Moving Day 1

Today is the day... we hit the road and make our way to Maryland for the night. Our plan was to be on the road by 8am which didn't happen since we wanted to sleep a little longer. Then we had some other issues.

Me being all excited and brain dead (because I was excited and tired) as I was putting the lock on the truck (which the lock which is 2 pieces) I put the key whole facing up! How retarded am I?! so of course I freak out. Luckily we had 2 keys, so my dad cut one of the keys and was able to unlock the truck.. Then the trailer running lights weren't working so we had to make a trip to U-Haul. So we were finally on our way by 10:30am.

After going through 6 states we finally make it to the hotel in MD. Of course with a big truck Thiago had a great time driving down the streets of MD. When I made the hotel reservation I was told there would be no problem parking the truck that is also towing a car. Well guess what... there was no parking spots... luckily Thiago's friend only lived 20 mins away. So he took the truck to Cleber's place, while I checked in, unloaded Jane, also made room for his friend to come back to the hotel for the night.

Our plan was to go to bed early but that didn't happen. Of course with the way the day was going something else had to go wrong.. while we were parked at a gas station waiting for Cleber I was listening to the radio in my car and talking with Thiago. Well as we were about ready to go I turn my key to start the car... the engine is trying to turn over but it isn't... ya... dead battery.

We got jumper cables and a nice guy was able to help us. We finally got my car to start and headed back to the hotel.

Total drive time today: 8 hours

Packing Day

Well today is our last day living in Chicopee Massachusetts... sad but exciting.  Thiago and his friend Tim picked up the truck this morning and headed to my parents house to load all the stuff up there. We are renting a 20 ft truck and a car dolly (for Thiago's car).

I can't believe how fast they packed the truck at my parents house. They got there around 10 and were in Chicopee by 11:30. As the time went on you could tell their motivation was dieing. By 3pm the truck was packed (to the top!!).

Right as we were able to head to my parents house to drop off the truck and also bring over a spare bed Thiago's other friend Tim stopped over. So once we ran that errand, Tim decided to take us out to dinner. We went to Red Robin.

Then back to Chicopee to finish packing.. it was just odd and ends but man did we have a lot of stuff. Thiago also had some friends stop by which was nice but also stunk because we were still packing & cleaning when they were over.

By 1am we were all done. (1) 20ft truck filled to the top, my escape filled but of course the passenger seat was available for Jane and her crate. and Thiago's VW passat fill... luckily it was getting pulled because we even filled the drivers and passenger seat with paintings.

We got to my parents house by 2am, unloaded the mattress and box spring to go with the bed they wanted that we had to strap to the roof of my car (first time every using the roof rack).

Finally it was time for bed... or so we thought. We stayed in the in law apartment with Jane. We took Jane out of her crate (which she loves) and she basically attacked Thiago. She started hissing and also hit Thiago's hand.

The next morning we found out why... When my sister stays over with her dogs they say in the same room. Jane went crazy because she could smell the dogs.

Its Show Time!!

Today was opening day at the circus. Just think... 2 years ago today we were at the opening night performance with Thiago family and the people who traveled to come to our wedding.

2 years ago it was a special performance to me and this year it was also a special performance. This year Thiago marched in the parade as a shriner. That's right, he became a Shriner last night. It was different to see him marching but I was happy he did march. While he marched and waved my dad was playing the bagpipes. Aw... the 2 guys in my life were both marching :-)

The Circus performance was very good, but there wasn't any lions & tigers which was pretty strange... long story with the reason behind that... (aww it's so great to know the "behind the scenes" of things... ) hehe.

We were able to watch the circus from "our box". I call it our box because I don't remember a year without sitting in there hehe. Well except in 2009 and 2010 when both Sarah & I had part of the wedding guests come.

Mom and Dad drove us back to their house so I could get my car. But before we could leave lots of pictures had to be taken :)

 Thiago walking in his first parade as a Shriner :) 

 Bo-Bo & Thiago looking hansom

 So proud of both of them :)

Easter

Happy Easter!!!

Thiago & I headed over to my Aunt & Uncle's house in Agawam. Before we went to their house we stopped at the cemetery to visit Grammy & Grandpa Gates. I haven't been there in a while so it was nice to stop by and pay our respect.  My Grandfather has the masonic emblem on the headstone and Thiago liked that.

By the time we got out my Aunt & Uncles house everyone else was there. For Easter dinner there was Mom, Dad, Tante Helen, Uncle Ralph, Denise, Aunt Patty, Uncle Wayne, Wayne, Thiago and myself. Missing was Sarah, Scott & Katie. Apparently I am a grown up now because I had to bring some type of food. Since I was originally suppose to catch a flight I had to bring cheese and crackers.

Tante Helen hid 1 egg in the back yard for the 4 "kids" to find. It was $20 inside. Of course she wouldn't give us any hints and it seem to take us forever to find. Thiago found the egg, it was a camouflage egg which was hidden with the rocks around the pool.

