Happy Easter

I have really been neglecting my blog lately. Dagger Bay is taking up much of my time (but it's so much fun) and work has been busy too (I love it though). In the meantime spring has finally arrived, and colors are returning to the world outside my windows.

This spring is something extra. Maybe it's because last time I didn't have the time to enjoy it. Sure I'm busy now too, but it's a positive kind of busy. The kind of busy that is about building new things, enthusiasm, creativity and drive.... about that feeling of moving forward and accomplishing something. I am very happy right now. Life couldn't be better. It feels so good to be able to say that.

This is a shoeboxd picture. I shot it years ago but it has never seen the light of day because of some slight focus issues. I can't help but love it though. The low angle in combination with the light and colors is so pretty. It's very "Eastery", if there is such a word haha.

Happy Easter to all of you!

/MrsHjort

07:52 - Task List

Yes, this is how I always arrange the windows on my work computer. I'm super pedantic when it comes to where things go. I actually cringe when somebody comes over and alters the size of my different windows! The reason is that I usually use a lot of different stuff during a workday, and if it's not arranged in this particular way, it just doesn't work for me.

Okay, I use... three different browsers, and two, no three different text formatting programs and one text reading program. I also like to have at least three different folders open at any time, and my mailbox (not counting the web-based one). And I have to have things arranged so that I can access the most important shortcuts on my desk at any given time. Oh, and did I mention that I have two monitors? I'm really not crazy, it's just that my job is crazy sometimes and organizing really helps. Don't get me wrong though, I absolutely love it all :D.

/MrsHjort

07:45 - Traffic

If you've been following my blog, you probably know of the 30-Day Challenges that used to run on W1K. That tradition has now been carried over to my new home - Dagger Bay. This is not a 30-Day Challenge though, but a Seven Day Challenge! We're starting light so to speak :). The theme om my challenge is, "7 Days in the Life of the Mrs". So, here is day one's shot - traffic on the may to work :)

As one of the Quartermasters of Dagger Bay, I cannot resist the opportunity to promote my new favorite hang-out spot a bit. We've started the very first contest there now! A historic moment! Come! Check out the fun!

With hope to see you soon :)

/MrsHjort 

Day 22 - Shop

As I said before, I no girly girl, I've never had that "shopping rush" and I've never understood the obsession some people have with shopping. I like to be in and out of a store as quickly as possible or, even better, shop online and avoid the hassle altogether.

Sometimes you get lucky though. I work in the city center and this Friday I walked by this store I've never really noticed before. That's when I saw this knitted poncho hanging outside. It was one of those rare things I liked straight away, and I had been thinking of buying something like that to keep at work, so I bought it. I was in and out of the store in under a minute! If only it was always so easy :)

/MrsHjort

Day 19 - Bus Stop

This day has been that kind of day when you ask yourself "what more could possibly go wrong" and then yet another thing does...

First off was the coffee vendor at work. It broke down just in time for breakfast and, since I was in charge of "fika" today, I had to run out to buy coffee for the regular coffee maker. On my way to the store, my boots died! The heel of the left one just came straight off! And totally without warning too! I just took another regular step and crack! Off it went! So, I have been walking on tippy toes with one foot and regularly with my other one all day long.

The death of my boots also meant that I could not do the shot I had planned today - since it involved a bit of walking to get to the right place. So, I had to do the shot after work instead, after a stop by my house to change shoes, and that meant shooting after dark. As I got home, I deiced to try out my brand new one legged camera stand. It turned out to be a bad decision though, because it was so cold it was hard to hold it straight (I was shivering), and all shots ended up more or less blurry. Well, at least I got something in today. But ugh! Some days things are just not meant to be! Maybe I should just go to bed now and be done with it...

Sorry for whining, but it's just been one of those days today

/MrsHjort

Day 16 - Scarf

It's sort of fitting that today's word is scarf... You see, I just got a cold and have been working from home all day. It's great having a job where you can actually do that! I've had a lot of soup, tea and have been dressing warmly in my comfy clothes (including a scarf).

Since I'm not exactly my usual energetic self today, this will be a bit shot, sorry about that! Now I'm gonna go huddle up under a blanket with the first cat I find, some more tea and a good book. If you're interested, it's "A Song of Swords - Steal and Snow", and yes, it rocks ;)

Catch you later

/MrsHjort

Day 13 - Coat

Today's picture was really simple, both in shooting and editing. I simply hung Mr's coat on a hanger, used a garment roller to remove the cat hair and draped his scarf by the left breast pocket. Post-ed was real simple too - just some routine sharpening, contrast adjustments, color enhancements and I'm done.

