabbits to feed and garden to sort... Good thing I believe in the power of prayer :-)
PS. I'm not thrilled about flying these days, but the airplanes which we tried out this summer in Legoland were really worth a ride!!

2006-08-24T14:47:00.000+02:00

My three little angles...
My patience paid off at last! I have impatiently tried, unsuccessfully, to publish pictures in my blogg before, but because I always expect instant response it has never worked - this time I managed to control myself long enough for the machine to work its way through processing it all - so, here you are everybody; a little glimpse of the miniature Marley's!
I realised that almost "everybody" else put pictures of their dear little treasures in their blog - being it kids, nephews, nieces, friends, boyfriends, cats, dogs - you name it they get published. So, desiring not to disappoint here comes a proper "proud mum" contribution to my blog!! :-)
They (my kids) are a very close nit bunch - especially after this past summer. We had a mad time, starting off with Victor's three weeks in Peru, followed by family camp, the week after that Prosess (a spiritual, inspirational long weekend), then Inspiration week at Fredheim with it all drawing to a close with Pathfinder Camporee in Denmark. Through it all the kids came along, took part, made new friends, met old friends and got closer to each other!
So, the conclusion I have come to after reflecting on the lack of holiday and busy summer is that the family could not have had a better summer. We were together. The kids got spiritual food - and so did we. We got to know a lot of people. Had some very good conversations with some old friends. Impressions have been made that will last a life time!

2006-07-19T21:14:00.000+02:00

Sommer og sol er herlig!! Det er i grunn godt å kjenne solen slikke på kroppen, bare man har brukt noe av den lille fornuften man har og smurt seg med litt solfaktor. Jeg har begynt å innse at jeg - og flere av mine venner med meg - lever i en fantasi verden hvor vi tror at hvis vi lar solens varme stråler slikke uhemmet på våre smekre kropper så vil vi ende opp med en brunfarge verdig en super modell og vi tar gjerne med fasongen på kjøpet :-)
I stede ender vi opp seende ut som lyserøde, overstekte små griser...huuhm...ikke særlig attraktivt, det kan jeg forsikre deg...
Det verste er at det skjer sommer, etter sommer...og hver gang så sverger jeg at til neste år, når min stakkarslige vinterbleke, småfete kropp, igjen skal få møte solens varme, da skal jeg være forbredt! Faktor 20 til å begynne med for så å gradvis redusere faktoren og områdene som eksponeres - litt hensyn må man jo ta til de stakkars naboene som må tåle den nesten gjennomsiktige hvite huden som blender alle i 100 meters omkrets da den vises de første varme dagene i april/mai.
Nå begynner det hele å roe seg litt - etter utallige tuber med Aloe Vera og noen ubehagelige netter hvor det gjorde vondt hver gang leggene kom borti lakenet så begynner litt av vinterblekheten å gi seg. Og jeg går fra å se sykelig blek ut til å få noe som ligner mer en normal hudfarge igjen.
Lenge leve sommer og sol!!!

2006-06-11T10:35:00.000+02:00

Dette er en blogg jeg skrev på onsdag forrige uke, men av en eller annen grunn så fungerte ikke systemet slik at jeg fikk lagt det ut på bloggen min...og teknofobia som jeg har så gjorde jeg ikke så mye med det, ventet bare på at ting skulle komme seg opp å gå igjen :-)

