tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35924105980108378422024-03-19T01:23:49.981-07:00The Nelson FamilyKeeping You Updated on the LatestThe Nelson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14085281073092925669noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592410598010837842.post-51364125567535203772013-11-27T12:59:00.001-08:002013-11-27T13:16:56.035-08:00Don't Let the Seasons Pass You By<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>Don't Let the Seasons Pass You By</b></div>
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It is almost Thanksgiving, so I thought I should get up a post about Halloween! I think this was the first year Josh did not have a costume. That is kind of sad to me. . .Joseph still went trick or treating, although several of his friends chose not to as they are getting "older". I am not sure what will happen next year. Thank goodness I still have a few years to take Jordan out. Even if I parse out the candy until February, it is still an activity the kids look forward to. Halloween is fun, but it can also be a very "gimme gimme" holiday. Since Josh was young, we have tried to carry on a tradition which has not happened every year, but most years at least to some extent. We pick a few houses that we go trick or treating to and we also give them a treat. It has been something simple like a loaf of bread or some microwave popcorn with a note. That way, there is still some element of giving to the situation. I would hope it is a tradition the kids would carry on with their own families, but at least it is assuaging my guilt for sending my kids begging door to door. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josh and Jordan are working on carving the pumpkins. Yes, they are pumpkins, or maybe just "squash." The color is definitely not pumpkin color, but it beat spray painting watermelons orange.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jordan and her American Girl doll both wanted to be ghosts, so I made them matching costumes.</td></tr>
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"Do you like my stretchy pants?" (Nacho Libre) When we were in Mexico this summer, each of the kids got a luchador mask. Joseph is sporting his now.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my attempt at creating fall here in the Mideast. I had hoped to actually buy several more pumpkins at the fruit and vegetable market., but they did not have them this year--until 2 weeks after Halloween. I was lucky to find these. Jordan's is the pumpkin on top, but that was probably obvious by the bow she insisted be carved on its head. Josh's, on the bottom left, is a Pokemon character named Apsol. Joseph's is the Pokeball on the right. This was actually a hot spot of the night. Carving pumpkins is quite a novelty here, so several people took pictures as they were out trick or treating. They also posed their kids in front of it to take their pictures. So maybe my humble little pumpkin patch will be famous after all.</td></tr>
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The Nelson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14085281073092925669noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592410598010837842.post-73999233284683862772013-11-01T09:03:00.000-07:002013-11-08T07:05:31.196-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="line-height: 27px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Packing It Up<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">I often get a similar question as I am shopping and packing up suitcases and boxes to make my return trip to Saudi Arabia after a visit to the States: “What are you taking back with you?” This list changes with each trip; various items are brought back each time, some occasionally and some are just one-time purchases. So for the fun of myself and hopefully those who read this, I compiled a list (though not completely comprehensive for the sake of boring you). Along with the questions of what we are taking back, common follow up questions, sometimes verbalized, sometimes just implied are, “Why are you taking that?" "Can’t you get that there?” I have often had to ask myself the same thing: “Why am I taking this back?” I have been able to justify it if necessary in the following ways:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">It is not available in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">It is not available on a regular basis in KSA.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">The brand I like is not available in KSA (and I prefer not to use another brand).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">It is more expensive to buy it in KSA than to buy it in the US and ship it back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">It is more convenient to pay for the shipping than to have to go out and buy it in KSA.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Our trips to the US average 1-2 times a year. So when we shop and ship we have to look at when the next time we will return to restock will be. That regulates what we take back each time: Are we buying for a year, 6 months, etc. How much do we have left and will it last until the next trip? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">The more I worked on the list, the more it expanded into our packing and shipping adventures. So in answer to your questions and in justifying my own reasoning, read on!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Usual Items/Necessary and Unnecessary Items Included<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Wheat Gluten and Dough Enhancer. </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Not available. The quality of bread has improved over the last 4 years, but overall it just is not the same. It is dry and not that tasty. Not to be sacrilegious, but let me help you understand our desperate search for good bread. Each week in church someone is assigned to bring the sacrament bread. One week as we took of the bread it actually tasted good. After a few phone calls later that afternoon, we located the donor and found out what kind of bread it was and where it was purchased. We found it in the store the next time we looked, but it was not always available. It is often easier and more fulfilling to make my own than try and locate good bread.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Pepperidge Farm Goldfish</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">. They are more expensive to buy in KSA –a 64 oz box in Saudi will cost about $16.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">This was our first experience of packing for our return trip. I don't think we got much sleep that night.<br />
