Crazier stuff (special post for my Dad)

Ok. Crazy stories (this one's for you Dad!).

I went to a local LARGE BIG name hardware/home improvement store today. I needed to purchase supplies to paint a room in the building that is my fave place of prayer. Well, I bought a can of primer and a can of paint along with a bunch of other stuff. As I proceeded to the check-out counter, I realized I didn't have anything to stir the paint with (you always stir the paint before you paint). The VERY nice VERY helpful guy at the paint counter told me that they were out of paint stir sticks! I was SHOCKED! Feeling bad, the nice helpful paint guy found me a $2 U.S. set of wooden spoons. So, tomorrow when I begin this project, I'll be using wooden kitchen mixing spoons to mix my paint. Sigh....crazy....

AND it gets CRAZIER.....

Again, at a hardware/home improvement place, a gentleman wished to purchase some firewood. He was directed to a perfectly square box (about a cubic foot) filled with perfectly cut little pieces of BIRCH. The box was labeled that it came from FINLAND!!!! Dad, can you imagine? Think we could ship some of our summer wood chucking work here? Maybe it could help pay for our family's 'building dreams'? HA HA HA!!!!! (Insert blogger laughing like a lunatic!)

Burning firewood in the Middle East from Finland. Sigh...crazy.

AND.....

The current temp here is 56F, and it's RAINING!!!!

Are pigs flying?

Hope life is interesting wherever you are!

Thoughts of home and hope for the future

Ok. I admit it. I love cinnamon rolls. And I especially love them warm and gooey just out of the oven and dripping with frosting. Yummy! I love this snap for two reasons: First, the rolls. And Second, it shows my mum and I together in the kitchen. And, I have to add, the purple 4 sizes to big sweatshirt I'm wearing is one of my faves!

I had to buy a newspaper today. I bought a Khaleej Times at a local news stand. The big headline: "The World Has Changed." Wow. What a headline. Below it is a picture of President Obama taking the oath of office. The Khaleej Times website does not have the same headline (see www.khaleejtimes.com); why I'm not sure. The headline is from a quote, I believe, is from President Obama's speech. I know many many people who are hoping the new American president can bring about greater peace.

The munchkins are happy today. Munchkin #1 has had a school project deadline extended, Munchkin #2 has a friend over currently, and I can hear happy sounds coming from the munchkin side of our home.

For a brief moment, a breath of fresh air and a sigh of peace.

Now, I need to go eat some left-over kabob meat and hommous!

Being Mum

I love this snap. I took this pic of the munchkins with a cheetah at the zoo over our winter holiday in the home country.

Not much happening today. I picked up the munchkins at school and we headed for the school uniform shop. Their ties were in dire need of being replaced. Of course, we had to visit the ice cream shop in the same building! Then, it was on to the grocery store for hard to find yummies, beef kabobs, chicken kabobs, flat bread, and hommous. Yum, yum, yum. My little counter top grill will be going tonight! We also bought some kind of little local made beef sausages to try.

We'll be watching the presidential inauguration tonight on the television. As I type this, I'm listening to radio out of the States over the internet. Truly, a historical moment. This morning, one of the security guards who works in my building asked me if I was going to watch the inauguration. I told him, "YES!" Even my children seem hopeful and excited. This particular security guard, who is from the Philippines, also seemed excited, hopeful and happy about the incoming U.S. administration.

When I have time, I'd love to go see the new Dubai Mall. Here's the link: http://www.thedubaimall.com/en I have not tried going yet because I heard the traffic around it can be quite congested. I figured if I go some morning after taking the kids to school, then it shouldn't be too crowded. If I go, I'll try to take pics and post some of them.

Back to everyday life

Many thanks to one of the grandmas for this particular present! Thought you needed to see it being put together! Munchkin #1 is thrilled to have it up in his room here! And, it's a perfect fit for his 'Lego Knights.' Munchkin #2 loves it too!

Today has been a normal day. Munchkins are off at school, husband is off at work, and mum has already been to the market for milk and juice and is now wondering what to do next.

Here we just arrived 'home', and the family is already wondering when/how we can get up into the mountains again here. I think we need to go soon while it's nice and cool outside.

Husband finished the marathon!

I'm so happy for the husband! He just finished his first marathon. He started running at 6:30am and finished roughly at 12 noon. The munchkins and I were waiting at the last kilometer to cheer him on. We are so proud of him!

And, as a funny side note:
The husband found out about a 1/2 marathon being run in the UAE. You can register at Dunkin' Donuts. Yup, register for a marathon at Dunkin' Donuts. Here's the link:
http://www.rakmarathon.org/page.php?id=21 What a hoot.

And again, congratulations to the husband! You ROCK!

Already life is interesting....

Well, been home just a few days here, and already life is interesting.

Even though we live in the desert, it took the husband an hour and a half to get the munchkins to school this morning thanks to the overnight rains. The area was totally flooded. Hopefully, the water has drained off some (things looked fine when I popped out to the grocery store earlier), and I can get the munchkins to their afternoon sports of choice.

While attempting to park at a little local kind of grocery store that I went to today, the parking area was not only mushy and wet, but the ramp going into the back portion was under construction! It makes me so glad some days that I drive a vehicle of choice that can handle this kind of stuff!

The husband is running in his first marathon tomorrow morning. We are all very excited. The munchkins and I are planning on meeting him at the finish line.

And lastly, this is super important to the mum typing this, the munchkins have been making top marks in their maths. Munchkin #1 came home the other day with a 97% on his latest exam. I am so proud!

Back in the sand

Greetings! Back in the sand! It's been a busy jet-lagged few days. I've been helping out at my previous place of full-time employment over the last four days, the husband is prepping for a marathon, the kids are swamped with homework, and all our luggage is still strewn across our living room floor. But, we've got all our critters home safe and sound, the fridge is full, and I have a tummy full of dates, flat bread and hummous. All is well with my little world.

It was really good being back at our house in the home country. But, I worry about our house and friends there more than I used to as I hear/learn about increasing breakin's and attempted breakin's happening in our neighborhood. Very scary stuff. At least, we have a great alarm system on the home country house and wonderful neighbors and friends. Here, it is very comforting to know we have good security and great neighbors and friends. Too many blessings to count.

Well, off to eat some 'grilled' chicken and some more hommous. I'll post as news happens!