Saturday

Last night was pretty crappy: I had a headache that just knocked me out. Even though it was better by the morning, I felt wiped. Usually, that would put a pretty big dent in my day but, today, I was actually fine with it. The sun was shining and I had a good excuse not to do anything... or go anywhere...  and, sometimes, we all need a day like that ;) Andreas put out the patio furniture. I helped him do some planting in the garden. The boys played on the trampoline. We had a nice, relaxing day in our backyard and it was a real treat!

This summer, we decided to only do very short trips away from home. Even though we had a great holiday in Scandinavia last summer, I am looking forward to spending time here... at home... enjoying our own space. There are so many outdoor projects that we would like to do and it will be so nice to actually get to them for a change. Is it wrong to want to be lazy? ;) Sign me up!

Hope you all had a great Saturday! xox

Doing nothing

Today is a doing-nothing sort of day. The stores are crazy with Boxing Day and the weather is not very pleasant (ice rain). Downstairs, the boys are making lots of noise with visiting friends. For the moment, it is still happy noise, so I am OK with it ;) Andreas and I are upstairs,  enjoying some coffee, chocolates, lakrids, Julmust ... and doing nothing.

Wishing you all a good doing-nothing sort of day xox

Stressed out.... no, thanks!

Last year, Andreas and I decided to take the train to work and, despite my initial misgivings about the schedule, have grown to really appreciate it. I don't often realize how much I appreciate it until I actually have to drive downtown again. It reminds me how stressed out people on the roads are. Trying to save a few seconds, a big city bus squeezed by us in traffic and just about took off our side mirror and scratched the side of our car- yes- of course, the new one. Filling out that accident report (while all the poor people on the bus were waiting) really saved a lot of time! It didn't end here.... I also encountered a woman who gave me a strange look for letting her pass in front of me and an angry man who just was angry... and trying to eat a sandwich/talk on the phone/drink his coffee while driving.  It was all about being first and faster. Wow- no wonder there are so many accidents and mishaps on the road. Let me tell you that I was glad to get home and de-stress ;)
When we were deciding to go back to public transport, the obvious pros on our list were expense, no need for parking, time together, the environment and the ability to read on the train. I never really thought of stress avoidance. Maybe, on public transport, there remains an inter person connection that encourages us to be polite... maybe, being in a car, there is a relative anonymity- similar to the internet- that brings out the worst in people... Anyway, whatever it is, a big thanks to all the relatively awesome people on the train! I salute you :)

A bit of calm...

So excited!

We booked our summer holidays! One week in Prince Edward Island with some of the most awesome people that we know. The house will be filled with seven kids (6 boys + one poor girl) so I have reserved these two seats for me and my sister wife.... just imagine.... but with a keg of margarita mix between us ;)

Ahhhhh.......

In Sweden

Our first full day in Sweden started off quietly: we managed to sleep in a bit (OK... maybe not Alexander..... he woke me up at 4am because he was bored) and get in the rhythm of Swedish time. After our breakfast/lunch, we went crab fishing in the sea.... don't worry, we returned them at the end so no crabs were harmed in the making of this post ;) We had fika with Andreas' sister and her children and are now back, taking it easy before dinner... ahhhhh! I think that I can get used to this vacation routine (or lack of) :)

Happy upcoming weekend to all! xox

Seriously crazy...

This past week has been seriously crazy on multiple levels. In light of this, I can say that I am so happy and relieved to be home, kids bathed/fed and not having to do anything at all!!! Heaven!

Happy Friday evening to you all :)

Back again...

I told you that it was a super fast trip ;) I am back again and we spent some time outside, enjoying a bit of sun before the grey clouds started to roll in again... Now the boys have some friends over, doing a mass YouTube party. They enjoy watching other people play video games.... can't say that I get that concept ;) Oh well! They are quiet and not fighting... that is always worth something :)
Happy Saturday to you all! xox

Bye bye, Toronto!

Hello, Montreal!

Now I am back to play with Oliver......

..... and Nicka......

....... and way-too-cool Alexander.......

Beautiful day!

Murphy's Law

When I go to the pool with the boys, I have to drag them kicking and screaming out of there in order to leave. This afternoon, Andreas took the boys to the pool so that I could have some uninterrupted work time. Perfect...ahhhhhh! Reality strikes: Alexander hurt his foot and wanted to come home early. Nicka and Oliver were also fed up with the pool and fine with coming home early :P Of course!

I had just opened a can of the beer that Andreas had bought for me, when they all walked through the door. Since we can't visit Denmark this summer, he brought a bit of Denmark home for me ;) So much for my relaxing beer and catching up on work reading!

Happy Wednesday evening to all!

Busy-ness

I know that, with this blog, it seems like I never work and you know I totally agree that it looks that way ;) Anyway, not to bore you all with details, I would like to share a few good things that happened on the work front.
Andreas and I just had our second "collaborator" paper published. You know the whole science "publish or perish"? Well, it is true so it is nice to get some work out. Yes, I know that it is funny that Andreas and I work together too :S
Today, I gave a talk at a local cancer wellness centre (my research experience is in oncology). It went well and the participants asked a lot of questions. They also gave me a lot of important insight into their needs and how to better understand how to work with this patient population. It was a small group and very cosy. Very different dynamics from teaching.
In a few hours, I have a parents' meeting for the big boys' school. We're even going out for dinner together! Almost like a night out ;) I'll take it!
This is one of the last weeks of school for the boys and just before the vacations start to happen at work so it is a bit chaotic. We're in the middle of following both the summer schedule (with all the soccer) and also the day to day part!  Everybody needs to meet about everything NOW! I am looking forward to doing more of the below (see picture) ;)

Good evening to you all!

Ahhhhh.... :)

Ahhhhh...

It has been an incredibly action-packed weekend. Between the soccer games and other household chores, it has been pretty crazy. Tomorrow is a day off from school for the kids and, so, I will be at home with them, trying to get as much work done as possible ;) I am now winding down and trying to relax! Good night! See you all tomorrow!