Saturday, 18 February 2012
Tuesday, 14 February 2012
Thursday, 9 February 2012
what is your porn?
A friend of mine told me that whilst on a very strict (and boring) diet he watched cooking programs constantly. Like self mortification. "his porn", as he head lined it himself.
I have several things like this. I buy interior design magazines when I'm fed up living in a rented place, when I dream of buying my own place to do whatever I want with.
When broke I surf on line shops like a lunatic - placing everything I want in their cyber shopping trolly only to close down the page before hitting the button "place order". That is most defineltely my porn, my self mortification!
Why do we do it? Do you do it?
I have several things like this. I buy interior design magazines when I'm fed up living in a rented place, when I dream of buying my own place to do whatever I want with.
When broke I surf on line shops like a lunatic - placing everything I want in their cyber shopping trolly only to close down the page before hitting the button "place order". That is most defineltely my porn, my self mortification!
Why do we do it? Do you do it?
Tuesday, 7 February 2012
Rome
Me and the mr. spent a few days in Rome in the end of January. It was a well needed break, and Rome was all I imagined it to be. I have travelled alot, but haven't seen much of Europe at all really. The hotel was situated at the back of Piazza Navona - you know the piazza in the Da Vinci Code?
It was a pretty hotel on the second floor in a block of flats in an ancient house. A little secret courtyard made me remember a lovely hotel in Bolivia - it's amazing how little details can trigger memories like that!
The Spanish steps at night. Very crowded, but still a very pretty place to just sit and enjoy a bit of people spotting.
10 pm and we sat outside enjoying a glass of wine (or two). No jackets needed - in January! Such a treat as we left a snowstormy Sweden the morning previous.
At the Piazza Navona, which we passed a couple of times every day, these men sat playing every evening.
All ruins, ancient monuments are everywhere! Wherever you turn, wherever you look. So accessable, so clever to leave them be instead of making museums of all of it. This is how history should be displayed!
The one thing I wanted to see whilst in Rome was Colosseum. And it was as magnificent as I had hoped for. Unfortunally we weren't allowed to enter the dungeons etc. But still... Fantastic!
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One evening we strolled along the river. Not a person in sight. Just peace, stunning views and nice company. What more could one ask for?
Sunday, 15 January 2012
Friday, 13 January 2012
cat litter tray
The cats have been living with me for 3 and a half years now.
Today, as I was cleaning out the cat litter tray, I wondered how many times I've been doing it since they arrived... I clean it out every single day. During the years I might have missed out cleaning it out perhaps 5 times. Not more, maybe less.
That's 1270-odd times emptying the cat litter tray!
The cats litter tray is hidden inside a 19th century travelling coffin, that I bought in a second hand shop. I cut one of the side panels out et voila - no more ugly plastic on show in the house! The pics here is taken when they first got it - Tylor is checking it out curiously.
When I first got the cats I used non clumping cat litter as it was cheaper. I soon realized that the pennys saved weren't worth the extra job trying to get the damn thing out of the tray, so I switched after 6 months or so.
The first two years I cleaned out the tray completely once a week - emptied it, bleached it, changed all the litter and so on. Then I discovered the beauty of baby wet wipes. I started using them to clean the tray without having to empty all the litter out and without having to bleach. It is heaven. Now I only do the full on clean every two weeks.
On top of that I clean out their 2 water bowls every night (they have one each - Kif one on the bedroom floor, Tylor one on the dining table... It was his choice - not mine!), change the bowl of Tylor's cat milk every day (to fatten him up) and clean their food bowl once a week.
Also, every day when I get home from work I have to give them half a slice of ham each - Kif's on the floor in medium sizes, Tylor's on the kitchen table in tiny pieces (his choice, not mine).
Now, I'd like to know who said having cats is less hard work than having dogs as pets???
