I’m starting to resign myself to the fact that this will be one of those infamous gloomy, rainy Swedish summers. I honestly cannot remember the last day that it didn’t rain. Our grass has grown at least six inches high from all the extra watering, and I haven’t been able to mow because it’s so… Read More Rain and more rain

Three days before my twenty-fifth birthday, on April 16, 1998, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. By that time I’d been having a number of worrisome neurological symptoms for about three years, and it came as a relief to have a diagnosis. First, because it was good just to be able to put a name… Read More Striking a balance

I’m a little embarrassed to be complaining about this, but our house is too big for us. With all the kids and animals running in and out it’s a nightmare to keep clean, and lately I’ve started not even to try (some who’ve visited me here might be hard pressed to believe that I ever… Read More House

I am just plain uninspired. I’m not posting here. I’m not answering my emails. I’m not participating on the two or three message boards where I’m usually active. I’m not watching baseball. I’m not cooking. I’m not cleaning. I’m not walking my dog. I can’t find the energy for any of it. What I am… Read More Sunday

Wade Which Kim Possible character are you? brought to you by Quizilla

Lydia and I are currently engaged in a strenuous battle of wills over her clothing. At the center of this dispute is one Miss Kim Possible. Yes, that’s right, Disney strikes again, bringing havoc to our once-tranquil home. Lydia is so enamoured of this cartoon character that she wants to emulate her down to the… Read More IM-possible

This morning we got up bright and early to attend a family breakfast and the baptism of Olof’s sister’s baby. It was the first baptism that I’d been to in Sweden–perhaps even the first baptism I’ve been to, period, now that I think about it–and I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Not being a… Read More Saturday

We’re gearing up to watch the Sweden vs. Italy soccer match in a couple of hours, and I’m actually looking forward to it, despite my long-held opinion of soccer as a nancy sport. I think I’m looking forward as much to sitting on the couch for a couple of hours with my husband and some… Read More Fotboll fredag!

I’m feeling disoriented and I badly need to get back into a routine. Lydia and I went to Stockholm on Friday evening, and the trip started off with a whimper. Our flight was the last of the day, and due to thunderstorms in and around Stockholm, planes had been delayed all day. By the time… Read More Wednesday

Today was the end-of-school to-do over at the church, and it put me in mind to make a junior version of What Not To Wear. I could not believe the outfits I saw on some of those little girls. Seriously, we’re talking grade school kids in knee-high lace-up leather boots with skirts cut up to… Read More Bittersweet