tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-66025861255743953482024-03-21T16:16:05.674+04:00The Bright Sidedebbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00157371446659520334noreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602586125574395348.post-11835612363373680682012-06-07T19:02:00.000+04:002012-06-07T19:02:48.248+04:00<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">2012</span></strong></div>
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Over a year since returning from Kuwait! </div>
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and today is a very victorious day! I can write on the blog. Since my return, my little computer used in Kuwait sort of whizzed and whirled as if it were taking off for outerspace so I was introduced to a new computer and somehow, someway unable to access my blog let alone post. I had spent many hours, searching, and writing emails, asking questions of anyone and everyone.....what can I do. I would let some time pass and start the process of the search all over again. For some reason today, I stumbled into it...and I wasn't even trying. Not sure of the significance that it happened today.....and not when I wanted it to months and months ago....but, be that as it may......here I am. </div>
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There is still much I want to share of my experiences in the Middle East and of my return back to America. So, in the coming days and weeks I hope to record of my comings and goings, some wonderful pics....and the experience of coming back "home".</div>
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</div>debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00157371446659520334noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602586125574395348.post-27187969482076152432011-04-22T12:45:00.001+04:002012-09-12T04:16:08.297+04:00A Different World<br />
<span style="color: #0080c0; font-family: Book Antiqua; font-size: small;">The sunrise from our deck…..time to head to the beach….our first </span><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbE-64igzfI/AAAAAAAABTk/yPsDw_3inCo/s1600-h/Sunrise%203%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="Sunrise 3" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbE-8ZS1h8I/AAAAAAAABTo/FijF6mqyCKw/Sunrise%203_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px currentColor; display: inline;" title="Sunrise 3" width="404" /></a> <br />
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<span style="color: #0080c0; font-family: Book Antiqua; font-size: small;">day of diving at Sodwana Bay!</span></div>
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbE-9oisvdI/AAAAAAAABTs/V0aISB3G5Lk/s1600-h/dive%20center%20on%20beach%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="dive center on beach" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbE--4TVFiI/AAAAAAAABTw/HS2SD6BhuJs/dive%20center%20on%20beach_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px currentColor; display: inline;" title="dive center on beach" width="404" /></a> <br />
<span style="color: #0080c0; font-family: Book Antiqua; font-size: small;">In the mornings we met at the beach under the Scuba Centre Gazebo at least half an hour before launch time. The Dive master did a briefing, advising the group on which reefs it was possible to visit based on the weather conditions of the day. </span><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbE_AScoOAI/AAAAAAAABT0/juWO03j5vN4/s1600-h/Getting%20ready%20for%20Dive%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="Getting ready for Dive" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbE_B7j5O1I/AAAAAAAABT4/W-kBBtGu3jA/Getting%20ready%20for%20Dive_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px currentColor; display: inline;" title="Getting ready for Dive" width="404" /></a> <br /><span style="color: #0080c0; font-family: Book Antiqua; font-size: small;">The divers push the boat (7.2 metre semi-inflatable) into the water & the skipper launches the boat through the surf – very exciting!! </span><br />
<span style="color: #0080c0; font-family: Book Antiqua; font-size: small;">….well for some….The ride out on this thing was a real challenge for me…you sit on the edge and hang on to a rope…while this thing crashes against the waves….(are they crazy thrill seekers? or something)…..I was terrified….of what this ride was doing to my stomach. Believe me …..my stomach let us all know just what it thought of all this…..it wasn’t pretty!</span><br />
<br /><span style="color: #0080c0; font-family: Book Antiqua; font-size: small;">The length of the boat ride depends on which reef you are visiting and varies from 5 minutes to about 45 minutes. Once you reach the dive site you put your gear on WHILE the boat is rocking up & down,back & forth… then when the skipper says go everyone at once falls backward. You drift dive together as a group led by the Dive master. The whole dive usually takes about 2 hours.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbE_DaztajI/AAAAAAAABT8/HSKH--cIRfY/s1600-h/map%20of%20Sodwana%20Bay%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="map of Sodwana Bay" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbE_EjjFr_I/AAAAAAAABUA/evTKKfQO4uc/map%20of%20Sodwana%20Bay_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px currentColor; display: inline;" title="map of Sodwana Bay" width="404" /></a> <br /><span style="color: #0080c0; font-family: Book Antiqua; font-size: small;">The visibility on the reefs ranges daily and can be anything up to 40 metres, with average visibility of 10–15 metres. The 2 Mile Reef is situated a 5-10 minute boat ride from the launch site. It is a large reef with many different areas to dive. <br />The reef has abundant coral, fish & marine life including rays, turtles, moray eels and the occasional reef sharks. </span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbE_F0QbzOI/AAAAAAAABUE/vZFJp6EozF4/s1600-h/John%20under%20water%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="John under water" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbE_HD9buyI/AAAAAAAABUI/xS-yF38KQpI/John%20under%20water_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px currentColor; display: inline;" title="John under water" width="404" /></a> <br />
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<span style="color: #0080c0; font-family: Book Antiqua; font-size: small;">Never know what you might find in the sea!</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbE_fIKv9UI/AAAAAAAABUM/xOyS7d7MU14/s1600-h/deb%20under%20water%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="deb under water" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbE_gVRdJxI/AAAAAAAABUQ/9ai3UATdCGU/deb%20under%20water_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px currentColor; display: inline;" title="deb under water" width="404" /></a> <br />
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<span style="color: #0080c0; font-family: Book Antiqua; font-size: small;">yep….this is me…..</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbE_h7DlBMI/AAAAAAAABUU/bUjIupN1MFA/s1600-h/DSCF1051%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSCF1051" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbE_jHftr3I/AAAAAAAABUY/TleyY4C4iqI/DSCF1051_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px currentColor; display: inline;" title="DSCF1051" width="404" /></a> </div>
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbE_kaHOCcI/AAAAAAAABUc/7KTtwZsgrCU/s1600-h/School%20of%20yellow%20fish%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="School of yellow fish" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbE_lkwVHsI/AAAAAAAABUg/--uOLOwh1e8/School%20of%20yellow%20fish_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px currentColor; display: inline;" title="School of yellow fish" width="404" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbE_mzouiVI/AAAAAAAABUk/TA8aqK74UWw/s1600-h/DSCF1052%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSCF1052" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbE_oJdbISI/AAAAAAAABUo/SMRZAwLBTbg/DSCF1052_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px currentColor; display: inline;" title="DSCF1052" width="404" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbE_pZKhmRI/AAAAAAAABUs/ZsH4v5OcfgU/s1600-h/DSCF1054%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSCF1054" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbE_qnv76NI/AAAAAAAABUw/xAvo9Rc4njs/DSCF1054_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px currentColor; display: inline;" title="DSCF1054" width="404" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbE_r0LOyUI/AAAAAAAABU0/U55WMawGsOk/s1600-h/DSCF1099%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSCF1099" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbE_tBIN-rI/AAAAAAAABU4/9REamr88VrU/DSCF1099_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px currentColor; display: inline;" title="DSCF1099" width="404" /></a> <br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbE_uTXlwRI/AAAAAAAABU8/YwJJ1z8pfkA/s1600-h/DSCF1215%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSCF1215" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbE_vng7lCI/AAAAAAAABVA/Ryrf3kwcHhE/DSCF1215_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px currentColor; display: inline;" title="DSCF1215" width="404" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbE_w58kGsI/AAAAAAAABVE/JDzMUvvc3Vk/s1600-h/DSCF1180%5B4%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSCF1180" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbE_yMOvByI/AAAAAAAABVI/heD0fMUhNXQ/DSCF1180_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px currentColor; display: inline;" title="DSCF1180" width="404" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbE_zQGhmAI/AAAAAAAABVM/okHb-6rrg4M/s1600-h/DSCF1184%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSCF1184" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbE_0tOgqqI/AAAAAAAABVQ/ZlX7laMT7dY/DSCF1184_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px currentColor; display: inline;" title="DSCF1184" width="404" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbE_12LbhRI/AAAAAAAABVU/1fLCBu771Es/s1600-h/DSCF1227%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSCF1227" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbE_3GslmjI/AAAAAAAABVY/9WRvZjggues/DSCF1227_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px currentColor; display: inline;" title="DSCF1227" width="404" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbE_4CmF7zI/AAAAAAAABVc/vPcHt8BX_ag/s1600-h/DSCF1196%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSCF1196" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbE_5dXQkFI/AAAAAAAABVg/eWjjpizlXm8/DSCF1196_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px currentColor; display: inline;" title="DSCF1196" width="404" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbE_6cHQg9I/AAAAAAAABVk/5wwOpX2k9Fs/s1600-h/DSCF1198%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSCF1198" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbE_7kb_t3I/AAAAAAAABVo/GqOG2zrxEpg/DSCF1198_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px currentColor; display: inline;" title="DSCF1198" width="404" /></a> <br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbE_88ZxgiI/AAAAAAAABVs/PW9Z2-hsym4/s1600-h/DSCF1206%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSCF1206" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbE_-A6cP9I/AAAAAAAABVw/GDgsUPXU6Oo/DSCF1206_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px currentColor; display: inline;" title="DSCF1206" width="404" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbE__dPfCVI/AAAAAAAABV0/IGxTYmxsR90/s1600-h/DSCF1176%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSCF1176" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbFAAyDq0wI/AAAAAAAABV4/z3-Nlg2bX-Y/DSCF1176_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px currentColor; display: inline;" title="DSCF1176" width="404" /></a> <br />
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<span style="color: #800040; font-family: Book Antiqua; font-size: medium;">AWESOME AWESOME EXPERIENCE</span></div>
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbFAB84wQ9I/AAAAAAAABV8/3Duq4bLmdrw/s1600-h/IMG_0337%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0337" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbFADFZghGI/AAAAAAAABWA/TjxeW96bXUM/IMG_0337_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px currentColor; display: inline;" title="IMG_0337" width="404" /></a> </div>
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbFAEonRpSI/AAAAAAAABWE/j19bWKyciS0/s1600-h/IMG_0359%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0359" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbFAF4149fI/AAAAAAAABWI/jwqPUHQ-kpc/IMG_0359_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px currentColor; display: inline;" title="IMG_0359" width="404" /></a> <br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbFAHqJrHHI/AAAAAAAABWM/g-Bc4ApPHPs/s1600-h/IMG_0362%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0362" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbFAI-aLhOI/AAAAAAAABWQ/YLXzvbA1M1g/IMG_0362_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px currentColor; display: inline;" title="IMG_0362" width="404" /></a> <br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbFAKQv0QuI/AAAAAAAABWU/exW4AZ5jwAM/s1600-h/IMG_0363%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0363" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbFALkeOAxI/AAAAAAAABWY/o9lwv3ClvPU/IMG_0363_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px currentColor; display: inline;" title="IMG_0363" width="404" /></a> <br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbFAMxXi2ZI/AAAAAAAABWc/sEbOC6v9WRA/s1600-h/DSCF1247%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="DSCF1247" border="0" height="304" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbFAOHILzxI/AAAAAAAABWg/CFCydCebWPU/DSCF1247_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px currentColor; display: inline;" title="DSCF1247" width="404" /></a> <br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbFAPBjGrTI/AAAAAAAABWk/SMmsjBnOPIs/s1600-h/IMG_0366%5B3%5D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0366" border="0" height="404" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbFAQNuy4iI/AAAAAAAABWo/ul-Q24Qf_2Y/IMG_0366_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border: 0px currentColor; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" title="IMG_0366" width="304" /></a>debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00157371446659520334noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602586125574395348.post-60158791458462543922011-04-22T11:11:00.001+04:002011-04-22T11:11:11.693+04:00Creatures, creatures everywhere…..<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEpJ8fMFRI/AAAAAAAABRE/-lPJga24SCk/s1600-h/Beware%20sign%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Beware sign" border="0" alt="Beware sign" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEpLQv0dXI/AAAAAAAABRI/DFp-SFXjcHk/Beware%20sign_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" height="259" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEpNJp2JgI/AAAAAAAABRM/P8FnS3sG9tc/s1600-h/Gazelle%20sign%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Gazelle sign" border="0" alt="Gazelle sign" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEpOQ2yYFI/AAAAAAAABRQ/-GIV_FebMgs/Gazelle%20sign_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" height="259" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEpQhiNjdI/AAAAAAAABRU/6t8cc7YitPg/s1600-h/Hippo%20Sign%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Hippo Sign" border="0" alt="Hippo Sign" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEpSF3HUVI/AAAAAAAABRY/b79Q-hp9OdQ/Hippo%20Sign_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" height="259" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEpTvgErYI/AAAAAAAABRc/TZomJottkNg/s1600-h/Zululand%20Tse-%20Tse%20%20Fly%20Research%20Station%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Zululand Tse- Tse Fly Research Station" border="0" alt="Zululand Tse- Tse Fly Research Station" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEpVHlNP0I/AAAAAAAABRg/fke67z2sxcc/Zululand%20Tse-%20Tse%20%20Fly%20Research%20Station_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" height="259" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="left"><font size="1">                  </font><font size="2"> this one says ZULU TSE Fly Research Station</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="2"></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="2">We drove 4 hours north from Durban to spend our first four days at the  Sodwana Bay Lodge.  It took us longer, of course, because we had so many photo opportunities.</font></p> <p align="left"><font size="2"></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="2"></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="2"></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="2"></font></p> <p align="left"><font size="2">.  <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEpWqYrurI/AAAAAAAABRk/cm6MsRDJhmI/s1600-h/DSCF1014%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF1014" border="0" alt="DSCF1014" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEpYC4Ir8I/AAAAAAAABRo/sn69YX4NrgQ/DSCF1014_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" height="259" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEpZVnLIyI/AAAAAAAABRs/7vJLD4nsa7k/s1600-h/DSCF1015%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF1015" border="0" alt="DSCF1015" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEpakaur6I/AAAAAAAABRw/MPhMX7RnijI/DSCF1015_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" height="259" /></a> </font></p> <p></p> <p></p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEpcmlRoyI/AAAAAAAABR0/wHipWHRhfM4/s1600-h/DSCF1032%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF1032" border="0" alt="DSCF1032" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEpd_bPD9I/AAAAAAAABR4/RYbB7bIDx4o/DSCF1032_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" height="259" /></a> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEpf7q0NjI/AAAAAAAABR8/C3SUEsRAvu4/s1600-h/DSCF1024%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF1024" border="0" alt="DSCF1024" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEphO3A3jI/AAAAAAAABSA/63g0PDT7ux4/DSCF1024_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" height="259" /></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEpiw0-SSI/AAAAAAAABSE/oMT6O66S6Us/s1600-h/DSCF1023%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF1023" border="0" alt="DSCF1023" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEpkEoFoCI/AAAAAAAABSI/RT6Q0WmXWyY/DSCF1023_thumb%5B9%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" height="219" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>Roadside stand…on a back road…hand carved animals being sold.</p> <p>We brought home a hippo and an elephant!</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEplU5WDWI/AAAAAAAABSM/NMEX3bCFfcw/s1600-h/DSCF1254%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF1254" border="0" alt="DSCF1254" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEpntj0HhI/AAAAAAAABSQ/QxrdptfLMEs/DSCF1254_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" height="259" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEppdh4DTI/AAAAAAAABSU/wDbfRcF_tqk/s1600-h/DSCF1255%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF1255" border="0" alt="DSCF1255" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEpq-eYicI/AAAAAAAABSY/2m1amCXkEsc/DSCF1255_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" height="259" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEps15IYSI/AAAAAAAABSc/FWq-uJMuku0/s1600-h/DSCF1252%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF1252" border="0" alt="DSCF1252" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEptzYA2pI/AAAAAAAABSg/DdHT-tIa-YA/DSCF1252_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" height="259" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Sodwana Bay Lodge….lovely place!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEpvFtjsGI/AAAAAAAABSk/r4gHBs84kCY/s1600-h/IMG_0380%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0380" border="0" alt="IMG_0380" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEpwtEW4cI/AAAAAAAABSo/LL8Se_uJ4ro/IMG_0380_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" height="259" /></a> </p> <p>from inside our room….see that tree ???   that’s where we watched these guys </p> <p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEpxywMNHI/AAAAAAAABSs/i_jkxxEPTII/s1600-h/baby%20monkey%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="baby monkey" border="0" alt="baby monkey" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEpzNoecQI/AAAAAAAABSw/lO08cuPIAlA/baby%20monkey_thumb%5B9%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" height="259" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEp0SBnlZI/AAAAAAAABS0/gzPvqWR3tRM/s1600-h/baby%20monkey%202%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="baby monkey 2" border="0" alt="baby monkey 2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEp15RcGOI/AAAAAAAABS4/wJ8sM21ovI4/baby%20monkey%202_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" height="259" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEp3PXTkeI/AAAAAAAABS8/VCmavcQpUFk/s1600-h/IMG_0346%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0346" border="0" alt="IMG_0346" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEp4bNJqzI/AAAAAAAABTA/wcvNET8Stpw/IMG_0346_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" height="259" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEp58S3nrI/AAAAAAAABTE/xF2fWZiZF1Y/s1600-h/IMG_0350%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0350" border="0" alt="IMG_0350" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEp6y9XdOI/AAAAAAAABTI/olL3JZCA5MU/IMG_0350_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" height="259" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEp8WaiMxI/AAAAAAAABTM/nU8FWB2lc3s/s1600-h/IMG_0351%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0351" border="0" alt="IMG_0351" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEp9sTkbgI/AAAAAAAABTQ/okr38lo_iX0/IMG_0351_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" height="259" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEp_MgbBrI/AAAAAAAABTU/sqmJmnhddAg/s1600-h/IMG_0352%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0352" border="0" alt="IMG_0352" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEqAZE9DwI/AAAAAAAABTY/RBobVzdJ6I0/IMG_0352_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" height="259" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEqCFQLFpI/AAAAAAAABTc/4StsYtQlRIw/s1600-h/Monkey%201%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Monkey 1" border="0" alt="Monkey 1" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TbEqDeXb5qI/AAAAAAAABTg/qgMmDIz6ESU/Monkey%201_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" height="259" /></a> </p> <p>They entertained us for 45 minutes…up and down the tree, across the lawn </p> <p>as we just sat there. </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>We were warned that these cute little guys are “very naughty” so be sure to keep windows and doors locked.</p> debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00157371446659520334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602586125574395348.post-91000067842907073952011-04-11T17:28:00.001+04:002011-04-11T17:28:41.744+04:00******** OUT OF AFRICA********<p><font color="#808000" size="3" face="Bookman Old Style">This was the trip of a life time….something that was only in my dreams…but as you can see by reading this blog….many of those dreams have come to pass….and I have been so very blessed to have these many memorable opportunities.</font></p> <p><font color="#808000" size="3" face="Bookman Old Style"></font></p> <p><font color="#808000" size="3" face="Bookman Old Style">The flight from Kuwait took us 11 hours.  Didn’t matter to us, we were going to  <font color="#800000">South Africa</font>…..we kept whispering it through the flight…pinching ourselves.</font></p> <p><font color="#808000" size="3" face="Bookman Old Style"></font></p> <p><font color="#808000" size="3" face="Bookman Old Style">We flew into Durban airport, got a good nights rest so as to begin our journey the next morning…driving up the coast of the Indian Ocean to Sodwana Bay.</font></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 348px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:32b05866-9063-4b21-8986-2d3c07e2afa9" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><a style="border:0px" href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!888&type=5"><img style="border:0px" alt="View on our way" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TaMBiYeBQSI/AAAAAAAABPM/MnSKUAyYdbk/InlineRepresentation9e8ef174-e21a-456c-9c82-0b4d02fca94e.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:340px;text-align:right;" ><a href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!888&type=5">View Full Album</a></div></div> <p><font color="#808000" size="3" face="Bookman Old Style">The scenery is spectacular, hills, and lush green valleys, coastal views and trees and flowers we’ve never seen before.  The one mishap that leaves me sad….is it took us twice as long to get to our destination because we stopped to photograph all this beauty, only to find out now those pics were deleted.  So you must take my word for it……breathtakingly…(is that a  word?) beautiful.</font></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TaMBjk10QlI/AAAAAAAABPQ/FGCmf5fEfCA/s1600-h/DSCF1025%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF1025" border="0" alt="DSCF1025" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TaMBk2pDZLI/AAAAAAAABPU/AIcPqIDCDI4/DSCF1025_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="524" height="394" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TaMBl6E3LTI/AAAAAAAABPY/t3XLAVNgI3M/s1600-h/DSCF1019%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF1019" border="0" alt="DSCF1019" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TaMBnMe5J4I/AAAAAAAABPc/lCZptXhlwWw/DSCF1019_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="524" height="697" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#808000" size="3" face="Bookman Old Style">Pineapple Farms and lots of sugar cane along the way.</font></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TaMBoM4v86I/AAAAAAAABPg/3kKZ-TBq5nY/s1600-h/IMG_0393%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0393" border="0" alt="IMG_0393" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TaMBpHpxsQI/AAAAAAAABPk/Ldio6ovdBLg/IMG_0393_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TaMBqPlX0AI/AAAAAAAABPo/JWl4mCHoXtQ/s1600-h/DSCF1032%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF1032" border="0" alt="DSCF1032" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TaMBrTWSDpI/AAAAAAAABPs/7Tt8-wWQSCI/DSCF1032_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="524" height="394" /></a> </p> <p align="center"><em>River Cheese Trees</em></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TaMBssFJ1jI/AAAAAAAABPw/dUcJyaGaCUw/s1600-h/DSCF1260%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF1260" border="0" alt="DSCF1260" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TaMBt8WuILI/AAAAAAAABP0/6spYFzQUFXU/DSCF1260_thumb%5B11%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="524" height="448" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center">Sausage Tree</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TaMBu6VRWaI/AAAAAAAABP4/wZkUTmCNUfg/s1600-h/DSCF1256%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF1256" border="0" alt="DSCF1256" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TaMBwGbfJiI/AAAAAAAABP8/UEsWFfwab7I/DSCF1256_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="229" /></a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 348px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:303348a0-ab90-4fbd-907f-d01422694449" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><a style="border:0px" href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!893&type=5"><img style="border:0px" alt="View homes along the way" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TaMBw91witI/AAAAAAAABQA/Q_07gPqPcZA/InlineRepresentationd6b0850a-0857-4a2c-9fb8-8f541a914783.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:340px;text-align:right;" ><a href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!893&type=5">View Full Album</a></div></div> <p align="center"><font color="#808000" size="3" face="Bookman Old Style">We saw more animals than cars ON the road! </font><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TaMBxy8I50I/AAAAAAAABQE/uI6LFUXLs80/s1600-h/DSCF1270%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF1270" border="0" alt="DSCF1270" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TaMBzMNIssI/AAAAAAAABQI/zhucZ3FVC5I/DSCF1270_thumb%5B5%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="520" height="396" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TaMB0JOhXeI/AAAAAAAABQM/MkNfk2puRLw/s1600-h/DSCF1271%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF1271" border="0" alt="DSCF1271" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TaMB1ZRm-sI/AAAAAAAABQQ/6N6osLUfof0/DSCF1271_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="524" height="394" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TaMB2Q9dk3I/AAAAAAAABQU/DgH0PiJZf94/s1600-h/DSCF1272%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF1272" border="0" alt="DSCF1272" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TaMB3Xpqz5I/AAAAAAAABQY/aA84Tl33uZc/DSCF1272_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="524" height="394" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TaMB4aqJrZI/AAAAAAAABQc/-S2-dCwGH9U/s1600-h/Monkeys%20in%20the%20road%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Monkeys in the road" border="0" alt="Monkeys in the road" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TaMB5Z5rOyI/AAAAAAAABQg/GZAI2MzqZH8/Monkeys%20in%20the%20road_thumb%5B8%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="514" height="396" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TaMB6qkozjI/AAAAAAAABQk/j9JFhS7orI0/s1600-h/IMG_0508%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0508" border="0" alt="IMG_0508" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TaMB7s-g9SI/AAAAAAAABQo/FcGJ4ndwcpw/IMG_0508_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="524" height="394" /></a>  <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TaMB8hUwI_I/AAAAAAAABQs/PKcE8d2vxjo/s1600-h/DSCF1362%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF1362" border="0" alt="DSCF1362" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TaMB9gpA_2I/AAAAAAAABQw/eU_RyDXmyRU/DSCF1362_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="524" height="394" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TaMB-uE3lsI/AAAAAAAABQ0/kM6l4p8IzhY/s1600-h/DSCF1369%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF1369" border="0" alt="DSCF1369" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TaMB_wljH2I/AAAAAAAABQ4/SYPWJpgzDvM/DSCF1369_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="524" height="394" /></a>  <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TaMCArpJ3rI/AAAAAAAABQ8/5967QgfeK3M/s1600-h/DSCF1380%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCF1380" border="0" alt="DSCF1380" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TaMCB_ZsL0I/AAAAAAAABRA/bS3RKf4UksI/DSCF1380_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="524" height="394" /></a>  </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><font color="#808000" size="3" face="Bookman Old Style">More pictures to come…..of the beautiful places we stayed, the cool fish we swam with and the beaches we walked.</font></p> debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00157371446659520334noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602586125574395348.post-11275461052932818832011-03-23T20:13:00.001+04:002011-03-23T20:13:13.252+04:00Two of our personal favorites……<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYocB2BU7II/AAAAAAAABO8/0JLOKq7YMLc/s1600-h/pork%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="pork" border="0" alt="pork" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYocDTTNbZI/AAAAAAAABPA/h6-pJyUSnqo/pork_thumb%5B11%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="228" height="484" /></a> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYocEWBnssI/AAAAAAAABPE/NACvrVN6jbA/s1600-h/stealing%20sand%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="stealing sand" border="0" alt="stealing sand" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYocF7gDPfI/AAAAAAAABPI/-lt4hUnA_UE/stealing%20sand_thumb%5B9%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="484" /></a></p> debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00157371446659520334noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602586125574395348.post-20993300080708403722011-03-21T17:41:00.001+04:002011-03-23T20:18:45.522+04:00other news in the ME<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYdVabKdlzI/AAAAAAAABOk/wJ6BPt_vSA4/s1600-h/cop%20must%20pay%20for%20slur%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="cop must pay for slur" border="0" alt="cop must pay for slur" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYdVcXWt6lI/AAAAAAAABOs/KusdAUhf2Q8/cop%20must%20pay%20for%20slur_thumb%5B8%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="309" height="500" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYdVabKdlzI/AAAAAAAABOk/wJ6BPt_vSA4/s1600-h/cop%20must%20pay%20for%20slur%5B5%5D.jpg"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYdVabKdlzI/AAAAAAAABOk/wJ6BPt_vSA4/s1600-h/cop%20must%20pay%20for%20slur%5B5%5D.jpg"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYdVbTKvxbI/AAAAAAAABOo/0e7jtXQvExc/s1600-h/badlyveiledwomen9.jpg"></a></p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYdVYba4PVI/AAAAAAAABO4/vNS3pfciyIo/s1600-h/wasta%5B8%5D.jpg"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYdVabKdlzI/AAAAAAAABOk/wJ6BPt_vSA4/s1600-h/cop%20must%20pay%20for%20slur%5B5%5D.jpg"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYdVabKdlzI/AAAAAAAABOk/wJ6BPt_vSA4/s1600-h/cop%20must%20pay%20for%20slur%5B5%5D.jpg"></a></p> <p></p> <p>  </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYdVbTKvxbI/AAAAAAAABOo/0e7jtXQvExc/s1600-h/badlyveiledwomen9.jpg"></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYdVabKdlzI/AAAAAAAABOk/wJ6BPt_vSA4/s1600-h/cop%20must%20pay%20for%20slur%5B5%5D.jpg"> </a></p> debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00157371446659520334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602586125574395348.post-60250238043310147562011-03-17T15:58:00.001+04:002011-03-17T16:20:49.073+04:00Random articles I’ve collected over the months……Arab Times…..