Friday Family Day

Friday is the only day that the four of us are all at home together. Sam works on Saturday although the kids and I are off from school. Friday is also the time that I think all of Kuwait is on the internet because it is very hard to post or send emails.

The weather is windy, warm, muggy.

We went to lunch at Maki, a Japanese restaurant that is located near Marina Mall.

Our first time to actually eat there and, as you can see, I ate all my food. Everything we ordered was delicious and there was nothing left when we were done. I love restaurants that give you "just enough" food to be satisfied. We were all very happy with what we were served.

We then walked over to Marina Mall.

And had dessert at The Chocolate Bar. Chocolate fondue, yummo! First time that Sam has been there (I've been many times with friends.) Zack could barely control himself.


Hope everyone had a fantastic Friday.

Thankful Thursday

“Let's be grateful for those who give us happiness; they are the charming gardeners who make our soul bloom.” - Marcel Proust

This is what the sky looked like as I got up and ready for school this morning.

We actually had a little rain last nite. Today it is windy and I felt a few raindrops earlier in the day.
"Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” -William Arthur Ward

One of the teachers at school stumbled across my blog recently. She said that she was googling "Bida'a Antiques" as she wanted to call to find out their working hours since she was wanting to get over there to buy a nice antique piece. My blog popped up because I've posted about Bida'a as being one of my favorite places and she was able to actually get the phone number from the brochure I photographed and posted. Isn't that a hoot! I decorated the little black box for Halloween, put some chocolates in it and placed it on her desk this morning.

Another cereal box transformation. I will be filling this with gifts for a friend whose birthday is on Sunday.

Another decorated coffee tin that will be used for cookies. On Saturday and Sunday I will be making and baking for Operation Hope. A bake sale will take place on Monday and all proceeds are for charity.
For today and its blessings, I owe the world an attitude of gratitude.--Clarence E. Hodges
My blogging buddy, Bunny Missbrenner from I'm Just Say'n http://bunnymissbrenner.blogspot.com/ passed a Kreativ Blogger Award to me.

When I visit blogland, I sure don't feel creative compared to some, but I do keep trying and I'm getting so many new ideas. I'm supposed to list 7 things about myself that you might not know about me, so here goes:
1. I hate reading and following instructions. I usually try to figure things out on my own. Several of you lovely bloggers suggested ways for me to try posting a link. I still can't do it. (I don't even know if the link to Bunny will work, so let me know.)
2. I am so technologically challenged. New technology means learning something different and that may require the reading of instructions. (See No. 1) :)
3. I love the sun, but it doesn't love me. When I was younger, I would get horrible fever blisters around my mouth if I stayed out in the sun too long, especially if I was near water. I outgrew that, but now too much time in the sun, even with sunscreen and I break out in a rash which results in little sores that can take weeks to heal. Not a good thing!
4. I hate to dust -- and in Kuwait, there is a lot of dust! I prefer to do almost anything else other than housework.
5. I love to walk I could do it all day long, every day. Of course, it helps if you are in a pleasing environment with wonderful weather. Kuwait doesn't provide that.
6. I've been a vegetarian for about 5 months now. My family is freaking out as they are afraid I am gonna turn them into vegetarians too. HA! I do my best to find recipes that don't include meat but that everyone can enjoy.
7. I love wine, but I hate whining. When I hear children whine, it drives me crazy! Kuwait is a dry country, so don't get wine very often. I do often hear whining since I work in a school. LOL!
And finally ... it's official!
I'm addicted to blogging (thanks Gwen)!
I'm not following Bunny's instructions to a tee as I'm not listing 7 blogs to award the Kreativ Blogger to. I will have to think about that one and then practice doing the link thing. So for now ...
“May you always have walls for the winds, a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire, laughter to cheer you, those you love near you and all your heart might desire.” (Irish blessing) Wishing you all the best this Thursday afternoon. :) Tammy

White Wednesday and Wishes

Warm wishes to you all. And yes, in Kuwait, it is warm. Muggy and warm. This picture was taken in Bahrain several years ago.

I love taking pictures in doorways around the world.
About 4 years ago the kids and I went to Failaka Island (just off of Kuwait) with friends for Easter weekend and came across this sweet guy!

Next is my anniversary present from Sam. What does that have to do with "white"? It's white gold. He knows that I much prefer that to the traditional gold.

School was cancelled today. We got there only to find out that a transformer had blown and there was no electricity. Everyone was sent home. It was dress-up day for Halloween. I am sure all the little munchkins were sad to not be seen in their costumes. Zack decided to go as Honest Abe! We made the top hat last nite from construction paper and cardboard.

Always Believe in Yourself

Get to know yourself, What you can do And what you cannot do
For only you can make your life happy.
Belive that by working, learning and achieving, You can reach your goals and be successful.
Believe in your own creativity As a means of expressing Your true feelings.
Believe in appreciating life, Be sure to have fun every day, And to enjoy The beauty in the world.

