27. Dishwasher? Yes, please.

     Since we moved to Norway, we have been without a dishwasher.
For the first few days, it was odd and more than a little boring to have to wash dishes/cutlery/glasses by hand for a family of 5 once or twice a day.

    I've gotten used to it by now and it takes no time at all. I even like going through some writing-prep work while performing the task. Cleaning is often useful for that, writing-prep, I mean. You start going over previous events in your story, start setting goals for the day, be it wordcount, events, deaths, saves, and dialogue.

    Now, on the other hand, it's time to add a dishwasher to the servants of the house. It will join the washing machine - in charge of laundry and a big freezer chest - in charge of frozen food along with her sister, the fridge.
     Finding a dishwasher was easy enough. We got online and after a bit of searching and googling reviews, we found one.
Unfortunately, it was sold out. So, the Hubs (we aren't married but that's what I'm calling him anyway) decides to pop over to IKEA and buys us a dishwasher there.
    When he told me this, my only answer was: "Please, tell me we don't have to assemble it!"
He assured me that was no the case and I figured, how bad can it be.
Que the music.

      The Hubs comes home after having to go a long way around his usual route which was closed for some reason. He's already tired and hungry so we have dinner before we start installing the new dishwasher.
The Hubs also got us an awesome cherry tomato plant.
     The kids go to bed shortly after dinner and as I'm reading to them, I can hear the Hubs moving our fridge around since he's being moved next to the freezer chest. I heard as he took the dishwasher out of its wrapping.
It was followed by a lot of cussing. All I could think it was 'oh no, it has to be assembled! I knew it!'

    When I emerged from the kids bedroom, I saw the problem. The dishwasher had no front and this was driving Hubs crazy. I didn't really care if it looked like a steel blob if it could do it's job right.
Turns out, when you opened the thing, it slammed shut of its own accord at unsafe speeds. It would be impossible to load the machine without having one of my kids sit on the door while I did it.
 

   The Hubs tried various things to make  the door relax but eventually finds out this was a flaw.
Not listening to me when I told him to take a breath and we would go back tomorrow and get the front or get them to fix it for you. He wants to take the offending thing back right now!
    He puts it back into the packing, cutting his finger in the process and we then carry it back to the car.
He makes it back to IKEA in time and after bringing it back where they gave it to him, he was told he had to take it around back.
    By this point, Hubs is really done with this and just wants his money back. He finds the correct place, he takes a number and sees there are 13 other people ahead of him. The numbers went like this:
277 - 278 - 279 - 284 - 290 - 281.
 

    Hubs is confused but finally gets his number called.
He tells the nice lady at the desk that he needs to return this dishwasher. The lady nods, takes a look at the disheveled packaging, and then asks:
    "Is it broken?"
Hubs could have told her about the obviously faulty door but nooooooo. This is what he said:
    "No, my wife told me to return it."

The lady blinks at him, smiles in understanding and gives him his money back!!
The Hubs walked out laughing at blaming me for this. But at least he was happy again and got his money back.

At least the Cherry Tomatoes are delish!

The hunt for a dishwasher continues.

(Sidenote: we love IKEA and they always give us great service.)

Post 22. The 17th of May has arrived!

           Today Norway celebrates their Constitution day and my friend celebrates her birthday. (Happy Birthday Katla!)
           After doing some research (google and Snapchat) we could tell people were dressing up proper for the festivities. Obviously, we wanted to fit in, or at least be respectful, so we got our fancy on, grabbed some Norwegian flags and joined the parade.
           We followed a Marching band towards my son's school where a stage and some games had been set up. My son's class was first on stage and they sang a lovely song I've never heard before. (Still haven't, my daughter kept shouting in my ear through the WHOLE thing.)  We were surrounded by Norwegians (obviously) in their bunad, pictured below.

           There were many variations of these outfits and I, for one, was mesmirized. They looked similar but not, together but not. It was fantastic. There were also alot of teenagers doing their Russ (graduation partying, before exams) 
           The hosts had set up games for the kids, such as 'knock down cans', 'pin the tail of the pig', 'sack running' and stilts. To name a few.
My kids had a great time ignoring the games and running back and forth on a skateboarding platform and eating ice cream. On the way home we picked flowers and the kids waved their flags at anyone lucky enough to pass us by.
            Now we got some delicious lamb on the BBQ. All in all, we are happy with our first 17 mai!
Hurra!

