We're So Proud!

I got a telephone call and heard a little voice say, hi Grandma! I said, Maddie? She said I went potty! This is our celebration....hooray! She is officially tiolet trained now!

Oman Pictures of the Lehi Trail Tour!

All the pictures below were taken by Scot F. Protor our great tour guide.

Notice the camels crossing right by the camel crossing sign. Right on cue!


This is the tour group we joined up with in Muscat. They treated us so nice! They included us right away. In fact, we had a name given to us "The Pleiadas" which means seven sisters. This group shot was in front of Ali's home the man who has done all this research about the ancient writings on walls in Oman being the same as the writings on walls in Colorado. Therefore, giving more proof that a group of ancient people, (Nephi and his group) traveled from Oman to America. This was probably my most spiritual moment of the trip. Ali is the man in white in the center on the second row. Musselin our Omani guide is in the back right in tan. Warren our other guide that has researched the Lehi Trail is in the blue shirt leaning on the pole and he is from Australia. Scot Protor our other guide from the US is taking the picture.


This is a cave that they think is similar to what Christ was born in. This is what they mean by a stable. Our Omani tour guide Musselin was born in a cave like this.


This is a Bedouin women we saw at the camel farm.

It never goes the way you think it should!

I know you thought we were finished with the Doha Day about banking. Well...guess what we are not. Here is the final part of the story. So, Steve gets the text message we go to the bank the next day. Steve goes to work late so he can go with me. First thing is the account number he text messaged Steve is NOT our account. Surprise! So they have to spend time looking it up. We make our deposit and that goes well. Next, we go to another window to the ATM cards and they not in yet. Of course, this is Doha we should have known! This is always the way things go. So, today I go back to the bank and the ATM cards are finally in! Hooray only one week late. This is the Land of Sand!

Follow up on Doha Day!

I thought you all might be wondering what happened with our new checking account from my last post. Well, this morning Steve received a text message on his cell phone with our account number and when and where to pick up the ATM cards. Just a little bit different, uh!

Here is a Doha Day!

We currently bank with Commerical Bank of Qatar who has been great but they now decided to hold our US checks for 45 days before giving us credit; even though my check clears our US account in 10-12 days. As a result, Steve's company has arranged another bank HSBC and they will credit our account in less than a week. First, I had to get a letter from the company and then arrange an appointment to open the account. After calling the man Aadel, he said, can you come in today? I said, no my husband works out of town a 50 minute drive. So what he said next just blew me away! Can I come to your residence or meet you at a coffee shop? I said, tonight....you would come to our villa? So tonight at 6:00 PM Aadel, a nice young man, showed up at our door had all the paperwork, explained the accounts and ATM card, credit cards etc. He asked which branch we wanted to house our account at and to pick up the cards. As he left, about 35 minutes, he said he would call me tomorrow with our account number and then call again when I could go "collect" the cards and deposit a check. Amazing!

Back from Oman and update on the grandkids!

Okay, I am back from my Oman trip which was a fantastic adventure! I have to compile my stories and download pictures before I can post. I will do the Oman trip with the Lehi trails journey in a few days. Upon my return my kids posted these darling pictures of our grandkids and so for now I must post these.


Tyson and Mom at pumpkin patch


Max in the canyon


Maddie in the canyon

Here's a funny Doha Day!

Today we had a baby shower for three ladies. We each live in different compounds. As you enter the compound there are guards and you must provide information about what you are doing, who you are visiting and then your name and ID card. I told the guard villa 16 on 3rd avenue for a "baby shower". The car behind me was also going to the shower so they apparently did the same thing. The guard then responded....enjoy the "baby washing"! We had a good laugh at that one! We are not sure what he really thinks we were up to.

AWA Bazaar is coming!

Wow the pressure is on! I have one month, Nov. 8th before the AWA (American Womens Association) Bazaar. I have a booth along with a friend Wendy. We talked today about our projects and I am excited but have to really get stamping and crafting. Here is a sneek peak of the garland, it's one of my favorites.

Ramadan is over EID started!

