Category Archives: Daily Message

Iceland in 4 days: Day 2

21 Monday Aug 2023

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Day 2.  Tour of Golden Circle tourist areas and the Secret Lagoon with Your Day Tours Group

We had breakfast at the hotel and proceeded to the appointed bus stop to wait for the minibus.  We were supposed to be there, ready to go at 8am.  The bus may show up between 8 and 8:30. This day it seemed our bus was the last to arrive, well after 8:30.  $114.00 per person.

While waiting for the bus we made friends with a couple from Long Island, NY.  Afterwards we kept meeting them in other places.  It was fun to keep seeing their friendly happy faces.

The bus was okay, I wish there was more space.  It felt a bit tight.  Our guide was a nice lady from the Czech Republic.  

Thingvallir National Park

1st Stop. Thingvellier National Park. This is one of the places that most symbolizes Iceland and its history. Many Icelandic major events have taken place at this site.

It sits in a rift valley, formed when two tectonic plates moved apart. It is impressive seeing the cracks and gorges throughout the park.

We were there for 45 minutes.  It went very fast.  We didn’t have a chance to see it all.

2nd Stop. Gullfoss Waterfall, Blaskogabyggo.  This is a gorgeous two step waterfall with several viewing platforms.  It is so incredible to be in front of nature when it exhibits such force.

Sigrid Tomasdottir, pictured in the plaque below, was the daughter of the owner of the land where this waterfall is.  It is been told that her father sold part of the land with the waterfall, not realizing that the the new owners wanted to use the fall and in essence destroy it.

Sigrid Tomasdottir

She then took on the part of the protector of the waterfall and embarked on a long journey to save it.  At one point, even threatening to throw herself in the fall. Fortunately, with the help of a lawyer that later became Iceland’s first president, the waterfall was saved.

There are also gift shops and cafeteria there. We were at this stop for 40 minutes and it was enough time to see it. 

Gullfoss Waterfall

3rd Stop. Woolmarket Myrkholt . This is a very small store in a farm, featuring homemade sweater, and other items from the local farms.

When we were there, we spent a few minutes with the horses housed there.  They have sheep also, but they were all scattered around the land, so we didn’t get to interact with them.  

We spent 20 minutes there and to me was fine, since I had no interest in shopping.

Geyser hot springs

4th Stop. Geysir, Haukadalu – A field with many erupting hot springs.  The most famous is Strokkur, referred as the son of Geysir.  

It is hard to time its eruption to get a picture, so one has to stand there ready to act. We were lucky we got to see several.

This location is where we stopped for lunch.  I had fish and chips and Michael had the vegetarian quiche.  We repeated that same order in various places.  I had a coke and he had a beer.  I had a chocolate cake and he had a cheesecake. They were all good.  $45.00 for the meals and drinks and $21.05 for the desserts.

This stop was 1 hour and 15 minutes. It felt like it was enough time to eat and see the geyser, but I wouldn’t have minded having more time to walk around the hot springs more.

Strokkur

5th and last stop. The The Secret Lagoon, in Fluoir.  It is the oldest geothermal pool in the island. I was very underwhelmed by it.  It is small and it felt slimy under my feet.  I would pass on this one next time. I agree with a reviewer that said: “it is neither a secret or a lagoon”. 

The stop was for one and a half hour.  I didn’t stay long in the pool, but took my time in the shower afterwards.  In this and every pool in Iceland,  they really stress upon the need to take a shower completely nude before getting into your bathing suit and going into the pool.  It is really interesting to see the dynamic in the showers.  Some are very free with their bodies, while others wanted to run and hide.

I forgot to get a picture of the Secret Lagoon, but here is the sign 🙂

I am not sure what time it was when we got bag to the hotel.  We weren’t hungry. Besides lunch, we spent the day eating snacks in the bus.  We had gotten them at the market the night before. We spent $35.82 and got chips, cheese, cookies and chocolate.

I also bought water.  Believe it or not, I was having a problem with the taste of water, and was trying to see if the bottled water would be better.  I know it is the same water and a waste of money.

Iceland has one of the best waters in the planet.  It is said one can even drink from natural sources such as streams and rivers. So clearly, the problem was me.  For some reason, it felt heavy on my tongue, and totally unpleasant to drink. That feeling/taste was still with me for a whole day after arriving home.   

