Stump Puppet

Well, last week was one heck of a week. Glad it is over is about the only positive thing I can say about it!

My sweet Maggie decided to use little sister's hand to test the lightbulb in a lamp in her room. When I ran in there, I knew Maggie was the culprit since she was crying and hiding under the covers on her bed. It started out with "Paigey touched the lightbulb" but then finally progessed to "I held her hand on the lightbulb." Chaos ensued as the pain must of made Paigey Poo poop herself all over the place. As I'm changing her, I notice the skin is starting to look wierd on her hand very quickly. I call the clinic on base and they tell me it is 2nd degree burns and to call 999 (911) and tell them I need to be transported to the burn unit at Salmanaiya Hospital. I didn't agree with this and wanted to drive us myself but I have no clue where this hospital is sooooooo.....I call and once again, the language barrier took up more time than I wanted to deal with so I hung up on them and we went to the one hospital that I knew how to get to, Bahrain Specialist Hospital in Juffair (where we used to live). Wonderful service and wonderful staff so far. Paige has 2nd degree burns and the plastic surgeon thinks they are superficial so she should heal just fine. He drained her blisters (they were HUGE, she looked like she was growing another hand!!!) and we have to keep dressings on it and go back often to have them changed, which really hacks her off!

The Burner a.k.a Maggie cried more in the ER than Paige did and sat there with her blankie over her head because she was so ashamed of herself. She kept telling me not to tell the dr. it was her fault. Sorry sister, better them know it was you than think it was me! Maggie had a long talk with daddy and mommy, naptime for 2 hours and an early bedtime with no books or cuddling (if you know Maggie, she lives to "read books and cuddle" before bed). She also has to pick up all the messes her and Paigey make for the next week. This one is about to send her over the edge.

The Burnee a.k.a. Paige is happy as can be, ripping off all dressings so far. We finally told the Dr. last night to tape it to her skin. So far, so good. We call it her "stump" and Maggie calls it her "puppet." Either way, the Stump Puppet is hilarious to watch as she learns how to adjust to having it on. In addition, Stump Puppet finally got her fourth tooth and a fifth is about to pop. What's funny is it is both eye teeth. The child still doesn't have her right front tooth. This kid is a riot....

In other news, Wiley's Bahraini Beater (his car) broke down AGAIN. Yes, the Super Saloon is out of commission. We just had the whole a/c replaced a few weeks ago and now we have to wait until Wednesday to see what else this hunk of crap needs done to it. Btw, the Super Saloon is a Mitsubishi Galant. You would think whoever named it would have known that saloon and cars shouldn't be in the same group. Apparently, Super Saloon is the sporty version of cars over here.

The fun doesn't stop here, folks.....we also found out we need to replace our a/c unit at our house in Florida. Our poor renters moved in and the a/c moved out. So, my Smiley Wiley has been a very sober Wiley the last week. I guess I just need to keep him stocked on sweets and alcohol! On a positive note, we have each other, we have our health (minus a hand) and we have.............our HOUSEHOLD GOODS arriving on Tuesday!!!!!! That saves the day! I think sleeping in his own bed after several months will put the smile back on his face. And let me just say, I may put the girls in the base daycare on Wednesday just to lay in my very own bed all day.

Preschool/College....it's all the same

Today Maggie and I went to the International School of Chouifat to ask more questions about her pre-k program for the 2010-11 year. Oh.my.goodness. Never thought deciding which pre-k program to put my child in would be SUCH a hard decision. Chouifat is on our island, literally two minutes from my building to the school, the campus is AMAZING, and did I mention it's close????? However, many red flags about their way of teaching have popped up making this a real conundrum for Wiley and I. Hours are from 8am - 3pm with 3 breaks (1 lunch and 2 recesses). Very strict academics even for this age mixed in with some fun activities here and there. BUT, very focused on English and Math most of the day. They said Maggie should be so far ahead when she returned to the states that she might be bored. For the love of God, it's only freakin' pre-k, right?

