The MIA diaries

Hey guys,

I’m not technically MIA, since you do know that I’ve been busy and doing what.

I’m late with my blogging challenge. So far I have missed:

Day 19 – Why I started my business; I did have a business so I do have a lot to say about this topic

Day 20 – What makes my products unique; I sell nothing so this doesn’t apply at all;

Day 21 – Goals for my Etsy shop; I don’t have one so…

I will do all of these posts, finding something to substitute the prompts for day 20 and 22. Do you have suggestions? It would be super helpful!

So now, let me tell you what I’ve been up to for the last few days!

My parents-in-law were coming on Friday afternoon and I had a whole to-do list to complete before they got here:

• Make our bed with fresh sheets. We are giving them our room and sleeping in an air mattress in the living room; – Done;
• Air the bedroom and make everything fresh and clean; – Done;
• Gather everything that we need from the bedroom so we don’t need to get in there once they are here; – Nope, I had to get in there to get a few things the next morning after breakfast but that’s not an issue for us;
• Mop the bedroom floor; – Done;
• Quick bathroom cleanup (new towels, toilet clean, spray and rinse shower, open window, make sure everything is clean and that they have enough soap, toothpaste, shampoo, etc.) – Done;
• Leave some tissues in the bedroom; – Totally forgot;
• Make a shopping list so Rui can stop by the store later (we need some cheese, meats for the grill, drinks, ingredients for my Oreo mousse) – We went there together;
• Make sure to take out the bags that have been in a corner of the bedroom for weeks (clothes to donate, toys to donate, picture frames to hang) – All in the storage room;
• Tidy up the living room and office (very quickly) and air both; – Done;
• Tidy up kitchen; – Done;
• Wash dishes from breakfast; – Done;
• Do some salad prep; – Did it just before dinner;
• Pick outfits for both of us for tomorrow; – Nope, we chose them in the morning;
• Buy graduation gift (I know, the day before. We had so many months to do it, but we choose to leave it for 12 hours before. We are really Portuguese. No question there. It’s a cultural thing.) – It hasn’t happened yet. How cool of us.

They got here a little after 6 p.m and we took them to our favorite coffee shop for a snack. We then went to the supermarket because we needed to pick up a few things for dinner and some fruit. We have a few supermarkets to choose from and I have an amazing app where we can check the pamphlets for each store and the discounts for that day or week. I love it. I had checked the store with the lowest prices for fruit and we went to that one. We don’t usually go there but it was good to get there because now I know they have a great supply of foods for those who don’t eat a regular diet and great supplements too, while most stores don’t.

My in-laws brought us SO MUCH STUFF. They are so amazing! Our fridge and freezer are full of goodies and I have no room left. They brought us 2 chickens they had killed that morning (sorry if this is TMI or offensive to you in any way but we are a farming family and this is normal for us, although I don’t kill any kind of animal, not even flies or spiders), so many eggs, a cake my MIL had made, 4 heads of lettuce, potatoes, olives, cheese, watercress, strawberries, bread, etc. They are really generous and kind.

For dinner, we had some grilled meat with brown rice (I made it too salty, sorry) and a salad. For dessert I made my Oreo mousse but it was too liquid. Some days you just can’t do shit right. We then watched TV and went to bed.

On Saturday morning we woke up, had breakfast, got ready and went to lunch hahaha. We met my brother-in-law, his best friend and one of our cousins and we had a delicious lunch at an amazing restaurant. We all ate way too much. Then we went to my brother-in-law’s school for the graduation ceremony. They were doing it in order, by course and his was number 6. It was a little hard because we had to wait a long, long time, standing, sometimes in the sun. It was super hot. 30ºC. Lisbon can be a nightmare if it is that hot and no breeze in sight. After such a big lunch, with such a high temperature and standing for such a long time, I began not feeling so well. Adding the fact that I hadn’t sleep a wink. My hands, legs and feet started to swell and I felt dizzy and super hot. I was feeling like shit until after dinner, when I finally cool down.

We went to one of our aunt’s home for dinner, which was delicious but I could barely touch it because I was feeling so bad.  It was really good because we got to spend time with family, have a very nice and civilized discussion about politics (of course I had to participate, you know me) and I got to hold our sweet 2-month-old cousin. I love me some baby cuddles!

