Nursery verdict, IKEA, Dentist and other things..

So, what's been happened since Friday...

On Friday we went to have a look at the nursery in the neighbourhood, it was shite... just like our neighbourhood. We have to move before I go bonkers walking past all "street drinkers" (they like to call themselves that apparently) - that's drunks to others by the way- every day..
But it was good to see it so we can rule it out and move on in life : )

Even though J was (a bit) ill we went to IKEA on Saturday with his mum and her partner, we had to buy some stuff for Axel (hello Mr Credit card!), we where really good and only bought what we needed and was on the list - it's a first - not even the compulsory tea lights or napkins went to Brighton! So anyway, picture me all flustered using a piece of paper as a fan next to a really pasty J in his winter jacket all zipped up walking hand in hand. Oh and yes, Axel didn't really like the buggy we borrowed so he got a bit pissed off after a while, ha ha priceless!!! By the end of the trip he was screaming of tiredness so I had to run in to the Swedish food shop and throw some random stuff in my basket while an ill J was standing with a screaming Axel... It was really nice to finally be home and it will probably be a while until we try the IKEA excursion again. BUT it was nice to see J's mum and she was real happy to see Axel so that was nice.

We just chilled on Sunday, I got a nice sleep-in which was lovely then breakfast in bed. It was raining cats and dogs (like they say here in England) but me and Axmax managed to walk under a big umbrella to meet Kirsty at Starbucks, never better to sit and drink hot chocolate and catch up than when it's raining outside.

I finally went to the dentist yesterday where I got my fears confirmed, I got a hole that needs fixing for the bargain price of £90 aarrrgggghhhhh.

- And today Ruth and I walked for about 3 hours in the sunshine, it's days like these I enjoy living by the sea.



Axel trying out his new highchair and tasting some porridge

Kalles Kaviar and my family

When I first moved to England in 1999 I missed lots of things from Sweden - my family and friends, Swedish food and of course the Swedish bureaucracy with its efficiency. Over the years I miss Sweden a little bit less and in a way a lot more. I do not pack my suitcase full of Swedish food every time I go back to England, I do not crave filmjölk (soured milk) or blodkorv (black puddingish) anymore, I have got used to the English bureaucracy with it's Victorian banks and instruction books to fill out "simple" forms or applications. BUT, the agonising longing for my family and friends have not been cured, during the years it has grown stronger and more heartbreaking, maybe because I know that the longer I live here the harder it will be to "move home". I have lived in many countries and moved more times than I can remember still the move home is almost too hard to grasp. Hopefully we will be brave enough to take that step one day... In the mean time it's great to have such lovely friends here : )

Ohh and I do have one Swedish craving left - thank you Kirsty for buying tubes of Kalles Kaviar!

he is finally asleep..

...but I do not seem to be able to get my bum off this sofa and into the bathroom for some de-grease. I long till Christmas when I go to Sweden, Carola carols, gingerbread men and Glögg (a bit like mulled wine). I bought some Blossa Glögg and Anna's gingerbread cookies already, but I have almost eaten it all already, but I have not cracked open the Glögg, gonna try and save it until December. I bought it at this cafe here in Brighton that got Swedish stuff as well, think it might be called 'Crumble and Scoop' - very expensive!! they know Swedish people abroad are desperate.... And I have promised my self not to go to IKEA before X-mas cos I buy way too much when I go, candles and now with all the Christmas decorations... minefield : ) But my addiction to Kaviar is coming through, used the last little bit of it a week ago and can already feel the abstinence kicking in, lol... Maybe we go next Sunday, "need" to buy a highchair for Axmax anyway.

Anyway.. now I must go before he wakes up again...