Gaeta Gelato

After leaving our backpacks in the hotel, we went a few doors down to Gaeta Gelato. We both had small cups of gelato.  I had 2 flavors, passion fruit/mango and tiramisu.  Michael had a coffee with chocolate chunks.  They all were delicious.  $15.24 for both.

In the end it was a great day! The tour was great and has its pros and cons.

Then back to the hotel and get stuff ready for Day 3.

“We only know a tiny proportion about the complexity of the natural world. Wherever you look, there are still things we don’t know about and don’t understand. […] There are always new things to find out if you go looking for them.” ― David Attenborough

Iceland in 4 days: Day 1

18 Friday Aug 2023

Posted by in Daily Life, Daily Message, Finding Me, Food, travels

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“To the complaint, ‘There are no people in these photographs,’ I respond, There are always two people: the photographer and the viewer.” ― Ansel Adams

Day 1.  Arrival and visiting the are northwest of Reykjavik.

Please forgive the misspellings of names and locations.  I tried my best to recollect all the places we have been, in the right order, and correct spelling, but I probably failed miserably.

I have included some of the prices we paid for items such as food, etc, so you have an idea if you ever decide to visit.

Our trip was last minute, so I am sure that we overpaid for flights and hotel.  We used Delta Vacations and paid $3,252.16 for the flight and hotel.  We were happy to use Delta vacations.  The flight alone was showing up as $1,600 per person.

We landed at Keflavik International airport in Reykjavik at 9am.  We got through Immigration.  Uneventful.  I noticed that I was not told “Welcome” by the agent.  I like to think that everyone is happy to see me arrive 😊.

We got our 1 checked bag and cleared customs. We then waited in line at Hertz for about 30 minutes to get our rental car.  It was a long wait, but we were so happy and excited to be away that we didn’t mind.

Michael wanted a small Suzuki, but they upgraded us to a bigger Skoda sedan.  The car rental bill was $767.36 for 4 days.  We joked that he got upgraded because he is probably the only person that buys all the extra insurance they offer. 

The gas bill was $168.25.  We drove 3 out of 4 days, for about 20 hours or more. We did a lot driving.

After finding our car in the rental parking lot, we searched for the nearest bakery.  I always need to check the local bread situation. We chose Sigurjonsbakari in Keflavik.  It seemed to be mostly frequented by locals, and I like that.  The bread was forgettable, but perhaps I ordered the wrong one.  To drink I wanted something similar to a café mocha, and the girl suggested a Swiss Mocha.  OMG! It was delicious.  Very similar to my everyday concoction made of coffees, chocolates and creams – only better!

They line the inside of the cup with chocolate fudge then they add the mocha mixture, which I assume includes chocolate and milk, then they brew espresso on top.  They then add whipped cream – which I would love to have the recipe, as this whipped cream didn’t turn into a oily mess.  Then they added chocolate shavings. Heavenly!

Since it was way too early to check into the hotel, we decided to drive northwest.  The landscape really hit us we drove for hours, stopping at different places on the side of the road to take in the enormity of the place.  It is so different to what I have seen before – Keep in mind I haven’t been to many places, such to the canyons in Grand Canyon and even the waterfalls in upstate NY.  We stopped at a waterfall in Helgafellssveit. Probably the smallest we have seen in this trip, but still beautiful and very accessible from the road.

We also stopped at Gestastofa Visitor center, where a very helpful clerk gave us a map and described the local sights.  We decided to give up going to the Snaefellness National Park, as it was another long drive and a long hike from the road.  Instead, we drove towards Stykkisholmur.  

Once there, there didn’t seem to be many choices of places to eat, so we decided to try the fish and chips truck.  $37.99 for 2 fish and fries order. I could have done without it. It was not to my taste.  The fish too greasy, and there was some weird seasoning that gave me a bad after taste.  I am not mentioning the name of the food truck, as I know I can be very picky when it comes to food. Michael ate all his food.

We walked around and contemplated taking a boat tour.  Well, Michael wanted to, but I knew it was going to take too long and we had a long drive ahead, so we just took in the sights from the lighthouse. It is really idyllic and it reminds me of the village from the show Doc Martin.

We got back on the road, now driving back south towards Reykjavik.  On the way we stopped at Borgarnes. Another beautiful town with a beautiful shoreline and the most charming coffee shop I have ever seen. It also had a killer view from the outdoor patio.