Post 21. Why? Just why? Mom-mode ON!

            This weekend, a holy weekend since Eurovision was on, I found myself unexpectedly alone with my kids. The hubby was called away to work, leaving me with our three kids. Over the weekend. These three children have friends and over the weekend, I had as many as 6-7 kids at the house almost at all times. 

            Don't get me wrong, while they play with other kids, I have time to do the chores and get dinner ready. But then there's the feeding of all these kids, who have these and those allergies, don't like this and that, and don't understand why I don't own sardines. I could go on but I think you get the point.

            As any parent will know cooking with the kids is fun and also, kind of hellish. This weekend we spend a lot of time having fun and there wasn't much time to clean and prep but I managed. The back of my jeans was covered in stickers and the pockets were filled with crayons  (I was wearing those) as I cooked burgers we made from, sans bread, and my coffee table was covered in stickers and colors (I had just cleaned it from the last time they colored outside the lines of their books.) Their room was a bit trashed and there was an unusual amount toilet paper shredded in the bathroom. 

          In Norway, Eurovision is on at 9pm so my girls were asleep before it started so I figured I'd let the son watch a little with me. He was asleep by song two. (Sorry, Czech Republic)

So I had a little time to watch and Snapchat with my friends and family about the songs.
My Eurovision is usually spent at my mom's house, eating all sorts of yummy food with my brothers and sister, my kids, the hubby and of course, my parents. 
My father complains he hate Eurovision but he always stays and watched quite a bit of it... Hmmmmm... Meanwhile, comments, both funny, complimentary and vicious, are flying around the room. Sometimes so much so I totally miss out on a song (which is why I listen to the Eurovision Playlist on Spotify).
            My favorite part is trying to figure out who wins. I love being right, so I get really into it. Especially for the semi-finals but also for the main event. 
This year I had three possibilities and one of them was right! (I'm counting it) 
           Today is a Holiday here in Norway and tomorrow they are celebrating their independence day. (Another 4 day weekend but this time, we skipped MONDAY!) 
The hubby is back so today was a bit easier but man, I. Is. Tired. 

Post 19! SUN! THERE'S SO MUCH SUN!

It is HOT over here in Norway right now.

We've had over a week of sun and heat (in Icelandic terms, anything over 10° is hot) 
I've stocked up on sunscreen (I have three kids and one of them is a redhead) and aftersun and aloe vera, sunglasses, dresses, shorts, water bottles etc.
         Being outside so much is great but super tiring, both a plus and a minus. Irritated children are difficult but at least they fall asleep without any problems.

         Working out in this heat is madness, pure madness. I admit it but I won't give up. I am having serious cravings for all the soda we have in the fridge, tho. Fanta Lemon is a weakness for me, poured into a wine glass filled with Ice cubes is my favorite summer drink. This isn't very productive for my workouts.

          And don't get me started on the BBQ's. Oh, my, so yummy! Most of it isn't healthy so I clearly have some nutrition challenges ahead of me. I know I need to get a grip on this before it starts to ruin my workouts.
I also need to stop sending my friends Snapchats of the good, good weather we're having. (Not going to happen but I feel I should say it) 

This blog is scattered, maybe I stayed outside too long today.
At least I have Eurovision tonight.

Post 14. Message from the brain.

I just want to write, or live in my fantasy world.

Yep, this is the message my mind seems to want to give me these days. I have been editing a novel I hope to get published and I have been diligent in doing so daily. Of course, this means the story, the characters and dialogue are always running around in my subconscious. So, the second I get a moment to myself or am doing chores a monkey could do with his eyes closed, naturally my mind returns to the story. Should this character really say this? But if he doesn't my protagonist won't discover this, so I need him to say that. At least I can edit the way he says it and make it sound more authentic. Why is this person obsessed with a phone they think they don't have? This is where a previous edit has messed something out and I spend hours looking for a reference to said phone, only to find the character has it on her the entire time! HA!

