Back to blogging

It's been a while since I last wrote here, but it's been very busy. I've gradually reduced participation in groups to just a couple, and I've even hit the "delete" button for one more group last week. Some time ago I realized how much time I spend on the computer daily - partly because of work, partly because of cross stitch and other browsing, but I felt it was insane. I decided to keep a better contact with persons I like and want to keep contact with, be it just by reading their blogs, instead of reading xxxx messages without much content, and wow! It worked. I feel I've never feel inspired more by other people's finishes, I learn a lot, some blogs are inspiring in other ways, and I went back to other passions such as cooking. Ah yes, I checked descriptions of needle felting on the web. No, it doesn't sound like something I would like to master. The result is awesome, but the technique doesn't appeal very much to me, I mean, this is not something I would like to do all day LOL!
Anyway, work slowed down to zero yesterday so I have no excuse not to write :)
H. flew in from Norway last Wednesday and left Sunday evening. Relationship-wise, this was not the best stay. We kept mini-quarelling all the time. I was nervous during all his stay for reasons related to myself, something I haven't done and which was very important to me before he came. I know, what I write doesn't make sense but I won't say more in this blog ;-). The second reason was that my devil cat queen decided to show H. a small sample of her capacities. I can't count how many times he got scratched or bitten without any reason (seen from a human's side). What can I say, he continually moved his fingers in front of her head when he reached for things around, and that is a big no-no in Toska's life. She hates that and attacks. Well, she has changed a bit - she doesn't use nails anymore and her biting is not very serious, but once in a while, when she is very angry, she uses all her weapons in ways only cat have mastered :). I remember once H. was just sitting on the couch and working on his laptop and Toska attacked out of the blue. So, the conflict between us is about her. He said I didn't consult him when I took her from the shelter (not true, I did) and that she gives nothing out of herself. Well, yes, she doesn't. But for zillions reasons only real cat and dog lovers understand, I love her and she's not moving out, no way. He did not suggest that at all, but the problem we're facing is my 2 months summer stay in Norway this year. Last year I flew there only with Happy (our lovely dog), but this time Toska can't stay at my aunt because she's made a hard life to the other cats there, plus my aunt now has two more rescued young cats and she can't expose them to Toskas's bad behavior. I know she would take her if I ask, but I know how hard it was last summer and I don't want to expose her to that. One of her cats even stopped coming home for the period my devil cat was there. And no, I won't put her to pension for 2 months, that's much too long for a cat, and especially for her. Problem: so far H. says he doesn't want her at his home. He says he sees no good in her. And she really didn't make it easy for him to love her this time :). She even attacked his feet under the bed cover at night! LOL In one word, I am unsure what to do. Probably - I know my man, he has a golden heart and this is the first time he says a firm No to something, but that will pass - he will accept her. I did all the expensive blood tests for Happy last year so I don't have to repeat it this year, but I have to pay for Toska's. She is already chipped. However, bringing them both for just two months is a costly experience. I know I love animals too much. I often say I hope a poor homeless doggie doesn't cross my way in the streets, I would have to take care of her. I say "her", because Happy wouldn't accept any male dog in here, so at least that reduces possibilities by 50%.
Otherwise we did a lot while H. was here. At home we installed a new Microsoft ergonomic keyboard and it's taken me several days to get accustomed to the new model, and H. spent long hours changing things in my computer network and the configuration of my computers/laptop. He gave me a better videco card, new hard drives and external boxes, all that was a lot to do. We had a lovely Mexican dinner out in our favorite restaurant, two dinners in our fav' Chinese place, went twice shopping to the new center that's been opened downtown only last week, bought a card for the laptop so I can have a 3G/EDGE/GPRS connection while traveling, etc. On Sunday, just before lunch and leaving for the airport, we took Happy for a long walk in town and I showed H. some streets he hasn't seen before, of historical interest. It was an extremely lovely walk in winter sun. Snow has melted but it wasn't very cold and sunny at the same time.
I am planning to visit my father, not sure when exactly, possibly in a week or two. His wife will be away the first part of March, she loves to go to the mountains in Zakopane with a friend at this time of the year. I believe it's a tradition they both had since 30 years at least, or maybe more, since I remember they studied medicine together :). If I visit my father while she's away, he'll feel less lonely :) and we have a job to do: he found more family pictures we need to go through together (he describes them to me and I note it down) so he can add some of them to the memories book he's writing and I can take the photos. I'm sort of the family repository for photos. I usually scan a big part and send a CD with them to my brother and other interested persons.
No stitching news really. I haven't picked up my needle since a week. I couldn't resist and ordered several charts from the Market. Sorry, dear credit card, but you'll have to starve! LOL Especially when I saw the new Carriage House Samplings charts, I knew I have to stitch them right away. I won't receive my orders before 10 days at least because the store owners will only receive some charts later this week.
Tomorrow, I'll put the last stitches on the french Christmas sampler and start stitching the French Easter swap for my partner, maybe. Or something totally else! LOL because there is still time :)
I also spent time updating my wishlist. I took off dozens of older charts I'll maybe find cheap one day on ebay and uploaded newer ones. I don't think I'll ever be able to get all of them but at least I can dream away! :)

I've uploaded some pictures here from H's stay. Most show the new shopping center opened last week. It is an amazing structure which the photos don't show. The roof is made of millions of glass prisms and it looks like a moving wave seen from the exterior. I read this is the first structure of this type in the world. A similar one exists in the British museum but only consists of one dome, here there are seven interconnected. It looks amazing from the outside. I found two pictures here and here. Mine only show it from the inside and don't show the structure well anyway. And we were stopped by a guard who said it's forbidden to take photos (heavens know why!) so I can't show the funny, modern stairs and other parts of the place.