Today, as I was cleaning out the cat litter tray, I wondered how many times I've been doing it since they arrived... I clean it out every single day. During the years I might have missed out cleaning it out perhaps 5 times. Not more, maybe less.
That's 1270-odd times emptying the cat litter tray!
The cats litter tray is hidden inside a 19th century travelling coffin, that I bought in a second hand shop. I cut one of the side panels out et voila - no more ugly plastic on show in the house! The pics here is taken when they first got it - Tylor is checking it out curiously.
When I first got the cats I used non clumping cat litter as it was cheaper. I soon realized that the pennys saved weren't worth the extra job trying to get the damn thing out of the tray, so I switched after 6 months or so.
The first two years I cleaned out the tray completely once a week - emptied it, bleached it, changed all the litter and so on. Then I discovered the beauty of baby wet wipes. I started using them to clean the tray without having to empty all the litter out and without having to bleach. It is heaven. Now I only do the full on clean every two weeks.
On top of that I clean out their 2 water bowls every night (they have one each - Kif one on the bedroom floor, Tylor one on the dining table... It was his choice - not mine!), change the bowl of Tylor's cat milk every day (to fatten him up) and clean their food bowl once a week.
Also, every day when I get home from work I have to give them half a slice of ham each - Kif's on the floor in medium sizes, Tylor's on the kitchen table in tiny pieces (his choice, not mine).
Now, I'd like to know who said having cats is less hard work than having dogs as pets???
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
dream
I always have very vivid dreams. Quite often I can relate to them and see how they were constructed out of my every day living. But sometimes... Wow... Sometimes the mind boggles!
The other night I dreamt I met my friend Lizzie and her family somewhere. We were going for a picnic in her sister's car, and there were sandwiches to be made for all the kids.
After a lot of hassle finding plastic bags to put the sandwiches in we were on our way. However, all of us didn't fit into the car, so Lizzie's mum and myself set out to walk to the decided destination. We ended up on a big square - possible a buss station. The crowds were huge, the smells and noise unbelivable and it all resembled a public square in northern Africa.
All of a sudden the crowd scattered as a tramp in rags came walking. He/she reeked, was covered in dirt and hair in filthy knots. One of his/her ears (the left ear, to be precise) was humongous. Twice the size of it's head the left ear poked out like a human funnel.
Inside the funnel ear sat a brown hen on top of her nest built out of straw, looking very happy and content.
Now, someone please tell me what that was all about?!
The other night I dreamt I met my friend Lizzie and her family somewhere. We were going for a picnic in her sister's car, and there were sandwiches to be made for all the kids.
After a lot of hassle finding plastic bags to put the sandwiches in we were on our way. However, all of us didn't fit into the car, so Lizzie's mum and myself set out to walk to the decided destination. We ended up on a big square - possible a buss station. The crowds were huge, the smells and noise unbelivable and it all resembled a public square in northern Africa.
All of a sudden the crowd scattered as a tramp in rags came walking. He/she reeked, was covered in dirt and hair in filthy knots. One of his/her ears (the left ear, to be precise) was humongous. Twice the size of it's head the left ear poked out like a human funnel.
Inside the funnel ear sat a brown hen on top of her nest built out of straw, looking very happy and content.
Now, someone please tell me what that was all about?!
Sunday, 8 January 2012
gutted
I don't mean to moan. No, I take that back - I DO mean to moan. Childish as it might be I was gutted over the lack of Christmas cards this year. I probably sent around 25 cards, and got 5 back.
Five cards! Yes, I'm gutted. At least I didn't write Christmas cards to all employees this year, as I have done previous years... Because I was signed off work at Christmas I never had the time to do so, and even though I never exept cards back from staff I think it would've broken my heart to have written 60-odd cards and only gotten back 5.
Five cards! Yes, I'm gutted. At least I didn't write Christmas cards to all employees this year, as I have done previous years... Because I was signed off work at Christmas I never had the time to do so, and even though I never exept cards back from staff I think it would've broken my heart to have written 60-odd cards and only gotten back 5.
