Mom and friends on a sunny day!














Mom with her new door decoration!

I spent 3 weeks with Mom and every day she got stronger in body and mind.

I am amazed at the difference in her health in 3 weeks.

The doctor said it would take 4-5 weeks before she would fill the full affect of the new thyroid medication.

This is my whacky rug.

These are the chocolate Easter eggs in the grocery stores!

Aunt Betsy & Reagan

Reagan in her cute hat
Reagan in her cute jogging suit.

Kyle, Jane & Dionne

I am with Mom in Chattanooga. They put her in the hospital on Friday (March 27) and I could not get here until the following Tuesday. I am glad I came. She is still very weak. The problem ended up being her thyroid medication. It is just amazing how one little pill can mess up everything. Please pray that she gets much stronger with her rehab and that I can return home to John for a while. He is the most patient husband of all time. God certainly blessed me.

I have decided that when you are living in another country the most important thing for you to do is to make good friends. It certainly helps you survive. It seems though that we say goodbye all the time to friends we have made. Especially now with the economy in the shape it is. We have also learned that the shape of the economy in the U.S. affects all the other countries too. We said goodbye to Mieko. Then, Debby left. She and Joe were here short term for just 3 months but she lived close to my apartment and it was fun having her here. Maria and Edmundo have moved to Miami. Jane and Jeff Hearn leave next week. I am sad to not be there to say goodbye. Jane Hearn is one of the funniest people I know. She has a very quick wit and can make you laugh any minute of any day. I have never heard her say anything negative about anything or anyone. If there is anything you need besides friends it is friends with a good attitude. You can survive a foreign country with a good attitude. Jane definitely has a good attitude. I think it is a conscious choice to choose to be happy.

John and I went to the grocery store before I left and two things have appeared for Easter here in Brazil. One is their Easter Eggs. They are this huge shell of chocolate (about 8 inches tall) and then the shell is filled with smaller pieces of wrapped candy. They hang in the grocery stores above all the shelves. It is like a child's wonderland. All these beautifully wrapped Easter Eggs in shiny bright colors. I am always amazed that they are all gone by Easter because there are just so many of them. The other thing that has appeared is cod fish. You walk in the front door of the grocery store and there is the smell. It about knocks you out. Then you walk and there, in the middle of the store, is a big vat of fish laying on ice. I hold my breath as I run through. Some stores are worse than others.

I had a massage for the first time. I had a horrible crick in my back and neck and was absolutely miserable. I think it happened on the plane. This woman at the hair salon said she would make me feel better and boy did she. You forget you are in pain when she is working on your shoulders and back. Everyone had been begging me to try it and now I understand why. I will definitely go back.

When the President of Brazil said that the economic problems were caused by “white blue eyed people” I really chuckled. It sounded as if he did not like us. For me it seems once a day when walking or shopping or eating in Brazil I am stopped by someone and they say “Are you from the U.S.?” or “Where are you from?” Then, I will have this wonderful conversation with them. Most of the time in English but many times in some Portuguese. I have never felt like they did not like me or did not like the U.S. I guess the Brazilian people do not always agree with their President just like Americans.

We had beautiful weather this weekend and Mom and I went for a ride to LaFayette. My Dad’s baby brother, Billy Jon, passed away and Mom was in the hospital and we did not get to go to the funeral. Mom wanted to see where he was buried. He was 16 years younger than Daddy but looked just like him. He went to Nascar races with my Dad and really loved learning his computer. I will miss his e-mails. He kept me up to date about the goings on of LaFayette, Georgia.

It was a beautiful day on Sunday. 77 Degrees, sunny and bright. NOW it is Tuesday and 32 degrees and snowing. What a difference a couple days can make. I am still wearing my summer clothes. They do not realize how wonderful the cold weather feels to me. I have watched enough basketball to last me till next year. Now I get to watch the Master’s this weekend. I believe going to the Master’s with John is one of my most vivid memories. We always sat at Amen Corner and watched everyone putt at the 13th hole and tee off at 14. I remember the people, the weather, the flowers, the DELICIOUS sandwiches and seeing Tiger win his first Master’s. There is just nothing like it. Can’t wait.

