Christmases past.

Can I just tell you that I love Christmas? Well, I'm going to anyways. I love the lights, the music, the food, the baking, the gift wrapping, the decorations, the stories, the feeling, the movies, and most of all all the traditions. If you're a ba humbug kind of person, expect a kick in the rear end from me.

This last week I've been thinking about Christmases past. I remember one year my brother made me cry on Christmas Eve. How evil is that? Making a little kid cry is the one thing that is completely taboo on Christmas Eve. I guess one important fact worth mentioning is that it wasn't really his fault. We were having our traditional Norwegian dessert: rice cream with an almond hidden in it. Whoever gets the almond, wins a marzipan pig. He got the pig, I didn't. Which is why I cried.

Then there's the Christmas I figured out that Santa isn't real. (Or is he?) My oldest brother was Santa that year, and my comment to Santa when he walked through the door with all the presents was "Take off your mask." I guess the disappointment was so big that I couldn't even play along to make him feel better as I'm sure he didn't exactly jump for joy when asked to be Santa.

One year, while living in the States, my sister and I completely failed the baking test. We were trying to make some Norwegian butter cookies, but something went wrong and all the small cookies just blended together on the baking sheet and came out of the oven as one large cookie. Don't even ask me how it's possible.

Another year my husband and I decided to get the flue shot. We were deadly ill for over 2 weeks, and of course during Christmas. So sad. Quite depressing as a matter of fact. (We were both suffering in bed and swimming in tissues while everyone else in the world celebrated a new millenium with excitement and expectation. Sympathy is always appreciated and welcomed.)

The ultimate Christmas was 10 years ago. That's when my then boyfriend came to visit and we got engaged. The best Christmas EVER!!!

I can honestly say I honor the Spirit of Christmas past, present and future. "God bless us, everyone!"

Christmas surprise.

I like to start my Christmas shopping early. Not because I'm the ultimate super planner, but because I like to keep my sanity during the Christmas season. I hate shopping in December when the malls are overcrowded, the stores are understocked, my wallet is starving and my blood pressure is reaching dangerous territory.

The only disadvantage about getting my shopping done early, is that I have to wait for so long to give the presents away. It's especially hard when you find the perfect present for someone. I get really excited about this. Just like a kid waiting to open presents, I jump up and down with excitement and anticipation about giving the perfect present. Like that one Christmas when I got my husband his Star Wars Monopoly game. I ordered it on line and had it sent to a neighbor's house. Not only was I worried my husband might find it hidden in the closet, I was actually more worried I just wouldn't be able to stand it any longer and just give it to him early.

Classic pre-Christmas conversation:

Me: "Honey, I got you the coolest thing for Christmas."

Hubby: "Cool!"

Me: "It's just so cool, I can't wait to give it to you!"

Hubby: "Cool!"

Me: "I'm just really excited about it!"

Hubby: "Cool!"

Me: "Do you want me to give you a hint about what I got you?"

Hubby: "Not really."

Me: "Are you sure?"

Hubby. "Yeah."

Me: "But it's a really cool present."

Hubby: "But I want it to be a surprise."

Me: "Are you sure?"

And so on.....

So, I got my husband's Christmas present a month and a half ago. And this year I really got the coolest present!!! I can't wait to give it to him. It's the ultimate present. I know he will jump through the roof when he opens it. I got him .............

And of course I can't post it on my blog. Yet. In case he decides to pop in and read. So you'll have to wait until after Christmas to find out what I got him. If I can stand the torture of having to wait. So far so good. Just about another 478 hours to go. Happy Waiting!!!

The Meat Market served its purpose.

Once upon a time (15 years ago to be exact), I was loafing around in the US. Without a care in the world, I just wanted to enjoy life and play. Which I did. It was brilliant.

But the fun is more fun when shared. So luckily my friend Judith (or better known to some as Jude) was in the area as well. We took advantage of our carefree life and soon become experts in a number of different areas: which single wards were the best, which movies were playing at the dollar theatre, how to best achieve a strike while bowling, what's the minimum amount of sleep required in order to still function and so on. And of course we became experts on church dances. It's almost like we developed an addiction for them. Which really, when I think about it, is quite a mystery to me. I think you should know that I really am not that fond of dancing. Jude is, though. So I guess my fondness for the oposite sex was enough to get me to go to The Meat Market, a.k.a YSA Church Dances.

There is quite a variety of products to choose from at this Meat Market. Something for everyone, I guess you could say. In fact, I found it quite entertaining just to observe all the products.

One night while dancing the night away with all kinds of products, a very juicy steak asked me to dance with him. He didn't have to ask me twice. We danced together for a while. This in itself is quite an accomplishment. If you dance more than the 2 "I'm-a-good-mannered-and-polite-kid" dances, you've sent The Signal. Meaning that you don't think your dance partner is a stalker or otherwise abnormal and weird. I acutally found this Prime Steak fascinating and worth my precious social time. When he later asked for my phone number, I did not hesitate to give it to him. He was later informed that this was a rare treat and he should consider himself lucky.

What I didn't know was that he had a friend who had previously asked me for my phone number, which I had elegantly declined. Now he had asked the Prime Steak to get my phone number for him. Lucky for me he kept it to himself and ended up marrying me 6 years later.

So, The Meat Market served its purpose, thanks to Jude and her passion for dancing.

BOOOOO!

Halloween is an absolutely fabulous holiday. Since I didn't start celebrating Halloween until I was 27, you could say that I have the mentality of a 9 year old when it comes to Halloween. I love the decorations, the pumpkins, the costumes, the candy and just the whole atmosphere. I'm glad to see Halloween forcing its way through a stubborn and somewhat narrow minded Norwegian barrier.

The day after Halloween we went to a Halloween party arranged by our 7 year old ballerina's dancing school. The party was at Hoppeloppeland, which is an indoor playground with all kinds of fun stuff. This is when I realized that I'm not the only one with the mentality of a 9 year old. Check this out:

That's my wonderful hubby feeling right at home among all the other kids.

We had a fun Halloween with plenty of sugar and a high energy level, as well as plenty of fun and games with some great friends.