Today has also been filled with ups and downs. The ups have been at work - things are going very well and I really like it in general. I just could not ask for a better boss or colleagues! The downs have been really heartbreaking though - my mother-in-law's cat had to be put to sleep today (from old age). So, needless to say, there has been a lot of laughter and smiles today, but tears and sadness too. My thoughts are with you today, Aila, if you're reading this. I send you all my love and hope you find the strength to move forward. Know that you're always welcome at our place!

/MrsHjort

Day 6 - Pet

It's been a long day today! Don't get me wrong though, it's been a good one. I got lots of stuff done at the office, went to after-work with my colleagues, and had a couple of glasses of nice wine. Not too shabby! As I went home, I only had one thing left to do - take a photo of a pet.

Easier said than done! None of my cats were cooperative today! I chased them around for nearly an hour and never managed anything better than a few snapshots. I even edited some of them, desperate to make them into something better, but no matter what I did the results were subpar. After a lot of frustration my kitty got just as tired as I was, and then I finally managed to get a decent shot of her, as she drifted off to sleep. Good night dear readers, sleep tight, I know I will ;)

/MrsHjort

Day 2 - Stream

It seems things aren't quite going my way this time - nature didn't provide this day either. I left work early today - in order to go and shoot a stream while there was still daylight - but when I got there, it was all dried out! Massive facepalm! So, sadly I didn't get the shot I wanted, and had to fall back on my backup plan. So, instead of cascading water, you get to see this birdie instead. It's not nearly as dramatic but it's way cuter ;)

Hopefully things will go my way tomorrow instead. Let's hope that the third time is the charm.

/MrsHjort

Life is Beauty

... or some other cryptic heading haha (silly Facebook must be rubbing off on me). Sorry, but it seemed to fit the photo :). Well anyway, for those of you who have been following me, are wondering or are just curious, I really like where I am at right now. I've recently changed careers - from school teacher to... ehm, I'm not really sure how to describe my new job (it's quite unique) but it's a desk job, and it has to do with law, news and court records. I've worked with this before, at the same company, and it's still great!

Well, as I was saying, I really like it. Don't get me wrong though, I really loved teaching too, however, this new job has proven to be better for me - when it comes to health. It's been said now and again in Swedish media (and I'm sure it's not unique to my country) that teaching is one of the most stressful and demanding professions of all. Since I am a bit too ambitious for my own good (I'm a bit of a workaholic), and tend to get a bit too involved with what I do, it has became too big for me at times, which affected my sleep a lot.

So, for the reasons mentioned, I jumped at the chance of this new job, which offered better hours, less stress, better chances of advancement, and a significant salary increase (plus, it's fun too)! So however sorry I am to leave teaching, I have to say that this has been really good for me. Though I have to admit, I do miss my students, the thrill of teaching and all the good times we had.

So, to all of my old colleagues, thank you for the memories, the laughs and the tears. It's been a pleasure! And to all of my new colleagues, thank you for welcoming me back, I'm so glad to be with you again, and I'll see you tomorrow :)

/MrsHjort

Unsuspected Twists

I have a lot of reasons to be happy right now. Spring is coming, next week is Easter Break, I've finally worked up the courage to join BotS on W1K, and about two weeks from now I'm starting a new job.

For those of you who have never heard of BotS, the acronym stands for the Battle of the Strippers - it's a comic challenge on W1K. I've lurked around there and read the strips for a while, just like I lurked around in the other arenas on W1K for quite some time before I joined in myself. I'm really glad I finally joined though. As always, the other members are very friendly and welcoming, and if any of you funny talented fellow "strippers" are reading this, thank you for making me feel so welcome!

So, the job thing. Well it's sort of bitter sweet. I really like my current job. My colleagues are wonderful, teaching is a lot of fun, and it's so nice to get to know so many intelligent and charming young people. However, sadly, the life of a teacher can also be immensely stressful at times. That's one of the reasons I'm leaving, and I will get a lot more free time working for my new employer. Furthermore, I got a really nice offer, a great salary, tasks that suit me very well, and on top of that, I'll be working side by side with Mr! If you've followed my blog you'll know that we've done this in the past, and it worked better than fine. I've really missed working with him, and our quirky inside jokes at the office.

