Hey there!
I hope you’re all having a lovely week!
For Throwback Thursday I decided to pick and comment on a random photo from last year:
By looking at my computer I can see that I was working but, most importantly, Rosa is looking at me like she wants to join me on the sofa but I haven’t asked her, so she’s giving me the sad puppy eyes.
2022 Update: She still begs to be on the sofa quite often and plans on keep doing it for years to come.
Love,
Cheila
Happy Friday Everyone!!
I just love Fridays. Same reasons as everyone else, obviously.
For many years, I worked weekends, for Fridays were just regular days for me. It’s different now. I can go to bed late on Friday night because I know I can sleep in on Saturday and on Sunday. We get two whole days just for ourselves, family and friends. I also love to think of the weekend as a “reset button”. You forget about the weekend, get your things together, organized, take care of the house and prepare for the week ahead. It’s kind of exciting, isn’t it? LOL Can you tell I love weekends?
Anyway, I have a few things I want to talk about today, I guess I should follow the order of the tittle? Maybe it’s less confusing for you guys.
Things I must not forget:
Self-care things I would like to do:
Things we actually need to do:
We have this guest bed which is not so good but it’ll have to do for now:
It’s as shitty as it looks and too small for any sheets to properly fit. We’ll obviously keep it as an extra, as well as the air mattress, but I’m thinking we should get this one, which turns into a double bed if needed:
It’s pretty cheap too, only 169ā¬. What do you think?
So I had this crazy idea that we could all watch the Oscars together. What? I know. But hear me out: I would write a post named: Oscars 2018 and we’d all be watching the Oscars at the same time and commenting on said post, like we’re actually talking while watching it. So who’s with me? We can have a long distance, blogging, Oscar-viewing party!!
This morning I heard on the radio that Amazon might finally come to Portugal. I was immediately excited and praying for it to happen. Every time I want to order something from Amazon, well, I can’t. For every 100 products, only about 1 ships to Portugal and the shipping cost is never lower than 20ā¬. It’s really bad. Imagine having the option of Amazon Prime… Gosh, I need it.
I’ve been looking into getting a used kindle reader. You cannot really find kindles to buy here and when you do, they’re really expensive, so I’m looking for a used one. I might save about 100ā¬ if I buy a used one.
I have been reading lots using kindle on my iPhone and Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited. My free-trial ended and I was pretty sad but then Rui surprised me by saying he wouldn’t mind if we paid the monthly subscription, so I’ll have it forever, woo-ooh.
Finally, I want to tell you I hadn’t worked out as much as I did this week in years!! I took two 2.3 km walks and I went to water aerobics twice and swimming class once! Just need to brag about it.
That’s it everyone!!
What are you plans for the weekend??
Love you all.
xx
Hey guys!!
It’s just so damn cold!!
It’s 8 degrees Celsius or about 46 Fahrenheit and raining. I guess that’s not so cold for some of you guys but it is here, especially because it was a sudden drop. I can’t wait to get home and cuddle my little space heater. My knees, feet, nose, hands and butt are freezing.
How’s the weather where you are?
Are you happy it’s Friday? Do you have big plans for the weekend?
We’re changing some things around the house (again, last time was in April) because we want to transfer my side of the office to our bedroom (which is pretty big), get Rui’s desk somewhere and turn our office into a closet/a place with a guest bed. We have a ton of shit to move around and organize. And clean. And I just want to sleep. Or read. Or watch the second season of The Crown, which I have yet to do. Have you watched it?
I’m tutoring 8th grade science and 10th grade Art History until 8 p.m. I have a headache and I really want to go home. Rui has this dinner to attend so I’m probably having sandwiches for dinner. Or cereal.
My favorite part when I get home is checking the mail to see if I’ve gotten any mail or delivery from my online shopping š My second favorite part is changing into my pajamas (especially taking my bra (a.k.a boob prison).
