Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Yamaha and HarleyDavidson

A blogg I posted on www.Believermc.se
I thought I would share it with you all as well.

Marriage has been a challange through the years. I have been married for 18 years, and am not giving up yet. Hubby and I are very different from each other. Yet we have learned to appreciate each others strengths and weaknesses. Here are a few examples:
Education:
We both have a fair share of schooling under our belts, but that is where the similarity ends. My years behind the desk are very diversified- architecture, cook, nurses aide, and art teacher. And, I still don't know what I want to be! Top it off with free courses like creative music, Finnish(Finska) reading comprehension and graphic form, and the mud cake just gets thicker!
Hubby, on the other hand, knew from an early age what he wanted to be. His studies have been totally focused on achieving that one goal and improving on it. Now, he is the boss man in his division with 40 people working under his capable leadership.
Children:
We were both involved in creating our two wonderful kids. (daaaahh!!)But the raising and fostering of them has left many discussions on techniques and priorities. Ultimatly, it boils down to this: Hubby worked his butt off to provide the finances for our life, and I raised the indians. This was our agreement because he had a better earning potential than I , and I had a better pedogogy and patience than he. (Plus that it would have been hard for him to breast feed the babies!!)
He is: Very social and works a crowd well, responsible, intelligent, quick to learn by reading (academic), musical genius, able to handle stress well, and funny as all get out!
I am: not too keen on big gatherings, irresponsible, more handy than accidemic, artistic,easily succome to stress and have a completly different sence of humor than hubby.
But one big difference struck me today.
I have a blue/green shift colored Harley with pictures painted on it. When I sit down, it makes the most beautiful sounds with the slightest movement of my hands. He (mine is a "he"- Angel) is totally enjoyable, and I enjoy "playing" with my Harley.
Kris has a brand new shiny black Yamaha. The sounds coming from it are also sweet, directed by Hubby, and clearly enjoyed by him as well! (Hubby's Yamaha is a "she", by the way!)
But there is one truely remarkable difference.
Mine has two wheels, Hubbys has 4. Where my music maker is a motorcycle, Hubbys music machine is in fact, a piano!
I love our diversity, our acceptance of each others strengths, and even the frustration of trying to communicate. It has made us a force to be reconed with. Where I am weak, Hubby is strong. And vica versa!
Even in the areas where we are both weak (excersizing for example) we have no fear. You see, we both have one bit of glue that keeps us together and keeps us strong. In 2 Corinthians 12: 9 it says, "But he (Jesus) said to me, 'my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me."
Both Hubby and I have faith that God will be the strength we need when we are weak. That is all we need to rely on - with blind faith. So far he has not failed, and I don't expect that he will in the future either.
So, we enjoy each others music, though they sound very different. Him on his Yamaha, and me on my Harley, and trust in God for the rest!

Monday, May 11, 2009

Moved, fired up, and Facebook

We have sucessfully moved to our new house and are truely enjoying a new and healthier lifestyle. There has been some resistance, but the bicycles have come into their own and are being used more and more often. (We are getting HUGE calloses on our butts!!) The change in diet continues to show good results as well. But I do think my son has been eating weeds. He sure is growing like one!! Yep- my youngest child is now taller than I am! He has grown 3-4 inches since we moved into Umeå! And Katrina has put her bike to more use than I hoped for! (You go, girl!)
Well I jumped out of the frying pan at last! Yep- I got fired! (I asked to be fired, actually) The church I have been working at for the past 3 years just doesn't have the economy to keep so many employees. So I requested to be released from my contract. My last day is the last day of July. So, pray that I will be able to find something/anything before the end of July!
Honestly, I feel relieved to be released. I knew it was time- just like most women know when it's that time of the month. The tension, the slight pain, the apprehension, the timing. Yep- just like a visit from Aunt Flo! And in the same theme, I will be glad when it is all done!!
Changing the subject (your welcome) I am really enjoying my time with the Believers. I really have found kindred spirits there, and acceptance. No sitting on your duff there either! I am expected to take on some responsibilities as well! I just hope they don't give me the chief mechanic position. Then we will all be scewed- or more realisticlly- have a loose screw or two!
I have also enjoyed catching up with some dear old friends on facebook. We are far apart, but able to share life with each other. I'm loving Facebook!!

Saturday, March 21, 2009

moving, choices, the big D and Believer

Greetings to all in Bloggland!
Have you ever been so busy that your night and day have been thrown into the blender, put on max mix and forgotten? Well, that has been my life lately.

To start off with- the house. We have had open house, house showings, advertising, meetings with the realtor, and untold tales of cleaning. Amidst all that we have also been trying to pack up as much as possible, then hide away the boxes. Ever try to hide a mountian behind a mole hill? Maybe we should try to camoflage it as a mole hill? Then we would really be making a mole hill out of a mountian! Wait- that was backwards, wasn't it?

Packing up everything is a challange as well. What will we need to use the next 2 weeks? UGG ! (And what can we afford to lose/ not find for at least 2 weeks after that?) We are now down to 2½ weeks till the move! Time to reserve the moving trailor! And, by the way, we did sell our house in Vannasby!! (PTL!)