The other school is a British school 20-30 minutes away and I have had nothing but glowing reports from everyone that has recommended it. My first impression of the school itself? Lets be honest, I thought it was a dump. A cute dump, though. With cheery British teachers and cute kids in funny little uniforms. A happy, kid friendly place with children like my own (only with a British accent...cheerio!). Academically, I've heard they are good and very good prep for the DOD Bahrain School where Maggie will attend kindergarten (on the taxpayers dollar, yay!!!).

What to do, what to do???? Part of me wants to be selfish and try out the Chouifet School since it's so convenient. Maggie can handle the academics because she is scary smart but socially I'm worried she will be more timid and feel like an outsider. The school is mostly Arab with few expats like us. Many people have said the Arab boys at this school aren't very well behaved and discipline can be a problem even at the pre-k level. We all know from my previous "vent session" post that I am not high on the Arab opposite sex right now. In addition, I want her to have friends that can come over and play or vice versa and if most of her classmates are Arab, there is a big chance that just won't happen. Not on our part, mind you. I have no problem integrating her with different cultures if I knew socially, it was in her best interest.

Another part of me wants to prove a rude lady wrong (is that so bad!) who made me feel like the scum parent of the earth for even considering Chouifet. Well, I may have to suck it up, bite the bullet and call the British school and see if I can get back on the waiting list...........my head and heart both seem to be pushing me in this direction.

Oh, and none of this would be an issue if the DOD school had a pre-k program and we didn't have to pay thousands of dollars to send our kids to private programs! Never thought I would be comparing and stressing over my pre-k options more so than I did when I was picking a college. What the? Can I just pick up my little Children of Woodbine Preschool in Pace, Florida, put it in my pocket, bring it to Bahrain and set it right next door to my apartment building?

OR....I could save my money, home school her for the next year, lose my sanity and have both kids asking daddy why mommy always sits in a corner after lunch flapping her arms and trying to bite her nose.....

Happy Fathers Day

Happy Fathers Day to my hubs. You have carried the brunt of this move on your shoulders and I am so proud of how you have handled it (certainly better than me!). And since I don't say it enough -

*Thank you for upgrading our cable so cockfighting isn't one of our only choices.
*Thank you for letting me shop alot lately instead of seeing a pyschiatrist.
*Thanks for going ahead and buying the Khuerig when I didn't think we needed it.
*Thanks for being ok with the fact that I don't like to cook, even in Bahrain...
*Thanks for buying another converter so I don't have to lug them from room to room to plug stuff in.
*Thanks for being the waterboy and lugging the bottles to the apt every few days.
*Thanks for not losing it when I try to explain to you what the maintenance men MAY have said.
*Thanks for lugging the trash down to the dumpster without griping when asked.
*Thanks for laying the smack down on Paige when she is mean to her mommy.
*Thanks for letting me take a nap on the bench at Naples while you dealt with the kids.
*Thanks for calling everyday to see if we need something from base before you head home. Most of the time I do and you never complain.
*Thanks for keeping my car filled with gas and for not making fun of me that I am slightly scared to do it myself or that I don't know where any gas stations are.
*Thanks for rolling down the windows so we can listen to the call to prayer in the car. Maggie loves it more than Kidz Bop!
*Thanks for not caring that I wear a ponytail or hat every single day and no makeup.
*Thanks for helping me see the funny side of our new life here.
*Thanks for loving our girls even when they have lost their minds with all the change.
*Most of all, thanks for leading us through this mess with laughter, composure and patience!!!

Honey, we make a great team and I love you to the top of infinity and the world (Maggie's highest number).

Love,

The Wife

PS. To my dear dad - the only thing that's missing is I didn't get to spend the day with you. I love and miss you dearly. Thanks for letting us go halfway around the world without complaint and for trusting our judgement. I am dying for you and mom to come check out our world! I try to picture your face when I see funny things here and it makes me laugh. Last but not least, thanks for taking in my "son" although it doesn't seem like home with my little Jack not here. I know he is in good hands but it still makes me cry almost as bad as when I asked you if you would keep him for me! Much love - your oldest

Just a little vent session....

