May 13, 2012 - Happy Mothers Day

First, a very Happy Mothers day to MY MOM. Thank you for always being there for me and supporting me in everything I do. You have loved and encouraged me every step of the way. You have always encouraged me to do my best and you gave me the confidence that I could do anything! Even from the day you made me go to secretary school when I receive a D in typing in High School. I thought you were crazy, but it turn out to be the best decision in my career. I thank you for making me do that - it has allowed us to have great things in life and...

May 5, 2012 - My first time at a Salon - What an experience

A day at the salon - was a great experience. Went today with Julia - Roberto wife to the salon for a hair color and highlight and cut. I was so thankful to have her with me as not one person spoke english in the salon, but very service oriented. You have someone wash your hair, someone colors your hair, someone highlight your hair and someone else blow drys your hair. They offer many things to drink - tried two new teas - ones with apples and one with passion fruit. They were both delicious. It took four hours to get my hair done! Doug and...

Apr 30, 2012 - Long Week-end at the Ocean----- Amazing

It is Monday and we spent our first night in our new apartment. Sign the contract today - we are so happy it is absolutely beautiful. I thank God every day for how lucky we are to get to experience a new country and new culture and one that we can truly enjoy the ocean. Doug absolutely loves the BBQ - we had a great time today eventhough it rained all day! Roberto and Julia just gave us 2 wicker couches for the deck. They look great. They are great landlords - very nice people. Well it is the love of my life birthday - it is great to have...

Apr 29, 2012 - Week of April 23rd

This week I headed to Salvador for a plant visit. It was absolutely tropical and beautiful, as I told the folks there it would be tough to work in this country.... It is always 80 or above. Warmer than Sao Paulo. The trip went well I arrived there just fine but then decided I would change my return, because it appeared that it would have taken me 4 hours vs. 2 hours to get home. Well of course I didn't ask all the questions because she changed my flight but then I didn't know that I would be flying into the international airport vs. the...

Apr 22, 2012 - Week of April 15th

Is is Sunday April 22nd and we are enjoying another nice day in Sao Paulo. So the week of the 16th starting with Friday April 13th as not the best week in the Putt Household. It was a tough week but we made it through and we are very hopeful that the week April 23rd is much better. Andrew went with Mike Dominowski to a 9 year old birthday party on Saturday. The 9 year old birthday party was absolutely amazing - nothing like how we celebrate in the US. See pictures - (roller coasters and bumper for a birthday party) Leonardo and I went to...

Apr 15, 2012 - Week of April 8th

The first week of just me and Andrew. It was a good week - Andrew started training with his new trainer Vitor. He likes it alot and it gets him out of the apartment for a period of time during the week. We also changed our language traning classes - I will go everyday Monday through Friday for one hour and Andrew will go to the language school Monday and Thursday for two hours. So hopefully with this change in schedule we can actually remember a little more portuguese. We had a great dinner last night a Montana Grill a true Brazilian Steak...

Apr 8, 2012 - Mom and Andrew on Easter Sunday

Happy Easter everyone. We miss and love you all very much. Andrew and I drove to church and to Easter Brunch with 3 other couples from the apartment complex. Andrew did an excellent job driving. I am so proud of him and I am very thankful that he is with me until Doug returns to Brazil! We had our easter egg hunt before the kids left - it is hard to believe they still want to find eggs. I would guess the money is the motivator for the egg hunt! Lesley, Doug and Mark made it home safe and sound, but I can't wait for Doug to come back! It is...

Apr 7, 2012 - Last Day for Doug, Mark and Lesley

Well today is my birthday and the last day for Lelsey, Doug and Mark. We had a great night last night with lots of laughs. We truly acted liked tourists and totally embarrassed our kids when we video taped the Good Friday Mass! The best was when we thought we were going to go to Fogo De Chao and Doug called it Foo Man choo. They boys being typical boys they were goofing around in the elevator and guess what the elevator stopped and opened to a brick wall. We were all freaking out....until the elevator began again and then we got out at the...

Apr 6, 2012 - Lesley and Mom go to the street market and bakery

Lesley and I traveled with Andrea and Kyle to the street market - eventful it was without knowing the language. We purchased some type of cookie, some homemade noodles with ham and cheese. We will see how good they are..... We then were able to purchase some fruit and veggies. The bannans are excellent. We also purchase freshed carrots and kiwi. We end at the market with a beautiful flowers, one for the table and 3 free roses for just being us! We then were off to the bakery - they have awesome bread and chocolate covered strawberry's and a...

Apr 6, 2012 - Putt's Go To Brazil

Now that we have been here for almost one month I thought I would upload some of the pictures we have taken in the last month and some of the funny stories that have occured. Our first week in Brazil: Marble Floors are a challenge for the Putt family... Every one found the floor on the first week but the funniest was when Andrew was trying to scare Doug at the front door and he falls on the floor as he opens the door - We can't wait for our US rugs to arrive. Language is a challenge for us. We have really had to use our creative skills to...

Mar 14, 2012 - Company Visits in Sao Paulo - Day 3 & Arrival in Rio!

We brought our suitcases down to the lobby early in the morning and boarded the bus for our last company visit in Sao Paulo. Casas Bahia is a Brazilian retail chain which specializes in furniture and home appliances; it is the 10the largest retail company in the world. We had the opportunity of meeting with the founder's son, Michael Klein, and used a translation service so that Michael could speak in Brazilian Portuguese as we listened in English. Casas Bahia has a very different model than most retailers who rely on internet presence....

Mar 13, 2012 - Company Visits in Sao Paulo - Day 2

Today, we woke up early for our next round of company tours. First we headed to Natura, the Brazilian leading manufacturer and marketer of skin care, cosmetics, perfume and hair care products. Natura uses a model similar to Avon, and has over 800,000 "consultants" throughout countries in Central and Latin America. Natura focuses on being eco-friendly, sustainable and socially conscious. 10 years ago, the Ekos product line was launched. The Ekos line has created 16 products from the biodiversity of Brazil. 1714 families are involved in the...