We had chicken, salad, bread and twice baked potato's for dinner. After dinner we showed everyone our wedding photo's from Brasil. Before Thiago had to go to work Tante Helen gave us a painting of a clown she did. It reminds me of the Shrine Circus.

Get together with friends

My parents decided to host a little get together/farwell party for Thiago and I at their house. We had about 12 people in total between my friends & Thiago's friends.

It was nice to see everyone and people were able to come and go as they pleased. For dinner we have veggie lasagna,  salad, garlic bread and meat balls. For dessert there was brownies, ice cream, cake and cookies.

Not much went on other than a lot socializing and we got some gifts. My god parents gave us a print of the West Springfield town common. The Cenedella's gave us a welcome mat.The Runshaws gave us a hiking book for North Carolina & The Duquette's gave us a gift card to Bed, Bath & Beyond.

Not that we needed any more items to add into our moving truck.

It's always great to see friends and just chat and laugh the night away.

On the road again..

Since I have been home from Brasil I have sure been on the road a lot.  The VoIP project at West Georgia Health seems to be slowing down a little bit. Slowing down as the customer wants to take their time.

Just found out I am getting sent to Buffalo NY for the first 2 weeks of May.  Which is stinky but good in a way... stink because I have to leave the day we move in and I will not be home for our 2nd anniversary. Good well duh the money is awesome :)

Brasil 2011

Here is a recap of our trip to Brasil :)

March 16^th 2011

The day we travel to Brazil has arrive!! Time to prepare for a 13 hour flight and a 4 hour layover in JFK. We leave from BDL at 1:35pm and arrive in Brazil at 6:40 am Braillian Time (5:40am USA Time) at GRU – Sao Paulo.

March 17^th  2011

Today was a long day. We got picked up at the airport by Joao & Isabel. It took 2 hours to get from the airport to the Little People School. After we saw the LPS which has grown since 2009 we went back to the Primo’s house & unpacked & then went shopping for clothes for Saturday. After a long day of shopping and a haircut for Thiago it was time for dinner. Dinner was at Melina and Daniels house and I finally got to meet Lucca. He has grown so much since the photos of him May 2010. YUM! Brazilian pizza for dinner, finally!! Hehe.

March 18^th 2011

HAPPY BIRTHDAY THIAGO!! My parents, Kathy & Dave arrive from the cruise ship today. With traffic to CHG – Sao Paulo. 3 cars went to pick them up -  Joao, Thiago and I, - Jose – Melina and Lucca. We got them checked into their hotel at Ibis and then headed for some yummy homemade lunch – chicken stroganoff, rice, salad and veggies.  Dinner was at Mourisu’s Pizza place with a full crowd. Just about all of Thiago’s family was there to help celebrate his birthday.

March 19^th 2011

Today is the BIG day, wedding #2. Marina and I went in the morning for a wax then Isabel and I got our nails done. The women came to the house to do our nails.  In the afternoon Isabel, Melina and I got our hair and makeup done.  The hair and makeup took much longer, we got there at 3pm and left at 6:30pm. INSANE, People were arriving at 7pm and we still got there 10 minutes early than we were supposed to. The party was great, I was nervous about the ceremony part but in the end I had nothing to worry about. Alot of people showed up and I knew most of them which was very nice, about 60 people. We had a priest in training bless our vows, Daniel read an English passage from the Bible and Dave also read a letter the American priest in training wrote for us but could not attend. We had our first dance “This I Promise You” by N Sync then had appetizers and we took photo’s. Dinner was buffet style – rice, meat, pasta and salad. The food was very good. After dinner we watched a movie Thiago put together with photos from our 6 years being together and in the background were 4 songs (2 English and 2 Portuguese). Then the real party begin. It seemed that I danced the night away with the girls while Thiago socialized. In Brazil there is a tradition that the groom has an old tie and he goes around table to table and the men put $ on a plate and they received a piece of the tie in exchange. Samir and Fabol were the main guys helping Thiago. It was neat to watch as I have only heard about this and never seen it before. Have to say we made out pretty well – Thank you everyone. Around 1:30am the party died down and it was time for me to see the wonderful Sheraton in Brazil  - Thiago told me how nice it was. When we got back to the hotel room there were rose peddles on the floor and bed and some pretty red roses with blue flowers (Thiago got the blue flowers for our American wedding flowers).

March 20, 2011

We both slept very well at the hotel – minus during the night and in the morning cleaning people trying to open our door, thank you door lock. Deigo, Jose and Isabel picked us up from the hotel and we went to meet my parents, Kathy, Dave, Joao & Helenice at the hotel to head to the outside market place. We were there for a couple hours and I saw more than I did when I was there in 2009. The weather was much better this year – no rain but cooler. It was neat to see what people can make handmade. It reminded me of the Big E. Dinner tonight was at South’s Place – a Brazillian BBQ. A lot of meat came around. I finally understand what people say about Brazillian BBQ places with Red and Green cards.. Red means Noa (No) Green means Sim (Yes). I also had pasta since I am not a big meat eater. We walked my parents, Kathy and Dave to the hotel which was a nice exercise & help digest the food. 

