Closing Down

I'm closing this blog down because I'm no longer living outside the US!

My new blog is:

http://finallythepromiseland.blogspot.com/

So go ahead and follow me over there!!!

A Little Loopy

But I'm back.

Surgery was nerve wracking.

I arrived at about 5.15am got checked in and changed (I hate those hospital gowns) and they took my vitals.

Then the nurse dropped the bomb.

I had to have a shot of Heparin.

In my stomach.

Yep I said it.

IN.

MY.

STOMACH.

So of course I freaked out.

So they gave me the happy medicine sooner rather than later and all was good.

Then they rolled me down to the surgery room - which they said I wouldn't remember - but I do.

And gave me more happy medicine.

Then the next thing I knew I was in recovery.  It's like magic.

Then they told me I had to stay overnight.  Which freaked me out a little because I wasn't expecting that.

But I'm glad they kept me because I was able to get the good pain killers and it really helped to have a bed that you could put at a incline.

Lying flat hurts.

So right now I'm propped up on a ton of pillows.

The staff at St Luke's was really nice - they made the stay pleasant.

Even though I was awakened every 2 hours so they could take my vitals.  Of course they also asked if I was in any pain and when I said yes they would give me something for it.

Gotta love pain meds.

Seriously.

I got out of the hospital yesterday afternoon and my husband booked us into a hotel.

Why you ask?

Well because our furniture still hasn't arrived!

So we're chillin' at the hotel and this morning I felt good enough to want to go to Le Peep for breakfast.

I had a bit of spinach omelette and 1/2 a biscuit.  That was the first food I'd had since Tuesday other than crackers and popsicles.

Then we went to the house to get more pillows for me.

Then for some reason I thought I'd be o.k. to go to the mall.

Big mistake.

All I can say to you is OWEEE.

So my husband brought me back to the hotel where I quickly took my meds, laid down and took a nap.

And I've stayed in bed for the rest of the day.

Lesson learned.

Just because you think you feel good doesn't mean you do, it just means your pain medication is working.

Anyway - I just took more pain medication and now I'm starting to feel it...

Bye bye!

I will be offline for the next few weeks....

I'm having surgery day after tomorrow and so will not be writing much for the next two weeks...

Ciao!

My First Crock Pot Meal

Believe it or not but I bought a crock pot.

Who knew cooking would be so easy!

I kid you not it took me like 10 minutes to put everything in the pot then I turned it on for 10 hours and left it.

I (or rather IT) made the MOST delicious pulled beef sandwiches!  Just add Cheddar!

The recipe called for a wine, balsamic vinegar, worcestershire sauce, which after cooking, is used for dipping.

Yum!

I put a 3lb rump roast in the pot but it can hold a bigger one.  So next time I'm going to get the butcher to give me a 6lb one.

I love to freeze food - makes life so simple when you are busy!

I bought the Cuisinart 6.5 quart slow cooker.

Pretty isn't it?!

You're jealous aren't you?!

Don't worry they have more at the store - or Amazon!

Tastee, Tastee, Tastee!

My next cooking attempt is going to be pecan chicken.

I get to beat it with a mallet!

Hopefully I'll remember to take photos!

I have nerves...

I have to have surgery on the 18th.

I'm glad because I need it.

But nervous because, well, it's surgery.

And they tell you every teeny tiny little thing that can go wrong.

Like I need to hear that before I go under.

All I can say it that I sure am glad to get that first shot that makes you go night, night!

Then you magically wake up.

On the puppy front -

Gracie is walking on a lead better - not so much stopping and flopping.

She can follow the commands, sit, come, down.

We're working on off - she just started jumping up on us like 2 days ago.

And she's still chasing after the cat.  I can't get her to stop - I thought the cat would have taken care of it by now - she did with Gabi.

I guess she's just old and tired.

Gracie also talks back when you tell her no.

It's funny - but not because I can't figure out how to teach her not to bark.

I guess that's a question for our puppy class tomorrow!

Rollin with the homies....

That song is in my head.

GET OUT! GET OUT!

There that's better...

Our stuff still hasn't arrived yet.

I'm a little sick of having no furniture.

