Entries by TATIANA

Christmas 2021 came and went.....During the day on Christmas Eve I made sure to go and get some pictures with my reindeer friend.







What else did I do? I did not have the best Christmas so I am not going to sit here and pretend that I did. I was upset and sad but also normal and OK. I did not feel too sad though because I do not have it bad at all compared to some.
Here is a recipe for glögg in case you want one. I love glögg. Did not have any this year though.



There is a weather advisory in effect here in Portland for the next few days. It snowed and got cold so the city opened up four emergency shelter for the homeless AND their pets. Since I am part of Portland Pet Pack I have access to dog and cat food plus other supplies (like clothing, crates, toys etc). So I took some dog and cat food to two of the shelters.
I hope that everybody that needed to find a place warm and safe was able to do so.
There are a few dogs that I especially worry about that I see come through on Sundays when I volunteer. I hope their humans made sure to keep them warm.
I also went by Pioneer Square to look at the beautiful Christmas tree.



Merry Christmas everybody!

I got some new face stuff at Sephora a couple of days ago.
Some products I have been wanting to try for a while. I have been reading a lot about, The Ordinary, very affordable. Both the hyaluronic acid and the retinoid (granactive retinoid 2% emulsion) are under $10 each.
Paula's Choice 2% BHA liquid exfoliant is a bit pricier but I heard (read actually) some good things about it.
I used to be so much more diligent with taking care of my skin but nowadays I kind of don't care.
Perhaps I will try to make an effort to start taking better care of myself skin and body next year. Just a bit more self care and self love. Good idea!



So it is Christmas Eve, like I said I decided to not decorate this year. It's been raining every day here and I am not feeling it.
The decorations can stay put away until next year or who knows.....maybe the year after that? I am on the couch with a snoring puppy next to me. I'm comfortable. I hope you are too.

I squeezed in an IKEA visit this evening. I have not been there in a long time so of course I needed some non meat balls with potatoes (mashed), brown sauce and some dessert, they had apple pie yesterday.
I sat down and decompressed, I have been working a lot lately, so I slowly enjoyed every bite.



Then I walked around a bit, made it downstairs and decided that I definitely need to go back soon to get a few items. The reason for my visit was to get Marabou chocolate bars for people.
And then I saw these Swedish pancakes (pannkakor). I needed those. Sure frozen but I am sure they are good. I will have them with a fruit jam and whipped cream. YUMMY!



And lastly a message in Swedish....



I have a long day tomorrow, early rise and until late but after that I am off until sometime early January. Looking forward to just BEING.

It was around 11 am this morning, I ordered a latte at Stumptown before heading out for a very long day that started with this latte and then continued with picking up dog and cat food donations at MudBay, arriving for a Pet Pack shift and ended with me coming home close to 8 pm after visiting several stores, finally after a few hours of being home taking a bath, washing my hair and getting in bed. I am so tired.
It has been raining for days now. I do not have any Christmas feelings. It is gray, wet and chilly outside.
I am so looking forward to sleeping. I love sleeping. I love my bed, I love getting comfortable and cozy and dozing off.....and that is exactly what I am going to do now.

2 am and it snowed a little but the snow will be gone soon because it is not cold enough. I splurged on some lottery tickets a few days ago but it was not my turn to win the lotto I guess, I rarely gamble but when I do I fantasize about what I would do with all the millions. Get a king size bed and a bunch of pets would be one of the things I would do.....a king size bed so they all can have plenty of room to sleep with me at night. But no millions this time.



When driving home through the empty streets I passed this tree and it looked so pretty that I had to turn around and take a picture of it. I love the city at night. A blanket of calm slowly comes down around 2 am, things slow down....people go to sleep. I am usually up. I listen to the radio while driving home and think about life. Now I am home, drinking tea and about to take a shower, then sleep. I need to be up before 10.
Christmas is around the corner and I am not prepared. Every day up until Christmas is full of things that have to be done. I can't believe this year is almost over.....

Since it is December 13 I have to mention Lucia that we celebrate on this day in Sweden. We even have a Lucia here in Portland at a Scandinavian cultural center.
It has been raining every day for like a week....I am not in a super Christmassy mood.
I am thinking to let my Christmas decorations rest in their boxes this year. Then next year will feel like extra special maybe?
I have a list of things that I want to get done before 2021 is over so I don't enter 2022 with stuff that I have been putting aside. And I got a headlight out on my car and according to AT&T the new (new to me) phone I got in February is no longer supported by the network because they are switching over to 5G. ??? I am annoyed over that, so lame. These are of course small problems compared to what some people deal with.
I am planning on taking almost two weeks off right before the Holidays and just have quiet me time. There is a series on Netflix called Elves that I am planning on watching and I want to read some books. Maybe go on a trip, not sure yet. I just want to hibernate and be cozy.