I dag har jeg vært i butikker, dette er i grunn noe jeg faktisk sjelden er. Det kommer av at jeg alltid synes det er så deprimerende at alt det jeg liker og synes er fint ser ut til å alltid være det dyreste de har i butikken – et prisnivå utenfor mine drømmer til og med… Det andre problemet jeg har, hvis det er klær jeg er ute etter, er at jeg nesten aldri finner noe jeg liker som også passer. Og det blir ikke noe lettere med årene – jeg ser med gru frem til pensjonist tilværelsen som nudist…!!!
Men i dag var det ikke klær som sto på handlelisten – jeg var ute etter div. utstyr for barnemøter, maling, papir, sakser – masse spennende ting. Hobbybutikker har jeg nemlig ingen problemer med å finne ting i  Det aller best med hele dagen var at jeg faktisk klarte å få kjøpt noe til meg selv, som også har stått på handlelisten min i en lengre periode nå, nemlig sovepose. Og det var heller ingen lett affære. Jeg tror den stakkars ekspeditøren i sportsbutikken virkelig angret at han hadde lagt merke til meg og enda mer at han hadde spurt meg om jeg trengte noe hjelp etter at han hadde dratt seks soveposer ut av trekkene for at jeg skulle få kjent på foret og hvor tykke de var, hvor tunge de var og hvilken farge de hadde… Jeg holdt til og med på å ikke kjøpe noen – helt til han i det siste øyeblikket kom på noen nye poser de nettopp hadde fått inn som fortsatt var i en diger boks i hjørne av butikken. Og ut kom posen MIN!! Det er grå bak og rød og oransje foran – en tre sesongs pose fra Bergans!! Den er varm nok, myk nok og sier Gryne – så sommerens leirer her kommer vi. Nå er åttemanns lavou med ovn + sovepose i boks. Og jeg gleder meg faktisk til å ta dem i bruk…

2006-05-27T11:57:00.000+02:00

Sometimes I wonder what heaven will be like, and then you experience something here on earth which gives you a glimmer of what the real heaven will be like...
...like sunshine after days, if not weeks of rain
...like peace and tranquillity after a morning of getting three small children ready and out of the house on time
...finishing a project which has been looming for weeks
...a friendly smile from a perfect stranger
...not hitting rush hour traffic on my way into Oslo in the afternoon
...money left in my bank account at the end of the month
...a good morning kiss from the love of my life first thing
...a BIG mug of Earl Grey tea with a small piece of dark brown chocolate on the side
...these are some of the little pieces of heaven on earth that I occasionally encounter!

2006-05-15T12:35:00.000+02:00

Tomhet...
Noen ganger føler jeg meg bare kreativ tom! Spesielt de tidene hvor det er krav til at jeg MÅ være kreativ - da sitter jeg plutselig og roter ut i det tomme intet..! Hvor ble alle de flotte idene av? Hva med alle de inspirerende tankene og smittende ordene? Borte...! Helt og fullt borte...! Jeg i min fortvilelse gravere dypere og forsøker febrilsk og finne noe, om det så skulle være bare en liten smule, av substans - men forgjeves - der hvor intet er, du intet finner...
Det er i slike stunder at jeg blir minnet på at jeg kommer til kort - jeg makter faktisk ikke alt ved meg selv, har ikke sjans!
Jeg har for liten tid å ta av, for få ideer og for liten kraft i meg selv.
Da er det godt å vite at jeg har en i bakhånd :-)
En som alltid hører...
En som alltid har noe å fylle på med...
En som alltid er kreativ og skapende...
Alt jeg behøver å gjøre er å spørre og ta imot...

2006-03-24T18:40:00.000+01:00

Her om dagen ble jeg spurt om det å være en kristen gjør meg glad - helt umiddelbart så svarte jeg "ja!", men så kom utfordringen, hvorfor?
Hvorfor gjør det meg glad at jeg er en kristen? Ville jeg vært like glad om jeg ikke hadde vært en kristen?
Jeg har grunnet litt på dette. Svaret jeg har kommet frem til er at jeg ville ikke vært like glad om jeg ikke hadde vært en kristen. Det at jeg er en kristen gjør slik en fundamental forskjell i livet mitt. Jeg lever rett og slett livet mitt annerledes enn jeg ellers ville ha gjort. Hele selvbildet mitt er formet rundt det konseptet at jeg er skapt av Gud, jeg er elsket av Gud, jeg er unik, jeg har talenter og gaver, jeg har mengder av ubrukt potensielle. Det å ha det grunnlaget å vite at man er elsket gir meg også en frihet når det gjelder menneskene rundt meg. Jeg er ikke så redd for å bli avvist og såret for jeg vil aldri kunne bli helt ensom og alene for Gud er med meg overalt. Det har gjort meg mer avslappet og mer tillitsfull - hvis Gud tar en sjanse med meg, hvorfor kan ikke jeg gi andre en sjanse også? Jeg får også lyst til å dele gleden og kjærligheten som jeg har mottatt med andre og det er også en virkelig god følelse.
Jeg kommer fortsatt ofte til kort, jeg har fortsatt dager jeg føler meg mer deppa enn andre. Jeg møter fortsatt problemer og utfordringer i hverdagen. Men jeg har en ballast jeg er glad for å ha med meg i livets berg-og-dal-bane!!