But the goldfish are in the box!</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Yogurt Covered Pretzels . </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">I have begun to see chocolate ones shipped in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Sunflower Seeds. </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">These are </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">not always available, and not always the brand the kids like.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">US Brand Candies. </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">These might include Swedish Fish (becoming more available now), Airheads, York Peppermint Patties, Mike and Ikes, Hot Tomales. I have also started bringing back M&Ms of various flavors. I can get the small milk chocolate ones here, but the others have been changed to a chocolate stuff called “choco”. It is a darker chocolate and more fudge-like in flavor. It seems to be all I can find here and in European countries we have visited and which often ship to KSA. If I am going to watch a movie with popcorn, I am going to have my milk chocolate M&Ms to go with it. (Is that high maintenance?)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Various Dried Fruits. </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">These might include chocolate covered raisins, cherries and craisins—chocolate raisins are sometimes available, but not what we like the best. Craisins are becoming more available, but not consistently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Various Nuts. </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Pecans are the nut I bring back most often. They are very expensive to buy here if the US import is purchased. There is a nut store where I have purchased them from before. But after a few times of purchasing them, I realized they had an interesting aftertaste which I eventually identified as cumin. Jon does not like pecan cumin pie (I do not either). What happens is this: The nuts and spices are in open bins next to one another. The nuts pick up the flavor of whatever is in the bin around it. I have had the same problem with almonds. So now if enough people want pecans, we will purchase an unopened box and share it. But if we have not found any available, I will bring them back with me.</span><span 115="" 12.0pt="" font-size:="" line-height:="" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"> </span><br />
<span 115="" 12.0pt="" font-size:="" line-height:="" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><b>Holiday Candy. </b>Christmas and Valentines are technically illegal here. However, they are getting more candies in stock, especially where expats shop. There are two problems, though. First, they are extremely expensive or they show up in the grocery store with a “Just arrived from the US” sign about six months after the holiday. If they are a decent price, I will purchase them and save them for the next six months. Often I have someone in the States purchase holiday candies, decorations, etc. when they go on clearance and I will pick them up when I come again. We have to always be planning ahead and thinking about all holidays all year round.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><b>Baking Chips.</b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Chocolate chips are usually available in the Hershey’s brand I like, but they are usually about $4 a bag. However, I usually still buy those in Saudi so I can bring back those which are not as readily available: cinnamon, butterscotch, and mint.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br /><b>Food Coloring.</b> I can get some colors, but they are not the good brands, or colors. I have never seen black here.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><b>Flavorings</b>. Maple flavoring, lemon, and always, always real vanilla. I can get a powdered vanilla here and it is actually good for some things. But real, true vanilla is not available because of the alcohol content in it. Alcohol is against the religion/law (most of the time one in the same) so anything with alcohol in it is not allowed. Even the mouthwashes say "alcohol free" on them. I bake a lot, and I refuse to bake without real vanilla or butter. (I can find butter.) I have never had a problem bringing it in and I do not feel guilty about it as I do not think of it as alcohol. There was one time I was nervous coming through customs, however. I was on a return trip from the States, traveling alone. I had a taxi driver who had picked me up from the airport. We stopped on our way from Bahrain coming into Saudi and the agent wanted to X-ray our boxes. We had never been asked to do that before. But it must have been the night for it, as another car with expat, American women was also pulled off to the side ahead of us with their boxes being checked and x-rayed. I was a little concerned as I had real vanilla and several bottles of herbs and medicines which are an "iffy" item to bring in also. So I tried to remain calm and guiltless as I waited my turn to be inspected. Then, just as we were to pull ahead to be x-rayed, another worker came out and said the x-ray machine was not working. I decided I was being watched over and that even God appreciates a good chocolate chip cookie with real ingredients.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><b>Various Spices, Cooking and Baking Items. </b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Redmond’s sea salt. Rubs and seasonings. Cinnamon (that does not taste like cumin), cornstarch, MSG free soup bases, ham “flavored” base, imitation bacon bits. (Pork is against the law/religion so it is not allowed in. However, some people actually put frozen meat, pork included, into a polar pack and then into a box and bring it in. My friend did this (She was bringing steak.), lost her luggage for 3 days and it was still frozen).<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><b>Herbs and Medicines.</b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"> These include over the counter and prescription drugs. Some herbs are not available consistently from GNC (often on back-order) and not always in the brands I like. I can have essential oils shipped in, except for some of the stronger ones which I have to bring back. We can get most of our prescriptions here. But to save the hassle of having to go to the clinic here I keep some prescriptions on hand.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Hygienic and Beauty Items. </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Tampons. OB brand is becoming available in rare places, but nothing else! Stock up! Deodorants we like. Lotions and sprays. There is a Bath and Beauty now in Bahrain, but I really do not want to have to go to another country to purchase them (Oh, I guess that is what I am doing in the US) and they are much more expensive in Bahrain. I stock up on Mary Kay products and hair products. I can get some stuff here, but not always what I like, and often only in Bahrain. I have told my hairdresser, I need to bring her back with me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><b>Craft Items</b></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><b>.