Yes, life certainly takes its twists and turns sometimes, it's really funny that way. About seven years ago, I got employed on an hourly basis at the office, a year later I had moved on to working full time at a meat packaging facility, that made me go back to school to study to become a teacher, after that I've been working as one and now, six years later, the circle is complete. I'll be back at the office again, but this time I was offered full time, and a raise! But the best thing of all, is how the people at the firm make you feel so welcome. It's like coming home to your friends and family. So even though I'm sad to leave teaching, and all my wonderful colleagues at the school, I'm very happy to go back to my old job. It's going to be great!

Wish me good luck :)

/MrsHjort

Happy Brithday Mr

Yesterday was Mr's birthday, the 6th of mars. That day an unspecified bunch of years ago was a very good day. It brought me this wonderful kindhearted intelligent man who loves strawberries and never lets the child in him die.

We've been married for 7 years now, lived together for 10, and I have to say that we're still ridiculously happy together. A colleague of mine recently said that assembling furniture from Ikea really tells you something about the state of your marriage, and I have to agree in our case. We've always been good at cooperating. Though we might be "cheating" when it comes to the Ikea analogy since we've both worked with assembling in the past.

In fact, an even better analogy would be that working in the same company as your spouse gives you a good indication of the state of the relationship. We've worked together in two different companies, and at one time, we even shared the same office, and we loved it! We used to joke around a lot, and sometimes we would have "post-it note ball fights". I guess we're both pretty childish at heart haha. But really, nothing says "I love you" like when you suddenly get a little paper ball thrown at you, and find a heart drawn on it as you unfold it.

So here's to Mr, my husband and mischievous best friend in one. I love you with all my heart!

/MrsHjort

Wired Wrong

As a teacher, my brain sometimes feels like this photo to the right - riddled with things to remember, tasks do and general nerdy information. They say that teachers interact with the most people a day, compared to all other professions, and believe me, after a Monday (which is my busiest day) it can take its toll. The cables that are usually in order have disconnected and found new partners willy-nilly. I can almost hear the bathtub on the ground floor of my house whispering my name, the perfect cure for a wired wrong brain.

/MrsHjort

Stillness

Oh if I could describe to you the wonderful feelings I get as Christmas break draws close. The last lesson has ended and tomorrow all that is left is to enjoy the end of term ceremony. Then I'll finally be able to do nothing at all, which is something I've come to value highly, since I seldom get to do it. I want to stand quietly, and look at the horizon, just like this fisherman, whom I shot candidly last
summer :)

/MrsHjort

Winter Walks

The snow has come, the first real one that is - the kind that stays for more than a few hours. Last Friday the flakes were ginormous, and all of a sudden, the boring browns were covered by a blanket of white.

I love the idea of snow - it brightens everything up a bit, during this dark time of the year, and I love sitting inside with a hot cuppa by a window. I can't say that I'm overly exited about the days when I have to actually get out in it though; I hate when its slippery! My workplace is down hill from where I live, and you really have to watch your step, or you'll start sliding uncontrollably. Wouldn't that be a sight for my students? Their teacher skidding down hill, whilst wailing squeakily and flapping her arms, falling nose first into a snow covered bush. Maybe I should buy crampons for my boots, just in case haha.

Don't get me wrong though, there are instances when I really enjoy a walk in the snow. Like when I have a camera in my hands, or when we bring bread down to the stream and feed the ducks, or, even better, both!

I just found these pictures from two years ago hiding away in my computer, and thought to myself, it would be fun to compere my best shots from back then, to what I can come up with now, after two years of shooting and competing at W1K. So stay tuned for more winter bird shots. I don't have the time to go shooting today, but hopefully the snow will stay a while, and I'll try to manage a troll soon.

/MrsHjort

My Day Off

I love some of the perks my job brings - like autumn break! I've had this whole week off, and believe me, it was well needed! Because, even though we get these extra days, we also work that much more, and often take our work home with us. It's unavoidable, or at least for me it is - there's almost always something that's nagging me, that I want to improve or solve in some way... and the last couple of weeks have been particularly crazy, with the development talks coming up.