         Many times I have been doing the dishes or vacuuming when I realize something is wrong with my plot or I forgot to bring in an element of something. I both love and hate this situation. I don't want to lose momentum or interest in my own work. But it never feels very quiet in my mind. I have trouble falling asleep because I'm busy playing out a scene which could go this way or that way. Oh, wait, let's throw in a hedgehog and see what happens!
         Add this to the craziness of being a parent, trying to work out daily and get everyone's lunches, homework and toothbrushes ready.

Today we went to Tusenfrid, an amusement park just outside of Oslo. We have a great time and they had lots of attractions for the little ones (lot's for the big ones too but I refrained from trying them since the lines were too long to leave the kids waiting.) Still managed to sneak on a coaster with my oldest, SOOOO FUN!

          I was walking around like a bad-ass Coachella going mom at the start of this trip but by the end I was loaded down with printed out pictures from various rides, rubber ducky prizes, sweaters, slushies, popcorn and buckets of candy floss, all while I watched my kids go round and round on this or that ride.
We had a blast, both adults and kids and the sun out and I actually remembered to take the sunscreen
with me to reapply! Score!!

And for my closing, I will just leave this here!

Post 13. A looooooong weekend is ahead! Help me!

Most people love a long weekend. I split in two when this happens. See, long weekends means more time with the kids, which I love. It also means more time with the kids, which means less time to do everything else.
           Yes, it's craziness all parents know. We all need me-time and love our children! The balance is important and can be incredibly hard to obtain.
All you need to tip the scales is one of the kids getting sick so you can't go to work or you won't get enough time to finish the housework, do your workouts, errands or whatever.
Don't get me wrong, I would die for my kids in a heartbeat, I love them til the ends of the earth and beyond but I need a break every once in a while.

          This morning marks the third day my daughter stayed home because of her infection (getting soooo much better though) and tomorrow is a holiday here in Norway (and more countries, I assume) and the schools have decided to have a teacher's holiday (I have no idea what is called in English. Even though I know this day is usually reserved for the teachers to go seminars and such things. So, not really a holiday.)

         Now, I am looking for things to do with the family and I am not a newbie at this, I know it won't be flowers and rainbows and everyone will be smiling the entire time we have a family outing. Oh, no! I learned those expectations don't really meet reality but I will still try my best to make the time fun and hopefully, outdoors :)
Today the sun is out, there are no clouds and it's kinda warm or 12°.  I hope it continues, bring on the sunscreen, please!
I is P.A.L.E.


And for no reason, this meme!

Post 12! Running around cause it's Tuesday!

Tuesdays are definitely Monday's evil stepmother!

My daughter is staying home today due to her eye infection, still going strong. So once we had taken the other brats to school, we came back and did our workout. I say our workout because she joined me. Not always in helpful ways but she joined me.
        My Tomato Face Club hasn't been too red lately, so today, I added weights to the mix. Super light ones to be sure but I gotta start somewhere. My daughter wanted to be like her mama so she had weights too, just slightly more to her style.

