HOT HOT H.E.A.T

I just want to wish everyone of you a very HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010 and hope that the year will be good and that your resulotions will be true ;-) See you in 2010. Hugs :-)

I had the most wonderful Christmas card or rather gift today from my niece Lizzie in San Diego and her family Jeff and Dakota. She asked us earlier this year about favourite recipes we had and I sent over one of my. Turns out she did a little book called "Family flavors" the cuisine of our kin volume 1. A wonderful little book with recipes from family members and also underneeth every recipy was a description of the person that had sent it and relation. So nice, so personal and so yummie!! Some of the recipies I really must try. Also included was a CD with storytelling by Lizzie and Dakota, songs by Jeff and Dakota and poetry read by Lizzie. Such a wonderful gift and one that I can listen to all year long. Also a photo of Dakota and although Lizzie isn't her mother she looks a lot like her. She's very pretty and has grown so much since I last saw her. file:///C:/My%20Music/Untitled%20-%2009-12-29/02%20-%20Track%202.mp3 This evening I read some sad news though that Je...

Anna playing our piano. Christmas coffee today with Anna (Birgit Bidder she's called now but to us she's Anna) an old friend of Jonas from Rytmus. She and Jonas were very good friends and she spent a summer with us at Gotland. She tried to come here last Christmas because she had bought Hasse and me a Christmas gift (so nice of her) but it never happened but now we got it all together. It was so nice to see her again. It was like 4 or 5 years since we saw her and a lot has happened since. She's very talanted, like everyone from Rytmus it seems, and has recorded a CD on her own record company (!). She also plays with Erik Hassle, keyboard. I'm very proud of her. She's like an extra daughter since she spent a lot of time here when they went to Rytmus. Weatherwise it has been a very strange day here. After having had temp. well below zero it suddenly started to rain (!) today and the temp. was up to +3. Now they are saying it will be freezing cold like down to -16C sta...

Christmas Eve at home Jonas is making the fudge. Oscar our grandchild Closing in on no 10 000 now. Who will it be? And do you think I shall give something as a prize to that number? Tell me and I will think of something very nice!! Malin our grandchild (Gunilla's daughter ) I won't tell you what but it could have something to do with H.E.A.T ;-) We are back home from Gävle, just arrived after a very long, slow drive home due to snowstorm (more or less) and that we saw a big accident just outside of Gavle, north direction. Take care and drive safely if you are out on the road. Better to come home a bit late than not come home at all. Klara (Gunilla's daughter) our grandchild and Per, Gunilla's boyfriend

Now we are in Gävle. We arrived at 2 PM and the first one we saw was Lena and then Bjarne. When we got in we were served coffee and lots of different cookies. Very nice and good. Lena had to go to work but we are still a lot of people here. Lena's sister Marie with husband Bjarne, their children Mathilda and Martin. Then of course our grandchildren Linnea, Henrik and Oscar.Staffan as I said earlier. Soon Gunilla and Klara will come too. Gunilla has cooked for all of us and we are going to have dinner here at Staffan's. Very nice. Too bad though that neither Jonas nor Emil could come. But Hilma is here and she was so happy when she saw where we stopped. She loves being in Gävle. Now the big cardplaying is going on in the livingroom and from what I hear Hasse is doing great :-). Marie, Bjarne and their kids will go back to Grängesberg tonight. Hasse and I will stay until tomorrow. Lena is currently at work and will be home late tonight. Did I tell you about the service yesterday?...

