Author Archives: A Star on the Forehead

Got Bread?

28 Friday Feb 2025

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After 2 weeks of eating just soft foods, mostly yogurts and creamy soups, today I finally had bread.  I couldn’t have the French, crusty, baguette that I adore, but this soft brioche tastes like heaven.

Yes, my heaven is made of bread and butter. And coffee with chocolate and cream.

My dental issues continue. I had laser surgery and gum graft in 2 areas in my mouth. The front upper and the lower left, so eating, even soft foods, has been tricky and awkward.  I still can’t have any foods that are hot, spicy, hard, seeded, etc, for another 2 weeks.

I am being extra careful as I don’t want to go through this surgery again.  It is way too painful and expensive.   I just they help save the implants and make the gum healthier.

There is always a silver lining, and in this case is that I lost weight. I am not sure how much, as I haven’t really weighted myself in ages… I can’t find the scale.  Blame it on the messy, chaotic state of our condo.  Even though we don’t have much furniture, whatever we have are in boxes, and it is a nightmare any time we need to look for something.

There is progress being made on this condo renovation, slowly but steadily. I can actually see the light at the end of this tunnel. And it is so bright, so beautiful, so full of hope.

This “not eating” really illustrated to me, how much I depend on food to even out my moods.  Hi, I am Ana, and I am an emotional eater.  I run to food to deal with mental discomfort. Well, for any reason really.

Many times, throughout the day, I find myself thinking of food. I know I am not hungry, what I am is anxious, worried, etc. I am happy I eat, I am sad I eat. Any emotion is dealt with food. And when I cannot rely on food, it becomes really tricky.  I am lost.

Speaking of food, the pictures below are some of the snacks I bought for the auditors that are visiting my office for a few days.  After only 2 years since the last physical audit, the auditors are back. They seem to love our little firm.  We are guessing it is because we moved from New York to Florida and they want to see if we actually have an office, or I am working out of my bedroom.

Those cookies and pastries were fresh out of the oven, from a French bakery.  Perhaps I can charm the auditors with food.

Thank you for stopping by.  I wish you all a blessed weekend! I will try not to be a stranger.  I keep promising that and failing.  Even my blog doesn’t recognize me anymore. Sad!

Happy chaotic 2025

27 Monday Jan 2025

Posted by in Daily Life, Daily Message, Finding Me

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Hi everyone,

I hope your 2025 is going well.  Whatever plans you have, start NOW!  Great advice, right?  Yet, I continue to be waiting on things to be finished so I can accomplish other things, so I can live my life.

I continue hoping for calm and order, but I will have to wait longer for that.  The construction/renovation on our condo will continue for a few, or several, more months. I am trying to keep positive and focus on the fact that things are progressing, but it has been a struggle. 

I like results and to have things completed and orderly, and my life at the moment is the total opposite of that.  There is dust everywhere. It is a daily ritual of vacuuming and mopping. Still, the dust persists.

We have been living out of the second bedroom. Everything we have is either there or in NY, waiting to be brought to Florida.  We will not be buying any furniture until all is finished.

Every day there seems to be little progresses here and there, so it seems there is light at the end of this tunnel.  At this moment some apartments are already having their exterior painted. I think ours will be painted in the next couple of weeks.

To renovate the exterior and correct all the damage in the balcony and exterior, they had to come into the apartment several feet. In doing that, there was damage to the floors, ceilings, walls and electrical work. 

We decided to take advantage of the fact that all is a mess and go ahead and remove the fireplace. In doing that we got more floor space and a little more view.

Everything is slow going as one crew depends on the other to finish their parts, and they all depend on the inspectors to come and approve the work. Nevertheless, I see progress and that provides me comfort.

To top the chaos, I have a physical audit scheduled, besides the regular audits – the auditors just love our little firm.  I also have dental surgery scheduled – more gum graft and laser surgery in my future.  Will expand upon those on the next post.

And then there is good, the ever lasting feeling of being blessed and the certainty that all that is happening now is for the best.

Love, light and blessings to all!

2024: The year of finding calm in chaos

19 Thursday Dec 2024

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Always a blessings!

Always a blessings!

Happy Holiday Season everyone! This year just flew by. A lot was accomplished but a lot was neglected as well. It has been a very stressful year. I have an ulcer to prove it.

