Last Blast February 26, 2006
This is my last post fra Norge. Ha det veldig bra!
We will surely visit someday to show Sara Ellen her birthplace.
House fires caused by Plug-Ins
I received the following as an e-mail forward. After seeing this post as I originally published it, Tim did a search and found this particular one to be a hoax. If you want to find out if an e-mail is a hoax, do a Google search for it. He searched for “plug-in fire” and found an article entitled Glade PlugIns® Fire Hazard Hoax, which in turn linked to a press release from SC Johnson stating the e-mail is nothing more than a rumor and that they could not verify any facts presented.
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Originally written by a lady whose brother and his wife learned a hard lesson.
Their house burned down.. .. nothing left but ashes. They have good insurance so the house will be replaced and most of the contents. That is the good news. However, they were sick when they found out the cause of the fire. The insurance investigator sifted through the ashes for several hours. He had the cause of the fire traced to the master bathroom. He asked her sister-in-law what she had plugged in the bathroom. She listed the normal things…. curling iron, blow dryer. He kept saying to her, “No, this would be something that would disintegrate at high temperatures”. Then her sister-in-law remembered she had a Glade Plug-In, in the bathroom.
The investigator had one of those “Aha” moments. He said that was the cause of the fire. He said he has seen more house fires started with the plug-in type room fresheners than anything else. He said the plastic they are made from is THIN plastic. He also said that in every case there was nothing left to prove that it even existed.
When the investigator looked in the wall plug, the two prongs left from the plug-in were still in there. Her sister-in-law had one of the plug-ins that had a small night light built in it. She said she had noticed that the light would dim and then finally go out. She would walk in to the bathroom a few hours later, and the light would be back on again. The investigator said that the unit was getting too hot, and would dim and go out rather than just blow the light bulb. Once it cooled down it would come back on.
That is a warning sign . The investigator said he personally wouldn’t have any type of plug in fragrance device anywhere in his house. He has seen too many places that have been burned down due to them.
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It sure sounds possible, which is why I published it instead of just forwarding. Good thing I think.
Little Discoveries February 25, 2006
Sara Ellen has hands, not that she has really been aware of that fact. Recently, however she has discovered these little things which have my wrinkly knuckles and Tim’s clean cuticles. The aim of her arms is not very good, but if she tosses her little arm in the right direction or her hand happens to be near something those little fingers grip. Newborns grip also but mainly fingers and Sara Ellen is developing pinchers. Now she has touched all kinds of things, our faces if within reach, my hair, my shirt, the bed sheet. She even managed to clutch a neat toy Tim’s mom gave her. (When I know how the Grandma Jan’s are differenciated, I’ll write that.)
It’s so fun watching her grow stronger and develop.
I made a little discovery myself. Friday the girls went shopping. At first she wasn’t happy but I fed her on arrival to the shopping center and tried the stroller again, no success. After remembering that she never likes lying on her back except when sleeping with me, I put the blanket I’d brought under her head. She was able to “sit up” a little and look around. Smart mommy! I did the same thing with my purse today while I made some neat ceramic souvenirs and she slept for a while. 
Apartment February 19, 2006
Before I moved to Norway, Tim took pictures of a potential apartment, the one that we ended up getting from another Opera employee who moved back to Japan, the one we’re leaving in three weeks.
It seemed nice and light, a feature I really wanted but also small, especially the loft/bedroom. There are many features I didn’t consider too carefully, like the crazy round sink in the corner! I kind of wish I had but I don’t know how different our life here would have been. It doesn’t matter. Though we’ve lived in this apartment over a year, it’s always seemed like a transition place. Not much furniture, and while it’s home, doesn’t have everything we want.
Possibly our number one requirement for our next home, a dishwasher!! I also look forward to a bath tub, a real closet and/or dresser drawers, separate places for working and eating, more space for visiting and not having the tv front and center and a clothes dryer so by the time our clothes are dry it’s time to do another load. 
We’re selling off our stuff by bits and pieces. I really hope we can sell the bigger items too. One more week in this place, then comes packing day and we’ll take our suitcases with us to an Opera apartment. Thursday night we stay in the Radisson Hotel by the airport so we can just walk on over and not get up way early!
Yay! February 14, 2006
After some discussion, Tim’s bosses have agreed to let Tim continue to work for Opera from the US!! He has a six-month trial which will include a laptop for work use, health insurance reimbursement and the same benefits he receives here (vacation, pension, etc.)! This is great because he loves his job and it will help us transition back home. It’s sure nice not to have to worry about looking for a job when we return or worry about running out of money. Phew! 
Happy Valentine’s Day!!
When in … Norway February 12, 2006
Happy Norwegian Mother’s Day. 
Tim brought me pink roses and his mom left a nice card for me.
Leaving Norway February 11, 2006
In three weeks we relocate to the States! 
I was unhappy and wanted to leave for so long. It isn’t that I don’t want to leave anymore but now that it’s actually happening the things I like about Norway and all the things that have happened here run through my mind. Also going through my active mind are the things which will change and things I don’t like about the US.
(more…)
“Don’t call us…”
I was just trying to find the dates for this year’s Spring Dance Concert and found a link to the photographer who takes the posters and concert photos. It brought back memories.
I loved R-MWC and my time in the dance department but everything has its complications. (more…)
Winter Games February 10, 2006
I just finished watching the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy. I think it’s neat that I won’t have to miss any because of traveling. It ends February 26th and we leave a week later.
There was something curious I want to look up though, China was represented in three ways: People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong China, and Taipei China. Is Hong Kong self-governing? Is Taipei distancing itself from Taiwan? I plan to find this out.
The dancing was pretty neat but Luciano Pavoratti was wonderful. Laura Bush was in the audience.
