birds – The Chronicles of a Happy Divorcée

Merry Xmas, Dear All! S2

24 December 2017.

Merry Xmas, Mr. One out there, family, friends, everyone!

Today, my amazing daughter Kristiina surprised me with special gifts. Very well planned, very affectionate. If you have read chapter 21 – Anniversary – you’ll see.

Lindt chocolates, socks… You’ll understand the bird reference later, in book 2. Haha.

Could she have been any more thoughtful?!?

Check these out:

Seriously? She’s the sweetest! S2

Love her sooooo much!

Joey and I are going on a special Xmas trip, where he’ll get me something I choose, too! S2

Hmmm, so who needs men?? Hmm. Well, I want Him.

Mr. One.

I need him – to make me even happier than I already am. 😀

And while there’s a bump in the road… Yes! I am happy and will remain so! It’s a decision. No more tears. Not too many, anyway. Just good emotional ones, from time to time, just to feel so very alive.

Stronger and happier each day – appreciating the wonderful people and the wonderful love I have in my life. Like Kristiina’s. Like Joey’s. Riitta’s, Marcos’s. Sarah’s, Moses’s. Ida’s. Lisa’s. CT2’s. James Bond’s…

Like yours!! S2

And so you wonder, who needs men? Why did Kristiina write that? Where is Christian???

Well… keep reading. 🙂

Obs. Feliz Natal! God jul! Hyvää joulua! Feliz Navidád! Merry Xmas! xxx

Chapter 69 – Tinder Date #16, Part Two

This blog is a book. Maybe better to read from the beginning? 🙂

Sunday, 21 February 2016.

D-Evening

Anna’s spring break has started well. 🎼 I got out of bed on the right side, and I’m having a wonderful day. 🎶 Remember?

This is her first holiday week ever as a single adult woman, with no care in the world for eight more days. I’m gonna enjoy this as much as I can!

Anna is feeling happy and Christian surely plays a part in that.

Still can’t believe that crazy selfie he sent me, though.

Anna had insisted for days he send her a picture with a smile, teeth showing. She wanted to make sure Christian had teeth, what else? A nice smile is such a turn on, after all!

So, tonight she’s finally going to meet that very, very short, chubby, sixty-five-year-old jolly grandpa with a pink complexion, a forced smile and eyes wide open. Like one of Snow White’s little darlings. Bald, with a few long hairs sticking up his head against the backlight.

Not at all like in his other pics. Haha.

Clueless selfie. He’s such a guy!

Endearing. Some clueless guys are simply endearing.

Ding!

15:00 On my way. 😊 But I forgot to bring my scarf. Delayed flight. Will send you a message once I’m onboard. 😊

Yay! Looking forward to seeing you. Have a safe flight! 😊 About the cold, don’t worry, I’ll bring you one of my mom’s gift-project scarves.

Great. Thanks so much! 😊 What’s the best way to get the hotel?

She sends him detailed directions. Ha! It’s pretty straightforward. Isn’t he supposed to be a world traveller?! And Helsinki is so tiny!

15:50 Can always get lost. 😊 Can you leave a trail of breadcrumbs?

15:58 Funny guy! I’ll leave you a trail of smiles. If you get lost, text me and I’ll come and save you.

16:20 Will do. Just put me in your bicycle basket. 😊 Boarding soon. Take a power nap!

Of course I will! 😊

D-evening has now come and Anna’s ready to mingle. Yay!

She wanted to wear a skirt, but since it is 0°C outside, she’s chosen black slacks and a blue jeans shirt. Hold-ups underneath. High-heeled leather Army-style Vagabond boots on her feet, and to warm her up, a new navy Didriksson’s parka, her favorite scarf and matching gloves (she doesn’t like wearing hats – no).

Loose hair and a happy smile.

She is looking good and feeling awesome!

19:20 The eagle has landed. And can’t find his luggage!

Anna is just waiting around. Getting restless. I can’t wait any longer!! Can you?

20:10 Found my suitcase! And… I’m in Helsinki!!!! Heading for hotel. Will call you when I am there. 😊 Really, really nice to be back. And can’t wait to see you.