I have a sneaky suspicion hers were lighter than mine. Hmmmm. (Yes, her's ar the Legos) Anyhow, she didn't think I was working hard enough (read: she got bored) and decided to help me. Crawl under me while I planked, or try to help me lift my legs higher (read: push down when I tried to push up) 
So, I think it's safe to say I got a pretty good workout and my daughter had fun.
         By 11am, it was clear my daughter's eye wasn't getting any better with the natural remedies, so I had to make the call and try to pronounce the doctor's name. The woman on the phone thought I gave it a valiant effort. (Read: I'll get a participation award!) After a moment, she told me they had an opening in 18 minutes.
        I looked at the clock, knowing it usually takes me about 15 minutes to get to the town's center on foot. I had a 2 years old with me, the stroller was at the kindergarten, said 2 years old was unhelpfully tearing off her clothes and diaper and I had my hair in a T-shirt to help it dry.
        Like my new alarm told me this morning, GET AFTER IT!, (hint, I like Rock's new app!) I decided to take it because they had nothing else until Friday. So I dressed and diapered my daughter, got us dressed for the rain, tore off the T-shirt holding my hair and grabbed my wallet, keys and phone. There are no trains in my town and the bus only goes through the main road.
        My daughter sat piggyback style on my shoulders all the way downtown (I am going to FEEL THAT TOMORROW, ouch), we snuck passed my son's school trying not to let my son see us, he was standing quite close but turned the other way. I didn't have time to explain to him where we were going or why I wasn't there to pick him up.
We managed to get to the doctor's office in 25 minutes, which the lovely lady at the reception told me was fine and asked us to take a seat.
My daughter chucked her jacket at me as I sat down near an old gentleman who started talking to me about the weather. I must have looked awesome since my hair was plastered to my face, starting to curl and frizz and places but my makeup was all right.
He told me how he was from Sri Lanka, living in Oslo and he was in town because his friend needed help getting to the doctor. We talked about where I was from and all sorts of things until his friend came back and she started talking to me as well. I can honestly tell you, my Norwegian also got a workout today. I even helped them out with the machine which helps you pay your bill. I've never seen one of these things before but it's instructions were in English and I was happy to help.
         The doctor called my daughter in next and I realized my information about the doctor had been wrong. I had been told the doctor was a man but it turned out, the doctor was a woman. Not that it matters, I was simply trying to figure out if I should be asking for him or her if I ever needed it since the name gave me not clue. She was very nice to us, took one look at my daughter as I told her what hadn't been working and prescribed an ointment. Why do they call it that, ointment? It's goo! Hehehehhe.
          While waiting at the pharmacy, my daughter tried to buy every single EOS lip balm they had. She didn't know what they were, just thought they looked cool. One of the employees actually let her play with them while another took care of my order.
           So, happy and relieve my daughter would be recovering soon, we headed back home. This time at a much more relaxed pace, thank you very much. We could enjoy the rain, splash in puddles and check out the snails which seem to think crossing the street is a good idea.

Once we got back, I had to deal with the chaos left behind and get my daughter to take a nap. At least, one of those was easy. And I forgot to get some meat out of the freezer for dinner AGAIN! Oh, well.... Maybe it's time for pasta!
So from rainy Norway, I bid you a good day.

Post 11. The weekend and Monday is BACK! Oh, and pretzels!

Crap, it's Monday again! 

         The weekend was pretty good, considering it rained and snowed the entire time! Ze man came back after being gone for 2 weeks (because of work) and the kids and I were happy to have him. He even managed to bring us pretzels from Germany. He had a stop-over there and picked us up a few. Sluuuuurp, they are so delish! 

 

(Not the actual pretzels, they got eaten too fast!)

This Monday offered me MORE rain with a touch of wind, it offered an eye infection to my youngest, a pretend stomach ache to my middle child and lazy bones syndrome to my oldest. 

       If you are a parent or know one (or few), you will know how difficult it can be to get them out of bed in the morning. If it's a weekday! Because same time on the weekend the kids wake YOU up! 

I practically had to drag my oldest out of bed this morning, tell the middle child she just had gas (which she proved while I was helping her with her shoes!) and take my youngest on a stroll to the pharmacy. (Just in case sterilized water doesn't work)

       I'm hoping I don't have to take her to a doctor but we will wait for morning to find out. It should be interesting, to say the least, since we were appointed a doctor to take care of the family if someone got sick or infected or so on. 

        Since we moved to Norway we've had no need of him and I shudder at the idea of pronouncing his name. I think it's safe to say, I'm going to get it wrong! I've actually asked a few people if they know of to pronounce the man's name, this is how I assured myself the doctor was a male, and so far I have found no one. So here's hoping I can be charming enough to not come off as a total A-hole. 

        Of course, none of that might have to happen, if my youngest's infection clears up. Crossing fingers! 

But I am proud since my little one is 2 1/2 years old and didn't complain once in our long walk this morning. It might have had something to do with the cookie I got her, though. 

        As is often the case with sick kids at home, I am running a bit behind today, and I forgot to get dinner out of the freezer.... Hot dogs for dinner! Whoa, wild Monday!! 

My editing is close to completion and hopefully I can get this book published somewhere. I'll keep you posted.

Hope your Monday is going well. 

Post 10. I jinxed it!

If you saw my blog yesterday, you are awesome! Also, you will know I put away all the snow gear and clothes because it's spring, damn it!
Well....

I jinxed it! 

This was my view when I looked out my window this morning. The streets were covered in sludge and our feet were soaked  by the time we got to the kindergarten, no thanks to my youngest since she kept stomping her foot down, splashing me with extra sludge. Thankfully, I brought along extra socks. That's right, weather! I'm Icelandic, you can't fool me. 