I neglected friends. I neglected this blog. I neglected my mosaic work. I neglected my health. I am hoping to change that in 2025.

At the beginning of 2024 I thought we would have a relatively calm year, with some traveling between New York and Florida, and a couple of weeks in Brazil. Instead, it has been a very chaotic year.

It started slow with my regular work plus daily bike rides, trying new bread recipes, and sightseeing on weekends. In March we went skiing in Breckenridge and had an amazing time. We both adore everything about skiing and dream of buying a property in Colorado.

In May, while driving around near Cocoa Beach, we went by an open house and decided to go in. From there we went to another property, which we fell in love with, despite the major exterior renovations the building was going through.

Michael sold his place and I put one of my places in NY for sale. We thought that this renovation was going to be finished in a couple of months, instead we are still in the middle of it. There is talk of being completed in March. Fingers crossed.

This renovation is due to a fairly new Florida law that requires that buildings that are near the coast and 3 floors and higher must complete a milestone inspection. Our building failed this inspection miserably, costing each owner thousands and thousands of dollars in assessments – we still don’t know what the final number will be.

We spent July and August in Brazil, where I got a lot things done. The most important accomplishment was getting a person to help my parents with cooking and cleaning. The lady I found is Godsent. She has been such an enormous help.

I was happy to be able to take one week off while there to visit some Brazilian historical towns. I really enjoy taking Michael around my country.

In September we came back to Florida, and realized that our condo was not going to be ready any time soon. We stayed in an Airbnb for a week, but then decided that we had to make the condo work as is. The exterior renovation had to come in a few feet inside the building, making balcony, living room and master bedroom unusable. We are by now used to all the confusion and are making the best of it.

At that time, we didn’t stay long in Florida. When we heard that Hurricane Milton was coming we went to NY.

When I mentioned that I was setting down roots in Florida, my boss/partner decided that we would move our business to Florida from NY.  I though we would be doing that next year because we still have a lease in the NY office until July, but he demonstrated a sense of urgency.

As soon as I got back to Florida in October, I started contacting attorneys, and eventually got our LLC transferred from NY to Florida.

I also found a space in an old historical building, got furniture and I am making it into a nice office. I still have to get it all finished, but I am getting more and more comfortable here.

In November I went back to NY to close the office. There was a lot to do, get my assistant set up at home, give away the furniture, etc. I am happy I was able to have it all done, and not have to deal with that office anymore.

The other good news is that my condo sold and closed. One less thing to worry about it.

When I thought things were on the way to calm, I got a letter from JPMorgan Chase to inform us that they are terminating the business relationship. No reasons given. I was shocked and angry. I had never heard of a bank turning away a customer, for no reason.  I didn’t have time to dwell on it, I got a new bank account and I am in the process of notifying our customers about it.

I am now sitting in my new office in Florida. When I look at all I got done in 2024 I am in awe and pat myself in the back. Each item had layers of headaches, phone calls, emails, etc,  but in the end, all worked out.

In 2024 I had many, of what I call temporary priorities. I hope to now be able to focus on my “living more” priorities.

Michael has been my constant, my friend and partner.  Life is infinitely better with him.

I wish you the most wonderful holiday season. May 2025 bring you a lot of blessings and joy!

The twists and turns of October 2024

07 Thursday Nov 2024

Posted by in Daily Life, Daily Message, Finding Me

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I feel my life is just like this tree I encountered the other day - all twisted - so different and gorgeous.

I feel my life right now is just like this tree I encountered the other day – all twisted – so different and gorgeous.

It has been over a month since my last post.  I keep waiting for normalcy to start writing more frequently, but I will probably have to wait longer for that.

I look forward to routine, but instead, I should learn to enjoy the adventure of chaos. I continue my struggle with not being able to stay in the moment and enjoying it for what it is, instead of dreaming with a perfect future.

After spending hurricane Helene in Florida, I decided not to chance it and went back to NY to wait for Milton.  I am happy to say that Milton came and went, and thankfully my apartment is still standing.   I still have plywood instead of doors and windows, but hopefully it will not be too long until I get my long-awaited view.

After the boss decided to relocate the business from New York to Florida, thanks to me, I spent some time searching for office spaces and legal firms.

