Serendipity on a Tuesday Night

Last night we needed to get out of the house, and since Abbey didn't have school the next day, and Brett is on spring break, we went down to the Corniche for a nighttime stroll.

When we got there, we could see a few dhows docked up against the walkway. They were lit up with colorful lights, and we could see one off shore twinkling in the distance. Abbey took one look and whispered her request in Brett's ear (I guess I'm the hard sale in the family). It was quite cool last night, especially near the water. I hadn't even thought of bringing jackets, but since Abbey happened to bring one of her blankies, and because Brett and I are suckers for our children's "puppy faces," we caved in and went. I'm so glad we did! Not only did we get a twenty minute boat ride around the bay, we were serenaded by the blaring sounds of N Sync. I guess our dhow captain's taste in music is still trapped in the 90s.

It was just one of those unusual times when planning something would have made it less wonderful. The spontaneous nature of some activities adds to the enjoyment. It's just a good thing Brett and I have an eight year old around so we can remember to take those opportunities that sneak up on us. Thanks for the adventure, Abbey!

Side note: This has to be the most handsome man ever. His profile has always thrilled me!

Change Is Difficult

Yes, I look different - a new city so . . . a new salon, new style, new look. I finally had to make the plunge and let someone other than Julie touch my hair. I just couldn't afford another trip to Utah, especially since we've had three since August! So I went to the only real American style salon in Doha (not one of the "saloons" but a real salon), paid way too much money, and let two total strangers have their way with me, my hair that is. Niki, who has spent 18 years as a stylist in New York, did the color highlights. When I started to tell her what I wanted with the cut, she called in reinforcements. Maybe it was the VERY SPECIFIC instructions I was giving her, or maybe it was how massively thick she realized my hair is when she started handling it. Either way, she asked Linda, who just arrived in Doha from Scotland four days ago, to do the cut. Note to Julie: you listen WAY better than these two did, and now I appreciate you even more than I did before.

I don't know about this. It is a little too straight for me right now. Brett says he LOVES it . . . . . probably because I look like a new woman . . . . . maybe someone named Wendy he was dreaming deeply about last night . . . . enough to speak her name OUT LOUD!!! (He says he was saying "windy" but I was not asleep like he was, and unless he was naming a hurricane "Wendy" there is no chance that wind was the topic of his dream). Well, that's a whole other issue. Abbey says she kind of likes the new look, and the only reason she doesn't love it is just because she doesn't recognize me - yes those are the words she used, and it's probably because she has not seen her mom in any other style her WHOLE life. Now you can see that change is not my best thing.

The real test will be when I actually have to style this myself. You won't want to be around that morning. It can get ugly, and I don't mean the hair. I hate when my routine is changed and don't mind throwing a brush or two in frustration when my hair doesn't cooperate. I will have to take a picture of the "after" so you can see how inept I am at giving my hair the "salon look."

Anyway, my hair is the one thing I am pretty irrational about. I spend way too much money and time on it, even though I'm a very practical, no nonsense penny pincher most of the time. I can't explain it. I can only apologize and allow myself this indulgence. What is the one thing in your life that makes you forget your bank account balance, your time limitations, or your maturity level? I want to know . . . . just so I can feel better about being hair obsessed.

What's Your Wish for Today?

Get my banner code or design your own banner

Being able to fly would be really amazing. Time travel would be interesting and possibly too overwhelmingly powerful for little old me. Yesterday I would have wished for a cure for the diabetes monster.

Today though, I think I will wish for teleportation. The ability to transport myself and anyone I want around the globe would make me so happy. I miss so many people right now. I wanted to attend my grandson's first birthday party two weeks ago, but could only be there via Skype - thank goodness for that! I'm already thinking about the fact that I will miss seeing my wisteria bush in full bloom this May. Those purple flowers just droop with lustrous grace and soothe whatever is pulsing through my worry zone at the moment. (I hope Mary takes a picture of it for me if my teleportation wish doesn't come through.) I would visit all the temples that dot the earth. I would show up on my mom's front porch with dinner tomorrow night. I would climb the highest mountains the easy way. I would beam my family over here this week to let them enjoy a few of Doha's sites before the heat arrives in full force. I would finally go to Hawaii. So beam me up Scottie! I'm ready to travel. What is your wish today? Thanks for the great idea, Kristy!

Well Said Brother Card!

There have been a couple of issues in the news recently that involve the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints or more commonly known as the Mormon Church. I belong to this church and have perked up my ears whenever anyone mentions, writes about, or mass emails about these topics. One issue is Proposition 8 in California dealing with the state constitution's definition of marriage. The other has to do with the HBO series Big Love which is carefully including Mormon themes and characters into its main polygamist story, even going so far as to depict sacred temple ceremonies in certain episodes.

Maybe you can imagine my interest and concern with these two issues. Maybe you can't. Nonetheless, these two issues are causing some Mormons to take on a somewhat militant stance towards the misrepresentation of Mormon people and beliefs in the media. I often think about how best to express my feelings about what I feel are unjust and/or incorrect statements made by usually uneducated people or individuals who have a personal agenda. Today I found someone who did just that. So check this article out. Orson Scott Card is a prolific, well-respected author who seems to have a good handle on how best to confront incorrect press. Thanks, Brother Card, for using your expertise to say what I wish I would have said.

