We're Moving to Sweden!

Okay, not really. But I am definitely tempted, as will you be. This entry is dedicated to all of my blog-stalkers who are/ever will be parents: YOU need to move to Sweden. No joke. I was writing a comparative analysis on institutions in Sweden and their affect on how people interact with one another and participate in occupations within the institutions (which include religion, politics, family, education, economy, etc.) when I came across the following websites:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/feb/18/children.parents

http://www.thelocal.se/18078/20090309/

So, here's the deal: In order to increase the amount of people having babies, the government pay parents about $1000! Just for havin' babes. I can't believe it. AND, the most amazing thing, when babies are born parents are allowed 6 weeks off, oh wait that's the U.S., FOUR HUNDRED AND NINETY DAYS OFF OF WORK. What!? AND 390 of those days you get PAID 80% of your working income. HOLY CRAP. Peace out, Wisco. I'm movin' to Sweden.




So I don't get sued or anything, references are below (we don't want to mess with plagerism).

Sundelin, J. (2008). Paradise for Families? Guardian News and Media Limited.
Landes, D. (2009). 'Baby bonus' would pay Swedish parents to have children. The Local.

Not such a bargain after all...

A few weeks ago I was thrilled to find a brand new hot water bottle at one of those "late-in-the-summer-rare-to-find-a-treasure" garage sales. The fact that it was about 20 years old was beside the point- it was $1! Seriously! A bargain for such a exceptional find! Last night our room was ice cold, which was probably due to the open window and fan on. Random fact: I LOVE sleeping in the cold when I am cozy under -literally- 8 blankets, but the "warming up" process can be dreadful. Last night I couldn't bare to slip in those frozen excuses for sheets, so I got the bright idea to sleep with my "new" hot water bottle (Since, remember, my hubby isn't around to spoon). Oh what a delight! I was pretty much in heaven with that warm bundle of love settled on my belly. I was smiling and thinking to myself, "gosh what a great invention this was! Poor Ceej will have to get used to sleeping with this when he gets home because I've found another life partner."

Well, let's just say that joy was short lived.

I woke up in ice cold, wet sheets! What a backfire THAT was. At first I thought someone had played a rude joke, but then remembered I was alone, and then I remembered that traitor-hot water bottle! Darn you!! Anyway I'll put it in a large Ziploc bag until I can make it to the store to pick up a replacement- it truly is an amazing companion if it doesn't leak all over you.

Home Alone

So that's me. Minus the creepsters in the background (well, hopefully). Ceej has gotten a GREAT opportunity to work two weeks straight 7pm to 7am two hours away. Although it's physically hard on him and emotionally hard on us to be so isolated from one another, we couldn't pass up the opportunity. He's been gone 2 days now, and I miss him like CRAZY! It's really lonely being all by myself! Especially since I have to be studying all the time and can't get out of the house to get my mind off of him. School has been going well, but I've been studying like a mad woman as it's EXTREMELY demanding. I've just given up the thought of having a social life for the next two years, although I really love what I'm learning. The more I learn about occupational therapy, the more I know it is definitely the only career I can imagine myself having. It's amazing stuff, I tell ya. I just have to work my booty off to get through this aspect of it. So in a sense this two week separation is good for me to 1. get some good study habits and 2. not feel guilty for studying all the time (I was feeling really bad for not being able to spend time with him, although of course he understands and appreciates me working hard). I just ache for him though! It's crazy to think about when I was going to school in Madison and having there be even greater lapses of time without being together. I was so much stronger and younger back then. I guess with age comes weakness (Just trickin').

Wait, there's two?!

Congratulations to my sister Jamie and her beautiful family, as I recently found out that they are expecting TWINS in about 6 months. We are thrilled for all of them and can't wait to meet the new additions!

Our First Camping Trip

This Labor day weekend Ceej and I had our very first camping trip, and we absolutely loved it!! We went to Chetek and went all out- we cooked everything over the fire, relaxed, played an intense game of Scrabble that ended with a 309 to 309 tie, went for a run, read, and fished. We had a really wonderful weekend together, so much so that we declined several invitations to join our "camping neighbors" for a boat ride and at their bonfire because we were having so much fun on our own! It was nice to get away and just enjoy life's simple blessings. What a perfect weekend!

Puffer Tent

As a celebration for Ceej passing his test we had a very special date night. Ceej and I went out for a delicious dinner at Houligan's Steak House, stopped back at our house for ice cream and warmer clothes, and then we went miniature golfing at Action City. We had so much fun and were the only ones on the course (perhaps because it was so cold). That night we made a Puffer Tent to sleep in, which is pretty much the coolest thing ever. Take two large sheets and clothes-pin them together all the way around an air mattress (him mom sewed these sheets together). Put a fan at one end and then clothes-pin the sheets tightly around it and ta-da! An amazing Puffer Tent! It was a great evening to celebrate a great accomplishment.

The Secret to Marital Bliss

We've been married a whopping 3 months (Ceej's response on our 3 month anniversary: "REALLY??? JUUUST 3 months?? It feels like it's been forever." haha). When an engaged friend asked for marriage advice (because I'm so experienced of course), this is what I said: If you are used to having your own bed and blankets for the past 2 decades, it might be a struggle to share for the next century (especially if you're like Ceej and swaddle yourself like a newborn infant). Our solution? Separate blankets! We have a "cover comforter" so it looks a little more appealing, but typically this is the state of our "his and hers" version of a Queen sized bed. It works for us, and it is the biggest secret to marital bliss I can think of! It's worked for us :).

Congratulations Journey Man!!

You guessed it- my super smart husband has PASSED his test and is now, officially, a Journey Man (Ceej says it more like "journeymen", but I like to emphasize the two words. It sounds super cool.). He did VERY well, so "passed" is slightly belittling. Nonetheless, I am SO proud of him!!

Maybe Next Year

It was my first year with having the desire to "garden", and lets just say it turned out to be more of a temporary hobby. Thank goodness they are all perennials! Maybe next year I'll be able to keep up with the watering a little better.

YESSSS.

Random update of the recent happenings of the Thurners:

1. I went to Madison to help clean out our apartment and had an awesome weekend with Mia. We cleaned and organized a ton of stuff, went to the comedy club and out on State street, went to Blackhawk (my beloved church for the past 4 years), and I got to RUNNNN in Madison twice- which is definitely one of my favorite places to do so!

2. C.J. took his Journey Man's test. A biggie! We don't know the outcome yet, but we will find out at the end of this week! Note: this test has a 25% pass rate! Good luck Ceej!

3. Mickeegan and Rylan had their 6th and 1st Birthday parties, respectively. What a fun day! We ended up having a family game of baseball, too. It was a blast! Last summer my dad bought a box of 10 very old baseball gloves from my grandpa's old neighbor's house (i.e., my grandpa had most likely used them as a little guy), and now we are reaping the benefits!

4. I OFFICIALLY start the Master of Occupational Therapy program at the University of Minnesota on September 8th! What does that mean for you? More blog updates because I'll have the internet (and probably a whole lot more free time. Riiiiiiggghhhht.)!

Peace out!