If I didn't know better, I'd have thought that the powers that be looked down at little me, and realized I was on the verge of tipping over into madness. Or perhaps they just read my blog post and figured they should throw me a bone.
Gnaw, gnaw, gnaw.
First my post elicited several lovely and supportive emails from dear friends, several of whom could relate to my situation (you know who you are, and girls, my hat's off to you!). We miserables do love us some company....
Then, my crescent-fallen face and beseeching eyes must have been quite a sight to be hold, as they were enough to motivate my architect and builder to push their crews to have the house done a few days before Mike flies out in February. While there are no guarantees, now at least there's a fighting chance that he can be here to help me move into the house.
And finally, speaking of my favourite husband in the whole world, he not only reorganized his entire schedule so he could help out with kid delivery all week, he also scraped together his hard earned points and upgraded my ticket for the weekend trip to New York with the girls.
So here I am, in the business class lounge at Geneva airport. Red wine glass in hand, content in the knowledge that my boys are well taken care of by their father. All I have to do is relax, enjoy the flights, and then hang out with my favourite girlfriends for a couple of days.
What a difference a post can make!
(PS: A special shout-out to the two girls who are unable to make it this weekend. You will be sorely missed! xox)
Friday, December 3, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
WARNING!
This post may contain elements of whinginess, protestations, whining and general 'woe is me'-isms. Reader discretion is strongly advised.
I knew it was going to be crazy. That while the kids and I were moving to Switzerland, he was moving to the company. We joked about that a lot. I even once, in jest, told him he could have a few years to get settled in. That we'd plan holidays for January 2012.
What.The.Heck.Was.I.THINKING????
Not that I'm keeping score or anything...but:
I deal with everything concerning the kids' schools. From payments, to lunches, to homework, to meetings. To driving children to and from school, events, birthdays, activities. To be fair, Mike chips in when he can (ie. not often).
This may not sound so bad, but it bears saying that most of this is new to me, and the learning curve has been pretty steep. The school is run differently from our school in Canada. There's much more homework for the B boy (amazingly, the older boy STILL gets no homework...), as well as numerous extra-curricular activities and events where parental presence is requested.
Similarly, the carting around of the children to places I've never heard of, let alone know how to find, on small, narrow and dark Swiss roads is not my idea of a good time. Especially when the GPS invariably suggests routes that only exist on a map and proceeds to repeatedly yell 'turn around when possible' to me while I frantically try to find the birthday party location or a new friend's house.
I am, of course, also responsible for everything concerning the house we are building. From kitchens to bathrooms, fixtures to electrical outlets. Minute details to massively expensive decisions. And let's not forget those meetings with the architect and various sub-contractors - I am at their beck and call. Two or three times a week, minimum. Preferably with zero notice and all in French. I hope someone's having a laugh, because my gesturing ain't getting any better.
And then, of course, there's the Clash of the Schedules, also known as the kids' school holidays vs. the father's work plans. Where there is a clear winner who....
....was away for part of the boys' fall break
...and will be away for part of their Christmas break
...and for the boys' winter break
...and part of their Easter break
And, of course, the first part of their summer holidays.
But to top it off? The real reason why I am feeling overwhelmed and frustrated right now. The cream on the cherry. Or is that cherry on the cream? THE TOP THINGY...whatever it's called...
...is that just today I was informed by my builder that our house will be ready to move into on February 25th. Three weeks delayed. Which is frustrating, since this little rental house of ours is starting to feel seriously claustrophobic.
But, even more vexing, February 25th is a mere two days after Mike flies to Toronto for a week long stay.
Guess I'll be managing the move on my own, too.
Gah.
DISCLAIMER:
My poor hubster is working so hard these days, and I do try to be supportive of him. I hope I am generally pretty good. Today I am just feeling a wee bit overwhelmed, and I can't really see the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm sure it's there, just hidden behind construction dust. Dust that won't settle until February 26th. Grrr....
I knew it was going to be crazy. That while the kids and I were moving to Switzerland, he was moving to the company. We joked about that a lot. I even once, in jest, told him he could have a few years to get settled in. That we'd plan holidays for January 2012.
