Happy Birthday America!

This America banner, cupcake picks and liners were done by one of my SU! friends Elizabeth Price. She won the Artisan Award at Stampin' Up! She is so very talented and creative. I could not think of anything better to post for America's birthday than to show off her artwork. Congrats and awesome job Liz!

Doha Days are Back! ( two posts today)

Two weeks ago several ladies gathered at the "W" hotel for a going away luncheon. When I arrived it was rather busy so I handed my keys to valet park. At the time I thought, I hope this works out. After going inside I ask at the desk where the party was. They did not know, of course! Maybe its not here she said. Finally I convinced them to look at the three restaurants and we found the group. It was a great lunch we all handed our keys to the valet attendant. Before leaving I had to pick up a standing fan from a friend. So she pulled up and took it out of her car as I was still waiting for them to bring my car around. So after standing there for 10 minutes while holding a fan in the 100F heat they brought me a luggage cart for the fan. Now imagine the view. I looked even more ridiculous then. I finally went inside with my luggage cart and the fan and pleaded where is my car? They could not find it. Their answer was, Madam you just checked in it isn't parked yet. I am like WHAT? I have been here two hours at a luncheon. They look again, still can't find the matching keys to my slip. I described my car and said go look for it. Still not working I said show me all the keys and I will find it. Sure enough they had wrapped my keys up with group of business men behind me. After 40 minutes I finally got my car, proudly put my fan in the back!

Way behind on Posting...Stampin' Ideas

I am way behind on posting...over the next few weeks I will be catching up. So be sure to check back! First I am posting my Stampin' Up! cards I made for my quarterly exchange. We are each given a different stamp set and have to come up with 4 cards to swap with the rest of the group. These are mine and from a set called "Sentimental Journey". Enjoy!

Leaving on Jet Plane...tomorrow

I feel like that song "leaving on a jet plane don't know when I'll be back again..."
I am going to be in the states for just a few days shy of three months. I have never been gone that long. Steve gets to go with me for the first two weeks and then again at the end for another week. Now mind you I will be staying with my darling daughter and her husband and so...I need to behave myself. Three months is a long time to have a house guest no matter who you are! Can't wait to see and play with the grandkids!

My Stampin' Up! Cards

These are my latest creations for my demonstrator card exchange. The stamp set is "All My Heart" using all Stampin' Up! supplies. Enjoy!

Newspaper Ad the Doha Days Way

I thought this ad was very interesting. By the time you are 28 I hope you are still not a girl. Second, how do you tell if you are good looking enough? Third, the limitation on the age...isn't that discrimination? I thought I might apply but Steve said I did not qualify, age...darn. Oh well.

Wal Mart with a Doha Days Twist!

Image my excitement to learn a Wal Mart in Doha! Can this be?! NOT! As a friend put it, only in Qatar could a small corner business get a license to name their store after one of the largest chains and sought after business' in the North America. But I am here to say, NO this is not Wal Mart! Not even close.
PS updates...still not done with my crown I have had two more visits since last post and now one more to go again! Got my fabulous Whirlpool washer and dryer but still waiting for my American stove to arrive going on three months now. Laughter is indeed the only way to live.

Doha Days Root Canal and Crown!

Just my luck back, in September on my way home from the US back to Doha, my tooth started to hurt after biting into a pretzel on the plane. I tried very hard to forget it and hope it would go away until March when I could go home to get it fixed. Not so...finally in December when the pain was all day and night I went to the dentist. She told me I needed a root canal and sent me to a "specialist" (endontist?) she said. Well I called his cell phone for an appointment. Interesting how the doctors and dentists here give you their "mobile" numbers to call. I talked to him at 10 am and had an appointment that day at Noon. He said, I am packing now at home to leave in two days for Christmas break to my home Lebanon so can you come today? Sure my mouth was killing me so why not. It turned out that he was great. He had a special microscope and did it rather quickly and without ANY pain. I did not even feel the first shot. I was very scared so he sang to me his best "Lebanon" music so I would open my mouth wide and be calm LOL... It worked, he sang terrible and I was laughing inside and it relaxed me. Here is the other part of the story...I had to go back to the dentist to get a crown. I have been three times and will go again tomorrow to finally get the real crown. I have no idea why this process has taken so long, four visits to take an impression and get a crown...don't get it, but ladies and gentlemen this is the Land of Sand and nothing makes sense here!
PS I posted my x-rays because they gave them to me on a CD so I thought well if I get killed suddenly you can all know how to identify me by my dental records!