Priscila opens presents for Stella with family and friends!

I couldn't resist buying this stuffed animal for Stella!

Bunko is a real treat with friends in Brazil!


Kyle & Me!

Jane making Wendy and Susan laugh as usual!

A crazy group of friends!

Nectar with Mieko!

We lost a dear friend, Charlie Arendale, in November and just found out. Charlie and Becky Arendale took us under their wings when we moved to Jackson, Tennessee in 1981. He was such a fine, Godly and humble man. He met with John at 6:00 AM once a week for years while we lived in Jackson for Bible Study. He became a second father to John and gave him wise counsel and help many times. Our last time there we spent a long time together in prayer and it was comforting to all four of us. We will miss him with our whole hearts.

It has rained here for over 50 days except 3. We see the clock ticking towards 3:00 or 4:00 and we know it is coming. Since I am a fairly intellectual person you would think I would remember my umbrella every time I leave the house but you are wrong. I have come home soaked many times. Most of the time it doesn't start with just a sprinkle. It starts with a major downpour so there is no hope. The stores are really good about letting me duck in and stay until it passes. After the rain comes then comes the evil mosquitoes. John says I must be really sweet because they like me so much. My poor legs are evidence of that.

I have told you about our dentist here, Rute (pronounced hoochie). Dental health here is of great importance. EVERYONE brushes their teeth after meals. There is a floss and a mouthwash machine in most restaurant bathrooms. It is common to have to wait to wash your hands because someone is busy with their teeth. I believe it is why everyone here has sparkling teeth.

The Americans here have an adopted daughter, Priscila. She first started coming to the rug store with Nancy and has continued for almost 4 years. We love her very much. She has helped us with many things and driven me many times instead of letting me get a taxi. She and Meredith (and Reagan) became close friends while they were visiting here. She also introduced me to beet juice. I tried it and will never try it again. Well, Priscila is expecting a baby sometime soon. I won't be here for the birth. Mieko and I threw a baby shower for her and we had such a good time. Everyone brought food and we had it in the party room. She got many things for her little girl, Stella.

We had a going away party for Mieko this week. Gosh, I will really miss her. She has amazed us all with her ability to go from English to Japanese to Portuguese in one sitting. She lives close by and I will miss having her meet me for coffee or at the rug store. We had a going away party for her and it was such a great time together. It was also Jane's birthday and we surprised her with a cake. Jane has such a quick wit. You can always count on her to make you laugh. It is an attribute I think is amazing. Most people do not have it.

We also had Bunco at Wendy's this month. Her home is so beautiful. It is just like being in the States with all her special touches. The food was so wonderful and we took a good picture. I will attach many pictures on my blog. We have been really busy the last two months.

Wedding invitations here are creative and inventive things. They are so personalized that when you get one you feel like WOW we are special! They work very hard to make them special and ALL of them are hand-delivered because they only send them to special family and friends. We have been honored to receive five wedding invitations here in Brazil. We count the weddings as very special memories from here.

Recycling is also very important here. Most places have the garbage cans with different slots for different things: paper, plastic, aluminum. When you throw things away you always ask yourself "which slot???"

I have finished two rugs the last couple months. One is a rug I had painted of a photo I took at the Brazilian Consulate in Miami. His name is Romero Britto. He is Brazilian and it is lots of wacky colors. The other is a rug for John Basel. I am sad they are not made yet but will get them on the blog as soon as I get back. I have been at the rug store a lot and they have really helped me with my Portuguese. One of the funniest things about the rug store is it is HOT as blue blazes here but the overhead fan never stays on unless I ask. They feel it gives them colds. Many times sweat with be pouring down my red face and I will wonder "WHY!!!" Thank goodness John is not that way about the air conditioner in the bedroom. I would never sleep.

Campinas now has a Sam's and a Wal-mart. Don't think for one minute they are similar to the States but it is nice to see the signs and feel like a part of the U.S. is here with us. Also, I've just started trying the cheese bread here. John has begged me for years and I finally tired it and I've really just fallen in love with it. Pierre told us the best is the gas station by the Catholic Church here in Cambui. I would have to agree with him.

