Reminder: Watch out you summer lovers, now's the time you're being ripped off!

Spring is here, which means yey!

In Finland it's fare to say it's spring when the sun actually feels warms on your skin, no matter if it's -5. It's crispy and light in the evenings, the driveway is showing dry asphalt, all the dog poo from the winter is appearing everywhere you look (and step) Let's say it together kids: It's springtime!

I think many of us love the idea of spring because of the idea of summer. Aaw, you're already picturing yourself in a park having a picnic with some fresh strawberries..Or maybe you see yourself riding a nice, cousy "grandmom style" bycicle (the one with big tires and no gears), summerbreeze is blowing your hair when you arrive to the open market in the centre of the city and the basket in front of the bike is full of sunflowers. And I'm going to start finally wearing those girly skirts to show off my tanned legs! Ooh, and guess where the dinner will be served? At the balcony which is a perfect city garden. How amazing it feels to cool off with a glass of whitewine and salad - and easily pick some fresh green basil to spice up your dinner. Wow, that's me next summer.

You see what I'm talking about? The previous summer is so far behind that we've already forgotten what it was: That it takes effort to keep up a balcony garden for entire summer. At least I'm one of those who get excited about it and buy expensive floral or herbs and after they dry out the first time, I'll thing "naah - I've had my fun" and let them go. And many summer days aren't so warm either. How many actually warm days typical Finnish summer usually has? 9? 14? I may be too hard on Nordic summer, but the most days are approx. 18-20 degrees, slightly cloudly if not raining...And at least I get goose pumps if I try to go to the beach on this kind of day. Many women wear skirts and I salute you for it! Too often I think about wearing a skirt, but then notice how easy it is to wear for example capri pants - homemade out of your own jeans! If..no, let's say when it gets cold in the evening, it's easy to roll them down. Definately the easiest thing to wear when riding that granny bike. And the open market, wow..It's crowded, could we go to the movies instead?

I know how the summer doesn't always (never?) meet our fantasies of it and so do you. But all the good people in the marketing business know we are going to have some "moments of weakness". Like: you're drinking your coffee on a nice March afternoon, the sun is shining and you're going through the mail. Suddenly, you open a catalog full of light green coloured spring & summer accessories. Skirts, scarfs, sunglasses..And wait, there are amazing picnic blankets and beautiful candlelights for those garden parties you're going to have! You know you've never had those earlier, but maybe next summer..You think watching the spring sun outside of the window, zip your coffee and just maybe make the order online right away. And how great it would be cool off in a pool like that on the final page..Wow!

"Thaaaankyou, come again!" thinks the marketing man behind the catalog. Us summer people are just too damn easy.

Reminder: Keep those happy slogans coming!

Lately, I’ve felt a bit blue-ish due to some significant changes in my daily life. Funnily enough, these changes were carefully made to make our family’s life easier. Still, I’m struggling to keep my mind on the positive side as my sub-conscious seems to be sad about the change. I know it will get better though. Also, I’ve had absolutely rotten day, a real stinker!! – although it got way better when I had some of my familymembers for a heart-warming visit. I won’t bore you with details of my day with frustrated feelings and self-disgust, instead I want to give myself (and anyone in need) some short-cuts to cheerful mood with some of my favourite sentences in the world. Here we go, please feel free to crab one for your own slogan if you get the tickles from it:

MY HAPPY-HAPPY-JOY-JOY PHRASES:

- Who wants coffee?
- Why don’t we heat up the sauna, doesn’t matter we did it yesterday as well
- What would you do if you’d win the lottery, tell me your desires!
- Man, let’s go dancing – I love this song!
- Have you lost weight?
- C’mon here, let’s rub those shoulders
- Why don’t you take a nap, I’ll watch the baby in the mean while
- Glad you came, I just made pancakes – want some?
- Shall we watch some Gilmore Girls together?
- You’ve been such a nice girl, you deserve some chocolate!
- When you have the time, come meet me in the office and lets finally set that pay raise
- You are a good mother
- I can see you’re doing you’re best, that’s enough you know?
- Why don’t we take a trip somewhere warm and far far away?
- You just look younger!
- Your baby is adorable
- Let’s go to a nice restaurant, my treat!
- You don’t have to worry about a thing, I’ll take care of it!
- Everything is going to be alright
- How about a glass of wine?
- I’m glad you came
- Will you marry me? (for one time only, and I’ve had the pleasure to experience that  )
- I’ll dare you to try that roller coaster / parachute
- Oh, the sun is up this early! Let’s go to a park and enjoy
- I love you


Now, I feel a lot better already..Which words make you smile?