So, after 20 years of living in my home and making those home improvements ever so slowly...we are thinking of moving out of our city.  I'd love to be able to find a place in my hometown.  It is just a bit quieter there, and it would be closer to my daughter and her family. 

Unfortunately this means I am going to have to begin to get rid of 20 yrs of Stuff.  I am going room by room and looking at things with a ruthless eye. 

Today, I spent time searching for the cheapest houses.  sigh.  Well, I'd like to just buy one outright, sell this one, and then pocket the profits.  We are going to talk to a  couple of realtors. 

Well, today, after church, my husband of 27 yrs and I had breakfast at a little place in Mattapoisett.  On the way home, we stopped to get a wreath to hang on the door.  I also got a poster board and some permanent magic markers.  I made a sign that reads..."Jesus is the reason for the season...merry Christmas".  It looks really cute.  Now, I hope that doesn't offend anyone, but it is how I celebrate the season.  For me, Jesus is the reason...for many things.  So the wreath hangs above the sign on the door and it looks great. 

I worked at Sears and my feet are so sore and tired.  When I came in the door, my husband had lit the pellet stove and plugged in the Christmas tree. sigh. so nice. I need to study some homework, but I am soo tired.  Really, I am just going to have some tea.

While at breakfast, I ran into my English teacher.  She is so nice and a wonderful teacher.  I learned alot in her class.  Definitely moved out of my comfort zone.  But now I'm too tired to work on anything.

Working retail during the Holidays will make you brain dead. Ha.

My daughter is an amazing mom.  Her five children get nutritious Feingold diet approved meals and treats.  She cooks and bakes from scratch.  I have even learned a few kitchen tricks from her.  It is so nice.

Her eldest son has Asperger's Syndrome, which means he has trouble reading other's responses and is sometimes very literal.  The next in line was born prematurely and he had many health issues growing up.  God blessed the older one with a gentle, loving disposition and with some intervention, he is doing very well and you don't notice the Asperger's much at all.  The next in line has a feisty, little rooster kind of personality.  This has been a blessing, because it has helped him fight those health issues and develop into the bright, social, and strong young man that he is. 

The third son has Autism and behavior issues because of it.  On the one hand, God has blessed him with strength and beauty, but the Autism makes his life difficult.  On a good day, Sammy is loving, funny and smart.  On a bad day, he is angry and has trouble controlling his impulses. With intervention at home and at school, he is making improvements.  After Sammy, comes Nate, who is Mr. Entertainer.  He will be the child in all of the school plays and performances.  Slightly hyper, they now want to have him evaluated for developmental issues.  Sigh, Sigh, and more Sighs.  He does not have any learning issues that I can see.  He just seems to be a bit overly energized sometimes.  But I feel for him and my daughter and what these evaluations may turn up.  But I am absolutely confident that my daughter will make the best decisions for our loving, beautiful Nate. 

Last but not least is Grace Clotilde.  She is happy, beautiful, and loved by her whole family.  She brings out the best in her brothers.  She has no development issues and although she loves to eat, she is correctly proportioned in height and weight.  I think she may have said my name...Nanni...at 7 months, and it made me burst!

My prayers for these children never cease.  I pray that God will bless them and guide them on the correct path and help them to grow in love, health, and spirit.  Please Lord, keep your hand of protection on my family, from the oldest to the youngest.  Amen.

So, I am still hoarse and feeling run down.  Feeling like this increases my level of anxiety.  Yuck.  I am trying to create a calm space in the day where I can think of all the positive things in my life.  I have three wonderful children.  My oldest son is always there when I need him to help me with moving something heavy, or he lets us use his truck when we need to.  My daughter lets us share her five wonderful children and I am so proud of the wonderful person she is.  My youngest son is a sweet, caring soul.   In addition, my daughter is married to a very good man.  My youngest son is engaged to a lovely, young lady.  I know my oldest will find someone special, too.

Finding someone special.  I guess I have been very lucky in my marriage.  For 27 yrs., my husband and I have made time to enjoy life.  We have never had much money, but we never let that stop us.  My husband knows how to be a good friend, and I truly value that. I think it is what sparks and energizes our relationship. 

See, now, I am not feeling so bad.  Postitive thinking is good for the health.  Now if I can just get my voice back!!

Remember that song "Runnin' on Empty..." ??  yeah, well, that's me lately.  I don't do well with hectic.  I need space to breathe and I haven't had much of that.  It has been very busy at school with English paper due and Portuguese Presentation due, and French Quizes... yikes.  I've done fairly well, but wish I could have put more time into some of the work.  Sometimes I wonder... why am I doing this? 

Benefits: a. I've always wanted to study languages b. it's free tuition for me.  So, I am enjoying it, but I have very little free time. 

Time.  I don't like to think of it as running out, but it will someday.  For all of us. So, it is important to spend your time wisely. 

My cousin posted a clip of Amalia Rodrigues singing a Fado and it tore my heart out.  That is what singing is all about, my friends.  If you are not singing with your heart and from your gut, then you are not singing!

Hearing that clip brought back so many memories, especially of my dad playing the Portuguese guitarra and singing in his wonderful voice.  He could sing many fados, and he could also make up verses on the spot... Fun.

My Madeiran friends in the Folclórico group can do this extemporaneous singing and it is just great. 

Today I am very hoarse and I Hate to lose my voice.  I find it very depressing. I went to Mass and could not sing along.  bummer. But my good friend sat behind me and I could enjoy her angelic voice.  Made me smile, in spite of feeling a bit down.

I think I just need to get some rest. So bye for now!

stay at home momma/grandma

Ya know, I really loved being a stay-at-home mom. I had a freedom while the kids were in school to get stuff done.  It was great.  Of course, I had no extra money.  The pluses were that I could help my parents with their errands and enjoy their company.  I could also go shopping with my good friend and help her with her purchases.  It was more a socializing time for me rather than actual shopping.  But those sure were fun times.  It was so nice when the kids all came home and filled the house with life.

Now I am working 2 jobs, part time.  I also sell Avon, so that must count, too.  Of course, there are my 3 classes at our local college.  Although that is challenging and fun, it is like another job. 

In a perfect world, I would work as a massag therapist and also continue the classes.  I'd certainly have more breathing room.  I am so pleased to have tomorrow, a Sunday, off.  Yeehaw.  At least my salesperson job is flexible. 

So, now that I am home from my salesperson job, I am going to make a nice mug of tea and work on some homework.  Bye all...

Howdy do...

It's been awhile since I've posted.  Schoolwork, and my work as a massage therapist, and also a salesperson have kept me spinningly busy.

Oh, I wish my house were nice and straightened.  I just made pasta con brocolli and have not yet put the pans in the dishwasher.  It was a long day. I had school in the morning, then work at the salon.  I have the nicest clients!  I love giving massage. It is my joy.

I have some projects to work on.  I have a presentation to do for my Portuguese class.  Fun. Hopefully, this weekend will give me the time to work on it.  I also have an important research paper to work on for English.  French class remains project-less at the moment. 

I love the fall.  I love the way the sunlight glints on the trees.  Many of them have lost their leaves, but they still look beautiful.  As busy as I am, I try to appreciate the natural beauty of my little spot on Earth.   New England has a unique charm.  Changing cloud scapes, water that sometimes is my very favorite shade of blue, houses that were gracefully built by long-ago craftsmen all add up to a satisfying vista.  It spells home to me. 

I have lived on the West Coast, and though it had its charms, it never had my heart.  I can remember coming home and breathing a sigh of relief.  I love my little down at the heels city.  It's comfortable. It's familiar. It's home.