Look what Grandma is Missing!

The Pool Scene and the Beach.....



Pool "Fun" Day and First Day of Swimming Lessons!

Doha Days and the Drainage System!

Okay I come home from grocery shopping, (an all day event in this country) and go inside the bathroom to wash my hands everything is so dusty and dirty. The drain on the floor begins to flood and water/sewage is coming up out on the floor. I call the office for a plumber, yes Madam(this is my proper name here)I will call him right now. Twenty minutes later no plumber but the water has gone down. I go into the kitchen to get disinfectant spray and the floor in the kitchen is flooding with soapy water from the washing machine. I get that turned off and then I see the dishwasher is on so I have to turn that off. Still no plumber. I go into the other bathroom to get a couple of spare towels and two cockroach's are happily dancing around that floor drain. Enough is enough. I call back the office,my voice escalating, where is the plumber. He then finally comes. In the meantime, I am holding two towels over my arm, sweat pouring down my face, disinfectant spray in one hand and RAID spray in the other. I have no mercy for those pesty roaches. I spray them, close the door and then when Steve gets home he cleans them up. So happy here in the Land of Sand!

Father's Day Tribute!

Happy Father's Day Dad, Kent and Steve! What an honor to know and love each of you great Fathers. First of all, my Father, what an awesome man he is. It just doesn't get any better than him! It is nice to have a Father that everyone likes! Growing up he was my Bishop at church and the Career Councilor at my high school, so he was everywhere pretty much I was. He never embarrassed me at school and always made me very proud to say, he is my Dad. He is kind, generous and a great example of faith. I love to hear his war stories, growing up years and his life experiences. He has alot of strength and love and most of all, I love him! My father-in-law Kent, is a wonderful man as well. He is well respected in his circle of friends and community. He taught Steve many valuable principles of hard work, organization and the importance of family. I appreciate so much his loving acceptance of me to the family! Love ya Kent! Steve, what a wonderful father to our children! I think the kids would agree. He was the kind of Dad that was always there for them and their activities no matter what they were or where we had to drive to. He would schedule his free time around them. Thanks honey! Happy Father's Day to our son Michael and son-in-law Brian, keep up the great work you are doing as Fathers to our precious Grandchildren.

Doha Day today!

Today we were driving to the "City Center Mall" to go to a movie around 5:00 pm. There was a man who parked his car on the side of the road and was exercising on the medium between the two roads. He was flexing his muscles and holding his chest while pulling his shoulders back. He also waved his hands around doing who knows what exercise. It was ridiculous! Steve said he sees him alot on his way home from work and he is doing jumping jacks and even running backwards looking at you to make sure you see him. We just laughed and thought he must be crazy or really need attention to exercise on concrete in 109 degrees!

Mother's Day Tribute!

I am very grateful to still have my Mother and Mother-in-law living. They have both been very supportive and loving to me. I would like to pay tribute to them. I remember when I was in junior high and I tried out for cheerleader and of course did not make it. It was done by voting of the students and I was not the popular one, EVER. I usually took the bus home from school but this day I walked home crying all the way. When I arrived home there was a cake and a card on the kitchen table from my Mother saying you are "our winner". What love and support I felt at the time when I felt all had been lost. This is just one of many times. Next, when I was pregnant with Ashley and living in California I had to go on bedrest. Michael was two and very active so without hesitation my Mother-in-law had us move in with them and she took care of me, Michael and Steve until the baby was born. What a relief and pleasure to be pampered and know that Michael was taken care of. Many other times she has supported us. Thanks Mom's....I love you!
Last, I need to say how thankful I am to be the Mother of two fabulous children. What a great honor and privilege the Lord has given me. I treasure every day to be a Mother!

Surprise for my Brother

Today is my brother, Ron's birthday. So this is my surprise for him. I made him a quilt. I am not sure the picture does it justice I think it looks way better in person. He has had health issues for so many years and this is the only thing I can think of to help him, something to watch TV and wrap up in when the pain is tough to bear. I enjoyed making it and thinking of him and his wife the entire time. I hope they enjoy and love it too!

Grandkids and Making Bows the Stampin' Way

Now you know why Steve and I are always anxious to see these darling kids! Maddie is usually smiling so cute but I think was not in the mood. It is the boys we usually can never get.

My daughter in law Emily wanted to make some bows for her and Maddie. So of course I went to Stampin' Up! products. We used the Pretties kit and dyed the white flowers with a sponge and ink pad. We also used the Fleurettes, pearls and Rinestone brads. The crop-a-dile was used to punch a hole through the inverted clips. For alligator clips we put the brad through the opening and then a drop or two of crystal effects to secure. Aren't these these the cutest things!

Updates on what I am doing and where I am!

