Wednesday

This morning Hanna and I went to the Kungsbacka library for storytime. The theme is charming Alfons Aberg. We checked out some English books, Swedish cd's and dvd's. Hanna used some extra time on the computer working with Pippi and Bamse games. Afterwards, we treated ourselves to lunch in the acclaimed library cafe. Hanna ate a pannkakor with jam and cream. I had a bowl of fisk soppa. (fish soup). I was craving it after eating the same last week but was disappointed this week. The base was fantastic but the fish were too fiber like-- like the texture of fresh ginger root in my mouth. After lunch we went upstairs to the temporary Alfons Aberg play area. I'm reminded at these places that I should wear my best socks because you always have to take your shoes off. Likewise at preschool and gradeschool. (no fancy school shoes needed here!).
Home again and coffee with Mattias who is studying the Volvo manual for our new, used car that Mattias brought home on Tuesday. He just informed me that the Komvux (adult ed) Swedish for Immigrants teacher called him. Sounds like I'll be starting my Swedish classes this week! We'll get signed up tomorrow. I don't know the whole course yet but it will be 17 hours of class per week. Yikes, that will be intense. The teacher said there are a few other Americans in the class as well. I am looking forward to starting but it will throw a little wrench into our coordination with the girl's school. I was planning to accompany Hanna to her dagis (preschool) inskolning (orientation). Mattias and I will have to do some juggling as he is also working at home when he's not going to Uppsala once/week.
Mattias and the girls are outside now checking on the secret hideout on the rocks. What they don't know is that it is as plain as day to see, but I'll let them keep their special secret!
Mattias will sit Linus and Johan tonight at their house as Jens is out of town and Elisabet has Italian class. I promised the girls that I would make chocolate sauce for ice cream. (Jo Dell, that's alternate treat for today since the soup did not do the trick!).

More later,
Carrie

Sunny Sunday

Sunday was a beautiful, warm and sunny day! Something to write home about because it lasted for pretty much the whole day and then you know what happened the next day? It turned cold, misty and gray again! Again!!
The girls played outside for several hours. We got out their bikes from last summer and they enjoyed touring the neigborhood. Both have outgrown their bikes but it was better than nothing and they didn't complain at all. Hanna wanted to bike to our favorite blueberry picking spot. Sadly, we visited in the wrong season...oh well, a few more months. After biking, digging, playing with Itzy the dog, and playing hideout on the rocks, they enjoyed a nice mug of hot cocoa. See the ocean out there? It's there between the trees. This is the view from our little guest house we are occupying.