After seeing some horrible office spaces, I found the perfect space in the historic part of Melbourne, FL. Well, not that perfect, because I don’t have my own bathroom and kitchen, but I figure I will have to settle. I got a fridge, coffeemaker, toaster and a portable sink.  I will get used to that.  I don’t plan on being in the office every day.  The bathroom is a shared one in the hall. Not that the end of the world.

The legal firm we hired worked on the paperwork and we are now officially a Florida company.  That part, after so much concern, was actually painless.  Fingers crossed that there will not be any unforeseen issues.

The time I spent in NY escaping Milton, was used to digitize all my files.  It has taken some getting used, but getting rid of paper is freeing. 

I also packed some more of my stuff from my apartment. I decided to have most of my belongings in Florida, and make that my official home.

Finally, the closing for the sale of my NY condo will happen next week.  I will not be there for it, the attorney will handle that. But I will get there a few days later to continue to pack some more of my belonging and to continue the closing of the NY office.  I have to set up my assistant to work from home, among other stuff.

And just when I think that things are quieting down, JPMorgan Chase has just informed my company that they are terminating their relationship with us.  I have never heard of that before. Why would they do that?  I am supposed to get a letter about it.  I am really angry about it, but powerless.

Now I have to scramble to get another bank account and get our customers and vendor to start using this other account.

Peace is a state of mind.  I repeat that to my myself, now more often than ever.  Peace is how I handle all the issues that I have to deal with and not the absence of any issue.

Michael has been the constant in my life, my routine and rock.

I hope everyone is enjoying a blessed beginning of November.  Be back soon.

Always blessed!

“It is possible to live happily in the here and now. So many conditions of happiness are available—more than enough for you to be happy right now. You don’t have to run into the future in order to get more.” ― Thich Nhat Hanh

Today’s sights – October 4, 2024

04 Friday Oct 2024

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I have started riding my bike in the mornings again. It has been fun exploring my new town.

It feels great to start getting back to a routine.  Everything else feels in limbo, unfinished.  Will write about it on the next post.

Wishing you all a blessed weekend!

Waiting for Helene

26 Thursday Sep 2024

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“There’s no such thing as safety. Only degrees of risk.”
― Christopher Paolini

This is my first hurricane since I started living in Florida (about 1 month).
Hurricane Helene should be arriving in a couple of hours.
I am not sure what to expect. For now we have just heavy winds.

We are not in its path.  I think that the area I am in, in Eastern Florida, we will get more of a tropical storm.  Or so I hope. 

I am a bit concerned, since this is what my building looks like: 



We thought that by the time we got back from Brazil, all the construction would be completed, but of course more damage was found.  so that means more time and money needed. Oh well, fingers crossed we are done by the end of the year.

I feel safe, just apprehensive.  I have so much work to do, that is keeping my mind from overthinking.  I pray for the safety of everyone in the hurricane’s path.

“Security is not having things; it’s handling things.”
― Susan Jeffers

Update: I walked outside just now 6:30pm, Thursday.  The workers reinforced our temporary walls.

Also, there are heavy winds at this moments, but not much,.

Aleijadinho, Brazilian sculptor

25 Wednesday Sep 2024

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Antonio Francisco Lisboa, better known as Aleijadinho, was a famous sculptor in colonial Brazil. He got the nickname Aleijadinho, which means “little cripple” because of a degenerative disease that caused immense pain,  and his body to be deformed. He lost some fingers and his feet.

His work can be found in many churches around Ouro Preto and the neighboring towns.  The churches that I was able to visit are gorgeous.  Unfortunately, some of the main ones that I wanted to visit were closed.  

Santuario do Senhor Bom Jesus de Matosinho

Santuario do Senhor Bom Jesus de Matosinho – an UNESCO recognized construction

In front of the church there are 6 chapels, and inside each there are sculpures describing the Passion Walk. The sculpures are done by he famous Aleijadinho and his team. at Santuario do Senhor Bom Jesus de Matosinho

In front of the church there are 6 chapels, and inside of each there are sculptures describing the Passion of Jesus Walk.