On April 8th I left Doha and flew to Houston and then onto Utah. On Saturday we celebrated our grandson Tyson's 1st birthday and then Sunday Easter dinner with my kids and grandkids, what a joy! Monday we had a Grandparents birthday party for all the grankids..Maddie, Max and Tyson. WE went to Kangeroo Zoo and then lunch. Grandpa Murray could not be there he is still in Doha but he paid for ALL the presents and lunch! Thanks Grandpa!
My Father has been in the hospital here for 5 1/2 weeks. I got good news yesterday that he can come home on Thursday April 16th. Hooray! I am so glad to be able to be here to help him settle in and make sure things are going well. Now the sad news...this morning at 7:00 am Ashley, Brian and Tyson all left for Chicago for summer employment opportunity. So now I am alone in the condo. I only got to spend 6 days with them but they were fabulous. Thanks goodness my son Michael and Emily and the other grandkids are still here. Pictures will follow shortly with these great events!

Stampin' Up! Card Class

These are my cards I made for our newest card exchange. This is designed to be a stamp camp class. These are 3 X 3 cards that are perfect for putting with gift bags or on top of packages!


Eight Great Greetings Stamp Set and new Walk in the Park Designer Series Paper

Doha Days and the speed trap!

Today my husband got a text message on his phone that the car I drive got a speeding ticket. I guess I did not see the speed trap. There are machines on the side of the road and take a picture of your car so you don't always know when you get one. Nothing is in my name in this country, therefore I don't exist without Steve. When I get a speeding ticket, go through passport control, pay the phone bills, use my CC etc...he gets a text message about it. I am just waiting for the day he gets a text message that I went to the tiolet! So when I got home tonight he handed me the paper he printed out from online that states I was speeding on the Corniche. Now...the joy of standing in line to go pay it!

Stampin' Fun!

I am in a card exchange with several ladies and it is so much fun to share our creative ideas with each other. We each exchange four different cards. Here are some examples of mine and the others cards. Enjoy!

This is one of my cards.

These are two of Tami's cards, she used the same paper combo.

This is one of Dena's cards.

This is one of Julie's cards.

This is one of Chari's cards.

This is one of Liz's cards.

Doha Days are here again!

This past weekend we had the privilege of having Jeffery R Holland and his wife visit us here in Qatar. An exciting part is that I got to pick them up from the airport, such an honor. He is here to appoint a new Stake President, after he visits the rest of our stake which is several other countries. Saturday was our offical Stake Conference Meeting then on Sunday a bunch of ladies from church took Sister Holland and Sister Causse shopping at the Souqs and to lunch!:) Now, where else in the world do you have your meetings any day of the week instead of on Sunday and then go shopping with an Apostle's wife on Sunday?! Only when Friday is Sunday and Sunday is Monday and that is here in the "Land of Sand"!

A Darling Stamp Idea

This is my darling daughter's creations. She did shower invitations for two of her friends. I think I have trained her well. Awesome job Ash!

So You Think You Can Dance Post!

Our family is/are huge fans of "So You Think You Can Dance". With Ashley, our dancer around she is our "in house" critic. Anyway, our daughter-in-law Emily took Maddie to a Princess Party at "The Pointe" dance studio. Guess who just happened to be in the lobby.....Matt, from So You Think You Can Dance! Photo opportunity..you bet!(By the way, Ashley loved Matt on the show and thinks he has awesome feet. You have to be a real dancer to get that one)



Here is Maddie in purple on the right, with her two darling friends for the princess party. Notice how they are all posing...and Maddie lifting her dress up so you can see her ballet shoes. Way too cute!


Maddie again.

Paris!

The first week of December Steve and I went to Paris. It was so beautiful and I loved the sidewalk cafes, flower shops, sites and the lights. It was decorated for Christmas. This was a great celebration for our 30th wedding anniversary and my 50th birthday.....until, my wallet was stolen! The hotel was great and helped me cancel the credit card and atm cards. After that we were a bit short on money but when you are vacationing with your "best friend" in Paris how can you go wrong. We loved it! We took many more pictures but here are some to enjoy.

Cathedral



Snowman decoration for Christmas



We took a river boat on the Siene this was one picture



Art is a large part of Paris. The ballet items are for our daughter Ashley.



Degas paintings and ballet statue





Orsay Musuem we liked this musuem a bit more it wasn't so large and had painters names we recognized.




Ferris Wheel and Champs de Elysees at night. Our hotel was on this street if we walked uphill 2 minutes we were at the Arc if we walked downhill for 4 minutes we were at the Ferris Wheel and could see the Eiffel Tower. Perfect location.





Arc de Triomphe




Eiffel Tower





Steve on the second level of the Eiffel Tower



Sunset at Concorde Plaza with Eiffel Tower in background.




Palace at Versailles





Gardens at Palace of Versailles. It was awesome what a party you could have. Just imagine in the spring and summer when the flowers were blooming and fountains going.




The Louvre Musuem This is so large you just can't see it all.

First day of Ballet Class!

This is Maddie ready for her first day of ballet! Ashley teaches ballet at several studios and so Maddie is going to take ballet at one of the studios she teaches at. Aunt Ashley is so excited for Maddie and so are the rest of the family!

Doha Days....Christmas Present Gone Bad!

Well....in my last post I told you about how I got a new satellite dish and subscription for Steve as his Christmas present so he could watch sports especially the Utah Bowl game. Guess what, they lost the contract for FOX Sports so as of today we have no FOX Sports. Steve does not get to watch the game at all! You know this is the time I get frustrated with this Land of Sand!