More later,
Carrie

Rainy Saturday

It has been raining all day today. Finally, the sun shone late in the afternoon but that was after days and days of gray and rain. So even a little sun is better than nothing.
Liv got home last night after a day full of school, friends and fun. She was literally exhausted! I'm sure hearing Swedish, speaking Swedish and being on best behaviour all day took it all out of her. When we got home, it was a "get your pajamas on at 6:30" kind of night. Hanna and I had gone to an overstocks store and she had picked out a couple of dvd's for the night. We figured out that we were able to adjust the language settings to English so the girls sat and enjoyed a nice evening after Liv "calmed down".
As they were watching the movies, I went through receipts trying to figure out how much money we've spent since arriving in Sweden and to get a grip on costs for food. I'm up in the air about the food costs. Food like pork is plentiful and relatively cheap; beef is super pricey; people buy this flash frozen chicken that is really tasty and surprisingly cheap in comparison to the other choices. And since fish and seafood is right out our back door, we can buy that too. I just need to get my confidence in order when ordering since I don't understand weights and measures yet in metric and my Swedish is even worse. Yesterday I spoke to a clerk in Swedish and she answered back in English. Okay, I'm trying!!! I am getting used to being an oddity and have people stop and look when the English comes out of my mouth.
We spend at least $100.00 on gas each time we fill and since I've been driving a lot this week, had to fill up for the second time. I think eventually, we'll need a more economical car, something with bio diesel to help alleviate the expense.
I have figured out that craft supplies for the kids projects are really expensive What,with a bottle of craft glue priced at over $3.00, I regret not snatching up those bottles of Elmer's when they were marked at 20 cents after school started! I will be on the search for an Oriental Trading type of company to see if we can buy some things for cheaper. Hanna and I made a stop on the bookstore yesterday to exchange a permanant marker--that was nearly $4.00 as well! Couldn't believe it! The English book choices for myself, paperbacks are close to $20.00 a book. I also should have stocked up as I thought I had more on hand here than what I actually do. Kids books, even in Swedish, are equally expensive. In order to find the bargains, I have been scoping out many stores to see what they have on hand. I like my bargains you know and hope to re create my Target end aisle experience somewhere here.
This morning we slept in, I cooked a lasagne, and after lunch we went to the Simhallen for a swim. I figured it would be super crowded but was manageable after all even despite the weather. I realized I really don't understand so much Swedish when the lady makes an announcement over the P.A. I hadn't a clue what she said but since others didn't budge, I figured I would have to either. I am doing a pretty good job watching what others do. Like there is no sign by the whirlpool hot tub, but when the bubbles stop, everyone hops out and sits on the edge, waiting for the timer to go on again. I don't know the intervals but this must be some kind of thing everyone knows about but us! The girls enjoyed the afternoon and had fun on the super slide. We wrapped up the afternoon with an ice cream and then arrived back home around 4.
We just finished supper at Jan and BrittMarie's and the girls are watching their dose of Bolibompa which is the name for the kids programming that occurs in the morning and at 6 p.m. They are pooped and we'll head to our cabin after the programs. I will try to find some t.v. tonight for myself. The past oouple of nights have been a Dancing with the Stars type show--pretty much the same set up as in the U.S.--only cornier music like the theme from Friends. "I'll be there for you...". I've also watched some obscure sports that you would never find on Prime Time U.S. t.v. like cross country ski races and European handball games. Sweden was playing like Czech Republic or something. I also caught a little Californication, which I think is HBO at home. Also on Prime Time and nothing censored here!
More later,
Carrie

Week 2 Sweden

So, things are coming together for us. After applying for Personal Numbers last week we received them this week. A personal number in Sweden is like a Social Security number in the U.S. but we get a lot more for it. With the numbers, we are able to obtain free daycare for Hanna-paid up to 15 hours per week if I am not working and 40 hours if I am working or in school; literally free healthcare; barnbidrag (child money)-which is a payment to us each month for each child until they reach age 18; and foraldrar pengar (parent money and time)-which is paid time off, up to 420 days!!!! (yes, we couldn't believe it either) for each child up to age 8 years old. Mattias will have to work for 6 months before the last one comes into effect but will be able to take the time with the child and get paid! And I'll be able to take the Swedish for Immigrant classes for free. I am anxious to get started on these. Once the numbers get into the system, that seems to create a trigger to a lot of areas. Mattias received a mail from the Police Dept. wanting to know about his hunting rifle. They would like him to send in the gun cabinet receipt once he purchases it! (too bad we didn't have that system at home when I nagged and nagged him).
Mattias is doing his Chairman of the Board gig and traveled to Uppsala again this week for a Board meeting. He'll do that once a week each month. Tomorrow he goes to a Board meeting for a separate Foundation and then will spend time in Stockholm with his Great Uncle Carl-Axel and then to Gotland to pick up our new (used) Volvo sedan. He'll take it onto the ferry and drive it home next Monday. This morning he went to Goteborg to visit the man holding our container shipment. Seems we get some money back from the Customs Dept. on this. That will be nice.
Liv is loving school but has been exhausted after her days and is "acting out" some, usually at 4 p.m. for some reason. She has been invited to a couple of events. On Friday after school at 12:30, she'll travel by school bus to her friend Elin's house--that is Liv, and 10 other girls and they are invited to stay for Tex Mex dinner. I'll pick her up at 6 p.m. and that would make 5 hours of girl fun--lucky for the parents to take on such an endeavor! School buses in Sweden are like coaches you take on a sightseeing tour--more plush. Not sure how you can obtain permission to take an additional 12 home but guess they worked it out. In February she is invited to go to another friend's birthday party. We will see if they do things differently here than at home.
Hanna and I visited her school for an hour on Tuesday. She was real curious to see what it would be like. Hanna played with Princess dress-up things, legos and did some jumping in the tumbling room. Next week we'll visit when the class goes outside and the week after will start our orientation. I've enjoyed spending one on one time with Hanna but know she is ready to hang with kids her own age. Yesterday we went to the Kungsbacka library for storytime. En route, I managed to fishtail the car as the rain turned to ice suddenly. That was my first experience and by law, all cars even have snow tires which didn't do much to help my position. I learned a lesson and drove more slowly after that.
After school today, we'll take an hour drive South to Ullared, the outlet area to see if they have reasonably priced outdoor gear for the girls. Liv spends at least twice a day outdoors at school and Hanna will spend much more than that at her daycare and we are short of things. I will do this with Mattias and the girls as we've heard Ullared can be quite hectic with tour busses, but also cheap prices! With a horrible exchange rate, that sounds appealing.