(We pass this spot every day on the way to school. I took the picture because it just shows that even when everything around us is dirty and desolate, we can thrive and survive.)
Believe in love, Love your friends, Your family, Yourself, And your life.
Believe in your dreams And your dreams can become reality.


Wonderful Wednesday Wishes to one and all. Peace & blessings, Tammy

Tales on Tuesday

Weather is a great metaphor for life - sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad, and there's nothing much you can do about it but carry an umbrella. ~Pepper Giardino

My earliest memory of having this music box is from the age of 12. It plays Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head.

The weather in Kuwait has been cloudy and muggy these past several days. We haven't had much rain in the past couple of years. A friend today said she felt one raindrop. Can you imagine? One!
Yusef bought Zack a bubble gun for his birthday. They were making bubbles in the car on the way home.


When witches go riding,
and black cats are seen,
the moon laughs and whispers,
‘tis near Halloween.
~Author Unknown

Weather forecast for tonight: dark. ~George Carlin

(Yes, that little pinlight is the moon. It was much more magnificent in person.)
Goodnite to one and all! Peace & blessings, Tammy

Monday Gratitude, Loss and Celebration

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One of the Arabic teachers at school is grieving the loss of her daughter who died yesterday due to complications from H1N1. Our heartfelt condolences go out to her and her family.
Look to your health; and if you have it, praise God and value it next to conscience; for health is the second blessing that we mortals are capable of, a blessing money can't buy. (Izaak Walton)

One of my best friends, Lisa, had to recently put her dear Bassett Hound, Maggie Mae, to sleep. Maggie has had cancer for about a year and Lisa decided she did not want Maggie to suffer anymore. She decided it was time to let her go.

"No one loves you unconditionally as your beloved pet."
~Cynthia S. Dobesh.
I can remember when Zack was running around in diapers and a bottle in his mouth. Maggie was just a puppy and would chase him, pulling off his socks, or tugging down his pants when he would try to climb onto a chair or the couch. This is Zack and Maggie several years ago.

Maggie Mae will be missed!
On a happier note, today is a celebration. It is Zack's 11th birthday! Okay, I know, he doesn't look too happy here. I snapped this picture before we headed off to school this morning. I thought only girls were moody! Ha!

" Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude. (Denis Waitley)

Blessings to you all and wishes for a wonderful week! Tammy

Sunday Salutations

Hello Friends! The post before this is from today. I started drafting it yesterday, but didn't post til today. I thought the date would change with the actual posting, not the day of drafting! :)

BOO to you!

PEEKABOO! I see you!

Last nite Jingles was hiding behind a computer bag that was next to a bookshelf in the kids bedroom. She likes to hide and then grab people when they walk by! :)
Who doesn't eat cereal? Do you like to recycle? Go to notsoidlehands.blogspot.com for a tutorial on changing cereal boxes into gift totes.

I did this one in a few minutes. But I am so excited to know that I can recycle and make something of use -- from a cereal box! We always have cereal. I always give gifts. I used a shiny wrapping paper on this one for Halloween, but will play around with different types of paper in the future.

When I was in the kitchen tonite washing dishes, I saw a glow from the window so ran to my bedroom balcony to snap this picture.

"If I can put one touch of rosy sunset into the life of any man or woman, I shall feel that I have worked with God." (G.K. Chesterton)
Hope everyone is having a Super Sunday! Peace & blessings, Tammy

Many Shades of Pink

Happy Pink Saturday to you all! This homebody is having a pajama day! Yahoo!

This is a scarf I crocheted.

And this one is almost finished.

And look what I found when I was cleaning out a drawer. Cost of stamps has gone up a bit since then.

A little book of quotes about girlfriends.

"The grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for." (Allan K. Chalmers)

Hugs and blessings to you all! Tammy

Friday Fun and Finishes

This is Jingles. She is sitting on top of a three tiered basket I have in the hallway that holds balls of yarn. I kept wondering why all of a sudden she was jumping up there all the time.

Then I figured out what she was doing. She knocks the balls down one by one.

And then the FUN begins.


When she was little, we came home from school one day to find that she had taken several balls of yarn and chased them all over the house -- from room to room, around table legs and chairs. It was hilarious to see, but not so easy to untangle it all! It seems cats never lose their playfulness and curiousity!

I came across a blog during the week that showed how to make "Halloween lanterns". I didn't have really thin orange tissue paper, but used what I had to come up with this candleholder. I still need to either paint around the rim or add some ribbon to finish it off.

Last nite I gave the shelf in my dining room some bling with the pretty jeweled ribbon I bought some time back.


I hope you are all having a fabulous Friday. I leave you with this quote:
In our daily lives, we must see
That it is not happiness that makes us grateful,
But the gratefulness that makes us happy.
(Albert Clarke)