sábado, dezembro 26, 2009

Christmas photos

This year, our Christmas was not as happy as we would like it to be but life is just like that. My Granny is not very well and my brother and sister-in-law are living in India now and couldn't spend Christmas with us. But it is in times like these that we have to remind ourselves that our source of joy is God, not our circumstances. I hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas time. May God bless all of you.










quarta-feira, dezembro 23, 2009

quinta-feira, dezembro 17, 2009

quinta-feira, dezembro 10, 2009

Here are the photos I promised!

Just family photos. But we had a great day!





terça-feira, dezembro 08, 2009

Visit



Tomorrow I will be visiting my Dad and Stepmom in Canas de Senhorim, in the centre of Portugal. We live in a very small country but the last time I saw them was almost two years ago. Please pray for a safe trip. I'll try to remember taking photos to post here later.

domingo, dezembro 06, 2009

sábado, dezembro 05, 2009

Uma excelente prenda de Natal!


Do you want to feel great?


«If you feel small and worthless, do something great - help someone in need.» Maria Fontaine

sexta-feira, dezembro 04, 2009

Our Christmas tree and Nativity scene




Presépio no Parque da Cidade em Loures







Défice


Ontem estava à mesa de um café com a minha filha, ela pegou num jornal que ali estava e leu o título em letras gordas: «Défice custa 1380 euros a cada Português». Perguntou-me o que era o défice e eu lá dei a melhor explicação possível para a sua idade. Ficou com um ar preocupado e disse: «Mãe, e cada um de nós vai ter de pagar 1380 euros?»

quarta-feira, dezembro 02, 2009

Happy Homemaker Monday


The weather in my neck of the woods:
Raining a lot! But I love rain.

One of my simple pleasures:
Reading a good book in a rainy afternoon with a hot cup of tea.

On my bedside table:
A Portuguese book: Mal-entendidos, Nuno Lobo Antunes. It is a book written by a Portuguese doctor, to better understand children with problems like Dyslexia or Asperger Syndrome.

On my TV:
DD is watching Hannah Montana.

On the menu for tonight:
Soup and fruit.

On my To Do List:
Ironing, going to church, taking DD to her dance class...

New Recipe I tried last week:
Nothinhg new.

In the craft basket:
Christmas cards

Looking forward to:
Visiting my Dad next Tuesday. The last time I saw him was more than a year ago.

Homemaking Tip for this week:
No tips.

Favorite Blog Post of the week (mine or other):
A post in Portuguese (sorry!!!): Questionamentozinho sincero sobre a justiça de Deus

Favorite photo from last week:
No photos last week.

Lesson learned the past few days:
That elderly people, when they can no longer care for themselves, they can become frustrated and depressed. And that can give way to anger and many times the person who are closest to them become the target of that anger. But I am learning that we cannot take it personally and that we need to ask God for wisdom and patience.

On my Prayer List:
Always a long list but today, my friend Miriam who is travelling to Brazil, after 5 years in Portugal without seeing her family.

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses:
Each time He said, "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Apelo

Pais e mães, por favor parem de dizer às vossas criancinhas que os manos e manas que nasceram ou estão para nascer são resultado das vossas preces fervorosas. Faço este apelo porque a minha filha está com uma crise existencial «braba» (como diria o nosso querido Rubinho!). Diz que Deus deve ter uma lista de crianças a cujas orações atende e que ela foi excluída da lista, que Deus não gosta dela, etc., etc. E eu já não sei mais o que responder!!!

sexta-feira, novembro 27, 2009

Change your attitudes!


«People sense how you feel about them. If you want to change their attitudes toward you, change any negative attitudes you may have toward them.» Maria Fontaine

quinta-feira, novembro 26, 2009

quarta-feira, novembro 25, 2009

My 40th birthday (it was in September but I'm trying new things!!!)


Sempre a surpreender-me!


Ontem a minha princesa pediu-me que lhe contasse a história de quando ela esteve internada durante uma semana aos três meses. Ela sabe a história mas ontem quis os pormenores todos. Quando lhe falei do quarto minúsculo em que ficámos, perguntou-me onde eu tinha dormido. Disse-lhe que tinha dormido (mal) num cadeirão e resposta dela, com lágrimas nos olhos: «Mãe, tu és maravilhosa. Só tu farias isso por mim. Mais ninguém. Amo-te muito e depois de saber isto ainda fico mais triste quando faço asneiras e tu ficas triste comigo.» Nem é preciso dizer quem é que a seguir também ficou de lágrima no olho!

