Middle of the week update..

Wooo-hah! I didn't expect this summer to be such a busy, hard-working period! I'm not complaining though, we're getting loads of things accomplished. This is basically the first year after H.'s heart operation when (knock wood!) he has no health issues to handle and everything is super fine health-wise.
This little fellow , my only nephew, is going to visit me with his dad and mom on his way back home to Switzerland after a short vacation at grand-father in Poland, aka my own father. Can't wait to see him again!! It's such a sad thing I only get to see him twice a year or so. He's a wonderful, bright, happy little guy, already fully bilingual and learning his third language, English, since a year. Hopefully H. will be able to have discussions with him one day :)

It's been raining and cold to moderately warm since early June, which ruined some plans we have to adapt daily. Basically, we should have painted the house from the outside two weeks ago with the help of a friend and his son. Some works happened, but the weather is so unstable that we're painting in every free moment when it also doesn't rain. Ah, but it's a delight to see the result, the old ugly brown house has already partly turned into a much nicier light cream version. It's my first time painting the outside of a house and I've yet to decide whether I like it or not. Could be almost called funny, but then since the house is big, the work never seems to end...
Our guests arrive in just over two weeks and we have a long way to go. We also need to start and finish painting the big living-room downstairs... ah, we had ambitious plans we need to revise a bit.
Not only the weather plays tricks on me, but also the huge amount of regular work I got to do this month... For the three past weeks, I worked way beyond human capabilities... and it goes on and on.
Cross-stitch, well... I manage to put a stitch here and there sometimes... but I've already decided that yes, I will put that big order (craft supplies) from Panduro very soon, we're tough on money but I just need to reward myself for this insane period! It *is* insane... Just a moment ago I was smiling to H. who looks rather poor today and told him we just need to go through the next two weeks... and once our guests leave, we can sleep in and watch the birds fly and whatever else we'll feel for doing! Our favorite place in the wilderness is almost fully booked in August excepted for 5 days but we've decided to drive the 600 km (on way) there and relax, it is worth it. A long way to drive for such a short time, I know, but it's a magical place. And I'll think of a place where we could stop over for a night or two additionally. One possibility could be Lillehammer, a place very dear to us both, but we haven't managed to go there for the past couple of years, at least. Lots of great shops on its long pedestrian street and so many lovely memories... :)
I'm now hooked to etsy and I've decided to show some beautiful items I've been getting this year, from wonderfully skilled ladies. Maybe I'll inspire you to visit them... I'm sure they would love you to see their work, and they deserve your oooohs and aaahs! :)

Today I got such a lovely surprise... totally unexpected! Dear Irene sent me a belated birthday gift, actually many of them - a piece of lovely pink Lugana, a pink skein, two pink ribbon rolls (soooo adorable, just my style!!) and a box of birthday chocolates (ooooh how yummy!! H. didn't get even one this time! LOL) and two cards... for Happy and Toska, can you believe! Irene, you had me in tears when I discovered them... I laughed so much! How lovely of you... and how funny!!!
The dog card is 100% edible but for the moment I am saving it... just to look at it more. I'll take shots when I give it to him!
The cat card is with catnip... I'll have fun presenting it to Toska (who got her nails shortened today after ruining a new cream leather couch... and is *offended* now for the rest of the day, I guess, as much as a cat can be and show it to the world).

Also, Donna received her birthday giftie...