What.The.Heck.Was.I.THINKING????
Not that I'm keeping score or anything...but:
I deal with everything concerning the kids' schools. From payments, to lunches, to homework, to meetings. To driving children to and from school, events, birthdays, activities. To be fair, Mike chips in when he can (ie. not often).
This may not sound so bad, but it bears saying that most of this is new to me, and the learning curve has been pretty steep. The school is run differently from our school in Canada. There's much more homework for the B boy (amazingly, the older boy STILL gets no homework...), as well as numerous extra-curricular activities and events where parental presence is requested.
Similarly, the carting around of the children to places I've never heard of, let alone know how to find, on small, narrow and dark Swiss roads is not my idea of a good time. Especially when the GPS invariably suggests routes that only exist on a map and proceeds to repeatedly yell 'turn around when possible' to me while I frantically try to find the birthday party location or a new friend's house.
I am, of course, also responsible for everything concerning the house we are building. From kitchens to bathrooms, fixtures to electrical outlets. Minute details to massively expensive decisions. And let's not forget those meetings with the architect and various sub-contractors - I am at their beck and call. Two or three times a week, minimum. Preferably with zero notice and all in French. I hope someone's having a laugh, because my gesturing ain't getting any better.
And then, of course, there's the Clash of the Schedules, also known as the kids' school holidays vs. the father's work plans. Where there is a clear winner who....
....was away for part of the boys' fall break
...and will be away for part of their Christmas break
...and for the boys' winter break
...and part of their Easter break
And, of course, the first part of their summer holidays.
But to top it off? The real reason why I am feeling overwhelmed and frustrated right now. The cream on the cherry. Or is that cherry on the cream? THE TOP THINGY...whatever it's called...
...is that just today I was informed by my builder that our house will be ready to move into on February 25th. Three weeks delayed. Which is frustrating, since this little rental house of ours is starting to feel seriously claustrophobic.
But, even more vexing, February 25th is a mere two days after Mike flies to Toronto for a week long stay.
Guess I'll be managing the move on my own, too.
Gah.
DISCLAIMER:
My poor hubster is working so hard these days, and I do try to be supportive of him. I hope I am generally pretty good. Today I am just feeling a wee bit overwhelmed, and I can't really see the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm sure it's there, just hidden behind construction dust. Dust that won't settle until February 26th. Grrr....
Friday, November 5, 2010
And Finally...To Breathe...
Things have calmed down over the past couple of weeks, and I have actually had a chance to relax. It feels good to not be overwhelmed all the time. To take time to do things I want to do, and not things I have to do.
Like getting caught up on TV shows. I only just discovered "The Good Wife", and have now watched all of season 1 and have almost caught up on season 2. Love everything about that show, and am almost regretting not sticking to law school. Who knew legalese could be so sexy?
Even though Mike still works long hours, he is in the country now, and will be here until after Christmas. It is nice to have him come home in the evenings. I didn't realize how much I'd missed him while he was away.
We have decided to spend Christmas with my family in Norway. We are even planning to drive north to see them, because, well, we can! Funnily enough, the kids are not thrilled at the prospect of an 18 hour drive, so we'll put them on a flight up once school is out. Mike and I will drive up through Europe, taking our time and stopping for shopping and to experience all the Christmas markets that Germany is famous for. Then we'll drive back down as a family. Part of the return trip will be spent on a cruise, to cut down the amount of actual driving.
Upon our return to Switzerland in the new year, Mike flies to Hawaii for a supershort stint. So short, that I am staying behind with the kids. I don't really feel up to two 24 hour flights (there and back) for a 36 hour visit!
The house-building business is not proceeding as quickly as I'd like, since my architect has been out of the country for the past couple of weeks. I realize now that he is the force behind the operations, keeping everyone (myself included) on task. And while I've certainly enjoyed the peace this last fortnight, I am looking forward to his return and to see some progress at the house. Our current small abode is bursting at the seams, and we are in need of space!
