Day 351.

The last but one day of my sabbatical turned out to be sunny and busy. Had a hairdresser's appoint in the morning, so neat hair -- check. Also had coffee at Jokiasema, watched two movies, read a book, made lunch, talked with kids, sent DD to the movies, and later on to her friend's house. took the cat out, had drinks with DH and slept for 10 hours.

Day 350.

A hot hot day. In the morning, took off to the local health care centre to get written proof that I am ok and can go back to donating blood after my mysterious lack of iron earlier this summer. It took 40 minutes of waiting in line and 3 minutes of the nurse's time. Then off to Jokiasema for coffee and home to make lunch. After lunch, a phone call to get ready for a summer excursion to Kuopio and Ikea! What a  great time we had, and DD is natural Ikea shopper! Came home with some stuff for her room and some general stuff like candles. Exhausted but happy!

Days 345-349.

So I have been neglecting my blog lately. This does not mean that life would have been slow, or boring, just that I've spent less time on the computer as everyone in the house is on holiday at the same time. Over the past few days we have watched movies, bicycle races in the olympics, we have had lunch out together and drinks at Jokiasema, DD has gone out to lunch with her friend and eaten a lot of ice cream for pudding. All in all, good times. Also, in the back of my head -- I'm going back to work on Thursday. So making the last days of my sabbatical count!!

Days 342-344.

As promised, we spent Sat night watchin movies (Headhunters and Safe House) and continued on Sun with The Adventures of Tintin, which was better than any of us expected. We also packed DH's gear for his bicycle adventure. He left with a friend on Monday at 6 am, in the rain and cold. I got up to wave goodbye and went back to bed. The perfect wife?

Yesterday we had a visitor, who ended up staying overnight. DD's friend came over and they baked cupcakes, applied nailpolish, put on tons of makeup and giggled a lot. And ate a lot, apparently giggles makes  you hungry.

Today, the girls are still hanging out together and I am making lists of stuff that needs to be checked, done or organised.

Days 339-341.

So we made it home on Friday; always good to be home! Aksu the Cat decided he had missed me terribly so he attacked my arm at night and now I have really cool scratches to prove it.

Yesterday DD and her friend went shopping. DD had decided not to get anything but the sales were too much of a temptation and she came home with two cute tops, a total of 10 euro. She had a bit of a headache and went to take a nap (!!!!) and woke up to a full migrane. With puking. Not fun for anyone. This morning she was ok, and just went to the playground with her friend. Three tops each and handbags. Seriously?!

I'm going to enjoy the weekend, have coffee at Jokiasema and maybe watch a movie with DH in the evening.

Days 337-338.

Busy days! Yesterday we:
- saw Laura Lepistö live twice, once in the live morning tv-show, after which DD got her autograph, and the second time in a panel discussion about the future of Finnish comp sports
- went to Kirjurinluoto, where they have the coolest playground, and yes, the pre-teen still likes to play
- did some shopping
- went to see a live show in the evening, but were turned off by another panel discussion included in the show so got back to my sister's house

Today we will roam the stands on Yrjönkatu for freebies and take a bus to a shopping mall to get a new phone for my sister. I've already connected the internet this morning, so happy days!!

Days 334-336.

Greetings from my sister's house in Pori. We arrived on Sat afternoon and are having a great time. Today we took the kid for a shopping spree and all  of us needed a nap afterwards.

Day 333.

Last day of DD's skating camp and last day of work for DH before his three weeks of well deserved holidays. It's raining and I'm listening to the sounds coming from Ilosaarirock. Not pretty sounds, if you ask me. Also, festival folks migrate past our house, so odd sounds coming from the street, too. Off to Pori tomorrow, all packed and sandwiches made. DD and I are taking our new tablet with us, so I might be blogging on the road, too! Gotta love toys!

Day 332.

DD on skating camp, me cooking and doing laundry. Nothing much to report. Oh, I did buy two pairs of canvas shoes. That should make the headlines!

Day 331.

Cold, rainy, hot, warm, cloudy...I think today we had it all, weatherwise. Otherwise it was coffee at Jokiasema, making dinner for the kids, chatting with other parents at the ice hall, laundry, the Good Wife, and just stuff. I'm trying to cope without my daily nap, as I don't think it's allowed at work....which is where I will be on Aug 2. Cannot cannot believe my year is almost over. Will not think about it today.

Day 330.

DD fell flat on her tailbone last night in the last rehearsal of the day. Today she was sore and stiff but followed through every single practise. She says there is a point when you no longer feel the pain. Bloody hell, she's 11!!

During the day I did fun stuff like reading and laundry, and made lasagna for DD and her friend, whom we have adopted for the week. She sleeps over at her grandmom's place but eats and hangs out with us. Lots of fun to observe two little skaters talk and compare injuries.

Days 323-329.

Trip to Berlin in numbers:

- coffees, beers, ginger ales, cokes, and other suitable beverages: who's counting?
- river cruises: 1
- visits to DDR museum: 1
- walks by the wall: 2
- visits to DM: 3
- tops bought for DD: 4
- hours standing in the line for the ticket service once the flight was cancelled: 4
- extra nights in Berlin sponsored by Air Berlin: 2
- food poisonings or similar: 1

Today: cleaning and cooking. DD is in skating camp and is bringing a friend over for dinner. Maybe a nap, too. 

Day 322.

Oh it is raining again. Had coffee with two friends, iron a bunch of black clothes and now am all packed for Berlin. We leave around 11 pm and have an early flight. Back on Friday.

Days 319-321.

Oh weekend! On Friday, started off at 9 am with coffee with a friend, ran into other friends, had more coffee and finally lunch at Jokiasema. Later on, a drink there with DH. On Sat, went to get cat litter with DH and to Lidl, which is always good fun. In the evening, drinks at Jokiasema with friends and DH. This morning slept until 10, took Aksu the Cat our, had coffee and now will return to the Sunday routine of making lunch and doing laundry. I still have no idea what to pack for Berlin and we take off tomorrow. Oh well...