Saturday, 31 December 2011
it's new years eve... Time for a list!
1. Did you do anything this year you’ve never done before?
Yes, I took a course in silver forging and loved it! I made some really nice jewelry - but best of all was the mindfulness of it all. Pure therapy!
7. What day from the year 2011 will you never forget?
A drunken night in a shabby pub talking to the mr properly for the first time. Boy did we talk! And talk. And talk.
Yes.
23. The best book you’ve read this year?
El Choko by the Swede Marcus Lutteman. Well worth a read.
29. What celeberty were you interested in?
It has been good fun following the royalties this year! Weddings, scandals, pregnancies etc. Never a dull moment there...
30. Who did you miss?
Lots of people of course. But it has been a year when I've missed my mother more than usual I think.
31. The best new acquaintances you met?
With that new job that came and went this year I met a bunch of lovely people.
Yes, I took a course in silver forging and loved it! I made some really nice jewelry - but best of all was the mindfulness of it all. Pure therapy!
2. Did you keep any of your New Year’s vows?
No, I didn't manage to fulfill my vow of last year. I did, however, try my best. Hopefully I'll succeed to do it this year.
No, I didn't manage to fulfill my vow of last year. I did, however, try my best. Hopefully I'll succeed to do it this year.
3. Did any of your friends become parents this year?
My brother and his wife had Max in March, and I became an aunt, whoop whoop!
My brother and his wife had Max in March, and I became an aunt, whoop whoop!
4. Did anyone close to you pass away?
No. Luckily.
No. Luckily.
5. What countries did you visit?
I was back on my beloved island Jersey this summer. And how I loved being back! Showing the mr. around the rock, seeing old friends and enjoying island life again.
I was back on my beloved island Jersey this summer. And how I loved being back! Showing the mr. around the rock, seeing old friends and enjoying island life again.
6. Is there anything you miss 2011 and want for 2012?
Lots of things and hopefully those wishes will come through in 2012.
Lots of things and hopefully those wishes will come through in 2012.
7. What day from the year 2011 will you never forget?
A drunken night in a shabby pub talking to the mr properly for the first time. Boy did we talk! And talk. And talk.
8. Your biggest success 2011?
None what so ever.
None what so ever.
9. Your greatest mistake?
Taking shit from people. I really should put my foot down a bit more.
Taking shit from people. I really should put my foot down a bit more.
10. Have you been ill or hurt yourself?
I have been, and am still ill. Getting better slowely though.
I have been, and am still ill. Getting better slowely though.
11. The best buy?
As vein as it might sound - I looooved getting my hair permed. I've dreamt of curly hair for years, and it was well worth the money, the ruined hair and all. Curly hair rules!
As vein as it might sound - I looooved getting my hair permed. I've dreamt of curly hair for years, and it was well worth the money, the ruined hair and all. Curly hair rules!
12. What did you spend most money on?
Rent, probably. I really ought to buy my own place soon.
Rent, probably. I really ought to buy my own place soon.
13. Did anything make you really happy?
Two things: having a wonderful job for 6 months which I loved and of course meeting the mr.
Two things: having a wonderful job for 6 months which I loved and of course meeting the mr.
14. What tunes will remind you of 2011?
Adele was big this year. Also a lot of childrens tunes, which I learned to sing during my fab job for those 6 months.
Adele was big this year. Also a lot of childrens tunes, which I learned to sing during my fab job for those 6 months.
15. Where you happier or sadder this year compared to previous years?
Pretty much same as usual.
Pretty much same as usual.
16. What do you wish you’d done more of?
sleep and standing my ground.
sleep and standing my ground.
17. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Work.
Work.
18. How will you spend New Year’s Eve?
At home, with nice people, nice food and nice drinks. And the cats, of course!
19. Did you fall in love this year?At home, with nice people, nice food and nice drinks. And the cats, of course!
Yes.