<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYH3fPicLFI/AAAAAAAABN8/ozWiRNAc-fI/s1600-h/IMG_0017%5B7%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0017" border="0" alt="IMG_0017" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYH3gIvWTsI/AAAAAAAABOA/ht1pEOOMoFc/IMG_0017_thumb%5B18%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="516" height="804" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYH8GQV1XwI/AAAAAAAABOE/64V-3ackQzA/s1600-h/IMG_0010%5B12%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0010" border="0" alt="IMG_0010" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYH8HhS8H5I/AAAAAAAABOI/r28HCHUYk9w/IMG_0010_thumb%5B18%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="610" height="772" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYH8mlOARrI/AAAAAAAABOM/wEoTSEnFBc4/s1600-h/IMG_0009%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0009" border="0" alt="IMG_0009" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYH8n9qJAPI/AAAAAAAABOU/ZhN3UzqxEBA/IMG_0009_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="625" height="484" /></a></p> debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00157371446659520334noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602586125574395348.post-24371643185554465132011-03-16T11:21:00.001+04:002011-03-16T11:21:24.062+04:00Dubai<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBkVbol1TI/AAAAAAAABK4/G-aXKxrtFbk/s1600-h/Dubai20110244.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Dubai 2011 024" border="0" alt="Dubai 2011 024" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBkWap3LSI/AAAAAAAABK8/h_Txso4hb9o/Dubai2011024_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="257" height="454" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBkXWFdNrI/AAAAAAAABLA/yAYbIWSEqN0/s1600-h/Dubai20110224.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Dubai 2011 022" border="0" alt="Dubai 2011 022" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBkYPypX1I/AAAAAAAABLE/eJluG3q97Xc/Dubai2011022_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="257" /></a> Some of  you have heard me say already….that this place was, I think, the land where the rich and famous come to play….of which we are neither…but had fun pretending for a few days!!!</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBkY0meIxI/AAAAAAAABLI/5_uw3ymmLQ8/s1600-h/Dubai20110014.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Dubai 2011 001" border="0" alt="Dubai 2011 001" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBkZ61O4fI/AAAAAAAABLM/YEW27RaVmGk/Dubai2011001_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="257" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center">See that pretty arch….that’s the bathtub right there….</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">This is the The Palms Atlantis Dubai. </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBkatR47qI/AAAAAAAABLQ/M-rzhoMvd6Q/s1600-h/Dubai20110054.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dubai 2011 005" border="0" alt="Dubai 2011 005" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBkbq7ZmqI/AAAAAAAABLU/nkSM-cVo9mI/Dubai2011005_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="257" /></a> </p> <p>John attended a conference for work that was held at this hotel.  We were guest there for 5 days.  Now, John was pretty much busy most of the time…..but as you can see, there were places for me to walk and swim and enjoy the pina coladas on the beach.</p> <p> </p> <p> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBkcXgIgFI/AAAAAAAABLY/GLRG3Szt5kc/s1600-h/Dubai%202011%20028%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Dubai 2011 028" border="0" alt="Dubai 2011 028" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBkdEenycI/AAAAAAAABLc/7GuA33fUmw0/Dubai%202011%20028_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="257" /></a>  <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBkdxprPjI/AAAAAAAABLg/94NC0oEcjfM/s1600-h/IMG_0181%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0181" border="0" alt="IMG_0181" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBke5fRJII/AAAAAAAABLk/AmIUGXud0xo/IMG_0181_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="274" height="484" /></a>  <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBkf6I-AhI/AAAAAAAABLo/WLMiX79-3Yk/s1600-h/IMG_0179%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0179" border="0" alt="IMG_0179" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBkgps01nI/AAAAAAAABLs/QBFOexjWZjM/IMG_0179_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="257" /></a>        </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBkhtzCTBI/AAAAAAAABLw/mzNBtO1fGc8/s1600-h/Dubai20110263.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dubai 2011 026" border="0" alt="Dubai 2011 026" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBkiq_3LVI/AAAAAAAABL0/tttM1GSfL6Q/Dubai2011026_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="804" /></a>  </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBkjXAmYFI/AAAAAAAABL4/DPBAAo6pfac/s1600-h/Dubai20110104.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dubai 2011 010" border="0" alt="Dubai 2011 010" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBkkIvGd4I/AAAAAAAABL8/wC4QJFzQgMU/Dubai2011010_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="257" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBkky-Y9YI/AAAAAAAABMA/qha3Jc-JYH4/s1600-h/Dubai20110074.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dubai 2011 007" border="0" alt="Dubai 2011 007" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBkluzSevI/AAAAAAAABME/gLQLkge_Y88/Dubai2011007_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="257" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBkmc7K-iI/AAAAAAAABMI/oYWCHh5IKH4/s1600-h/Dubai20110094.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dubai 2011 009" border="0" alt="Dubai 2011 009" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBknKD7KmI/AAAAAAAABMM/i3_l_AieEf4/Dubai2011009_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="257" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p>.Look at the size of these guys in the indoor aquarium……whoa!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBkoCfjgJI/AAAAAAAABMQ/rjhAuzZt5HU/s1600-h/Dubai20110193.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dubai 2011 019" border="0" alt="Dubai 2011 019" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBko-6ZxEI/AAAAAAAABMU/wUo_jwx035c/Dubai2011019_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="257" /></a> </p> <p>The interior of this resort was like nothing we have ever seen.  The largest aquarium from floor to ceiling could be observed.  Besides this, there was also an aquarium adventure we had access to anytime to view the sea life.  And this is when we got excited, because we had seen some of these creatures in our last diving in Oman.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBkqJ9KrzI/AAAAAAAABMY/gUinDdEEHKo/s1600-h/Dubai20110153.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dubai 2011 015" border="0" alt="Dubai 2011 015" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBkq-ENRBI/AAAAAAAABMc/ReMChqwdcrg/Dubai2011015_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="257" /></a> </p> <p>These are lion fish……we saw many of them in the sea……they are sooo cool!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBkruqWeDI/AAAAAAAABMg/2AJVJABF0sA/s1600-h/Dubai20110143.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Dubai 2011 014" border="0" alt="Dubai 2011 014" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBksULuOWI/AAAAAAAABMk/LEE2Y1rZaHE/Dubai2011014_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="257" /></a> </p> <p>And we saw many of these guys too……fascinating!</p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBktQqPlOI/AAAAAAAABMo/mN19tFy3zWk/s1600-h/IMG_01534.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_0153" border="0" alt="IMG_0153" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBkt3tqVkI/AAAAAAAABMs/rUDxGe5Rh0Q/IMG_0153_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="257" /></a>  </p> <p></p> <p>Jelly fish….could watch them forever…..but I think I am thankful I didn’t encounter them in the sea…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBkuvUiV3I/AAAAAAAABMw/_ZatRtP2y40/s1600-h/1%20%28100%20x%2071%29%20dolphin%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="1 (100 x 71) dolphin" border="0" alt="1 (100 x 71) dolphin" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBkvQU85wI/AAAAAAAABM0/2ZPTDqFzMBU/1%20%28100%20x%2071%29%20dolphin_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="174" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBkv_0Gb_I/AAAAAAAABM4/0vsBoLCBsX4/s1600-h/8%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="8" border="0" alt="8" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBkwvzc0qI/AAAAAAAABM8/hFlPoApNl04/8_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="174" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBkxfDgo4I/AAAAAAAABNA/LPPFlPkUy1I/s1600-h/5%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="5" border="0" alt="5" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBkyU1O18I/AAAAAAAABNE/9YEuxG22-NA/5_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="174" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBky7dDkiI/AAAAAAAABNI/sIes2tZswD8/s1600-h/10%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="10" border="0" alt="10" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBkznxLELI/AAAAAAAABNM/jjrK51T5Xak/10_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="174" /></a> </p> <p>While John was sitting in a conference all day….I went out to play.  These dolphins are awesome…I wished I could stay all day with them.</p> <p> </p> <p>A special treat was meeting up with Jessica, one of Amy’s friends from high school days.  She is now living in Dubai.  What are the chances of seeing someone, after many years, from “home”,  in the Middle East….was rather surreal to both of us….and very delightful.  She showed me around some beautiful areas and hot spots to shop….we enjoyed lunch together and probably the most fun we had was wedding dress shopping.  She and Sam are engaged and to be married this spring.  That day filled a need I think we both had for family…..we even met our guys for dinner that evening.  </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBk0aQmheI/AAAAAAAABNQ/2wJdJPhkw24/s1600-h/IMG_0218%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0218" border="0" alt="IMG_0218" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBk1H3mWYI/AAAAAAAABNU/W9Ky2KC9avI/IMG_0218_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="274" height="484" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBk18oJXxI/AAAAAAAABNY/Rba-Sh88ngM/s1600-h/IMG_0237%5B2%5D.jpg"></a></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBk2wgAJaI/AAAAAAAABNc/PHD6KjR6NtU/s1600-h/IMG_0203%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0203" border="0" alt="IMG_0203" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBk3mUqztI/AAAAAAAABNg/PECBPF4OFM4/IMG_0203_thumb%5B7%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="455" height="256" /></a></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBk4V6WGMI/AAAAAAAABNk/YTFzPwZpiQ0/s1600-h/IMG_0221%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0221" border="0" alt="IMG_0221" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBk5Z_oh8I/AAAAAAAABNo/k5JPYCsS9Xg/IMG_0221_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="455" height="258" /></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBk6IjVPVI/AAAAAAAABNs/g96F2D9nZbM/s1600-h/IMG_0238%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0238" border="0" alt="IMG_0238" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBk62HIxTI/AAAAAAAABNw/Xrilr6jTG3c/IMG_0238_thumb%5B9%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="307" height="484" /></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBk7uc0miI/AAAAAAAABN0/OOdmEAbXRPI/s1600-h/IMG_0234%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0234" border="0" alt="IMG_0234" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TYBk8bIgM9I/AAAAAAAABN4/1cC6Gmq9VnE/IMG_0234_thumb%5B10%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="264" height="484" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Dubai gave me the sense, almost of being in the States.  Many westerners living there…people were friendly, it was comfortable and I didn’t feel out of place.</p> debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00157371446659520334noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602586125574395348.post-85885956861407373652011-03-14T13:19:00.001+04:002011-03-14T13:19:40.603+04:00Scuba diving in Oman<p>When thinking of a getaway, we now think…..where can we go scuba diving???</p> <p> </p> <p>We got our certificates in scuba last November.  Then the weather turned a bit cool making the water temp a bit cool….and we had not yet gone out for our first adventure since the class.</p> <p> </p> <p>We rented a car at the airport……and along the way…..</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TX3dLOPnJwI/AAAAAAAABIY/KtCz2gjTkTM/s1600-h/camel%20sign%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="camel sign" border="0" alt="camel sign" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TX3dMJPE0FI/AAAAAAAABIc/CuQqDIap0YU/camel%20sign_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="323" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>we not only saw the sign for camel…..but right up close to the road we stopped to talk to these curious friendly beasts!</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 348px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:4dac7889-545e-4d89-b0dd-f39190d85cb2" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><a style="border:0px" href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!844&type=5"><img style="border:0px" alt="View Camels roadside in Oman" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TX3dM5u7zQI/AAAAAAAABIg/3XSu2xooFrc/InlineRepresentationb4f53053-d1ee-40fa-b652-a913ffd5becf.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:340px;text-align:right;" ><a href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!844&type=5">View Full Album</a></div></div> <p align="center">           I just love these guys!!!</p> <p align="left">We stayed at this really wonderful beach resort…just made for relaxation, slow, easy going days…nice walks along the beach, sipping on a glass of wine, letting the breeze calm and sooth us.</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 348px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:f5436118-edb3-4932-990b-4a94d5537c75" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><a style="border:0px" href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!852&type=5"><img style="border:0px" alt="View Beach Resort" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TX3dNpAmAWI/AAAAAAAABIk/CEK9Hw7ayq4/InlineRepresentationac096032-b1d2-4ba6-adb0-4d2444c2c617.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:340px;text-align:right;" ><a href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!852&type=5">View Full Album</a></div></div> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Hours spent walking along the beach….my very most favorite do nothing past time searching for unique shells and stones.