Mind Over Stiffness

Last night at dinner I must have been looking pretty beat, because Abbey said, "Mom, do you like being a grown-up?" I told her that I actually do like it - I was an adult even as a kid so I have gotten used to it - sad, huh!

Anyway, Abbey's response to my answer was pretty indicative of how old her parents are. She said, "I don't want to be a grown-up, because that's when everything is stiff and I can't run."

Brett quickly assured her that being a grown-up didn't necessarily mean that her body would quit working and that SHE would be able to run for a long time, but part of me (probably the stiff non-running part) wanted to interrupt him and say, "Oh, just tell her the truth . . . . and let her appreciate her youthful flexibility while she still has it."

Actually, I think Abbey has a great chance of being as flexible as this bus stop stretcher above when she is a grandma. My sweet daughter's constant expenditure of energy reminds me of the energizer bunny. She won't run out of juice until her last breath.

Me on the other hand . . . . It is just a good thing that my mind is so flexible and quick to make up for my prematurely aged bones! Ha! Ha! You have probably heard of Oprah's self-test you can take to determine your body's true age, factoring into account your lifestyle, eating habits, exercise routines, etc. I've never dared take that test. I'm too afraid it would tell me that I should already be planning my funeral! You would think that doing Pilates three times and walking 6 - 9 miles a week would keep a grandma like me pliable and stretchy, but it is difficult to fight the diabetic monster. Nonetheless, I keep doing it, as futile as it may feel sometimes. What does that Dylan Thomas poem say? "Do not go gentle into that good night. . . . . rage, rage against the dying of the light." Yes, aging can truly cause a lot of rage, but holding up the light to our children is worth the fight, worth the ever increasing daily maintenance, and worth the forced smile in the face of yet another workout session.

News Coverage of Elder Holland's Visit to the Middle East

Here is an article from the LDS Church News that highlights Elder Holland's visit to our neck of the woods, or more correctly I should say our peninsula of the desert. It was an amazing experience to have an apostle of the Lord here. We are so grateful for this unique opportunity of living in Doha. We had to come all this way to meet one of the Twelve Apostles who probably lives a few minutes away from our home in Utah. As a side note, the young men in the second photograph are in our ward here in Doha. They were in Kuwait for a track meet when Elder Holland conducted the Doha meeting, so their dads took them to Dubai for that last session of our stake conference. I'm sure getting up for a 3 AM flight was worth it.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Yesterday was my mom's 75th birthday. Given the fact that her parents were told she would never make it to adulthood, I think my mom has lived a remarkable life. She has had more than her share of health problems, but most of the time she is a fighter. There are those times when she loses ground and just can't look her challenges in the face anymore. Those are the times when she has learned to rely on a higher power and has let Him carry her burdens. Those are the times she has taught me the most.

When I called her yesterday to wish her a Happy Birthday, my mom told me I was the first one to call her with birthday greetings. That was easy to do since we are nine hours ahead right now. Even though it was early in the morning, Mom was at the top of her game. I told her that Brett had gotten a guitar for his birthday, and thinking I would be clever I said, "Brett now plays the guitar in Qatar." Mom outdid my verbal play and quickly said, "So does that mean if we want to learn how to sing we have to move to Sing Sing?"

So Happy Birthday Mom! Even though your body is 75 and you move slowly these days, your mind is every bit as quick as it was when you were juggling all the tasks of youth. There are no prisons that can hold your indomitable spirit. You've known how to sing the songs of courage from the very beginning!

The Grocery Carts Of Souq Waqif

If you are wondering who these men are, you could call them the grocery carts of Souq Waqif. These aged, wiskery men are some of the most authentic parts of the Old Souq. They tote anyone's purchases all around with such happy attitudes and contagious toothless smiles. They are happy to carry the whimsical packages for abaya clad women all over with no complaining, no worries, and for just a handful of riyals. They patiently wait outside each souq as their customer makes yet another purchase, and when the shopping is done, they complete the task with a trip to the car park. I often wonder what kind of life a man like this has.

I've decided that photography is my hobby. I love capturing the textures of places and people. Qatar is an amazing place with so much depth.

Two Birthday Boys

Happy Birthday to our sweet grandson Kimball, who turned one this last Thursday. He is the happiest baby I have ever seen. We are so lucky to have him in our family.

Also, Happy Birthday to my sweet husband Brett. He turned 48 yesterday. Yes, I'm advertising because he doesn't look a day over 47. Just kidding. Brett will always be a big kid, because his heart is as pure as any child's and his joy is spontaneous and authentic. I love you Brett! Yes, he got a guitar for his birthday. He already has sore fingers from practicing, so watch out American Idol!

There is quite a family resemblance, isn't there. Brett couldn't be happier about sharing his birthday week with Kimball and having this carbon copy grandson named after him (Kimball Brett).

Photos of the Week

A friend of mine wanted me to take her and her mother-in-law down to Souq Waqiff to see the Pearl Man. Here are a few photos from our trip yesterday. It is such an interesting, unique place. Enjoy!

We ate lunch at this Iraqi restaurant. I'm actually learning to enjoy babba ganoush and tabbouleh!

Exotic Exaggerations

Last week, while we were coming home from church, Abbey was talking about her Primary lesson and her friends in class. She meant to say, "I know I'm exaggerating, but . . . . " What actually came out of her mouth was, "I know I'm exotic, but . . . . " It was difficult for Brett and me not to laugh, but we held it in until later that night. I just love Abbey's language substitutions. They are way more entertaining than the correct words.