I figured I'd better post some Halloween pictures before Christmas comes around. Which technically is very tricky since I basically would have to post them before Halloween (Christmas comes around early even in Norway.)

A man of many talents.....

Clearly ambitious.

Last night my husband came home from work with post-it notes stuck to his shirt. This may seem odd to you, but just so you know, it is actually perfectly normal. At least on the day before the US election. My husband had made his own election stash (i.e election buttons) from post-it notes to let everyone know who he voted for. I just really don't have a comment for this. I'm utterly speechless.

When my 7 year old asked him why he had notes stuck to his shirt, he jumped on the teaching opportunity and explained the election to her. When we told her that she can vote when she's 18, even in both the US AND Norway, she was deep in thought. She then proceeded to inform us that when she is 18, she will be the president, and we can vote for her. I always knew she had lofty goals, and I will support her all the way!

I asked her what she will do for her country when she's president. She thought for a minute before she campaigned for freedom to choose and a zero-tolerance policy for animal cruelty. There you have it. No doubt a presidential candidate to my liking.

Energizer Bunny.

The Energizer Bunny in the form of a 2 year old. Just picture it. It's not a nightmare, it's reality in our household. Here I am in my office getting exhausted just thinking about it.

I never knew such a tiny body could be filled with so much energy. She never walks. She runs. Or jumps. She climbs. She rolls. From morning until evening. Non stop. This Energizer Bunny comes with batteries that NEVER run out.

Yesterday she woke up at 5 am. This morning she had quite a sleep-in and she didn't wake up until 5:30 am. She let EVERYONE know she was awake and ready to get going. "MOMMY! I'M AWAKE. I GET DRESSED NOW! WANT TO PLAY!" How can anyone keep up with that!?

At least on the weekdays I'm up early myself, but on my days off I really don't appreciate this let's-get-the-most-out-of-the-day attitude. I feel rather sluggish and grumpy at 5 am on my days off. Don't quite feel like getting up to do puzzles, and I definately don't feel like going outside to conquer the play ground climbing wall. So I bring her in bed with us and let her watch cartoons. And I don't feel bad about it. Sometimes it works, but more times than not I keep hearing "MOMMY! AWAKE?" "NO, MOMMY IS SLEEPING!" works just because she is 2 and I am able to drift off for a little while longer. Thank Heaven!!!!

Calories or not?

My husband is getting old and gray. 2 days ago he turned 35. What makes matters worse is that I am 13 months older than him. At least I can say I'm not getting gray.....

So, because it was his birthday, I wanted to celebrate. I get really excited about birthdays. In Norway it's custom to put the Norwegian flag out. That way everyone in the neighborhood will know it's your birthday and hopefully stop by with a cake or some gifts. At least I think that's why we put the flag out. Either way I like the tradition and will keep doing it.

Each year for my husband's birthday I will ask him the same question: "What kind of cake do you want for your birthday? You can have whatever cake you want because it's YOUR special day!" And each year the answer is the same: "I'd really like some vegetables and dip, please." VEGETABLES AND DIP FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY!!?? What planet are you from? You're supposed to choose the most calorie filled cake there is and enjoy it without feeling guilty simply because it is your birthday. Period.

But, because my loving man really is a loving man, I give in and give him his vegetables and dip. And I wait for Richard Simmons to walk through the door and shout: "SURPRISE!!! Let's cruise to lose, people!" Now, that would be a party.

This year, however, I felt really strongly about standing my ground and informed my husband that even though he feels the need to be healthy even on his birthday (this is still completely unheard of in my social circles), the rest of us would actually like to eat cake. So, at least he should choose a birthday cake he would want the rest of us mortals to enjoy.

My loving man is also a very understanding man and informed me that his choice of cake was my sister's famous Oreo cake. Couldn't have done better myself! Great choice. I could feel the pounds piling on just thinking about that heavenly cake.

So I made the much desired Oreo cake (and an apple cake just because I had some apples that looked bored by themselves on the counter) and shared with family and friends. Now here's the funny thing. There was still Oreo cake and apple cake left after everyone had gone home, but the vegetable tray was completely empty....

Puppy love.

Last week, when picking up my 7 year old from school, I noticed that she was a little blue. (Just to clarify, her skin looked tan, but her mood was blue.) I asked her if something sad had happened at school. To my dismay, she said yes. I felt the beginning of a panic attack approaching. A mother will have a myriad of scary thoughts in a moment such as this. I asked her, as calmly as a mother about to freak out can, what had happened. She told me that she had drawn a picture for her elementary school crush, Nicholas.

Before explaining what happened next, I feel I need to explain something about my daughter. She is a true artist. She expresses herself through her art. She puts her heart and soul in to it, so anyone that is lucky enough to receive a drawing from her, should feel extremely honored and very loved.

So, upon receiving my daughter's heart felt drawing, you would think that Nicholas would feel quite priviledged. I guess, however, when you're 7, you don't appreciate things the way you do later in life. He had the nerve to tell her that he's NOT in love with her before crumbling up the drawing and throwing it in the trash.

Now, imagine me, the mother, hearing about this. I was miraculously able to refrain from sharing the typical comments about men and how insensitive they can be sometimes, and chose a different route. I gave her a pep talk and and some basic information about love, at a puppy love stage, of course.

I thought about this whole ordeal for a few days, and hoped that Nicholas hadn't left lasting scars on my daughter's fragile heart. Imagine my relief when she told me that she's in love with someone else now! She told me the best thing about this boy is that he actually LOVES girls, all the girls. UGH....

Life changing event.

My brain cells have gradually disappeared over the years, especially since having kids. In fact, I'm pretty sure I've read somewhere that it's a scientific fact that having kids decreases your memory. Or maybe I just use that excuse to compensate for the panic attacks I go through each birthday as I realize I am yet one year older.

Amidst my somewhat clouded and confused memory, however, certain events in my life stand out. Today I'm going to rewind 10 years exactly; hello October 1998!

I was single, living in Norway and getting ready to go on a trip to Hawaii with a friend of mine. I was a poor student, but he was able to get me some Delta buddy passes, so I jumped on the opportunity to go experience the beaches, the ocean, the sun, the pineapples, the alohas, the lu'uas and the hulas. I was ready to go to paradise!