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TX3dOZJb9II/AAAAAAAABIo/D-bn7GeaPRc/s1600-h/Oman%20Februarry%202011%20089%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Oman Februarry 2011 089" border="0" alt="Oman Februarry 2011 089" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TX3dPbQsG7I/AAAAAAAABIs/WzD1rF6VsYY/Oman%20Februarry%202011%20089_thumb%5B17%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="354" height="444" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TX3dQc0PPGI/AAAAAAAABIw/byQlNChzWL0/s1600-h/Oman%20Februarry%202011%20120%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Oman Februarry 2011 120" border="0" alt="Oman Februarry 2011 120" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TX3dRIZlRYI/AAAAAAAABI0/bnpY2Pm9MBM/Oman%20Februarry%202011%20120_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="243" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TX3dSKVqa4I/AAAAAAAABI4/n5X51WlUmj0/s1600-h/Oman%20Februarry%202011%20119%5B6%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Oman Februarry 2011 119" border="0" alt="Oman Februarry 2011 119" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TX3dS0DK_lI/AAAAAAAABJA/6mCynwKG8hw/Oman%20Februarry%202011%20119_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="243" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p align="center">Filling my pockets with my treasures</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TX3dT-dMv7I/AAAAAAAABJE/-EywRuexASY/s1600-h/Oman%20Februarry%202011%20051%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Oman Februarry 2011 051" border="0" alt="Oman Februarry 2011 051" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TX3dUpHcyLI/AAAAAAAABJI/-6JoYS668fg/Oman%20Februarry%202011%20051_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="322" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TX3dVpjBMbI/AAAAAAAABJM/Sf1bzxr5nig/s1600-h/Oman%20Februarry%202011%20054%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Oman Februarry 2011 054" border="0" alt="Oman Februarry 2011 054" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TX3dWZLOzRI/AAAAAAAABJQ/H_bWwXQndyU/Oman%20Februarry%202011%20054_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="323" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TX3dXBivwuI/AAAAAAAABJU/1WWibJSUgrM/s1600-h/Oman%20Februarry%202011%20057%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Oman Februarry 2011 057" border="0" alt="Oman Februarry 2011 057" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TX3dX9o2xYI/AAAAAAAABJY/yKLn_4Gd6sE/Oman%20Februarry%202011%20057_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="323" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TX3dYwEcPCI/AAAAAAAABJc/BDhm8Akae_8/s1600-h/Oman%20Februarry%202011%20043%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Oman Februarry 2011 043" border="0" alt="Oman Februarry 2011 043" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TX3dZhIKDfI/AAAAAAAABJg/Az2Ae15tPaI/Oman%20Februarry%202011%20043_thumb%5B4%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="323" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p></p> <p>We spent a half a day and drove to the mountains…ha mountains in the desert…well  I didn’t believe it my self…not much  vegetation on these  here mountains….a few goats though</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 348px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:8aac4a9c-1e75-47d7-8274-da7b23f68ed1" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><a style="border:0px" href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!858&type=5"><img style="border:0px" alt="View Mountains in Oman" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TX3daQZwkJI/AAAAAAAABJk/9jipg11ExjA/InlineRepresentationb1211b15-6054-4d73-991e-85695587edc8.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:340px;text-align:right;" ><a href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!858&type=5">View Full Album</a></div></div> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TX3dbC29dnI/AAAAAAAABJo/BfpQU-oE0Po/s1600-h/Oman%20Februarry%202011%20035%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Oman Februarry 2011 035" border="0" alt="Oman Februarry 2011 035" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TX3dcEvpUXI/AAAAAAAABJs/8AbnFnd8G1M/Oman%20Februarry%202011%20035_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="323" /></a> </p> <p>We came into a town in the middle of the mountains that was an oasis….plenty of trees, greenery, we stopped to take a walk in a park like setting with old paths, leading to some very old buildings.  </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 348px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:92a7004d-f1b4-421e-ba36-645ce69bf0d3" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><a style="border:0px" href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!863&type=5"><img style="border:0px" alt="View Oasis" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TX3dc2piCeI/AAAAAAAABJw/kKMLFywoCbY/InlineRepresentation6d14a7b4-ffb1-4e05-915b-acdab78aa8dd.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:340px;text-align:right;" ><a href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!863&type=5">View Full Album</a></div></div> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TX3ddkjr46I/AAAAAAAABJ0/ViLvn-7vgm4/s1600-h/Oman%20Februarry%202011%20019%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Oman Februarry 2011 019" border="0" alt="Oman Februarry 2011 019" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TX3depnNz1I/AAAAAAAABJ4/dkPLvKDozdY/Oman%20Februarry%202011%20019_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="323" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TX3dfTHEA_I/AAAAAAAABJ8/hhAlMBMDeTY/s1600-h/Oman%20Februarry%202011%20016%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Oman Februarry 2011 016" border="0" alt="Oman Februarry 2011 016" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TX3dgNijjaI/AAAAAAAABKA/kVzLblYEY2c/Oman%20Februarry%202011%20016_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a></p> <p>We have had plenty of photo opportunities…..this past year….each time I look at them to post, I feel awed by the unique shots John captures.  The pictures below were taken as we drove through town just before our beach hotel.  The young girls were just getting out of school.</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 348px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:66ec2056-1c6d-44c1-a261-2f7e20a6bd27" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><a style="border:0px" href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!868&type=5"><img style="border:0px" alt="View Little town" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TX3dhPOeYEI/AAAAAAAABKE/tBNs63PuJ_g/InlineRepresentation1770b843-16b8-4ac5-b96f-2285b8170b94.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:340px;text-align:right;" ><a href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!868&type=5">View Full Album</a></div></div> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TX3dhz9aoKI/AAAAAAAABKI/OQEA2XwO9do/s1600-h/Oman%20Februarry%202011%20117%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Oman Februarry 2011 117" border="0" alt="Oman Februarry 2011 117" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TX3di9qJhgI/AAAAAAAABKM/3FZdnBV7GYM/Oman%20Februarry%202011%20117_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="257" /></a> </p> <p>The tower on this mountain called out to John from the time we first spotted it….he had to climb it….because….it was there!!!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TX3dj5Xi2ZI/AAAAAAAABKQ/65UoGqrFBlI/s1600-h/Oman%20Februarry%202011%20094%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Oman Februarry 2011 094" border="0" alt="Oman Februarry 2011 094" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TX3dkplBEuI/AAAAAAAABKU/TvmAUKZf5AA/Oman%20Februarry%202011%20094_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="243" /></a> </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 348px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:ef595dde-5718-450f-a9d3-a50c82720e87" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><a style="border:0px" href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!876&type=5"><img style="border:0px" alt="View tower on the mountain" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TX3dlS8e_qI/AAAAAAAABKY/TzBQGntkdk4/InlineRepresentation7aebdbae-71e6-4300-8ce3-530cec4f949a.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:340px;text-align:right;" ><a href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!876&type=5">View Full Album</a></div></div> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 348px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:bb59e90d-2fa6-46af-84ca-ad33fafa975c" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><a style="border:0px" href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!882&type=5"><img style="border:0px" alt="View view from top" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TX3dl5GDenI/AAAAAAAABKc/-Tb7WxevVHk/InlineRepresentationf4c51182-ac56-4cf2-9651-012abf71b2dd.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:340px;text-align:right;" ><a href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!882&type=5">View Full Album</a></div></div> <p>The view …..  </p> <p> </p> <p>and friends he met along the way….</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TX3dmi9AG3I/AAAAAAAABKg/mMhhSPG8HSs/s1600-h/Oman%20Februarry%202011%20112%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Oman Februarry 2011 112" border="0" alt="Oman Februarry 2011 112" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TX3dneZHELI/AAAAAAAABKk/J3tgbPYbyfE/Oman%20Februarry%202011%20112_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="243" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TX3doNfPPKI/AAAAAAAABKo/8Sw_nhzQdTo/s1600-h/Oman%20Februarry%202011%20109%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Oman Februarry 2011 109" border="0" alt="Oman Februarry 2011 109" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TX3doyMfA3I/AAAAAAAABKs/0DViT8vydRs/Oman%20Februarry%202011%20109_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="243" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>I didn’t join him on this little adventure…..not because I wasn’t interested…but in actuality….our scuba diving fun exhausted me.  Its probably a whole combination of sun, fresh air, excitement, anxiety, concentration (on breathing right) and more sun, fresh air, excitement…..etc. etc.   <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TX3dp0a1RBI/AAAAAAAABKw/mLOJ5nIf_N4/s1600-h/Oman%20Februarry%202011%20069%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Oman Februarry 2011 069" border="0" alt="Oman Februarry 2011 069" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TX3dqkzR8UI/AAAAAAAABK0/Mvli9DyQw6A/Oman%20Februarry%202011%20069_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="243" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>This is the dive center right on the premises….we met the nicest German couple running it.   We told them we were newbies…and they were excited for us, and made sure the dive master going out was aware of it…..so very thankful for him.  We had a wonderful surprise as we headed out for the first dive.   A dolphin was spotted. Captain slowed the boat down….so we could all have a look and we didn’t just see one, but six swimming and playing and jumping for us around our boat.  They put on a show for us…..it was awesome.</p> <p> </p> <p>Other divers were with us had underwater cameras….it was really exciting to come back aboard after the dive and talk of what we saw…..one couple took pictures of two sharks they had seen……..on the next dive…..we saw shark too.  We determined then we are getting an underwater camera before our next time diving.  It is absolutely unbelievable of the underwater life.  I always thought I would be too frightened….and you know…ewwww about being around fish, eel, ha and shark…..but instead, I find all those creatures fascinating and diving exhilarating.   My adrenaline is high and I am nervous and excited and expecting….I am hoping for more ease in my breathing and skills, but I hope that thrill will always continue.</p> <p> </p> <p>So being we have no pictures of those fish we saw…..you can imagine how happy we were when we saw the “decor” of the hotel we stayed at the hotel in Dubai (4 days later)  …….next post.</p> debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00157371446659520334noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602586125574395348.post-5852686389673447172011-03-11T14:45:00.001+04:002011-03-11T14:45:06.899+04:00These days in which we live…..<p><sup><font size="4">Oman is an Arab country in southwest Asia on the coast of the Arabian Peninsula, bordered by the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Yemen.</font></sup></p> <p><sup><font size="4"></font></sup></p> <p><sup><font size="4">Why, you might ask would we go there??? another country in the Middle East? for a weekend?  we actually asked ourselves that question…..especially being we were traveling during all the heat up of demonstrations seemingly caught on fire and spreading from one country to the next.  </font></sup></p> <p><sup><font size="4"></font></sup></p> <p><sup><font size="4">It began with Tunisia in December,  along with Algeria, Egypt  and Yemen were in the news January, and February we heard of the political unrest in Libya, Iraq, Oman, Bahrain, Morocco, and Jordan.  </font></sup></p> <p><sup><font size="4"></font></sup></p> <p><sup><font size="4">Kuwait had its mild protests, with demonstrations in Jahra…..just down the road a mile from where we live.  I heard commotion, and police sirens….but this happened during the week of the country’s big celebrations of its independence….so my take on the “noise” was early celebrators.  Thanks to my naivety I experienced no fear until reading of it in the paper the following morning.  A few days later, we left for Oman……with a stopover in Bahrain…and once again we are informed by the newspaper that there is some unrest in Bahrain.  Ahhhh…..lets get out of here to someplace quiet! </font></sup></p> <p><sup><font size="4"></font></sup></p> <p><sup><font size="4">We stayed in Oman for a long weekend….and heard the news as we were leaving to head “home” to Kuwait….that about 60 KM from where we were staying the people in Sohar demonstrated…did it seem it was following us?  ummmm yes.  I was pretty rattled on that trip last week and not too excited about returning “home”.  </font></sup></p> <p><sup><font size="4"></font></sup></p> <p><sup><font size="4">Today there is to be another demonstration/protest here in Kuwait. (read it in the newspaper)  The article is a warning from the Minister of Interior promising to “deal surely and swiftly with any protests by the population on Friday.”  Meanwhile, the front page also shows a picture of Shiite Muslims that have issued internet calls for a ‘Day of Rage’ for today.  And lets not forget the continuing struggles in Afghanistan, and Pakistan, …and the list goes on…..</font></sup></p> <p><sup><font size="4"></font></sup></p> <p><sup><font size="4">My heart races not out of fear but one of sadness, and then disgust, at the anger,turmoil, and oppression people live under that prompts such desperate and violent acts against leaders in government who protect their egos, their philosophies and religions with such disregard for human life.</font></sup></p> <p><sup><font size="4"></font></sup></p> <p><sup><font size="4">I know my blogging is usually  reporting  all the fun I am having….  Of which there is a lot of….and I do have fun and pictures to share of that trip to Oman….but it needed to be shared perhaps more for myself, in unloading some of my internal anxiety and to let you all know we are fine, we are safe, and we have become very diligent in listening for reports, and warnings.  No worries regarding  us personally , but there are people in the Middle East  in need of courage, wisdom, protection, safety…so many innocent men, women and children.</font></sup></p> <p><sup><font size="4"></font></sup></p> <p><sup><font size="4"></font></sup></p> <p><sup><font size="4"></font></sup></p> <p><sup><font size="4"></font></sup></p> <p><sup><font size="4"></font></sup></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><sup><font size="4"></font></sup></p> <p><sup><font size="4"></font></sup></p> <p><sup><font size="4"></font></sup></p> <p><sup><font size="4"> </font></sup></p> <p><font size="4"></font></p> debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00157371446659520334noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602586125574395348.post-21014822954471193722011-02-16T16:27:00.001+04:002011-02-16T16:27:10.049+04:00Spring is in the air<p><strong>It actually does get quite cool here….the cold at night killed off my peppers ….and the days now are in the 60’s range.  Tents have multiplied in the desert, and I can see that rare glint of greenery that will be around for a short bit before summer’s heat.  The dragon flies are back….they are everywhere and bigger than I remember dragon flies to be…there are lots of birds flying to and fro…and I often hear the cooing of pigeons….right on my window sill here in the desert!!!?  </strong></p> <p><strong></strong></p> <p><strong>I played golf at the make shift desert golf course near the site, for the first time.  It actually wasn't bad…on the hard sand my ball traveled much further than if it were on nice green grass….but I actually was keeping my eye out for the desert lizards….saw foot prints…and was ready to follow them instead of my errant golf ball.</strong></p> <p><strong></strong></p> <p><strong>On the way home, at almost the same instance, John and I spotted something actually growing along side the road.  So of course we stopped and this is what we found.