More later,
Carrie

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Florida and beyond...

After Christmas we decided to continue further South and landed in New Smyrna Beach, FL. When we were traveling we learned that a good friend and mentor of Mattias in Sweden, Rolf, had passed away. He was very ill due to cancer and fortunately,we were able to say our goodbyes with visits to his home this past Summer and Fall. With this event, it felt like a good time to wrap up our trip a bit earlier than planned. That was a bittersweet ending to a wonderful few months of the cruising life, but the right thing to do. Plans had been a bit up in the air in regards to our whereabouts so before New Year's, the girls and I flew to St. Paul to make a final visit to my sister and her family. With us out of the way, Mattias took a couple of extra days on his own to travel further South to Ft. Pierce, FL. Once he arrived, he spent more time to clean out the boat thoroughly and got it ready to be lifted out of the water to put into dry storage. It will be later this Spring that Mattias and his brother will travel to the U.S. to get Windfall back into water and sail her to Ft. Lauderdale where it will travel by ship to either Denmark or the Netherlands. We will meet it there and sail it to Sweden some weeks later. Mattias arrived in St. Paul on New Year's Eve where we celebrated with pizza and beer and early to bed.

We spent the next several days in St. Paul, relaxing after our sailboat travels and getting ready for the next big trip--the final move to Sweden. We spent some nice, relaxing time with Kris, Elliott, Matt, Cam and Carl. The "big boys" were home from college and Kris and Carl had time off from school too. Remarkably, with a full house of nine people, my sister didn't go off the deep end and we all managed to find a nice place to sleep. The girls hung with the boys, played Guitar Hero 3, we had a sushi fest and got some bonding time with Riley, the dog. Kris was my shopping accomplice and helped me select some necessities including 9 pair of new shoes, in just my hard to fit size, and 4 for the girls among other things. Anyway, it has been a long time since I've done some power shopping and she was just the right person to take along.

On January 9th, we set off for Sweden! The flight over was not so full so Mattias and I each had a row with the girls and they were able to stretch out for a couple hours nap. We arrived after a 3 hour delay with our nine bags in tow. All of our other belongings been shipped this Fall and is still in the container in storage.
First week in Sweden:
The first week has been a busy one! It was only last night that we all slept through the night. For a while there I was wondering if a 3 a.m. snack and read would be a habit for us all!
With my Permanent Residency status, and the girl's passports, we got ourselves enrolled in the Swedish tax system, signed up for health care and schools. We are living at Mattias' Dad's home in Onsala until we move to our permanent home.
He has outfitted his guest house nicely for our stay and we are continuing to tweak it to our needs. Since he remodeled his own house, we have inherited a full size range and some extra cabinets in the kitchen. Today we removed a couple of beds to put in a sofa bed that will give us extra floor space and put in book shelves for storage.