So, we have now lived in Bahrain for over a month and while everything has been fine, it is still nervewracking at times (ok, more than that!). We are in our new apartment now and its very nice but its brand new, never been lived in......sooooooo, a few kinks to work out here and there. No biggie if you're able to understand the people who come in to fix stuff for you. I can't understand them and they can't understand me. This, in turn, frustrates my poor hubby when he comes home from work and I have no clue what the poor dudes were trying to tell me about fixing the problem! It's a vicious circle! And this happens every day. I can't understand a damn person that works in this building and they can't understand me. It would be so funny if I video'd our conversations in my apt with my two kids running around screaming in the background. Basically, a lot of head shaking, smiling, and talking loud (as if the louder we talk helps us understand each other!).

Parking in the shade is KEY here. Even if you have the best a/c in the world, if you don't park in the shade, you will be melting in your car for the next 20 minutes. We have one parking spot in the garage parking area and some a-hole has left their car in my spot for the last three days! In addition, they don't register your car here at our building so there was no way to get in touch with the spot stealer. I think (courtesy of my Oklahoma/Saudi comrade, Becky) that a good key scratch down the car for each day in my spot is a good warning to not mess with a woman on the edge! Luckily for their BMW, my parking spot has now been restored to the rightful owner and I hope they are as red, sweaty and miserable as my poor Paigey was when I had to park in the sun.

Last but not least, a big THANK YOU to all the "men" (and that term is applied loosely) who made me feel like I was posing for Playboy today at the waterpark. Apparently, a mom in a modest tankini(Lands End, folks - doesn't get more modest than that!!!) swimming with her family is too much for their sexually repressed hormones to handle. I'm gonna have a hard time biting my tongue when it comes to the punk guys around here who have no respect for anyone.....lets hope you don't see my face on the news in a few months. I shouldn't apply that statement to all men around here. Most are very nice and polite, even though they act like you don't exist, which I get and can respect. It's the young men on this island that bother me. Many are raised by nannies and are fed with a silver spoon. Out in public, they are loud and rude and have no respect. Sad to say, I can see where they are headed in life.

Ok, bitch session #1 is over but I am sure I will have more to come! Just having a bit of a hard time at the moment but I know that it's normal. Friends here have said end of month 1 and month 3 are the hardest. And it probably doesn't help that the temps are in the 110 - 120 range, either. It is making this mom a hot mess right now!

Nomads again......

Well, today has been another pack-out day (Navy speak for moving). We are FINALLY moving to our flat on Amwaj Island. I'm tired of moving so lets hope this 1 year lease turns into 2 years and I don't have to move again until 2012! So, the new flat is fully furnished (stocked kitchen as well!) so we may not have to unpack several boxes. Oh wait, yes we will.......to see what's broken, stolen, etc. I shouldn't be so negative about it but unfortunately, I haven't heard many good things about the overseas move. Actually, I am more worried about my stuff in non-climate controlled temp storage back in Florida. Not to mention every sentimental picture, book, letter, keepsake, etc. sitting in my parents barn, house, wherever back in Oklahoma. We literally have our stuff strung all over the world right now and I can't remember what's where!

Yesterday I ventured to the souq with Jann and a few other friends to get a little bargain shopping done in the great outdoors. The souq are marketplaces in the older parts of town. From gold/silver to fabric, spices, etc., you can find a bevy of interesting things to bargain for. We did run across some kid toys that rap and sing Arabic so, friends, don't be surprised if some of you receive these wonderfully ANNOYING AS HELL toys in the mail one of these days! Souq day was a cool day and when I say cool, temps only ran in the high 90's. This was due to the wonderful sandstorm that blocked out some of the heat. I preferred the grime that day to the sweat and was happy for a little relief from the heat. However, every time I licked my lips, they were nice and dusty.

