Katie-Anne Gustafsson's comments

Fiddler on the Roof (1971) - Blog Entry

23 Jan 2007 01:49 AM

Another one of my favorites Tristi! This one it took me longer to understand in terms of how old I was when I was able to separate the way Tevye wanted things to be as opposed to the reality he was forced to comes to terms with. You're right about the music, it kinda stays with you, and I don't think there would be many men who could carry the role of Tevye because of the power needed to put the real emotion into songs like Tradition. My personal favorite from this movie is "Sunrise Sunset" and that's something I often find myself humming for some unknown reason!

Keep sharing these! I love it!

Katie-Anne

Show Unconditional Love - Blog Entry

23 Jan 2007 01:45 AM

When my 6 year old with Aspergers is having a bad day, he'll have one of his melt-downs and I'll just wait until he finishes, ask if he's finished and then tell him I love him anyway - never fails to get a smile and "I love you too!" back!

One way I show unconditional love in action is when my eldest asks why I sleep in the same room as Pappa when he's snoring, I tell him that when you love someone as much as I love his pappa and him and his little brother, you love them no matter what - good things and bad. This usually gets a serious nod and a "you must loves him very much!" comment! He's not wrong there! LOL

Katie-Anne

Encouraging Long Distance Connections - Blog Entry

23 Jan 2007 01:41 AM

My mum is in the UK, I'm in Sweden with two of her grandsons. I know she's really felt the distance thing with the boys because she doesn't see much of them and they were too young to communicate. Now at 3 and 6 years respectively they talk to her on the phone (they're both bi-lingual), they make pictures and send to her, and of course we take photos. Soon they'll be reading and writing and will be able to write letters. Just last night she was half laughing-half crying on the phone because she rang me with birthday wishes and we were interrupted by the pair of them wandering into the room, one strumming my guitar and the other playing a mouth organ. Apparently they were playing a "rock & roll number for Nan" that they'd composed themselves - the previous night I'd been playing some 60s songs on the CD player and telling them about the rock & roll music Nan used to dance too!

Katie-Anne

Sneaking "Me" Time Into Your Day - Blog Entry

23 Jan 2007 01:35 AM

Me time? Isn't that the time I get to go pee with the door closed? ROFL

And there's nothing wrong with watching Oprah. When I first started out freelance writing I learned a lot about the good people do, how to have compassion and understanding, and how see things from a multi-dimensional point of view from watching Oprah - things that I've used in both my fiction and non-fictional writing. As a writer we can pretty much watch anything and put it down to research! LOL

Katie-Anne

How Important is the Military ID - Blog Entry

22 Jan 2007 02:43 AM

I remember when I first came to Sweden and found out that everything is controlled by an ID card. I fought against it tooth and nail, as I did the personal number system (I've got a name, I'm a person, I'm not a number!). Then I found out that in order to cash a cheque I needed an ID card - told them unless they cashed my cheque I couldn't afford to pay for the card, but they wouldn't budge - so I had to comply. I now have a card but even after 8.5 years here, I still hate it!

Katie-Anne

Caring for the Poor - Blog Entry

22 Jan 2007 02:39 AM

I think the greatest thing you achieved that day was to give a gift to your children, the gift of compassion for someone down on their luck. They won't forget that day, and hopefully they will keep the lesson they learned with them as they go through life.

Katie-Anne

Mystery Shopping: Cruises and Resorts - Blog Entry

22 Jan 2007 02:37 AM

Despite the work it sounds a wonderful job. You must love your work Julie!

I have a dream for one of those cruises that leaves Vancouver and goes up to Alaska. I saw it on a travel show once and it's been an ambition of mine ever since!

Katie-Anne

Going Out to Eat With Kids-Tips to Make it Easier - Blog Entry

22 Jan 2007 02:35 AM

We've always taken our kids out to eat, and here crayons etc are not on the service menu (unfortunately) and so far we really haven't had a problem with them. They ...usually... seem to understand the "occasion" and behave accordingly. The only place we've had a 100% fail rate is at our favourite chinese restaurant where we've taken our firstborn a number of times and not once has he not created a fuss, even though the staff couldn't be nicer to him. We haven't attempted it with the little one! LOL Since firstborn has recently been diagnosed with Aspergers we've noticed that he now asks if he can run around a bit if we go to McD's (doesn't at the other places) and gets a bit sulky and quiet when we say no, people want to enjoy their meal, but he sits still anyway and then runs off the energy outside.

Was funny a couple of weeks ago. He wanted the toy from his happy meal (he's 6 by the way), and his brother (3 years) told him he had to eat all his supper first! hahahaha

Katie-Anne

Update: Parents Control Your Kids' Behavior In School Or You May Have To Pay A Fine - Blog Entry

22 Jan 2007 02:28 AM

I agree with the statement that it's the parent's job to get the children to school, but there's another part to that issue. Once they get through the school gates, I think it's the school's job to keep them there. Parents can't sit at the school gates all day and ensure their kids don't escape!

Katie-Anne

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1957) - Blog Entry

19 Jan 2007 02:19 PM

This is a great family movie. Ok, so almost all the movies in this genre are family movies, but there's something special about this one that seems to captivate everyone from the macho hubby down to the youngest child. The colors, the songs, the music, the cast - oh and the story's not half bad either! LOL Personally Goin' Courtin' is my fav song, but there are times over here (Sweden) in winter that "will the snow ever melt" hums it's way through my mind at regular intervals!

Katie-Anne