</b> There is a craft store here. It is not Michael's, but for us here it is a lifesaver for our creativity. I do not think the owner ever gets rid of anything, so there are craft supplies and patterns from the early 80s available. When I buy paint or mod podge, I have to judge if the dust on top is relevant to the age of the product inside. There is also some stuff available at the bookstore, "Jarir". Usually their products are fresh. I can get some scrap-booking paper, but bring most back with me. Fabric is sort of available. Quilters can usually find stuff they like, for a price. I have looked for 4 years for curtain fabric, with no luck. I did once bring back fabric to redo everyone’s rooms, but have not done it yet. Sometimes we will find a store with good cloth tucked in a corner and it makes our day for a month! I recently went with a friend and we found US brand cloth. I didn't need it, and have no idea what to do with it, but bought it because it was such a great find! Little things are really what count here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><b>Clothing. </b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">I cannot usually get the brands I like, and if the store is here, it is usually more expensive. (Granted, that coming from the person whose favorite stores are thrift store,s which I miss terribly!) Most often there are no dressing rooms in the store, so I have to buy the clothing, then go to a restroom, if one is available, and try it on. It is easier to buy in the States to save the hassle of having to get a driver (as I cannot drive off camp) or wait for Jon to drive me to the mall and then try to time that shopping around prayer time when stores close. Most of the clerks are men (not that I have anything against that), even in the lingerie store. I have heard of women going to these stores, with their blousey abayas on, and the clerk telling them what size of bra they need. Sorry, I don't want any man scrutinizing me that closely, especially if I know he is doing it! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">We bring back the majority of everyone else’s clothing for the same reasons. When we first got here, we stayed our first year through and did not really know what to plan for. So Josh ran out of underwear and we were on a search to find them. What a simple task to walk into Wal-Mart and find the Hanes isle, pick the size, decide on camo print or plain, and probably even get a couple of extra pair for free in the pack. We searched all evening for underwear. We finally found some in a department store. I have shut out the cost from my memory, I just remember it was too much, but he was covered. Then I took them home and looked at the washing instructions: “Dry clean only”! Are you kidding me? Who dry cleans their underwear? Not me! I never did send them to the dry cleaner, and they have made it through the washing machine several times now.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><b>Sports Equipment and Toys. </b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Most baseball equipment for Joseph is brought back as baseball is not a top sport in the country. We have bought soccer shoes instead of baseball shoes as soccer, or football as I should call it, is the dominant sport, again at a higher cost. This summer I brought back one pair in the correct size and one a size bigger for spring season. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">There is a Toys are Us, but the quality is not the same. It is cheaper quality and higher prices. I will buy some stuff, but if I plan ahead enough, I will bring back stuff for Christmas and birthdays throughout the year. It does not matter what I am buying, there is always the question in my mind of "How much does this weigh?" I can be found in Walmart hefting items in the isles trying to judge their weight and if that weight is worth the cost.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">This was our fist method of weighing our suitcases. It took two people: one to hold and one to look under the suitcase to check the weight. To meet the weight requirements, it has to be 50 pounds or less. We have since devised a method that can be done with one person which includes a hand weigher and bailing twine. </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><b>110 Appliances. </b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Most of these items are small 110 appliances. When Aramco, the company we work for, was established in KSA, it started out as an American company. So the homes were built to American standard 110 voltage. But, the majority of appliances sold here are 220. The company supplies the major appliances, and we brought several of our own when we came. There used to be more 110 available, but they are all being phased out according to an “official decree” to get everything to the same 220 standard. So we have brought back several of these smaller items to make our lives more comfortable. Also, because of what is (and is not) available, I make the majority of my food from scratch, and these items make it easier and faster for me to do that. These items have included: as an electric griddle, VCR, blow dryer and other hair devices, ihomes, laptop computer, popcorn air popper, ice cream maker, bread maker, yogurt maker, crock pots, and fondue pot.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br /><b style="font-size: 12pt;">Musical Instruments. </b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Electric cello (Josh’s birthday present.) Surprisingly, we have found several instruments here including an electric bass, guitars, tenor saxophone, electric piano, cello in Abu Dhabi, and drums in Dubai. The thing we need to bring back next is a bigger room to fit them all into. </span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Bows and Arrows.</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"> Technically these are illegal to bring into the country, so I guess I am confessing on this one. I cannot even justify it except to say, "It's for the kids." We broke the bow down into several pieces and put them and the arrows in separate boxes. We sent them ahead (</span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">just in case there was a problem) </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">with Jon who left earlier than the kids and I that year. He never got questioned. Actually, I am amazed that we have never had a problem with any of the items we have brought through customs. We have temporarily lost luggage before, several items at a time, but all have been recovered after a few days and a few extra trips to the airport. I also think that the agents don’t dare mess with a mother of 3 who has just survived 24+ hours of traveling. Thank you for their mercy.</span></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcC2mUJlTGTH4VAy8w6IxAcCcVvOXo4bc5KMKBgVMH2HSUF2AbrJzrpheLiw1rTi6SYXp-nOjJpVv_BFnivDGW6cKQaWDB8_Nic_5_bYdTw520hwcImte0jfsFR-H33MbHrd8XQtk1C8Ei/s1600/Jordan-Joseph.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcC2mUJlTGTH4VAy8w6IxAcCcVvOXo4bc5KMKBgVMH2HSUF2AbrJzrpheLiw1rTi6SYXp-nOjJpVv_BFnivDGW6cKQaWDB8_Nic_5_bYdTw520hwcImte0jfsFR-H33MbHrd8XQtk1C8Ei/s640/Jordan-Joseph.