   It is called Blomasetrio – Kaffi Kyrro.  It is whimsical with various couches and very eclectic decoration.  Michael had soup with bread, and then quiche and salad.  I had only the Swiss mocha, and a couple of slices of toast that came with Michael’s soup. $46.35 for that order.

After eating and then walking along the shore, we got back in the car to drive to the Hotel Centrum in Reykjavik.  I was happy with the hotel.  It was a small room, but the location was great and the breakfast was delicious. We only had breakfast at the hotel 2 out of the 4 days as the other days we needed to get out early and the breakfast only started at 7am.

We joke now that the best food we had in Iceland was the bread at the hotel.  Please forgive us uneducated and spoiled tourists.

The hotel is both the red and beige buildings

Getting back to the day, we located the hotel, and realized that there was no parking.  It never dawned on us to ask beforehand if they had parking.  Luckily we found a spot not too far.   Parking on the street using the Parka app was a total of $37.76, mostly for Day 2 of our vacation, when we took a group tour and left the car parked.  Parking is charged from 9am to 6pm.

We checked in and went out looking for food.  Because it gets dark so late, we had no idea it was already 10:30pm.  We were turned away by most restaurants.  It turns out that on Thursdays nights they close the kitchen at 10 o’clock. Not sure about the other days.

Every restaurant we stopped at, pointed us to Tapas Barinn that have late hours.  The waitress there was happy to welcome us. To drink I had a passion fruit mojito – yes, even in Iceland I have to have passion fruit.  Michael had a beer.  We shared bread with hummus and other sauces, pan fried char with sweet potato puree, patatas bravas, broccoli and cauliflower with a pomegranate sauce.  It was okay.  I am a fan of tapas, but this didn’t really make me want to go back.  There was no tacos or empanadas.

This restaurant has great reviews, but I would have been happier with the regular fish taco and empanadas. Perhaps my palate is just too pedestrian. I realized I should try the local cuisine instead of looking for the same every day food, but Michal and I are not really adventurous when it comes to food.  The bill was $101.05.

We got to the hotel and passed out.

“For me, a landscape does not exist in its own right, since its appearance changes at every moment; but the surrounding atmosphere brings it to life – the light and the air which vary continually. For me, it is only the surrounding
atmosphere which gives subjects their true value.” ― Claude Monet

Playing house, and on the way to Iceland

09 Wednesday Aug 2023

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“The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see.” ― G.K. Chesterton

Hi friends,

I have a lot to write, but once again I am using the excuse of lack of time. Work is insane, no time for anything, even though my co-worker has returned from her 3-month medical leave. I am trying to get a lot done to be able to go away for 5 days.

So, this is just quick hello and an update on how things are going with Michael. We have been together now a whole six months from the time we exchanged the first email.

Michael has been living with me for a whole month now.  It has been so easy.  No stress, no problems.  I imagined there would be some growing together pains, but there is none.  There is only bliss.  So much laughter is heard around in my home.

I think we are really being very open and receptive of each other.  I am learning how to go to bed early and he is learning to indulge a little more when it comes to food.  That is just the beginning… We plan on learning from each other and with each other, and becoming the best versions of ourselves.

Tomorrow night Michael and I are leaving to Iceland.  It will be a quick getaway.  I plan on not checking emails and not think about work at all.  It is only 5 days but I think this quick time away will do me wonders.

I am looking forward to traveling to some place neither of us has been to before.  It is our plan to see the world, so that in a few years we can decide where to retire.

I hope to take pictures and post them here along with some notes about my trip. I know I have made such promises before.

Got to run now… bags to pack.

Thank you for following along my dating journey, and for always providing me support and the kindest of words! You make my life better!

Blessings to all!

“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.” ― Marcel Proust

Eager to start reading Cassa and Cindy

13 Thursday Jul 2023

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“To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.” ― Anatole France

Look at what just got delivered:  Books from my two new favorite writers.

I know I am a little late to this party, but I want to celebrate these beautiful women and their books.

The Scars We Don’t See by Cassa Bassa from “Flicker of Thoughts” https://flickerofthoughts.com/

and

Re-Create & Celebrate by Cindy Georgakas from “Unique Times With Cindy” https://uniquelyfitblog.com/

Major congratulations to Cassa and Cindy.  Their blogs always inspire me, so I am sure I will be even more inspired by their books.  