2006-03-17T09:11:00.000+01:00

Jeg har to 50 % stillinger som til sammen utgjør en 100 % stilling. Som om ikke dette er forvirrende nok så har jeg en mannlig kollega på hvert sted (den ene er jeg tilfeldigvis gift med og den andre er en av mine beste venner - snakk kom flaks :-)). Men nå har presset begynt (ikke sex presset som andre damer kanskje opplever), nei, det er snakk om sunnhetspresset..!!! Begge to (visstnok uavhengig av hverandre) er blitt SUPER sunne. Den ene begynte med en ukes faste før han gradvis har introdusert matvarer han har lov til å spise igjen, først bare friske ting som nøtter, grønnsaker og frukt - og nå har han lagt suppe til denne listen. Den andre har kjøpt seg en mengde sunne teer (frukt og grønne) pluss at han bare spiser gulrøtter og grapefrukt til lunsj!!!! Og føler han for en snaks innimellom så er det frem med gulrøttene igjen (jeg syntes nesten han begynner å få et oransje skimmer i huden....kanskje litt for mye av det gode kanskje!!!).

All denne sunnheten har en dårlig innflytelse på meg, jeg føler meg forpliktet til å veie opp for alt det sunne de spiser med tilsvarende mengde usunt, men i takt med usunnheten min så stiger den dårlige samvittigheten - spesielt i det jeg ser mine mannlige kollegaer gå ned i vekt, bli blidere, hyggeligere, energiske, positive, mer avslappet - hele pakka, mens jeg blir surere mer mismodig og har hatt hodepine i nesten en uke nå. Kanskje er det på tide å slutte staheten, kastet inn sjokoladen og gripe fatt i gulroten - jeg overgav meg nesten i går kveld, hadde en STOR kopp sunn te, men så falt jeg for fristelsen å ha en kvikklunsj ved siden...

2006-03-14T09:54:00.000+01:00

Jeg er nylig ferdig med å lese en bok "the curious incident of the dog in the night-time". Jeg fikk den i bursdagsgave for ca 2 1/2 år siden og har først nå fått satt meg ned og lest den, men når jeg først satte i gang så klarte jeg ikke legge den fra meg :-) Utrolig fasinerende lesning - du kommer virkelig inn i Christopher Boone sin verden. Han er en gutt med Ausberger syndrom som går på en spesial skole, men som samtidig er et matematikk geni. Han har utrolige utfordringer når det gjelder å forholde seg til verden omkring seg og baserer seg på om det blir en god eller dårlig dag ettersom de kjører forbi flest røde eller gule biler på vei til skolen... På mange måter er hans verden så helt annerledes enn din samtidig så er det fasinerende å se verden igjennom hans øyne, fra hans "dørstokk".
Egentlig har vi alle våre særegenheter og godt er det!! Kanskje baserer jeg ikke dagen min på hvorvidt jeg passerer flest røde eller gule biler på vei til jobben, men jeg lar meg lett påvirke av om solen skinner, om jeg har fått nok søvn, om jeg må gjøre noe jeg kvier meg for den dagen, om jeg nettopp har fått mensen, om mannen min gav meg en klem når jeg sto opp.... Forskjellen mellom meg og Christopher er kanskje at han er ærlig nok til å gjenkjenne hvilket humør han er i og hvorfor, mens jeg forsøker febrilsk å kamuflere over mine dårlige dager med forsikringer om at jeg ikke er sur og grinete ;-)
I dag skinner solen og jeg er faktisk ganske fornøyd med livet til tross for -20 grader på gradestokken da jeg kjørte hjemmefra i morges! Det er godt å kjenne at jeg er i kontakt med meg selv!