š
So, I had to stop writing because the kids were done with their worksheets and we had to wrap things up for the weekend. I have to take the bus and a taxi because Rui is at that freakin dinner and it’s pretty freakin cold!! Like feeling the could under my coat and warm, turtleneck sweater and thick scarf. Gosh. I was waiting for the bus when I realized I had no money so I had to run to an ATM and then run because I literally saw the bus was coming, just as I was withdrawing the money. Man, I don’t like running, nor am I good at it. But I made it. At least I’m warm now. I just hope I don’t get the taxi driver that likes to talk and look back while talking. He’s pretty nosy and freaks me out because I can imagine us running into a tree very easily while he’s not looking at the road. Yes, there are only a handful of taxi drivers here and they’re from the same company and family so I know them all. I also know the mailman by name. Oh and we’re pretty intimate now since I caught him peeing against my garage wall when he thought I wasn’t home, like a fucking dog. He did apologize and say “I’m so sorry, I thought nobody was home” – “Oh, okay. Don’t worry”. What the fuck do you answer to that?
I did get the talkative taxi driver but he wasn’t in the mood to talk, thankfully. I’m already home, in bed, with my heater and Rosa. Why can’t she just lay a few centimeters away from me? She needs to be almost on top of me. So I have to bear the weight of at least half dog. She looks pretty cute, if I forget that she stalks me into the bathroom and comes to our room to throw up (just a few minutes ago). OMD. Oh my dog.
I guess this is the most random post ever, right? I’m going to post it anyway. Bye now, there’s a true crime podcast waiting for me.
Love you all.
Have a nice weekend!
Chey.
I’m gonna post it anyway.
Hello my dear friends!!
I’m very happy and in a very good mood.
I was offered the job I really wanted and that I had recently interviewed for and I, of course, said yes. I’ll start on September 1st, which is perfect because our annual Summer vacation (time we can take together in the Summer, usually August) starts tomorrow, after Rui leaves work. We’ll be free (I mean, I’ve been for a while so he’ll be) from Monday, 31st of July (not counting this weekend because he’s free on weekends anyway) to Sunday, the 13th of August. Rui will probably go back to work on Monday, August 14th. We have no idea what we’re doing yet but we know we won’t be doing anything too crazy or spending too much money because I’m not working yet.
Tomorrow night we will go and spend the weekend at his parents house in SertĆ£, his hometown. It’s countryside, super hot and extremely beautiful. There are river beaches and the city pool is extremely cheap (you pay about 3ā¬ per person for the whole day) and I just love the landscapes and high places and dense Eucalyptus and Pine tree forests.
There’s just a few issues we have no idea how to solve. Rosa, the vegetable garden and my garden and plants. We would like to stay longer than just the weekend but we have no one to watch Rosa, and to water everything. It’s very hot so things need to be watered and taken care of daily. We can obviously leave Rosa at the Pet hotel where she usually stays, but it’s kind of expensive. 15ā¬ per day adds up quickly if she stays there for a few days. Also, I feel bad to leave her more than a couple of days because I’m afraid she will feel abandoned and get nervous or anxious or sad. It’s my baby girl, after all. If we take her, she will spend so much time inside the house because we cannot take her with us to the pool or beach. So, yeah, there are a few problems to solve before we go.
Now, more details about my job. I’m very, very excited because I’ll go back to tutoring, which is easier than full on teaching, and I’ll have 8th and 9th grade, instead of pre – college, teenage high schoolers or working adults. The fact that I’ll be working for someone else for a while instead of being responsible for a whole business is something that makes me feel calm and peaceful right now. The hours are so different and there’s only about 10% of the stress and responsibility I was dealing with before I came home. I have been known to work from 7.30 a.m to 11.30 p.m with no breaks, more than once, many times actually, and now I’ll only be dealing with 12.30 hours a week, earning a close to full-time salary. How lucky am I? God is being very good to me and I feel so blessed. This job is what I needed and prayed for and it’s the perfection way to slowly get back to work and still have tonnes of time to take care of myself and get better. Plus, I love the idea of being booked for the whole school year, because it provides stability. What else could I ask for? Oh, there’s one more thing. Most hours are in the late afternoon, which means Rui can go by when he’s coming from work and pick me up, which means less money spent on transportation. I’m over the moon.
I’m sorry I’m writing so much but I really wanted to update you on these very important things, our upcoming vacation and my new job. I’m looking forward to both. Its’s also great that I have about 15 days after our vacation for getting a few things done and organized before the school year starts.
I’m really happy, which hasn’t happen in a while.
