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The "Cou" Story

I'm of Portuguese, Irish and English descent. Like in many American/European families, my family often lived with each other or very close by. So the whole family had a hand in raising the children. We lived with my maternal grandparents when I was young. I soaked up everything Portuguese, food, stories and almost the language. Let me explain, my grandmother wanted to teach me Portuguese because children learn a foreign language more easily when they're young but my dad didn't want me to learn because he didn't want me to know more than he did. My grandmother (Nana) still taught me words here and there. For example, she and my mom would have me say good night "boa noite" and other words and phrases. They taught me the word for rearend "cou". One day while in kindergarten I fell down and started crying, when my teacher asked me what happened, I told her I hurt my "cou". She looked at me like I was an alien from another planet. I couldn't get her to understand what I meant. I was so frustrated. When I got home I told my mom the story in my little girl way. It then hit her and she started smiling. When teaching a child words in a foreign language you have teach them the words in English also. Boy, did I feel like a giant "cou" that day. It's now a lovely family story.

A Treat Addicted Cat!

Tabby attacking a Pitr' Pat


Our cat Tabitha has a new favorite treat. They're called Pitr' Pat. She bugs us for them day and night. I jokingly told my husband the company should rename them Pitr' Crack. She has really been craving them and acts like she needs a fix throughout the day. They come in a cute little pink tin and are shaped like fish. The company, Chomp, Inc calls it candy for cats. We think she might be swallowing them whole. Charming.

A Haunted House Tale

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With Halloween just around the corner I thought I would write a spooky post. I grew up in an actual haunted house. Really!! Many freaky things happened there. Papers blowing around in the attic when not one window was opened, furniture moving by itself, bright lights shining through windows when there wasn't a soul outside. Well, maybe a soul, just not in it's earthly wrapping. There were also voices and an other-worldly humming in the middle of the night. My great-grandfather claimed he was pushed down the attic stairs. I for one believe him because I myself was pushed down the attic stairs. Not gently I might add. One night in the darkened hallway my mom saw my grandfather coming out of my room. She thought he was just checking on me but when she went downstairs minutes later, he was sound asleep on the couch and my grandmother said he had been asleep for hours. My mom ran upstairs and of course there wasn't anyone in my room, that she could see that is. *insert goosebumps here* My family said I had imaginary friends that I insisted were real and one of them was an older man. Years later when speaking to a very gifted psychic, she said that I had talked to spirits when I was a little girl. Who knew? We had blessings by priests and my grandmother spoke to a psychic friend of hers that said we had treasure buried in our basement so my family dug up a major part of the dirt cellar floor and didn't find anything. I do believe there was something there, they just weren't looking in the right place. When I was very young I didn't understand the stories and what they meant , but the last year we lived in the house I could hardly sleep at night because of a nightly knocking at my window. I was so scared that I spent most nights in the bathroom, reading, with the light on. In my opinion that house was a vortex for the unusual. I have more stories to tell about it but I will save that for another time. Boo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mr. Cat

This fake rat is mighty tasty.

Tabitha

Don't hate me because I'm beautiful.

Enchanting...

I just read an enchanting book that I got from our local library. "Garden Spells" was an amusing and easy read. The author Sarah Addison Allen is from Asheville, North Carolina. NC is our new home state and we are proud of anything that comes out of here. The author has another book coming out in 2008. There isn't a title for the book yet.

Mmm, I Smell Coffee and Books

I would love to open a coffee, books, wi-fi, computer cafe someday. It would be a dream come true. There is just something that feels so right about it. I'm daydreaming about what I would like to name it. A few of the names I'm thinking of are "Imagine That" or "Flying Pigs Coffee & Books." We would have the best coffee, treats, books and magazines. We would sponsor fun events. We would decorate the walls with local photographers and artists works. Maybe have a whole wall painted with chalkboard paint so that people could use colored chalk and draw on it. I would love to work with my husband by side. We have such good times together. My mom and Aunt Lynn could fill in on occasion. I say fill in because they are retired and I want them to enjoy their lives. Another person I would love to have working with us is my cousin/our goddaughter K. I'm using the intial K because I know she wouldn't want her name all over the internet. I think she would make a great addition to our team. She loves books and coffee too, hehe. She is very smart and has a terrific personality. It doesn't hurt that she is young and that would lend a hip vibe to the place. The only problem is that she doesn't live in the same state as we do. Just dreaming at the moment...

Ouch!!!

My husband Dave hurt himself at work a week ago. He has sciatic nerve inflammation and was in agony most of the week. I'm glad that he's healing. He went back to work too soon in my opinion but he's very dedicated. He works for a major university medical center and didn't want to risk losing his job. It's very hard to see the one you love in so much pain...ouch.

My Very First Post

This is my first post and I'm feeling a little bit timid. Timid is not my style, but I'm a newbie to the blogging world. I have been reading blogs for about six years now. It's an addiction of sorts for me. I have 50 or so blogs that I read on a daily basis.I want to make this blog an interesting place to come and visit. My aim is to fill it with fantastic links, ideas, products, and chatter about my life. When I get into the swing of things, let me know what you think. I would greatly appreciate any ideas that you might have.