We are alive and having fun!

Hi all! We are heading for some heavy duty mountain country. Had a wonderful family reunion for 2 days and 2 nights, dinner last night with some most excellent 'framily' (ie family that are good friends), and a long solid night's sleep.

Once I have longer/better internet access, I'll post some snaps. And Dad, I know I need to get you snaps from our favorite swimming spot for Ms. Lucy. I'm having trouble uploading.

To all my friends and family scattered across the globe: stay happy and safe and hope you're having a wonderful summer.

Peace.

Ah, shopping

I have so been enjoying a bit of shopping with my mum. While the munchkins have played at their day camp, Mum and I have been shopping with great happiness through boutiques in my hometown. We've found toys for Munchkin #2, new trainers/running shoes for Mum, new elegant sandals (no heels! yeah!) for me, and new tops suited to the desert environment for me for when I'm back in my desert 'home'. Gotta love linen on discount!

Thinking of shopping, clothes etc.... I came across this article in The National. It certainly gives one stuff to ponder:
http://www.thenational.ae/article/20090626/OPINION/706259910/1080

And, on a different note....

The husband arrives to the home country this evening. The munchkins and I are so happy he's going to be with us for 4 weeks of holiday!

Peace.

Hanging Out

I loved this snap of Munchkin #2 playing on a playground. I am always amazed at how strong she is!

The munchkins began their little day camp thingy today. I hope they have fun! They've been excited about going for weeks!

My mother and I are going to be out and about running errands, and I'm sure we'll squeeze in a bit 'o shopping.

I don't know about you, but I have never used Twitter. Gulf News has a posting of a live feed from Twitter on what's going on in Iran:
http://www.gulfnews.com/region/Iran/10323276.html To update the feed, simply hit your refresh button once the Gulf News page loads.

Stay aware and stay informed.

Peace.

Playing with the Munchkins

I loved this snap! My thanks to Munchkin #1 for taking it. We visited the aquarium today where I worked MANY years ago. One of my old jobs there was to feed and keep an eye on the sea turtles. Back in those days, the big sea turtles were not on exhibit because there just was not room for them. They lived in a 40,000 gallon tank. I think the newer turtle exhibit area is much better. They make great 'animal ambassadors' for teaching kids about sea life.

The munchkins had a marvelous day running around at the aquarium. The highlight was when Munchkin #1 was picked to be part of a bird show/demonstration. He said today was the best day at the aquarium ever!

Shifting gears....

I keep trying to type something here about what I'm hearing about and reading about that is going on in Iran. Frankly, I'm so concerned and so horrified by what I'm reading I'm at a loss for words.

Shifting gears again....

Hope your day is a peaceful one.

Staying busy

I took this snap out my Aunt and Uncle's front door. What a beautiful way to end a day.

I'm currently at my house in the home country. We're heading for mi padre's casa en dos dias. The munchkins are really excited. They love their bunk beds there and cooking with Grandma. Grandpa and Munchkin #2 are going to build a bed for a special new doll that we're getting for Munchkin #2 - very fun exciting stuff. The munchkins are in summer camp (day camp kinda thing) next week near the grandparent's casa. It's gonna be a great week. And....the husband flies in that week from the middle east. I can't wait!!! I miss my husband so very much!!!!!!

An excellent old friend from our university days is going to be house-sitting for us. He was over last night. We ate and talked for a LONG time. It's so wonderful being back in touch with old friends. He and the husband were roommates for a brief time before the husband and I got married. Our house sitting friend was one of the first people I met at university. So, we've all known each other a long time.

Peace.

Summer time

Been busy. Had a lovely visit with family a few hours away from our house here. Munchkins had some good down time - water gun fights, kite flying, movies, snacks, running in the sprinkler. Not to mention....tubeing a river and a trip to a massive water park. Awesome stuff....

Also, been busy with 'paperwork'. It's amazing how much stuff piles up on you when you come back to the home country for a bit. Well, and the fact that we're trying to add another 'house' into the mix. We're building with my parents at the tree farm, enshallah.

I have not sat and read news for a while since I have to use a coffee cafe's free wifi for internet. I'm disturbed about the violence I'm hearing about in Pakistan. I hope things can calm quickly for the sake of so many living there.

Peace.

Back in the Home Country

HI!!! Back in the Home Country! Sorry I have not posted for a while now. Things have been very busy, and I have to camp out in my fave coffee place here to use the internet.

We just got back from a wonderful visit with an Uncle and Aunt and some awesome cousins. We had WAY too much fun. Kids, dogs, rivers, water parks.....junk food....it's all good. Now, it's back to 'paperwork' and cleaning out the house here in the home country. We have oceans of clothes that don't fit the munchkins, old toys, and JUNK JUNK JUNK. You don't realize how much junk you have until you leave your house for a few months. When you return to the house you go, "Wow. Why did I keep that? What was I thinking?" And so it goes....

If I can get a few more minutes, I'll get some snaps downloaded off my camera and get SOMETHING posted.

And, hugs to all my friends back in the middle east!

Peace.