Tag Archives: flowers

The child becomes the parent

09 Tuesday Jul 2024

Posted by in Daily Life, travels

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“No man is an adult while his parents are alive. Until they die he is merely a performance to either please or punish them.”
― Chuck Palahniuk, Adjustment Day

Things have been crazy for me in Brazil.

I am juggling work and the household operations at my parents. My brother helps my parents, and as they age he has to step in more and more. I came to Brazil to see my parents, but specially to give my brother a break.  He just took off on 2 weeks vacations now, and I intend to have him take some more time in August.

We have 2 ladies that come to clean and cook. One comes Mondays and Fridays and the other comes Tuesdays and Thursdays. They are fairly new to the house, so they are a bit lost, and still have to been told what to do. We used to have one person 2 days a week.  She was great, but she relocated and we haven’t been able to replace her.

I got here right at month’s end and beginning of the new month – my busiest time at work. I have an audit to do and bonuses to work on, so it will get a little crazier before it gets better.

I have been cleaning and organizing. Every time I come to Brazil, I try to leave things better than I found them.  I like to think that I often succeed. 

I have been able to start Pilates. I will be doing it at least 3 times a week. Some days it will be at 7am and other days it will at 7pm. My body needs it. My body is showing the effects of over indulging in the cruise and all the amazing Brazilian sweet desserts.

Have you ever Coffee flavored Coke?  I tried and I am not a fan.

Coca-Cola com CafeCoca-Cola com Cafe

I want to be persistent as this flower.  They grow anywhere, even sprouting from the cement in my mom’s backyard.

Persistent Flower

Persistent Flower

Michael adores animals, specially these little monkeys that we have in a park in a neighboring town.  There are about 50 of them living there. Unfortunately, I have been told that most of them have diabetes because people feed them sweets.  They live in an area full of kiosks selling all kinds of treats,  so it is very easy for people to give them some, without realizing the harm they are doing.

 

Sights along the way – Part I

11 Sunday Feb 2024

Posted by in Daily Life

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I have been baking a lot; and eating a lot of it! 

To offset the effects of all that baking I have been trying to be more active. 

I ride my bike every morning, and I walk the same route every evening.  The route that I take is a loop that is 5 kilometers long.  Sometime I swim at lunchtime. 

Here are some of my sights along the way:

Who knew I could be creative?

22 Saturday Feb 2014

Posted by in Daily Life, Mosaic and other crafts

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“The chief enemy of creativity is good sense.” ― Pablo Picasso

I still continue to try my hand at mosaics.  Below are my last two works.

This one I call Nativity.  It is my idea of a Nativity scene and I love it.   I made it out pieces of a broken cookie jar and a broken mug.  It is 11.5 x 8 inches.

Nativity as I see it!

Nativity as I see it!

“Creativity takes courage. ”  ― Henri Matisse

This one I named Butterflies and Flowers.   It is 24 x 20 inches.   I made it using different glass stones that I got at the 99 cent store.  I had originally named it Butterflies, but when I was done a friend came over and when he saw it he asked: Are those butterflies or flowers?

Flowers and Butterflies

Flowers and Butterflies

“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.”
― Albert Einstein

Day 6: The table has arrived!

27 Saturday Oct 2012

Posted by in Daily Life, Mosaic and other crafts

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Another Blessed Day!

I woke up with the furniture store calling me to let me know that my table could be delivered within the hour, did I want it?  Do I want it? I have been waiting for this table for 1 month!

So here it is:

So today breakfast was had at the new table instead of the kitchen counter or couch.

Above the table you can see one of the many paintings that my mother has painted for me.  My mother started painting at 70 years old and she is very talented!  I have all kinds of paintings, from landscapes to abstracts.

And on the table you can see some of my favorite flowers: daisies! Another favorite is sunflowers.

I am still itching, but I love my table, my apartment, my life!!!

June 12 – Dia dos Namorados!

12 Tuesday Jun 2012

Posted by in Daily Life, Dating

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Dia dos Namorados is a sort of Valentine’s Day in Brazil. Lover’s Day, literally translated as Boyfriend/Girlfriend’s Day. It is celebrated by all couples married or otherwise.

Even after living in the US for so long I still like to celebrate it. If I am in a relationship it is an extra excuse for an extra nice date (not that excuses should be necessary)

If I am not in a relationship then that it just another occasion to be reminded that I am partner-less in a world that seems geared to couples.

Please wait, continue reading, this is not going to be a pity party, poor me blog!

After such a dark painful day yesterday, today seems bright and full of possibilities!(I am in love with that word after reading Frank’s post called “Opportunities Abound!”- a small post in length, but huge in meaning! http://frankoshanko.wordpress.com/ )

Remember my First and Only e-Harmony date?  Remember how I said he couldn’t be more of a gentleman?  Well, well, he really impressed me now.

I am sitting at my desk when in walks the UPS delivery guy with a box from 1-800-Flowers.  I am so used to not getting flowers, that I would not sign until I checked the name on the package.  I thought it was for the office next door.  I was shocked to read my name.

Did I think it was from Ex? for a brief milisecond. But it could never be him. He never sent  me flowers at work and he doesn’t think that he did anything wrong that perhaps would warrant flowers. He also wouldn’t remember the date. (Plus, remember that on February 14 he made a point of telling me that he was not going to even give me a card because he didn’t want to send me the wrong message)

Did I think it was the e-Harmony date?  no, not in a million years no. After all, he doesn’t have my address. Well, apparently he paid attention to every single word I said during the date and also asked the right questions that enabled him to piece together my address (I guess a google search may have helped too)

He sent me a dozen beautiful roses (red, pink, yellow and white) in a beautiful pink vase with a note that said: Feliz Dia dos Namorados!

It made my day! It is nice to feel special and thought of in such a nice way! It is great to be surprised and to realize that there is at least one person out there that is thinking of me.

But of course, I cannot just enjoy the flowers and relish the moment. Now I worry if his flowers are just a friendly gesture or if there is a little more meaning to it.

I do not want to break anybody’s heart! I know the pain! but I also made clear after the date that I would love to be just friends.

Should I bring up the subject and clarify it again? I also don’t want to offend him. Or should I just say thank you?

Flowers to Moms!

11 Friday May 2012

Posted by in Daily Life, EX Files

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So, Mother’s Day is around the corner and even though we should honor our mother’s every single day, Sunday is a day that we must make sure to be extra special for them.

My sister is in charge of getting my mom flowers.  My mom is in Brazil now with the rest of my family, so that means that my sister is on duty as far as making the day special for our mom.  Thanks Heaven for my sister!

Now comes the issue of my Ex-mom-in-law. I love her like a mom and it is not because her son and I are no longer together that all of a sudden my love for her disappeared.  So after pondering the entire last night, I decided to go ahead and send her flowers like I used to do every year.

Once I made the decision to send the flowers – and I was so happy that my sister agreed with me completely, I am at peace!  Love wins again!

To all mom’s have a wonderful Mother’s Day!