Também te amo de paixão!!!

Bê, a esta hora já deves estar no Brasil, e espero que aproveites bem este tempo que Deus te está a dar. Vou ter saudades mas as tecnologias estão aí para as atenuar. Afinal de contas, apesar de nos vermos ao Domingo na Igreja, a nossa amizade mais a sério começou virtualmente. Como diria a nossa querida Cíntia, «te amo de paixão». És linda! Vou estar a orar por ti. Beijo grande amiga.

To my blogger friends...

Lately, I've been spending long periods of time without posting but whenever I do it, my dear blogger friends come here to visit me and leave nice comments. Thank you for that! That's one of the reasons why I keep blogging. Because through blogging I met wonderful people and you are already part of my life.
«People who live in their own little world never get to enjoy the worlds of others.»

segunda-feira, novembro 23, 2009

It's a new day!

Yesterday, I read this motto in my calendar: «Try to replace critical thoughts with positive ones, and you'll be amazed what a difference it will make in your day, your spirit, and your life.» And I realized how critical my thoughts, and also my words, have been these days. There is a specific situation that is bothering me but I know I can choose the way I react to it. And being so critical is definitely not the best option. But God's mercy is new every morning and today my calendar «says» «It's a new day and a chance to try again.» And that's what I intend to do today. I thank God for His mercy and love.
«Great is His faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.» Lamentations 3:23

sábado, novembro 21, 2009

Te amo de paixão!!!


Este fim-de-semana temos aqui a nossa querida amiga Cíntia, uma mulher segundo o coração de Deus, linda, maravilhosa. É um privilégio ter-te como amiga e tem sido muito bom desfrutar da tua companhia.

terça-feira, outubro 20, 2009

Gestos de amor

Ontem a nossa querida amiga Miriam fez anos e eu resolvi convidá-la para lanchar connosco. A Catarina quis logo fazer o célebre bolo de chocolate e foi ela que preparou tudo. Eu só coloquei o bolo no forno! Mas enquanto eu lavava a loiça ela preparou uma surpresa. Pôs a mesa especialmente para a ocasião:
Depois do bolo pronto, a Catarina resolveu acrescentar mais uns pormenores à mesa. Uma flor, as canecas para o chá e uma moldura que não se vê bem e que tem um cartão que diz: «Que Deus abençoe a nossa casa e todos os que nela entram. Familiares e amigos, sede bem-vindos.»
E aqui está a única foto que se aproveitou de todas as que tirei (infelizmente ficaram todas ainda mais tremidas!). Ah, o bolo estava delicioso!!!

segunda-feira, outubro 19, 2009

O mundo dos sonhos

O meu marido arranjou bilhetes para esta peça e lá fui, com a minha princesa Catarina e mais duas queridas amigas dela, a Maggie e a Mariana. Gostámos muito. Para além de chamar a atenção para os problemas ambientais do nosso planeta, a peça mostra também de uma forma divertida o mundo da Matemática, da escrita e das ciências. Tudo acompanhado com a música de André Sardet, da qual eu sou fã. Uma tarde bem passada.

segunda-feira, outubro 12, 2009

Mari, from My little corner of the world had this fun quiz on her blog and invited her readers to join in.