Tonight at 7:00 PM the moon was right so it was declared EID starting tomorrow morning! This means Ramadan is over and three days of vacation start. Steve received a text message on his cell telling him not to come to work in the morning. Crazy place this is! He has already made plans to golf Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. He leaves on Friday morning for a business trip to Houston. I am a bit sad, I guess its my turn but I don't have to like it!

A Glimpse of Life in Doha through Photos!

Sunset in Doha


Twin mosque towers at sunset


Jeep on two wheels, one day they may not live to tell.

Our 30th Wedding Anniversary!

This is my tribute to my husband Steve. He is the absolute best man on earth. He had a beautiful bouquet of 30 roses delivered to me this morning! I cried. He is a very good father, a great grandpa and a wonderful husband. He puts up with alot of "crap" from me. He works very hard at everything he does. I can still remember the day we got married in the LDS Salt Lake City Temple like it was yesterday. I am very privileged to be his companion.


Steve at the Sand Dunes in Qatar.


On the St. Andrews bridge in Scotland...golfing of course.


Playing golf again in Scotland, his favorite hobby!

Look what is new in Doha!

I never thought I would see the day that "Curves" opened in Doha! I joined last week. It takes me 15-20 minutes to drive there each way but is worth it!

Photo gallery!

I have so many pictures to post so be patient. I ended up having to buy a new camera in the middle of my vacation and the new camera has a different card reader so I don't know how to download the other pictures yet. For now this will be the Stampin' Convention and the grandkids. Enjoy!


Isn't this the cutest office you have ever seen?! This was done with stamping the walls, decor elements for desk, chair and frame and look at the file folders on the wall! They are covered in decorative paper.



The first two pictures are done with decor elements on the picture frames and the last picture is the new "big shot" die cut machine! What a b-day party!


Maddie Saying "Cheese"!(She had a cookie in her mouth...oh well)

Mr Mischief Max!

Tyson watching the Olympics!

I'm Back and its Ramadan!

Well I am back and its HOT! Very Hot and Humid! Ramadan started yesterday and that is my least favorite thing here. It is were the Muslims fast from sun up to sun down for 30 days. They eat in the evening and all night,I mean all night long. For us, it is really hard. They close all the restaurants,fast food places and malls during the day. We are not allowed to drink, eat or chew gum in front of them or even in the car. If you want to eat during the day it has to be in your home. Other places like banks etc. are only open for a few hours in the morning. This is the time I quilt, stamp, read and hopefully get together with other ladies. I have pictures to post but will have to do that later. I am still suffering from jet lag!

The Stampin' Convention and Yes, Doha Days!

The Stampin' Up! convention was wonderful. New catalog, new products, fun, fun, fun. I will post later samples and fun events of that. For now its Doha Days! Even when I am not at home in Doha, Doha Days still happen. My husband, Steve flew home ahead of me and upon arrival he could not get the computer or router to work and so we could not use our US phone line and he had trouble trying to even email me. He was going to go buy a new router but just in case I emailed some friends and they said, no don't. The telephone company Q-tel changed the pop server and so you have to re-configure everything. He had to have a neighbor come over who had already spent hours on the phone with Q-tel trying to figure this out. What a big mess! Now what country in their right mind changes the pop server and never tells the customers! Next, the day we left Doha they delivered a new washing machine. The small European kind that fit two pairs of jeans or maybe four towels. Anyway, as Steve was trying to figure it out by reading the booklet it appeared that the booklet was not the right booklet for the machine. Not one single symbol or word matches our machine! He finally got some wash done but it took over two hours just to wash.....so it is not normal yet. I have no idea if and when we will get the right booklet or if anyone can figure out the shorter cycle! Third, Steve got sick so he finally went to the doctor. I called him to find out the results. He could not understand the doctor, yes he was speaking English but a very strong accent. So, Steve said, I got three medications, I think one is an antibiotic but not sure. So Ashley goggled it to find out. Thank goodness it is. Yes, this is the Land of Sand!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

We will be leaving early Friday morning (3:30 am) to fly to Utah. We are trying a new route through Houston. Besides needing a vacation especially Steve, we are going to see the grandkids. The pictures below will let you know why!