Actually I an SUPER sick of having no furniture.  I dropped a note to the girl who is suppose to be "co-ordinating" the shipping to see where are things are and she says:

"Dear Judith,

 

I'm sorry but the update has not changed as of yet. Hopefully when this is supposed to arrive to the Bahamas tomorrow they will give me additional information for this. Again I'm sorry I don't have better news. I hope to be able to update you again within the next few days."

So I wrote back:

"Thank you Jessica.

I have a question.

My understanding is that shipping lines have schedules for their ships.  While I understand things can happen (storms, mechanical failure etc...) which would impact this schedule, I fail to understand how the company cannot give us an expected arrival date.  They must have some sort of schedule otherwise how are they getting business?  Most freighters have to have some kind of target arrival date otherwise company's wouldn't engage their services.

Can you please either question the freighter company and strongly request an estimated date of arrival and reason for the delay or give me their contact details and I'll contact them for the information.

Thanks,"

So she wrote back that the office is closed and she'll get back with me.

If I don't hear anything tomorrow - I'm going to call her.

Thanks goodness for our friends who loaned us a card table, folding chairs and dishes.

Anyway since I don't have furniture I'm obsessing over furniture.

So we were shopping this past weekend and I found the couch I want to buy when we get a house.

It's from Restoration Hardware and I love it - the Mr. didn't even argue when he saw it.  We may even get it sooner rather than later.  But first I need a J.O.B.

We also like this bed from RH.

I like this chair because it fits me.

I may get two and put a table between so there is a small seating area.

I also kinda like this instead of night stands.

It looks like a night stand to me - but it's listed as a "trunk".

Go figure.

Anyway I guess my shopping will be virtual until I'm working and the stuff I already own gets here.

What a

PAIN.

IN.

THE.

ASS.

On the bright side...

I'm in AMERICA!

11 Weeks and Growing!

Here is a photo of me and Gracie Jane at 9 weeks.

And here is a photo of me and Gracie Jane at 11 weeks.

I don't know if you can tell or not...but she's growing!

This is my favorite photo my hubby took while we were walking in the park right beside our apartment.

We were carrying the little nig nog because there was shattered glass all over the sidewalk and on both sides in the grass.

Here's one with my hubby.

It was a beautiful day.

I'm a Voter!

I voted early!

I'm very proud of myself.

Of course I voted Republican right down the line - except for one guy.  Randy something or another.

His little helpers left a flyer at my house with photos of him and his family.

I would recommend that he not do that again in the future.  He looks and dresses like a total bubba.

As does his children.

Think trailers, motorcycles, and people who live at the bar.

He reminded me of my father.

NOT a good thing.

Think alcoholic, never there, checked out of reality in the 60's.

So NOT going to vote for someone like that.

Who in the world thinks photos of them in their undershirt is a good thing.  Especially when you don't look like an Abercrombie & Fitch model.

If you look like this and want me to vote for you:

Feel free to send me your photos.

No wait - I ENCOURAGE you to send me your photos.

But if you look like this and want me to vote for you:

Please, keep your photos to yourself.  It will have the opposite affect that you want.  I won't vote for you.

I know the thought process behind it he's trying to say - "Look at me I'm a good ole boy, I'm one of you...".

But the only thing I hear is "Look at me I'm an alcoholic, I'll drink your money away."

Not good.  I'm voting for the other guy.

I don't care who the other guy is.

He could even be a Hippy Lovin' Democrat.

Which is what I think I voted for.

Scary huh?

Date Night

We had a date Thursday night.

It was a lot of fun.

We went to the Bayou Gardens and did the sip and walk.

That's where you walk through the gardens while sipping on a glass of wine.

Nice.

The hubby - he was carrying the wine while I carried the eats...

 I think the owners of the house were going for a European garden feel.

I liked it, it was a nice garden and a nice walk.

 There were also fountains.  I like this photo - it looks like a fake background.  But it was real...

My artistic photo.

And cupid.

A bridge - I liked it in black and white better than color.

It was a really nice evening out - we're doing more of this than we ever had before.  There are so many more choices in America.  What to do, what to be.

You just can't beat it.