Weather: What? Who dat be? 

(No, I don't know why the weather would sound like that.) 

        So when I got home, I'll admit, I took off the wet clothes and lay on the floor of the heated bathroom. Aaaaaaaaah! 

I seriously considered staying there today. Just put on a summer dress and pretend I was on a beach somewhere. 

        Which is what I would do when I lived and worked in Iceland. No matter how cold and windy and snowy and rainy it was outside, I would pretend I was working in Mexico or Spain, on a beach somewhere. It's my favourite happy place when the weather isn't co-operating.

I couldn't even rouse up enough energy to get my workout on. I skipped it (GASP!) today and already, I feel hideously guilty about it. I might just have to get to it tonight after the kids go to sleep. 

Yes, I'll do that. Guilt be gone!

Things are looking up already, this is the  view from my window right now. Let's hope it will last this time :)

This week the weather has been very Icelandic in nature. 

         

Have a great weekend and I will see you Monday! 

Post 8. Iceland vs. Norway

As I've mentioned before, I think, I am born and raised in Iceland. I recently moved to Norway and as with any move, things can take a little getting used too.
First things first, Icelanders are notoriously impatient. We don't really think we are but when we hear about it taking two weeks to set up a bank account somewhere in another country (not including getting card and such) we are outraged.
              In Iceland, you walk into the bank with ID and you have an account and access to your internet bank when you leave. Basically. (It might take a day or two now, it's been a while since I actually went to the bank in person for any other reason than to get foreign currency.) 
             When we came to Norway it took 5 weeks to get our social security numbers, not the three we were told to expect. Once we had those, we could get a bank account. Well, ze man could because they don't give you an account if you don't have a job.
As an Icelander, it was hard to wait. It's hard to wait for takeout, let alone a bank account.We want what we want and we want it now. (That's a lot of W in one sentence.)
We've learned a lot of patience since moving here.

Then there are the TREES! Glorious, big, bushy trees!! We don't have a lot of them in Iceland.

As a parent, I find there are all kinds of things people do differently here with their kids. For example dinner time.

In Iceland, the classic dinner time is around 6.30 - 7.30. In my household dinner is usually at 7, it was the time of day which worked best for everyone.
However, in Norway, dinner time seems to be between 4-5. Needless to say, this has left us scrambling when it comes to my son's friends coming over at the Norwegian dinner time. All I'm serving at that time are cookies, fruits or toast.
Or when they come over and ask my son to come outside and play and he can't because it's his dinner time.
I am told Norwegians will have a lighter meal later in the evening, which makes sense. At least my kids would be cranky AF if I didn't feed them from 5 to bedtime.
So, I am trying to move family dinner time up a few hours and let me tell you, it's hard! I find myself constantly munching on something in the evening. (So not good for my workout!) The kids don't seem to care either way so we will see. Meanwhile, I will stay away from snacking and munch on apples and peanut butter in the evenings.

Then there's school system. When my son started school, in October, I asked the school for a list of things I need to buy. The look I got from the woman was comical as she asked me what I meant.
I told her again I needed a list of what my son needed, you know, like in his bag when he comes to school.
Again, she shook her head.
"You know, pencils, colors, notebooks, those sort of things?" I tried again and she smiled at me.
This time, she explained to me all these things were provided by the school. I tried one more time.
         "But there has to be something I am supposed to buy, right?" Now I was the one starting to sound slow. This time, the woman outright laughed at me and asked me if this was not the norm in Iceland. This is the point where I should explain there were three other people in the office and they all laughed when I told them NO, it wasn't.

This is one of the coolest things ever, because in Iceland, every year, parents are sent a list of supplies their kids must have. Including pencils, erasers, sharpeners, colors (wax, pencils and so on) and then notebooks for math and writing, folders for this and that and on and on and on.
Needless to say, I left the school office with a massive smile on my face.

The kindergarten also surprised me when they informed me I could bring my kids whenever I wanted, as long as the school was open and pick them up, whenever I wanted (again, provided the school was open) All I had to tell them was what days they should expect the girls.
In Iceland, you tell the school what days and what time they arrive and leave. You can, and will, be fined if you are more than 15 minutes late in picking up your children, regardless if the school is open.
In Norway, my girls arrive when we are ready and I don't have to panic if I'm running late with the chores or shopping or whatever. It's so nice.

