A Happy Christmas Song - 16 days to go

To the tune of 'Winter Wonderland':

"Camels bray, are you listening? Flying sand, hear it whistlin'. A beautiful sight, we're happy tonight walking in a sandy wonderland."

"In the souq you can hear em selling, loads of bags and ladies shawls.....we'll say no thank you not today....but maybe when the bags aren't fake at all........"

Ah.....yes, we can't wait to head for the home country. Munchkin #2 created herself a chart of numbered squares, and she's counting down to Dec 19 - only 16 more days to go.

Munchkin #1 is setting up in the kitchen currently to make gingerbread. And we have a tiny little table top tree complete with homemade ornaments, lights, and a tree topper star held onto the tree by a toilet paper tube. Neiman Marcus ain't got nothing on this family!!!! Yeehaw, snort, snort!

The husband is currently in Kuwait. He recently had to have pages added to his passport. By next summer, the kids and I will probably need new pages added as well. Ah, and so it goes.

Weird little ex-pat life bit: the hot water heater in our house back in the home country recently kicked the bucket. I've been very laid back (at least as much as I'm able) about the whole living in another country thing. The husband recently suggested letting it wait until he could fix it when we get back. But, man, when I go back to MY house, I REALLY NEED my bigger than a swimming pool bathtub absolutely overflowing with steamy hot water and bubbles! Living in new places, and traveling around, one thinks about a few things to kinda 'keep going.' For me, it's my mom and dad's kitchen and all the happiness that entails, my friends, my family's tree farm and my stupid big hot water heater and bathtub!!!!!!!! Ok. Nuff said. (I really can't complain - I live a very luxurious lifestyle by standards in many countries. Not to mention my husband is already planning on using a half a day to go into the office in the home country.)

The snap above is from a very special miraculous Christmas a few years back. On that grill you'd find my father's brisket, the best smoked jalapeno sausage on the planet, and all the love and attention my father can lavish on a piece of meat. The kitchen table would be laid out with homemade cinnamon rolls, homemade tamales, sugar cookies, and graham cracker gingerbread houses that defy the imagination. Our family enjoys foods that are not considered 'traditional' Christmas foods in many places. Please note the items in the background in the snow - very untraditional but the fridge was full..

Yup, 16 more days - and counting. Peace on Earth.