Today is a gloriously sunny Friday, and tomorrow's equally glorious Saturday will hopefully be spent up in the mountains, hiking with the boys. Or at least with one boy, since the other boy apparently has plans. Plans that include girls. And not even the beautiful Swiss Alps can compete with that!
Like getting caught up on TV shows. I only just discovered "The Good Wife", and have now watched all of season 1 and have almost caught up on season 2. Love everything about that show, and am almost regretting not sticking to law school. Who knew legalese could be so sexy?
Even though Mike still works long hours, he is in the country now, and will be here until after Christmas. It is nice to have him come home in the evenings. I didn't realize how much I'd missed him while he was away.
We have decided to spend Christmas with my family in Norway. We are even planning to drive north to see them, because, well, we can! Funnily enough, the kids are not thrilled at the prospect of an 18 hour drive, so we'll put them on a flight up once school is out. Mike and I will drive up through Europe, taking our time and stopping for shopping and to experience all the Christmas markets that Germany is famous for. Then we'll drive back down as a family. Part of the return trip will be spent on a cruise, to cut down the amount of actual driving.
Upon our return to Switzerland in the new year, Mike flies to Hawaii for a supershort stint. So short, that I am staying behind with the kids. I don't really feel up to two 24 hour flights (there and back) for a 36 hour visit!
The house-building business is not proceeding as quickly as I'd like, since my architect has been out of the country for the past couple of weeks. I realize now that he is the force behind the operations, keeping everyone (myself included) on task. And while I've certainly enjoyed the peace this last fortnight, I am looking forward to his return and to see some progress at the house. Our current small abode is bursting at the seams, and we are in need of space!
Today is a gloriously sunny Friday, and tomorrow's equally glorious Saturday will hopefully be spent up in the mountains, hiking with the boys. Or at least with one boy, since the other boy apparently has plans. Plans that include girls. And not even the beautiful Swiss Alps can compete with that!
Friday, October 29, 2010
Paris, je t'aime
Gosh, I am shockingly bad at blogging these days...I don't know if the will is there to document this transition. It makes me wonder why. Is it a deep-seated desire to go back to where we came from? Or is it simply that the days are busy and I am too tired? Or a bit of both?
Not sure.
I am sure, though, that I love Paris. Rain or shine. Strike or not. And now my kids love Paris, too. At least when they experience it with good buddies.
Hae Yung and I had a great few days with the kids, before Daniel and Mike joined us for a dining frenzy that my stomach is still recovering from. This despite the fact that we didn't get to Guy Savoy's number 1 ranked restaurant as the B meister fell ill. Next time!
We climbed the Eiffel Tower.
We shopped Les Halles and La Defense.
Buttery croissants.
The Arc and the Notre Dame.
Warm pain au chocolat.
Spotting the Mona Lisa despite the crowds.
Baguettes under the arm,
On the Metro with its multitudes of colour.
Foie gras out of this world.
Great sights and outstanding wine,
Dear friends and lots of time.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
Wow, almost 3 weeks since my last real post. I can't believe it. The time just flies here.
Mike's been away for the last couple of weeks. The first week was spent in the Alps, the second in Houston. Quite the contrast, I am sure. Hot to cold, Swiss to Texan. Nuff said.
It didn't take long for him to become a weary business traveller, though, as he arrived home complaining about old planes with seats that didn't fold down flat for him to sleep. Even though I do understand the need for sleep, seeing how bothered he is by jetlag, I am slightly worried about how he'll survived our next family trip in 'monkey class'.
The boyz and I have held down the fort at home. And when I say "the boyz and I", you will know that I really mean I have held down the fort. Meaning everything from getting grumpy and tired teenage boys up at 6:30 every morning, to wrestling Xbox 360 controllers out of the hands of 10 year old boys who never, ever seem too tired to play, to shopping for groceries at least every other day, because the Swiss do not believe in fridges that can hold more than a maximum of six meals, to washing and cleaning a house which, albeit tiny to look at, contains an incredible number of nooks and crannies for dirt to collect in.
This, of course, is on top of my job, which has been sadly neglected over the past month. I am sure my poor clients are wondering what the heck is going on with Heidi, who always used to beat her deadlines, not just squeeze in at the very last second.