Ernie Craun

We lost a dear friend this week. Ernie Craun died on January 12. We have many special memories of Ernie and June Craun. He loved to talk about his family. He would light up when he spoke of them. One of our most special all time memories is at the wedding of their daughter Melanie in Nashville. Ernie, with his wonderful booming voice, sang Sunrise, Sunset before his daughter walked down the aisle. We remember his voice filling that beautiful church and we knew how special his daughter was. He, too, was a very special person.

Sunrise, Sunset
Is this the little girl I carried? Is this the little boy at play?

I don't remember growing older. When did they?

When did she get to be a beauty? When did he grow to be so tall?

Wasn't it yesterday when they were small?

Sunrise, sunset Sunrise, sunset

Swiftly flow the days

Seedlings turn overnight to sunflowers

Blossoming even as we gaze

Sunrise, sunset Sunrise, sunset

Swiftly fly the years

One season following another laden with happiness and tears

What words of wisdom can I give them? How can I help to ease their way?

Now they must learn from one another day by day

They look so natural together just like two newlyweds should be

Is there a canopy in store for me?

Sunrise, sunset Sunrise, sunset

Swiftly fly the years

One season following another

Laden with happiness and tears

Kathy and John AND ELTON 1-17-09

John's brother, Jay, has a friend that is head of the lighting crew for Elton John. His name is Kevin (Stick). Jay arranged with him for us to have tickets to the Elton John concert in Sao Paulo. Most of you know John and I never stay up past 10 so this was a real stretch for us. We stayed at the Holiday Inn right next to where the concert was. This was really a blessing. We saw the crowds lining up when we arrived at the hotel at 2. We later found out that most of them SLEPT on the sidewalk because it was a standing concert. 30,000 people standing from 6:00 (when they opened the gate) until 12:30. Towards the end of the concert they started passing out like crazy. I am sure it was due to exhaustion, excitement and maybe a bit too much alcohol. Thanks to Kevin we had the only two seats in the place. He was a wonderful host and for this we are most grateful. The first person to perform was an Englishman also. His name was James Blunt. Then Sir Elton John. I was amazed that at 61 years old he could perform for 2 hours and 15 minutes. His jacket was of the Amazon with the brightest colors of green, yellow, orange and blue. The Brazilians sang along with James Blunt and Elton John on most of their songs. Many times Elton John would stop singing to listen to them. Kevin even got us drumsticks signed by Elton's drummer of almost 40 years. We had fun on our adventure and enjoyed stepping "out of our safe surroundings" for a night. Thank you Jay and Kevin!

(Pictures: #1 some of the crowd of 30,000 #2 Kathy & Kevin, #3 Kathy in one of the two seats #4 Kathy & John #5&6 view of Sao Paulo from our hotel room)

The wedding of Rosana & Rodrigo

They had large sandwiches of many different kinds. This one made with beet bread. Mr. & Mrs. GuhMe with Claudina!

The topper to the cake!

John and me with the beautiful bride.

Saturday, January 10, we attended the wonderful wedding of Rosana and Rodrigo in Sao Paulo. It was just a perfect day. We traveled down to Sao Paulo by bus. Mr. Guh had gotten a bus for 12 of us that were traveling to the wedding. We were glad he did. The Church was in downtown Sao Paulo and even on a Saturday it was crowded. The church and balcony were packed and the bride so beautiful and elegant as was her whole family. Most of the service was in Portuguese but three of my favorite songs were in English. Two of them sung perfectly by the groom. As they were leaving the church and walking down the aisle he was singing and everyone was clapping and cheering. It was incredible. Then we went to the reception in the back of the church. From the outside of the church you do not know there is also a courtyard in the back with trees and tropical flowers. It was a perfect place for the reception. They had many different very large sandwiches made of different breads. There was beet bread, pumpkin bread, spinach bread, sesame bread, and pesto bread. The fillings ranged from ham and cheese to chicken salad to tuna to pepperoni. Then they had chocolate cake with ice cream for dessert. We left here around 12:30 and got home around 8:30. We had such a memorable time.