We have enrolled Liv and Hanna in their respective schools. Liv started the Swedish Förskola Klass. Because she is only 6 years old, this is school before the "real school" starts. This year, they teach kids to socialize and get used to the classroom setting. They pretty much play and learn. The academics part start next year--so Liv has a couple of years on them academically, but can concentrate on learning Swedish and getting used to something new. This grade school does mixed age classes. Liv's class has 25 students from Year F, 1 and 2 and three teachers. Her F class group breaks out and then they are 10 students with one teacher. Her school has about 350 students from year F through 5 total. The F-class starts at 8 a.m. and ends at 12:30 p.m. and Liv eats lunch at school. There are "lunch ladies", but here the kids serve themselves. There is a hot meal served and bag lunches from home are unheard of, they get salad and choice of breads. For the most part, the menu looks great, chicken with curry sauce, oven baked salmon with dill sauce, and taco buffet for a few selections. I told her she didn't need to eat the blood pudding when that is served--but she said, what if I want to try it?!

On the morning we went to visit the school we got there and about 5 little girls took Liv's hand and showed her inside where the cubbies and classrooms are. It was so sweet! We entered the classroom and there were tea lights burning on the tables where the kids sit. (never would that happen in the U.S.)! It was still dark outside since we are so far North so it was pretty cozy! When were leaving, an older girl gave Liv a little cross stitch piece with Liv's name stitched on it--Oh my gosh, make my heart melt! Her teacher is a gem and so kind to the kids and parents. The kind takes rubs the kids cheeks and gives them hugs. I smile a lot since she speaks only Swedish to me but can catch some of what she says! Liv is loving it and making new friends and is not shy of speaking Swedish. Liv's cousin is in the same F Klass along with a girl who's mother is from Australia.

This region of Sweden, the Kungsbacka Kommune, has the highest population of children and families in all of Sweden. It is apparent in the daycare area where there are wait lists for several months and the kommune is required to provide something for you. A minimum of fifteen hours a week for a non-working parent, is paid for by the government, and if more hours are needed when you work 16 hours or more, the family pays only about $100.00 per month depending on income. Thankfully, we have been on the list since Hanna's birth and were able to enroll her into a dagis that her cousin goes to as well. It is called Ur or Skur, meaning, "Rain or Shine" and has a unique pedagogue. The kids spend the majority of their time outdoors, rain or shine, and do most everything they can do inside, outside,--play with dolls, workshop, eat etc.. Hanna will transformed from an inside comfy girl to outdoor girl before we know it! They do use the inside of the daycare on days of extreme weather and it has a great feel and will be engaging for Hanna as she learns Swedish and gets used to a new environment. We have a couple of weeks to go before the two week orientation starts where I will also be involved to some extent.

Mattias started his work and has already traveled to Uppsala back and forth by speed train. He will have a busy schedule the rest of January when he'll be doing some additional travel to Uppsala, Stockholm and Gotland.
Near the middle of February, I hope to start my full time Swedish for Immigrants course. The government pays for my schooling free of charge so I hope to "get my money's worth"! Once the girls are used to their routines, I am looking forward to getting my own. I will probably do some sort of work, but don't know what that is at the moment. First, the Swedish language...

There is to be a big storm coming this weekend. Lots of wind they say. We can see the ocean from the window and the tide has come in much more than normal and is very choppy. The sun is shining so that is a good thing! We still need to get out to so some more provisioning. Tomorrow we will celebrate Jan's, (Mattias' dad) birthday. I baked a carrot-pineapple cake with cream cheese frosting. Was originally craving pineapple upside down for some reason, but didn't have rum in the larder but had all the fixin's for the other cake. Hopefully it will be edible!



More later,
Carrie