- Oops, Ken! I wasn’t expecting you back this early…
- So I noticed. This kitchen is a mess. How’s the bathroom renovation going?
- Weeelllll… Kaarna mumbles and starts to clear the sink.
After the contarctor had received the payment for the first part of the work he just vanished. Kaarna tells:
- He actually ghosted us. He doesn’t answer our emails and his phone say ”the number you have reached is no longer in service”.
- Why didn’t you tell me?
- And ruined your freetime?! There’s nothing you could’ve done. But look, at least there’s a drain now. Filia can’t cause any damage!
Ken and Elisabet need to sit down and figure out this new problem. Ken suggests:
- What if we just leave it that way for now. The heating season has started and the boiler is still not working like it should. Let’s use the bathroom money for a brand new boiler and for the heating bills that most likely will be phenomenal next winter.
- And some day if our financial situation is better, we’ll continue the bathroom with someone more reliable? Elisabet adds.
- Exactly. We managed with the sauna and dry toilet before, and we will manage with them now.
The neighbours across the road kindly let everybody pick apples from their trees, since they have way too many.
Kaarna wants to bake a pie to cheer up this gray day.
She hates cooking but for some reason baking is easy for her.
The delicious pie makes Ken especially happy.
On his way to his special lingonberry place Ken is shocked! The forest is completely gone.
The gigantic hell machines are demolishing everything.
Us humans are incredible in our will and talent to destroy the planet.
Ken wants to rake the leaves, but he finds the rake left on the ground broken.
Then he notices that Filia is escaping from the crime scene and shouts to her:
- Filia, can I have a word with you?!
- I have nothing to do with the rake!!!!
- That wasn’t the thing I wanted to speak to you about. I only want to remind you that making noise in the night time is prohibited.
- I don’t make noise.
- You jump around and bang your feet on the floor and play Elvis and I can’t sleep. It makes me insane.
- I have to dance. Doctor’s order.
Ken’s words might not have any effect on Filia’s behavior, but at least he’s able to easily fix the rake.
Every autumn Ken and Elisabet remember that they still haven’t got a wheelbarrow.
They tend to put off buying the small things when all the big problems suck out all their energy and money.
Kaarna is happy as a tennant, not having to think about the responsibilities of a home owner.
- Ken! Am I imagining things or is that fucking witch next door being even louder than usually?
- She is. I already asked her to stop but it just made her go insane.
Ken decides to sleep outside in Herbert.
Kaarna tries to survive by keeping her noise cancelling headphones on.
All through the summer the nights were unusually cold, and now they are unusually warm.
Ken has slept really well in the van and heads for the morning porridge with happy thoughts.
In the kitchen Kaarna has already set the breakfast table and Ken suggests:
- So, it was still somewhat comfy in Herbert. Why don’t we drive to the @ihmeellinen_pieni_maailma miniature fair?
- And waste 60 litres of diesel that costs 2.6 euros per litre?!
- Well yes. I have learned that I could loose a leg or arm or even a head any time and my life would be over in a second. What’s the point in saving money?
- Hmmmm, Kaarna hesitates and Ken adds:
- But we must only buy things we really need. I hope we’ll meet some friends there! We'll leave today and spend the night somewhere near Espoo.
After a warm but horribly rainy night in Herbert Ken and Kaarna decide to have breakfast at a gas station.
They remember the previous times when they have spent nights outside the exhibition hall. The nights are now 10 degrees warmer than they should be at the end of September.
The ”Ihmeellinen Pieni Maailma” fair is just as wonderful as always.
Both Ken and Kaarna find a lot of interesting things to see.
Of course there are many old acquaintances with their exhibitions and stores, but also some new ones.
There’s plenty of amazing products available, but Ken tries to keep in mind that he can only buy something he really needs.
And Kaarna tries to avoid the most crowded places.
Ken gets hungry and finds a picturesque cafeteria Skylark Miniatures. He sees a sweet looking couple and asks if he could sit with them.
As they talk they realize they actually have mutual friends, like JuhaSusanna
What a small world! (Literally.)
