Thursday, December 27, 2007
KITTENS
Tim won't let me have kittens - they were at the top of my Christmas list too. Apparently a rabbit is also not permitted in the Dean household. I will have to be content with my new fish *see right*. I hope to have a bit more luck with these than our former names-now-forgotten ones. Feel free to feed them - just click in their water - they are alway hungry it seems. Also on the look outy for names - leave ideas on the comments.
CHRISTMAS DAY IN BAHRAIN
by Shar
Christmas day was lovely and we only felt momentarily sad about being away from 'home' when talking to family and friends on the phone.
The day started not so well, at about 5.30 with Lilli in tears saying her legs hurt, laying on the tiled floor to cool down. After a dose of Panadol she was ready to start the day. By the time she made it downstairs the panadol had kicked in, and with the adrenalin - all was fine with the world.
Santa and Associates were quite generous this year in the Bahrain Dean household on accounta tha fact that Lilli had recently left behind 99% of her toys. She was very pleased to see that he had read her letter and had decided that she had been good enough for a dolls house. She was particularly impressed to see that Santa had gone to the effort to dress one of her dolls in a fairy outfit (that exactly matched the new one from Auntie Nicola et al.) and had placed this doll reclining in a chaise lounge in her new house. She also commented on all the effort that the elves had gone to in making the house - awwwe.
Tim had invited 'Tony' to share Christmas lunch with us. The plan was to have a BBQ out by the pool area. It was too cold so the food was bbq'd outside and then brought inside. Our Christmas Day menu consisted of the following:
We enjoyed quite a peaceful meal as Lilli slept through most of it on our new lounge. By the end of the meal we decided that she must be quite sick for her to have slept that long. We offered her chocolate which she declined and confirmed therefore our decision to take her to the hospital. The doctor was quite alarmed at the size and state of her tonsils (which made me feel bad) and sent us home with an armful of medicine. Poor little Lilli.
Christmas day was lovely and we only felt momentarily sad about being away from 'home' when talking to family and friends on the phone.
The day started not so well, at about 5.30 with Lilli in tears saying her legs hurt, laying on the tiled floor to cool down. After a dose of Panadol she was ready to start the day. By the time she made it downstairs the panadol had kicked in, and with the adrenalin - all was fine with the world.
Santa and Associates were quite generous this year in the Bahrain Dean household on accounta tha fact that Lilli had recently left behind 99% of her toys. She was very pleased to see that he had read her letter and had decided that she had been good enough for a dolls house. She was particularly impressed to see that Santa had gone to the effort to dress one of her dolls in a fairy outfit (that exactly matched the new one from Auntie Nicola et al.) and had placed this doll reclining in a chaise lounge in her new house. She also commented on all the effort that the elves had gone to in making the house - awwwe.
Tim had invited 'Tony' to share Christmas lunch with us. The plan was to have a BBQ out by the pool area. It was too cold so the food was bbq'd outside and then brought inside. Our Christmas Day menu consisted of the following:
Festive Berry Spritzer
Char grilled kebabs of lamb, chicken & halloumi / mushrooms, cherry tomatoes and capsicum
Char grilled corn cobs
Spicy Chicken meatballs
Snowpea salad with feta and pomegranate
Lime & herb pickled prawns
Seasoned rice
Wine compliments of Tony
Cranberry Christmas cake compliments of Tony
Lindor chocolate & strawberries
Marzipan Fruits
Brandy
Here is picture of the main spread:
We enjoyed quite a peaceful meal as Lilli slept through most of it on our new lounge. By the end of the meal we decided that she must be quite sick for her to have slept that long. We offered her chocolate which she declined and confirmed therefore our decision to take her to the hospital. The doctor was quite alarmed at the size and state of her tonsils (which made me feel bad) and sent us home with an armful of medicine. Poor little Lilli.
Monday, December 24, 2007
COMMENTS
HEY! Don't forget to leave a comment for us. Just click on comments at the bottom of the post and leave a short note. BTW, the audio clips often need a double click to make them play.
DUBAI
By Shar
We had a two night stay in the fantastic 'Kempinski' hotel in Dubai. Everything about this hotel was wonderful. The decor was elegant, interesting and luxurious. The staff were amazing - everyone greeted us and they made a big fuss over Lilli, which she loved. The bathroom was like having your own private luxury spa - absolute bliss.