Of course, these differences are just a few of the many we've noticed here and they are only my point of view.

Feel free to tell me what differences you've experienced after moving. :)

Post Nr. 6 Monday baby!

All righty then! Monday... The day most of the internet loves to hate, am I right?
Being a stay at home mom, however, this is me on Mondays

I'm also like that meme when the kids go back to school after summertime, just on crack! By crack, I mean I will manage my chores in under an hour and watch Unbreakable while eating snacks which I told my man the kids ate. YEP.

         Not to worry, today I worked out when I got back from the school run, I cleaned up the apartment and then got myself clean and got my butt to the store to get groceries. Once I got back home, the plan was to edit my novel and write this blog.

        I had an hour before my son was due home from school and I'll admit it, I was exhausted already. I've been home alone with the kids for over a week now and I think any stay at home parent will agree with me, the weekends are very taxing. So, for the hour I had, I sat on the couch and watched Netflix for an hour while eating lunch.

        Son came home on time and we just finished homework, where I almost got into an argument with his math project. Ended up sending a picture of it to his father, who's much better at math than I am, because I'm sure I'm right and the math is wrong. (Either way, the example didn't add up to what we needed it too.) 
        So, I am looking forward to an evening of editing, not complaining because I've set myself a goal to finish this revision next week. When it's ready, I'll start submitting it and carry on writing my other novels.
Anyone else out there, with more than one book/story they want to finish, cause I have a list of them at this point.

         Now, on the other hand, I have to start getting dinner ready since I'm trying to get the family to eat at Norwegian dinner time, but more on that later. Like tomorrow!

Toodles.

Post nr. 5. I drive to Oslo for the first time.

Today, I drove to my sister's place in Oslo. I live about 50 minutes (by car) outside of the capital and I have never driven there myself before. That's right, I make my man drive while I nod off. I mean, take care of the kids! You believe me, right?
Que awkward silence.

       Today's visit wasn't planned, not as such, but when my sister Snaps me a picture of a cake and asks me over, I'm going!!
Waited for my son to finish school and he joined me in picking up his two sisters from kindergarten early.
     
       Of course, I figured, since we weren't traveling at the height of traffic, we would be fine! I had my TomTom (GPS, which we've made to sound like Sean Connery. Mostly so I can argue with it when I feel it's not taking me to the right place. Where are you taking me, Sean?)
       Now, there's one trick to get to my sister without trouble and it is to skip a famous Interchange called.....
Sinsen!

       Many times have I been warned, do not go there! It's too crowded, too loud and too complicated!!!
So naturally, I've been told to ignore my GPS, my Sean, at one place so I can avoid going through the horrible Sinsen.
Now, here's where you need to know something about me. Something shameful and un-womanly! My sense of direction is only so-so, especially when I'm driving. I've gone this way quite a few times but I still wasn't sure exactly where to turn. (Sometimes, I can't even tell you where I park.)
       So, in my effort to avoid the dreaded Sinsen I take a different lane then the one Sean tells me too.

I ended up stuck in touch-and-go traffic heading for Göteborg! Seriously, it took me about 20 minutes just to get out of the lane and into a small district so I could turn around.
(This is not the actual photo of the traffic I got myself into but it gives you an idea. Also, image about 30 trucks in there too.)
The kids were surprisingly calm about this delay. Well, one of them fell asleep and was none the wiser. The girls complained about the lane (going the other way) was much faster than ours. I tried to explain this to them but, in their opinion, they were right, I was wrong.
        My car is not an automatic, so MAN, was my left foot tired. I learned my lesson, though, and found the right place to skip Sinsen.
Thankfully, I ended up where I was supposed to be, sans a small detour.
The cake and the company made it so worth it! Mmmmmm cake.

        The travellers came home much too late to make dinner, so mom, covered in Bubble Soap and various food products, made Pizza Sandwiches and managed a chilly dessert as well. Afterwards, my son read to my two daughters, while a proud mama listened in.
It's an hour since my son went to bed, I'm wrapped in a blanket, armed with Peanut butter (crunchy, since I am starting to believe they simply don't have smooth here in Norway) and apples about to watch a show before I pass out!

So, to you, I bid a good night :)