We have 5 days till we leave for Rio for 2 weeks, and 3 weeks till we leave for the USA.  And I have not packed one thing!  Can we say procrastination?!?!  

Or that I’m just a busy mom, who had some unexpected work come in, that I just had to do.  Or that I am just dreading the good-byes.  

I am feeling all the anxiety with moving and the closer the day gets the more nervous I get.  

I am ready to move in one sense, and on the other hand I am starting to feel very sad.  For the most part, the root of my sadness is about leaving my sweet cat behind.

Billie Jean

I have found her a good home, with a sweet dog friend, but I still feel sad and unsettled about the whole thing.  No one will take care of Billie as I do, especially here in Brazil.  Let’s face it, people here just don’t view animals the same way as we do in the US.  More on that later.  

I know she will be fed everyday, and cared for in a nice way but she will no longer get the cuddles and pats that she receives now.  I wish I could bring her with us, but it’s just not that easy.  With almost 24 hours of traveling, the expenses, and the overall well-being of her.  I just can’t do it.  

I will miss her dearly and dread Friday when I have to say good-bye.  I am not looking forward to it.  

On a happier note, I am looking forward to spending two lovely weeks in Rio with Max’s family.  Getting a little down time, and of course going back to the USA.  I will be back to regular posting as soon as time allows.  

Beijos, Tanya

In Pipa you have few choices on house/apt. rentals.  It’s either out in the woods {which I would love, but without a car not do-able} or in the center.  Unfortunately most of the houses in the center are noisy, lack comfort and outdoor space, and are basic fisherman houses.  While the houses in the woods have tons of space, are usually a bit nicer, but lack security and walking distance location.  We lucked out and found a little bit of both.

After finding our new little casa we had to go appliance shopping.  Well because…. another common flaw of house rentals here.   They come completely empty, with not one thing inside, including a toilet seat for the bathroom!  But after many horrible fridges that became an igloo after 2 weeks {constant defrosting} and stoves that burnt your eyelashes off when lighting, we were very excited to buy our own things, brand new!   So now we have the luxury of a “frost free” fridge, and a nice shiny stove.  {I know that most fridges you buy now a days any where else in the world come frost free, but here they don’t…. quite expensive}  Oh yeah, and we got a new washing machine, that for Brazil works great ,minus the lack of hot water.  

Now when we are ready to move to our nice piece of land we have back in the wild woods, we will have all new appliances to put in our freshly built house.  But before we start building our little dream casa, we must wait until the water and electricity reach our land or save money to bring it there.   Until then, we will settle for our little casa in the condominium.  

New Casa {excuse the mess on the veranda}

The view from the veranda looking out over the city

View at sundown

Malu's new place space