What the heck happened?

Normally I don�t mind being without make up, I�ve always considered my face to look okay anyway. But today, when I looked (stared) at myself in the bathroom mirror I actually almost freaked out a bit. What happened? When did I start to look so� old? When did I stop looking like a fresh flower in a sunny summer morning? (I would show you a picture but I�m afraid to ruin your day.)

I can�t escape my years anymore. I won�t ever be mistaken for too young to buy alcohol. Nobody will ever ask me for ID.

It�s time for drastic measures. Jeez� is that day already here? My Man says I look beautiful but he must be lying, maybe he simply hasn�t looked at my face. Ever.

And while we�re talking about this crisis situation; I discovered that my hands aren�t all that young either.

I�ve done all the right things. Cleaned my face everyday (well perhaps not everyday but who�s counting). I�ve used eye cream, day cream, masks, sun cream, all creams one can think of. The industry has made a fortune on me and that�s all it is, I guess, a fortune for them, wrinkles for me. Thank you so much Biotherm, L�Oreal, Lanc�me, and all you other magic makers out there. Have a look at my face and you�ll really see the magic.

Okay, so it�s that time of the month, and we all know what that does to ones skin. Bad things. Horrible things. You want to cry hysterically when you by accident see yourself in the mirror. I didn�t do that, instead I did my own magic. Used all the make up I could find (just about) and now I almost look like I�m headed for my first date. I kind of am, though, if one thinks about it. My first date with A.G.E.

The person who invented make up should really get a Nobel Prize!

Aging happens in small steps you don�t notice. Today is one of them. Enjoy!

Hypnosis

This weekend we had a friend, Madeleine, staying here. She�s taking a course in Neuro Linguistic Psychology at Inner Power Centre and she practised on me on Saturday evening. I have to say, it�s the most intriguing and cool thing I�ve ever experienced.

I�ve always been fascinated with Hypnosis and Regression but at the same time been convinced that it wouldn�t work on me (as probably everybody thinks). We did three things. The first one I felt real calm but remembered everything afterwards, the second time I went in to a light trance and felt kind of.. dizzy. But the third time� oh my� that kind of shook me. She made me concentrate on one finger at a time, really feel the fingers. And after that� I can�t remember a thing she said to me. And not a thing I said to her. I �woke� up thinking I fell asleep but she reminded me that when she told me to count to ten at the end, and feel clear after �ten� I actually did that on my own.

It is without a doubt the most fascinating thing I ever done! And next time she�s going to learn about regression (going back to earlier lives) and test it on me. I have my doubts (again) that she�s going to succeed but I�ll give it a fair chance since I really believe that we�ve lived before. I can hardly wait! Be ready for an update.

These  photos I took this morning. The fog hung thick over the water but it�s a little hard to see. It was beautiful, anyway. And of course, the sunrise behind the trees.

In memory

Today, a family member is taken to her final rest after a tragic drowning accident. This is for her.

Do not stand at my grave and weep
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush
I am the swift uplifting rush
of quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there, I did not die.

Amazing news

Picture from: Charice

And this is me

The Man

Thought I�d show you my Man, Rickard.

Morning stroll

Queen Chocolate inspecting her territory this fine morning. (Somewhat blurry, it�s taken through the kitchen window.)

Snow

I woke up to the first snow of the season. And the only positive thing about that is that if it�s going to snow some more all the leaves on the ground won�t show and we won�t have to do anything about it.

Bright Beautiful Bedroom

 

Soon heading for the train station,

leaving Gothenburg for now.

It�s been a couple of days with extreme rain

and stormy winds. Autumn has come!

Hugs, Bettina.

New stuff

I received the most beautiful crib for my birthday. Our neighbours have a second hand market every Saturday and Sunday. I have bought several items from there, but when I saw this crib I simply fell in love. So a couple of days ago my Man surprised me with it. I am SO happy! It�s from 1821, isn�t it just amazing?

The cats thought it would be a nice idea to pose, by the way.

The chair I also bought from there and I plan to paint it white and change the fabric to a blue-grey with a little bit of grey-silver mixed in it.

The blue-white vase I also got for my birthday and I just love it. Blue and white is my middle name. The flower I�m a bit unsure of, is it Amaryllis?

The other images is from earlier in the summer, they are taken just outside the house.

       

Half cup filled, or half cup empty?

Another year passed. (Happy birthday to me!)

Mindfulness

I read an article the other day about mindfulness. It�s of course one of the latest trends and I rarely follow them. Two of the tips caught my attention, though.

1. Perspective. Live in the moment, focus less on what has been. It might lead to less stress and worry.

Tip: Wright down three things you are grateful about, every day. It helps you to change perspective and affects your being. Research show that after three weeks of  doing this you feel better, you simply get used to feeling happiness.

2. Acceptance. Focus on accepting what is, be it good or bad. When accepting you can decide on whether to act on it or not. Acceptance results in you making more �sober� choices, not only acting on instinct.

Tip: Watch people around you without judging or categorise. Simply watch them.

My three positive things today.

1. I am grateful for getting seven hours sleep last night. Usually it�s limited to four.

2. I am grateful for the cats coming to wish me good morning every day. They love unconditionally and I do the same.

3. I am grateful for the wonderful view outside, lots of green nature and still water.

Melting

I have to say:

This is not my idea of paradise, right now.

This, however.

Delicious

I really really want this porcelain from Rice. Not the single coloured ones, though. Well, maybe those too. And it looks so pretty together with the minty green shelf.

Catty

Yesterday, suddenly, our little nougat coloured cat calmly walked in the door, as if those five nights never happened. She wasn�t even hungry or thirsty. Of course, it could be she had eaten outside on the porch before coming in or if not, she�s honoured some other family with her cute company. She won�t tell me. Now she just tip toes charmingly around my feet and purrs constantly. She�s happy to be home. At least.

Good morning

Woke up at six. It has become a habit lately, but it�s okay, the sun is shining, it�s seven degrees outside. For now. It�ll probably get higher during the day and that�s perfect since I�m visiting a friend with a garden. We�ll sit out there and talk about all and nothing while her lovely cat hunts flies and birds and ants. I�m bringing fruit and she�s got coffee. I can�t wait!

The day before yesterday I sunned in solarium and hm.. perhaps I shouldn�t have sunned as long as half an hour the first time this spring. Today I�m �kind of� red. I never learn. I want to get color as fast as possible and end up like a lobster the first couple of times. Anyone else have that problem?

Today�s news: In a hospital in Barcelona, Spain a man got a full facial transplant after a shooting accident destroyed his face. It�s the first time ever the doctors have succeeded in this. The man couldn�t breath, eat or swallow before but now he has facial muscles, skin, nose, lips, upper and lower jaw, teeth, palate and cheek bones.

The operation was done on the 20th of March and more than 30 nurses, doctors, surgeons and assistants participated. They operated for 24 hours before the man had his new face.

He has seen the results and is happy with it.

For mom

I love you so much!