On the 17th, I officially celebrated 37 happy and healthy years on this planet. I spent the day with my children, and Peter came home early so that we could go for lunch at Fanr. This restaurant is inside the Saadiyat Island museum, and became an instant favourite of mine when we ate there with my parents. There is a great little play area, and we could sit, eat and enjoy, while our little ones did the same (this time we brought Malou along for increased relaxation).
Though the sandstorms have abated, the skies of Abu Dhabi are still fairly hazy. The temperatures are still quite mild for this time of year. We are thankful for this unexpected reprieve from the impending heat. Peter and I went out for dinner at Ushna on Wednesday night (with our friends Andrew and Hanim). We really enjoyed getting to know them better, and I felt blessed to receive a few drops of rain on my skin. I do miss rain.
This morning I was remembering Mrs. Wilson. When I was four or five years old, I lived in a blue trailer in Forestburg, Alberta, and my best friend was a little boy named Brandon Wilson. Well, I should clarify: to ME, he was my best friend. For HIM, I was the LOVE OF HIS (four year old) LIFE. I am not making this up, as his mom, Sheila, used to tell me all the time that Brandon wanted to marry me. However, I did not let his feelings interfere in our friendship, and so we spent a great deal of time together.
One day, Mrs. Wilson went through her jewelry box with me, and sent me home with a whole bunch of beautiful little earrings. She only had three sons, and so I was (her future daughter-in-law) like the daughter she never had, and a convenient person to hand-down all her costume jewelry to. I remember feeling so very lucky and proud, as I showed my mom all the treasures that Mrs. Wilson gave me. My mom (who never had any use for costume jewelry, and to this day, wears a lot of earrings that she inherited from ME) FLIPPED OUT, as she was certain that I had stolen all of these pieces (though I was insistent that was not the case). I can't remember if she made me call, or take them back, but whatever she decided, I know I was heartbroken and in tears--not only did I have to return all the beautiful earrings, but my own mom thought I was capable of such thievery.
The story had a happy ending though, as when Mrs. Wilson found out what had happened, she came and spoke to mom (who had very limited English at the time) and did her best to explain it to her. I think my mom allowed me to keep a few of the pieces--as the concept of 'hand-me-downs' was novel and possibly shameful for her (at that time, around 1980, she would have been a fairly new immigrant, with limited knowledge of the western ways). I remember loving Mrs. Wilson so very much. She was one of the first, in a long line of 'western' ladies, who came to my defense, and told my mom what a lovely young girl I was, how she loved me spending time at her house, and how she wanted to give me that jewelry.
Funny, the things you remember, out of the blue.
Here are some Easter pics. While Peter was away in Japan, Little A got some bizarro rash across her cheeks, nose and forehead. She was very self-conscious about it, but I managed to convince her to attend the Easter event at the Westin. She was happy to get a free balloon animal, and have her hand painted.
Also impressed with this picture, as in all the others she is crying and screaming...
I attended my first class at the gym, and am going to try and make some efforts to change my diet as well. The birthday pictures (mine and S's) indicate that it's time to shift off some of this weight.
S did manage to have her birthday party, er, get-together on April 14. We decided to keep it small (and so many people had other plans), and it was WONDERFUL. We really enjoyed visiting with our friends who came, and everyone (including the birthday girl) had fun.
Please pay special attention to the LADYBUG theme. Those red-velvet cupcakes all have red-shortbread ladybugs on them, made with love and care by MOI. Borrowing the Anne Geddes ladybug doll from little A was PAINFUL ('you'll borrow it for ONE MINUTE, right mom, and then you'll give it right back???'), but it sure enhanced the overall display!
S is now standing regularly, and has taken a few steps here and there. She picked my birthday to really get moving (so a little gift from her to me).
Fanr
This morning I was remembering Mrs. Wilson. When I was four or five years old, I lived in a blue trailer in Forestburg, Alberta, and my best friend was a little boy named Brandon Wilson. Well, I should clarify: to ME, he was my best friend. For HIM, I was the LOVE OF HIS (four year old) LIFE. I am not making this up, as his mom, Sheila, used to tell me all the time that Brandon wanted to marry me. However, I did not let his feelings interfere in our friendship, and so we spent a great deal of time together.
One day, Mrs. Wilson went through her jewelry box with me, and sent me home with a whole bunch of beautiful little earrings. She only had three sons, and so I was (her future daughter-in-law) like the daughter she never had, and a convenient person to hand-down all her costume jewelry to. I remember feeling so very lucky and proud, as I showed my mom all the treasures that Mrs. Wilson gave me. My mom (who never had any use for costume jewelry, and to this day, wears a lot of earrings that she inherited from ME) FLIPPED OUT, as she was certain that I had stolen all of these pieces (though I was insistent that was not the case). I can't remember if she made me call, or take them back, but whatever she decided, I know I was heartbroken and in tears--not only did I have to return all the beautiful earrings, but my own mom thought I was capable of such thievery.
The story had a happy ending though, as when Mrs. Wilson found out what had happened, she came and spoke to mom (who had very limited English at the time) and did her best to explain it to her. I think my mom allowed me to keep a few of the pieces--as the concept of 'hand-me-downs' was novel and possibly shameful for her (at that time, around 1980, she would have been a fairly new immigrant, with limited knowledge of the western ways). I remember loving Mrs. Wilson so very much. She was one of the first, in a long line of 'western' ladies, who came to my defense, and told my mom what a lovely young girl I was, how she loved me spending time at her house, and how she wanted to give me that jewelry.
Funny, the things you remember, out of the blue.
Here are some Easter pics. While Peter was away in Japan, Little A got some bizarro rash across her cheeks, nose and forehead. She was very self-conscious about it, but I managed to convince her to attend the Easter event at the Westin. She was happy to get a free balloon animal, and have her hand painted.
Amazing that I managed to get this picture of N, as he refused to wear these ears for longer than two seconds. I impress myself sometimes!
I attended my first class at the gym, and am going to try and make some efforts to change my diet as well. The birthday pictures (mine and S's) indicate that it's time to shift off some of this weight.
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| S's 'small get-together' |
S did manage to have her birthday party, er, get-together on April 14. We decided to keep it small (and so many people had other plans), and it was WONDERFUL. We really enjoyed visiting with our friends who came, and everyone (including the birthday girl) had fun.
Please pay special attention to the LADYBUG theme. Those red-velvet cupcakes all have red-shortbread ladybugs on them, made with love and care by MOI. Borrowing the Anne Geddes ladybug doll from little A was PAINFUL ('you'll borrow it for ONE MINUTE, right mom, and then you'll give it right back???'), but it sure enhanced the overall display!
S is now standing regularly, and has taken a few steps here and there. She picked my birthday to really get moving (so a little gift from her to me).
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