New country, new apartment, new...template!

A few months ago I couldn't imagine how everything would change in my family's life! I was trying to find a new job, my children were planning their next moves about their education and my hubby was thinking about his transfer to a new office. He didn't know at that time that his transfer meant a transfer for our family to a new country!
The timing was perfect for us as Greece is dealing with one of the most difficult periods in its history which means that people are and shall suffer a lot, for a long time.
So we packed our things and here we are...in a new apartment next to the metro station, in front of a park full of trees and flowers, near to lots of shops that make our living easier. We decorated it with our furntitures and paintings and ...

welcome !!!

1.before
after
2.before
after
3.beforeafter4.beforeafter

Renovation in my life, renovation in my blog too!
What do you think for my new "look"?
Isn't it girly and...handmade?

20 days to go...

Last months were very busy! We had to finish some health issues and treatments, to travell to Brussels looking for an apartment, to agree with a mover for the transfer.Luckily everything went well!

That's my new house and its view! Do you like it? I sure do...and my feet agree cause they suffered a lot until we found it!

And now...CHAOS!!!

This is exactly what is going on in my house! Boxes everywhere, lists about the things I must do before we leave, "goodbyes" to friends...
I'll miss everything, that's for sure: my family and friends, my house,
my garden,
Sunday's coffee near the sea...
A new friend told me to hide a wish in every box I close and it will come true as soon as the box is opened! I liked that idea and I did so! May the new country fulfill our hopes and dreams, may we have good health and happiness, may my children use to the life there and don't have any problems!
This is my last post from Greece! I'm sorry that I didn't answer or visit you as often as I would like to.I hope I'll meet you again as soon as I have an internet connection at my new house.

I love you everybody!

Silly sandals...

How can someone with pale skin become...black?
The answer is easy: he can color his boby using black paint or... he can use his sandals!!!

I was going down the stairs towards my sister's apartment when I slided.
The strawberries I was carring were spilt everywhere.
I hit badly at my back and my skin turned black - full of bruises.
Ow yes, they hurt a lot! I can't sit, I can't sleep, I can't drive my car.
I should have get rid of the sandals but I liked their color cause they comported with my bathing suit.
Silly sandals and silly me!

What a mess!

Strikes, strict economic measures, death of four innocent soles due to anarchist, my hubby's hospitalization, my children's examinations, our moving to Brussels, stress...
Our weather is sunny but our hearts are colder than snow!
I wish for better days, for more sun in my life!
*
A special wish for THEM:

Happy mother's day ... mom and mom!


I LOVE YOU BOTH!

Goodbye Greece...bonjour brussels!!!

Yes, the title is right: we're moving to bruxxeles- Belgium!
I hadn't realised it until I saw it written down!
A few days ago my hubby came home from his work and told me that he's been transferred to bruxxeles! After the first moments I had a million questions about schools, houses, how we will move our furniture, how is the weather there...
I'm so nervous and excited about everything!
I have so many things to think about! And so many decisions to make! But I have also three months ahead to take care of everything.
The only thing I know is that we're moving to a beautiful country, different from mine, more organized but rainy too! The communication is an issue for me too, since I don't speak French or Flemish. I'll probably use the language of my hands!!!

If you want to see what Bruxelles look like watch the following video...

Happy Easter!

Spring brings flowers all over the earth.

It brings also the biggest celebration for christians: Easter!
This year,as every year,
I made our tradition sweets,
koulourakia
and tsourekia.
I painted the red eggs
and prepared some baskets
for my children's godmathers and grandparents.
Last night, as it was the Holy Saturday, we stayed at the church until one o'clock a.m. and then all my family shared the resurrectional dinner.
We ate mageiritsa
- m..m..m.. my mom cooks it perfectly
every year -
clinked red eggs.

While I'm writing these lines, the men of my family are roasting a lamp on a spit! That's our tradition for Easter!
I wish eveybody

HAPPY EASTER

to you and your families!

God's wisdom makes me strong...