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TVvCmOmemuI/AAAAAAAABIM/-Qie_0UYto0/s1600-h/desert%20melon%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="desert melon" border="0" alt="desert melon" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TVvCnAbxL0I/AAAAAAAABIQ/0PtmNPJ45Tw/desert%20melon_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </strong></p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Melons……growing wild along the roadside…they look big here, but they are no bigger than a tennis ball.  I tried researching these babies…but found nothing to report to you….I cut one open and have to say….it may look like a melon as we know it…but all I did was touch my finger to it to taste……and it didn’t taste like what I expected….hmmm…maybe it needs to ripen????</strong></p> debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00157371446659520334noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602586125574395348.post-44071583722114150892011-02-06T11:58:00.001+04:002011-02-06T12:41:06.407+04:00The ship of the desert……<p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5Up8TDiJI/AAAAAAAABDk/AOZpp5WJOJY/s1600-h/100_1790%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="100_1790" border="0" alt="100_1790" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5Uq4pBR7I/AAAAAAAABDo/GI1vvl1kXTc/100_1790_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="444" height="334" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>In olden days, Arabs famously used to refer to the camel as 'the ship of the desert.</p> <p> </p> <p>Camel racing is a favored sport in the Persian Gulf nations, and it is no different in Kuwait. It is a tradition that is firmly rooted in the culture of these desert nations, where the camel in times past was esteemed as a valuable animal, providing transport, meat and milk. </p> <p> </p> <p>Today amongst the material wealth of these nations, the camel is less important for these purposes, but camel racing is conducted in the present day with undiminished fervor. </p> <p> <br />Camel racing is in many ways somewhat different from horse racing, which is practiced throughout the world. Interestingly, racing camels are usually females as the males are considered to be ill-natured and difficult to handle. </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5Urmd-ZII/AAAAAAAABDM/L-b4JhyhiV0/s1600-h/WelcometotheKuwaitCamelClub4.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Welcome to the Kuwait Camel Club" border="0" alt="Welcome to the Kuwait Camel Club" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5Usk9PujI/AAAAAAAABDQ/Os5m_Na44qo/WelcometotheKuwaitCamelClub_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="274" /></a> </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 348px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:3c4ca383-c4de-414f-8cdb-fa59a9439159" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><a style="border:0px" href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!821&type=5"><img style="border:0px" alt="View camel races at Kuwait Camel Club" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5UtOu4SAI/AAAAAAAABDU/xeqRoOIbAng/InlineRepresentationc5238126b6114fa7.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:340px;text-align:right;" ><a href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!821&type=5">View Full Album</a></div></div> <p>Camel racing is a fervently and enthusiastically followed sport, with breeders expending huge sums on breeding, and devotees of the sport following developments in camel racing with great zeal. Thousands cheer on their race favorites, while on some tracks breeders and other enthusiasts speed alongside in their motor vehicles. </p> <p>The pictures are fun…..but you gotta be there to believe this….so here’s the next best thing</p> <p> </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:11247b24-835f-49f8-aa64-3c4f4abd2822" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div id="1951ba96-d544-4436-8582-7af09a8384da" style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline;"><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxidUY7Y07Q&feature=player_profilepage" target="_new"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5UuEKjyMI/AAAAAAAABDw/-JbvXTkv6Uc/video6c083be0a497%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-style: none" galleryimg="no" onload="var downlevelDiv = document.getElementById('1951ba96-d544-4436-8582-7af09a8384da'); downlevelDiv.innerHTML = "<div><object width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/lxidUY7Y07Q&hl=en\"><\/param><embed src=\"http://www.youtube.com/v/lxidUY7Y07Q&hl=en\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" width=\"425\" height=\"355\"><\/embed><\/object><\/div>";" alt=""></a></div></div></div> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5UuwnOf1I/AAAAAAAABDc/a-WOW0TwQEE/s1600-h/Complaining3.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Complaining" border="0" alt="Complaining" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5Uv11fMWI/AAAAAAAABDg/IWlTcgL2h_g/Complaining_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" height="259" /></a></p> debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00157371446659520334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602586125574395348.post-13128560765882061022011-02-05T07:02:00.000+04:002011-02-06T12:42:59.472+04:00Christmas in my heart<p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5Slf9JniI/AAAAAAAAA_0/YJ7zwGhAHXU/s1600-h/IMG_68262.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="IMG_6826" border="0" alt="IMG_6826" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5SmhaWPmI/AAAAAAAAA_4/qcaoLiWX3tQ/IMG_6826_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a></p> <p align="left"><font size="2"></font></p> <p><font size="2">I love how Christmas is really a celebration the whole month of December….that is when the carols are playing, shopping to be done, get togethers, cookie making etc.  And the week between Christmas and New Years kids are off from school and many grown ups have time off too.I arrived two days after Christmas but  Lizzy’s tree was still up and the boys walked me around the house to see every decoration they placed.  They stuck to me like glue…wherever I went they went..sharing the same chair, my name on their lips….grammy grammy grammy….telling me of all their important news, playing and reading….they made sure I felt loved !  (can it be any better than that?) Amy’s family joined us a day later and then it was all about the cousins.  So fun to see them all together.  We did manage to make the traditional gingerbread houses, something I did with my children every Christmas time…..and seems like just yesterday.  It was crazy and loud and fun!  We took them to a children’s museum , along with every other family in Milwaukee and experienced chaotic on a new level, only to leave after 45 min and discover a visit to McDonalds playground and lunch was more to all of our liking. New Years Eve was a time for the mommies to have a break.  So, the three of us dressed up and went out for dinner. The girls were a bit skeptical wondering how soon their cell phone might ring.  All was kept under control and we came back to a quiet house,  What a treat to sit with your adult daughters laughing and talking, no interruptions and the bond strengthened not only as mother, daughters, sisters, but as women.  My heart expands and my heart experiences love in yet another dimension, as I observe the new  stages my children are in( them as parents) and each new phase the grandchildren are in…which happens in a blink of an eye. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="2"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5SnT3RVtI/AAAAAAAABD8/_3aV-HkyXOo/s1600-h/FinalXmas%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="FinalXmas" border="0" alt="FinalXmas" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5SoJ7AwII/AAAAAAAABEA/nErNJTH1ar4/FinalXmas_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="444" height="297" /></a>  <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5SoxT1SyI/AAAAAAAABAE/U3UhM3Rvo2s/s1600-h/IMG_66933.jpg"></a></font></p> <p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_6693" border="0" alt="IMG_6693" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5Spr0Ib5I/AAAAAAAABAI/TFFJAv_qATY/IMG_6693_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="204" /></p>     <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5SqTZpxlI/AAAAAAAABAM/zkGleFPKcac/s1600-h/IMG_73143.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_7314" border="0" alt="IMG_7314" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5SrF8jg3I/AAAAAAAABAQ/OVX9uYP_H9s/IMG_7314_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="204" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5Sr3ujdWI/AAAAAAAABAU/iJrqU6dsGPA/s1600-h/IMG_65103.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_6510" border="0" alt="IMG_6510" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5Ssumia0I/AAAAAAAABAY/VzYM4oJX_24/IMG_6510_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="304" /></a>  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5StQ0MOZI/AAAAAAAABAc/mvX35KHEOl0/s1600-h/IMG_72333.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_7233" border="0" alt="IMG_7233" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5SuF3xtGI/AAAAAAAABAg/vrpE5dYGNYg/IMG_7233_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="304" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5SvG1ylTI/AAAAAAAABAk/mAq5J7c93P4/s1600-h/IMG_72573.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_7257" border="0" alt="IMG_7257" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5Sv-c-9tI/AAAAAAAABAo/yxYDQm4P5Is/IMG_7257_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="204" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5SwrHUzDI/AAAAAAAABAs/V4Zj9SNikiA/s1600-h/IMG_73523.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_7352" border="0" alt="IMG_7352" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5SxZbUv8I/AAAAAAAABAw/yEzgeTMTD2A/IMG_7352_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="204" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5SyGJ0nYI/AAAAAAAABA0/LOGH7uBYEpM/s1600-h/IMG_72833.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_7283" border="0" alt="IMG_7283" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5Sy4SBm-I/AAAAAAAABA4/InrwlQkN3jk/IMG_7283_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="304" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5SzicQKdI/AAAAAAAABA8/-cFgHN2_jEA/s1600-h/IMG_73193.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_7319" border="0" alt="IMG_7319" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5S0UMyGII/AAAAAAAABBA/FPCtF8jE7vs/IMG_7319_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="204" height="304" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5S1HGlyzI/AAAAAAAABBE/ZTsh_aK8R-M/s1600-h/IMG_73293.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_7329" border="0" alt="IMG_7329" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5S1xddhMI/AAAAAAAABBI/VgT3oKHSvN8/IMG_7329_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="204" /></a>  <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5S2rCD2tI/AAAAAAAABBM/B42SxyZSSmw/s1600-h/IMG_73233.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_7323" border="0" alt="IMG_7323" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5S3cWbXhI/AAAAAAAABBQ/RNwZydvNNsM/IMG_7323_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="304" height="204" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5S4RHv-aI/AAAAAAAABBU/Lbrx9Im7NRg/s1600-h/Picture1544.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Picture 154" border="0" alt="Picture 154" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5S5H6TR5I/AAAAAAAABBY/RkWDQy567gs/Picture154_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="304" /></a> <p></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>SPACE FOR THE PETROVSKY FAMILY PICTURE</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><font size="2">I spent a week in baby land…and once again got to experience such joy and love as I was caught up in the life of my son’s family.  Three babes to feed, hold, clothe, cuddle,bathe, to move from one place to the other..and a big brother to keep busy, wrestle with,  and play.  Oh gosh, how do they do it???  They just do!  They have a rhythm  The triplets are 19 months…just beginning to walk….still faster on all fours.  Each demonstrates their unique personality, and this is the only way I am able to distinguish who is who between Chase and Mason.  Juliannna has determined her place….that of the princess….and the boys seem to acquiesce…including Mack!  Kristal worried I might want to go somewhere or do something while visiting…that never crossed my mind…it was wonderful to just be part of their life for a week….my favorite place to sit…..on the floor….that's where all the action is….building blocks over and over,  babies crawling all over you, sneaking kisses, and the many parades either chasing or following up the hallway and around the table.  </font></p> <p><font size="2"></font></p> <p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5S59Wfv1I/AAAAAAAABBc/sbejgc1yITI/s1600-h/Picture1653.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Picture 165" border="0" alt="Picture 165" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5S6nEInGI/AAAAAAAABBg/mt2zVY3l1ME/Picture165_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="259" height="344" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5S7eN8ohI/AAAAAAAABBk/ihltJD9Sw9k/s1600-h/Picture1664.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Picture 166" border="0" alt="Picture 166" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5S9BbR8TI/AAAAAAAABBo/msegpU_3jZo/Picture166_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" height="259" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5S-Ej-r9I/AAAAAAAABBw/j6Wsta0CO9A/s1600-h/Picture1673.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Picture 167" border="0" alt="Picture 167" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5S_bgDlZI/AAAAAAAABB0/WNX6B9ee1qs/Picture167_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" height="259" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5TAd3M1FI/AAAAAAAABB4/kCb0o46oMTg/s1600-h/Picture1705.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Picture 170" border="0" alt="Picture 170" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5TBbIQ7hI/AAAAAAAABB8/Q3Pbs0V2o-M/Picture170_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="259" height="344" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5TCGYvPGI/AAAAAAAABCA/-5zyX7Gas_I/s1600-h/Picture1713.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Picture 171" border="0" alt="Picture 171" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5TC_DW4lI/AAAAAAAABCE/2dWMUHrRsg8/Picture171_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" height="259" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5TDjveDuI/AAAAAAAABCI/jcQTl0x7nbc/s1600-h/Picture1753.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Picture 175" border="0" alt="Picture 175" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5TEq0rgbI/AAAAAAAABCM/bkhed7JCgTo/Picture175_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" height="259" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5TFVVJjcI/AAAAAAAABCQ/GTRlx-UQT-M/s1600-h/Picture1774.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Picture 177" border="0" alt="Picture 177" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5TGF0A1SI/AAAAAAAABCU/fsTPr1xoYlw/Picture177_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" height="259" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5TGxvwILI/AAAAAAAABCY/GGaIKU5aV4E/s1600-h/Picture1883.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Picture 188" border="0" alt="Picture 188" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5THuMlGJI/AAAAAAAABCc/ifGy4JxQ7do/Picture188_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" height="259" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5TIdrb1FI/AAAAAAAABCg/Knqjex6twZI/s1600-h/Picture1913.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Picture 191" border="0" alt="Picture 191" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5TJA8u6jI/AAAAAAAABCk/JPKTMD3SDgw/Picture191_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="259" height="344" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5TJzRj8XI/AAAAAAAABCo/lJwnjzXfgP8/s1600-h/Picture1943.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Picture 194" border="0" alt="Picture 194" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5TLK9-zOI/AAAAAAAABCs/eb-IGisRrEw/Picture194_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="259" height="344" /></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5TL0c60lI/AAAAAAAABCw/LAZJgbBM-Tc/s1600-h/Picture1955.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Picture 195" border="0" alt="Picture 195" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5TMh9MEtI/AAAAAAAABC0/hKIbnbB-RGM/Picture195_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="344" height="259" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5TNXdhvMI/AAAAAAAABEE/qD_lohvkD2w/s1600-h/Mike%27s%20family.