December I spent the month getting ready for Christmas and continuing to try and put together my house. We had my husbands Squadron Christmas party which was nice. I dressed up a little too fancy this time though. You never really know what everyone is going to wear to those because every time you move it is different. My very first Christmas Party my husband said it was semi casual so I wore jeans and a nice shirt, big mistake. Everyone was wearing fancy dresses and suits. So the next year when I went I knew what to wear. Then we moved to the Azores and I thought it would be the same. They say semi formal but everyone wants to dress nice because they don't get very many opportunities to do so. Nope, not here. At lease not in my husbands squadron. That's ok though, I got dirty looks from the women but I could tell the men thought I was hott :).
Another thing that happened in December is, the base announced they are downsizing :(. I think that is a big mistake. And I feel really bad for the Portuguese people who work on base because many of them will need to find new jobs. And the base is what helps this Island with its economy. Not only the base but the American people who hire nanny's and cleaning ladies, and go get their nails and hair done, and go shopping on the economy. The base will be a tdy/unoccupied base only. No more children and families. Pretty sad. But I am happy that I got to experience this Island before they do that. My husband and I will be one of the last families stationed here because we have no children so we wont need to move for the children to go to school when they shut down the school here. That will be interesting.
At the beginning of January I was so overwhelmed with how my house looked and it was so overly messy that I didnt want to clean it. Here in the Azores you can hire a cleaning lady, a nanny, or a cooking lady for a lot cheaper than you could in the states. I never wanted to hire one though because I don't have any children and I don't work so it would just make me feel and look super lazy. But my husband told me to. So I found a Portuguese lady that goes to my church and really needed the money. I asked her to come clean my house just one time. So I felt a little better that I was helping someone out and not so lazy because I was only doing it one time. The sad part was that I obviously didn't know how cleaning ladies work because I was cleaning for the cleaning lady to come over. I spent all day, the day before she came, cleaning my house. So sad. Well next time hopefully I wont do that!
My Grandpa just got out of the hospital about a week ago. Hopefully he gets better and better. We pray for him often and for my grandma too. I don't know what I would do without them. They are two of the most loving and kind people I know. I really wish I could be there for them. I sent papa flowers while he was in the hospital just to make his day a little brighter. I think it worked but its not enough. I want to be there and help them with everything just to make my grandma a little less stressed and make grandpa smile just a little bit more. My mom was there for most of it. Thank goodness for her!
My brother and sister in law just had their second baby together. They named her Jerzee. I just want to hold her. Her pictures just look so cute!! My other sister is about to have her second baby in March. I feel like I am missing out on everything. Oh well, skype will have to do. I spent so much money on my trip out there in November that I can't afford another one right now.
Now I am trying to get my massage business up off the ground. I have made websites and ordered business cards and gift certificates. I made an add in the local online website last week. It's staring out really slow were I only got one or two people saying I will maybe make an appointment. It has been a week in a half and so far I have only made one appointment :(. The good news is word of mouth spreads like wild fire around here so if she likes her massage, which I know she will, then I will get more business. Plus Valentines Day is coming up and that's a big one in the massage industry. Wishing myself luck!
