First off, I’ve still got the Snugli instructions for anyone who wants them. Here’s the link. I hope it is what you are looking for and that the instructions help you.
Almost 5 years since my last post and life is just chugging along. We managed to visit my family in the US fall of 2019, but we haven’t been back since covid shook up the world. We’ve been lucky and fared the pandemic well. The kids were only out of school for a couple of months. However, I had a full mental breakdown and was on sick leave for a month, started therapy and medication for anxiety and major depression. Just so many things over the years (infertility, loss of my mom, IVF, undiagnosed post natal depression, depression) piled up and the family being home all day everyday was the tipping point. (I’m only a week off the meds now and oh boy are these brain zaps fun. No, they’re not really.) I semi-jokingly think that the way Finns like their space and distance helped keep them safer during the pandemic, but also they are quite good a following rules when they are told to. I need to start planning to see my family for spring 2024.
Paxlet (son) is now 11 and Tadbit (daughter) 8,5. The teen years are not far off. And many days I think they are already upon us. My goodness they’ve got attitude! And I’ve no idea where they’ve gotten it from! Hah! I’m still amazed that I get to parent these two kids, even on the difficult days usually.
In 2021 the company I had worked at since 2008 had another round of layoffs and since I had survived the last 3 cullings, there was no one else to get rid of. I did stay on until the end of the year, got a bit of extra pay. And then I was hired at my new/current job the last day of 2021! I’m doing mostly the same finance things but in a much smaller company; from 17 000 employees down to 300. Everything is going well, especially now that the learning curve has mellowed out and I’m not making as many mistakes that annoy the customer. I never said I was perfect!
I’m still parkrun-ing! In fact, my local parkrun is turning 6 this Saturday! And there is now 7 events around the country. I’ve found a great community of people, Finnish and international, you couldn’t keep me away. Running 5km, but mostly walking or volunteering, each Saturday is a great time to (re)energize myself. And the after chat in a cafe with a latte or tea and dessert afterward isn’t bad either.
With the kids getting older, having their own hobbies and being able to be a bit more independent, I’m slowing finding myself again. In fact, this fall I’ve finally started Taekwondo again, after a 13 or so year break. (Paxlet was practicing, but took a break this year and Tadbit started her second year.) My body aches and I’ve got bruises galore (nothing new on either account), but I’m really enjoying it.
I’ve taken up visible mending and patch making with much gusto. It started with the kids’ clothes always needing fixing. And some of mine too, and Mr Siili’s when he’d let me. And then it turned into creating patches of fabric with hand sewn designs all over them. I love a good challenge of fixing something so it can be used longer. Or even just making it look pretty and unique. Some friends have even trusted me with their clothes to mend them. In the last month I’ve even started crocheting: tons of granny squares to make a pair of shorts!
So much has changed, yet so much feels the same. There really isn’t much I’d want to change about life, it’s being decent to me. Well, I could use less body aches, more money and more time to do what I want, but couldn’t we all? I’m not sure if I’m coming back to blogging or not. I think about it some time. But for now I’m quite happy with posting random pictures on Instagram, listening to podcasts and audiobooks and crafting.
I hope you are well and life is treating you decently.
I realize, this wasn’t so quick of a post. LOL
BattleFish 