But enough of that! This was supposed to be about my day off after all. So, I woke up to this amazing view today, and I could not resist going up to the attic to shoot the top photo. The lighting was stunning and lit up all the yellow autumn leaves gloriously. I love autumn days like this! When the colors come out in all their splendor and the air is fresh. Soon they will be a thing of the past and there will be brown everywhere, yuck! I just hate that about winter, the lack of color depresses me.

So, today being a beautiful day, I finally got the craving to go out and shoot. Honestly, I haven't felt like that for weeks and it's so nice to finally be relaxed enough to feel like doing something creative. Today has been wonderful, my dear mother-in-law and I took a spontaneous walk in the woods, shot some autumn pictures, had a nice lunch out, and ended up talking for hours. I just love that we share the same hobby! So here are today's pictures, fresh from the camera sprinkled with some photoshopping :)

/MrsHjort

The Sky Is the Limit

Today has been an unusual day... Let me tell you all about it.

You see, it began yesterday as I got two phone calls I could not take - since I was busy teaching.  They were from somebody with a local number that, strangely, wasn't in the phone book. Since I work as a teacher it made me wonder if maybe it was a parent, but when I tried to call back, I only got the answering machine, telling me that whomever called was away on business. So naturally I was quite curious.

Anyway, I was very pleasantly surprised today as I finally got hold of my mystery caller. It turned out to be a headhunter who wanted to recruit me. That really made my day! I already have a job that I like, but that was really cool, a boost that will keep my spirits up for a long time!

So, this picture fits my mood very well today. It's been a stressful period, filled with work and things to take care of, but high above the sky beckons, and today, I almost feel like I can touch it :)

Cheers!

/MrsHjort

Day 23 - Golden Moments

I've been meaning to shoot these rose hips for a long time now, but the lighting hasn't been favorable until today. They grow in a place that is usually shaded at the time I when go to work (and they're shaded when I walk home too), but the light has drawn nearer and nearer each morning, as the days grow shorter. Today was the day, today they finally glowed as the early sun rays hit them.

Today has been filled with those little moments of happiness. I just love days like that. Somehow my Mondays are usually very stressful and I come home with a frown on my face, but Tuesdays, Tuesdays are very nice. Fridays are even better though, for obvious reasons ;). There's nothing like sitting back with a hot cuppa (or a nice glass of wine) on a Friday afternoon, plus, Fridays are "fika days" at work. If you've ever been in Sweden you'll know what I'm talking about haha.

What's your favorite day of the week?

/MrsHjort

Daisy - June's Morganite

I've had a terrific day today! I love my new job! I currently work as a high school teacher and I had this semester's first classes today. The student's were wonderfully well behaved, interested and happy. Students like these are every teacher's dream, and thanks to them, I walked home with a big smile on my face, even though it was raining pretty hard and I had forgotten my umbrella at home. I want every day to be like this, and it's why teaching is the best job in the world. Seriously, there are only daisies and sunshine in my world right now :).

Since, I now have a garden a lot of this year's calendar shots are of flowers in it, which makes my job a lot easier, now that life has grown rather busy again. I shot these in the morning, when the sun had just gone up and the air was nice and cool. This summer has been just wonderful, just like last year. It reminded me of the summers when I was a little girl - somehow I can't remember that it ever rained back then. Maybe it's just that way with happy memories - I always tend to romanticize the past, and thankfully I have a lot of happy memories. I'll add today to the lot of them, and maybe, in 50 years or so, I might look back and believe that this too was a sunny day - it certainly has had a sunny happy mood!

Cheers my friends

/MrsHjort

Day 25 - "Glow"

Light can do wonderful things to mundane objects. I'll lift my hat to the one who can guess what today's picture is of! I'll give you a hint; this thingy is usually white.

The Swedish word for glow ("Glöd") has multiple meanings; in some contexts it can also be interpreted as "Spunk". Today has been a very energetic day. I haven't had the time to eat lunch until just now, but somehow I've not tired the least. I've filled in for a college who is ill today, and despite leading 5 classes, almost non-stop, I felt as clear headed teaching the last class as I did the first. Funny how some days are like that. I love them! It's a great feeling going home from work and thinking "Yes! I nailed it today". That's what makes teaching the best profession in the world. When things sort of just flow - you get your pupils to the next level and also have a lot of fun along the way :)

/MrsHjort