After Sari and Kentus have moved on, Dora takes their place.
So Ken decides to order another piece of blueberry waffle.
Kaarna has lost Ken and is looking form.
- He might be here at the closing sale of Atelier Tea-o-rama, Kaarna thinks and steps in.
She looks around and hears a familiar voice calling her name. But no, it’s definitely not Ken… Kaarna turns around and sees… Mari!
Mari is even more radiant than ever before.
Kaarna totally freezes, she has trouble holding herself together, but Mari starts to blabber.
- Oh Kaarna! Wow, how lovely to see you! How are you? How’s your life these days?
Luckily Ken actually happens to be at the same store and notices what’s going on. He smoothly saves the situation and gives Kaarna a chance to stagger away when Mari starts to tell about her news:
- Can you see it already? We are expecting a child! Oh yes, I am married now! Happily, I must say! We live very close by, here in Espoo. Maybe you both could come and stop by for a coffee later in the evening?
Kaarna can’t take this. She silently crawls away from this unexpected horror. Mari doesn’t even notice, she’s so full of her own excellence.
A while later Ken tracks Kaarna down in the Skylark_miniatures’ showroom.
- Are you allright? Would you like to go home right away?
But before Kaarna even gets a chance to answer, a striking duo steps in!
Ken instantly recognizes the stunning guys from their Instagram accounts. Alonso, Blondie and Ken are thrilled to finally meet each other.
Also Kaarna is forced to pose in a group photo and even gets kissed on the hand - what a nightmare.
And then even more new friends storm in!
Once again Kaarna chooses to sneak out while the happy Ken keeps on socializing.
There’s a heavy metal guitarist performing at Cafe La Teinte. Kaarna thinks she might be able to calm herself down here.
In the front row right next to Kaarna is Kit and other nice people that she remembers from the previous years, when they spent time together at Ken and Kaarna’s workshops. But right now Kaarna can immerse herself into the music and is allowed to ignore everybody else.
After the guitar hero has finished, Kit approaches Kaarna and wants to give her a pair of pants and a shirt.
- I thought these might be your style, she says and explains some rational reason why she wants to give Kaarna such a generous gift.
But Kaarna is still in shock after seeing Mari, that she hardly understands Kit’s words. The clothes are super cool, and Kaarna hopes she’s able to express her gratitude to Kit. But she really needs to get out of here. Now.
Meanwhile, Ken has gathered all his purchases (that he really needed) in the lobby and is finally ready to leave.
- This is the most important thing! A berry picker from @dolllandia! And I also found cheap second hand stuff for the bathroom renovation.
- A pink, giant, washing machine!? We can’t even fit that monster in the bathroom.
- Well. I know. I panicked. We’ll leave it at the recycling center on our way home.
At home Kaarna tries on her new clothes. They fit perfectly and look amazing.
Then Kaarna says:
- Can I now collapse? I’ve been holding myself together bravely.
- Please do. I’ve already been waiting for you to crash down. I’ll make you some pancakes.
Luckily Kaarna can’t completely sink into her misery, because her offering for an illustration work just got accepted.
It’s time to focus on the canvas and colors.
The melancholic autumn vibes have once again conquered this household. Although Kaarna’s work keeps her mind empty during the days, in the evenings she gets lost in pretty sad thoughts.
- I’m never going to find love. I’m even too afraid to search for it…
And Ken is not any better either:
- I wish Kaarna will never leave me. I don’t want to get old and die alone. Oh dear, am I a horrible person? Kaarna deserves happiness, not a life sentence as my caretaker.
Kaarna keeps on working, but Ken has time for great ideas:
- What if we bought the wall panels to our new bathroom when you get paid for that job?
- No fucking way! I hardly ever get a job this well paid. I’m using the money for something fun!
- But home decorating is fun!
There are still some yellow leaves on the bushes out on the yard, but mostly the nature has reached it’s most depressing state. The November grayness is the current reality and that’s terrifying.
- I love having four completely different seasons, but this part is nothing but cruelty.