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">We missed our flight from Riyadh to Dammam. It took 15 hours to reroute us for the 45 minute flight. So we parked and waited--what else do you do with 17 pieces of checked luggage? This is one time I almost wished we had not brought so much back (almost).<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcF8oEcU6TZylljTlBU4jeOEYt65Z88xCHkksgHbKEW9dUqv20MMXHPp79j235aoYk51LCYqDh1sVtcDN3eZUaF1Q13Z6sYL_Pi53BfHzN-z0Hl58kRKDHCFXG7EwDNsvgKbYRN0b5U9Oh/s1600/Josh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcF8oEcU6TZylljTlBU4jeOEYt65Z88xCHkksgHbKEW9dUqv20MMXHPp79j235aoYk51LCYqDh1sVtcDN3eZUaF1Q13Z6sYL_Pi53BfHzN-z0Hl58kRKDHCFXG7EwDNsvgKbYRN0b5U9Oh/s640/Josh.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Josh wanting to make the most of his time and our luggage, created the fort seen here and above.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;"><br /><br /><b>DVDs</b>. These too are "illegal", especially religious ones. We usually try to bring them in our carry-on luggage and have always gotten them through. Some video stores have opened up, but are somewhat limited in their stock. And if there is anything to do with a pig including a picture or being mentioned in the name, it will be scribbled out with a black magic marker. I once saw a copy of Charlotte's Web at the bookstore with Wilbur completely covered in black marker. But those stories are a post in and of themselves. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Extra Large and Heavy Items<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">When we moved here, the company paid to move our personal belongings across the ocean in a large shipping container. This summer we decided to do a similar shipment </span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">in a 40 foot shipping container </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">with 2 other families. (This was in addition to the 17 items we checked on the plane.) This included items too large to fit in a dish pack-sized box or too heavy to justify bringing. Most of these were purchased online and delivered to the shipping company in Salt Lake. Jon did take one load of items we had purchased directly to the company. This is what some of them were. A washer and dryer. There is a Sears store somewhere here, but we wanted to save some money and wanted the most up-to-date versions. Targets to go with the already smuggled in bows and arrows (We told the woman at the shipping company to be sure they were labeled as “children’s sports toys.”) Home decorations, books, musical equipment, beds, comforter sets, 60 cans of canned chicken (already wishing I had brought more), a case of Pepperidge Farm goldfish (already wishing I had brought more), espsom salts, several kitchen items including pans, an extra bowl for the icecream maker (I am sort of an icecream "snob" but hate to pay the price for the good kind shipped in. But we love the kind we make.), water softeners (The ocean water is desalinated and is safe to use and drink, but not preferable. We buy bottled water and anything white usually turns gray in about 6 months.), and more 110 appliances.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18px;">Now, in reality, probably very few of these items are absolutely necessary for our basic survival in Saudi Arabia (except for real vanilla). However, they do maintain our sanity for various reasons. Although we bring back a lot of things, we cannot bring back the things that mean the most and that is our families and stateside friends. Tucked in the crevices of our boxes, we try to sneak in little reminders: photos, stuffed animals from grandparents, homemade dried fruit from Mom, birds from Aunt Shan, endless hours of others helping us pack or watching the kids so we could do the hours (days) of necessary shopping. Things can never replace the love that we miss as we go away. Perhaps the “stuff” at least in part, is all just a way of making us feel more comfortable and more like we are at home. In many ways this strange land has become our home because that is where our immediate family is and we have many wonderful friends. But some things can never be replaced no matter how many boxes we bring back. However, until The Lord tells us it is time to return to the US, we will keep packing our boxes, missing our families and trying to find a way to keep hot dogs (turkey of course) frozen for at least a 24 hour flight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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The Nelson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14085281073092925669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592410598010837842.post-91321902479109350942012-10-26T11:57:00.001-07:002012-10-26T11:57:22.310-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">To Everything There <span style="font-size: large;">Is a Season</span></span></b></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-size: small;">I love fall, at least I loved it in the States. This is my 4th <span style="font-size: small;">fall here<span style="font-size: small;"> and I <span style="font-size: small;">become <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">melancholic</span> each y<span style="font-size: small;">e<span style="font-size: small;">ar. One year I </span></span></span></span></span></span></span>
begged for my sisters to send me pictures of leaves and mountains. I
received pictures and more. Bless my sister Katie, she even sent me a
box of leaves gathered from her yard and mailed across the ocean. I
cried when I opened the box and inhaled the scent of leaves and dirt. I
kept them and used them again the following year. <span style="font-size: small;">I stil<span style="font-size: small;">l have them, but the<span style="font-size: small;">y are not display<span style="font-size: small;">able, except perha<span style="font-size: small;">ps for <span style="font-size: small;">potpourri<span style="font-size: small;">. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">It seems that here I have become more aware of the
seasons and what I like and dislike about them because they are
generally very different in this desert. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I
so miss the changing of the seasons from hot summer into cool fall.
Each autumn as the breezes picked up a slight chill a wave of nostalgia
would hit me signaling a change in my life. It meant the starting of
a new school year and new adventures to come either as I went to school
or later as I sent the kids to school. It meant the last trip to Bear
Lake for the season, and the oncoming canning season at Mom’s and Dad’s
and the harvest of the garden. (I never succeeded in canning on my
own.) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">However, our last trip to Bear Lake now usually mean<span style="font-size: small;">s <span style="font-size: small;">it is</span></span>
almost time for us to leave the States and head back to Saudi, where it
is still hot and humid. While you in the States are donning your
jackets for cooler weather, we are finally grateful for cooler weather