20. How many one night stands did you have?
None, of course!
None, of course!
21. Favourite TV programme?
Got quite into The Mentalist this year. Didn't actually follow any series religiously though!
Got quite into The Mentalist this year. Didn't actually follow any series religiously though!
23. The best book you’ve read this year?
El Choko by the Swede Marcus Lutteman. Well worth a read.
24. The greatest musical discovery?
Cornelis Vreeswijk. Better late than never, I guess.
Cornelis Vreeswijk. Better late than never, I guess.
25. What did you do on your birthday 2011?
I had a lovely birthday with presents and breakfast in bed, then an outing with tea and cake at Zetas garden centre, a lovely walk followed by dinner and more presents and cake in the evening.
I had a lovely birthday with presents and breakfast in bed, then an outing with tea and cake at Zetas garden centre, a lovely walk followed by dinner and more presents and cake in the evening.
26. Is there anything that could’ve made 2011 to a better year?
Could’ve should’ve would’ve… No use thinking along those lines.
Could’ve should’ve would’ve… No use thinking along those lines.
27. How would you describe your style 2011?
Mad hair. Denims or skirts, chunky boots or shoes, lots of colour and cardigans.
Mad hair. Denims or skirts, chunky boots or shoes, lots of colour and cardigans.
28. What made you feel good?
Lovely people who showed that they cared when things got hard.
Lovely people who showed that they cared when things got hard.
29. What celeberty were you interested in?
It has been good fun following the royalties this year! Weddings, scandals, pregnancies etc. Never a dull moment there...
30. Who did you miss?
Lots of people of course. But it has been a year when I've missed my mother more than usual I think.
31. The best new acquaintances you met?
With that new job that came and went this year I met a bunch of lovely people.
Tuesday, 20 December 2011
packing up
I have dreamt alot about moving lately. Moving from Jersey, moving to Jersey. Things going wrong.
For a week or so I dreamt of missing the plane or not having the right ticket. Now, for the last couple of weeks I've dreamt about not being able to pack everything...
... It's either not being able to access my belongings to actually start packing, or having too much to pack and not being able to carry it all. Or, like last night, managing to pack it all up eventually, only for the carboard box to break and the strap on the carrybag to snap.
I'm so obviously stuck in something I don't know how to get out of. I seem to have an unsolvable problem on my hands.
For a week or so I dreamt of missing the plane or not having the right ticket. Now, for the last couple of weeks I've dreamt about not being able to pack everything...
... It's either not being able to access my belongings to actually start packing, or having too much to pack and not being able to carry it all. Or, like last night, managing to pack it all up eventually, only for the carboard box to break and the strap on the carrybag to snap.
I'm so obviously stuck in something I don't know how to get out of. I seem to have an unsolvable problem on my hands.
Saturday, 17 December 2011
nothing cheap about sheep
When I was little I used to cuddle our lambs. They had the softest puds, and I used to love stroking them. I could sit with the sheep and lambs for hours, just cuddling (and probably singing to them too - I had a bad habit of singing to our animals constantly).
Every spring me and my brother got to name a couple of lambs each. The ones we named were ours - that's until they got slaughtered of course. It was nothing strange about the lambs being slaughered. It was part of nature, and we thought nothing of it. I remember the look on some of my dad's colleuges whilst at a party at our house once: I walked around as a happy 8 year old, pretending to be a waitress (my dreamjob as a kid), carrying a silver tray offering the guests "smoked Peter". Peter had been one of "my" lambs, and I knew he'd been slaughtered and smoked... Et voila! There he was, sliced up on my silver tray!
These days I live in a flat in the middle of Stockholm. I sometimes miss having lots of animals around me. Luckily my sister has a farm not far away, and every now and again I get to cuddle a sheep.
Today I suddenly realized that Tylor's puds are very much like lamb puds. And his fur is very similar to theirs too... Could this be why I liked him so much from day one?