Stampin' Up! Crafts at AWA Bazaar!

These are my Christmas Memory Tins, very popular I always sell out of them.Vinyl lettering on Frame in back.

These are my Baby Milestone Tins

Ho Ho Ho sign made with the new glitter Ho Ho Ho letters on a glass frame with background paper behind and embelished

Painted wooden signs with the vinyl lettering from decor elements

More Christmas Memory tins

More of the signs

The Boys and Santa's Lap

Its nice to have the boy cousins be "best buds"!

Hugging


Hanging out.

Lets get down to business now, jumping!

Max in the box.

Max is trying to wake up Madi boys will be boys.

Tyson in the box...what is this with boys and boxes.

Ty in the bag...grandma's bag from one of her favorite clothing stores.

Tyson and Brian decorating a Gingerbread House, fun moment.

Max warn out from all that play.

Madi happy to be on Santa's lap.

Tyson get me off Santa's lap!

How Can This Possibly Be!

Most of you know that dancing is a big deal to me and has been since a teenager so when I had a daughter who loves dance too and is very good at it it was a dream come true. But now I have a grandaughter who loves to dance and I must say I am going to just come right out and BRAG. Why do I need to brag...well look at these pictures. Madi is only 3 1/2 years old and look at what she can do. I don't know many other children that before they are 4 years can really point their toes, do actual correct positions like this and frankly pay attention and have the interest do it. So here goes please let me brag and look at the pictures!

This position is a retire or a passe and trust me kids usually do this with their legs in front not to the side and they certainly can't point their toes like this.

This is a tendue and again is holding arms correctly and fairly good pointed toe.

This one shows her determination and watching and listening to the teacher.

I love this bar work...I am so amazed at her.

Now this is Max her brother watching her at ballet class. Now don't we Murray's know how to teach our boys to respect a good ballet dancer! LOL

Madi with her dance teacher.

So Why Is It Again?

You ask me why I love being a grandma well just take a look and you will see for yourself why!

Max in his cowboy hat

Tyson and messy face

Madi and Max watching Mommy cook

Madi loves the Christmas Tree

The New Villa!

Our new villa or the rectanglar cement house! This is larger than our other villa. It is 4 bedrooms, one study/computer room, 4 1/2 baths, larger kitchen, laundry room, living room and dining room with a backyard. The small backyard is a big deal here not many have much more than a brick porch. We have grass and it goes all the way around the house to the other sliding glass door by the dining room.

The front door, I miss my porch and glass door from Riviera Gardens but I especially miss my Kingwood house with the beautiful front door, porch with two white columns but this what we all have and I am no exception so it will have to do.

The driveway and my Pajero. I do love the pink flowers.

The backyard view looking out the living room sliding glass door. We will now have a play area for our grandchildren to visit us! Hooray!

The backyard view from side gate by front door. Now you have seen it come on ya'll and visit us!

Doha Days and Trying to Get New Appliances!

Most of you know that we moved into another compound called Al Jazi and a new villa. Well, three of the appliances are really old and needed to be replaced. I received authorization to go pick them out but needed to contact a gentlemen to make sure the brand was what the compound will accept and can maintain. Now, trying to find out where the showroom is located was like an act of congress. Next, I could never get a hold of this man on the phone so I decided to just go there. Over here just going there usually is the best thing anyway. I arrive, no parking of course. Finally park on the street ready to be hit from oncoming cars at any moment. I go into the showroom ask for this man. He is in meetings, Madam. Can we help you? I tell them..no they can't help me they have no clue. He cannot speak with you until tomorrow evening, the clerk says. I decide to look at the appliances just to get a feel for what I can get when I have to go back again. First of all, stoves....they had ONE electric stove. Only one brand and style , and I have to get it approved. There is no other option to get! Next, the washer and dryer...two brands two styles. All pretty much cost the same. So I am wondering what there is to approve here. I leave. Upon arrival home I have a message on my phone that this man is calling me back! Apparently he was calling me back the same time I am in the store when they said he can't talk to me! Now, I have an appointment. Further updates will be available when the actual event is done. In the meantime, pray that I can wash a few more loads of clothes before I have nothing!

My Little Trick or Treaters!

Max the Dragon

Minnie Madi

Madi showing off being Minnie

Going together....love this!

Tyson the doggie

Tyson's door approach

The little trio too busy looking at each others costumes to pose for a picture