March 21, 2011 

Thiago and I go dropped off at the hotel and went to lunch with Kathy, dave, mom and dad at a Rufinio’s at the mall across the street from the hotel. The food was very yummy and the portions were very big. Mom & Dad brought back chicken to the room. Joao was waiting for us at the hotel and was going to take us to The Little People School and Sobei (which is a school that is run by the Mason’s). We didn’t except to see everything we did there –also there was 2 lodges (they have 7 different lodges meet there) and the store.

 The Little People school, we went when the kids were there so we were able to see the actives they were doing and interact with them. 

Sobei is a school that is run by the Mason’s free of charge. They have about 1000 students ranging all different ages, babies to older. Also they have classes ie: computers, cooking, work out, swimming free of charge for anyone. 

For Dinner we had pizza again. We went to Daniel, Melina and Lucca’s. We saw pictures of Melina and Daniels wedding as well as all the baby photo’s of Lucca growing up – he is about 10 months now. After dinner and dropping people off at the hotel we headed to an 24 hours grocery store. Where I bought honey for mom and dad as well as tea for myself. It is always interesting looking at the different things they sell in different countries.

March 22, 2011

Today they checked out of the hotel. We picked them up from the hotel in 2 cars. Then headed back home for lunch. Isabel made an amazing lunch – as always. Rice, beans, meat, veggies. Munito bom. For dessert she made her famous puff pastry cake. The 6 of us went for a walk to a nicer area of houses near the house, It was very interesting see the different styles of home and also at each street corner they had security guards. Around 5pm Joao picked up Kathy and Dave to bring them to the airport. While the rest of us looked at pictures of the Primo family and had dinner. Around 11 pm we all decided to get some shut eye until early morning to bring Mom & Dad to the airport. 

March 23, 2011

Mom and Dad are on their way to Florida.   We just hung out around the house. We wanted to be very lazy.

March 24^, 2011

Patty picked Thiago and I around 11am and we picked up Sarah at school. Her school looks similar to the Little People School. We went back to Tia and Tio’s house and had lunch, watched TV and walked to a sweet store were we had ice cream and waiting for Jose and Isabel to get use for dinner at Melina, Daniel and Lucca’s.

March 25, 2011

Thiago’s friends had a party. We got picked up by some of Thiago's friends for a BBQ and some drinks. It was a lot of fun and I kind of learned how to dance Brasillian Funk hehe.

March 26, 2011

Today was a low key morning/afternoon. Patty and Camilia came by and we went out to a restraint for some snacks, man just for French fries it was 17 reals. Insane and over prices. Dinner was Casa de Pizza at home.

March 27 2011

This morning we walked to the flee market and had some pastels as well as walked to see the church were Melina & Daniel, Jose & Isabel got married. It has gotten bigger since Jose & Isabel got married. Lunch celebration for Diego's birthday was at Melina, Daniel & Lucca’s house. Another yummy BBQ and cake. Lucca kept coughing and could not keep his food down so we went to the ER with Melina and Diego. 4 hours of waiting Lucca was finally seen and about 30 minutes he was ready to go home. He is still sick from a couple weeks ago and is to stay out of day care for 2 days. Late dinner – take out from Habib’s  

March 28 2011

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Diego!! We had dinner at home and another cake celebration for Diego. 

March 29^th 2011 

Went to with Isabel to watch Lucca all day.

March 30^th 2011

 Hung out around the house. Went to the Dentist and went to Casa Da Pizza for dinner.

March 31^st 2011

Went to the mall in the morning/afternoon. Dinner at Melina’s house, Isabel stayed over again to help take care of Lucca who is still sick. While she was watching him she cooked a Christmas dinner. Which is turkey, rice and veggies. As always it was yummy. 

April 1^st 2011

I woke up congested so I wanted to take it easy today. Hung out  with Thiago’s milk brother and went to the mall. It’s hard to find a shirt or anything for a female that says Brasil. Walked home from the “lake” after seeing some more of the houses we say with Kathy, Dave, Mom & Dad. Lunch was left overs from last nights dinner. Took a nap and read. For dinner Isabel, Thiago, Diego, Patty and I went to Casa Da Pizza. Once again it was yummy. After we dropped off Diego and Isabel. Samir, Patty, Thiago and I went to a restraint/bar and listened to a band while we talked and enjoyed a few drinks.

April 2, 2011

Well today is our last day here.. we leave tomorrow morning :-/ Isabel and I got our nails done again. They look so pretty. The primo’s are getting a new garage/gate installed so that seems to be the activity of the day so far. Tonight dinner at Joao’s house and we will finally get to see our wedding photo’s :-D so exciting.

It will be great to spend time with the family again before we head out. I just I didn’t have a cold and am not looking forward to being home for a few hours then off to GA for a week of work. UGH. 

So sad to be leaving Brasil I am sure going to miss all my family and friends there. Can't wait to see every body again.