I made arrangements to stop by Utah on the way to and from Hawaii to visit my sister. I think she was pretty excited to introduce me to Halloween because she had carved a pumpkin way too early and it was rotten by the time I got there. Good effort, though, sis!

I had also contacted a friend of mine (a guy I had actually dated in 1993), and we decided it would be fun to meet again and catch up on things. This turned out to be a life changing event. Mr. Friend actually changed status to Mr. Husband 8 months later. Nice upgrade!

This is where I wanted to post a picture of me and my husband from 1998, but all my pictures are in storage right now. So I'll post it on my blog at a later, unknown time. I know the excitement and anticipation is unbearable to you. But remember, patience is a virtue.

My message today is: Life changing events happen when you least expect it. So just enjoy your life the way it is now. And lesson learned: Don't be too eager in your pumpkin carving or you won't have any carved pumpkins left by October 31st.

The great outdoors.

Last weekend we spent some time in the forest. It was so wonderful not having to hurry anywhere, but just enjoy some relaxing, fun and quality time with the family. We didn't run into any trolls, nobody got lost and nobody fell in the lake, so I can safely say that it was a huge success. We will be going again soon!


Fall is so gorgeous!

2 good friends.

She's up to something. I've seen that look before.

Me and my 2 cute girls.

They're just too cool.

Just to prove that the angelic looks are deceitful. But I think she's cute even during a tantrum.

What's a trip to the forest without someone tripping on a rock and hurting their knee? Good thing Daddy is strong.

And good thing we brought the stroller.

I just love this picture. This is her in a nutshell; cute and mischievous.

Inspirational idols.

I love my husband. I think he's the greatest there is. But, I hate his goatee. Of course it's no secret that I prefer the "scruffy" look over the clean shave. But this new fixation with seeing how long his goatee can get I don't care much for. When it's so long that my daughter braids and decorates it with her very girly hairbands on a regular basis, I think it's time for a trim. But, he has not given in to my pleading and begging, and keeps it growing with a smirk on his face.

People have suggested trimming it or even shaving it completely off while he's snoring the night away, but I would never do that. As much as I dislike that grey growing thing on his chin, I respect his choice and it's not really hurting me in any way.

I've been pondering why in the world such a good-looking Big Hunk as my husband would ruin his good looks with all that facial hair. And honestly, I couldn't really come up with any good ideas. Until it dawned on me that it's all about idols. We all have them. You know, the people that you love and want to be just like. I think my husband is secretly, and without really knowing it himself, just trying to be like Metallica vocalist, James Hetfield. And I have the pictures to prove my suspicions!



I guess I should be grateful that he hasn't started growing the big sideburns.... yet. Please don't mention this to him as it may give him ideas.

I recently saw an interview with James Hetfield (I actually find him quite fascinating myself) without a goatee. Clean shaved in fact! So now my only hope is that he will continue to inspire my husband.

Norwegian Music 101.

Welcome to Norwegian Music 101; an introduction to Norwegian Music, or a beginners guide to Norwegian Music, if you like.

Although Norway is a small country of only 4.7 million people, we have managed to produce some great musicians over the years, some even reaching a level of worldwide popularity. One is Edvard Grieg, Norway's best-known composer. If you like classical music, I highly recommend his music. If you don't, I still highly recommend his music.

Another is Sissel, who you most likely have heard sing even though you don't know it; she participated on the "Titanic" soundtrack. She's the one oooing and aaahing through out the whole album.

And of course I have to mention the group A-ha from the fabulous 80s. Remember "Take On Me", ripped jeans and those leather wristbands? There was a lot of oooing and aaahing involved with them as well. Not on their albums, of course, I was thinking more in the direction of the female album listeners.

Today I'm going to introduce you to one of my absolute favorite Norwegian song writers. His name is Rolf Løvland. The name may not sound familiar to you at all, but I don't think there is a person in the whole wide world who has not heard "You Raise Me Up" sung by Josh Groban. Well, Rolf Løvland wrote that song, and it has been recorded by more than a hundred different artists.

In 1994 he and Irish violinist Fionnuala Sherry founded a duo they named "Secret Garden", playing New Instrumental Music, also known by some as Neo-classical music. If this is greek to you, just trust me when I say it is beautiful music.

Last year they released an album called "Inside I'm singing" presenting an amazing circle of different artists who perform different songs of "Secret Garden". (Barbara Streisand and Elaine Page may be familiar names....) I think it is a fantastic album, and I have already sent a copy of it to my in-laws. I've coordinated with Santa to make sure it is in someone's Christmas stocking this year, too.

One of the songs on this album, "Sometimes A Prayer Will Do", has become one of my all time favorites. It is sung by the amazing British singer Tracey Campbell. Music has always been an important part of my life, and it gives me so much. This song is no exception, it gave me a lot of comfort during some challenging times. I wanted to share it with you because it is absolutely beautiful. Enjoy!

http://www.imeem.com/loveontheinternet/music/8dUUIAcL/secret_garden_sometimes_a_prayer_will_do_with_tracey_campbe/

A woman of many names.

I am a woman of many names. First and foremost, my name is Tonje (pronounced To-n-ye).

*MEANING OF THE NAME TONJE*

New thunder, flower

There you have it. My sometimes thunderish temper suits my name very well if I may say so. (I can't for the life of me think of why I would be associated with a flower, though.)

Now, let me introduce you to a few of my other names:

I once had a pen pal named Ted. This was way back in the good, old days when you would actually pick up a pen, handwrite a letter and send it off through snail mail. Ages ago, I know. It was an exciting ordeal, though, especially because Ted was American. That may not seem like a big deal to you, but to a giggly, big haired, teenage Norwegian girl it was. My best friend, Nina, found it equally exciting, and she actually had the fortunate opportunity of meeting Ted in person while vacationing in the States. Upon her return home she reported that he had referred to me as.... TONCH. Go figure....

In the early 90s, I dated Mike. This was during the time when Toni Braxton told the world that she would never "Breathe Again". This inspired Mike, and he started calling me Toni Tone. Ok.....

