Admin

Sunday Ramblings & Funnies from Portugal

By
Industry Observer DRE# ER40011786

Have to say, haven't lived in an apartment since I was 18 years old.   SO, having apartments nearby can lead to some fun experiences.   When I am home, fun to watch what is happening, and keep in mind, there is also a Pastelaria in my parking lot, so within eye shot.    It usually opens at 9:30 (except closed on Sundays), and see so many drinking beers soon as it is open.  Sometimes they have coffee too.  Just cannot imagine.

The kitties haven't had the zoomies for some time, but this week, they have gotten back into this behavior.  Fun to see, and glad they are comfortable here.

My immigration status still needs to be complete at the AIMA office here in Portugal, and my attorney had tried to set an appointment.  They changed the protocol and I need to do this.   Trying to get this done, it sent the "payment screen" to my attorney for completion, and he wasn't answering this week.  A week ago Thursday, he said he was on Holiday, and would contact me Monday or Tuesday.  SO, I THOUGHT that was this week.   I stayed home for fear of missing his call most of the week.  UGH!   He sent me a text late Friday saying he was in Switzerland, so he must have meant the wrong week.   We will talk on Monday.

I am DYING to start a road trip!   Portugal offers so many areas of interest, so I thought I would fly into Porto, rent a car, and explore the Northern part of Portugal.   I did email Ed Silva, 203-206-0754 to see where he would recommend.   I am thinking I remember reading he was from central Portugal.   There are fires in the Northern part, so we need to be safe.

So, ready for some funnies?   I always love reading these and still laugh when I see them!

How many days do we need that straw?   LOL

 

I may not look like this, but sure feel good when I fixed something!

 

Happy Sunday, and hope you enjoy this day!

 

 

 

 

Comments(25)

Show All Comments Sort:
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks, Joan, for sharing your experience. Enjoy your new adventures and have an outstanding week.

Jun 14, 2026 06:59 AM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Nina Hollander, Broker what did you like about apartment living versus stand along better?   I am still having trouble sleeping with the noise, especially on the weekends.

Jun 14, 2026 08:18 AM
Nina Hollander, Broker

Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner I don't remember noise. Then again, I always lived in building that had only one or two other tenants on the floor. I liked the convenience, the lack of ongoing maintenance.

Jun 14, 2026 10:39 AM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Sure hope immigration continues to push my VISA through, cannot imagine having to go home now.

Jun 14, 2026 08:22 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I enjoy sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Author, Golfer, Traveler, Retired, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Joan,
I haven't lived in an apartment since I was 21, when I bought my first house as a birthday present to myself.  I would consider condo life, but it's much like being in an apartment, which has its drawbacks. I don't like having people on the other side of the wall from me.  I did like the no-maintenance aspect, though.  

I love all the funnies today!

Jun 14, 2026 08:55 AM
Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty
Waves Realty - Melbourne, FL
Florida Space Coast Homes

I love the straw holder in the coffee pot. Maybe Starbucks needs those!

Jun 14, 2026 10:44 AM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Retired Home Stager/Redesign

Hi Joan- you tell your attorney that dozens are waiting to travel through Portugal vicariously through you!!  LOL   That last photo could be my Larry because he is always fixing something. 

Jun 14, 2026 11:10 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Apex Realtors, LLC ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
Educating. Encouraging. Serving.

Good evening Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner ,

I haven't live in an apartment since I was 20! That would take me a while to get use to it and all the noise. But hey you are going to be traveling around so it won't bother you!

Jun 14, 2026 03:55 PM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Retired Real Estate Broker

Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner  the last one tells a story 

as for a road trip a short drive from the Algarve is a town called Evora that carries a lot of history 

Jun 14, 2026 06:10 PM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Carol Williams it is tough getting used to apartment life.  I haven't lived in an apartment since I was 18-19 too, so all the noises in the building is really different.  I do like the no-maintenance living though.  Glad you enjoyed the funnies.

Jun 15, 2026 12:28 AM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Jeffrey DiMuria 321.223.6253 Waves Realty some days that straw would come in handy!   Starbucks should look into this!

Jun 15, 2026 12:29 AM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Kathy Streib I should hear from him today, so will let him know!   But, not only Portugal, but soon into cities in Europe too.   Since I lived by myself, I always had to fix something, I could be looking like Larry.

Jun 15, 2026 12:30 AM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Dorie Dillard Austin TX I can't wait to start traveling, and hopefully today or soon I will get a date at the AIMA office, and can schedule a trip around it.   The noise is tough to get used to, but is better here at the apartment vs the Airbnb when I first got here.

Jun 15, 2026 12:31 AM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Ed Silva, 203-206-0754 definite Evora is on my list, but maybe not for the northern trip.  Will do another flying into Lisbon, and do central Portugal.

Jun 15, 2026 12:32 AM
Kat Palmiotti
eXp Commercial, Referral Divison - Kalispell, MT
Helping your Montana dreams take root

Love the funnies! It sounds as though the process to be able to live there (officially) is very time consuming with a lot of waiting around. I am sure you will be on your way to explore very soon!

Jun 15, 2026 05:15 AM
Dr. Paula McDonald
Beam & Branch Realty - Granbury, TX
Granbury, TX 936-203-0279

Oh, Joan. I have a feeling that these adventures will be plentiful for you. Love the cute memes! Glad you are keeping your head up, along with your sense of humor!

Jun 15, 2026 06:29 AM
Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543
Realty ONE Group Advocates 484-237-2055 - Downingtown, PA
Selling the Main Line & Chester County

Porto is fabulous, and Coimbra too, there are plenty of wineries/vineyards around Porto in the Douro.

Jun 15, 2026 06:45 AM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Kat Palmiotti it is a HUGE waiting game.  I started this back in September 2025.   You have to do the appointment in the US, and finalize it here.  Still worth it though!

Jun 15, 2026 09:35 AM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Paula, will be even more fun when the jet fuel comes back down (it wasn't that expensive before I got here), and after my immigration is finalized.

Jun 15, 2026 09:36 AM
Joan Cox, Retired Broker/Owner
Denver, CO
Enjoying Every Day to Its Fullest!

Nick Vandekar, 610-203-4543 when I first came in September 2023, I went to Porto and did a wine tour for 11 hours, and was SO fun, and the wine was SO good.  Never got to Coimbra, so will have it on my list for another trip.

Jun 15, 2026 09:37 AM
Thomas J. Nelson, REALTOR ® CRS,ABR,PSA,RCS-D, CFSP
Big Block LPT Realty 858.232.8722 - San Diego, CA
Coastal San Diego, Veteran's & Retirees Services

I always enjoy your Sunday Funnies, and I’m loving the Portugal Diaries! I’ve been away from reading AR blogs for a bit, so I’m finally catching up with some of my favorite authors. Glad yours was one of the first stops. 😊

Jun 28, 2026 07:14 AM