I’m going to get off your back now. Sorry for such a long post (not that they’re usually small, but still) and I hope, from the bottom of my heart, that you’re happy and that things are going well for you right now.
Love you guys so much.
Thank you for the constant support.
Chey.
Hey guys!!
As you can see by the time, I’ve totally failed at waking up early today. I slept for 12 freaking hours. I blame gardening!
I also blame gardening for the fact that my hands are a little swollen, itchy, full of scratches and little cuts. I also need to blame cleaning with bleach without gloves (I never wear gloves for anything, this is something Rui and I have in common, we both hate to wear gloves to do any kind of work. The only time I wear gloves is one I’m dyeing hair, and yes, I have done that for several family members) and a certain bitchy dog who bit me three times last night, leaving a few marks.
Oh, I need to apologize for the fact that I haven’t posted my challenge prompt yesterday, for a simple I reason. I share a daily to-do list with you guys every day, so for the challenge (the prompt is “on my to-do list”) I want to share my general to-do list, things I need to get done in the next couple of weeks or months. Maybe I can post it today and you can forgive me for my lateness?
Tonight my sister and her friend from college are coming to stay with us. I need to make dinner and get the living room ready because the girls will be sleeping there (how I miss having an extra room). Tomorrow they are spending the day here with my while Rui goes to work, then we’ll have dinner and go to that “Semana AcadĆ©mica” thing, which some kind of festival for college kids. They both want to go and both my parents’ and the girl’s parents prefer if they have the company of older (still super young and cool) kids. So Rui and I are taking them.
This is my list for today:
As I was writing this I heard a loud noise in the bedroom. Got there and the window had flown open and my beautiful mirror fell on the floor and broke. Rui says we’ll buy a new one but I’m sad that it broke!
Love you, my friends!!
xx
Hello there, my dearest people (I’m in dictator mode)
Are you happy it’s Friday? I bet you are!!
Since I’m home, the days of the week don’t matter that much, since I have the whole week to myself and the whole Mr. R to myself on weekends. This is actually bullshit, we’ve been together over 4 years, we spend a lot of time together but each of us doing their own shit. So, when I say I have him all to myself, it means that he is available if I want to bug him. In reality, I’m probably blogging and he’s probably planting pumpkin seeds or something. Then we remember each other, and decide to hang out or watch a movie. Or go grocery shopping, if I bother him enough.
Anyways, enough with the Friday talk.
Do you have plans for the weekend? I would love to know them.
Tomorrow Rui and his friend are going to work on his car, some kind of inspection preparation? No idea. They just do it themselves instead of going to the shop. When I met him he didn’t know Ā shit about cars. He didn’t even know how to ride the subway (true story – maybe another day) and now he’s like this car geek. Since he bought the car he has learned so much about it and how to do the maintenance himself. That’s just who he is. He has an engineering mind. He NEEDS to know how stuff works. He does research and looks for information and learns how to do things. He knows so much about cars and parts and how an engine works. It amazes me every time the subject comes up. And I don’t even know how to ride a bike (true story – maybe another day). Again, lets stop praising the beautiful and amazing qualities of my man and focus on the subject at hands, which is telling you my weekend plans.
So tomorrow they are going to work on their cars and then we are having lunch with his friend, wife and two boys. I’m sure it will be fun, you know how much I love kids. After lunch I’m coming home and Rui is coming to his parents house, to spend mother’s day, which is this Sunday. I was supposed to spend the night at my parents but we have Rosa and we are still deciding if she goes to the doggy hotel or if I stay with her and go to my mom’s house on Sunday morning, by bus. I’ve been begging mother to let me take Rosa but she says it will bother her cat (because he’s such a lord), that she will shit everywhere (she won’t, she’s house trained) or that she will not behave. Okay, mom. Drama queen. I don’t want to distress her idiot cat so it might not be a good idea to take Rosa. Also, my mom, sis and I (stepdad is working, rest of the family is crazy) will probably go out to lunch on Sunday and Rosa would have to be closed up in a room, so she doesn’t eat my mother’s super pussy cat (he’s afraid of his own shadow). Let’s see what we decide tonight.
