A Quick Update

Here we are, all back in Texas.  In May 2014, we found out that Steve's job position would require us to return to Texas.  We were expecting to spend another 18 months in Dubai, so this was a shock.  After only being there for 18 months, we were finally beginning to feel settled in.  Had several friends and lots of  things we still wanted to do while living in the Middle East. 

Anyway, fast forward... really fast, and we returned to Texas in July 2014.  By September we finally had a home in Kingwood, Texas, about 1.5 hours from our country home in Zavalla.  Now instead of living in two places, each a world apart, we are trying to adjust to living in two places just a short distance apart. 

We don't want to sell our country home because that is where we plan to retire.  Also, not ready to pack it up and lease  it out since we still go back there on the weekends.  Plus, that is where my daughter, mom and sister live.  So, for now, we do the weekend shuffle.  Living here with our son (he attends college in Kingwood) during the week and going "home" (Oak House) on the weekend.  I am currently trying out going to the Oak House every other weekend so that we can enjoy activities here in and around Kingwood. 

Hopefully this will be our last move before retirement but I am afraid we have caught the expat bug so we sort a hope we get to move out of country one more time before moving back home for good. 

I am busy organizing and decorating this house in the meantime, two of my favorite things to do, so I am keeping as busy as I want. All this has to eventually move back home so I have to be careful not to accumulate so much as just make a comfortable home for us.  My excuse is that I do a lot of thrift shopping, so I don't spend much but things still take up space so I'm keeping it simple. 

I will post a few of the projects I have going to get this house in shape, Sew, check back with me in a few days. I am actually headed back to the sewing room now!

Little Thrift Shop Find Has Second Life in Dubai, UAE

My friends at www.reMADEdxb.com run a sewing parlor business in Dubai, UAE and I love going there to sew and visit. They recently were commissioned to design the window displays for the store K-Lynn  that is in several of Dubai's major shopping malls.  So, when I was at Festival City a few weeks ago and spotted that store, I jumped at the chance to see their work up close and personal.  Imagine my surprise when I recognized a crocheted doily that I had brought back to them from one of my shopping excursions in the town of Huntington, Texas!  I live in Zavalla, Texas and often visit Second Blessing Thrift shop in Huntington when I am home.  I love searching through the linens and housewares for unique treasures.  This little doily, with the pastel flowers on the edge was one such find.  It had been donated to the thrift shop and was just waiting for it's new chance to be discovered and displayed.  You never know what you will find in these little out of the way shops, and I was so proud to be part of this little gals, new found stardom.  I imagine it was crocheted by someone's grandmother or great grandmother and was just bundled up and donated when it came time to clean out the closets.  Possibly it was created before Dubai even existed as a major middle east city.  For sure, Granny didn't know that her handiwork would one day be on display in a shopping mall almost bigger than the town itself.  So, the moral of this story is what my dad always said, "Anything worth doing, is worth doing right the first time."  You just never know how your handiwork might one day be used.  For this little doily her second life is turning out to be pretty exciting!

East Texas Girl in India!

Happy Birthday Fiona!! 

Fiona is my new friend.  We met on facebook when I first moved to Dubai.  Fiona manages the facebook  page for the area where we live.  I think we actually met face to face a couple of times and then, BAM, we went to India together!!

I was minding my own business, lol... reading facebook,  when Fiona posted that she was planning a trip to India all by herself because her two friends that were going had to cancel.  Before giving it any thought, I asked if she was up for traveling volunteers.  And there a new friendship started. 

We got together, made some super fast plans, and off we went.  Fiona had planned this trip as her 50th birthday bucket list item.  I just wanted to go have fun and see a new part of the world.  And, I can happily report, we both accomplished our goals far and above what we had planned. 

