Found somewhere on the net:

Happiness only lasts for a short time but the effect of it lingers.

The apartment is quiet and I'm typing away on my own. The rest of the family is outside chasing pocket monsters. I love having all of them around me but this way there's time to do some typing without tying them up while doing it. In other words I'm having me-time. But not for long. The rest of the family will be back soon and I really want them to be back.

They'll be here for a few days more and then I'm betting on happiness lingering.

#family

Work was tedious today. Mostly because of a severe lack of sleep. I produced furniture legs all day today. Time crawled but finally reached off-ours. And the best of all. My fiancée waited by the door and we talked while walking home.

It is so wonderful to have the family gathered. Not even influenzas could take us down. ...but seem to try their best.

#family

I-ching hexagram 41:

One may use two small bowls for the sacrifice.

I-ching comments on hexagram 41:

One must draw on the strength of the inner attitude to compensate for what is lacking in externals; then the power of the content makes up for the simplicity of form. There is no need of presenting false appearances to God. Even with slender means, the sentiment of the heart can be expressed.

Christmas this year has been like that. Nothing fancy, expensive or grand. It has been a time of few and simple gifts and it feels just fine. Eating the dishes of the normal fenno-swedish christmas dinner spread out over several days seems like a better way to do it nowadays. Dad doesn't eat that much and neither do I. ...both because of diabetes, probably. He tries to eat healthier to keep his blood sugar low and I'm trying to eat although my medication lowers my appetite. But the meals are nonetheless quite festive.

We also talk. We rarely find common ground enough for chitchatting, but it's easier over something good to eat (and drink). Our two apartments (left and right halves of a small house) feel like christmas but in a more intimate – and frugal – manner. Dad doesn't even have a tree. Mine will be dressed in a few days when the other half of the family arrives. The pesebre didn't get blessed this year but it was ready on display before dinner on xmas eve.

So it is christmas but tonight our small bowls were filled with mashed potatoes and varm red cabbage to go with the traditional pork sausages.

One may use two bowls for christmas too, apparently.

#family