I applaud the effort, dedication and love that went into creating this two gorgeous books.  I am sure I will enjoy reading them, and will come back here with a review. 

Until then, I just want to say: You go girl!! I am so proud of you both!!

“There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.”
― Ernest Hemingway

 

 

M survived 3 weeks with my family in Brazil!

22 Thursday Jun 2023

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“No man needs a vacation so much as the man who has just had one.” ― Elbert Hubbard

I arrived from Brazil on Saturday.  M went straight to Florida.  We were together 24/7, and just got along beautifully.  We miss each other.  He will be coming to NY on July 4th.  I am swamped at work, specially at the end of the month.  My assistant is still out.  So he is giving me space to catch up with work.

He is the one! Yes, I am announcing it to whoever care to listen! I am being extremely bold when I say this is forever.  It feels like forever.  I am going to enjoy this “forever” for as long as it lasts.

My family, like the majority of Brazilians, are very welcoming.  Everyone embraced him right away.  It helps that he is an extremely loveable creature.  He is kind and unassuming, always trying to help others.  I love his generous heart!  My family truly loved him and welcomed him as part of the family.

I had warned him that this would be a work trip.  At times he hinted at wanting to go surfing, etc, but there was no way I could make that work this time.  The beach he wants to go to is very far from my town.  He is now floating the idea of renting a house there for a month this summer.  At this point, I feel I am tied to NY, at least for the next few months.  But I am remaining open minded.

As I mentioned prior, while in Brazil, we painted, cleaned, shopped, did Pilates, spent time with friends and ate.  I ate like the world was coming to an end.  Unfortunately, I have several extra pounds to show for it.

M is vegetarian and stays away from sugar and carbs.  That is, until he met me.  He is not fanatical about his diet, so in Brazil, to be polite, he indulged.  He probably ate more sugar and carbs in 3 weeks than he did his whole life prior.

I normally don’t overindulge in Brazil, but with the excuse of having him try different treats, I did. I figure that in future trips we will tone it down.  There were 3 meals that we did as a family.  Breakfast, lunch and afternoon coffee.  Dinner was just a snack, unless we were meeting friends out.  Those times around the table with my family and friends (there are always a friend or two stopping by) are precious.

We had dinner out with friends 4 times.  We had so much yummy food.  I will be posting about them in following posts. The food in Brazil is unbelievable! Well, I am biased.

We also managed to take a couple of day trips to the town where my sister used to reside and still has an apartment – Poços de Caldas, in the state of Minas Gerais.  We took the cable car to Cristo Redentor (Christ, The Redeemer).  Every town in Brazil has the statue of Christ.  The most famous one is in Rio de Janeiro. 

Unfortunately, the day that we were visiting it, it was a foggy day. They are renovating the area, and there are ziplines, bars and other attractions, but on this foggy day nothing could be seen.

We also took a couple of day trips to the countryside, including to the Pico do Gaviāo (Hawk’s Peak)– It is a mountainous area famous for paragliding.  Gorgeous!

I will write more about our trip to Brazil as time permits.  In the end, M loved Brazil and Brazil loved M.  If anything, this trip made us see that we do belong together. 😊

“Pursue what catches your heart, not what catches your eyes.” ― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart

Alive in Brazil

12 Monday Jun 2023

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Dia dos Namorados

“You will never be happy if you continue to search for what happiness consists of. You will never live if you are looking for the meaning of life.” ― Albert Camus

Hi Friends,

This is just to say I am alive 😊

I haven’t had a chance to go check your blogs and see what you all have been up to. For that I am sorry, and I hope everyone has been well.  I will be back to the US next week and hope to have more time to get back to my cherished friends here.

Life in Brazil has been incredibly busy.  Not only I had tons of things that I wanted to get done around the house, but I am also working remotely – my functions plus some of my co-worker that remains out being treated for breast cancer.