Just to make matters more interesting, it i time for Katrina to decide what line she will be studying in high school. It is tough, because if you choose wrong, it will take a lifetime to fix. So, Katrina thought she had made her choice, and we were agreed on letting her have her choice. But then we found out that they are changing the rules for admissions into the universities in 2010, making it even harder to get in if you do not go directly from high school, and with good grades. Back to square one, many discussions, and in the end, hubby and I ended up being protective parents and making the choice for her to go the colledge prep line. (Not the choice Kat had made) So we broke her heart, but with the promise that we would also pay for further education in her chosen field if she does not get into University.(Why do I feel like I will regret this? Are we making the right choice? Is this going to bite us in the butt later?) I sometimes don't like being a parent very much!

Bjorn has been taking drum lessons, and has an EXCELLENT teacher. I am amazed at how much he has learned in such a short time! He is already accompaning songs, and doing some amazing rythms and complicated beats. The bad part- we are all going a little nuts with his constant tapping on anything and everything. The good part? I can join in and have a drum duel with him! Anything works as a drum, snare, crash and bass - even the dog! (Which she does not appreciate, by he way.)

The biggest hurdle I have had to face lately is my health. I have noticed a constant tiredness for the past year or so. (2 years) I am constantly tired, and must always be close to a toilet. Besides that I often have really bad muscle pains- as if I had been working out every muscle in my body for 5 days straight. So, Kris ordered a bunch of blood tests. Turns out, I have the big "D"- diabetes! OK, no shocker for me there, I had it when I was pregnant with Bjorn, knew the signs, and suceeded in avoided getting it for 12 years! But there's more! I also have high blood pressure and high colesterol. That took me by surprise! So, I have to loose the weight that keeps on finding me, excersize, and take medication for the blood pressure and colesterol. I am suddenly feeling like an old woman- both that I have health issues, and that I am complaining about them! So, on to something else!

I decided to do something I have wanted to do for a long time, and always had to wait for. I ecided to start hanging out with a motorcycle gang. Now, before you go getting all buzzed up about it- read on. When I was a child, there was a gang that helped to take care of my sister and I, keeping food in the house, clothes on us , and even bought us bicycles. I was 8 or 9 at the time. So for me, the gang was family. That was before I became a part of the family of God. I have always liked that sence of community, and wanted to be able to help others because of it.
About 4 years ago, there was a biker meet at a place where I just happened to stop for a pee break. There were many different gangs there, and one of them was named "Believer". I was interested right away, but still felt I couldn't get away from my family responsibilities. But in November, I was invited to come for a visit, and decided to go. They quickly became something I was eager to go back to, and has become a mainstay for me. I enjoy this group of Christians form diferent denominations, united in the call to witness to other bikers. Suddenly all the things that are really important to me seem to have found a home- my faith, wanting to share that faith, love of motorcycles, a desire to help others, and a place to learn more about the mechanics of motorcycles. So, now I have been accepted as a "hang-around". It is the first step in joining the gang. (About 1 year as a hang-around, 1-2 years as a prospect, and only after that is there a possibility of becoming a member) I still prioritize my family, and there is a real understanding of that from the believers. So, I really feel at home here, and am looking forward to a long relationship with them.

So, my fellow bloggers (and anyone who reads bloggs), my life has been busy. Besides working,moving,packing, church meetings, PTA, biker meetings, and discussions with our children, I have tried to get to the gym 4 times a week, wash the clothes (not doing very well on this one), make meals, grocery shopping, taking kide to school, ju jitzu, ballet, meeting with friends, and picking them up again.... well I recon I haven't had much time to blogg. But I am trying...

Friday, February 06, 2009

I've been busy!

