I did The Art of Becoming More with Kolette and Jason last year and now was a good time to look at the goals I sat during that class.

1. Working less

2. Losing weight

3. Learn something new

Okay. I did good…

Working less was my main thing last year, and I think I have succeeded reaching that goal. And that feels good. I don’t see a need to put that one on my list for 2009.

Losing weight and eating healthier – did not happen at all. Did I forget? No, I just overlooked that one. That was not a good choice, but a choice I can live with. Hmm…that means I have to drag that goal all the way into 2009.

Learn something new. I did, I did. I learned a lot in 2008. Finding the courage to take the opportunity to learn through the internet was a lucky choice for me. And I will keep doing that.

This tells me that one of my goals for 2009 will be eating healthier. I don’t want to focus on losing weight, mostly because there really isn’t that much weight to lose. I am just talking about feeling more comfort buying cloths.

It has been snowing all day. It is wet and I don’t think it will be there in a few days. I have been working on finishing my pages for my Christmas journal. I went back to work on the 27′Th and worked until New Year. I was planning to make an album featuring the highlights in 2008 for my brother and his wife for Christmas. Since my photo developer didn’t deliver at their end, I wasn’t able to finish. I used the evenings between Christmas and New Year to finish the album. So I cut my journal short and did 28, 29, and 30 into one page highlighting the album.

The days between Christmas and New Year

On December 26 grandpa and grandpa had the pleasure of giving the grandchildren the “cars”. So – maybe the adults had more fun than the kids – but who cares…

Elin had to try the car outside and she did have FUN.

Kristian liked this one best, and his feet were almost long enough...

It was Elin Marie’s day. She followed grandma and grandpa into the woods to get the Christmas tree today. She got to do the picking.

Not easy to have short legs in the snow...

Is this big enough grandpa?

Lets get home grandma.

Were do I put the gifts?

Now, I think this tree need some stash, but that have to wait for another story.

Lyngstad – May 17 ..early 60`s…

I was browsing Face book earlier this evening and I found this photo posted by an old friend of the family. Gunnar and my brother are seven years older than me and from my perspective Gunnar was always there when I grew up. The boys were always hanging out together.

The last time the family had Sunday dinner together we talked about this. I was trying to convince my brother and his wife how important it is, writing down their stories. Coming straight from Jessica Sprague’s class; Stories in hand, I was really burning about this. I know I am fighting a losing battle to get them to write anything, but that is not stopping me from trying.

We got to talk about the good old days. We talked about my brothers first job and how Gunnar’s father became his first boss. My brother started out as a TV repairman.  We all have clear memories about the first television, and we remember when my father came home with the color TV.

But, we had all forgotten those crazy years my brother worked in the TV business. The dishwasher, the car stereos, the video, the satellite, the video camera, the hairdryer….Man, there was an ongoing stream of newbie’s and we were right in the middle of it. And…we had forgotten all about how big this was for us. My dad had the best time in his life and I think Gunnar’s dad also had exiting days being responsible for getting this new fashion things into people’s home.

About the photo and the importance of it…I don’t have a photo of “the old road”. Nowadays the road is on the other side of the river.

…I spent som time with my family this weekend. It was nice to meet the kids.

What is it about boys and cars?

                                            Okay…I was more like thinking about this kids….

Elin Marie and Kristian knows how to "play grandpa"...

 

                                                           

                ELIN JANNE

The flag raised at Lyngstad.

Here comes the parade.

Yes, looking good.

 In Bud the first graders held their sign high with the headmaster Kjerstin looking proud.

While those who just finished school were just as proud and happy.

And like always, someone has to work every May 17.

We had the best day we could whish for. More than one place, Oslo included, had snow to day. What is a little cold wind compared to snow. I bet there is a lot of kids stuffed with soda and ice cream just now.

The best part of May 17 this year is that tomorrow it is SUNDAY…..

To day when I was looking through the photos from Sunday I was quite stunned. I had no idea that our “little Tor” could be looking so good when he sat down in a suite. I just had to make a page with this good looking guy.

The only thing that came to mind was; he was looking presidential….I guess I am a little influenced by the American presidential campaign these days.

Some time ago we found this old photo of the village where we were born and raised. My brother wanted to try and catch the same view to day in 2008. He just sent me this photo. Seem to me that he has to clear some forest before he gets the exact same view.

But, it’s not bad at all.

click on the photo and get the full size.

Otherwise I have been sorting my scrap stuff to day. I had hoped that I would get it done before the weekend, if not – I just go on until it’s done.