Weeks 6 & 7- Politics, Pools and Jet Lag

Dear C,

We have returned  to Sweden and my head is very foggy and I have no idea of the time. I just finished The Paris Wife: A Novel and really enjoyed it as it kept me sane on the plane and this night while on American time.

I was or am sad to leave my family and friends and of course the weather...as now I am actually wearing pants and a sweater and am wondering what happened to August?

There is so much to tell-I think we should have a coffee and catch up as I can´t possibly say all the things that I need to about working out, running and life especially since my brain isn´t working.

When I went away I thought I was being so savy by making dr´s appts so I could get everything done before I go back to work and it just hasn´t turned out that way. First, I went to BB Stockholm to renew that 5 year old thing and then they told me since I was 41 that I needed to go to a different dr, and actually  not to worry about getting pregnant because I am 41...what? There are plenty of moms 41+ in Sweden. So I called this other dr. and of course they are on vacation. Then I went to Sophiahemmet for the continued saga on the lump in my breast for a special test. This test gave me a hematoma and it is the most painful thing ever-they in turn told me to go to my house dr. to check it out and so on and so forth...and our favorite Dr. D is on vacation so I have to go to some schmuck today. While I am there they will have to look at my foot which needs an x-ray because I injured it or did something running...ARE YOU LAUGHING YET?

Seriously, I feel like I am falling apart. My body is not keeping up with what I would like it to. I have pains, and stiffness and have told myself it is from sleeping in different beds, and sitting on the plane. But is it?

So today, the kids and I are going to Böson to the pool where I can aqua-jog (the only thing my body can take now).

In my last entry, I felt so good so hopefully this feeling will all goes back to the jet-lag. Could I contribute it to the mine in our backyard? Only about 30 tons of rock left which L likes to dig at when he comes home from work at night. Or is it the turmoil of the world, The Stockmarket, the poor and unemployeed, the blame game, Obama, Afganistan or even England?

Or what about running? I want to be a runner but instead I think the steple chase may be for me. Jumping over obstacles seems so much more my style...ha! I just must remember what I told little M when she went running with me. You can´t give up but you can rest...that I will do for now.

With love,
G

Week 5 & 6 Rain, Tears and Fear

Oh, dear G, week 5 was a rainy one. I find myself saying to the kids: oh, what a great weather for playing games and reading books. But after a couple of days… didn't even believe it myself.

Bad weather makes a big difference to a vacation. It requires some consolation: some home baked, a little extra food, some wine, another coffee… and yes, an extra sandwich. What it doesn't: makes you wanna go running.

But with our 100 days club, I did run. Proud to say it: I ran as planned – not as far or as fast when the wind was too hard, but as often.

As the rain continued.

And as we got more and more tired of it.

Second day of week 6 an evil Crazy Conservative Christian decided to combine the Oklahoma City bombing and Columbine High School murders. Placed a bomb in central Oslo, and took his guns to a youth camp at the Norwegian island Utøya. Yes, you've heard about it, and I know you can imagine how the papers, news sites, TV and radio, every conversation – over the phone or not – was full of the stories about how a police dressed, blond, strong man told children that they could trust him, that they were safe – and then shot them. Pleading, bleeding, hiding, screaming, swimming, drowning – he shot them. Didn't want to read about it, couldn't stop reading about it, and imagining the fear they felt.

We had grey days. And it rained.

Made some excursions. And it rained.

Then singer Amy Winehouse was tragically found dead, aged 27.

It felt black.

And rained a little more.

My loved and lovely daughter L turned 4 – the most windy and rainy day we could imagine. L cried on the bed as she had imagined her birthday sunny, bathing, picking berries, biking… And I felt it was my fault – having descried what a mid summer birthday she has.

A couple of days later it still rained, and my father's wife died of cancer. Two days before her 64th birthday, five months after being diagnosed, when her two grandchildren were 2,5 – and a baby. She had the same birthday as you, my dear friend. Which finally leads me to something good: Hurray! So happy to be your friend, and share to this blog.

Also good things: my dear sister-in-law and her family came from Switzerland – so nice to see them. And we had some great swims in the sea, CJ and I, after running. Oh no, not together, hey, we're only parents… but there will be a time when we do, won't it?

Hugs and blessings, C