White Christmas

I've been in Finland now for three whole days. We arrived on Saturday evening with my sister, our father came to pick us up. The trip was ok, we got snow in Sweden too while I was visiting there. We went out on Wednesday evening with couple of my sister's friends and had some fun dancing and drinking. The only disappointment on my journey was that I didn't find anything to buy for myself. I was hoping I'd find something unique that can't be found from Finland but didn't really find anything that interesting. But luckily I found pretty good Christmas presents from Sweden so at least that is taken care of. We were planning to take a walk around in the city to see those light installations but it never took place. It got so cold and since my sister had been sick just before I went there so I guess it wouldn't have been a good idea to go out to the cold weather. Although in some way it's a pity that we didn't, I didn't really get any pictures taken from the city.

Now we've been spending time here, my brother visited us on Sunday with nephew. The poor little thing is having a cold but still he was up to play and socialize with us. That little cutie!! I sent most of the Christmas presents with my brother to their place, so we don't have to carry that much when we go there. We are going to spend Christmas there. My younger brother had already opened his presents and seemed to be happy of them. He is spending Christmas alone, probably working so we allow him to open his presents earlier.. it wasn't the meaning but what is done is done. :) Yesterday I spent some time outside shoveling snow and later in the evening headed to the sauna. It's so nice to get into the warm sauna when it's -15 degrees outside.

Last night we watched the Swedish movie "Men who hate women" (Män som hatar kvinnor). It was pretty good movie. During the movie I knitted a wrist warmer to my father. Getting old doesn't work for his benefit. Cold weather brings all kind of aches.. But anyway, the evening was alright. I still need to do one more wrist warmer for him, for the other hand. I'll do it after I've finished a couple of Christmas projects I have left to do.

Today me and my sister probably head to our brother. They are all having a flu with fever and help could be used over there. We'll get there and bake some ginger bread cookies, hope it helps to the flu a bit.. ;) Everything good usually does. At the moment I am sitting alone here. My father, his wife and my sister went downtown. Father and sister are going to visit the graveyard while father's wife takes care of other things. They'll visit my grandfather's and step-sister's grave, maybe leave a candle or something there. I haven't visited the graveyard since last Christmas. I believe that one can remember those people otherwise as well.. I believe they live in our hearts instead of the graveyard. Don't get me wrong, I actually like graveyards, they have that soothing, calming feeling but I think those people buried there would appreciate more if we remember the happy times in our hearts, remember them as they were while they were living. In the graveyard is only headstones, their spirit lives on in other places.

Anyway, before getting too deep into the subject, I'll end this writing by wishing you all MERRY CHRISTMAS! May you all enjoy of it with your nearest and dearest and find yourself some peace of body, mind and soul.