So, these are my plans for the weekend. What are yours? Tell me. I’m always curious and I love to know what you’re up to. I’m excited that Rui is going to bringing me perfect raw organic honey that my sweet (as honey, ha) mother-in-law has been saving for me. The store bough sugary shit is really… shitty.
I’m in a tea mood today. No coffee. No milk. Tea. More exactly Melissa and lavender tea. Let me tell you, I had no idea they made lavender tea.
I have such a huge, one-sided headache. Not sinusitis related, thank God. Those are miserable. This one is big but bearable. If it gets too bad I drink a shot of espresso and it goes away. I always avoid taking medication for anything because, well, I think I take enough already. And I HATE medication. Just knowing the shit I’m putting into my body… makes me nervous. But my brain likes it and my brain chemistry loves it so… as long as it’s helpful and making me better I’m going to take it. Anything to heal.
Do I have a to-do list? Of course I do. I always have one.
So far I’m in the same good, but not great mood has I have been this whole week. I have no appetite and keep losing weight. You know that losing weight is not my priority at all. I know I’m fat but what I want to focus now is my health and to put good foods and nutrients into my body. Those who look at me and say “Wow, she used to be so much thinner” can go fuck themselves. Pardon my French. I’m talking like a truck driver today. No offense to truck drivers.
I know why I am like this. Not motivated at all and super slow and kind of sad. That family member I told you about. They are suffering. And I suffer through them. That’s just me. I get stuck on thing until they are solved and my loved one is no longer suffering. Rui says I cannot function like a normal person when I’m worried about someone I love and he might be right. I just absorb the sadness and pain. I want to focus on myself and take care of me but I can’t help it.
Anyway, see you tonight!!
xx
**Useful information: You can find the word “Shit” 8 times in this post.
*
*
*
Did you go back to check??
Love.
Cheila
Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen,
What a beautiful Thursday this is. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, Rosa is getting crazy because she wants to catch them all… Just a normal Spring day.
We are having a ladies’ stay-cation, while Rui went away for work. Me and Rosa plan on doing each other’s hair and nails and watching Mean Girls. Kidding, mostly I just clean the house and she stares at me.
Today is the first day I’m trying to get back on track!! Who else was naughty during Easter and wants to join me?
Anyway, I’ve got good news!
As you know, I had a psychiatrist’s appointment yesterday. She told me she is really happy with me and my improvements and that I don’t even look like the same person that went there for the first time, so lonely and sad and desperate. She said she can really see an improvement and… she cut back on my meds!!! A few of them!! It’s the first time something like that has happened. Usually they would either change or increase my medication, but not this time. She said she could see they were working. I told her I was sleeping too many hours and she said that was a good sign, it meant that I was taking too much medication and could reduce significantly. Today I woke up naturally at 7.30!! I also told her I was not losing way, despite exercising and doing so many diet changes and she told me to walk those 4 km that take to get me to town and back EVERY SINGLE DAY! Am I going to be able to do that? It’s scary and I’m so lazy. Let’s see.
The funny news is that my actual doctor’s appointment (family doctor, for exams) was not yesterday, it’s on the 26th. Ooops. It’s actually sad because I couldn’t wake up to go (too much medication) and Mr.R got super pissed and went to his, at 8.15 a.m. When he got there they told him “Oh but it’s not today, it’s on the 26th”. Poor baby.
I have yet to go to my office and start packing, didn’t do that yesterday. We are planning on going on Sunday. But I DID manage to convince Mr.R to go and buy some clothes. We got him a pair of shoes, 3 pairs of pants, some boxers and about 5 or 6 T-shirts. He needs some polo shirts as well (they are a little more formal for meetings and such) but he didn’t like any of the colors so, next time. We got good deals too. So I’m happy about that.
That’s all I did yesterday. That and watch the pilot of Poldark.Ā I did like it but I’m not convinced yet lol Let’s see if the second episode does a good job in making me go through with it.
I’m only now having brunch/lunch/whatever. I should definitely do a meal plan with schedule hours. Might work on that today. I’m having my usual oatmeal, some coffee, some ice water with lemon and a dessert plate full of frozen baby carrots. Does anyone else eat that as a snack/lunch complement? They’re fresh and delicious.