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Mike's family" border="0" alt="Mike's family" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TU5TOIunyhI/AAAAAAAABEU/pIU3y3Thq6g/Mike%27s%20family_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="444" height="334" /></a> </p> <p><font size="2"> </font></p> <p><font size="2">I am blessed, my heart is full, there is no end to love….in giving or receiving it.  </font></p> debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00157371446659520334noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602586125574395348.post-39653402804501094512011-02-03T17:07:00.001+04:002011-02-06T12:49:21.683+04:00York, England<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqn6nSFXJI/AAAAAAAAA9Y/kgbf4QMntGM/s1600-h/Picture1017.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Picture 101" border="0" alt="Picture 101" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqn7wVS8RI/AAAAAAAAA9c/1ZzOBPifUDI/Picture101_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="554" height="344" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center">Train Station in York<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqn86BCaPI/AAAAAAAAA9g/JkZHBARHgtY/s1600-h/Picture1267.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Picture 126" border="0" alt="Picture 126" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqn-DqqAzI/AAAAAAAAA9k/yFkJ9Wx6NS0/Picture126_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="575" height="393" /></a> </p> <p align="center">The Royal York</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 348px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:767c9efa-eb39-4c53-bdcd-a805299930e9" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><a style="border:0px" href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!803&type=5"><img style="border:0px" alt="View York Hotel" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqn_MWDPbI/AAAAAAAAA9o/uMG3cfQsUvc/InlineRepresentation3629b92accad4be4.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:340px;text-align:right;" ><a href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!803&type=5">View Full Album</a></div></div> <p></p> <p>The city was founded by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_Empire">Romans</a> in 71 AD. <sup><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/#cite_note-timeline-6">]</a></sup> In the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Middle_Ages">Middle Ages</a> York grew as a major wool trading centre and the ecclesiastical capital of the northern province of England. <b>York</b> is a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defensive_wall">walled city</a>, situated at the confluence of the Rivers <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Ouse,_Yorkshire">Ouse</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Foss">Foss</a> in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Yorkshire">North Yorkshire</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England">England</a>.</p> <p> </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 348px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:049150e3-3102-4b12-b4b3-27351e82e34b" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><a style="border:0px" href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!812&type=5"><img style="border:0px" alt="View York" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqn_7yKtRI/AAAAAAAAA9s/b5ATmIr_GeI/InlineRepresentation5a6561a8c1f8480b.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:340px;text-align:right;" ><a href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!812&type=5">View Full Album</a></div></div> <p></p> <p>We enjoyed walking the small, quaint  streets, and shopping at the many shops…I even got my hair cut in the medieval town!!!</p> <p> </p> <p>In the park near the river…John was able to capture ruins of an old cathedral…  the lighting was perfect.</p> <p><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqoA6hPfTI/AAAAAAAABEc/oUO3N2M_dKI/s1600-h/Picture%20081.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Picture 081" border="0" alt="Picture 081" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqoCR2XIiI/AAAAAAAABEg/QEK4Fnjm0Qc/Picture%20081_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="544" height="408" /></a> <a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqoDZExUSI/AAAAAAAABEs/ZnW0jt4sYd0/s1600-h/Picture%20076.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Picture 076" border="0" alt="Picture 076" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqoE9zCWmI/AAAAAAAABE0/8B5KLz2CFKU/Picture%20076_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="544" height="408" /></a> <a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqoGCShcNI/AAAAAAAABE8/u9PloA1U06U/s1600-h/Picture%20096.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Picture 096" border="0" alt="Picture 096" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqoHuUsDxI/AAAAAAAABFE/0DcTJymqXFA/Picture%20096_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="544" height="408" /></a> <a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqoIqupUZI/AAAAAAAABFM/hmV-y6c6EMk/s1600-h/Picture%20081%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Picture 081" border="0" alt="Picture 081" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqoKO0EgNI/AAAAAAAABFU/wSsDEtXbyAg/Picture%20081_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="544" height="408" /></a> <a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqoLdaRWfI/AAAAAAAABFY/upKdFfQrZ9I/s1600-h/Picture%20084.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Picture 084" border="0" alt="Picture 084" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqoMRSDbhI/AAAAAAAABFc/Zq2FlUZ6ROE/Picture%20084_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="544" height="408" /></a> <a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqoNoXAdRI/AAAAAAAABFk/on-64VmkVqo/s1600-h/Picture%20088.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Picture 088" border="0" alt="Picture 088" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqoO0Zm0cI/AAAAAAAABFw/p55h8vz2en4/Picture%20088_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="544" height="408" /></a> <a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqoQEzqVgI/AAAAAAAABF4/AKS9ja3h8Fs/s1600-h/Picture%20090%5B1%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Picture 090" border="0" alt="Picture 090" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqoRkkJNRI/AAAAAAAABF8/ALsVxjbQkHM/Picture%20090_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="544" height="408" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqoSbzJr4I/AAAAAAAABGE/YASDED8k8XY/s1600-h/Picture%20092.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Picture 092" border="0" alt="Picture 092" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqoTjLtocI/AAAAAAAABGI/M0WiayqV_p4/Picture%20092_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="544" height="408" /></a> <a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqoU7rPqOI/AAAAAAAABGU/7PzYDjAzXPQ/s1600-h/Picture%20093.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Picture 093" border="0" alt="Picture 093" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqoV0c2gMI/AAAAAAAABGc/nXLY0QrCpIE/Picture%20093_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="544" height="408" /></a> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqoWxfd2AI/AAAAAAAABGg/fNalXxeIawc/s1600-h/Picture%20119.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Picture 119" border="0" alt="Picture 119" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqoYKRTz1I/AAAAAAAABGk/-IWk_cSstYs/Picture%20119_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="544" height="408" /></a> <a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqoZGBVKeI/AAAAAAAABGs/9s9lshvfQX8/s1600-h/Picture%20097.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Picture 097" border="0" alt="Picture 097" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqoaJFfMgI/AAAAAAAABG4/gMmdosmPWUM/Picture%20097_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="544" height="408" /></a> <a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqobMCakNI/AAAAAAAABG8/TE5263NLDNo/s1600-h/Picture%20098.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Picture 098" border="0" alt="Picture 098" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqocDgMACI/AAAAAAAABHI/24xYt7Z9LZo/Picture%20098_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="544" height="408" /></a> <a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqodG-pfBI/AAAAAAAABHQ/IihDs0as2Bg/s1600-h/Picture%20099.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Picture 099" border="0" alt="Picture 099" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqoea0DLPI/AAAAAAAABHU/ptoTkQr1wUM/Picture%20099_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="544" height="408" /></a> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqofVWDOQI/AAAAAAAABHc/CBlCiK7fPuM/s1600-h/Picture%20100.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Picture 100" border="0" alt="Picture 100" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqogqYWwjI/AAAAAAAABHk/T2nF0X_q9wk/Picture%20100_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="544" height="408" /></a>   <a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqojjwf99I/AAAAAAAABHs/V9e7KyKytsU/s1600-h/Picture%20095.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Picture 095" border="0" alt="Picture 095" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqokxREaiI/AAAAAAAABH0/13sw-l6BKKs/Picture%20095_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="544" height="408" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p>We really enjoyed our time here…met some nice people… </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p> </p> <p>                                                          and celebrated Christmas together.</p> debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00157371446659520334noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602586125574395348.post-39783935515015512782011-02-03T16:42:00.001+04:002011-02-03T16:42:17.757+04:00A very different Christmas…..<p>Our R & R did finally turn out to be really delightful…… We had SNOW, we  had Christmas lights and music and fanfare….we did get to rest in York, visit and shop in a medieval town, and experience Christmas Eve Service at midnight at a gothic cathedral, York Minster.</p> <p>         .</p> <p align="center">but getting there was an adventure</p> <p align="center">.A train to Calais, </p> <p><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqiN2wGsWI/AAAAAAAAA7U/YuOQXQZXg6Q/s1600-h/Johnontrain3.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="John on train" border="0" alt="John on train" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqiPEsnC4I/AAAAAAAAA7Y/NDHlV0i2kiw/Johnontrain_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqiQGNlovI/AAAAAAAAA7c/3rrRbkdG79M/s1600-h/debontraintoCalais3.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="deb on train to Calais" border="0" alt="deb on train to Calais" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqiQ8ZSUyI/AAAAAAAAA7g/UBsvmgwVvSk/debontraintoCalais_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p align="center">a ferry over the   English Channel</p> <p align="center"> </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; width: 348px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:1200d29e-3f7a-4802-9dee-9da9266119df" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><a style="border:0px" href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!797&type=5"><img style="border:0px" alt="View Ferry" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqiRlKDN3I/AAAAAAAAA7k/vzxri4D71Co/InlineRepresentation0e4b8c50c91b4ba3.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:340px;text-align:right;" ><a href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!797&type=5">View Full Album</a></div></div> <p> </p> <p>This was pretty impressive…..there were bars, restaurants, food court, a duty free shop, arcades…….a mini cruise!</p> <p> </p> <p>It was dark when we arrived in Dover, England…and unable to capture it with a camera, but we did see the “Cliffs of Dover”</p> <p> </p> <p>Catching the next train to London…..we arrived around 11:00 pm….lugging our suitcases behind us; we came up from the tube and saw this: </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqiSSS8SCI/AAAAAAAAA7o/_2iyYQ6CdhA/s1600-h/Picture0493.jpg"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqiSSS8SCI/AAAAAAAAA7s/Ao9MwwSyXEI/s1600-h/Picture0498.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Picture 049" border="0" alt="Picture 049" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqiUJtfZZI/AAAAAAAAA70/PaON2MhXzfE/Picture049_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="515" height="386" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#800040" size="6"><strong>AHHHHH………</strong></font></p> <p> </p> <p>.this is what we wanted to see….a little bit of Christmas.  This is an outdoor Holiday Market in Hyde Park.  Our hotel was on the other side of this….very big park….three local young men were extremely helpful with all the fancy GPS stuff on their phones….they were able to direct us….get in a taxi.</p> <p> </p> <p align="center"><img title="Thistle Hyde Park Hotel Exterior" alt="Thistle Hyde Park Hotel Exterior" src="http://www.thistle.com/media/images/hotels/united_kingdom/london/thistle_hyde_park/pagebanner/full_thistle_london_hotel_exterior.jpg" width="518" height="300" /></p> <p align="center"><em>Thistle Hyde Park Hotel… over looked Kensington Gardens</em></p> <p align="center"><em></em></p> <p align="center">Due to the storm….and travel delays, our time in London was cut in half.  </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqiVGuhpJI/AAAAAAAAA74/WmrFKkYikok/s1600-h/Picture0422.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Picture 042" border="0" alt="Picture 042" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqiWPHMVaI/AAAAAAAAA78/qdzxqZ2hle4/Picture042_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqiXJOocEI/AAAAAAAAA8A/3RPekk-2mEk/s1600-h/Picture0272.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Picture 027" border="0" alt="Picture 027" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqiX1N6WPI/AAAAAAAAA8E/v8mVbIa9ch4/Picture027_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqiYyKX9fI/AAAAAAAAA8I/DKsYx3zY5dk/s1600-h/Picture0292.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Picture 029" border="0" alt="Picture 029" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqiZkLSp1I/AAAAAAAAA8M/a-uRhXK2UbE/Picture029_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqiaWgR4LI/AAAAAAAAA8Q/ATLTHanZyzA/s1600-h/Picture0302.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Picture 030" border="0" alt="Picture 030" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqibR7yTtI/AAAAAAAAA8U/Q16MPZCbkt8/Picture030_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqicBjgPqI/AAAAAAAAA8Y/wHxyr0cZsbw/s1600-h/Picture0322.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Picture 032" border="0" alt="Picture 032" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqidQ_bKFI/AAAAAAAAA8c/exGzTeSmkJA/Picture032_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqiefu8MlI/AAAAAAAAA8g/G3H3ZlCCyhQ/s1600-h/Picture0352.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Picture 035" border="0" alt="Picture 035" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqifEYS3nI/AAAAAAAAA8k/PK3NEzWNJyI/Picture035_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqigERCqbI/AAAAAAAAA8o/C_We9JiJtfw/s1600-h/Picture0362.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Picture 036" border="0" alt="Picture 036" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqihKMwOvI/AAAAAAAAA8s/kz7QEj50LCQ/Picture036_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqih_UubGI/AAAAAAAAA8w/y3zITU-Lzhc/s1600-h/Picture0392.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Picture 039" border="0" alt="Picture 039" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqii1F0YvI/AAAAAAAAA80/SxUH3q-IZ9U/Picture039_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqij3PCYLI/AAAAAAAAA84/SO5Gxg9n5ls/s1600-h/Picture0402.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Picture 040" border="0" alt="Picture 040" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqik2iQ7TI/AAAAAAAAA88/PJGW2_FOJZk/Picture040_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqilu7GLyI/AAAAAAAAA9A/nB32Ph8mgIU/s1600-h/Picture0412.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Picture 041" border="0" alt="Picture 041" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqim9IaiBI/AAAAAAAAA9E/u5f_3rKHgL4/Picture041_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center">We visited Kensington Palace and the Towers….went to the theatre and saw OLIVER</p> <p align="center">A lovely lunch and rest</p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqinvGAe7I/AAAAAAAAA9I/ajrTzOa0CYQ/s1600-h/Picture0462.