My name was slaughtered a couple of other times in the States as well. While working for Marriott, I once received an e-mail that started like this: "Hi, Tongue!" Nice. Do people replace their brain with spell check? Just listen to this little incident: I gave a talk in church, and printed on the Sacrament meeting program was my name, Tonga. What in the world?

To be honest, I don't care much for any of these variations of my name, and have decided to stick with the name my parents gave me, their new thunder, 36 years ago. Today there are about 6,500 of us in Norway. In case you were wondering.

Tackling obstacles.

I'm not a football fan. To eliminate any confusion: I'm talking about American Football. If you say football in Europe, everyone assumes you are, of course, referring to "soccer". (The word "soccer" is taboo on this continent.)

Anywho, like I said, I'm not a football fan. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against the sport, I just don't understand why anyone could enjoy such a slow moving game. Having said that, I firmly believe there is one particular skill football players have developed that I would like to develop myself. I am in desperate need of learning how to properly tackle someone. It's a skill I would be able to apply every day on my way to and from work. Let me tell you why.

I use public transportation every day. It's a lot easier than driving: I don't have to worry about parking, which is a constant nightmare, and most importantly, I don't have to go through the agony of being stuck in traffic and having my blood pressure rise sky high.

However, using public transportation is not a flawless adventure by any means. I will tell you the most irritating part of it. It's not the late buses or incompotent bus drivers. It's not the defect buses that still roam the roads even though they should have been removed centuries ago. It's some of the other passengers.

The bus passengers cut in line. I could be standing in line to get on the bus minding my own business, and another passenger will just walk past me and get in line right in front of me. It's not like the bus will leave until everyone is on.

However, I can deal with the bus passengers. The subway passengers, though, is a different issue. This never fails: I'm on the subway approaching my stop. As the subway comes to a stop, herds of people waiting on the platform will flock right outside the doors, making it impossible for anyone on the subway to get off. They try to push their way past the people getting off and it gets quite chaotic. (I'm not sure if they're rude or just plain stupid. Maybe both?)

This is where my tackling skills would come in handy. Since I know nothing about tackling, I searched the web for some tips. I've slightly modified the methods to fit my specific needs:

Step 1. Identify your oponent. This will be the individual pushing furiosly towards the subway doors.
Step 2. Run toward your oponent at full speed, keeping your head up at all times. Aim your face at the center of his chest or inside shoulder.
Step 3. Run through your oponent, wrapping your arms around his waist.
Step 4. Pull your oponent into you and drive him to the ground.
Step 5. If you get up first after a successful tackle, offer a hand to help your opponent up and give an encouraging pat or slap as you run off to your final destination. This shows good sportsmanship and preserves the spirit of public transportation after an extremely aggressive act.

I will get right on it!

Pets and such.

My 7 year old's reading assignment for the week has been a book about a girl who invites her horse to her birthday party. Her Mom tells her she can invite anyone she wants, so she invites 4 other kids and her horse, who is also her best friend.

At the end of the book there were some questions in regards to the story. One of the questions was: "Why do some people not have pets?" My daughter had 3 clever answers.

First, she said that people may not want a dog because they chew the furniture and toys and shoes. I could tell she based this on her personal experience. When we lived in the States, we had a family dog; a pitbull named Odin. He was a crazy, fun, huge, annoying, loving, cuddly, handsome, friendly, dumb and strong dog. And he chewed the furniture, toys and shoes.

Second, she said, some people may not want a cat because they run away. This she also based on personal experience. Her sly, black cat, Bubbles, ran away when Odin got bigger than her, never to return. (I wasn't too upset since I don't really like cats that much.)

Third, she said (and I was excited to hear this one, because she hasn't had any other pets), some people may not want mice or rats because they'll eat all the cheese in the fridge. Or even the apples! I thought this made a lot of sense.

I must admit that I'm not really a pet person. Growing up, I only had 2 pets. My first pet was a bird, Romeo. I think I was around 8 or so when I got her. That's right, we were told the bird was actually a girl, but the previous owner had named her Romeo, and I didn't want to change it in case it would confuse her tiny bird brain. I was very sad when she died. My Dad put her in a milk carton which he threw away in the garbage bin outside. I freaked out about this and told him Romeo was no regular garbage! I made him dig a grave in the back yard (important fact: it was in the middle of winter and the ground was hard as rock). She deserved a proper burial, though.

My second pet was given to me on my 18th birthday by 2 of my friends; a goldfish named Hieronimus Bach the 21st of the Maldives. He hung around for a while, and was pretty cool and mellow. He suffered a tragic death when we went on summer vacation and it got really hot in the house. We came home to a nasty fish odeour and a dissolved Hieronimus. No proper burial this time, though, just a flushing of the toilet. Oh, the fate of a fish.

My husband is like Dr. Doolittle and I am convinced he can talk to animals. During our 9 years of marriage we have included a frog, guinea pig, hamsters, fish, dog and cat in our family No snake yet, though, which would be my choice. I think snakes are pretty cool and fascinating. I should get one and invite it to my next birthday party.

Remembering.

I will never forget 9/11. I almost felt American that day. The sadness, shock, disbelief and anger I felt that day is still very vivid in my memory. My thoughts and prayers go out to all Americans , especially those who lost a loved one on this day 7 years ago.

Brought to you by Kleenex.

Do you ever cry during a movie? Of course you do. You might as well admit it and stop blaming it on your contacts or your eyelashes getting stuck in your eye.

I am proud to admit that I'm a sucker for tear jerkers. I cry during emotional movies. Even happy movies will bring out the tears. (Such as "Homeward Bound". I cry every time at the end when Shadow and Peter are reunited.) And I bawl without limitations at sad movies. I think it's good for the soul. I used to fiddle with waterproof mascara, but now I don't bother any more. Who cares? I'm not embarrassed to pull out my tissues and sniffle during a movie.

So, this week's movie list lists my 10 favorite tear jerkers. There are many to choose from, and it was hard to narrow it down to 10. (I have refrained from including classic children's tear jerkers such as Old Yeller, Bambi and Fox And The Hound.)