We had an amazing trip and shared some once in a lifetime memories.  The above picture shows us in front of the Taj Mahal, in Agra, India.  Probably the highlight of the trip, but everything we did was great!!  I especially enjoyed the history behind this famous monument.  Did you know that a man had this built (took 22 years) for his wife who had died??  As we toured and saw the magnificence of the structure, it occurred to me that my husband probably doesn't love me quite this much, but then I remembered, when I die I will have a mansion in heaven that far surpasses the Taj!!

However, for right now in this life, I can with confidence say about any other site I see... "Oh, I've seen better!".  The Taj Mahal is indeed one of the few wonders of the world.  And, we were there!

New Digs!

 Side/Front Yard

Back Yard

Living area

So, this is where we will start living as soon as paperwork is finished.  Which is supposed to be today at 3:00 pm by the way.
The pictures sorta make things look more stretched out.  It is a very modest townhouse/villa. We are thankful to be able to get it because of the great location. It is on a cul-de-sac, so no traffic, and the backyard faces a large lake area where we will enjoy walking our dog.  Notice there is no gate in back yard... I will have to walk down the road to gain access to walk area, but I'm pretty sure the son and hubs can step over the fence.  The locals here have been referring to the husband as Mr. Long, so that is how I will continue to address him on this blog!!  I thought that was funny.  Notice I didn't say they call me Mrs. Short, and they better not!!!  They usually call me Mrs. Steve..
Anyway, we are more than ready to move in.  Our air shipment is in country now so we can get it right away.  I have never looked so forward to seeing my oldest towels in all my life.  The rest of our things may take another couple of weeks to arrive.  That's ok.  I packed 2 lawn chairs,  2 plates, forks, cups, towels, pillows, etc so we can have enough stuff to camp out.   Sew ready to set up a home here!

Burj Al Arab - Sky View Tea

Here are a few pictures of our Saturday tea at the Sky Bar in the Burj Al Arab....

This shows our initial approach!

This is view of inside of hotel as we proceed up the escalator. There are also huge wall aquariums on either side of the escalator that you can't see here.

Here we are getting started. We really didn't know what to expect, so it was fun for us as they brought out the different courses of the tea.  7 Courses!!!  They were small servings so we didn't realize how quickly we would become stuffed! 

And this is why it is called the Sky Tea.  This was our view from one side of the lounge.  It was a hazy day so I don't have a picture from the other side, but it shows the Jumeria Palm with the Atlantis Hotel.  We could also see all the little man made islands a little further out in the water.  I guess we will just have to go back on a clear day to get the rest of the pictures.  I know you are gonna want to see them. 

Anyway, it was a great day and a great weekend to celebrate Easter.  The next morning we met up on the beach you see in the middle of this picture for out church's Easter sunrise service.  Incredible! Incredible weekend and Incredible Savior!!

That Dirty Dog!!

Does this sand make me look long and skinny?

Ok, this post is old. I found it when reacquainting myself with my neglected blog.  I think it was 2011. Josie, has since passed away, so this post is in her sweet, dear, memory.

Fun walk on the beach!

Swimming...

Yes, you guessed it! Erin, mom and I went for a road trip to High Island a few weeks ago and decided to take our pets. We actually took a miniature dachshund each. Nanny took Rags, whom we were pet sitting for Carryl, Erin took her dog, Shotzie,and I took Josie. Of the three dogs, Josie had the most fun. Rags sat in mom's lap the entire time and Shotzie stayed with Erin. Josie's leash broke just as we got there so I spent most of my time yelling at her and chasing her down. She loves going after the seagulls. We did learn our lesson and there will be no more trips to the beach for the dogs anytime soon. I don't think they liked it much and it was a lot of work for us. Imagine us trying to get them cleaned up for the ride back home! Oh yea, we did get two horn blows while we were there. I think Erin got one when we were unloading and I got one when we were loading back up!! All good for fun and laughs. We stayed long enough to get some sun and eat our lunch and then packed back up for 2 hr trip home. It was a good day and beautiful on the beach. We hope to go back before the end of the summer!