2006-02-24T12:02:00.000+01:00

I thought men were pathetic when they were sick, so I don't know what's the matter with me all I have is a minute little cold, a runny nose and a BIG headache, but still.. If it had been anybody else I would have scoffed them and called them a sissy.. Ok, maybe I am not as compassionate a person as I thought I was - this calls for serious re-examining of myself, my values, my view of myself and others - and all this just because of a "little" cold.. :-) Maybe I’ll do it another day when I feel a bit better… :-)

2006-02-16T20:25:00.000+01:00

Noen ganger lurer jeg på om det er noen grense for hvor trøtt man kan bli... Kommer det til et stadiet hvor man bare sovner okke som?? Etter å ha blitt vekte en eller flere ganger i løpet av natten, temmelig regelmessig i nesten syv år nå begynner å bli slitsomt. Også får man høre at det ikke blir noe bedre når barna blir tenåringer heller...da ligger man våken og bekymrer seg - mens nå ligger man våken fordi noen må på do, hoster, er tørste, trenger å få lagt dynene godt over seg igjen... Barn de er en prøvelse på godt og vondt. Allikevel, når klokken er så vidt blitt seks om morningen og du endelig har kommet deg dypt inn i søvnen igjen etter en avbrutt natt, og du får en liten kropp krabbende opp i sengen til deg og du får to lubbene armer som legger seg om halsen din og koser deg mens de sier "glad i mammaen min", så kan du jo ikke annet enn å smile, det til tross for at du er så trøtt at du faktisk ikke aner om det er natt eller dag...
Trøtt hilsen fra meg.. :-)

2006-02-10T12:11:00.000+01:00

Det å oppleve at noen en er glad i sovner inn er trist, men samtidig som min bestemor sa "det er en del av livets gang..". Det er nå fire dager siden min bestefar trakk sitt siste sukk. Han har alltid vært en del av livet mitt. Når jeg var liten så var alltid mor og far sitt hus åpent - i og med at de bare bodde 10 min unna så var vi der stadig. De hadde en hage fyllt av frukt og bær, spennende klatresteder og fantasiverdner i et livlig barnesinn. Far var alltid så tålmodig og snill, aldri hevet han stemmen eller ble sint. Omsorgsfullt passet han på at vi ikke datt ned fra trærne og at vi fikk smake på det vi plukket, mens han fortale opdiktetde historier fra andre verdner.
Minnene kommer tilbake. Han gjorde et inntrykk. Han hadde ingen høy stilling eller berømmelse i mennesklige øyne. Likevel levde han for menneskene rundt seg og for det vil han bli husket. Familien er blitt fattigere ved hans bortgang, men minnene gjør oss rike.
Det er godt å kunne sørge. Det er godt å minnes. Det var godt å ta farvel. Det var ikke lengre Far jeg så da jeg så han, allikevel var det han. Dødens grep er dog ikke evig og en dag skal vi møtes igjen. Det er godt å huske!
Frem til da - farvel Far - du gav meg uslettelige minner og de vil leve videre som skatter i mitt sinn!

2006-01-07T11:09:00.000+01:00

Et nytt år - da snakkes det så ofte om nye begynnelser, nye sjanser - hva ønsker jeg å gjøre annerledes i det nye året? - Være mer tålmodig med barna, mer effektiv på jobben, snillere med mannen, trene mer, gå lange turer med hunden hver dag osv... tror faktisk at det jeg ønsker aller mest er å la Gud fylle meg ved begynnelsen av hver dag, da trenger jeg jo ikke bekymre meg noe for da blir jeg forandret og jeg blir et bedre menneske uten å slite livet av meg...not by my own efforts...der ligger de virkelige verdier...