Thursday, 15 December 2011
Wednesday, 14 December 2011
an apology and an eggyolk!
It's been a whole month since I last wrote something on here. The reason being is that I haven't been well and been working too much. As a result I'm now signed off sick, which is NOT what I'll write about now...
No, I'm going to write about my beloved cats. It's been far too long! :-)
As some of you know, Tylor has a history of puking. He's being sick after eating quite regulary. This is something I've gotten used to over the years - it happens in periods, and then it doesn't for a while. I monitor his weight and fur, and he never seems to be affected by this vomiting palaver. Even the vets say it's ok as long as he doesn't start to loose weight, fur etc.
But lately he's lost a little weight. Not much, but he is skinny and a little weight loss on him is like me loosing a couple of stone (which isn't a fair comparasing as I would look all so much better for it whereas he doesn't... But you get my drift I'm sure).
In hope of finding some new weight gaining tips for cats on the internet - I've tried about a thousand already - I sat down and googled today:
Raw eggyolk.
Hmmm. Not a bad idea, I thought and got an egg out of the fridge. As Tylor will not eat anything cold straight from the fridge I put it in the microwave for a few seconds.
Tylor must've known I was up to feeding him something, because he was nowhere to be found (which was quite nice after having him on my shoulder for the previous 4 hours. No exhaggeration.).
When I found him on the shelf above the TV I put the bowl of eggyolk in front of him. He miaued his "stop it and get that out of my face"-miau.
I dipped my fingers in the eggyolk and put my fingers in front of his nose. He sniffed it. Came a bit too close and managed to get a tiiiiiny drop of eggyold on his nose...
...Oh the disguist! He wouldn't even lick it off, but instead used his paw to wipe it away, meanwhile doing his "why are you so mean to me"-miau.
He ran off. I rinsed the bowl and heated up his baby kitten milk instead. I guess old faithfuls are the ones to stick by...
No, I'm going to write about my beloved cats. It's been far too long! :-)
As some of you know, Tylor has a history of puking. He's being sick after eating quite regulary. This is something I've gotten used to over the years - it happens in periods, and then it doesn't for a while. I monitor his weight and fur, and he never seems to be affected by this vomiting palaver. Even the vets say it's ok as long as he doesn't start to loose weight, fur etc.
But lately he's lost a little weight. Not much, but he is skinny and a little weight loss on him is like me loosing a couple of stone (which isn't a fair comparasing as I would look all so much better for it whereas he doesn't... But you get my drift I'm sure).
In hope of finding some new weight gaining tips for cats on the internet - I've tried about a thousand already - I sat down and googled today:
Raw eggyolk.
Hmmm. Not a bad idea, I thought and got an egg out of the fridge. As Tylor will not eat anything cold straight from the fridge I put it in the microwave for a few seconds.
Tylor must've known I was up to feeding him something, because he was nowhere to be found (which was quite nice after having him on my shoulder for the previous 4 hours. No exhaggeration.).
When I found him on the shelf above the TV I put the bowl of eggyolk in front of him. He miaued his "stop it and get that out of my face"-miau.
I dipped my fingers in the eggyolk and put my fingers in front of his nose. He sniffed it. Came a bit too close and managed to get a tiiiiiny drop of eggyold on his nose...
...Oh the disguist! He wouldn't even lick it off, but instead used his paw to wipe it away, meanwhile doing his "why are you so mean to me"-miau.
He ran off. I rinsed the bowl and heated up his baby kitten milk instead. I guess old faithfuls are the ones to stick by...
Sunday, 13 November 2011
Monday, 17 October 2011
blonde but handy
I'm not one for usually discussing gender issues. I think humans use their assets if they can, no matter if they are women or men. I know I have. Used the fact that I'm a blonde woman in certain situations to get help/get favoured etc.
However, it pisses me off when people presume that intelligence and interests are based on ones gender:
I love DIYing. Wallpapering, painting, putting in new floors. I hate cleaning. So big f-ing what?