I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas. I hope you are having/will have a wonderful time with family and friends. My first Christmas is just over and some has gone home. Still here is Jonas. I will later be going to my friend Inger and our "adopted" grandchildren for Christmas gifts. Then we are going to Midnight service in church. It's at 11PM and a tradition since a couple of years. A very nice way to end Christmas Eve instead of going up early and going to the Christmas Day service. Tomorrow we are going to Gävle for the second (or third) Christmas celebration. To all of you out there. Have a wonderful day and many hugs from me :-)

I'm sorry I haven't written for a day or so but as a woman this time of year is very hectic. Yesterday I was at Ersta hospital in hope of getting help for my stomach. But I was kind of dissapointed and the doctor even asked if I were. Yes, I said, I had hoped for some help for my pain. He said they don't have any help to give because this is such a complex illness. They could operate to some point but as always their answer to everything is - loose weight. I told him that's easier said than done!!! It's like he didn't listen to what I said! I told him I can't eat big meals because it's like I'm full after half a portion. And afterwards it hurt. It's like there's something in the way. I saw on him that he thought I ate huge amount of food and stuff which I don't. The only thing that is different is that I can't go out walking like I used to because of all the pain I have especially in my feet and heel. Enough of this but it always gets...

Now I'm done for today. I have made the Christmas meatballs, baked 2 different kind of cookies, shovelled snow in between and while I were at it I cleaned the downstairs bathroom. Hasse came home from Gavle and Emil came shortly after so we have had 4th Advent coffee with glogg, coffee, safronbuns and newly made cookies. Very, very nice. You can say I'm a bit exhausted now and still I have to make dinner. Today we'll have fish. Very good and a good way to eat before all the Christmas food. How are you all doing? Are you finished with the Christmas preparations? Has the peace come to your house? Or are you stressed out and not sure you will make it in time? Don't worry, take it easy, relax and find your peace. Then everything will be just fine. Tomorrow I'm off to the hospital, Ersta hospital, to finally check my stomach and what's wrong with it. After that I have nothing planned until Christmas Eve. Take care and enjoy the holidays :-)

Yesterday I went to the Opera with my Operafriends and since it was the last time before Christmas we also had dinner together. We usually do that last time before Christmas and last time before summer. Very nice tradition. However when on my way to fetch Carole it start snowing again. The morning had been sunny, cold and nice and suddenly the temp. went up and the snow started. Not very nice weather to drive in so we had extra time on our hands if something should happen which it often does in this weather. We luckily came into town, we had a very good dinner and lots of chat and anticipation for the opera. We saw Elektra by Richard Strauss. You would have thought with that name the music should be nice and tender and waltzy ;-) But you couldn't have been more wrong. This opera is so intense, so passionate and yes scary. The music makes you feel so much and many time my heart beated so fast like I was watching a horror movie. The scenography is really just a big red wall and in fr...

This morning I called my sister Jo in California who had her birthday yesterday but since it's such a big difference in time it was Thursday evening 8.30 PM when I called and here it was already Friday and 6.30AM :-) Anyway I called and Hasse and I sang to her and then we talked for almost 30 minutes. So nice to hear her voice and instantly I feel like I want to be there. Especially since Jo said the kids wore shorts yesterday in school and they had temperatures around 22 C and that is on the plus!!! Happy birthday big sis. I love you :-) (sorry Jo, I know you don't like to have your pictures taken but I love the one of you by the fireplace and the other one is the first time I came to see you) At the moment we are having around - 12C and it snowed for over 24 hours before it stopped last night. So that is when it really got cold. Up in the north they have had down to -35C. Can you who lives in California grasp that? I don't know what temp. you have in SLC but is it this co...

Since yesterday evening it has been snowing or really since yesterday when I was at the Christmas lunch, if you remember. But the heavy snowing started around 2 AM and it hasn't stop. Our Christmas tree is on the photo and I took that at 6.30AM when on my way to work. It's even more snow now. The good thing about this is that it's so much lighter outside, the bad is that it's so completely slippery especially after the plow has been there. It's like ice afterwards and you can hardly stand up. So that part I don't like! And of course it has been traffic chaos all day. "Same procedure as last year - same procedure as every year, dear". Yes, you could say that :-) Tomorrow I'm going into town to meet with my coach again. Probably the last time before Christmas but after talking to Pontus today it might not be the last time. Depending how it goes with my job I maybe can get help from her next year too. Althoug what I want most is that the company I wor...