Looking forward to a long weekend of unpacking, settling in and hanging out with my girlies while Wiley flies. He is, again, the lowly 2p in the group so fly alot, he must!

I wonder........

What the Arab women are like behind closed doors????? It is very strange to me to see them taking skimpy clothes to the dressing room. I would love to know what they wear under their robes. When you see their faces, they are absolutely beautiful, although, as a fan of the natural makeup look - these gals PAINT their faces. And I mean paint with some color! I put some of the blue liquid eyeliner on my hand to see what it was like and I couldn't get it off for 2 days! They also have something they put in their hair because it looks like they must have the world's biggest Bump-it underneath their headscarves. That or the beehive is back in style because everyone is sporting it! The black robes they wear are actually very different from one to another. Some are very simple and others are decked out and very ornamental with lots of beadwork, etc. I would love to meet an Arab friend that can clue me in on the tricks of the trade. That may be somewhat difficult since I'm American and it seems that most of the Arab women won't talk or even look at me. Also, you cannot photograph them without asking their permission. And many probably won't give it. I had some henna painted on my hand several weeks ago and my friend could only take pics of me sans the lady painting my hand. I know this is part of their cultural but curiosity if really killing this cat......

Rooftop fun and other interesting tidbits.......

Tonight we had the Flusche family over for a rooftop cookout and swim. We are spoiled and living in a wonderful executive apartment with a great rooftop pool, kiddie pool, grill setup, gym, sauna and steamroom, and restaurant. And since the cold stores (like teensy gas stations minus the the gas) deliver, I really never need to leave the confines of our little heaven. The older kids had a blast, the men grilled with a few cold ones and the babies fussed and griped which is their usual demeanor the last few weeks. Most of my time was spent chasing Paigey. The night was capped with finding out our Wii didn't survive the trip when we tried to hook it up for the boys to play some Tiger Woods Golf. I love moving!!!!

Little Miss Paigey Poo has been entertaining a little mean streak lately. Hitting has become her new guilty pleasure although she most certainly doesn't feel any guilt when she does it. I'm very afraid she will be a biter once she actually has some teeth (come on #3!). She loves biting my hair and shirt. I guess that is what I get after Maggie being so easy. As for Miss Magpie, her sassiness has got her in trouble lately and I fear it's only just started. Yes, Mom (like you're reading this!), I will get repaid. Still, both girls are adjusting well and starting to play and fight like sisters. They like sleeping in the same room although Paigey does wake Maggie up a lot (according to Maggie). I'm ready to be in our new apartment so they can have their own rooms!

We move in to our new apartment next Friday (11th). Sooooooo ready! Downside is our household goods won't get here until closer to the end of the month. Our new apt is on a reclaimed island in the northeast section of the kingdom called Amwaj Island. It's very beautiful and we chose a 4 bedroom flat in the Zaiwa 1 tower. Great ocean views from our two balconeys! We even have a maids room and bathroom off the kitchen (which is pretty standard). Now if I can only get a maid.......hmmm. The apartment comes fully furnished so we won't have to unpack a lot of the stuff we had shipped. All I care about are the toys and my bed pillows.

On another note, lots of demonstrations today were held in Bahrain due to the Israeli flotilla ordeal. We are sent emails daily (I think) of where the hotspots are and places to avoid. It's funny to only hear the Palistinian side of the story. Thankfully we are able to access Fox, etc so we can get the other side. They take security very seriously here. Before the hotel knew my car, they would check underneath it with a mirror searching for explosives. Wiley can't wear his flight suit to work, he has to go in street clothes. We also shouldn't wear clothing depicting American teams, logos etc. Would love to put the girls Sooners shirts on them but we don't. I'm sure my OSU fans appreciate that. In addition, we don't have base decal stickers on our cars. We have clips for them and we clip them to our mirror on base but it has to be taken off as soon as we leave base.

Tomorrow we are checking out a school for Maggie in the fall. Wish us luck. This school is a prek - 12th grade school that is also a boarding school for older kids. It's on our island and it's like walking onto a college campus. I just miss my cute lil country pre-school in Pace, Fl.

