You can take the thrifter out of the country. . .but not out of the girl.

A while ago I had the pleasure of helping the OWC with their "Nearly New" boutique sale that they were having.

"Nearly New" is just that.  It was stuff in peoples closets that they were no longer wearing/couldn't fit or just didn't want.  What greater way to entice a 'thrifter'. . .ask me to help!  Help I did!  The day before, I arrived with several other ladies - who might I add, probably had the same reason for helping that I did (love finding fellow thrifters!) - we unboxed, hung, folded, organized  - tried on clothes.  Wait?  Did I just say that out loud?  Yes.  We are guilty.  We were eyeing all the stuff and trying on things we liked.  We had prime pickin's.  Booyah!  I forgot to add that I was also fed.  What greater way to my heart than feeding and thrifting.  I am a girl that doesn't ask for much in life. . . . 

Going into Middle School

I can't believe the school year has come to a close 

I REALLY can't believe that I will have a middle schooler next year either.

It was really fun to watch Olivia mature this year.  O has always been the youngest one in her class and you can kind of see it in her maturity.  Don't get me wrong. . .she is a good kid, but it is noticeable.

This year she formed friendship and bonds, that I fear when we depart India she just may be devastated.  As all things in the life we lead, this is our new norm.

On one of our final weekend before heading home for the summer, she got together with two girl friends to celebrated her birthday.  Unfortunately, mom and dad are not into birthday parties.  We still celebrate them. . .but in a smaller scale.  O and her friends went to the mall, ate lunch and watched a movie.  I was a little apprehensive to take on such a feat. . . but they were so good!  They checked in when they needed to.  They were nice to Paz - she tagged along.  All around a great day.  I can see more mall days with preteens in my future. . . .

It was a few days after this pic was taken that O found out her close friend - Elisha would be moving back to the US.  O was crying.  Our kids have never had to deal with losing friends.  Prior to India - we lived in a school district where people NEVER left.  So saying goodbye for ever was just something that O could not handle.  :(  

I am hoping that the excitement of the coming school year will distract her and the new friends that will be moving in will encourage her to reach out of her comfort zone and form new bonds.

I hope you all have a great school year ahead!

A little bit of something and Singapore

**PLEASE NOTE > THIS WAS AN OLD POST!!**

Currently, I am write this  - I am in the US for the Christmas holiday.  I am still adjusting to the time.  I went to bed at 7 and woke up at 4.  This is for the birds!

The girls are also struggling. .but we still enjoy seeing friends and family - we just tire sooner!  Hubby seems to be doing fine - but he is use to travel/time change.  He is awesome in that aspect.  Me - not so much.

In our time here we have eaten so much!  Abuela (my mom) has been on a mission of feeding me.  (I am not complaining!). . .oh.  .and feeding me some more.  I am in a constant food coma.

Prior to arriving home we visited Singapore.  Singapore was simply wonderful.  It is clean.  We are talking OCD clean.  So clean that my kids have convinced me that chewing gum is outlawed.  Not sure if it is true. . .but I believe them!
We went to the Trees, Universal Studios, and the famous Singapore Zoo. 

 

 

 

 

After Singapore - on to the USA
The beginnings of our stay was not so fun.  We landed on the 13th.  Paz and Olivia had doc appts on the 14th.  Olivia for new orthotics and Paz for a pre surgery visit.  Yes, you read right.  As of this writing - Paz has had eye surgery.  She has Accommodative Esotropia.  To put it in lay mans terms - her eyes cross and in order for her vision to fully develop as normally as possible, they needed to go on an loosen some tight muscles.  It was an outpatient procedure.  She was more scared the first day out of surgery and the day after was fine.  

 

In true fashion I had to hold it together.  My bladder is located close to my eyes and I become an easy crier.  Paz did make me laugh - as she was coming out of anesthesia, she came out swinging at the nurses and doctors.  Love that this kid is spunky and a fighter!

On to our next adventure!

 

 

 

I REALLY REALLY suck at this!

SO much has happen and so little has been written.  I have had a friend send me an email - concerned if I was still alive.  Julie, Love you for that!

I have some rough drafts written. . .I guess I should finish writing them!

Hold on to your hats now!

K

Our Diwali Holiday (Part Dos) - Venice

Oh my cow!. . .I thought Rome was awesome. . .but. . .Venice is pretty freakin' awesome as well!

In Rome we were walking EVERYWHERE to see all the tourist sights.  Venice was the same way . . but in a more relaxing way.


One thing we were not ready for was the cold.  Coming from Bangalore - we were quite spoiled with the wonderful weather they have there.  Here - it was 50 F.  OK. . .not to sound like a wimp. . but I am NOT use to the 50's anymore.  Burrrrr.  (All I can think about is that I am heading to the States for Christmas - May the good Lord help me!)

While we were in Rome we found a man selling used Jackets for 5 euros.  I snatched 2 for the girls and went back to the apartment to wash. . .they were Venice ready.

Jacob and I had to purchase ones. . .but they were an investment well worth it!


We left Rome and took a high speed train to Venice.  We went on the line Italo.  It took is us 3.5 hours to get from point A to Point B.  It was quite awesome.  The designer of this train was the same designers of the Ferrarri. . .yeah. .well. . .I guess I need to buy one - because the ride/seats were darn comfy!

This was my first sight as we arrived. . 

ahhhh. . . .I knew this was going to be good.

Seriously - you 'step' on the 'flusher' to plush the toilet!  Why are these not EVERYWHERE?!?!?

The coffee is SOOOO good!

Right outside our place

The keeper of the luggage

yeah. . .we have been in India to long.  :)

Hope you enjoyed the pics!