Elisa's Journal

QuickPost | System Overview | Movable Type Publishing Platform One of our dearest couple-friends lost their 21 year-old son, Tommy, yesterday in a tragic car accident. We have fond memories of the family. The father was instrumental in landing Rune his job as a stockbroker. Why he did, I don't know, because back then, about 24 years ago, Rune didn't even speak English fluently. He was a next-to-broke flight instructor with no prior experience and a car that needed more radiator fill-ups than gas fill-ups. Fortunately, Rune ended up being one of his star hires. Their first born, a 22 year-old girl, is just a few months older than our first born. I clearly remember how she helped "seal the deal" on our daughter's toilet training. (and no, it wasn't last week, thank you.) Every time we got together with them, we had a blast, but with our busy lives and geographical separation, we didn't do that enough. I remember the mom and I discussing how Tommy loved his truck. He had a monster of a system in it that could entertain a tri-county area with rap and hip-hop. Unfortunately, he suffered from a serious drug/alcohol problem, although I have no idea this was a factor in his death. It doesn't matter. He's gone. Maybe we can learn a couple of things from it, though. First, keep in touch with your friends. They may need you. Who knows, maybe I could have done something to prevent this tragedy. Second, love your children. Every time they leave for school or an outing, scoop them up in your arms, hug them tightly and cover them with kisses. Tell them how much they mean to you, how much you love them, and how grateful you are to have them in your life. Sure, they'll groan and look thoroughly disgusted, but you never know, that might just be your very last chance.

Posted by elisa at 09:33 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

—QuickPost | System Overview | Movable Type Publishing Platform

Well, what can I say...weeee'reeee baaaacccckkk! Our trip to Norway was short, but wonderful. Even though we were all cooped up in a small chalet, nobody murdered, maimed, dismembered or emotionally scarred anyone. I feel pretty good about that, really. There was alot of snow--so much that I was able to build a snow cave for the kids in a 15-foot drift. My fondest memories will be me, head first in the cave, feet and tightly wedged butt wiggling earnestly with snow chunks hurtling out like missiles. I became known as the badger...which is pretty coincidental since I do like to badger my kids. Hmmm, I mighty have to take a look at the family tree. Anyway, the cave ended up with three bedrooms, a meeting room, and shelves for lanterns. Cozying up in it in the middle of the night with a little candle was comfortable. In fact, I was sweating a little although the winds were howling and the temperature was subzero. The only drawback after all my efforts were that, although the kids thought it was awesome, they probably spent all of ten minutes collectively over the 11 day period. Oh well. Might have been Rune's warning about imminent cave-ins, recent nighttime Yeti sightings, etc. Speaking of warnings, we found out that a wolf was sighted by a neighbor the day after we left for home. Wolves just don't exist in that tundra area! But then again, elk used not to exist there and now folks are sighting them. I guess it's only natural that the wolves should follow. Question is, do I arm the kids with pepper spray or AK-47's when they go on hikes during our next vacation there? I mean, elk---they run like lightning. If I were a wolf it's be like "Hmm, sprinting elk that will make me lose more calories than I'll consume or little redhead stumbling through the snow drifts like a marmot in the throes of a seizure?" You do the math.

Since it's always a good idea to end on a cheery note, I'll close for now. Look for pictures coming soon!

Posted by elisa at 09:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)