The other day my new landlord came around to inspect the flat. He spoke to me as if I was a bit thick. He asked me if I had had the floor boards in the kitchen changed. I told him I'd done it. He asked me who'd done it for me. I said - again - that I'd done it. Myself.
His whole approach to me changed within a second. I wonder why? It can't be that rare, can it?
Sunday, 16 October 2011
Friday, 14 October 2011
age change
I feel no different to when I was 20. But looking back at photos from that time in my life, I sure have changed physically.
I remember, as a child, standing next to my mum as she looked herself in the mirror and said "I wish these hamster pouches would go away" as she was pulling her skin under her cheeks. Back then I thought it was a strange comment as I loved my mother just the way she was and thought she was stunning. Today I know exactly what she meant, as it is one of the facial features I've inherritaged from her.
The same with the weight gain. Again, as a kid I didn't understand why my mum had clothes in her wardrobe that didn't fit her (and, as far as I knew, never had fitted her). Today I know. I still have my favourite jeans from years ago - back from the time when they actually did fit. They will never fit me again, I'm pretty sure. But I keep them. Just in case.
A thing that I do like, however, are my wrinkles. I have always had a baby face, and I remember vividly how I (on my 30th birthday!) discovered a big crease in the middle of my forehead. I was over the moon! "Finally I might look my age" I thought to myself. And the crow feet around my eyes that have started to appear the last year or so - well I like them. Weird as it might sound.
But as far as inside - I'm pretty sure I'm the same old Dana as I was in my 20's. Maybe a little wiser, a little less restless. But apart from that it's pretty much the same. And we all know it's the inside that counts, don't we?
I remember, as a child, standing next to my mum as she looked herself in the mirror and said "I wish these hamster pouches would go away" as she was pulling her skin under her cheeks. Back then I thought it was a strange comment as I loved my mother just the way she was and thought she was stunning. Today I know exactly what she meant, as it is one of the facial features I've inherritaged from her.
The same with the weight gain. Again, as a kid I didn't understand why my mum had clothes in her wardrobe that didn't fit her (and, as far as I knew, never had fitted her). Today I know. I still have my favourite jeans from years ago - back from the time when they actually did fit. They will never fit me again, I'm pretty sure. But I keep them. Just in case.
A thing that I do like, however, are my wrinkles. I have always had a baby face, and I remember vividly how I (on my 30th birthday!) discovered a big crease in the middle of my forehead. I was over the moon! "Finally I might look my age" I thought to myself. And the crow feet around my eyes that have started to appear the last year or so - well I like them. Weird as it might sound.
But as far as inside - I'm pretty sure I'm the same old Dana as I was in my 20's. Maybe a little wiser, a little less restless. But apart from that it's pretty much the same. And we all know it's the inside that counts, don't we?
Friday, 7 October 2011
Wednesday, 5 October 2011
disappointment
I have been insulted and humiliated this week. I feel completely shat upon and I really don't know how to shake it off. It's a horrible feeling and I really don't know how to shake it off.
I can't talk to anyone whom it concerns about it, as it would only make the situation worse. I tried today and it just blew up in my face.
Oh I wish mankind would be more honest. More sincere. I really do.
I can't talk to anyone whom it concerns about it, as it would only make the situation worse. I tried today and it just blew up in my face.
Oh I wish mankind would be more honest. More sincere. I really do.
Friday, 30 September 2011
the snail meeting
 |
| I saw a snail on the patio the other day and got my macro lens out to take a close up... |
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| He noticed me, but I managed to get a good close up of his little face. |
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| Then he withdrew himself into his shell. Never letting me go with his little eyes. |
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| All of a sudden one of his tentacles/eyes came straight into the lens as to say "are you still there?" |
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| I guess he then decided the lens wasn't too dangerous after all, because he decided to come out and play again. :-) |
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