here so we can leave our houses and enjoy the outside, un-air
conditioned air. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Fall
still means heading back to school, Joseph in 5th grade at the
elementary, Josh in 11th at the high school off camp, and this year my
baby Jordan entered <span style="font-size: small;">kindergarten. La<span style="font-size: small;">st year<span style="font-size: small;">, I remember visiting </span></span></span>Jordan’s
preschool where the teacher was reading them a story about visiting
“the farm” in the fall. The story could have been about my parents’
home. The lump in my throat grew as they talked of picking apples from
the trees, choosing pumpkins for jack-o-lanterns and harvesting other
crops in the garden. I had to squelch it down rather than try to
explain why I was crying about a picture book of Mr. Jones’ farm. I
longed to see the leaves, choose a pumpkin for carving, and taste the
fresh apple juice from home grown apples. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">As
I left her class, I was feeling rather sorry for myself. Or at least I
tried for a few moments to justify my oncoming depression. But the
Lord is kind and opened my eyes and heart. I felt the sun shining on
me, a gentle breeze blowing and beautiful scenes before me I hadn’t
appreciated before. Yes, the seasons are very different here. And yes,
I miss the sights and smells of autumn. But as I try to appreciate
where I am and what I have here, I am blessed with a sense of
gratitude. <span style="font-size: small;">Both places are </span> good and I feel
appreciative to have experienced them both. That said, if anyone sees
any silk autumn leaves, gather some up for me, will you? Here are a
few pic<span style="font-size: small;">tures of how we are experienc<span style="font-size: small;">ing the fall season this year.</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSp9sT2FUEVVzYyuaqitw1qsvnqmrAJANqJkEmQohTR-3jyMdUGchyphenhyphenbE1Ge3CKWDraD2KA_aAHj0Ty3UfGUCZp-7PHhOKU4tuI79pxn-5LFQdhxbXq0S-qoXPGvHCA-ubWlTlVrrHy4wzy/s1600/_DSC0711.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSp9sT2FUEVVzYyuaqitw1qsvnqmrAJANqJkEmQohTR-3jyMdUGchyphenhyphenbE1Ge3CKWDraD2KA_aAHj0Ty3UfGUCZp-7PHhOKU4tuI79pxn-5LFQdhxbXq0S-qoXPGvHCA-ubWlTlVrrHy4wzy/s400/_DSC0711.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="background-color: #783f04; color: #fce5cd;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Though
not the traditional fall colors, I found other beautiful colors on our
camp. These bougainvillaea plants come in pinks, white, red, an orange
here. They are planted on several streets and in most yards. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxw7CpD_WWUJri8c-hnfH5bzSjhNKnPLv_-_7KdJPQA2kOVnISKzB1gtKIZ75Nzgb0SjpVcmernXVp7AJDjajr_FDiHaKLtg6cM_13Y1EZ2m1yMsChEnB5BPV2NVl0CqXol2V1SDeWSfD/s1600/_DSC0736.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxw7CpD_WWUJri8c-hnfH5bzSjhNKnPLv_-_7KdJPQA2kOVnISKzB1gtKIZ75Nzgb0SjpVcmernXVp7AJDjajr_FDiHaKLtg6cM_13Y1EZ2m1yMsChEnB5BPV2NVl0CqXol2V1SDeWSfD/s400/_DSC0736.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-size: small;">My brothers would probably say this would never come close to qualifying as a "mountain"<span style="font-size: small;">, and it isn't ablaze with fall <span style="font-size: small;">color. But it is the best we've got. </span></span> It is called a "jebel" which is an Arabic word meaning "mountain, hill, or slope." It probably qualifies as a slope. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQk0WWUcGTmxF4n-WCtOhnfpWkc650JEAHQNAOnJuP1ydQ9WXXueQOKW72WVKA87X27K_mRD1r8jzztZoKj6HarTiFVwWMQ7rZqWYDXg2HwXGMEyxq9rwVAfefwSU6HINGfFhyT0mpNM8/s1600/DSCN3485.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBQk0WWUcGTmxF4n-WCtOhnfpWkc650JEAHQNAOnJuP1ydQ9WXXueQOKW72WVKA87X27K_mRD1r8jzztZoKj6HarTiFVwWMQ7rZqWYDXg2HwXGMEyxq9rwVAfefwSU6HINGfFhyT0mpNM8/s400/DSCN3485.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="background-color: #783f04;"> Here
is my fall "harvest". This is a large open fruit and vegetable market
where I go to buy produce from around the world. Some days I get some
good deals, some days I just wish I could go to a US supermarket as it
depends on the time of year, the time of day as to what will be there. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykqkPH41WhwBMYYsRJuc9-DmRbhwm6saC53HTAPwCWa-Alu8VBw-1udW7HbCiHf3LmoN9Vuu2LL2J0aL5oydk9xo2G9CPNrFra3IV2jAcUPcvhLoEQ3quFivxXmhZXy4MyAY6ZVYb7Z7p/s1600/DSCN3486.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykqkPH41WhwBMYYsRJuc9-DmRbhwm6saC53HTAPwCWa-Alu8VBw-1udW7HbCiHf3LmoN9Vuu2LL2J0aL5oydk9xo2G9CPNrFra3IV2jAcUPcvhLoEQ3quFivxXmhZXy4MyAY6ZVYb7Z7p/s400/DSCN3486.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here I am at the marke<span style="font-size: small;">t <span style="font-size: small;">l</span></span></span>ooking for <span style="font-size: small;">pumpki<span style="font-size: small;">ns for carving. T<span style="font-size: small;">he<span style="font-size: small;">y <span style="font-size: small;">are not very orange, but a<span style="font-size: small;">fter much searching<span style="font-size: small;">, I found some that are suitable for car<span style="font-size: small;">ving. One of the <span style="font-size: small;">grocer<span style="font-size: small;">y stores does have some large orange ones shipped in from t<span style="font-size: small;">he US. But when I compare 3 SR (<span style="font-size: small;">$.<span style="font-size: small;">80</span>)/kilo to 30 ($8/kilo) I can handle the color. <span style="font-size: small;">And out in the open a<span style="font-size: small;">ir i<span style="font-size: small;">t <span style="font-size: small;">is a litt<span style="font-size: small;">le more like going to the farm!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">The
men helping me couldn't quite figure out why I kept trying to stand
them all up to see if they balanced by themselves. I thought better of
trying to explain to them what I wanted them for. </span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is taken from inside the grade school. <br />Someone drew this jack-o-lantern in the humidity on the glass door.</span></span></td></tr>