The Kempinski is part of the enormous 'Mall of the Emirates' which is a project built by Tim's employer - MAF. Words can't really describe, so check it out http://www.malloftheemirates.com/ Ski Dubai has to be seen to be believed http://www.skidxb.com/ We were really looking forward to taking Lilli, but she couldn't go past the pool at 
the Kempinski which she lived in. The hotel and Ski Dubai are all interconnected with the biggest shopping mall I have ever seen. Tim spoilt me with a brand new red phone and bag - I am moving into my 'red/gold' phase.
We had a wonderful meal at a restaurant in the Mall. It was called 'Almaz by Momo'. Fabulous Moroccan food and fabulous service in an absolutely sumptuous interior. Lilli was fawned over by the staff and was kept occupied by drawing pictures for them, which left us to enjoy the food - cous cous, chicken tagine, and a delicious something which neither of us can remember now as we were both in a bit of a sleep deprived daze. See slide show below for photos.
Saturday, December 22, 2007
LEAVING
by Shar
Leaving was a lot harder than expected. Of course I was not ready - bags were not packed, and a lot of last minute 'things-to-do', not done. Anxiety attacks and the sudden realisation that I would not be seeing so many lovely friends for possibly a very long time. Last minute news that the house was rented was a blessing and so was my dad who managed the lions share of the packing and cleaning up after we had already left - thanks dad.
Lilli's graduation (see pic) was a rushed affair as I had left home without paying the removalists who had finished soon after I left and were waiting for my return - possibly made it easier as it was so sad to say goodbye to all the fabulous women who had taken such wonderful care of Lilli for over half of her life.
Saying goodbye to Tessie Woo was heartbreaking - she has been such a great little companion over the past few months that Tim was away. I always felt safe and comforted in the house when she was around. It was very hard to leave her. Lilli offered some light relief by asking me not to cry and to take a few deep breaths (our suggestion for her when she is upset).
The Emirates business class lounge was bliss - initially. Very tasteful and sooo quiet and peaceful. This was disrupted somewhat by Lilli doing 360's both by running and crawling - sound effects added to my pain. I had a 6 hour respite on the plane as she slept, and then it started up all over again - in the seat. By the time we arrived in Dubai, and with less than 4 hours sleep over 72 hours, the happy family reunion wasn't quite what I pictured it to be. Tim, bless his little cotton socks, made a dramatic attempt to greet us by vaulting over the barrier when he saw us coming - unfortunately though, he sprained (or broke) his middle toe which Lilli has been stepping on ever since. It was lovely to see each other though.
Leaving was a lot harder than expected. Of course I was not ready - bags were not packed, and a lot of last minute 'things-to-do', not done. Anxiety attacks and the sudden realisation that I would not be seeing so many lovely friends for possibly a very long time. Last minute news that the house was rented was a blessing and so was my dad who managed the lions share of the packing and cleaning up after we had already left - thanks dad.
Lilli's graduation (see pic) was a rushed affair as I had left home without paying the removalists who had finished soon after I left and were waiting for my return - possibly made it easier as it was so sad to say goodbye to all the fabulous women who had taken such wonderful care of Lilli for over half of her life.
Saying goodbye to Tessie Woo was heartbreaking - she has been such a great little companion over the past few months that Tim was away. I always felt safe and comforted in the house when she was around. It was very hard to leave her. Lilli offered some light relief by asking me not to cry and to take a few deep breaths (our suggestion for her when she is upset).
The Emirates business class lounge was bliss - initially. Very tasteful and sooo quiet and peaceful. This was disrupted somewhat by Lilli doing 360's both by running and crawling - sound effects added to my pain. I had a 6 hour respite on the plane as she slept, and then it started up all over again - in the seat. By the time we arrived in Dubai, and with less than 4 hours sleep over 72 hours, the happy family reunion wasn't quite what I pictured it to be. Tim, bless his little cotton socks, made a dramatic attempt to greet us by vaulting over the barrier when he saw us coming - unfortunately though, he sprained (or broke) his middle toe which Lilli has been stepping on ever since. It was lovely to see each other though.
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