Big Mama: HAPPY NOTES

Fantastic flowers across Oslo

I'm a very bad blogger these days, but I have my good excuses. Moving house is nerve wrecking, and especially this period that I'm in now, styling and preparing the house for sale. But my watertight plans have proved to be just that so far…. watertight. I knew I was an expert at logistics! The house was due to be photographed last Thursday and an hour before the photographer arrived the house was styled and ready to be presented to potential buyers:

"Very attractive family friendly house."

Now all we have to do is cross our fingers for the viewing on Sunday and Monday.

Haha - that last sentence is so UNTRUE! Now we have to clear even more of the house - all the stuff that was hidden from the camera lens, pulled aside, or in storage places that are easy to spot by an observant viewer. We have garden tools lying around on shelves outside our front door, we have laundry scattered in our utility room, we have things stored under the basement staircase. I think we're a bit like everyone else in that respect, though I must say I'm impressed at myself and my family for throwing out A LOT of old belongings.

Lilacs - my favourites - coming into full bloom these days

Flowers planted on my terrace for the very last time

Still - having been to the dump and the recycling centre several times over the last couple of weeks - a first visit to our new flat immediately told me that there's not nearly enough room for the "few" pieces of furniture we have left. All windows, no walls - hence nowhere to hang my paintings! But I was pleased with the big hallway, the kitchen and the wall colour - a tone down from white. Nevertheless, if you listened carefully you could hear me yelling in stress the following day, as I was finishing the house styling: "I don't wanna move! I don't like the new flat! I thought it was horrible!" Which of course it was not. It's just that it'll take some time saying goodbye to thirty-one years in this house.

Something has happened to my husband lately. He has started eating again, he's feeling happier, less tired, more energetic. Suddenly it's fun shopping food with him because he'll suggest meals he'd like, and he says they actually taste good! I believe this new situation is a combination of several things - the side effects of the treatments have finally left his body, his anti-depressant dosage has been increased and changed to a type that enhances his appetite, and in addition his recent visits to a therapist have certainly helped! No doubt it's useful for him to lean on others while struggling with all the aspects of his illness, and to talk about topics he is reluctant to share with his closest family. I know this for a fact after having been in therapy sessions myself this winter and spring.

Oh yes, my husband is back, and we're all so incredibly happy for him and for ourselves.

Tempting food! And it was eaten too!

Tomorrow I'll be entering my last year as a "fifty-something." A bit scary, but then again - age is only a number. At least this is what I keep telling myself. And having been through the ordeal that started for our little family on October 9th 2013, I know I must appreciate every hour, every day and every year that I'm lucky enough to receive in this life.