My house is such a disaster, you have no idea!! I have the amount of dishes of a small restaurant to wash, a pile of laundry bigger than my house, things to unpack, things that I bought that need to find a home, etc. It’s really in critical state. I might do a room each day lol while doing laundry. I want to do some Spring cleaning so that’s what I will do. I might start with the kitchen today, or tomorrow lol and go from there.
Oh and did I tell you my dog is on her period? Oh yeah. She bleeds all over the house? “Put a diaper on her” hahahaha she would take it off and eat it. So I just need to wash everything. Over and over. She’s outside checking for cute dogs right now, which is good, at least she’s not on the couch. Oh, the joys of being a girl dog mom!
What else did I want to tell you?
Oh I got a lovely postcard and letter for my first pen pal to send something. My gorgeous Ā friendĀ NatalieĀ sent me a beautiful post card. I can’t show you because it’s from her city and I need to respect her privacy. But it’s beautiful and it came with a lovely letter. I can’t wait to send her something back. Thank you, Natty!!
I’m also waiting on a book that I won in a Giveaway thatĀ JennyĀ did!! I was so surprised when she told me I was the winner. I have never won anything!! I could have a book of my choice and I chose Of Mice and MenĀ by Steinbeck. I’ve been meaning to read it for a while so it was a great opportunity to finally have the book. I’m still waiting on it and currently stalking the mailman.
I have bough drawing paper, brushes and gouache. A new hobby to add to my reading, watching movies, watching series, readings blogs, blogging, doing crochet and knitting, which I already don’t have time for? Stay tuned, I’ll be the next Picasso.
I guess that’s it guys. Oh I told you I would start telling you how I am in terms of weight every day (I’m not shamed of being overweight) so you (and I) can check my progress.
Current weight: 87,3 kg / 192.7 lb
Goal weight : 60 kg/ 132.4 lb
Must lose: 27 kg/ 59.8 lb
I have I bet with Rui that if I lose 10 kg/ +- 20 pounds by June I get to go shopping and spend big time!!!! I have about 2 months (it can be June 20, for example) so that means I have to lose 1 kg (or 2 pounds, +-) per week. I will not starve at all. I will eat healthy and exercise.
Who else needs to lose a little weight?
Do you have any tips/tricks?
I guess that’s it for now, my friends.
See you later!!
Love.
Cheila
… If you don’t count my depression, weight problems and bad back I’m healthy.
… I have a man who loves me so much and is able to put up with all the drama that comes with living with a person with depression.
… I have an amazing mom, and I have an amazing relationship with her. We can talk about anything.
… I have a beautiful sister, who I love so much. I know she loves me back and looks up to me and is proud of me.
… I have a great relationship with my stepdad and I know he loves me, even if I’m not his biological daughter.
… I have my own business, I can make up my own hours, miss work if I have too, etc.
… I have a fantastic group of best friends, who always support me.
… I have a beautiful crazy dog, that I love so much and loves me unconditionally.
… I have a great big office, just for myself.
… I have a cute little house, with a big garden.
… I have a fireplace.
… I can read and write. Not every one can, unfortunately.
… I have a new stove.
… I have kind, understanding students.
… I have the opportunity to attend university.
… I am intelligent and love to learn.
… I have a great new doctor.
… I have my blog. I’m in love with my blog.
… I have my readers, who support me.
… I have a pink camera.
… I leave in the countryside, surrounded by green
… I leave near the beach.
… I leave near the beautiful city of Lisbon.
… I leave in a country where there is no war, not much drama and the weather is usually great.
… I can cook.
… I have a library card.
… I have lots of clothes. Not all of them fit, but that’s a different story.
… I don’t know prejudice. I’m not racist, homophobic or anything of the sort. I don’t discriminate and I have an open mind.
… I feel loved.
… I’m in a steady, loving, healthy relationship.
… I have a great sense of humor.
… I can speak English.
… I can teach English.
… I have running water, electricity and gas.
… I have a bed to sleep every night. (unless the dog peed on it and I have to sleep on the couch)
… I have a couch.
… I have money for food (meaning cereal)
…I have most of my teeth.
…I can watch movies and series.
… I’m alive.
Would you like to give me your list? Tell me, what do you have to be grateful for? What makes you feel lucky?
Pink for Days 