10. Kramer vs. Kramer
Movies involving kids pull at my heart strings. Every performance in this movie is a marvel, and the family drama is heart wrenching.

9. Pay It Forward
I'm convinced Haley Joel Osment can make even the most stonehearted shed a tear.

8. When A Man Loves A Woman
I think this movie shows the true pain and confusion that loom in relationships where one member has a drinking problem. The scene between Michael and Jessie when Michael is leaving is especially heartbraking.

7. Beaches
Great movie about friendship. It makes me think about my true friends and that itself is enough to make me emotional. Even though I'm not a big Bette Midler fan, this movie still gets me "all verclept" every time.

6. The Pianist
If Adrien Brody had not won the 2003 Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in this movie, I would have boycotted the Oscars for the rest of my life. A truly astonishing film. Intense, emotional content.

5. Dying Young
I've watched this movie with my Mom who has had cancer, and we both think this movie is realistic. Which is probably why I cry every time I watch it. I also love how it shows that the person you need in your life and fall in love with is not always the person you imagined yourself being with originally.

4. My Life
Very, very sad story of course. Crocodile tears during the scene where a near death Bob limps to his son's room, up to his crib, touching him gently, and explaining to him that "this whole dying thing wasn't my idea".

3. Finding Neverland
This movie is a gem and I cry buckets every time I watch it. I love young Freddie Highmore who plays Peter. The last scene with him and Johnny Depp is so touching, and by then I'm dripping tears anyways, so why not turn on the faucet?

2. Steel Magnolias
Love, affection, friendship, small-town characters. One moment you're laughing, the next you're reaching for the Kleenex. .....Bring it on!

1. Legends Of The Fall
I haven't actually watched this movie in years because last time I watched it, I was sad for days afterwards. It's so tragic and heartbreaking. However, it really is a wonderful movie with a fantastic cast. I think I will be daring and watch it again soon for a good cry. And then follow up with a really good comedy.

The Number One Superfood.

Today, friends, I'm going to share with you what the Number One Superfood is. No, it's not chocolate. Not ice cream either. Not even pizza. Brocolli you may think? Or maybe bananas? Not even close. The Number One Superfood is..... (drumroll).... cod liver oil. That's right. This marvelous golden oil contains large amounts of elongated omega-3 fatty acids, preformed vitamin A and the sunlight vitamin D, essential nutrients that are hard to obtain in sufficient amounts in the modern diet.

The only problem with this marvelous golden oil is that is beyond gross and disgusting. Words can not even describe how foul it tastes. Why would I voluntarily expose my mouth and tastebuds to something so nasty then? Well, let me tell you.

My husband, bless his pig-valve-heart, is somewhat of a health nut. In a very positive way of course. He takes his vitamines, loves fruit and vegetables, doesn't have much of a sweet tooth, goes to the gym regularly, loves his Gary Fisher bike and so on. HE is the one that is crazy enough to drink cod liver oil.

The other day he asked me to get him another bottle of it when I went to the store. "No problem", I thought, "it's great that he's so healthy, as long as I don't have to drink it." Little did I know....

There are 2 different kinds of cod liver oil here: the regular kind and then the kind with added lemon flavor, which, by the way, is still not enough to tempt me. I couldn't remember for sure which kind he prefers, but for some reason I vaguely remembered something about "the lemon doesn't make a difference, it still doesn't taste very good." So, I just got the regular kind.

Later that evening, my husband kindly reminded me that he does indeed prefer the lemon flavored cod liver oil. So much for my vague memory. "Well, that just sucks. I spent $15 on a bottle of cod liver oil that will just be wasted." My husband, having completed his training in being frugal, assured me, however, that he will still drink it anyways. Since I'd already bought it and all. How's that for making me feel bad.

My tendency to speak before thinking got me in trouble again: "Well, dear, I feel really bad for you, so since I was the one who bought the wrong kind, I'll take a tablespoon a day as well. Just to help you get through the bottle quicker." Why in the world would I say something so stupid? Now I'm committed to tasting this rotten oil every day for a very long time (it's a pretty big bottle.) The only comfort is that at least it is really healthy.

Lesson learned today: close your eyes and plug your nose when taking cod liver oil. Also, keep a glass of something sweet tasting close by to wash it down with.

Chick flicks.

I love movies and tend to watch an increasing amount of them especially during the dark and cold season. Since I am a chick and I love flicks, I have decided to dedicate this blog entry to chick flicks.

There are various types of chick flicks. I've decided to devote a seperate blog entry to those that make women (and certain sensitive men) cry faster than chopping onions. There are also some that are too gooey and lovey-dovey even for a chick flick enthusiast as moi.

Below I've listed my 10 most favorite chick flicks that fit in to the romantic, perky, upbeat and happy ending category. These are not necessarily Oscar worthy, but then again I don't necessarily love them for the great acting, score or directing, but for the simple fact that they brighten my day.

10. Serendipity
You just can't go wrong with John Cusack. Fluffy comedy with a lot of heart and great cast. And humor. Especially John Corbett's dead-on portrayal of a Kenny G clone.

"If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid."

9. Notting Hill
Confession: I'm especially partial to movies that take place in England. And I love the whole idea of being a regular person in a book store who meets a major celebrity who ends up falling for you. It's a contemporary fairy tale, so anything is possible.

"Happiness isn't happiness without a violin playing goat."

8. Bridget Jones
Those of you who have read my previous blog entries (Mamma Mia!) know that I'm especially partial to movies starring Colin Firth. I read the Bridget Jones books when I, myself, was a Singleton, and could really relate to Bridget. Hillarious!

"I didn't mean it. Well... I meant it, but I didnt mean what I meant."

7. Little Women (1994)
I love how this movie portrays how the March girls learn about life, loss and most importantly, love.

"Feminine weaknesses and fainting spells are the direct result of our confining young girls to the house, bent over their needlework, and restrictive corsets."

6. Return To Me
A little sad to begin with, but such a cute movie. I love Grace's cute Grandpa!

"Sometimes you have to run away to see if someone is gonna follow you."

5. The Holiday
Of course I love Jude Law, but I think Jack Black is charming in this one as well. And I want to go to Iris' cottage.

