Happy Holidays!

Here it is, our third Christmas in Qatar. As always, I miss home, I miss the grandchildren, I miss snow and baking day, and frosty breath, howling winds that require you have to snuggle up close, warming up to the wood stove after sledding....

But here we are....and we will be here at least one more year. Thanks to Skype and telephone and photos, we are able to share Christmas and some of the excitement. My sister, Mary, sent us some peanut brittle and goodies, and more are on the way from the kids and friends. Our little trees are cute and I found 2 gorgeous poinsettias AND a hyacinth at the Omani souks. What a combination!! Winter and spring in one package for me!

I made fudge and cookies this weekend. It's not the same and I felt lost at first...I usually make trees and stars and holly, but wanted to be neutral so we could share our goodies with all our friends and with my students... I just couldn't get in the groove. I was really missing the grandchildren and especially, Mykayla, mostly because of the history we have of cookie and goodie making....so, it hit me....rainbow stars. I am starting a new tradition (mostly because I can't figure out how to make burgundy colored frosting or sprinkles for National Day) of making rainbow stars! :) They are really cool looking. I just wish the grand kids were here to decorate them with me. :)

Today, Santa sent me special messages for them, which I forwarded to their moms. They have all been such wonderful kids, I can't see how they won't get anything they want! :) Justin saw Santa last week and today, Kayla and Kenzie are going to see him at Big Boy in Houghton Lake. Hoping they take photos!

I have a little over a month before I get on a plane and head west to get my hands on and wrap my arms around those kids, my son and daughters, my sister, my horses, my friends....I can't wait! The semester is almost over, 2 more weeks finishing up our syllabus, final exams, grading, a New Year's BBQ potluck, committee work, reporting on my service learning/reading aloud project, compiling results of the surveys, determining the next step, taking part in ELF (English Language Forum), and psyching myself up for another semester, another year beyond this working at QU and living in Qatar. Maybe two if necessary. Let's hope not....

Happy Holidays to everyone. Your continued messages of love and support mean the world to us! Please take a look at our weekend...we spent it at home with each other. National Day is a wonderful show of patriotism here that often goes a bit over the top for us. We enjoyed the extra day off and getting ready for Christmas. So....until next time.....