Here is a summary of what I have been up to since I arrived here on May 26:

  • I bought a car for my brother. Dealing with the dealership, insurance, Detran (Brazilian DMV), details about paying, etc, it all involved several days.
  • Painted my mom’s second kitchen and eat-in area. Some workers that worked on some water damage made a complete mess of the walls and floor. Not to mention the fact that they didn’t cover anything.  In April, when I saw that mess, I mentioned that I was going to clean it and paint it, when I returned – many doubted, but I did.  I am very proud of that.
  • I painted my brother’s room as well. This room is adjacent to that kitchen and it needed some refreshing. It was also a chance to re-organize and clean it.
  • Organized my brother’s room. My brother is not an organized person, so every time I come to Brazil, I make improvements.
  • Put contact paper on all the kitchen cabinets. Detailed job. I had a friend that is unemployed at the moment come and help.  She has been priceless in helping me with the cleaning and organizing.
  • I cleaned a small little house I have for rent. Again, I had my friend help. Actually, she did most of cleaning. I also had to have the yard, cleared of overgrown grass and trees. I contracted that work for a small fortune – everyone here things I overpaid.
  • M and I go to Pilates every week day from 1 to 2pm. Even though he works out hard at the gym every day while in the States, he is finding out that Pilates can be challenging.  The instructor has been targeting some dormant muscles. I should be in Pilates right now, but I am catching up on work, and I am stealing a few minutes to do this Update.
  • Speaking of M, he is fitting right in. He has been helping me with everything. From cleaning, painting, decisions about the car, to doing the dishes and cleaning. He is a keeper. Everyone here adores him, even though there is still the language barrier.  He has been working hard at trying to learn Portuguese.
  • There is always a stream of visitors at my house. Friends, old and new, that come to have coffee with my parents. Most come every week, other now come more often because I am here. That has always been the routine with my family. We never go to people’s house, they come to us.  Which, now that I think of, is the opposite for me in the US.  I hardly have anyone over; I often go to people’s house.
  • Today is “Dia dos Namorados” in Brazil, somewhat similar to Valentine’s Day in the US, but not that similar. This holiday is all about boyfriends and girlfriends.  went out and got me that beautiful sunflower.  Here in my town is hard to find cut flowers, we find mostly the actual plant to be replanted.  He also bought all kinds of chocolates for the rest of the family. 
  • I was able to have a couple of outings with friends, twice for dinner and twice for a day trip to the country.  I hope to share pictures and stories when I return.

I am feeling so exhausted mentally and physically – there has been many frustrating and angering moments. But I am also so so blessed to be able to be here with my parents, to be able to better their lives in little ways, and to have M. next to me. I believe he is the person I have been waiting for.

Wishing everyone many blessings, small and large. I hope you have many reasons to smile, but even if you don’t, smile anyway.  The reasons will come!

ps. sorry for typos and errors, no time to edit.

“…feelings like disappointment, embarrassment, irritation, resentment, anger, jealousy, and fear, instead of being bad news, are actually very clear moments that teach us where it is that we’re holding back. They teach us to perk up and lean in when we feel we’d rather collapse and back away. They’re like messengers that show us, with terrifying clarity, exactly where we’re stuck. This very moment is the perfect teacher, and, lucky for us, it’s with us wherever we are.” ― Pema Chödrön

Mom met the boyfriend

12 Friday May 2023

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“Beauty surrounds us.”
― Rumi

This is a short story: M met mom.  They loved each other. End of story.

M was here last weekend to meet my mom.  He arrived Friday and left on Monday.  Hi fan club is now bigger.  My mom also became a fan.  M is the most caring and considerate person I ever met. He cares.  He truly cares about others and the world around him.

I feel so incredibly blessed to have him in my life. He says he is blessed to have found me. We plan on making sure that this gratitude for each other never leave us.

On the day he arrived he booked his ticket to Brazil.  He wanted to meet my mom first and have her blessing and invitation to come to Brazil.  He is going to arrive there 2 days after I get there, and he will leave the morning after I leave.  We are all excited that he will be coming to Brazil and staying with my family for over 2 weeks.

He had talked about going surfing while there, but I convinced him to leave that for the future. I have warned him that this will be a work trip. I am intent on continuing some repairs to my mom’s house, and he says he is eager to help.

On future trips we want to visit more of Brazil. 

While he was here, my  mom, my sister and I, followed our usual routine.  We had some meals at home and some out, with him saying that everything was delicious.  We went to the casino, where he proceeded to give my mom money to play.  We visited some stores, where he patiently waited while my mother chose what to buy.

He is returning to NY on Sunday, May 14 and will stay till Thursday.  After that we will see other on May 26th when he arrives in Brazil. 

I see him being in my life for all my days, and it feels perfect.