"I have a cow and I sew. How's that for "hard to relate to"? "

4. Hope Floats
Not only a great movie, but great sound track as well. Sandra Bullock is the queen of romantic comedies.

"Beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad, but it is the middle that counts the most. You need to remember that when you find yourself at the beginning. Just give hope a chance to float up.... and it will too."

3. An Affair To Remember
A true classic. Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr are smashing! I fell in love with this movie a long time ago, even before "Sleepless in Seattle". Not really a comedy, of course, but very romantic. (If you haven't seen it, I need to warn you: you may need tissues.)

"I'll just take my ego for a walk."

2. While You Were Sleeping
Cute, cute Bill Pullman. And the casting of the Callaghan family is superb. Sandra Bullock will steal your heart and draw you in to her dilemma with style. This one is a feel-good movie for sure!

"When I told my mother I was going to marry my wife, her intestines exploded. If you tell them now, you might as well shoot Grandma."

1. Pride And Prejudice (BBC version)
The famous Colin Firth-jumping-in-lake-and-walking-up-to-the-mansion-scene that makes you go "ahhhh" and weak in the knees is fantastic! Mrs. Bennett is hysterical (literally), Mr. Bingley is a cutie, Jane is sweet, Lizzie is delightful....

"In vain have I struggled, it will not do. You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you. "

Winter, spring, summer or fall?

It's hard to tell what season it is these days. At times it seems like we have all seasons packed into one day. But, I have decided that I now officially declare Fall of the year 2008 open!

Back to school, ballett and karate.

We're back on schedule and life is busy. No more lazy days. My 7 year old has now entered the world of 2nd grade and is very proud of it. She is no longer the little 1st grader. She is back dancing the night away as well, and is still ambitious to get those tippie-toe ballett shoes. We have added karate to the agenda as well. Hungry for a little action.... HAJIME!

It is definately dark by 9 pm.

My regular walking route has now been moved to a dark-friendlier place; less forest and more street lights.

The leaves are changing colors.

I swear this happened over night. "I looked out the window and what did I see? Yellow leaves popping on the big birch tree!"

I'm craving sweaters and boots.

I love sweaters and boots. It's really not quite cold enough yet, though. The waiting is antagonizing.

Chilly mornings.

The trick is to wear something that's warm enough for the chilly mornings, but not too warm for the warm afternoons. This actually requires some thinking and planning.....

Kids with colds.

Kids everywhere seem to have the sniffles. Even "older" kids. We were ready to throw my super big brother a super Happy 40th Birthday Party over the weekend. But, what do you know, he ended up getting sick! (I think he just made up an excuse to avoid being reminded of the depressing fact that he is now 40.)

The Ikea catalog has arrived.

Splendid! I love Ikea! (I feel sorry for the poor mailman, though. Maybe I should leave him a Thank You note?)

Autumn
by Emily Dickinson

The morns are meeker than they were,
The nuts are getting brown;
The berry's cheek is plumper,
The rose is out of town.
The maple wears a gayer scarf,
The field a scarlet gown.
Lest I should be old-fashioned,
I'll put a trinket on.

Olympic memories.

I've always loved the Olympics. My parents have always been big Olympic enthusiasts, so they're really the ones to blame. I guess I'm partial to the Winter Olympics since Norwegians do much better on snowy and icy conditions. Did you know that Norway has won more medals at the Winter Games than any other country? To be honest, I'm quite proud of that. And I really don't have any intentions to be humble about it.

Lake Placid, 1980. I was 7 years old. I don't remember too much about these Winter Games, but I do remember very clearly my first real crush. (Kind of scary to think I was only 7!) My golden boy was Robin Cousins. Not familiar with him? I'm offended. He is the British figure skater who won the gold medal in Lake Placid. And I loved him! My childhood friend, soul mate and partner in crime, Nina, supported me in my infatuation. In fact, she has supported me in all my infatuations. She's just awesome! (Her crush, by the way, was none other than the great Eric Heiden, the US speed skater who won no less than 5 gold medals at the games!)
Stardom crushes come and go, and my Robin Cousins crush did not last very long. But he was my first crush, which is why, after all these years, I still remember him.

Now the scary part, my daughter is 7 now!!!!! HELP!!!!!

Goodnight, my angels.

I went to check on my 2 angels before going to bed last night. I always love to do that, because they are so peaceful and sweet as they're getting their beauty sleep. I wanted to capture the moment so that I'll never forget how I love to watch them sleep.

"Goodnight my angel, time to close your eyes
And save these questions for another day
I think I know what you've been asking me
I think you know what I've been trying to say
I promised I would never leave you
And you should always know
Wherever you may go, no matter where you are
I never will be far away

Goodnight my angel, now it's time to sleep
And still so many things I want to say
Remember all the songs you sang for me
When we went sailing on an Emerald Bay
And like a boat out on the ocean
I'm rocking you to sleep
The water's dark and deep inside this ancient heart
You'll always be a part of me

Goodnight my angel, now it's time to dream
And dream how wonderful your life will be
Someday your child may cry, and if you sing this lullabye
Then in your heart, there will always be a part of me
Someday we'll all be gone, but lullabyes go on and on
They never die, that's how you and I will be"

(Billy Joel)

Sick and wrong.

Last night we had vegetable soup for dinner. It was good except for the green beans. I can't stand those things. I don't know why I keep trying to eat them, because they make me gag every time. Here are some other things that in my opinion are sick and wrong:

My husband's protein shakes: He makes these disgusting health shakes that consist of milk, eggs, oats and bananas. He may throw in a yogurt from time to time to spice things up a bit. They are so nasty. He'll even tell you that himself. But, he has one EVERY morning. You'd think he would have acquired a taste for them after drinking them for at least 15 years now, but he still looks like he's going to get sick when he drinks them. Go figure!

Whole bananas: I don't know why eating a banana whole makes me shudder, but nonetheless, I can only eat a banana if it is sliced.

Mr. Collins from the BBC version of "Pride and Prejudice": Everything about him is absolutely ghastly. His greasy hair, his haunting eyes, his slimy voice, his appalling personality....

Hair in the shower drain: The only way to go is bald.

