Happy holidays!

Gonna take a break from blogging until after Christmas. Just have a lot to get done before the big day w/ wrapping gifts, getting boxes for mailing and sent, and preparing for the big arrival of Santa... and, my friend, Puppy, comes the first part of Jan.!!

If I don't blog again until the New Year... I hope all of you have a peaceful and happy holiday season. Merry Christmas!

a funny

AN ITALIAN BOY'S CONFESSION


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> 'Bless me Father, for I have sinned. I have been with a loose girl'.
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> The priest asks, 'Is that you, little Joey Pagano ?'
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> 'Yes, Father, it is.'
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> 'And who was the girl you were with?'
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> 'I can't tell you, Father, I don't want to ruin her reputation'
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> Well, Joey, I'm sure to find out her name sooner or later so you may as
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> well tell me now.
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> Was it Maria Minetti?'
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> 'I cannot say.'
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> 'Was it Teresa Mazzarelli?'
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> 'I'll never tell.'
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> 'Was it Nin a Capelli?'
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> 'I'm sorry, but I cannot name her..'
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> 'Was it Cathy Piriano?'
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> 'My 2 lips are sealed.'
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> 'Was it Rosa Di Angelo, then?'
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> 'Please, Father, I cannot tell you. '
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> The priest sighs in frustration. 'You're very tight lipped, Joey
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> Pagano, and I admire that. But you've sinned and have to atone. You
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> cannot be an altar boy for 4 months. Now you go and behave yourself.'
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> Joey walks back to his pew, and his friend Franco slides over and
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> whispers,
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> 'What'd you get?'
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> 4 months vacation and five good leads.

The Eid holiday

Well, today is the last day of Eid for most, altho Shi'a's are still on holiday, w/ tomorrow being the last day of Eid for many. We had a good Eid. We didn't buy Naief any new clothes this time around since we're shopping for Christmas. Once he gets older and sees that all his cousins get new clothes and new things, that'll probably change somewhat, but, for now, it works. :)

The first day of Eid was spent at my in-laws. We went over at 9 and stayed until about 1. Naief played with all his cousins out in the garden where we got some of the cutest pictures, played inside, had lunch and played some more. The second day we went over to some of my FILs relatives early in the morning so they could meet Naief, then had the big family lunch that afternoon. I was wondering how Naief would be... seeing that he doesn't see a lot of these kids regularly, but he wasn't afraid and had a great time. We took him out to the water garden last night and tonight, where he bounced on the trampolines, rode some rides, ate popcorn and cotton candy. :)

Tonight we rode the little train that's sorta like a mini roller coaster. Last time, Naief seemed a little spooked by it, but tonight he squealed w/ delight after. There were two young Bahraini boys riding in the seats in front of us and were concerned for Naief - even telling Hashim to hold on to him so he wouldn't fall out (he was in between us and going nowhere) - and after they saw how excited he was, they got tickled by his enthusiasm. He also rode the planes that go up in the air tonight... a first. He's not too small, but it kept me on the edge the entire time. Afraid that he'd try to stand up or get out once it got up into the air, but he didn't. :) He loved it. Even wanted to go again.

He's starting to repeat most things we say. Every time he sees a mini van, truck, semi or such, he'll say, "big bus". The word truck isn't in his vocabulary... yet. :) He has started to list all the names of the cats and Henry, as well, at random times throughout the day. He gets stuck on saying Jewels (whom we call JuJus) and Henry over and over, but will eventually add Puss and Amy... it's really cute to listen to him. I'll then start listing all the other cats... funny... he always remembers this cat that we call 'dumbdumb'... she's a wild cat that comes to our house to get food. Every other time I see her, she's pregnant, but we never see any kittens. I think she's probably not a good momma. Good at getting preggers, but that's about it.

We've started a star system w/ him. I've listed four things on paper that cause stress w/ him (eating, getting dressed, changing his diaper and picking up his toys), put it on the fridge, have told him about the list, shown it to him, and introduced stars to put on the paper when he does these things without any problems. Today he got a star for eating, changing his diaper w/out problem and putting on his clothes w/out much hassle. I let him put the last two stars on himself. Day before yesterday I drew a star on his hand.... and one on mine. He just loved it and showed bubba, his grandparents, everyone... and told them that it was a 'STARRRR'. He loves stars, and the moon. So.. getting stars is a big thing. And when he's gotten four stars in a row, he'll get a big star and then a piece of candy, which we're keeping in a jar in the kitchen. So far... so good. Hopefully it'll work and we'll gradually be able to add more rows and more tasks.

One great thing... Naief told me he had to pee the other morning and peed in the toilet!! :) Hasn't done it since, but we have lots of pretends. Still isn't interested in pooing in the toilet, preferring for it to be very private.... so I'm guessing this will take a bit. We're trying to put poo in the toilet from his diaper, which is fine w/ him, but not before. He doesn't like his little potties... preferring to use the foam toilet seat thingy w/ handles that I got for a really great cheap price at Al Anwar... went back the other night to get a few more and there aren't any! :( so... we'll have to make due w/ one. He gets very excited when he goes poo... and we're cleaning him up in the toilet as well... trying to get him used to the whole procedure... and it's going pretty well. I'm hoping that he'll be potty trained soon... he seems to be willing and able now... and since putting on diapers is his least favorite thing... maybe it'll be easier than what I'm envisioning. Right now he's peeing while sitting down... I figure once he gets a little older, standing will be the next phase. I've always heard that's a hard one... getting little boys to aim inside the toilet... with some women I know using Cheerios's to aim at and other things that have been put in the toilet for them to aim at.... so.. we shall see. :) Really, I think it'll be fun.