Me and Anne had a great time :-) Today I first went to work and Richard told me if we didn't get enough students to the course starting January 24 he can't emply me :-( He can employ me on hourly basis but that is too unsecure so I said no to that. It could mean a lot of hours or very few and since I have to pay my bills I need to have a secure income. So not a very good start to this week. We are writing a selling letter and we will draw amongst the ones that apply a Ipod touch the latest model. We hope that will attract some more. So I have until the end of January and if we can't get it to work I will be unemployed again so already now I have started to look for jobs (just in case). Then I headed home and fetched Hasse who was so kind to drive me to Old Town and the Stortorgskällaren where I met my former workmates for our last Christmas lunch together. It was so fun to see everyone again and there were lots of hugs exchanged. In line for the glögg First of course the o...

Some of the ladies who helped making the party. Today is Lucia and I was up already at 6.45 AM to watch Lucia on TV. A wonderful procession and singing program with both traditional songs but also some modern ones. We ate breakfast watching it and of course we also had safronbuns, lussekatter, as well as lighting the third candle. But first is first. I have to tell you about the Christmas party for the Rheumatic association yesterday. We, who were the organizers, met around 11 AM to lay the tables with flowers, candles, glasses, napkins, set of knives etc. We also needed to figure out the tables. 85 persons had reported but when we finally counted they were 90!! Ages varied from 6 months up to 85 or so. When they first arrived I served them glögg, you know the mulled wine which we serve with raisins and almonds in it and it must be hot. We Patric who entertained us had it both with and without alcohol since some of the guests drove. It was a wonderful day with sunshine, pity we couldn...

Calle to the left and Erik to the right The latest news from H.E.A.T's recording . Enjoy, the guys seems to have a lot of fun and also have time for this :-) H.E.A.T latest studio diary Other than that how do you like my hair? It's a bit darker than before. When I returned from the hairdresser I made a cake for tomorrow's Christmas party. I hope it will be nice. We will be over 85 people and that many we haven't had before. Last year we were around 60 I think. Tonight is the final of Swedish Idol and I'm of course going to watch it. It's two guys to battle for the win. Both kind or rocker and good but in different ways. Erik or Calle, I don't know. I think the final song will decide, Higher. I'll let you know tomorrow. Have a cosy Friday evening :-)

Today it's 10th December and as usual Nobel Prize. I first watched the peaceprize being awarded President Obama and I noticed he too is lefthanded :-). He held a beautiful speach, he's really a good speaker. Even the Crownprincess of Norway was moved to tears. Directly after that I started baking safronbuns - yes, again!! I can't help people like them so much. Even though I make double the amount it still just dissapears. So after being baking for 3 hours I immediately started dinner. We have a tradition and that is we eat nobel dinner here. I cook something good and we eat by the diningtable in the livingroom with candle lights and nice porcellain. Today I had avocado with shrimps, dill and lemon for starter. Main course was fillet of beef with bearnaisesauce, pommes de croques and tomatoesalad, yummie. We were to have dessert as well but we were so full we couldn't eat it. We can have it tomorrow instead, fruitsallad with whipped cream. Tomorrow I have to bake cookies...

There you have it!! This is how I feel right now. I don't know if I will have a job in 2010. I work in this small company and we have a great concept but it's only me and Richard and our main selling point was to be the education as energy expert. It's especially made to suit chimney-sweepers but to this point they haven't been that interested. We have had two classes so far and the students have been very satisfied and as far we know at least two of them is now certified. But we had to cancel the class that was supposed to start this week. Next course is planned to start on January 24 but so far we only have one pupil. Richard asked me today, when we had a meetin, if I was willing to work on hours. That is not having a steady job and not knowing when I will work and how much I will earn. I said no, I can't work under such conditions. I mean I have my bills to pay and it feels very unsecure to work hours. That was something I did when I was 16 to 19 years old and wo...