And let's not forget the house that we are building, which requires the ability to drop everything at a moment's notice and take off to a town you have never heard of, have no idea where is, and don't know how to get to, in order to look at either a) interior doors, b) tiles for the terrace, c) blinds for the windows, or d) or any number of other small details which I had never considered before, and never want to consider again.
Or our very welcoming and warm neighbours, who are always inviting me over for apero, meaning no less, and often more, than 3 glasses of wine. I've realized that drinking wine is not for the weak. Particularly at 6:30 am the next day, when the entire process starts over again.
So yeah. It's been a busy few weeks.
Mike is here in Switzerland for two weeks, before he flies back to North America. It is nice to have him back, even though we don't actually see him that much. He's putting in 'face time', peeps, which is a new and unfamiliar concept, both him and to us.
The boys are continuing to do well. The C dude has his little posse, whom he regularly meets up with in town, where they hang out at "Taxi Pizza", the 'in' place among the teens in Vevey. When they are not planning to eat (pizza), they take over the local Starbucks (where a muffin is 4 dollars, which I sadly find reasonable) or McDonald's (where a meal deal is 13 dollars, but, hey, you get a Coca-Cola glass for free!).
The B Meister is also doing well at school, and thinks his teacher is 'the best teacher in the whole world'. It bears saying that he's thought that about every single teacher he's ever had, so we take it with a grain of salt. My own experience is that his teacher seems to be exceptionally sweet and caring, and how could she not - having 16 kids in her class and the best classroom in the entire primary school. One of these days, I'll remember to take a picture of the million dollar view these kids enjoy from the comfort of their desks.
My parents came for a very quick visit while Mike was away. I managed to squeeze everybody into the house, so they didn't have to stay at a hotel. It was tight, and I am in no hurry to do it again. I slept on a mattress in the boys' room (much to their chagrin), and we managed for a couple of days. The weather was absolutely gorgeous while they were here. We took a trip to Gruyeres, a quaint town nestled in the rollling hills just 30 minutes inland from here. Of course, we had to stop by the world famous cheese factory to sample their goods and see how the cheese is made, and we also visited the Castle where the Counts of Gruyeres ruled for centuries. I'd post pictures, if I'd remembered to bring my camera. As it is, you'll have to trust me. It was beautiful.
Next on my list of places to see is Gstaad, a swanky mountain resort some 45 minutes away. The rich and famous go there to be seen during the winter months. Meaning I need to go now, before the snow falls and the prices skyrocket!
Because we all know where my money is going right now. Into the drain that is called "La Maison"...
I went through the new house last week with the electrician, as we had to agree on where to place plugs and outlets in rooms and hallways. Having absolutely no concept of what was required, or, indeed, any opinion of where plugs should be, I occasionally asked him for his opinion when a particular area stumped me. Or rather, I would ask in English, the house architect would translate into French. The electrician would gesture, talk and point, and I would nod. I was feeling quite smug and pleased with myself to cover the entire house in less than 3 hours, when people told me this could take a full day.
I'm not quite as pleased this morning, as I woke up to an emailed offer from the electrician, outlining the CAD 13000 supplemental costs that our house will require for wiring!
*cough* I nearly spit up my drink when I saw it.
I knew my French was bad, but I didn't realize that my Gesturing was, too.
Clearly, we are going to have to revisit the wiring. Damn it. Time really is money.
And with this, I will sign off, as my presence is required at the kitchen company's offices, to discuss the size of fan required, as well as the colour of the cabinets. Party ON....
Mike's been away for the last couple of weeks. The first week was spent in the Alps, the second in Houston. Quite the contrast, I am sure. Hot to cold, Swiss to Texan. Nuff said.
It didn't take long for him to become a weary business traveller, though, as he arrived home complaining about old planes with seats that didn't fold down flat for him to sleep. Even though I do understand the need for sleep, seeing how bothered he is by jetlag, I am slightly worried about how he'll survived our next family trip in 'monkey class'.