Toes: That's right, I really dislike toes. All toes are ugly and revolting. Except baby toes, they're actually cute.

Finding the missing non-spill sippy cup that was once filled with milk: I don't even want to try and describe how nauseating this discovery is.

These are just a few things I find really repulsive. What are some things that disgust you?

Motherhood.

I'm in a reflective mood today. I've been thinking about motherhood lately and how I can be a better mother. I feel inadequate at times and worry that I'm not doing enough for my kids. I get frustrated with our 2 year old's stubbornness and temper tantrums. I worry about our 7 year old fitting in and making good friends. It's a challenge to have a full time job outside the home, and then come home and try to fit the full time job of being a Mom and housekeeper in to the last few hours of the day. I heard this quote yesterday that really hit home:

"There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children. The choice is different and unique for each mother and each family. Many are able to be “full-time moms,” at least during the most formative years of their children’s lives, and many others would like to be. Some may have to work part- or full-time; some may work at home; some may divide their lives into periods of home and family and work. What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else...... The joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction." Elder M. Russell Ballard

I love my kids more than anything! Even when my 2 year old throws the fit of the century, or when I have to ask my 7 year old a million times to do something. I love them because they make me laugh. I love them because they give me the best hugs and kisses. I love them because they love me despite my weaknesses. I love them because they constantly teach me valuable lessons. I love them because they are quick to forgive. I love them because they love me. I love them because they complete my life.

I'm so grateful to have these angels in my life. Because that's what they are.

Action hero.

Let me tell you why I should have been Lara Croft:

In the early '90s, I worked in a convenient store. It was a dull evening, and I was just stocking some shelves, minding my own business. This young man walked up to the counter and asked if I could change his 1000 kroner bill to 100 kroner bills. "Sure", I said, opening the till and counting up 10 100 kroner bills. He was going through his pockets, looking for his 1000 kroner bill. Or so I thought. All of a sudden he reached over the counter and grabbed the money out of my hands. Hey! WAIT A MINUTE! Did he just take that money? NOBODY ROBS ME!!!!

The evening was about to turn to anything but dull. I ran after him, only to find out that that weasel had parked his car right outside the door. I tried opening the car door, which, of course was locked. Not really thinking, just knowing that I was not about to let him get away and just acting on my action instincts, I threw myself on the hood. So there I was, staring my enemy in the eyes. I put on my meanest face and hoped that my boss would come to my rescue soon.

The weasel was detirmened to get rid of me, though, so he started driving. Screeching tires and all. At this point my only thought was "how I can stay on this hood while the car is moving?" Windshield wipers, of course. Who would have thought they could be used as handles? Just a minor problem. The driver is able to turn them on. And so the weasel did. I had no other choice but to let go, and fell off the hood. SHOOT! He was getting away! At least I could get the license plate number.... or not. He had them covered. So, he got away.

You may ask yourself if it was worth it over 1000 kroner (about $200). My boss told me sternly it was not. All I can say is that I don't like being robbed.

A few years later, while working in a book store, I attended a "safety awareness" class. At the conclusion of the class, my boss told us to never put our own lives at risk. If he only knew.

So, this is why I should have been Lara Croft. I wouldn't have cost nearly as much as Angelina Jolie. And I would have performed 100 % of the stunts myself, as opposed to Angelina's 80 %.

Observations made out in the free.

Last Wednesday, when going for my daily energized power walk (I have to admit most of the time it's a casual stroll....), I made the following observations:

• There are a lot of trees in Norway. I found this relaxing.
• Despite my efforts to exterminate mosquitoes, there are still too many of them alive. I found this aggrivating.
• A deer. This was really cool because the area is not particularly known for it's wild life. I found this exciting. Unforunately, I was wearing my loud swish, swish rain pants, so he heard me and ran away before I was able to get my phone out and take a picture.
• A man exercising with a cigarette in his hand. I found this quite humorous.
• An old lady wearing leopard print stretch pants walking her dog. I found this a little disturbing.
• The Mamma Mia soundtrack is great walking music. I found this energizing.
• A cute, old man smiling at me. I found this refreshing! I feel I need to enlighten you non-Norwegians out there and inform you that in Norway it's not a common thing to smile at someone you don't know. This was therefore the highlight of my walk. It made me want to stop, pick him up and give him a hug. He was so cute. I grinned excitedly back at him, and probably looked like an idiot.
  

King sized laughs.

I love to laugh. Did you know that:

1. Laughing 100 times roughly equals 15 minutes on an exercise bike. Vigorous laughter increases the heart rate deepens the breathing rate, and uses muscles in the face, stomach, and diaphragm.
2. Aside from improving our moods, laughter can reduce stress, help fight infection, and reduce pain.
3. Laughter releases anger, fear, guilt, anxiety and tension.
4. Laughter encourages concentration on "right" attitudes rather than "wrong" attitudes.

Are you familiar with the show "King of Queens"? I love that show. It gives me my much needed daily dose of vigorous laughter. Here is a quick summary of what it's about in case you've never watched it (shame on you!):

Set in the working-class suburb of Queens, New York, the show follows Doug Heffernan , an amiable deliveryman, and his wife, spitfire legal secretary Carrie Heffernan , as they explore the everyday challenges of love, life, family and marriage.

Doug and Carrie deal with day-to-day domestic realities that reflect our times and enable us to laugh at ourselves. Their love for each other ultimately carries them through each dilemma they face, whether it's Doug's fixation with food or Carrie's obsession with expensive clothing.

What makes the show even funnier, is that my husband and I are the "real life" Doug and Carrie. It's true! We're just like them in everything from our "professions" to our choice of clothing (my husband wears shorts ALL THE TIME, just like Doug.) It's one of those shows I can completely relate to. I think the only differences are that we have kids and they don't, my Dad isn't as crazy as Carrie's Dad, and we don't live next to Lou Ferrigno.

So, to find out what our life is like, (or if you just want a really good laugh), watch "King of Queens". It will improve your life immensly according to the facts mentioned above.

Kill da wabbit!

