It's finally Friday afternoon - how the weekend took a long time coming this week! It feels like I've spent the whole week inside in front of the computer, only dashing out for supplies and the usual mum's-taxi business. It's been really cold and frosty here, and even stepping out the door requires multiple layers of clothing, gloves, a beanie and a good thick scarf. Scraped a thick layer of ice from the car this morning, could see my own breath inside the car for ages before it warmed up...
I spoke to my mum and dad today and they helpfully reminded me that Christmas is a mere 3 weeks away...thanks for that, Mum!!! I really needed something else to freak out about! I was in denial, hoping that Christmas would maybe just never come around this year. I've got a couple of freelance projects at the moment which are proving to be more expansive in scope than I realised, and I'm struggling to find time to keep up with them. So I feel a little stressed about them - you know that nagging feeling whenever you sit down for a moment to relax, and you know you should be working? I hate that. And now I've got Christmas to add to the mix. Well, it will all be over in a month, hooray, and we'll be in the mountains for holidays, away from civilisation as we know it (ie, no telephone or internet). There is a beauty in that.
Last week I went to see David Sedaris and then Mogwai and The Twilight Sad. I really laughed at David Sedaris, so funny. Thanks for the recommendation, massdistraction, it was really worth it. As for the bands, they played at the Rote Fabrik, which I like a lot as a venue. The Twilight Sad I liked a lot; Mogwai, not so much. They were good, but I think it's music to listen to in the confines of a darkened bedroom, it all sounds much the same after a while! Start off quiet, end up noisy. And Switzerland's goddamn archaic smoking policy, which still permits smoking pretty much anywhere, ugh. The guy standing behind me was practically dropping his ash on my head (it sucks being short sometimes).
At the beginning of November we said goodbye to our best friend and neighbours, Family Fabelhaft, who headed reluctantly back to warmer climes. Australia is far, far away, and we really, really miss them. There was barely a day that went past in the last 3 years when I didn't speak to Ms Fabelhaft at least 2 or 3 times a day - she felt more like my sister than just a friend. Our kids more or less grew up together. So we were so sad when we knew that they had to go back to Oz. But, well... that's life, I suppose. They tried to stay, but it just didn't happen. That happens here - people move here on contracts and when their contracts are finished they have to go home. But that still doesn't make it any easier. Hopefully we will see them sooner rather than later!
Coming up we have the Christmas market on Sunday, at which both kids will be (no doubt reluctantly) singing christmas carols with all the other kids from out town. Tradition has it that it is bitterly cold on that day, and this year looks to be no exception. Next Saturday we are having a family christmas thing, with the rest of Bruno's family (cousins, aunts, uncles etc). I need to make some little christmas cakes or something to give to them as gifts - any ideas? Later in the month we will be having a visit from Dr Ian and his lovely wife Leanne - I hope they come to the mountains with us!! We've oiled up the sleds and waxed the snowboards and skis, just in case :) Of course, that is for them, I'll be the one sitting at the restaurant at the top of the ski lift with a coffee and a good book...
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