The phone rings. Who will it be?
It could be anyone. I receive many phonecalls every day.
When shopping at the grocery store, do you return your cart?
Of course I do.
In a social setting, are you more of a talker or a listener?
I'm more of a listener. When I was younger, I wouldn't even talk because I was too shy. But now I can do it!
Do you take compliments well?
I'm learning.
Do you play Sudoku?
No! I just hate it.
If abandoned alone in the wilderness, would you survive?
Probably not. If I did, it would be a true miracle.
Did you ever go to camp as a kid?
No. But I did go camping a few times when I was a girl scout and never really liked it!
What was your favorite game as a kid?
I don't think I had a favourite one.
Could you date someone with different religious beliefs than you?
I used to think that it was ok to do it but since I became a born again Christian, I think it is not the best thing to do.
Do you like to pursue or be pursued?
I prefer to be pursued.
Use three words to describe yourself?
Joyful, generous, understanding (of course there are also negative things about myself but I'm not teling them right now!!!)
Do any songs make you cry?
Of course. I think everything makes me cry!
Are you continuing your education?
No.
Have you ever taken pictures in a photo booth?
Yes.
How often do you read books?
I'm always reading books. I just love them and I have to limit the time I spend reading because otherwise I wouldn't do my daily chores.
Do you think more about the past, present or future?
Probably the future. I'm addicted to planning even though I know that many times God has different plans for me.
What is your favorite children’s book?
I don't have a favourite one. I read so many books that I can't choose just one.
What color are your eyes?
Brown.
Where is your dream house located?
In a green, quiet place. Somewhere in the Alps, for example.
If your house was on fire, what would be the first thing you grabbed?
I'm not sure I could take anything with me because I would panic but maybe documents and photos.
When was the last time you were at Olive Garden?
I think Olive Garden is an American restaurant chain but I don't know it!
Where was the furthest place you traveled today?
I spent the whole day at home because I was too tired and had a terrible headache. But I'm feeeling much better now. Thanks God!
Do you like mustard?
Not very much.
Do you look like your mom or dad?
I look like my dad!
How long does it take you in the shower?
I think I take too long because I love showering.
Can you do the splits?
I could never do it!
What movie do you want to see right now?
Julie & Julia, with Meryl Streep, one ofmy favourite actresses.
What did you do for New Year’s?
Last year we went to Madeira island and I loved it but for this year we don't have any plans yet.
Do you think The Grudge was scary?
I had never heard about it but I would never see it.
Do you own a camera phone?
Yes, I do.
What’s the last letter of your middle name?
I have four middle names!
How many hours of sleep do you get a night?
Usually about 8. But 10 would be much better! I love sleeping.
What do you buy at the movies?
The ticket and sometimes popcorns and coke.
Do you know how to play poker?
No. And I don't want to learn.
Do you wear your seat belt?
Always.
How many meals do you eat a day?
It depends but usually four.
Do you like funny or serious people better?
I like people who are really good at heart and it doesn't matter if they are funny or serious.
Ever been to L.A.?
No. Never been to the States.
Did you eat a cookie today?
No.
Do you hate chocolate?
Of course not!!! I love chocolate but I know someone who hates it. My husband!
Are you a gullible person?
I think I am.
Are you easy to get along with?
I think so but I'm not the best person to answer this question.
And this is it! If you want to join us, please feel free to do it.

terça-feira, outubro 06, 2009

My sister's keeper

I watched this film yesterday with DD and a friend and I cried from the beginning till the end!!! I loved it though it is was very sad. It shows the pain of cancer but also the beauty in how tragedy can bring people together. My Mum was not sure whether it was a good idea to let my daughter watch this film but I think she needs to know that life is not only made of roses. It also has many thorns.

O sol não brilha mas o dia é lindo porque Deus o criou

Serei feliz hoje!
Embora o céu esteja nublado e cinzento.
Não importa o que apareça no meu caminho -
Serei feliz hoje!
Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Creio no sol, mesmo quando ele não está a brilhar.
Creio no amor, mesmo quando não o sinto.
Creio em Deus, mesmo quando Ele está em silêncio.

Encontrei estas frases no livro que acabei de ler ontem, um livro que me foi oferecido por uma querida hóspede brasileira que esteve aqui em casa há pouco tempo. "Atitudes para ser feliz" de Robert Schuller. O autor pega nas Bem-aventuranças e analisa o significado delas hoje, mostrando-nos como a sua aplicação prática pode transformar as nossas vidas.
Um dia muito feliz para todos e que Deus vos abençoe.

segunda-feira, outubro 05, 2009

Thank you....and a photo to share

I just want to say thank you to my dear blogger friends who visited me last week and left nice comments. I'm visiting you as well but still couldn't comment. I hope to do it soon!

Today I'll leave you with this photo of DD. I just love it. It was taken last July at KidsGames. For those of you who cannot read Portuguese, it says: I am special to God!

sexta-feira, outubro 02, 2009

India

This afternoon, my sister-in-law is travelling to India, where my brother is already working. We're going to miss her, as much as we miss my brother, but we know that God is with them. Please pray for them.

Just a little note to say......

....that I am still here!!!!

....that I miss my blogger friends.


....that I'm doing some catching up on reading your blogs but I'm still not commenting (SORRY!).


....that my computer is having too many problems, which makes it very hard to write anything, and I will probably have to buy another one!


....that Fall is here and I love this time of the year!


....and that I turned 40 last Tuesday (29th September) and had such a wonderful time with family and friends.