Mom just posted a list of things to accomplish in ones life. The things you have succeded in accomplishing are to be in BOLD.
So, Here is my list!
Started your own blog (You're reading it!!)
Slept under the stars
Played in a band
Visited Hawaii
Watched a meteor shower
Given more than you can afford to charity
Been to Disneyland/world
Climbed a mountain-Appalatian Trail
Held a praying mantis
Sang a solo (Gospel Chior)
Bungee jumped
Visited Paris
Watched a lightning storm at sea
Taught yourself an art from scratch- play guitar, paint with an airbrush
Adopted a child
Had food poisoning- yucky!
Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
Seen the Mona Lisa in France
Slept on an overnight train- coming home from Spain Aug08
Had a pillow fight
Hitchhiked
Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
Built a snow fort
Held a lamb
Gone skinny dipping - summer 08
Been to a Broadway show in NY
Ran a Marathon
Been in three states at once -Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma
Ridden in a gondola in Venice
Seen a total eclipse
Watched a sunrise or sunset
Hit a home run
Been on a cruise
Seen Niagara Falls in person
Visited the birthplace of your Ancestors
Seen an Amish community- daaaah
Taught yourself a new language- Swedish, for example?
Had enough money to be truly satisfied
Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
Gone rock climbing- YES training
Seen Michelangelo’s David
Sung karaoke- you don't want to know!
Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
Visited Africa
Walked on a beach by moonlight-Turkey
Been transported in an ambulance- car accident- broke my nose
Had your portrait painted- self portrait
Gone deep sea fishing- collage years I think- we ate the shark and flounder
Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
Kissed in the rain- mmmmm
Played in the mud- favorite place to play as a child
Been to Grace Kelley’s grave in Monaco
Gone to a drive-in theater- saw Shrek!
Been in a movie- was a psyco murderer, killed my date
Visited the Great Wall of China
Started a business- Miki Air
Taken a martial arts class- hiii jahh!
Swam in the Mediterranean Sea- Turkey
Visited Russia
Served at a soup kitchen- YES training
Sold Girl Scout cookies- as a Brownie
Gone whale watching
Gotten flowers for no reason- from my Hubby
Donated blood, platelets or plasma- I'm O- and popular with the "vampires"!
Gone sky diving
Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
Bounced a check oops
Saved a favorite childhood toy-a mini cast iron stove
Visited the Lincoln Memorial- Senior Class trip
Eaten Caviar- a main food staple here
Pieced a quilt -a jeans quilt
Stood in Times Square
Toured the Everglades
Been fired from a job- in my drugie days
Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
Broken a bone -nose plus ligaments in knee and hand
Been on a speeding motorcycle (I was driving!!)
Seen the Grand Canyon in person
Published a book
Visited the Vatican
Bought a brand new car- a Ford Escort
Walked in Jerusalem
Had your picture in the newspaper- both in the US and in Sweden
Read the entire Bible- more than once!
Visited the White House- Senior class trip
Killed and prepared my own meat- fish and chicken
Had chickenpox
Saved someone’s life- led them ti Christ
Sat on a jury
Met someone famous- a Swedish hockey player, a TV show host
Joined a book club- for a whole 3 weeks!
Lost a loved one- a friend in High school
Had a baby -twice!
Seen the Alamo in person
Swam in the Great Salt Lake
Been involved in a law suit
Owned a cell phone- 6 or 7 of them!
Been stung by a bee- almost killed me every time! (allergy!)
I guess I have lived a bit. Lucky for me there is more to experience! Most of what I haven't experienced is traveling! But the time will come when that will happen as well.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Pooch, paint, photos and panoramas

Ain´t it funny how pets can take a really busy, tough day, and even a disaster and make you laugh in spite of it all? Here´s my little story:

Twas the night before photo shoot, and all through the house,everyone was cleaning, even the dust mouse!
No dirty stockings, tshirts or underwear, were allowed to be seen under the bed or anywhere!
I in my sweatband and pa in his cap, knew we had no time for a 5 minute nap
The hammers a pounded and spray cans they clattered, when a wall full of boxes fell! Oh no! What's the matter?
Down the stairs I did flew like a flash!
Threw aside curtians and baskets when my toe I did mash.
The glasses I had packed so carefully and neat
Now lay on the floor in a huge messy heap.
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
but a black wet nose and a tiny floppy ear
One look at that face and it all became clear-
There were no robbers, or hurt kids or man to fear.
As she looked at me with so meek and humble,
I knew in a moment it was our dog Jackie- that had made the boxes tumble.
As she jumped up and down on the pile of paper and glass
She smiled at me as she wiggled her .....butt (;P)
I flopped on the ground as she finished her dance
and laughed right out loud as I watched her paws prance.
Then she leaped oér the pile and into my arms
And mezermerised me with her puppylike charms.
I picked her up and kissed her as I turned off the light
And wispered in her ear- You really made my night!

I have a few minutes, so I thought I'd let you all in on the happenings in my life lately. We have been franticlly working on our house to prepare it for selling. The realter was just here and took a bunch of pictures of most of the rooms. We have 6 bedrooms, so he probably won't put them all out on the web. He also took 2 movies to be able to look at, 360 degree panoramas. But the work isn't all done! We have a few papers to fill in, and a bunch of boxes to move. (I think we will need a few more boxes!!) as well as a bunch of "small stuff!
The most of the renovation was done during the Christmas/New Years break. We had 2 guys come to help with the spackling/painting/carpentry. They were fantastic workers and (as Lisa would say) not creepy! We are so thankful for all their work- we could not have gotten done without them. In a 3 week perion they succeded in repainting 5 rooms and a hallway, replaced a floor from the bottom up, did some carpentry work and even fix the shed out back so the doors stay shut! (We made them stay home to celebrate Christmas at least!) So thanks to my 2 favorite workers- M and B!!
Now that the pictures are taken, my mind has returned to the rest of my responsibilities. I need to go into Umeå to get some papers for my buisness, pick up the kids, and prepare a teaching for younge believers tomorrow. I also need to figure out how to get Björn to his JuJitzu lesson while I am working. Can you take him Mom?
Well, I recon I better get moving- otherwise I am liable to fall asleep right hereeeeeeeeeeeeeee..................