2005-11-11T21:40:00.000+01:00

How come a week you have dreaded could turn out so well? Maybe sometimes because you have a negative attitude in the first place it spoils the chance to see what an opportunity is ahead. I am so much better at looking back at things and say "whaw, that was actually rewarding" than to look ahead and say "I am really looking forward to that challenge"....Maybe it has to do with the fact that I am painfully aware of the fact that there is a LOT of work involved before one can reap the benefits. I am just done doing a week’s program at a school. I had classes for all the ages - interesting, one period you are talking to a six year old and three hours later you cover the same topic for a fourteen year old - having to be adaptable and creative in such situations... Kids are fascinating whatever age. Sometimes you wonder what is really going on inside their minds and at other times you marvel at their insights, depth and their humour. You think you went there to teach them but end up realising that you were the one who learnt. You learn that there is no point pretending, they see through you :-) You learn that no matter how tired you are standing in front of 80 kids WILL wake you up... And you learn that at the end of the day when they wave you good buy and tell you that they want you to come back that a little mark have been made on your soul...a hug, a smile, a warmth without reservation...kids...they are worth the effort! Let me never forget!!!

2005-10-07T09:52:00.000+02:00

In honour of all my English speaking friends I have decided to write an English entry... Just got back from a flying visit to England. The reason for going was sad - was attending a funeral of a family member - but the trip was a real inspiration. It started Sunday - in the morning I sat at home, in front of the warming fire with a squirrel jumping from tree to tree in the forest outside my lounge window. By the evening I was sitting in an Indian restaurant in Newcastle with my husband enjoying the unforgettable taste of a vegetable byriani. The following evening was Japanese food in Kensington, London. While in London I was also reading my friend Harald's blogg who was writing from far up north in Norway. It made me think of the kind of society in which we now live - we have friends and family spread all over the globe and yet we still see each other and keep in touch (even though it is not by far often enough!). Aeroplanes are amazing inventions! I am always slightly hesitant when I board one - but the convenience of them is beyond belief. It is always so great to catch up with friends and the British shopping centres are in a world of their own (my bank account don't appreciate them very much, but in this respect me and the bank account differ in opinion). I am back in front of my fireplace now after getting a fill of busy city life - it is needed at times. It makes me appreciate the quietness and stillness which is Norway and yet the busyness of London gives me a buzz and energizers me to keep flying!

2005-09-22T13:25:00.000+02:00

Endelig...
Jeg har følt presset i over en uke nå på og faktisk få skrevet ned noen tanker her... Det har vært (som alltid) utrolig travelt med deadline, bortreist mann og syke barn... og alt dette er ting jeg har påtatt meg frivillig!! Når jeg virkelig setter meg ned og ser på ting så oppdager jeg jo bare hvor fantastisk det er å faktisk ha en familie som en er glad i pluss og ha en jobb som en virkelig brenner for og ønsker å gjøre! Jeg stortrives faktisk med alle kravene som stilles til meg for tiden, det kan bli hektisk, men det er på en god måte.

Leser for tiden Samlivsboken fra Modum bad - meget bra for de som er intressert i å berike forholdet sitt til sin partner/livsledsager... Den er insiktsfull når det gjelder parforhold og feller man ofte går i - hvis man i tillegg leser boken i sammen som et par så får man enda mere ut av den!

Andre bøker jeg vil anbefale for tiden, hvis du har barn, eller jobber med barn i barneskole alderen er "Tenkofil" bøkene - utgitt av Omnipax, de tar opp emner som "hva tenker du om godt og vondt" og "Hva tenker du om følelser". Det gir deg et meget godt utgangspunkt til å samtale med dine barn om temaer som ellers kan være en utfording å ta for seg. Sjekk de ut for deg selv!

2005-09-13T19:43:00.000+02:00

Her kommer jeg til å utfolde meg med mine literære evner. Bare følg med. Jeg er blant annet redaktør for et landsdekkende blad, så dette kommer til å bli veldig bra. Takk for i kveld.