We got home and went to bed. I couldn’t sleep again, at all. The air mattress is not comfortable at all, Rosa wanted to sleep with mommy and spent the whole night trying to get on top of us, etc. I was supposed to go to my other aunt’s house for lunch but after two sleepless nights and feeling so bad last night I just couldn’t go anywhere. Today I feel like shit, I thing I was in the sun for two long. My back hurts badly and my abs (that I haven’t seen in 20 years) hurt like crazy, I can’t even laugh. I have no idea why I feel so beat lol I guess the air mattress and the heat and the sleepless nights and the excess food did a number on me. I should be fine by tomorrow.

Friday was also a very special day because I hit 1000 followers! I have so many comments to answer. Many of you were so kind as to congratulate me and I need to thank you for being so sweet.

I’ll come back tomorrow with my health for days journey. Or maybe I should do a week of a detox journey, ha!

Questions:

1. What should I write about instead of the day 20 and 21 prompt?
2. What have you been up to this weekend?

Miss you guys.

xx

Health for days journey – May 19th (In-laws are coming edition)

Hey you,

Yes, I know, I’m awake at 9.33 a.m. Weird.

Rui left for work about half an hour ago and took the girls because they are in college and have classes at 10, so I had to get up to command the troops, provide breakfast and force them to hurry up. An 18 and a 21-year-old can take a long time to get ready in the morning. It’s the clothes and the hair and… well… you’re going to class, not to a party.

Anyway, someone asked me what we did together while the girls were here and the answer is nothing much. We had dinner on Wednesday night and then Rui and I came to our room to blog so the girls could have their slumber party. They were talking until 6 a.m. Damn. I would be too old for that shit. Then they slept super late and we just had lunch and hang out while watching The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. We were supposed to go out to that festival/concert/party kind of thing but we all decided it was too cold and windy and the girls had brought Spring clothes that were too springy. Being the gentleman that he is, sweet Rui sad he would take us all to McDonald’s for dinner, and so we went. We came home and began watching La La Land, because the girls hadn’t seen it yet. We were all “watching”. Rui and Rosa were sleeping almost on top of me, I was blogging (but watching) and the girls were on their phones and giggling and doing I have no idea what. Everything but fully watching the movie haha. They were having fun together so it was obviously fine. I then decided I was tired and we came to bed. I have no idea what time they went to sleep, as I could hear them talking and giggling until I fell asleep. You see? Nothing too exciting. But they said they loved it and were in need of a lazy day. Good enough for me.

Today my in-laws are coming to stay with us. Tomorrow is my brother-in-law’s graduation, at 2.30 p.m. They arrive sometime before dinner, which will be some kind of barbecue. Rui will grill and I will make sides, while keeping an eye on my mom-in-law, so she doesn’t start ironing or something.Woman cannot stand still and be a guest. I’ve told her that she is forbidden to touch anything in my house haha just sit and eat. She’s a busy bee every single day and I really want her to rest and be a guest. Just relax. Let’s see if I can control her cooking and cleaning urges without having to beg Rui to get involved and tie her to a chair. Kidding. Maybe.

So, since I’m having guests, I have a to-do list. Obviously. I always have one. I already have the girl’s sheets in the washer and I’ll make a few more loads today. Other than that:

• Make our bed with fresh sheets. We are giving them our room and sleeping in an air mattress in the living room;
• Air the bedroom and make everything fresh and clean;
• Gather everything that we need from the bedroom so we don’t need to get in there once they are here;
• Mop the bedroom floor;
• Quick bathroom cleanup (new towels, toilet clean, spray and rinse shower, open window, make sure everything is clean and that they have enough soap, toothpaste, shampoo, etc.)
• Leave some tissues in the bedroom;
• Make a shopping list so Rui can stop by the store later (we need some cheese, meats for the grill, drinks, ingredients for my Oreo mousse)
• Make sure to take out the bags that have been in a corner of the bedroom for weeks (clothes to donate, toys to donate, picture frames to hang)
• Tidy up the living room and office (very quickly) and air both;
• Tidy up kitchen;
• Wash dishes from breakfast;
• Do some salad prep;
• Pick outfits for both of us for tomorrow;
• Buy graduation gift (I know, the day before. We had so many months to do it, but we choose to leave it for 12 hours before. We are really Portuguese. No question there. It’s a cultural thing.)

I guess that’s it. In general, I just want to be ready so they can be comfortable and have everything they need and a pleasant stay. I’m excited because I love to spend time with his side of the family as much as I do with mine. Unfortunately my parents can’t come to dinner tonight because of my step-dad’s working schedule.

I see you guys later?

Thank you so much for reading and putting up with my endless lists. Is it getting boring?

Do you have big plans for Friday evening?

What about the weekend?

Do tell.

xx

Health for days journey – May 5th (I didn’t know they made lavender tea edition)

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  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.

• Water my desk and bathroom plants. I mean my desk plants, not the desk itself, I’m not sure I made that clear. Again… water the plants that I have on my desk and the plant that I have on my bathroom. Better? Thought so.
• Put away the huge pile of laundry that I have (finally) folded. Some of it has been sitting on my bedroom rug (I have no shame, do I?) since before Easter;
• Put away the dishes that I washed a couple of days ago and that are definitely dry. Wash the dirty ones. There aren’t many, so it must be quick;
• Vacuum the living room floor. Either that or convince Mr. R to do it. I hate vacuuming. Give me a room full or laundry or dishes or 30 rooms to dust but 1 small room to vacuum and I lose my shit;
• Wash all the floors with bleach. Yes, I like to do that once in a while. I get a mop and a bucket and I use bleach instead of floor cleaner.
• Make my bed; I have changed the sheets yesterday but I have yet to make it today; I should do it immediately after I wake up, I know. But what if I want to go back? Okay…
• Answer a few emails and texts and I’m not used to do this anymore. When I had my business I had texts and emails and Facebook messenger and Whatsapp booming all day long. Maybe that’s why I’m crazy.
• Pack Rui’s bag for his little trip. No, he’s not dumb or useless and he’s perfectly capable of packing for himself but I like to do it for him. I always know where things are. I think it’s better to pack already instead of waiting for him to do it while asking me “have you seen x?”, “have you seen y”. What is up with men? It’s like they don’t even live at home. We always know where our shit is (and theirs).
• Keep gathering the materials for my studying sessions;
• Go and pick up some lemons from the tree!

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

Super lazy Sunday

Hello, dearest friends!

I hope you’re having a lovely weekend!

I’m having a super lazy day today.

My sister, Rui, Rosa and I plan on spending our day in the sofa, each of us on our on computer, watching our TV shows of choice. I mean, not Rosa. She doesn’t have a computer or a favorite TV show. We have dog TV (the channel) but she could care less about it. It’s more entertaining to us than it is to her.

My sister is going through Game of Thrones.

Rui is going to watch Logan now.

I’m focused on reading blogs because I’m way behind and watching Poldark.

Rosa is sleeping as usual. She needs her naps, all day long.

We plan on going to get McDonald’s ice-cream later, maybe. They have this new Maltesers Mcflurry that I want to try. Do you like McDonald’s ice-cream? What do you usually order?

The weather is not very nice, it’s quite windy and cold and not sunny. Our beach plans for this weekend were delayed.

I should be folding laundry, I have a pile that is getting taller than me. But I’m feeling so lazy after this week’s work on the house, so I’m just going to chill today.

We have Kitchen nightmare to watch later today, our Sunday night ritual.

Rui cooked dinner last night but we have no leftovers, so I need to figure out what I’m making for dinner tonight. We have so many eggs to use up (we had about a dozen and my mother-in-law sent us a bunch when we went there for Easter) so I might cook some nice omelets with some fries maybe? And black beans and a nice salad? It sounds good to me.

Tomorrow is a bank holiday and Rui’s last day at home. He goes back to work on Tuesday and I go back to my Health for days journey, to my Spring cleaning and to studying for my exams. I really need to focus on these things, as they are my priorities right now.

I’m going to write my April’s wrap-up post next, so stay tuned for that, along with my plans for May!

How are you spending your Sunday?

Share with me!!

xx