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