Yesterday was a quiet day with lots of chill after the former days of activity. So kind of boring for me. Nothing planned except for tomorrow when a friend will come and have coffee at work. Maybe I will bake something for Christmas this week. Safronbuns? Cookies? I will have to wait and see what I feel up to. On Friday it's vacation time again and I'm going to the hairdresser. Also needs to do some shopping for Saturday's Christmas party with the Rheumatic association. Now the only thing I'm looking for this week is a Luciaprocession that will come and sing for us on Saturday. Of course with everything that's included with Lucia. It's a bit late I know but I have to try. Maybe we will have luck. I have written all the Christmas cards and the last ones I will post tomorrow. I don't like the mail-cards. Not for Christmas! It's something special to get all those Christmas cards and I love it. We haven't received any yet but I'm sure we will. Oh, I ...

Peder (Real Group) Helen, Me and Anders E (Real Group) Me and Helen went down to Linköping yesterday to see the Christmas concert there with artists like Sissel, The Real Group, Orsa spelmän, Odd Nordstuga, Trondheimsolisterna mm. We arrived 4.30PM and got our room. It was a bonus stay because I had so many points. I was expecting a small double but we got this beautiful big Superior room with two beds, a sitting area, table, TV and a gorgeous bathroom. The beds were really superlovely and were eleveted electrically. Since we arrived rather late and Helen had to fix herself we booked at a restaurant on town because at the hotel they had "julbord" and we couldn't have room-service. Since we know two in Real Group Anders E and Peder we wanted to give them something so it was up to me to run to the "Systembolaget" and buy some champagne for them. I have never been in Linköping this way, mostly you passes on the highway. I asked in the reception where the Systemb...

I just want to share these videos with you. It's H.E.A.T that records their new album and meanwhile being filmed. It's great to be able to see how they work and a sneakpreview of their songs although some of it are censured and some tones you hear aren't the right ones (censure) Studio diary part 1 Studio diary part 2 I hope you enjoy like I did. I will place more videos here as they go along. Other than that I'm preparing to go to Linköping and the Christmas concert tonight. Should be fun but mostly getting into the Christmas spirit I hope. Have a wonderful Friday with lots of "fredagsmys". Talk to you soon :-)

Today I had nothing planned in my calender?? What was wrong? I don't mind because you who read my blog know that it's a hectic life :-) It was like Hasse said: what, no plans today? What's wrong. Yesterday I was at the boardmeeting and was back home around 4.30PM and then I started making dinner. I did mashed potatoes with Christmas sausage, peas and carrots. Very good and it feels closer to Christmas every day now. I don't mind since we will be a very small crowd here this year. Me, Jonas, Emil, Danniel, Hasse, Mandy and Mom on Christmas Eve. Helen will be in Thailand with her family. We will probably have Mandy, her Mom, Jonas and maybe some more over one of the other Christmas days. Then, of course, we will go to Gavle and New Year's we will be home with our friends as tradition bids. But now I'm ahead of myself :-) It was the Christmas sausage that got me going :-D Anyway I have been sitting here planning for tomorrow. I have vacation from my job tomorrow an...

Our new homepage to my work: http://www.elspargruppen.se/ Not quite ready but beautiful. And if you want to have a future job in an expanding business don't hesitate to be an energy expert. We have your education! We have board-meeting tomorrow with the Rheumatic association and I had forgotten to send out the agenda which I am supposed to do. The secretary called me while I was in Norrtälje asking me if I had sent it out and I just said: shit. Yes I actually said that. But I have wrote the agenda since I came home and also sent it out but I will bring it tomorrow to the meeting as well if they haven't seen it. Could it be Alzheimer light? Or do you think I have to much on my mind? Anyway I had a wonderful time in Norrtälje with the best Chantarellesoup of the year I think. Great stuff. Afterwards back to the clinic for some treatments which actually made me fall half asleep so maybe too much for me now. And also a fullmoon which doesn't help. After that I went to Flygfyren...