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The Nelson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14085281073092925669noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592410598010837842.post-44825785741273993122012-04-13T07:53:00.000-07:002012-04-13T07:53:17.268-07:00Joseph In the Spotlight<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Take Me Out to the Ballgame!</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Joseph was drafted to be a part of a tournament team that played in Kuwait. He and Jon drove over with another family, about a 4 hour drive from Saudi. They left on Wednesday and came back on Friday. Joseph's team played 3 games. They didn't win, but had a great time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2cPIS0MBQN2uzgLFOMISQcwPVYZre1bZSJ1q4U1gimluaLnCXMGhpMw6z_hyifQNh0iMzYCa9qUzdG-4rKLYXURXyZ70vYoE91wAqe8iB9NzDIEdUP5HToN-x2c0-cNQPdDXcW065ZE4/s1600/Jojo-Pitching.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt2cPIS0MBQN2uzgLFOMISQcwPVYZre1bZSJ1q4U1gimluaLnCXMGhpMw6z_hyifQNh0iMzYCa9qUzdG-4rKLYXURXyZ70vYoE91wAqe8iB9NzDIEdUP5HToN-x2c0-cNQPdDXcW065ZE4/s640/Jojo-Pitching.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joseph pitched the entire first game, a total of 80 pitches. The next game, the same day, he was catcher. That night at dinner he was so tired he fell asleep at the table at Chili's.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZDLeMzUDBMm5zkEzgmumVWiJMHo1I8JefI6tJiPp7Gv2suH3qeeRrrbYEjkCWL6gEp82C9GVeuz5_vFUHUAW8WzPwniJjt7u9lLl3ByhOLECjtvd0QqcBPkoV-WieWcf3wrIaALAWFrPp/s1600/Jojo-Short-Stop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZDLeMzUDBMm5zkEzgmumVWiJMHo1I8JefI6tJiPp7Gv2suH3qeeRrrbYEjkCWL6gEp82C9GVeuz5_vFUHUAW8WzPwniJjt7u9lLl3ByhOLECjtvd0QqcBPkoV-WieWcf3wrIaALAWFrPp/s400/Jojo-Short-Stop.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Playing Shortstop. Lookin' pretty cool too!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xYONMoOIrk0EES4YmRDbttILU6kw8SXLzvj_3o-gTI0u3uTuWkHOL9weNUJYCtrfaWozeLZovRo8BAxw2Sks4bU0zlXVHX-szDTnH9-TQz-dLHBdE3D7i1i87slLkAUI2vUVzIp_c3eZ/s1600/Jojo-team.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xYONMoOIrk0EES4YmRDbttILU6kw8SXLzvj_3o-gTI0u3uTuWkHOL9weNUJYCtrfaWozeLZovRo8BAxw2Sks4bU0zlXVHX-szDTnH9-TQz-dLHBdE3D7i1i87slLkAUI2vUVzIp_c3eZ/s640/Jojo-team.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Kuwait Tournament Team</td></tr>
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<span id="goog_1673288535"></span><span id="goog_1673288536"></span></div>The Nelson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14085281073092925669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592410598010837842.post-16064169772153007202012-04-13T07:31:00.001-07:002012-04-13T07:36:27.652-07:00MATTRESS SLIDING: HANG TEN DUDE!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Shortly after we moved to Saudi, Jordan grew out of her crib and we purchased an adjustable bed for her from IKEA. Now, on a normal shopping day, in a normal shopping way, in a normal shopping country, we could have purchased the mattress to go with the bed. However, shopping here is anything but normal First, you have to shop between prayer times, then you have to hope that what you want is actually in stock and not on back order for months, and, that despite some language barriers, they know what you are actually asking for. This particular day of shopping had its drawbacks. We found the bed we wanted, and it was in stock, (yippee); we were rushing because it was almost prayer time and the store would close for 30-40 minutes, during which time, we could, (A)Stay in the store, but not check out (B)Leave the store without our purchase, (some stores make you leave, others lock you in and you can't leave), (C)Rush to the checkout counter at the 10 minute warning to make our purchase and get out of there. (Yes, most of the fun is taken out of shopping with these constraints.) </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We chose "C" which meant that we had to go and find the bed we wanted in the self-help isle and make our purchase. Before we left for self-help (which most westerners need at some point to deal with their frustrations over shopping here), we asked about the mattress that went with the bed. To add to our stress of leaving, we were told that no mattresses were in stock, nor would be for 6 months. And what good is a bed without a mattress?!? However, we were on our way now, so we purchased the bed and left the store. Luckily we found that the mattress we were issued for her crib (a rental from the company) fit the width of the bed and the length of the mattress still fit her legs. That story brings us up to date. Her legs no longer fit the bed and the the "high quality" crib mattress has a divet for her dainty derriere from which she was complaining from back pain, not a common complaint for a five year old. So we decided to try IKEA again to determine if the mattress was in stock--our fear being that after 2 1/2 years, they had come back in to stock, gone out of stock, and now were possibly obsolete. </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">And so Jon took a drive. Often our shopping is done by the two of us--me home with the kids as I cannot drive off camp, on the phone with Jon describing to him what we need. After several calls with me on one end taking measurements from her bed and him on the other end comparing those measurements (after converting them from inches to centimeters) to the mattresses IKEA had in stock, he determined the best fit (often decisions are made not on the "right" choice, but on the "best" choice with what is available). Jon came home with the mattress and switched out the old mattress which he leaned against a wall until it could be returned to "furniture warehouse" where we can rent furniture from the company. </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Seeing the mattress out of place in the hallway, reminded Joseph of a favorite past time activity. One he enjoyed so much that he wrote a story about it in 1st grade, which is included below. He decided to relive the memory and proceeded to begin removing the bedding from his and Josh's beds so as to get to the mattresses. He paused only a moment when I reminded them that all beds would need to be remade, ultimately, deciding the work was worth the fun (Jordan's begging helped also); he tore the beds apart and removed the mattresses. Included below are pictures of the "correct mattress sliding clothing" and live-action, narrated video from the night's activities. </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I even took a slide myself and quite enjoyed it; I would have liked it to last a bit longer. As would have the kids liked their fun to continue. But, of course, it had to end sometime. I helped Joseph and Jordan return the mattresses to the correct rooms and remake the beds. However, in doing this, I made an alarming discovery. Josh now needed a new mattress. I realized he has had the mattress for several years; included in those years are a move across the ocean and being used in the sport of mattress sliding. It has proved its usefulness. And so the process begins again. This time, though, we need an American standard mattress to fit his twin size bed. Where to get one is the question! But for the meantime, we have found a good use for the mattress without a bed. </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b> Mattress Sliding </b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One awesome afternoon me and my brother went to my room and sat on my bed. We were bored... absolutely bored! Then my brother had an idea. We had two mattress on my bed. We put both of them on the stairs. Then we were sliding on them.Then my sister came. The mattresses covered the stairs so we had to grab the railing to get up. We were flying down the stairs! Then my brother Josh yelled "Toss me some pillows!" I threw him two and he also got some more. He