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Picture 046" border="0" alt="Picture 046" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqioWPloGI/AAAAAAAAA9M/lSWT_dqJkJE/Picture046_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqipHio8YI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/H7tvQOb0Ek0/s1600-h/Picture0442.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Picture 044" border="0" alt="Picture 044" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TUqipy66jGI/AAAAAAAAA9U/O75rBcye2zc/Picture044_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> </p> <p align="center">We had two days before hopping a train headed for </p> <p align="center">YORK</p> debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00157371446659520334noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602586125574395348.post-66269138820333193042011-01-23T16:49:00.001+04:002011-01-23T16:49:35.233+04:00Catching up ( October – November )<p>Here are some pictures of the GE Party that John and I hosted right here at the Copthorne. The staff did a remarkable job from set up to food.  We hired a band  and enjoyed getting to know other GE employees in Kuwait.  Even the partners from Hyndai joined us.  Those with families here in the region brought their little ones…we painted and played with play doh</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TTwjeu57tDI/AAAAAAAAA6c/hVi8yVkI96Q/s1600-h/Ge67.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Ge 6" border="0" alt="Ge 6" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TTwjg4sXbNI/AAAAAAAAA6g/SNFF5iWc2vQ/Ge6_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="496" height="397" /></a> </p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 348px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:8047d27b-af80-4b92-b9f8-bf0ef1537c9b" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><a style="border:0px" href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!764&type=5"><img style="border:0px" alt="View GE Party" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TTwjiKaeKrI/AAAAAAAAA6k/REu3bw1aPNg/InlineRepresentationa33a08f6175c4073.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:340px;text-align:right;" ><a href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!764&type=5">View Full Album</a></div></div> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000">             <font size="4">   The beginning of November we planted our garden.</font></font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TTwjkExLQ_I/AAAAAAAAA6o/pdllp_WrnEo/s1600-h/DSCN1973%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCN1973" border="0" alt="DSCN1973" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TTwjmKOVnyI/AAAAAAAAA6s/6aRrUmHHl4w/DSCN1973_thumb%5B3%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="512" height="338" /></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TTwjoAY3KqI/AAAAAAAAA6w/qAQtZylqUhE/s1600-h/DSCN1971%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCN1971" border="0" alt="DSCN1971" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TTwjqTT3aTI/AAAAAAAAA60/H_Vut7ZiTg0/DSCN1971_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="520" height="391" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TTwjsQjkk5I/AAAAAAAAA64/t8Qxxqth_J4/s1600-h/DSCN1972%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="DSCN1972" border="0" alt="DSCN1972" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TTwjufxYKcI/AAAAAAAAA68/jyV30nOWnFQ/DSCN1972_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="520" height="391" /></a> </p> <p> </p> <p></p> <p><font color="#000000">We have been eating lettuce and peppers…..5 green beans and there are many unripe tomatoes…..that we are patiently waiting for!</font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><font color="#000000">THANKSGIVING….was low key for us…..I was able to purchase a butterball turkey and cook the traditional foods…..even found cranberry sauce!  We invited Keith and Christy to join us for our little feast.</font></p> <p><font color="#000000"></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TTwjwokPehI/AAAAAAAAA7A/6b1SVvmDy_4/s1600-h/Keith%20and%20John%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Keith and John" border="0" alt="Keith and John" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TTwjygW3zlI/AAAAAAAAA7E/7NQdq_YahI8/Keith%20and%20John_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="520" height="391" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TTwj0hCqCBI/AAAAAAAAA7I/WCdrYoMSskA/s1600-h/Christy%20and%20Deb%5B3%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="Christy and Deb" border="0" alt="Christy and Deb" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TTwj3ENhFAI/AAAAAAAAA7M/Zkt5oMlyM4M/Christy%20and%20Deb_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="520" height="391" /></a></p> debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00157371446659520334noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602586125574395348.post-64208040658911477832010-12-23T13:33:00.001+04:002010-12-23T13:33:28.122+04:00Let it Snow Let it Snow Let it Snow<p>A very fun song we sang as we sat on our porch in shorts with an iced tea and planning our R&R trip to London for Christmas.  As the day approached, packing our winter clothes to leave the sand storms in Kuwait,  we were looking forward to tromping in the snow, experiencing Christmas, British style.   </p> <p>I suppose this is the case of be careful what you wish for…….really and truly!!!  London has snow!   So much of it, that the airport has been closed for days…..we weren’t told when we checked in on the 19th of December in Kuwait.  We got as far as Doha….an hour flight from </p> <p>Kuwait. Keeping us in the Middle East, we were told til 8 that evening….</p> <p>Ok an 11 hour delay….we walked, we shopped, ate and slept, we read, I knit….we scowl  and then did that over and over….the thing about having your computer along is you can research anything…and what the airlines had not been telling us is that the airport wasn’t going to open so there was no flight leaving at 8…..they had their policies to keep us in the dark….and I suppose it kept mayhem down a bit….but we were not happy.  thankfully we were put up in a hotel, 5 star at that with meals included, but they did not provided the snow we were so anticipating, nor the Christmas carols we longed to hear.  We weren’t provided with much hope on Monday either.  We were told there were no flights available and were to remain at the hotel for another day and night…..that certain didn’t go over big in our camp.  after many calls….we did it ….arranged a flight to Paris……ok….its not where our hotel has been booked (with no refund) and we were missing the theatre….that we arranged months ahead….but Paris….ok  it could be so much worse…..arrival was to be 5:30 pm…we finally arrived at our hotel for the night by 9:30….so much for thinking we might dine somewhere on French cuisine…..by 10 pm we sat at the Marriot hotel restaurant….and there were lovely things on the menu,….but by that time dining wasn’t in our thoughts so much as lets get something to eat and get to bed…..hamburg for john and a salad for me…..and we both ordered French onion soup….to make us feel better.</p> <p>Up at 5 am….on tuesday…..excited now that by 9 am we will finally be in London……arriving at  6 at the airport we found our hopes dashed….again….the flights to London cancelled….nothing til tomorrow night!……We conceded…ok at least we are not in the Middle East….stuck in Paris….well thats a good bright side….AND they have snow!     But what about all that we spent on reservations of museums, theatre, hotel and transportation….all paid for in London….?   Is there another way for us to get there???</p> <p>Which brings me to now….This is the Paris train station….we are looking for the train we need to board….heading north to Calais….to then catch….a ferry… of all things….then another train and our hopes for today is that we eventually get to London, the nice hotel we picked out for our R&R…..it means rest and relaxation dosn’t it??</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TRMXUsilcjI/AAAAAAAAA6I/w3VzxVodg8Y/s1600-h/100_15362.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="100_1536" border="0" alt="100_1536" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TRMXVFVDDJI/AAAAAAAAA6M/TZVPZ69lsQQ/100_1536_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TRMXYBijVnI/AAAAAAAAA6Q/KkmCcSldnqo/s1600-h/100_15352.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="100_1535" border="0" alt="100_1535" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TRMXZkCjvqI/AAAAAAAAA6U/jv8PdBCv0Pw/100_1535_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /></a></p> debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00157371446659520334noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602586125574395348.post-70261222747450163742010-11-23T16:39:00.001+04:002010-11-23T16:39:55.957+04:00Hoopoe<p>That is the name and the spelling of the bird we saw in our backyard.</p> <p>We had no idea what this was….but quietly tried following him to get these pictures.</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TOu12Dbwh3I/AAAAAAAAA5g/P0GL8CsrjwI/s1600-h/bird6.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="bird" border="0" alt="bird" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TOu16PyApII/AAAAAAAAA5k/80LyLb097O0/bird_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="479" height="479" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TOu169VebXI/AAAAAAAAA5o/I3-UKYKm97w/s1600-h/birdinyard8.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="bird in yard" border="0" alt="bird in yard" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TOu18uFnaeI/AAAAAAAAA5s/PgKhghe7hjM/birdinyard_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="489" height="442" /></a></p> <p>After describing him to a friend she identified him as the Hoopoe bird….so then I went on line and found these great pictures<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TOu19zEEECI/AAAAAAAAA5w/tHcfXMttQjs/s1600-h/hoopoe-168%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="hoopoe-168" border="0" alt="hoopoe-168" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TOu2BD5VZ_I/AAAAAAAAA50/7IF55ZlRukg/hoopoe-168_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TOu2ClVv0zI/AAAAAAAAA54/x8zikBkSWdk/s1600-h/hoopoe-xxximg_8141mw%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="hoopoe-xxximg_8141mw" border="0" alt="hoopoe-xxximg_8141mw" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TOu2DmsSJ8I/AAAAAAAAA58/ggGkGql_Igg/hoopoe-xxximg_8141mw_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164" /></a> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TOu2FEcKk7I/AAAAAAAAA6A/FD7G4O8L-L0/s1600-h/hoopoe-167%5B5%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="hoopoe-167" border="0" alt="hoopoe-167" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TOu2GRTPuOI/AAAAAAAAA6E/STp5B4HzCjo/hoopoe-167_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="210" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>I so want to see him with the feathers opened up on his head.  Pretty cute don’t you think????</p> debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00157371446659520334noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602586125574395348.post-10005671123574264872010-11-22T16:38:00.001+04:002010-11-22T16:38:30.779+04:00Riding down the highway….<p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TOpkMMaVoAI/AAAAAAAAA5I/WJpUd8NS3kc/s1600-h/Camelsintruck3.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Camels in truck" border="0" alt="Camels in truck" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TOpkNc0q7hI/AAAAAAAAA5M/vZVCYDEx9W0/Camelsintruck_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="461" height="484" /></a> </p> <p>For this reason, I don’t leave the house without my camera!  </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TOpkOtnsbdI/AAAAAAAAA5Q/lgVgef99vTI/s1600-h/inthestreet6.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="in the street" border="0" alt="in the street" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TOpkPoZ7NXI/AAAAAAAAA5U/aHe1Hcu14ic/inthestreet_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="491" height="357" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TOpkQU9D08I/AAAAAAAAA5Y/-iFjCvn603U/s1600-h/goatsinthestreet6.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="goats in the street" border="0" alt="goats in the street" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TOpkRfRtSnI/AAAAAAAAA5c/r_GMieeDAno/goatsinthestreet_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="500" height="434" /></a> </p> <p>We had just left the mall parking garage, and had to stop for sheep and goats herded across the street.</p> <p> </p> <p>Keeps us smiling and shaking our heads!</p> debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00157371446659520334noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602586125574395348.post-16942730693218743222010-11-21T12:40:00.001+04:002010-11-21T12:40:10.020+04:00Scuba,our latest adventure<p align="center">My silent mantra as I went through the textbook and took the tests.<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TOjaope_f9I/AAAAAAAAA4A/PwywMxTrTc0/s1600-h/ScubaClass111.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Scuba Class 1" border="0" alt="Scuba Class 1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TOjap46DYMI/AAAAAAAAA4E/GjjxgIWy2oY/ScubaClass1_thumb14.jpg?imgmax=800" width="503" height="331" /></a> </p> <img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Scuba Class 1" border="0" alt="Scuba Class 1" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TOjaqpRUQFI/AAAAAAAAA4I/3YSExaKMOzs/ScubaClass1_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184" /> <p align="center">Diving is FUN</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TOjarg4SfYI/AAAAAAAAA4M/OaWJy_fqzAg/s1600-h/ScubaPool25.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Scuba Pool 2" border="0" alt="Scuba Pool 2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TOjasv8-29I/AAAAAAAAA4Q/Tn8QsAm2XtY/ScubaPool2_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="517" height="356" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center">All geared up for the pool dive, finally after all that studying.</p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TOjatTwbf9I/AAAAAAAAA4U/6r4qTWNzU6U/s1600-h/ScubaPool5.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Scuba Pool" border="0" alt="Scuba Pool" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TOjaunKk65I/AAAAAAAAA4Y/kK8-6Ojx3_w/ScubaPool_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="484" height="386" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Ramey and Moustafa the instructors.</p> <p align="center">The dive was exhilarating..even if only in the pool.  I was excited..</p> <p align="center"> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TOjavtRPqoI/AAAAAAAAA4c/wC6Rk5VpaV8/s1600-h/ScubaBoatTrip1B5.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Scuba Boat Trip 1 B" border="0" alt="Scuba Boat Trip 1 B" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TOjawvh0VAI/AAAAAAAAA4g/2SLD66U5gMw/ScubaBoatTrip1B_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="498" height="396" /></a>Diving is FUN  </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TOjax54WLmI/AAAAAAAAA4k/5QmuGBipOkI/s1600-h/ScubaBoatTrip1D7.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="Scuba Boat Trip 1D" border="0" alt="Scuba Boat Trip 1D" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TOjay8D4t5I/AAAAAAAAA4s/LAsCaNumQLc/ScubaBoatTrip1D_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="523" height="467" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Day one of Open Water Instruction…..we had to sit on the edge of the boat and fall in backwards……that was the easy part, climbing up the ladder with all the gear AND tank wasn’t so easy.  My legs felt like Jell-O and I kept saying to myself I can’t believe I just did this….Not only did we learn to take our mask off and put back on, clear it of water, simulate the tank is out of air and buddy breathe, but we saw fish….really cool fish…</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TOjaz2LXU2I/AAAAAAAAA4w/VVknZozG1YM/s1600-h/ScubaBoatTrip2A6.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Scuba Boat Trip 2A" border="0" alt="Scuba Boat Trip 2A" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TOja1C0OYDI/AAAAAAAAA40/PDVvRjYiQGE/ScubaBoatTrip2A_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="496" height="422" /></a> </p> <p align="center">Remember  Diving is FUN</p> <p> </p> <p>Day Two of Open Water Instruction I wasn’t looking too excited.  The water was pretty choppy so the boat was a rocking….and so was my stomach. None the less, I managed to get my new dive suit on….and at this point just wanting to get this over with.  Once in the water, sea sickness sensation stopped and we learned to use the compass underwater and pull someone to safety…and got to see many new fish as well as a sunken ship.  Once back on board, my stomach continued to rock with the boat so I found a comfy place till we were back on shore.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TOja2BwmQTI/AAAAAAAAA44/D9Li79_k7B0/s1600-h/ScubaBoatTrip2C7.