“I am larger, better than I thought; I did not know I held so much goodness.
All seems beautiful to me.
Whoever denies me, it shall not trouble me;
Whoever accepts me, he or she shall be blessed, and shall bless me.”
― Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass

Brazil and back

05 Friday May 2023

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“Let gratitude be the pillow upon which you kneel to say your nightly prayer. And let faith be the bridge you build to overcome evil and welcome good.”
― Maya Angelou, Celebrations: Rituals of Peace and Prayer

My beautiful 88 years old mom, with the flowers she got from M.

My beautiful 88-year-old mom, with the flowers she got from M.

Hi Friends,

Things have been crazy busy.  Since last post:

I went to Brazil to pick up my mom for her biannual visit to the US.  While there, I was hoping to be able to relax for a couple of days.

Instead of resting, it was a very tiring trip.  I left on Friday night and arrived at my home Saturday early afternoon. By then, I had found out that I would have to work on Monday. I scrambled to try to get my desk set up.  I had to go out and buy 2 monitors. 

On top of working remotely, I had a lot cleaning to do.  Mom was having some repair done to a kitchen and bathroom in the little house in the back.  The workers were careless and there was dust everywhere, including on top of all the appliances. They barely covered some items.  

For the 4 days I was there, I always either on the computer or cleaning.  My only break was a trip to the hairdresser. By lunch time, on Wednesday, Mom and I were already on the way to the airport.  It takes anywhere from 3 to 5 hours, to get to the airport from my city.

I got back to NY Thursday morning and dove right into work.  My assistant/co-worker is out dealing with cancer again.  She had to have a mastectomy, but is doing well.  It will be a few days before we know if she needs Chemotherapy, or just Radiotherapy like last year. 

This time I had already mentioned to the partners at work, that I needed someone to step up and do her job.  Currently, a couple of the partners are doing some of work.  I still have to do the bulk of it.  It is already getting to me and it has been only 10 days. 

I worked Saturday so that I could take Monday off.  Mom turned 88 years old on Monday.  On Sunday morning we left for the casino.  It has been a tradition to celebrate her birthday at Foxwoods Casino every year. It was a quick trip. By Monday evening, I was home already and back at the computer.

It was fun!  We had a celebratory dinner at The Red Lantern.  Everything was delicious.  They brought a slice of cake with a candle, champagne and a display showing her age.  She was pleasantly surprised.

Now, back to work again.  First Republic Bank is gone, so we have been setting up a couple of additional banks, which involves a whole bunch more of work.  The more I wish a time with less work, the more work keeps piling in.  As they say, it is always the darkest before dawn, or something like that. I certainly hope so.

M remains the sweetest! He sent beautiful roses for my mom for her birthday and sent her $100 to spend at the casino.  He will be coming to town tomorrow, Friday, to meet her. Hw will be staying at a hotel a couple of blocks away.  While here, we will work on his itinerary in Brazil, and get his ticket.  He will probably get there a couple of days after I am there. He is talking about surfing, but I am talking him out of it.  Surfing locations are very far from my home, and I have a lot to do. There will be still some more repairs to mom’s house being scheduled to start as soon as we get there.  He has been warned that this will be a work trip 😊

So much excitement, and busy times ahead. 

Wishing you all a blessed weekend!

“As the years pass, I am coming more and more to understand that it is the common, everyday blessings of our common everyday lives for which we should be particularly grateful. They are the things that fill our lives with comfort and our hearts with gladness — just the pure air to breathe and the strength to breath it; just warmth and shelter and home folks; just plain food that gives us strength; the bright sunshine on a cold day; and a cool breeze when the day is warm.”
― Laura Ingalls Wilder, Writings to Young Women from Laura Ingalls Wilder: On Wisdom and Virtues

SCAM ALERT: Domain Name emails

21 Friday Apr 2023

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“Fraud is the daughter of greed.”
― Jonathan Gash, The Great California Game

Yesterday, I got the following email:

I didn’t know what to think, but I immediately grew concerned.  What if I lose my blog’s name?  A name that I have been using for over 10 years, and that means a lot to me.

How can a simple email have the power to make me feel so vulnerable?  Well, I know the answer to that: because I allow it.

“To feel helpless is to acknowledge our limitations, but it does not have to be an acceptance of them.”  ― Craig D. Lounsbrough

Moving on:

I contacted the IT support for my company.  He said that the email and company was legit, and they would probably come back and try to get me to sign up for the other extensions. 