More Americans should have to live out of the country so they can see how great our country is compared to the rest of the world.

I love being home.

I Still Have IT, but Don't Know if I want IT...

I'm at Starbucks.

I just met with a recruiter - I think he was more interested in how I could help him get a job in the Middle East than getting me a job here.

But that's o.k. he was really nice.

Anyway there is a guy sitting in a separate group of chairs across from me who has been winking and gesturing to a chair directly across from him.

I think he's trying to flirt with me.

I'm a little out of practice - after all I've not been single for about 10 years.

But I'm pretty sure he's flirting.

From what I can gather from his phone conversation he may be a life insurance salesman.

Which is about as attractive as a used car salesman.

I mean he's kinda cute, but not.

Like slimy cute.

Like probably married and has many numerous lovers on the side - slimy cute.

Shit he's coming over!

=======================

O.K. I was ignoring him - typing on my blog but the ignoring didn't work - he walked over and proceeded to have a 45 minute conversation with me.

He was trying to pick me up - even though I was wearing my wedding ring.

SLIME!

Oh and he is a insurance salesman - ick ick ick!

I screwed with him a little bit - until SP came in and rescued me.

I told him I didn't play for or with his team.

Told him that I preferred women and toys and he couldn't compete.

I've never laughed so hard in my life.

His face was priceless!

Food Crack

Yes I said Food CRACK!

We went to a restaurant the other day, one friends had taken my husband to when he was here in Houston on business.

It's called Lola.


http://www.eatlola.com/

I had a beef and cheddar sandwich.  I thought I'd died and gone to heaven.  

No lie.

The beef was delicious - no gristle at all.

And the bun.  The Bun.

It was so good it deserves to be capitalized.

It was a yeast bun that was lightly toasted on the inside.

It makes me shiver just to think about it.

And oh did I mention the Butter?

It goes without saying that Butter should ALWAYS be capitalized.  

I think they brushed The Bun with Butter.

I'm sure they brushed The Bun with Butter.

If it's not Butter on that Bun then I don't want to know.

If it tastes that good it MUST be Butter.

Of course I finished it off before I thought to take a photo.

But I took one of my husband when we were waiting for take out a few days later.

Because I couldn't stop thinking about my Food Crack.

Gracie Jane Comes Home!

Gracie Jane came home with us on October 16th when she was 9 weeks old.

We Drove up to Dallas in our new SUV, here's the big statue of Sam Houston.  Pretty good photo for going about 75MPH.

My hubby talking to me...he wasn't really expecting me to take a photo.

Here is Gracie Jane's Daddy.  I have a photo of her mother but I can't figure out which one she is!  They had 3 Adult American Mastiffs and they were all so sweet and cute.  Too bad we couldn't pick up Gracie earlier - I would have loved to see her brothers and sisters.

Here's my hubby meeting Gracie - she looks so small.

And here I am holding her - he paws are so big and thick.

This is Gracie on the drive home - she whined for about 10 minutes then slept the entire way back to Houston.

Isn't she so cute!?

Our New Apartment

Here are a few photos of our new apartment.

Here is the living room.  And no we have no furniture yet...it's currently on it's way to the Bahamas and is expected to land there on November 4th with no estimate of when it will arrive here in Houston.

Nice.  I hope my furniture has fun there...

I'm thinking of buying dressers from the 2nd hand store to put our clothes in while we wait.

Here is the kitchen - nice and open!  I missed that in Dubai and London both places generally have kitchens with doors.

Here is my nice BIG bathroom!  I love having drawers again!

Here is the court yard outside our living room.  It's green and growing...not sandy!

Life is good!

And We're Back...

I have internet again so I'm up and running...

Kinda.

Who knew moving back would make me so busy?  When I moved to Dubai I can remember being bored out of my mind getting depressed and having problems getting out of bed.

Literally.

Now I'm up at 5am and I'm going all day long.

I'm exhausted by the end of the day!

Between setting up the house, taking care of the puppy and looking for a job AND getting back in touch with friends I'm booked solid.

And I still need to re-connect with my friends in the UAE and UK.

I suck at keeping in touch when I'm in flux.