Rambling is now over. Maybe one of these days, I can get my thoughts in order and also add some pictures (my little netbook and our shady internet service makes it almost impossible). It just seems I have so much to talk about when I start writing and want my girls to have all these details someday. Thanks for bearing with me, friends!

In the land of Sand

So, 11 months after my last blog finds us living in Bahrain. For those of you who aren't that familiar with the Middle East (like any of us are!), it is an island 14 miles of the coast of eastern Saudi Arabia. And why, pray tell, are we here? That would be the Navy's doing. However, these orders are like winning the lottery as far as we are concerned. Wiley's other choices were taking an IA to Iraq or Afghanistan or going to the boat. This tour was basically the only way for us to stay together as a family and for him to keep flying.

We arrived here on May 6th after 3 long days of travel. Each leg on our journey here was delayed starting with Wichita. The volcanic ash had the navy rotater's backed up in Norfolk (the place was a raving madhouse of people!) and the Greek strike has us stuck in Naples, Italy (our last leg was to Suodo Bay, Greece). We finally made it and we were delirious with jet lag. It was quite comical, actually. Bahrain is 8 hours ahead of what we were used to so needless to say, our sleep habits to a while to adjust. I still can't get used to the 4:30ish sunrise and I've been here a month. We are basically on track and sleeping well (ok, the kids and Wiley are sleeping well). Me.....my sleeping sucks and I may need drugs for it!

Bahrain is pretty cool so far although the heat is bad and we haven't even reached the bad temps yet. Bahrain is the most liberal country in the middle east and so it's not much different from being back in the states. It' a very modern, rich city with lots of old mixed in with the new. Unfortunately, it's too hot to do a lot of sightseeing so that will start up once the temps cool down in the fall. Here is a list of some things I've learned since being here:

*The heat really is THAT bad if you're not acclimated to it.
*Wear shirts that don't show your sweat!
*While many Arab men won't talk to you, they will talk to your kids very sweetly.
*Kids are loved by all here....dont' be surprised if they take your baby from you at restaurants, etc and walk around with her.
*Driving is just stupid here. Surprisingly enough, there seem to be very few wrecks.
*The work week here is Sun - Thurs and Friday is church day.
*Most people here speak English
*Lots of expats and immigrants here. I've met very few people so far that are Bahraini's. Most people I've met are from Phillipines, India and other asian islands.
*It's very much a "nanny" lifestyle here. It costs very little to have nannies and housekeepers so many take advantage of that.
*Muslim men decide what type of covering their wives and daughters will have. Most wear the abayas (robes) and hejabs (hair covering) but there are many that wear the full burka (where just the eyes show).
*Muslim mens headwear depicts where they are from.
*Even though the country is fairly liberal, there are still many internet sites blocked that we cannot access.
*Many shows and movies are "edited." I'm going to go see Sex and the City 2 with friends and am interested to see what they will cut!
*When you buy your ticket at the movie theatre, they assign you a seat.
*The money system here is called Dinar and it is really easy. The Bahraini Dinar is about .267 of the American $ and is directly fixed to the dollar.
*Saudi's and Kuwait's flock to Bahrain on Wed nights (their workweeks are Sat - Wed). Apparently, they come here to party and let loose! All I know is, the island is filled with top of the line cars and very conservative dress on Thursdays and Fridays!
*Friday Brunch at the hotels is the place to be. Alcohol is only served in hotels so eveyone flocks to them on Fridays. I was VERY surprised (and relieved) my first brunch to see what goes on. It was nice to see that we can have drinks with our friends in public!
*EVERYTHING delivers here. You want some McDonalds - have it delivered! Are you out of milk for your kids? Call the cold store and they will deliver it to you! That is a 10 on my list of total awesomeness!

Alright, I have probably rambled on for long enough. I promise to keep this up for my kid's sake more than anything. My own little journal for them......