I replied to the email saying I was not affiliated with that company and I would give no permission to anyone to use that name.

I haven’t heard anything yet.  This was just last night, so I assume I will hear something today.

In the meantime, I was talking to M and mentioned the email (without mentioning my blog’s name, since I don’t really share it with anyone I know – now, if you are a stranger, please come on over lol).  This morning he sent me an article, that eventually led me to: https://squelchdesign.com/featured/chinese-domain-name-registration-scams/

So, it is a scam! And it has been going around for years.  So, folks, be aware!  I am not sure how the scam unfolds, but I will not be going along to find out.  For me it stops here.

How do I make sure my blog’s name protected?  Or is there nothing to worry about?

It is such a scary world, online and otherwise.  The more I read, watch, see what is going on around me, the more I want to run and hide.  I am becoming afraid of my own shadow. 

Instead of hiding, I will be boarding a plane to Brazil tonight.  I am returning in a few days.  You all have the most blessed weekend!

“IN THE HANDS OF MAN

He who creates a poison, also has the cure.
He who creates a virus, also has the antidote.
He who creates chaos, also has the ability to create peace.
He who sparks hate, also has the ability to transform it to love.
He who creates misery, also has the ability to destroy it with kindness.
He who creates sadness, also has the ability to to covert it to happiness.
He who creates darkness, can also be awakened to produce illumination.
He who spreads fear, can also be shaken to spread comfort.
Any problems created by the left hand of man,
Can also be solved with the right,
For he who manifests anything,
Also has the ability to
Destroy it.”
― Suzy Kassem

 

 

 

 

 

I have angels, you have angels, we all have angels!

16 Thursday Mar 2023

Posted by in Daily Life, Daily Message

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“Be content not with your lot in life but with being here in the flow of life. The glories of creation are in your very cells; you are made of the same mindstuff as the angels, the stars, and god himself.” ― Deepak Chopra, The Book of Secrets: Unlocking the Hidden Dimensions of Your Life

By now, you know I believe in all things magical.  I believe in a lot things that cannot be proven. I don’t need to see it, or have any kind of proof, I feel them.  I believe in a powerful being, God, Universe, whatever name one chooses to use.  I believe in unicorns and fairy-tales. I believe in prayers and angels.

For the past several months, every day, it never fails that I see the same number repeating itself.  I mostly see 111 or 1111.  But also repeating 5s, and 2s.  Every time I see them, I smile and say a silent thank you.  I know I have angels around, guiding me and telling me I am in the right path.

Every time there is something happening in my life, such as an important meeting I need to attend or a medical procedure I need to go through, I will ask people close to me to send me angels. 

Yesterday I had a dental procedure scheduled for 2pm.  I asked my mother, my sister and M, to send me angels.

“When angels visit us, we do not hear the rustle of wings, nor feel the feathery touch of the breast of a dove; but we know their presence by the love they create in our hearts.” ― Mary Baker Eddy, Poems by Mary Baker Eddy

As I walk into the dentist’s waiting room just a few minutes before 2pm, I look on the ground and see what appears to be a little paper angel.   I couldn’t believe my eyes.  I picked it up and smiled.  My guardian angels wanted me to know that they really came.

It filled me with love and it was just a confirmation of how blessed I am; to be always surrounded by angels.  Not that I needed any confirmation.  

No, the procedure was not painless and it may not be 100% successful.  It was more painful than the last time, and there is a chance that I will need to do the left side again.  

But the point is, that I was not alone.  There will always be problems, pain, heartaches, curve balls, audits, dentist’s visits, but knowing I am never alone makes me feel I can take anything on and come out a winner. 

I now carry that little angel in my phone case.  I hope that you know that you are never alone.  At this moment I am sending angels to those who are in need of them.

“A person who goes in search of God is wasting his time. He can walk a thousand roads and join many religions and sects–but he’ll never find God that way. God is here, right now, at our side. We can see Him in this mist, in the ground we’re walking on, even in my shoes. His angels keep watch while we sleep and help us in our work. In order to find God, you have only to look around. But meeting Him is not easy. The more God asks us to participate in His mysteries, the more disoriented we become, because He asks us constantly to follow our dreams and our hearts. And that’s difficult to do when we’re used to living in a different way. Finally we discover, to our surprise, that God wants us to be happy, because He is the father.” ― Paulo Coelho, By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept