February 2007

I have recovered from my seventh trip home.  Since I never sleep on the plane I welcomed the conversation of a young lady who was returning from her honeymoon.  Her husband was sound asleep but she was terrified of flying and couldn't sleep.  She told me all about their 3 week honeymoon to Canada and The United States.  It was wonderful hearing about everything from a Brazilian's perspective.  We think our country is amazing but it is nice to hear others say it is amazing also.  I had such a easy time going through customs and immigration and was at the bus right on time so I got the early bus at 9:00 back here to Campinas.  Jan & Ben Rodger's picked me because John had to be at work.  It was wonderful to see their smiling faces welcoming me home.

 

I had a great time with Mom for over three weeks.  Between the two of us we had 7 doctor visits.  I have an abscessed tooth which was untreatable because it was so infected.  They will deal with it when I return in April.  Mom had a tear in her retina and the doctor says it is healing well on its own.  No surgery.  She is an amazing woman.  I guess the years of vitamins and good eating are paying off.

 

I did get to go to Los Angeles to visit Ben.  It was an action packed two days.  We went to Disneyland and his friend, Wendy, went with us.  We rode everything possible in one day.  The next day we went to Hollywood and this was a real treat.  You hear about it all your life so it was fun to see it.  We ate good food and talked nonstop for two days.  I got to see his new apartment, where he works and experience the HORRIBLE Los Angeles traffic.  I got lost going and coming back to the airport.  I don't see how they do it.

 

Of course, I got to eat at all my favorite restaurants and see good movies with Mom.  I visited with close friends.  I got to meet new grand-daughters.  I got to see snow and experience good old cold weather.  We visited with our good friend in Atlanta, Jim.  He, Daddy and Dad's brother Bill used to go to the races together in Atlanta and Talladega.  I thought the traffic in Atlanta would compare to Los Angeles but it sure doesn't.  I think Atlanta was planned much better. 

 

John has returned from his deployment and he and Meredith celebrated their second anniversary in The Bahamas.  Hard to believe it has been two years since the wedding.  Seems like yesterday to me.  She was so glad to have him home.  I know we enjoyed having her here for 7 weeks. 

 

I am back to working on rugs and staying busy.  We went to a Carnaval parade on Saturday.   John is working harder than ever but I know he is glad to have me here for many reasons but mostly to do the cooking and the cleaning.  = 0  Carnaval starts February 17 so he will have two days off.  I was not here last year for the excitement of Carnaval so this will be a first for me.   When you get a chance let me hear from you.