Today was supposed to be a work day for me, but instead I had a houseful of sick kids. The youngest four currently range from being on the edge of faking all the way through to well and truly miserable. It’s nothing more than a back-to-school cold, but it’s enough to put a damper on any plans for productivity. Luckily all I really have to do is read 40 pages before an afternoon seminar on Friday. It won’t exactly be a breeze, as it’s two chapters, in Swedish, about the field of gender research, but I’ve had worse assignments for sure.

I’m pretty sure I won’t make much progress tomorrow, as I’ve got to drive down to Umeå bright and early for a doctor’s appointment. I’m taking Petra with me for a little mother-daughter day, so we’ll probably have some lunch and shopping before hurrying home to make her soccer practice at six o’clock.

Wednesday looks to be my best bet for some uninterrupted reading, assuming the kids are all well enough to go to school. I do have a coffee date in the morning, but a dedicated hour or two is all I’ll really need to get up to speed. Thursday afternoon I’m off to Uppsala and this carnival ride will truly be back in motion again, whether I’m ready or not.