The boyz and I have held down the fort at home. And when I say "the boyz and I", you will know that I really mean I have held down the fort. Meaning everything from getting grumpy and tired teenage boys up at 6:30 every morning, to wrestling Xbox 360 controllers out of the hands of 10 year old boys who never, ever seem too tired to play, to shopping for groceries at least every other day, because the Swiss do not believe in fridges that can hold more than a maximum of six meals, to washing and cleaning a house which, albeit tiny to look at, contains an incredible number of nooks and crannies for dirt to collect in.
This, of course, is on top of my job, which has been sadly neglected over the past month. I am sure my poor clients are wondering what the heck is going on with Heidi, who always used to beat her deadlines, not just squeeze in at the very last second.
And let's not forget the house that we are building, which requires the ability to drop everything at a moment's notice and take off to a town you have never heard of, have no idea where is, and don't know how to get to, in order to look at either a) interior doors, b) tiles for the terrace, c) blinds for the windows, or d) or any number of other small details which I had never considered before, and never want to consider again.
Or our very welcoming and warm neighbours, who are always inviting me over for apero, meaning no less, and often more, than 3 glasses of wine. I've realized that drinking wine is not for the weak. Particularly at 6:30 am the next day, when the entire process starts over again.
So yeah. It's been a busy few weeks.
Mike is here in Switzerland for two weeks, before he flies back to North America. It is nice to have him back, even though we don't actually see him that much. He's putting in 'face time', peeps, which is a new and unfamiliar concept, both him and to us.
The boys are continuing to do well. The C dude has his little posse, whom he regularly meets up with in town, where they hang out at "Taxi Pizza", the 'in' place among the teens in Vevey. When they are not planning to eat (pizza), they take over the local Starbucks (where a muffin is 4 dollars, which I sadly find reasonable) or McDonald's (where a meal deal is 13 dollars, but, hey, you get a Coca-Cola glass for free!).
The B Meister is also doing well at school, and thinks his teacher is 'the best teacher in the whole world'. It bears saying that he's thought that about every single teacher he's ever had, so we take it with a grain of salt. My own experience is that his teacher seems to be exceptionally sweet and caring, and how could she not - having 16 kids in her class and the best classroom in the entire primary school. One of these days, I'll remember to take a picture of the million dollar view these kids enjoy from the comfort of their desks.
My parents came for a very quick visit while Mike was away. I managed to squeeze everybody into the house, so they didn't have to stay at a hotel. It was tight, and I am in no hurry to do it again. I slept on a mattress in the boys' room (much to their chagrin), and we managed for a couple of days. The weather was absolutely gorgeous while they were here. We took a trip to Gruyeres, a quaint town nestled in the rollling hills just 30 minutes inland from here. Of course, we had to stop by the world famous cheese factory to sample their goods and see how the cheese is made, and we also visited the Castle where the Counts of Gruyeres ruled for centuries. I'd post pictures, if I'd remembered to bring my camera. As it is, you'll have to trust me. It was beautiful.
Next on my list of places to see is Gstaad, a swanky mountain resort some 45 minutes away. The rich and famous go there to be seen during the winter months. Meaning I need to go now, before the snow falls and the prices skyrocket!
Because we all know where my money is going right now. Into the drain that is called "La Maison"...
I went through the new house last week with the electrician, as we had to agree on where to place plugs and outlets in rooms and hallways. Having absolutely no concept of what was required, or, indeed, any opinion of where plugs should be, I occasionally asked him for his opinion when a particular area stumped me. Or rather, I would ask in English, the house architect would translate into French. The electrician would gesture, talk and point, and I would nod. I was feeling quite smug and pleased with myself to cover the entire house in less than 3 hours, when people told me this could take a full day.
I'm not quite as pleased this morning, as I woke up to an emailed offer from the electrician, outlining the CAD 13000 supplemental costs that our house will require for wiring!
*cough* I nearly spit up my drink when I saw it.
I knew my French was bad, but I didn't realize that my Gesturing was, too.
Clearly, we are going to have to revisit the wiring. Damn it. Time really is money.
And with this, I will sign off, as my presence is required at the kitchen company's offices, to discuss the size of fan required, as well as the colour of the cabinets. Party ON....
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