Kuwait Year 3

Kuwait Tower water station

How quickly time flies!  Is it really the third year?  We arrived back in country a little over a week ago.  This summer has been much harder for me than I thought.  Last year I went a full year before traveling out of county.  This year we took a trip to Greece, but by the time vacation rolled around I was mentally & physically spent.

detail: Kuwait Towers water station

Many of my friends that arrived with us the Summer of 09 have left for new assignments & I think this has been a huge loss for me.  I lost friends left and right.  Being a military spouse change is the only constant, yet every year it is probably the single biggest obstacle for me.  It will be something I never get used to nor accept without kicking & screaming.

detail of the Real Kuwait Towers

So I have 1 year left in this assignment.  Who knew 2 & 1/2 years ago I would ask for a third year in the Middle East?  Who knew I would enjoy living here? I've stretched myself personally, spiritually & creatively.  I am thankful for the rich life I have lived here, but am so torn right now by feelings of sorrow & fear of change.  I hope to snap these wicked feelings.  It is here in Kuwait that our family adopted the policy, "The assignment does not make you, you make the assignment."  If I am to live by these words & more importantly set the example for my kids I need to find some peace. 

Fish & Chips

Many eons ago, well okay April, my family visited this sweet little restaurant Organica.  I had heard from several ex-pat friends that it was a must try.  YUMMY!  So this is the standard my husband & I now hold our fish & chips.  While we were back in the states, Rick was afraid to order fish & chips at another restaurant for fear that they would not live up to the Organica brand.  Yes people, our favorite fish & chips joint is here in Kuwait!  And that last photo is of a deep fried mars bar.

Home Sweet Home

Kuwait, see you in a few weeks

goodbye NY

Allie & alpaca sharing a kiss

does this really need a caption?

B picking blueberries

J picking blueberries

blueberries at Homestead Farm

blackberries not quite ripe

running outside enjoying the scenery

running outside enjoying the scenery

The trip started off a bit rocky as we missed our connecting flight but it was great to be home in the states, even if it was the wrong state!  For the most part I was able to fight off the jet lag.  It seemed to be easier - thank goodness since our trip is not too long this time around.

So I started this post a few days after arriving & now it's the night before we leave.  There are  such bittersweet emotions of not wanting to leave but wanting to get back to "normal" life.  I'll post some more when I get a chance.  I know it's been awhile & I need to get back into the swing of blog things.  I have so much to share as we squished as much as we could in the less than 3 weeks we had.

I Did That?

Class: Fab Cab Ring class & kit @ LB O J'zazz  Blog Board: Sassy Designs

While taking this class, I realized how crazy it is that I had to move to Kuwait to find an appreciation & passion for seedbeads.  I've taken quite a few classes at LB O J'zazz learning new stitches & this was the first bead embroidery class for me.  My excuse was, "I don't have the patience to do that!"  Well, look what I did!  I have a few more pictures to take.  I've finished the side "sandwiching" the stiff stuff to the ultrasuede & it's so beautiful.  The band is the only thing left to complete.  I am so excited to wear this beauty!  My selection was the Golden Roses kit but I may have to go back & get the Turquoise one as well!

Thank you to Lubna & Bettina for sharing your talent, love & skill with us!

Note: Excuse the poor pictures.  I've "forgotten" how to use my simple point & shoot.  I'm lost without a viewfinder & my macro lens.

Happy Birthday

Happy 37th Birthday 8x10 canvas panel: acrylic, marker, ink, rub ons, glitter, vintage dictionary text

I marked my birthday with the creation of a new canvas for myself.  It is a great indication of where I am with my art right now.  It's playful & whimsical & completely me with the glitter, pink & crown. 

Happy Birthday Dad

The fam in St Augustine (minus my sis & lil J is in my belly)

Mom & Dad celebrating his birthday

Nice Hats

Nice Aprons

I tried to find some vintage photos, but didn't have any luck.  I scanned some last time I was home & have no idea what has happened to those files.  Bummer, I had some good ones.

Dad, I hope you have a wonderful birthday.  I miss being in the same country with you!  You are such a special dad & I miss being near you.  Looking forward to seeing you this summer.  I LOVE you!

Things I've Learned from Christy Tomlinson



WIP: 8x10 flat canvas panel Acrylic & Modeling Paste

1. Yellow is awesome!  And yellow & grey is just beautiful. 
2. I've been introduced to modeling paste & wondered why I haven't used it before.
3. It's okay if rub-ons & rubber stamps don't make a complete & perfect impression.  Really, it is!
4. I'm using stuff I've had in my stash for the first time.  Seriously, some of my cling stamps, embellishments & canvases were in the original packaging - for a year or two...
5. I must order more canvases stat!  With the canvas shortage I'm looking for new surfaces to attack beautify.  I have some birdhouses I bought last summer & they have not been touched.
6. I've found a use for dried up baby wipes!  They make awesome "paper towels" for cleaning brushes, stamps, fingers - all sorts of messes.
7. It has been liberating to be able to let go of the "perfectness" I feel should be in my art.  If I mess up, I work with it.  There's always gesso available as well :)

If you are looking for something to do, go join Christy's class.  You won't be disappointed!  As a matter of fact, I can't stop!

Home is Where the Heart Is

Being a military family, you move around a lot.  My husband & I joke about what we will do when we have to live in an area for more than 3 years - that has been our longest time frame in one area.  Our shortest was 8 months.  Prior to living in Kuwait we moved every year for 5 years, sometimes twice within a year.  The crazy life we lead, but it's ours!

Crystal's creation is on the left, my original is on the right.

Shortly after we got to Kuwait & settled into our life here, I decided to make a canvas, Home is Where the Heart Is.  I have all these little hearts of the places we've lived.  My sweet & creative friend Crystal made a comment way back when that she'd like one of those canvases for her.  Almost a year later we finally got together & made one.

Crystal & her new canvas

We spent the day chatting, laughing & creating.  I had to laugh at her FB post that she didn't know if she would be creative enough.  The joy of crafting with others is learning from them - you get a whole other perspective.  She even taught me a few things :)

Crystal's Home is Where the Heart Is - 10x10 gallery canvas - acrylics, inks, paper

Crystal is one of my friends leaving this year - she'll have a new heart to add.  While moving to different locations is a constant in this life we live, you never quite get used to it.