Tervetuloa! Xx 😊😊

Ohhh! I’m too excited to wait around the house.

She walks to Mr. Ex’s place, wishes the teens a good holiday – with big hugs – and borrows the dog for the walk up to the hotel.

There has been lots of subtle teasing from both lately. And from his side “cough, cough and splutter,” too.

A funny man…

…With a cold!

Where does he find the motivation to get up from bed and catch a flight? Haha – I did ask him if he wanted to postpone his trip, but no.

So, playing nurse on a date, am I?

20:15 I’m wearing my snow boots. Don’t want to break more bones!

Better safe than sorry. I’m wearing casual. Let’s match?

Yes! Don’t wear heels. 😊 Slippery out there.

Anna and James Bond take brisk steps through the Kolmiopuisto park, towards Kamppi. Cute doggie! It’s drizzling and dark, but who cares??

Soon, soon, soon!

Yes!

Christian has put in so much effort so far – like guys who know what they are doing in the dating game. I’ve been thoroughly enjoying his attention. — She smiles, with a positive gut feeling about their encounter tonight.

I’m a single woman now – and my date is here.

Yay, yay, yay!!

20:49 OK. Almost ready. Will give you a call soon. 😊

Game on!!

She’s standing outside his hotel and can’t wait to see him…

Literally — she looks at her watch — 21:15? Seriously? Where is this guy??

Obs. D-Evening

(The snow is falling gracefully here in Tampere as I write this chapter, looking out the windows at the beautiful scenery of my parents’ backyard).

Chapter 20 – A Little Place in Finland

This blog is a book. Maybe better read from the beginning? 🙂

There is a little place in Finland – so unpretentious – that invites you to come and relax for a few days. Its calming breeze seems to whisper, “You are your truest self with me, so drop your guard, inhale and exhale, and notice your contentment”.

It’s a place where nature envelops you with tranquility and its little birds tweet in the morning.

Other than that, all you can hear are the sounds of silence. And your own steps in the snow.

To get there, you must drive for a pretty long time in the countryside, before taking a left turn onto a dirt road in the forest.

A beautiful forest. Hilly – majestic in its simplicity.

It’s no touristic site, nor does it aspire any fame. It is just whole and happy to be what it is.

Precious. Priceless.

Ten kilometers down the dirt road, after various curves of peaceful expectation, you come to a little farm where the dogs start barking to announce your arrival, a few horses neigh behind a white wooden fence, and the lady in her late sixties who owns the place comes out to greet you with a warm smile and animated chatter. Her husband is a friendly man, too, though he talks much, much less.

They’ll lead the way, ten minutes further down to their lake and the little cottage you’ve rented to spend a few days at. There, you can enjoy total privacy and solitude. Naps, the fireplace, healthy meals (and some Fazer chocolate, of course).

Anna loves jogging and walking around the lake. And all the hard work of carrying logs from the woodshed to the cottage.

The property has electricity, but no running water, which makes the whole experience even more special, as the water to do the dishes has to be fetched from the lake.

Once a day, you sit in the sauna and let it revive your whole being – body and soul – as you look out the sauna window at the amazing views with pine and birch trees, before a skinny dip in the hole in the ice.

Avanto, in Finnish.

For her, the place is loaded – but only with good memories and emotions. The first two times, she came here to celebrate a very white Christmas with Mr. Ex, their little kids and dear friends.

Santa Claus showed up too, making his way slowly to the cottage in the unblemished snow. Four-year-old Kristiina was so excited to meet Santa in person, but then she recognized our friend, “It’s Rick, it’s Rick!” she giggled happily, while Baby Joey slept through the whole thing.

Anna will always be grateful to Rick for introducing her to this place.

In the next chapter, permit me to forward our story to February 2017, a little over a year after Anna’s divorce.

This is the first time Anna is here at the cottage alone.

All her stays have been special, but the best two were with CT2, aka Tinder Date #16, aka let’s wait and see.

Are you getting any curious? Well, if you’re patient…

…You might get a few glimpses into the warmest, most passionate parts of her sielu soon.

Obs. Next, flashforward to day 428 since moving out.