Stampin' Up! News and New Product Line!

So..where do retired stamps go? Florida, Arizona, Hawaii...who really knows. Seriously, the SU! retired stamp list is out and if you are interested in getting a copy let me know.

ANNOUNCING A NEW EXCITING PRODUCT! Stampin’ Up! has unveiled a new product line of Decor Elements available only through your Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator…that would be me! These are easy to apply, easy to remove, vinyl wall art elements that can transform your walls, mirrors, frames, furniture to fun and beautiful artwork! Not only a big hit for adults but those college students who can't have anything permanent in their dorm rooms or apartments! Currently, these elements are available to order July 1st in two colors, Chocolate and White, with one design available in Kraft and in sizes of Medium and Large. (More designs to come in the near future.) I have a brochure to view the designs, sizes and sample photos. Just let me know and I can either email it or mail you a copy.

Fathers Day Photo!

I could not resist posting this picture. This is our son in law Brian holding Tyson on his first Fathers Day. Ashley was so excited to dress him up for church. Isn't he just the cutest in his argyle sweater vest!

Happy June 4th!

On June 4th the American Embassy had a July 4th Independence Day Celebration at one of the nice hotels. It was an invitation only event. This is the first time I have heard the national anthem here. It was a wonderful feeling! I even wore red, white and blue. I think I was the only one but I did not care! The color guard presented the flag and then they brought in the cake. No fireworks but there was a band. The rest was a typical Arab event, roaming around tables of food, standing to eat and talking.

Fathers Day Album Stamp Camp!

Okay, this is a surprise for Steve for Fathers Day but he never goes to my blog he only goes to the kids blog....so I hope I am safe in posting this now. If not and he sees it well I may have to give it to him early. I just had to share what we did in my recent stamp camp!

Doha Days for sure!

Okay, I should have had my camera for this one. A friend and I went out to dinner and on the way home we decided to stop at the bakery. As we pulled up to the bakery it was next to an auto shop and there was a man in his national dress (white thobe etc.)in his parking spot spray painting his car! Honest, he had a can of carmel colored spray paint just going at it! No windows were taped off or anything. There were cars parked next to him and paint was just flying all over the place. It was the most ridiculous thing I have ever seen. We just could not stop laughing. Welcome to the "Land of Sand".

Remembering...Memories...Love...

Since this is Memorial Day Weekend I want to take a moment to remember those I love that have left this earth. My Grandparents on both sides! Steve's Grandmas Inez and Laura! My oldest brother Michael Kent! My dear and only sister Dianne! My Aunt Shirley who use to babysit me when I was young! And many other great Uncles and Aunts. I have fond memories of these people.
I also want to think about those HERE and NOW that I also love. Of course, my awesome husband, children, grandchildren which you hear about all the time! My love is never ending for them! I am so grateful for wonderful, loving parents and I love them! I am grateful for wonderful in-laws and love them too! I am very proud of my brother Ron, my only sibling alive! I love him alot and his darling and fun family! Growing up he always watched over me and I knew I could go to him! I recently came across this picture of him and his family: their 6 children, spouses and grand kids so I am posting the picture...some babies have been born after the picture was taken. You just can't keep up with this group! LOL


Ron,Patrice,Rachael,Talmage,Landon,Evan,Garreth,Gavin,spouses and cute grand kids! My love to you all!

Can't believe this Doha Day!

Yesterday we had some carpenters come to replace the door frame in our guest bathroom. We had termites,I know, where is the wood in this country since all our houses are made of cement. Well we did and they find the only wood in the house around the doors and destroy it. It took them 6 hours to rip down the old and put up new. They put caulking around it and said, "finished Madam, painting tomorrow or next day". I was so busy getting ready for YW activity I never went inside the bathroom. This morning I went into the bathroom and closed the door and they never finished the inside! Honestly, how hard is it to look and see the frame all ripped out you could see right through the side of the frame. I called the reception desk and she said the same thing. How hard is it to look at your work? She called them on the phone and told them it was an emergency and to come back. About two hours later they showed up and I took them to the bathroom and showed them. They said okay finish now? I said, yes finish now. There is a huge language barrier here that can drive you to drink! Well...to conclude they also painted the primer and tomorrow come back for the paint. Here is the problem Steve and I can't breath in here. I know the product they used must be banned in all other countries but here and I am sure we will have cancer some day. It is 95 degrees outside and we are sleeping with all the windows open and the air conditioning blasting. Yes this is the Land of Sand!

