Blog

Airport security

Heathrow Airport = NO!  Not again.  I’ll pay extra money to avoid that airport. An hour and a half layover between planes and we still ended up running for the gate at the last minute.  The bus between terminals was 20 minutes.  I’m pretty sure Terminal 3 is in a completely different town.  X-rays are … Read more

Rooty Tooty Fresh and Fruity

One thing I do not look forward to when I visit the U.S. is the ridiculous names that I’m expected to read off restaurant menus when I want something to eat.  Even when I lived in the U.S., I refused to say things like “Rooty Tooty Fresh and Fruity” or “Moons Over My Hammy.” One … Read more

The Fugitive

Almost all of my knowledge about Chicago is based on “The Fugitive.”  However, my husband doesn’t think it’s funny that at every restaurant and museum, I walk up to the desk and tell them I’m looking for a one-armed man. It’s my vacation too, you know!

Chicago

We are heading for Chicago for a short trip on our way to Texas.  Why Chicago, you ask?  Because my husband just read a book about the serial killer H.H. Holmes from the 1890s and was fascinated by streets filled with horse manure and gritty worker conditions. But if anyone in customs asks, it’s for … Read more

Packing

We are taking a trip to the U.S. soon which requires many suitcases for a family of four.  Currently, all of these suitcases are packed and crammed into my bedroom.  I’d like to move them out into the front hall, but I’ve learned the hard way that little children like to sneak things into suitcases … Read more

Beware the Danger!

I, myself, was viciously attacked this morning by the pineapple spike menace. How many others will have to suffer before we stop this madness! Pineapples – a danger to all! Heed my warning!

Gourmet

So tell me why my son doesn’t want to eat an olive in his pasta, yet he will gladly drink a homemade “nature drink” from his older brother made with pond water, tree bark and leaves?  (Resulting in a stomach ache, of course.)

Students

You see, when the kids graduate in Sweden, they load them up on trucks and take them away to their new jobs. At least that’s what I think they do.  Other people tell me it’s just a tradition that graduating students ride in dump trucks with birch branches yelling along with loud music while spraying … Read more

Naked neighbors

“My neighbor is naked – What should I do?” This is the headline I read today in the paper after reading a magazine that had an article called, “Can you be kicked out of your home for being naked?” Once again, I love that this is the big story everywhere in Sweden.  Other countries have … Read more

Crawling bug season

It’s that time of year again when you find little, irritating bugs clinging to you when you come in from the outdoors.  Yesterday it was little black flies.  I know those little green worms that hang from the trees are coming soon.  These type of bugs don’t actually do anything, but I challenge anyone to … Read more

Doll head

You want to know one of the creepiest things you can look up on Google Image search?  “Doll head.”  I learned this the hard way.

Anne

Son:  The doll that sits on my shelf – I call her Anne – she has a thorn in her foot. Me: I didn’t know you named her Anne.  That’s a pretty name, why did you pick that? Son: It’s one of King Henry VIII’s wives that he beheaded.

Tips on traveling to Sicily

Just back from a wonderful trip to Sicily.  If you are ever planning to travel there, let me give you a few tips: 1. Upon landing, send one person in your party to collect a number for the car rental line.  Pick up bags, have a nice lunch, and maybe by then there will only … Read more

Spices

Don’t put these spices (cinnamon & cayenne pepper) near each other on a spice rack.  I’ve already ruined 2 desserts.

For those sort-of special occasions

Marriage = Champagne 3rd date = Champale Job promotion = Champagne Got to leave work early on a Wednesday = Champale College graduation = Champagne Certificate for completing your knitting course = Champale