happy Richters in Brazil

It is nice to be back home, even though the reason that brought me here was not happy. Having the opportunity to say farewell to my dad was extremely important, and being with my mom in this difficult time is our focus now. Marc and Hunter got here 12 days after me, and I could not be happier with their arrival. Hunter met his new vet today, my friend Albert, and had x-rays and blood sample taken. He is older every day but still a very cute and charming dog. My mom says it looks like he is coming back from Vietnam war and the vet agrees saying he is a brave survivor.

As our flat is currently rented we are staying with my mom which makes much more sense now. She cooks delicious things for us, and the German sweets here are to die for.

Our Christmas will be very simple without gifts or big parties,; we are looking forward to start a New Year which will for sure be much better than 2009, because the wheel of life goes round and round.

We wish you all a great end of year!!!

Love,

Still Happy Richers :)

Hunter's Update

Hunter had a nose operation on 7th November, it took 4 hours for the vet to clean his broken nose, he spent the night in the clinic and since then he has been recovering very nicely. He eats every3-4 hours, even at night hahaha Marc and I take turns, and do our best for our doggie. He is very grateful though. He also likes affection now, and is eating solid food, such as apples, melon, and a special chocolate cereal we bought for him. He lost 7 kilos since the nose problem started and we are planning to have him back, he put on 1 kg so far.

Last week we discovered a pressure sore on his chest. Marc was trying to deal with it but it got so big we went back to the vet today. He prescribed the rescue cream from Bach Florals, and he will have laser for 2 or 3 days. It will get better Inshalahh....

We have been blessed with plenty of time to dedicate to Hunter. He is so special and so adorable. He deserves it all, even the sleepless nights hehe

Life is good, Marc has 3 computers now to play with, and with internet at home our life is filled with nice movies and series hehe Sometimes I only see my husband at bed time haha and we even talk by msn haha it s silly, he lays down on the sofa and I prefer the comfy bed hehe

We had lunch at the Japanese restaurant yesterday and it was great! Next is the Indian restaurant around the corner, they have beautiufl carved furniture and a menu to die for. We'll do that on Friday.

Hope you are all doing well !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chestnut Festival

It's been a very sad week. Strong colds and emotional pain. But life goes on, and hopefully we will be back to our normal selves soon, Happy Richters :)

This pictures were taken last week. Hope you enjoy it

Chestnuts have been in the Market for about 2 weeks now, they are plentiful and big. I love it and couldn’t believe our luck when I saw the ad for the Chestnut festival. It implied in carefull planning of the bus timings. So we left home early to get the bus downtown. The place is called Nun’s Valley and we’ve been meaning to go there for a while. Perfect combination – food and sightseeing hehe

Happy Richters

This is called Bolo do Caco, a typical bread of Madeira Island. It is so fresh and delicious, they serve it with garlic butter.

Folkloric Dance

My King got into the spirit...

We know this dog, he is famous, and goes to buy bread in the mornings by himself.

Of course, at the Chestnut Festival he was carrying chestnuts

Typical Madeira dress, in front of the Municipal Market downtown

Chestnut necklace

Typical local girl

I had a few but want more !!!!!!

Marc BBQ our own espetada

Espetada is a typical thing here, at the street party they sold it in real fashion

Scary roads on the way to Nun's Valley. +1000 meters high

Stands selling local spirits and .. Chestnut soup, bread, cake, sweets....

Going towards the stage to perform

Prince Hunter Lindo Richter

Hunter is getting old by the day. Since he arrived from Africa life has been more and more difficult for our super doggie. His back legs are weak, specially the right one. He cannot get up on his own anymore, however he is so smart that he developed a communication technique: he barks in a very funny way when he needs to get up. It always sounds like a big emergency. We run. We have been blessed with this time off, so both of us can take good care of him. He loves to wake up in the middle of the night and have parties. Usually I run and open the balcony door and Marc carries him outside to pee or poop. We have to hold him until he finds his balance. Many times we miss it, and have to mop the wet spots. He likes massages and has been eating once a day. He takes now heart medicine, arthrites medicine and a new antibiotic for his nose infection. He also takes a corticoid injection every 5-7 days. We might have to increase this dosage though. He sleeps most of the time, and doesn t walk for long periods. He cannot make turns inside the house, he gets suck in the corners...

We love him so much, hug him all the time, give him kisses, and I cry when I see how hard things are for him. It is not easy to get old, but I know this is nature. It is nature to grow old, it is nature to walk slower and less. It is nature to eat less. It is how it is supposed to be. Marc also gives him lots of hot baths to help with his arthites and keep him clean. He seems to enjoy it. He is a lovely dog. Our best friend.

Alexandre & Rhamayana

My youngest brother Alexandre got married last week in Brazil. Unfortunately, I could not share the joy of this special day with them, but here they are, Xande and Rhama, in a perfect picture ! Long life to their marriage and life, and many nephews and nieces for me hehehehe Can't wait to become an aunt :)

Cost Meals our Kids

Dear Donors

I have finally received the cost of meals for the kids 2009-2010:

ETB 1.60 breakfast = U$ 0.1268 = aed 0.4658

ETB 6.00 lunch = U$ 0.4756 = aed 1.7466
http://finance.yahoo.com/currency-converter/#from=ETB;to=AED;amt=1.6

We will keep accepting donations in our bank accounts in Brazil, Dubai and Portugal.

I am communicating to Genet through her son. I think things will work out this way !

Thank you all for supporting our project !!! Love, Connie

Churchill in Madeira

I forgot to mention that we visited the place where Winston Churchill

used ot hang out in the 50's

http://www.madeiraisland.com/english/famousvisitors/Winston_Churchill_in_Madeira.shtml

This one is specially for my brother, like Barravas Fla !!!! I love you my darling...

Fisherman Village in Camara de Lobos