Shopping, relaxing, a movie and cheese sandwiches

I had a nice peaceful Friday. Hubby's been off on a business trip so we didn't have to eat bazeen today. We had packet soup with some extra vegetables and noodles thrown in instead. No one complained... we were all happy.

In the afternoon I dropped Jenna off at her friend's house and then Ibrahim and I went shopping. We headed straight for the toy store of course. We bought one big huge bag, and two smaller bags, of toy soldiers and army stuff . For 20 dinars we're gonna have one heck of a war! Don't walk barefoot in my house... you will definitely step on something. There are toy soldiers and matchbox cars scattered everywhere.

We also stopped at the DVD shop and picked up some new movies to watch. When I got home I turned on the computer and started Mary and Max. It's hilarious... for some reason I think I know all of the characters. They resemble certain people in my life! LOLOL!

While online I got an email from my sister with a picture of my poor nephew being traumatized by Santa. This is one thing good about living in Libya... none of my kids have had to go through this ritual. I hope my sister will be able to forgive herself one day.... sigh..

Also while the movie was playing I was simultaneously chatting with Tara who was in New Mexico craving Libyan soup. Off she went to the Istanbul Market to get some lamb. She sent me a picture from her phone. Get the cheapest cut... it's soup!

Tara's choices at the Istanbul Market in Albuquerque

Wow! Meat that hasn't been attacked with a hatchet! Properly cut lamb! I thought that the butchers in Ainzara were really awful - now I know they are for sure....hehehe.. Tara went home and got the soup started and then started downloading Mary and Max so she could watch it too.

Dinner in my house tonight is sandwiches. When we were out I bought all kinds of things to make sandwiches. I stocked up on lots of cheese. While I was putting it all in my basket I saw a guy steal a whole ball of Edam cheese. He opened his coat and put it in an inside pocket. He looked like a normal middle-aged Libyan guy. I just smiled at him. Usually I see people shoplifting chocolates and expensive cookies. Cheese is good food. I bet his kids and his wife are eating cheese tonight and are happy. God forgive him.

OK... back to my movie.....

A long day from start to finish

It was a big day yesterday. When I sit back and look at all that happened it seems like a dream. Run, run run from the first thing in the morning until the night.

First on the schedule was to take the girls to have their day with Sheila. Three girls having 'me time'. Nora and Sara went first. They always want a haircut but at the same time they don't want it to look like it's been cut. They want their hair to be as long as possible. So after a trim and shape and some texturizing and they now look fabulous!

Then it was Jenna's turn. She had this style in mind that was like Halle Berry in Catwoman... but Sheila took one look at the pictures and said it just wasn't gonna happen. Jenna has three times as much hair as Halle Berry. But no worries... she would give her something similar, but better.

This is the before picture.

This is how much hair came off Jenna's head!

And this is after... Jenna looking very pleased with the outcome!

She says I have to pay her 10 dinars for every picture of her on my blog!

We had a great morning and then it was time to head for home. I threw together lunch and then headed out the door for an afternoon with OTE. We had plans to spend the afternoon and part of the evening shopping.

Can you guess where we went? It didn't involve clothes, or shoes or accessories. Fine jewelry was not on our list, nor was cosmetics. What on earth could two mature ladies find to keep them shopping all afternoon?

Well if you guessed DIY you are almost there.... OTE and I spent the afternoon at the new Ace Hardware store in Beviuw. It was wonderful! We went from aisle to aisle looking at all the things that have been unavailable in Libya for the last twenty or so years. They have all kinds of stuff in there! Murphy's Oil Soap, closet organizers, Ball canning jars, cast-iron pans, patio furniture, real toilet paper from America, the list goes on and on. I have to go back to get a leaf blower for my garden... they have three to choose from!

Next door is a new supermarket that was well stocked and clean... no more going through the traffic and fighting for a parking space... Mahari, I'm sorry... but you are out of my life now. I've found Usrah.

OTE and I had a great time. I'm glad we went together because the experience just wouldn't have been the same with anyone else. I think the shop clerks had just as much fun watching us enjoy the store.

After dropping OTE off at her house I headed to my in-law's. My mother-in-law is heading for Tunis today for medical treatment and I wanted to wish her a safe trip. The doctors here said she needs a bypass and so now it's off to Tunis for another opinion and treatment. I wish I could go with her but the kids have school and I have work... sigh. So I'll just have to pray from here that all goes well for her.

A new week... lots to do.... always busy, busy, busy (the way I like it).

Tasteful home decor... or maybe not

We are back to looking for furniture again after having taken a break for a while. A lot of the shops still have the same merchandise that they had a few months ago. We get in the car and go from shop to shop hoping to find the perfect dining room table (that seats eight). No luck so far.

The marbowa (men's sitting room) needs to have custom made furniture. It's the room with traditional Libyan decor... so we need to pick out some gaudy upholstery so that the Libyan visitors will feel comfortable. Something that borders on seizure level. I draw the line at covering everything with clear plastic... why do they do that?.... ewe...

The Anniversary Cake

The kids were so excited about the cake. First because it was white - like a wedding cake, and second because there were fresh strawberries on the top. The inside was chocolate, caramel, cream and nuts. It was sinfully delicious!

Hubby and I cut the cake together... of course we had a small argument about just how it should be cut first... lolol!

A good time was had by all!

December 7th... a day in history

This day is not only famous for the anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, it's also my 27th wedding anniversary today. Yep... 27 years! It comes to nearly 10,000 days. Imagine someone putting up with me for that long... hehe... Imagine me putting up with my husband for all that time...

Wow.... 27 years.... sigh....

Happy Anniversary Habibi!

I hope he doesn't forget...

I reminded him about a thousand times.

Maybe he'll bring me a present...

he better not have forgotten....

sigh...

I love you honey!

Eye Candy!

I noticed that National Geographic's Photo of the Day was a stunning shot of a Tuareg in Libya taken by Bobby Model. It's also featured in a National Geographic book Visions of Paradise.

My mother sent me a link to a photo journalism site of Chris Peterson, a photographer and the editor of Glacier Park Magazine. He spent 100 days in Glacier National Park, Montana USA taking photos and publishing one for each day. They're all beautiful and the stories behind each picture are so interesting.

I love photography and I enjoy taking pictures, but I am definitely a novice. I've always wanted to do something like a 100 days of Libya or even just Tripoli (as I'm unlikely to be travelling all over the country). I'm not sure my pictures would be any good, but I bet I'd improve! Something to think about doing for 2010.

Feeling sooooo much better now!

I've got a lingering cough but otherwise I am fine. Actually I'm really fine because I have been to Sheila and she has worked her magic. I'm sportin' a new hairstyle! Wooo Wooo! When I came home Nora said it was too bad I didn't get before and after pictures.

The girls will be having their day with Sheila on the 12th. Now the search is on for a picture of a hairstyle for Jenna. She has been talking about getting something like what Halle Berry had when she was Catwoman. If she does that I will have to start calling her Ratwoman, or Ratgirl because she was born in the year of the Rat, the month of the Rat and the hour of the Rat... Jenna is a triple rat. Hehehe... Ratty hair for a Ratty girl!