Oh yeah... my blog friend, Puppy, is looking to come to Bahrain to visit me and the family. :))))) I'm so excited. Hopefully everything will work out w/ her visa and us sponsoring her (which I still don't understand all the stuff that's up w/ this - why she can't get a tourist visa like other ppl)... but, hopefully, it'll all work out and we'll be having a great time together very soon. I sent her a two page list of all the things to do in Bahrain... so I think we'll stay busy in a relaxing way. We've never met before... so it should be fun and interesting. :) We're both Virgos.. so she really liked the list.

afternoon funnies

busy weekend

The weekend is over, Hashim is home and the house is a lot less frantic... YEAH!!

Long story short... hubby took a side trip (altho ... he's now saying he didn't, but at first said he did) and told me about it only after he arrived (hence not being able to catch the flight in London, not having phone service, blah, blah, blah). Yes... he got in trouble because hubbies aren't supposed to take side trips w/out letting wifey poos know! I'd say he'll be in the dog house for a good week or so.... maybe longer. All the points he's earned throughout the year... well, most have been taken... hehehe... and the rest, we have to talk about. ;)

Oh.... I did get some incredibly delicious chocolate... OMG.... so... sooo... good!!! And Olivia, I had 3 pieces yesterday, but haven't had any since. Does that break the rules?? I figure since it was the first day and all, and I did want to try a few... that I'd have just a couple... :) mmmmmmm!! I'll see if I can get a lovely shot so all of you can imagine just how good they are... :)

I finished my shopping for Hashim today and only have Naief left... can't find Hashim's stocking, so I may wind up making another or buying one - altho, I'd rather not buy it, if I don't have to. Can hardly believe that I finished buying his stocking stuffers... these are usually the most difficult for me... but I'm actually done. Truly, I'm beside myself. :)

The housemaid they sent over is still w/ us. She's nice. Speaks no English so communication is a bit difficult... but we manage. We're all waiting for my FIL to return from Thailand to decide what to do w/ her... since they've been having problems there, his flight was cancelled and he had to take a bus to another part of the country, which was supposed to take a day or longer, in order to get out. This was a day or more ago, so I have no idea what's going on w/ that. I assume we'll probably go over to visit the family this afternoon, so I'm sure we'll find out.

Henry's doing well. He's a loverboy... wants to be cuddled all the time and is behaving nicely. The cats are getting used to him, which is good and Naief really likes him. Henry adores Hashim.... and follows me around like a little shadow... so life is a bit different w/ him here, but I like it. He's a good dog and I'm glad we got him. To answer your question Puppy about taking him back... well, he had been at the shelter for over a year and was up to be killed (they only keep dogs for a year, and they have over 100 right now). And.. knowing what an animal lover I am, you know I couldn't do it... and since he's a lot better now, I'm glad I waited it out and endured those few rough days in the beginning. :) But... not to say I didn't seriously consider it.

So... things have calmed down... altho yesterday was terribly hectic in the house. For about 4 hrs, we had 11 children here w/ probably 5 or 6 teachers, and the reception room in the studio was packed w/ other ppl... we were serving food, drinks, fruit... and trying to keep Henry from running amuck, the cats inside, the kids outside... all the while they were trying to record. :) It all worked out and I had the pleasure of meeting a really nice woman from England. She was so pleasant and friendly.

I also went to the xmas dinner at the Dilmun Club lastnight w/ my English friends (the Manama Singers were there performing)... and had a wonderful time. I really like these women. So chatty and friendly, natural, and they all seem so honest and open. Delish food and great entertainment. I had some of the best English food... mmmmmm... so yummy. Can't remember the name.. but it was a pastry type crust on the top w/ meat on the bottom in a brown sauce... oh gosh, it was sooooooo good!!! I could have gone for 2nds, even 3rds, but I stuck w/ what was on my plate. :) Somebody please help me remember the name of it... and give me a recipe... I'd LOVE to make some! Also had some very British (from what I was told) desserts (tried this dark choc looking thing that was actually a fruit cake - warm (so devine!) and minced meat pies - i just love these little things!!, AND had a few bites of a wonderful pumpkin pie - haven't had any good pumpkin pie in ages), cheese & crackers, half bottles of wine for every one in attendance and we had 10 women!, and... to top off the evening, me and chummy, Helena, had coffee w/ baileys and whipped topping (yummmm). We did secret Santa gifts and I got a lovely vase w/ two nice smelling candles. I brought two sets of earrings for my gift and Steph really seemed to like them.

all in all, it was a wonderful weekend... altho, hubby is still in the dog house... but... I'm sure, w/ a little sweet talk, he'll be out soon. HOpe you guys like the picture... this was the other day before it rained... was taken from our bedroom window w/ my phone. The clouds were so beautiful (picture doesn't do them justice) and I couldn't resist snapping a pic. The tower you see is at my in-laws' house... so, as you can see, they're just a stone throw away from us!