put them at the bottom of the stairs. My dad started videoing us. We did some more rides then we got socks on. I put on white socks then I thought , "nope, not them." Then I saw some socks that were blue and really, really slippery. Then I</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I was thirsty so I got a bit of tang. I just saw a jacket. I put it on and went to the top of the slide and went down. It was awesome! Then I acted like I was skate boarding or snow boarding down the the mattresses then I went on my belly. Then I ran and jumped and went flying into the air! When I hit the bottom, "thump!" Then my sister came. My sister did a somersault down the stairs! But right before that my dad turned off the camera. We went down again and again and when my brother goes down I go right after him because when he grabs onto the top of the mattresses I grab onto his feet and climb on him like he's a rope. And then my mom made us clean it up, but tomorrow I will do it again. But first I have to do my jobs! Maybe or maybe not? It's a secret ha ha ha!</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"><b> The End </b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwcgNyG8HUDogM3HY1r-4BaU5nI7XXKBVMJi5daUXa_VCxBO8csCwQcnTlHaxTzAFVfvYuVkllwzMlIxrm-gsbxA3Mqt-ZvO3d7V8GcX4NFDqKLt1e0eMwgt1ONHqzw_E1ITK3W_jNrOLP/s1600/DSCN3144.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwcgNyG8HUDogM3HY1r-4BaU5nI7XXKBVMJi5daUXa_VCxBO8csCwQcnTlHaxTzAFVfvYuVkllwzMlIxrm-gsbxA3Mqt-ZvO3d7V8GcX4NFDqKLt1e0eMwgt1ONHqzw_E1ITK3W_jNrOLP/s320/DSCN3144.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The proper clothing for mattress sliding should be cotton socks, a polyester shirt and flannel pants.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Below are videos Joseph took while he was sliding and of Jordan sliding. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwxBXr2m_sNTmbHnlwdHy_7ExOc7mu4NimSSasNQ1u9TczWqgeaNG6Bxn-wshTBmgjkOGZtGsqBCTrWi6hb-w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy3QAFnww56nUz-ZTWMhyGFjshNLHjDiqaZNaO987ohpGFOF9xNKsCc1xyDCzy2RYp6Tzo--5tG_j0jRfkF7g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div><span style="font-size: small;">Keep on Slidin'!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"> <b> </b></span></div></div>The Nelson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14085281073092925669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592410598010837842.post-40542381482838660942012-03-25T05:55:00.001-07:002012-03-25T05:55:43.496-07:00Family Fame<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Remember the Run, Baby, Run post? Well, Jordan got famous from it! She was on the front cover of the monthly magazine that comes out to our community!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>On the next page of the magazine the was a small paragraph about Jordan getting a gold medal for the second year in a row and has Joseph's name listed in the fastest boy from 9-10 years old.<br />
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<h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="font-weight: normal;"></h3></div>The Nelson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14085281073092925669noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592410598010837842.post-64587443779196221642012-02-24T05:48:00.047-08:002012-02-24T07:31:46.644-08:00Run, Baby, Run!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Each year one of the running clubs on camp holds a "youth run." Jojo and Jordan participated last year. Jordan was so excited over the whole thing that all year long she kept asking when that race was going to be. They both ran again this year and did really well.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jordan won 1st place in her 4 and under age group with 5 girls participating in the 100M sprint. She was quite concerned beforehand and kept asking, "What if I don't win?" We tried to convince her it was just for fun, but after taking the gold last year, she didn't want any less.</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Joseph ran a 4x100M relay. His team was really behind with him on the last leg; he brought them up to a loss of only about 6 inches for 2nd place. He won his age group for the individual 200M dash.</span></div><br />
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<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;">Joseph and Jordan waiting to race. </span></span></td></tr>
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<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jordan coming to the finish line, with a smile as usual.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxWfEOCPsJOsQwuQUJ8NVq0F8GZbgRNyMAIrG3rc9DoTnUCjXlXvZAGX2syEMzDb21UdJ-wOIwnOS2MB9ElLelsCP6RTKH7m2HtXsddBh_w0lXoyqrGBWQ-K1g0op8cvzNEUY8fQU2HjN/s1600/Jordan-getting-medal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="618" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQxWfEOCPsJOsQwuQUJ8NVq0F8GZbgRNyMAIrG3rc9DoTnUCjXlXvZAGX2syEMzDb21UdJ-wOIwnOS2MB9ElLelsCP6RTKH7m2HtXsddBh_w0lXoyqrGBWQ-K1g0op8cvzNEUY8fQU2HjN/s640/Jordan-getting-medal.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jordan receiving her gold medal.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU13MV3xv_PEnbwCEvxhLH03eJiyQHJY3ESJNzpTQu6SHV3Tyi4odOBMALb2-LCnxjMwbigFi_uh6oUh9FXIvl-D3vZoZk-0DBgSV6qUMB06vRxuPZvpVE1MNoUBvXxWu1KnhvV7Rd93aP/s1600/Jojo-200M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU13MV3xv_PEnbwCEvxhLH03eJiyQHJY3ESJNzpTQu6SHV3Tyi4odOBMALb2-LCnxjMwbigFi_uh6oUh9FXIvl-D3vZoZk-0DBgSV6qUMB06vRxuPZvpVE1MNoUBvXxWu1KnhvV7Rd93aP/s640/Jojo-200M.jpg" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Joseph coming to the finish line on the 200M dash.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHg7ZART6t6JBLAHORxIzXCG0_CsBZ3JEnANOuDl1E-YJysgkUSteeqU2AiajVCUbOEw03jIpCn9n2AtdbrFk-YZWaOyCe2cH-9vuSNkL4t9CalvAyCJq4MI4heSgSxC-RKHNsld9c1RY/s1600/Jojo-gold-medal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="508" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkHg7ZART6t6JBLAHORxIzXCG0_CsBZ3JEnANOuDl1E-YJysgkUSteeqU2AiajVCUbOEw03jIpCn9n2AtdbrFk-YZWaOyCe2cH-9vuSNkL4t9CalvAyCJq4MI4heSgSxC-RKHNsld9c1RY/s640/Jojo-gold-medal.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Joseph, gold medalist for the 200M dash along with silver and bronze winners.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWG6WgpRPY7YBKSmxOdMz2XoAfKaCVAS3j8SDTnrgT7hY52YjKWqFKg6Bwc63FxAf7zaQE2kxwbnf2aZTnZHqX4VQz9ldIbRzV7l4RO4f2XA8ci5AQg48_ZeOHCjc5k5RPZk19HwtYI36/s1600/Jojo-relay-team-medals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWG6WgpRPY7YBKSmxOdMz2XoAfKaCVAS3j8SDTnrgT7hY52YjKWqFKg6Bwc63FxAf7zaQE2kxwbnf2aZTnZHqX4VQz9ldIbRzV7l4RO4f2XA8ci5AQg48_ZeOHCjc5k5RPZk19HwtYI36/s640/Jojo-relay-team-medals.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Joseph with his </span><span style="font-size: small;">silver medal </span><span style="font-size: small;">international relay team from Utah and Texas, USA, and Jordan. </span></td></tr>