On the way home from an office BBQ last night, our 2 year old firecracker shared her musical talents. Sitting in her car seat, her blonde curls surrounding her sweet, little face, and her blue eyes looking ever so innocent, she starts singing: "Kiy yabbit, kiy yabbit, kiy yabbit, kiy yabbit." It made me realize that Elmer Fudd has had a profound influence on her nursery rhyme skills. She's a feisty kid, so I guess it makes sense that she prefers the more action filled nursery rhymes such as "Jack and Jill", where "Jack falls down and breaks his crown" and "Humpty Dumpty" who "had a great fall". Hearing about Mary bringing her little lamb to school or Old MacDonald and all the animals on his farm seems a little dull in comparison.



Speaking of musical talents, my "mini me" 7 year old proved to us at the age of 4 that she is a composer when she made up her very own song. Both music and lyrics. I have decided to release it to the public. Ladies and gentlemen; "A, E, I, O":

"A, E, I, O, loop-da-loop-da-loop-da-loop,
A, E, I, O, loop-da-loop-da-loop-da-loop.
If the world is crazy, don't be lazy, Daisy.
A, E, I, O, loop-da-loop-da-loop-da-loop."

© 2008, The Copyright Society of the Loewen family. All rights reserved.

I'm an alien.......

I first moved to the US in 1999. I was excited, nervous, clueless and happy. I thought it would be an easy adjustment, being a globe trekker and all. Besides, I had already fallen in love with the US after my visit to California in the summer of '88. Plus, I was newly married and could live anywhere with my hot man. I quickly realized that I really was a foreigner in a strange land. These are some of things that were strange to me:

medical insurance

BLTs

green jello salad with shredded carrots

funeral potatos

personal checks

24 hour grocery stores

BBQ sauce

fry sauce

being able to walk to church

I'm not saying they're bad things, they were just strange to me.

I try to welcome challenges with a positive attitude, and, to be honest, starting a new life in the US was at times a challenge. But I loved it there. I grew so much as a person and learned a lot about myself. I grew really close to my sister, who fortunately lived only a few minuets away. Most of all, I learned to understand my husband better, and realized that all the crazy and weird things he does are not really that crazy and weird in America.

I also made many new and wonderful friends, and adjusted quite well. But, the funny thing is that I have never felt more Norwegian! I guess there's some truth to the saying that Norwegians abroad are a lot more patriotic than Norwegians in Norway. If Sting were to write me a song, it would go something like this: "I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien, I'm a Norwegian in Salt Lake City."

Then the strangest thing happened. We moved to Norway, and I was excited to come "home". What shocked me, though, was that I felt like an alien in my own country. What is going on? After feeling like a true Viking for over 7 years in the States, you would think I would embrace Viking land with no hesitation. Here are some things that were strange to me:

no breakfast restaurants (such as IHOP, Denny's and Village Inn)

paying over $40 for the 4 of us to eat at McDonald's

socialized medicine

no 24 hour grocery stores

being "out walked" by women twice my age

lack of customer service

no airconditioning

I'm not saying they're bad things, they were just strange to me.

Here's what's confusing: I don't feel like an American, but I don't feel like a Norwegian either, so who am I? "I'm an alien, I'm a legal alien, I'm a Norwegian in Norway." How bizarre is that? I honestly didn't think it would be possible to feel like a foreigner in your own country.

My conclusion is that I'm blessed with a heart big enough to embrace 2 countries and call them "home." I love Norway and miss it when I'm gone, but I love the US, too, and miss it terribly now that I'm gone!

Mamma Mia!

I saw it. And I loved it! It's one of those feel-good movies that you want to see again.

When I first heard they were making a movie version of the musical, I knew I had to see it. For 3 basic reasons:

1. I love musicals
2. I love ABBA
3. I love Colin Firth

So, I teamed up with my sister-in-law, two other friends and my daughter and went to see it last week. My husband doesn't share my passion for musicals or ABBA, so I didn't want to put him through the agony of having to go with me to see it. Even though I know he would have if I asked him, that's just the kind of guy he is. He already proved that when he went to see "Hairspray" with me last year.

We were bouncing with anticipation as we walked in to the movie theater, and my daughter, who has never really heard about ABBA, bounced with anticipation just because she got to come with us to see a movie.

As soon as the movie started, my feet and lips started moving. I just couldn't help myself. That's just what ABBA's music does to you. Because it was so dark in there, I couldn't really tell if I was the only one that was ready to get up and go crazy. So I decided to stay put. For now.

As the movie continued, and after hearing "Mamma Mia!", "Dancing Queen", "Money, Money, Money" and many other familiar songs, scenes from my childhood flashed before my eyes. My friend, Julie, and I playing ABBA. Julie was Agneta, and I was Anni-Frid. Our stage was my brother's bed, and our microphones were hairbrushes. Since our English skills were limited at the time, we just made up words that sounded good. Great memories!

Meryl Streep was fantastic, and I think my favorite part was when she sang "Slipping through my fingers." She also did an impressive interpretation of "The winner takes it all".

Colin Firth did NOT disappoint, of course. The guy even plays the guitar and has a pretty decent voice. Not that it really matters, I would have loved him anyways.














When the movie ended, I just could not help my self and had to sing along. By the time "Thank you for the music" played, I was pretty loud. Good thing everyone else had left by then. I was glad to see my sister-in-law cut lose and start dancing. I knew I had gone to see this fantastic movie with some awesome people who share my love for good, old ABBA.

Enemies.

So, it's hot. And sticky. Sunny and burning hot. No airconditioning inside. Windows wide open welcoming my worst enemies, MOSQUITOES! I hate those creatures. However, they love me. I could be covered in OFF!, yet they find the one spot I missed and suck my blood. It wouldn't be so bad if I wasn't allergic to them. I woke up the other morning with a bite under my foot, in my ear and on my left palm. Huge bites. Very annoying.

I get such satisfaction ending their lives. A few weeks back, I saw a huge, arrogant one landing on my husband's neck ready to attack the poor guy. I was quicker, though, and attacked first. I just didn't mean to slap my husband's neck that hard. From now on I think he prefers the mosquito bite.

I finally covered the windows with mosquito nets. I am still not convinced, however, they won't find their way in and leave me with an itching surprise in the morning. Like I said, they always find me.