The Last Supper by Aleijadinho, inside one of the chapels

The Last Supper by Aleijadinho, inside one of the chapels

Church of Saint Francis

Church of Saint Francis

Churches in Mariana

Churches in Mariana

Tiradentes and Ouro Preto, sights and tastes

23 Monday Sep 2024

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“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” ― Eleanor Roosevelt

Posada Casa da Tuta

Posada Casa da Tuta

In Tiradentes we stayed at Pousada Casa da Tuta. Cozy room, delicious breakfast. I would go back there for the chocolate cake alone.

a store in Tiradentes

a store in Tiradentes

In Tiradentes we had a delicious dinner in a restaurant that I cannot remember the name. It had a back patio with a jazz group playing great Brazilian jazz. I remember most the black rice risotto that I had, with fish and vegetables.

Pousada do Arcanjo

Pousada do Arcanjo

In Ouro Preto we stayed at Pousada do Arcanjo – a historical themed bed and breakfast. Great breakfast, comfortable rooms, but I would have prefered a more central location.

Pousada do Arcanjo

Pousada do Arcanjo

We ate at Tropea Cantina Armazen https://www.opassopizzajazz.com.br/tropea and Bene Flauta http://www.benedaflauta.com.br/. Both great restaurants, but I don’t recall exactly what we had. In one Michael had pizza and I had the chicken fried steak with pasta. In the other I had cod fish cakes and salad, and I cannot remember what Michael had.

Bene da Flauta Restaurant

Bene da Flauta Restaurant

Everywhere I went I would choose a drink of passion fruit and cachaça, but at Tropea I tried a drink with gin, passion fruit and ginger foam.  It was delicious.

Tropea Restaurant

Tropea Restaurant

Downtown Ouro Preto

Downtown Ouro Preto

“We should look for someone to eat and drink with before looking for something to eat and drink.” ― Epicurus

Visiting Ouro Preto and the surrounding towns in Minas Gerais, Brazil

19 Thursday Sep 2024

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“It’s a road trip! It’s about adventure! . . . It’s not like we have somewhere to go.” ― John Green

While in Brazil, juggling work, and personal issues, Michael and I managed to take one week off to take a road trip through some towns in the state of Minas Gerais.

One town I want to make sure to visit was Ouro Preto (Black Gold). I was there with my mom and sister when I was14 years old. I wanted to return and show Michael that area.

Ouro Preto is a charming colonial mining town, full of history, beautiful baroque churches, cobblestone streets, and so much more. It was funded in the 17th century, and it was the center of the gold rush at that time.

Besides staying a couple of nights in Ouro Preto, we stayed 1 night in Tiradentes, spent a day in Mariana and Congonhas.  We also stayed at a remote bed and breakfast in Brumadinho for a couple of nights.

We wanted to be near Instituto Inhotim, and also spend time quiet time in nature.  Inhotim is a gorgeous open air museum with beautiful gardens, galleries and installations.

On the way home we spent 1 night in Varginha. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to see all the UFO related tourism. Varginha supposedly had an UFO sighting in 1996.

And lastly, we spent a day in Pocos de Caldas, a town that is just is just 35 minutes away from my parent’s home. We took the cable car to Christ at the top of a mountain and enjoyed the view.

We had an amazing time and cannot wait to embark in more road trips in Brazil. I will post some photos of this trip here and in the next few posts.

The search for office space in Florida continues

13 Friday Sep 2024

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I have always said: I am never moving to Florida! And look at me now, moving to Florida!

I will still have an apartment in NY, but it is mostly because my sister is still there and she will use the it.

This weekend I am leaving the Airbnb and moving into our new condo. We are starting from scratch. We have to buy everything. But at this moment we are just getting the bare minimum, a mattress on the floor and a couple of plates.

We have to paint and want to make some other changes, but we won’t/can’t do anything until the outside renovation is completed.

With my move to Florida, my office is officially moving with me. I have not been having much luck looking for office space. Today was not different. Some are too small or too big, some are not in great condition or it is just too far.

I want to be able to walk or bike to the office. I may have to rethink that, and expand my search to longer than 15 minutes from home.

In the meantime, I have a signed contract for my other condo in NY. Finally, after so many misses, it looks like this sale will go through. Fingers crossed.

I want a simpler life, but right at this moment, it doesn’t seem that way. I am juggling so many things. I am not complaining though. I am immensely blessed and grateful.

I have always wanted to meet someone and start a life together. I am doing that. Michael and I definitely make each other’s life better.

“And suddenly you know: It’s time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.” ― Meister Eckhart