When everything goes wrong, when unhappy things happen, something good will appear to make me feel better and give me a smile.God is always here no matter what...
Lately I was feeling something like this...

...lots of clouds, a little sun.

Greece is dealing an economic crisis, the most serious since the second world war.
My part time job was just for 8 months, so now I'm unemployed again.The prices are going up and up and the goverment decreased the salaries.
I often wonder how we'll bypasse the problems and continue with our life.

By the time all these were happening two beautiful gifts came from my friends Tamara and Aya.
I feel so blessed to make so good friends through blogging!

Tamara, your children are more than gifted and you're a lucky mom to have them! All these months I'm following your blog I can see that your family has strong bonds and love. That's a huge success due to the parents. Thank you so much for the CDs! I really feel honored that you send them to me!


Aya, you always know when you must make your move to make me feel happy! May be you sense it, I don't know... I keep everything in my bedroom.


I see them every morning and say "good morning Aya" and every night and say "good night Aya"!

I'm sorry girls I didn't write sooner althought I recieved them several days ago, but I was facing some computer problems.

I dedicate you both the greek song " Which sea is hidding you..."
which is sung by the greek band named KARMA.

Valentine's Day

I was not used to celebrating this day .
I believe that if the love is real,
everyday - and not just A day -
is a celebration!
But on 14th of February 1995,
a miracle happened in our life!
So since then we celebrate every year!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SWEETY!!!

Santa came last night...

Our tradition here in Greece says that Santa Claus comes in our houses every year, at midnight, between December the 31st and January the 1st. It seemed to me that I heard a "ho..ho..ho" last night but I didn't get up of my bed. I was too tired for that...

In the morning my girls were shouting that Santa had visited us and our shocks where full of candies and sweets.
There were presents for the girls too! In fact these were the second round of presents since they had recieved presents from us at the Christmas morning! But these presents where different because they were from Santa himself! And although they do know that Santa is not a real person we continue the tradition because we like to give and share happiness and smiles from each other.

This year Saint Nicolas won the coin at our Santa's cake!
I hope he protects us all!


***
I also feel grateful to have you, my friends, around me. I have recieved so much love from people I hardly know and I hope I have sent some back!
Thank you for your lovely presents and cards!

2010 wishes for the NEW YEAR

May 2010 will be the year
which we will fulfill our dreams!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Christmas lights are dressed gaily

at the streets,


...at the houses,
...at my house!



Our tree is full of presents like every year,


...the Christmas sweets are ready to be given to our friends and family.


Oups!!!


That was Santa but I missed him!!!
I'm sure he'll come for us at the proper time!

***
We wish you a Merry Christmas,
we wish you a Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year...!

One year anniversary on my name-day!

A year has already passed since I created this blog, this small window to the world, to all my foreign friends. A year full of happy and sad moments or events. That's the way life goes.

***
Things are better for me now. I was opperated at my thyroid a month ago and I'm in the middle of my treatment. I got a job at the local post office. That helped me a lot psychologically. I do something I always wanted: work with people around me!

***
At this point I want to THANK YOU for being my friends.
THANK YOU for your support, wishes and presents Ayamlin, Denise, Tamara, Maria-kiwi, Anette, Maria-Austria, Jenny!!! You all have a place in my heart. My special thanks to my sister who helped me a lot in many ways.




***
As for my name-day...
I want to make a wish: I wish for health to all the people!!! I know it's a common wish but It's the first time I trully mean it!

It's a difficult period...

May is a difficult month for my family since my oldest daughter joined high school.
You see, she has her annual examination and the hole family is in stress for this reason!


To be honest that's not the only reason I'm upset this year.
I'm having some health problems and I'm going to be operated soon.
I hope and wish everything will go well and -with God's help- I'll be well again!

Happy Mother's day!

I wish all mothers get the love
and
happiness they deserve!

Especially for my mother:


Thanks mom for making me the person I am!
I do love you despite everything!

***

To my girls:


I hope I'll always be there for you!
I love you more than anything in the world!
Thanks for your presents!


I'm happy with the idea that you care about me!