So I'm going to be putting up multiple posts regarding what has been going on....

Get ready...

Here it comes....

Oh and will you look at that location?  It's HOUSTON baby!

No Internet!

I have no internet right now so it's been a pain trying to keep in touch!  We should have internet tomorrow - fingers crossed!

Here is a quick summary of what has been going on...

We moved into our new apartment, we have no furniture but a good friend loaned us dishes and utensils thank goodness.

It is a pain and it's expensive to replace everything we had to get rid of when we moved from Dubai and I'm glad I don't have to purchase things we already have, but just haven't arrived yet!

We picked up miss Gracie Jane - she's soo cute!

I'm still looking for a job but have been really busy setting up the house.

I'll write more and add photos when we are back online...

Gracie Jane is Coming Home!

I received more photos of Gracie Jane!

Isn't she adorable?!  We're going to pick her up tomorrow morning!

I've bought all the necessary items except one...her tag.  I'm going to get that one today.  I got her a cute adjustable collar - it's grey and pink.

I also bought her a dog bed and it's a bit bigger than this one, but not as big as it's going to need to be!

She also has babies waiting for her to play with.  A pig, a chicken, and one thing that I'm really not sure what it is...

They are indoor toys - I'm not sure if she's going to toss her toys in the house - but if she does they need to be the soft ones.  Not tennis balls.  They break things.

The outdoor toys she'll get later, after we get an idea of what she may prefer.

We are so excited - need to make sure the camera batteries are charged up for tomorrow!

Job Hunt

I'm looking for a job.

I called 3 recruiters gave 2 my details.

Not sure how fast a job will show up.

Not really sure how soon I want to work.

Ideally it would be after our stuff arrived and we unpacked.  But I'm open to working faster than that.

I am so tired.

I need to take a nap.

Then I think I can be energized - active - in my job search.

SNORE!

Updates

I haven't been keeping in touch very well, neither on my blog or in my life personally.

I need to update my blog to reflect the fact that I'm BACK!

I'm going to keep updating this one until I'm move into our new apartment and our stuff has been delivered by the movers.

I think that's a good demarkation point.  I was there and now I'm here.

Then I'm going to start a new blog and link this one to it.

I've been busy getting things together and living with my bf SP has kept me busy.

Chatting

Shopping

Cooking

Hanging

And who knew kids were so time consuming?!

It's been fun, but I've been shit at calling my friends here and reconnecting, or keeping connected to my friends in the UK and the UAE.

It'll get better once I'm in my own place and have some sort of routine.  But right now I'm just trying to get settled in.

Yesterday we bought a new bed - since ours will not arrive until after the 30th and,

I've started the great job hunt -met with a recruiter and now need to get on the stick to apply and call etc...

Hopefully I'll be employed soon.

If not full time I'm going to go for a part-time job.  Maybe at Starbucks...

Anyway I'm going to make an effort to update more often, call my friends, and get my fricken Skype sorted out.  It keeps freezing up and not allowing me to chat or make phone calls.

Later!

What a Bum!

I thought I'd be:

Writing prolifically in my Blog.

Organizing my Kindle books in an excel spreadsheet jotting down the summary so I could tell what the books were about without opening them up.

That's the downside to an electronic book - if you forget the order they should be read in, forget what they are about, etc... it's a pain to open it up in the kindle to try and figure it out.


Madly looking for a job.

Calling all my friends and having lunch / dinner / drinks / coffee.

I can't figure out what I've been doing instead.

What have I been doing for the past week (can you believe I'll be home for a week this Wednesday?!)?

Well I did get some things done - I found an apartment, we bought a car, I set up the electricity for the apartment, arranged to pick up Gracie Jane, and I have an appointment on Thursday with a recruiter.

I also took AW to the doctor, and I'm running errands and going grocery shopping today.

Huh...I guess I've done a bit more than I thought.

But still nothing I thought I'd be doing.  I need to write a list.

Then I can mark things off.

Be productive.

I love being in America!

Foul Play

I just want to say I really like the movie Foul Play.

I'm watching it for like the 10 millionth time!

What can I say - I'm unemployed...for now.