Oh, the grandkids! Growing up fast!

Tyson 5 weeks and waving arms as usual!

Maddie happy outside twirling!

Max spiked hair and all!

Doha Days are back and oh boy!

Sorry it's taken me so long to post. I was just having too much fun playing Grandma in Utah. I am now back in Doha as of one week. I already have some Doha days to report so here we go!
Car registration....now this is truly an experience. You go down and renew your insurance first, then you can go to the traffic department on your own or pay a guy. I choose to pay a guy. So you get this guys phone number from the insurance lady. You call him, he picks up your car the night before and your papers and money. That night you can't sleep because you hope he brings your car back! The next morning at 8:30 am I get a call from him, "Madam (my formal name here) your car did not pass inspection". "What is wrong, I say." Thinking it was tires they seem a little worn, or our windshield wipers are shot but it never rains so we forget about them. Oh, and did I mention the brakes need to be checked they are making a noise. "The bumper, he says. "The bumper what do you mean, I say?" Knowing I did not wreck the car. "The scratch on the bumper but don't worry I fix, he says and hangs up." What am I going to do, he has my car, he has my papers and my money. So I wait and wait and wait. I try to call him back no answer. I call again no answer. Finally around 4 pm he calls, "Madam finished I will be there soon" He comes about 20 minutes later and I ask about it all. There was a 8 inch scratch on the side of our bumper because I scrapped a wall backing out of a spot. Bottom line we had to have the entire bumper painted to pass inspection! Never mind safety issues like the brakes or wipers but the scratch on the bumper was of huge importance. I paid him for getting the bumper painted he leaves it is now finished for another year!
Next, Doha day event. I go to what we call the "tower" which is the main office here for CPChem to drop off letters to mail. I can't find a parking place, as usual, so I see that 15 cars have parked up on the curb. This is very common over here. I never do it of course, but this time I decided I will. I won't be gone long. Well, when I come out I have a traffic violation on my window. They are bright yellow stickers on the side driver window and very embarrassing. I look around and no other car on the curb has a violation...what, why me? Of course me because I never do it! This is the Doha way. So, my parking violation is 300 QR which is $80. All I can say is, "it is what it is" and welcome back to the Land of Sand! By way...it is a hot, steamy 110 degrees here so enjoy your weather back home!

Our Adorable New Grandson Tyson!

Tyson Neal Carlsen was born April 8th at 1:11 am.  He was 7 lbs 7 oz. and has a full head of hair!  Things were a little rougher than we expected.  Ashley had to have a C-section because his heart rate kept dropping and the cord was around his neck.  Mom and baby are now home from the hospital.  Here are some pictures we took this evening while Mike and his family were over here at our Condo. 

Update

Well I left Doha on March 21st to fly to Utah for the expected baby. We thought they may induce Ashley on March 17th. Her fluid levels have stayed up and the baby's heart beat has done very well so......we are still waiting. Her actual due date is April 6th so we really are on the home stretch now. She still has to have an NST test twice a week and see the doctor once a week. We have tried all of the wive's tail things like walking, eating eggplant etc.... to help things along. Anyway, as soon as things happen Emily (our daughter in law) will take pictures and we will post ASAP.

SU! Card Exchange

These are the cards I made for my quarterly card exchange. Ladies you will get these in the mail sometime, I promise! Enjoy!

More on the service project..."when you are in service of your fellow beings you are in the service of your God"!

Eating!

This was a drop off point we could not actually deliver them of course.

Apparently, the feedback is they all went crazy!




Just smelling it........


As I mentioned before this was joy beyond joy! Thanks to all who baked!