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Scuba Boat Trip 2C" border="0" alt="Scuba Boat Trip 2C" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TOja3-yaK2I/AAAAAAAAA48/ellt00wFdn8/ScubaBoatTrip2C_thumb5.jpg?imgmax=800" width="510" height="405" /></a> </p> <p>John and I really did this together, although there is a lack of a pictures of him…..Taking care of myself on that boat and in the water seemed to be a tremendous responsibility, let alone think of a camera.  </p> <p> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TOja462bLQI/AAAAAAAAA5A/eQRIUxfWAQQ/s1600-h/ScubaCertBoth7.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="Scuba Cert Both" border="0" alt="Scuba Cert Both" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TOja52s_JYI/AAAAAAAAA5E/vXe5Gqyjcrw/ScubaCertBoth_thumb11.jpg?imgmax=800" width="515" height="415" /></a> </p> <p>Well here we are….PADI Scuba Diving Certified!  We did it!! </p> <p align="center">and yes </p> <p align="center">  <font color="#800040" size="5">Diving IS Fun</font></p> debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00157371446659520334noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602586125574395348.post-5124066138425406142010-11-10T01:35:00.001+04:002010-11-10T01:35:40.574+04:00Mourning is…..<p align="center">a necessary part of the human experience. </p> <p> </p> <p><img src="http://visualpalate.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/mourning.jpg" width="450" height="337" /></p> <p> A death in the family leaves a void that cannot be filled. No one can ever take the place of this individual in the world.</p> <p>             Dad Pfeiffer passed away in his sleep last night in his own bed!</p> <p>That’s the way he wanted it!  He celebrated his 90th birthday this year and was able to attend a family wedding with the entire family present.</p> <p>He loved living!  He loved his family of three children, their spouses, his eight grandchildren and their spouses and his 13 great grandchildren and he still loved me.    </p> <p>            I am flooded with memories of you tonight;  bringing smiles, and even laughter with my tears. It is true…..no one can ever take your place in this world.  You will be sorely missed by all who knew you!  I love you, so much dad!</p> debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00157371446659520334noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602586125574395348.post-4939137730997550392010-11-09T12:50:00.001+04:002010-11-09T12:50:11.735+04:00An Invitation…..<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TNkLL88fx3I/AAAAAAAAA3o/NUlpt0xYB-Q/s1600-h/Korean%20Invitation_NEW%5B4%5D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Korean Invitation_NEW" border="0" alt="Korean Invitation_NEW" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TNkLM235XII/AAAAAAAAA3s/2bfCnt9piMs/Korean%20Invitation_NEW_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="323" height="255" /></a> </p> <p align="center"> <font color="#ff00ff">On the occasion of the National Foundation Day</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ff00ff">and the Armed Forces Day</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ff00ff">The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea and Mrs... MOON Young Han</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ff00ff">Request the pleasure of your company </font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ff00ff">at a Reception on Wednesday, October 13, 2010</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ff00ff">19:00-21:00 hrs.</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ff00ff"></font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#ff00ff">Crowne Plaza Hotel                                                       Regrets Only</font></p> <p align="left"><font color="#ff00ff">Al -Andalous Ballroom</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#ff00ff"> </font><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TNkLNlpIrBI/AAAAAAAAA3w/R_4KFXy4_Ds/s1600-h/Invitation%5B21%5D.jpg"><font color="#ff00ff">Please present this invitation card at the entrance</font></a></p> <p align="center"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title=" Invitation" border="0" alt=" Invitation" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TNkLOqX9UKI/AAAAAAAAA30/Rcr2vnYGXxY/Invitation_thumb%5B19%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="349" height="280" /></p> <p> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TNkLPoh5F6I/AAAAAAAAA34/hF95amYrH3c/s1600-h/Korean%20food%20_NEW%5B7%5D.jpg"> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><font color="#000000">GE’s partner for this project is the Korean Company, Hyundai.  Throughout this year, I have had the distinct pleasure to with my husband and his Korean colleagues.  Thus, the connection of our receiving the above invitation.   I will confess….I got  a wee bit nervous to be attending an Embassy function.  Thee most important….what does one wear to such a function…….When I would ask around….the answer always seemed the same……anything….from gowns to suits to dress pants….well those that know me, know clothes shopping isn’t one of my favorite things to do…….quite a dilemma, because I do like wearing new clothes and like dressing up….</font></p> <p><font color="#000000">The ballroom at the Crowne was beautiful,, lots of scrumptious Korean food to nibble on and then mingle, mingle, mingle….a fun night!</font></p> <p></p> <u> </u></a> <p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 348px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:395c0add-0c0e-4b94-b059-0acf6125ae79" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><a style="border:0px" href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!755&type=5"><img style="border:0px" alt="View Korean Embassy event" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TNkLQWKaoQI/AAAAAAAAA38/elSbmUlWOnY/InlineRepresentation7206246d-7da9-49df-811a-a539836a0380.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:340px;text-align:right;" ><a href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!755&type=5">View Full Album</a></div></div></p> debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00157371446659520334noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602586125574395348.post-31119239088143079232010-11-07T11:31:00.001+04:002010-11-07T11:31:35.940+04:00“Let there be many windows to your soul, that all the glory of the world may beautify it.”<p>                                                          - Ella Wheeler Wilcox</p> <p>       <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TNZVze9d1lI/AAAAAAAAA1s/pBh3JXU3PLM/s1600-h/DSCN17824.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="DSCN1782" border="0" alt="DSCN1782" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TNZV0SvZVEI/AAAAAAAAA1w/SqaqxNLIQC0/DSCN1782_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="364" height="484" /></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:24e13dee-54a3-4950-ac02-c6f9a8b88e42" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><a style="border:0px" href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!707&type=5"><img style="border:0px" alt="View Windows of Venice" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TNZV1F4OlsI/AAAAAAAAA10/4ReUW7XDRJ4/InlineRepresentation643dc6de-ad08-46c6-b436-6b5a7035ec1d.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:340px;text-align:right;" ><a href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!707&type=5">View Full Album</a></div></div> <p>                     <font size="5" face="Britannic Bold">VENICE</font></p> debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00157371446659520334noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602586125574395348.post-27036856128619183622010-11-07T11:15:00.001+04:002010-11-07T11:15:00.686+04:00Venice<p>Venice, a romantic city, something Cath and I both knew we wanted to see!!!  But really didn’t know why til after spending a couple days there!  It is  located in northern Italy.  It is built on over 100 islands!!!!</p> <p>Numerous foot bridges connect the city and only three cross the main canal.   It is thee most unique city I’ve ever seen.</p> <p> </p> <p>Water is the main form of transportation  to and around Venice.  As we road in the gondola is when the realization of what that means.  Every thing in and out of the city by boat.  There were garbage boats, water taxis, ambulance boats, police boats,  cargo boats…and they and the canals are narrow, so  none of these boats is big. The only way you can directly reach Venice Hotels  is by water taxi. I don’t think any of us understood that !!!!   We had programmed in the GPS the hotel address…..and it only took us as far as the lagoon…we circled around and tried again and then it dawned on us….so we parked the car and then hoofed it across bridges, in and around crowded streets til we found the little alley way to the hotel!</p> <p>Venice, a quaint, old, eccentric, alive, beautiful place to visit!!!</p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TNZRvOJG22I/AAAAAAAAA0w/od4meUGg7Mc/s1600-h/DSCN16959.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="DSCN1695" border="0" alt="DSCN1695" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TNZRwEFRTaI/AAAAAAAAA00/YaUK7QjfrD0/DSCN1695_thumb7.jpg?imgmax=800" width="505" height="355" /></a>    <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TNZRxVouvPI/AAAAAAAAA04/gkHg0_Qt-F8/s1600-h/DSCN17838.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSCN1783" border="0" alt="DSCN1783" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TNZRye7LNaI/AAAAAAAAA08/L-TCLWf8WsI/DSCN1783_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="515" height="385" /></a></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 348px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:3c0a5b65-7a76-4d80-911b-bf9aa3d86293" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><a style="border:0px" href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!685&type=5"><img style="border:0px" alt="View shops" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TNZRy_p9PVI/AAAAAAAAA1A/97pQdrOmidI/InlineRepresentation6fdc11332f4842e2.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:340px;text-align:right;" ><a href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!685&type=5">View Full Album</a></div></div> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TNZRz0s89sI/AAAAAAAAA1E/FhzP_H2vYkA/s1600-h/DSCN17224.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSCN1722" border="0" alt="DSCN1722" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TNZR0wVpwdI/AAAAAAAAA1I/4vWw8Qn0cUk/DSCN1722_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="523" height="393" /></a></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 348px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:eb37718f-65d0-4c0c-9ed5-49d282ccce59" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><a style="border:0px" href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!690&type=5"><img style="border:0px" alt="View The canals in Venice" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TNZR1vh5j7I/AAAAAAAAA1M/VptLTQWq-10/InlineRepresentation9bb39d1db5c14491.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:340px;text-align:right;" ><a href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!690&type=5">View Full Album</a></div></div> <p></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TNZR2rTJ-VI/AAAAAAAAA1Q/zQKTrEUE_oc/s1600-h/DSCN17674.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSCN1767" border="0" alt="DSCN1767" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TNZR3njCa7I/AAAAAAAAA1U/-S55M09zQoo/DSCN1767_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="523" height="393" /></a> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TNZR4WuZUzI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/KkXasgjihLs/s1600-h/DSCN17514.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSCN1751" border="0" alt="DSCN1751" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TNZR5ZUe3dI/AAAAAAAAA1c/6l4y3Q-vIGw/DSCN1751_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="523" height="484" /></a> </p> <p></p> <p>                                             Ambulance and Water Taxi</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TNZR6fIfxMI/AAAAAAAAA1g/w3kjCrEfA4E/s1600-h/DSCN17755.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="DSCN1775" border="0" alt="DSCN1775" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TNZR7S8vsjI/AAAAAAAAA1k/9ygisxQFs0Q/DSCN1775_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="523" height="393" /></a> </p> <p>                                        Sisters enjoying a walk ……..</p> <p>The last evening we had dinner along the canal…..John and I took in a concert and a late night water taxi back to the hotel.</p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; width: 348px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:b0deec1a-0aa7-4e87-aaa9-5abaf73b7dee" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><a style="border:0px" href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!699&type=5"><img style="border:0px" alt="View Last evening" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TNZR8WpMJoI/AAAAAAAAA1o/Fy9TNSbNU4U/InlineRepresentation5001d20d-56a0-48ba-a1f1-128172a23fe8.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:340px;text-align:right;" ><a href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!699&type=5">View Full Album</a></div></div> debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00157371446659520334noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6602586125574395348.post-1015889322739845072010-11-01T11:12:00.001+04:002010-11-01T11:12:57.455+04:00Castello del Trebbio in the heart of Tuscany<p>was built in 1184  by the Pazzi family.  It  is surrounded by olive groves and vineyards and is one of the longest inhabited castles.<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TM5oWDsWvyI/AAAAAAAAA0I/bBE7H9AoyBY/s1600-h/IMG_13016.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1301" border="0" alt="IMG_1301" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TM5oXWBLexI/AAAAAAAAA0M/NTo7qFe4_kg/IMG_1301_thumb4.jpg?imgmax=800" width="456" height="327" /></a></p> <p>                                      It is here when I knew I was in love with</p> <p align="center">       ITALY</p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TM5oYssyQgI/AAAAAAAAA0Q/rfge35_LMSo/s1600-h/IMG_129310.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1293" border="0" alt="IMG_1293" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TM5oZmUU-BI/AAAAAAAAA0U/h9mlNs0w9qY/IMG_1293_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="475" height="404" /></a> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="left"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TM5oapZcLwI/AAAAAAAAA0Y/Os3KSos7UrU/s1600-h/IMG_12793.jpg"></a></p> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center"> </p> <p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TM5oapZcLwI/AAAAAAAAA0c/c58Ki2gLWFA/s1600-h/IMG_12795.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1279" border="0" alt="IMG_1279" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TM5oclqhOnI/AAAAAAAAA0k/jbFmfxKx3ak/IMG_1279_thumb3.jpg?imgmax=800" width="402" height="538" /></a> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:04f69246-3f90-455e-99d9-9c59a7e9a269" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><a style="border:0px" href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!667&type=5"><img style="border:0px" alt="View winery" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TM5odS8fpSI/AAAAAAAAA0o/KMG6vxp_6zk/InlineRepresentationec0c988c7ed64a28.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:340px;text-align:right;" ><a href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!667&type=5">View Full Album</a></div></div> <p>We learned that <strong><em>“Chianti” </em></strong>is the name of the region, not the wine.</p> <p>At the Castello del Trebbio, they use 100% Sangiovese grapes.</p> <p>We were treated to a couple different wines as well as a taste of their  Virgin olive oil pressed right there.  </p> <p> </p> <p>This area is all that I had dreamed and hoped it would be….</p> <p></p> <div style="padding-bottom: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; float: none; padding-top: 0px" id="scid:66721397-FF69-4ca6-AEC4-17E6B3208830:e7a4e743-3c19-4ae0-b837-8f4977ba3903" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><a style="border:0px" href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!674&type=5"><img style="border:0px" alt="View beautiful tuscany" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_hLkmhUqb5tM/TM5odz31YpI/AAAAAAAAA0s/4MM47uCPYM8/InlineRepresentation3bdf57e9f17c49ac.jpg?imgmax=800" /></a><div style="width:340px;text-align:right;" ><a href="http://cid-c2c5cee14b779d6f.skydrive.live.com/redir.aspx?page=browse&resid=C2C5CEE14B779D6F!674&type=5">View Full Album</a></div></div> debbiehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00157371446659520334noreply@blogger.com1