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</div>The Nelson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14085281073092925669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592410598010837842.post-63841872892011398042011-12-12T20:47:00.002-08:002012-10-26T11:58:01.733-07:00To Everything There Is a Season<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">To Everything There <span style="font-size: large;">Is a Season</span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I love fall, at least I loved it in the States. This is my 4th <span style="font-size: small;">fall here<span style="font-size: small;"> and I <span style="font-size: small;">become <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">melancholic</span> each y<span style="font-size: small;">e<span style="font-size: small;">ar. One year I </span></span></span></span></span></span></span> begged for my sisters to send me pictures of leaves and mountains. I received pictures and more. Bless my sister Katie, she even sent me a box of leaves gathered from her yard and mailed across the ocean. I cried when I opened the box and inhaled the scent of leaves and dirt. I kept them and used them again the following year. <span style="font-size: small;">I stil<span style="font-size: small;">l have them, but the<span style="font-size: small;">y are not display<span style="font-size: small;">able, except perha<span style="font-size: small;">ps for <span style="font-size: small;">potpourri<span style="font-size: small;">. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">It seems that here I have become more aware of the
seasons and what I like and dislike about them because they are
generally very different in this desert. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I so miss the changing of the seasons from hot summer into cool fall. Each autumn as the breezes picked up a slight chill a wave of nostalgia would hit me signaling a change in my life. It meant the starting of a new school year and new adventures to come either as I went to school or later as I sent the kids to school. It meant the last trip to Bear Lake for the season, and the oncoming canning season at Mom’s and Dad’s and the harvest of the garden. (I never succeeded in canning on my own.) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">However, our last trip to Bear Lake now usually mean<span style="font-size: small;">s <span style="font-size: small;">it is</span></span> almost time for us to leave the States and head back to Saudi, where it is still hot and humid. While you in the States are donning your jackets for cooler weather, we are finally grateful for cooler weather here so we can leave our houses and enjoy the outside, un-air conditioned air. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Fall still means heading back to school, Joseph in 5th grade at the elementary, Josh in 11th at the high school off camp, and this year my baby Jordan entered <span style="font-size: small;">kindergarten. La<span style="font-size: small;">st year<span style="font-size: small;">, I remember visiting </span></span></span>Jordan’s preschool where the teacher was reading them a story about visiting “the farm” in the fall. The story could have been about my parents’ home. The lump in my throat grew as they talked of picking apples from the trees, choosing pumpkins for jack-o-lanterns and harvesting other crops in the garden. I had to squelch it down rather than try to explain why I was crying about a picture book of Mr. Jones’ farm. I longed to see the leaves, choose a pumpkin for carving, and taste the fresh apple juice from home grown apples. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">As I left her class, I was feeling rather sorry for myself. Or at least I tried for a few moments to justify my oncoming depression. But the Lord is kind and opened my eyes and heart. I felt the sun shining on me, a gentle breeze blowing and beautiful scenes before me I hadn’t appreciated before. Yes, the seasons are very different here. And yes, I miss the sights and smells of autumn. But as I try to appreciate where I am and what I have here, I am blessed with a sense of gratitude. <span style="font-size: small;">Both places are </span> good and I feel appreciative to have experienced them both. That said, if anyone sees any silk autumn leaves, gather some up for me, will you? Here are a few pic<span style="font-size: small;">tures of how we are experienc<span style="font-size: small;">ing the fall season this year.</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSp9sT2FUEVVzYyuaqitw1qsvnqmrAJANqJkEmQohTR-3jyMdUGchyphenhyphenbE1Ge3CKWDraD2KA_aAHj0Ty3UfGUCZp-7PHhOKU4tuI79pxn-5LFQdhxbXq0S-qoXPGvHCA-ubWlTlVrrHy4wzy/s1600/_DSC0711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSp9sT2FUEVVzYyuaqitw1qsvnqmrAJANqJkEmQohTR-3jyMdUGchyphenhyphenbE1Ge3CKWDraD2KA_aAHj0Ty3UfGUCZp-7PHhOKU4tuI79pxn-5LFQdhxbXq0S-qoXPGvHCA-ubWlTlVrrHy4wzy/s400/_DSC0711.JPG" width="400" /><span style="background-color: #783f04;"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr style="background-color: #783f04; color: #fce5cd;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Though not the traditional fall colors, I found other beautiful colors on our camp. These bougainvillaea plants come in pinks, white, red, an orange here. They are planted on several streets and in most yards. </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxw7CpD_WWUJri8c-hnfH5bzSjhNKnPLv_-_7KdJPQA2kOVnISKzB1gtKIZ75Nzgb0SjpVcmernXVp7AJDjajr_FDiHaKLtg6cM_13Y1EZ2m1yMsChEnB5BPV2NVl0CqXol2V1SDeWSfD/s1600/_DSC0736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgxw7CpD_WWUJri8c-hnfH5bzSjhNKnPLv_-_7KdJPQA2kOVnISKzB1gtKIZ75Nzgb0SjpVcmernXVp7AJDjajr_FDiHaKLtg6cM_13Y1EZ2m1yMsChEnB5BPV2NVl0CqXol2V1SDeWSfD/s400/_DSC0736.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fce5cd; font-size: small;">My brothers would probably say this would never come close to qualifying as a "mountain"<span style="font-size: small;">, and it isn't ablaze with fall <span style="font-size: small;">color. But it is the best we've got. </span></span> It is called a "jebel" which is an Arabic word meaning "mountain, hill, or slope." It probably qualifies as a slope. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="background-color: #783f04;"> Here is my fall "harvest". This is a large open fruit and vegetable market where I go to buy produce from around the world. Some days I get some good deals, some days I just wish I could go to a US supermarket as it depends on the time of year, the time of day as to what will be there. </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykqkPH41WhwBMYYsRJuc9-DmRbhwm6saC53HTAPwCWa-Alu8VBw-1udW7HbCiHf3LmoN9Vuu2LL2J0aL5oydk9xo2G9CPNrFra3IV2jAcUPcvhLoEQ3quFivxXmhZXy4MyAY6ZVYb7Z7p/s1600/DSCN3486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgykqkPH41WhwBMYYsRJuc9-DmRbhwm6saC53HTAPwCWa-Alu8VBw-1udW7HbCiHf3LmoN9Vuu2LL2J0aL5oydk9xo2G9CPNrFra3IV2jAcUPcvhLoEQ3quFivxXmhZXy4MyAY6ZVYb7Z7p/s400/DSCN3486.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #fce5cd; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here I am at the marke<span style="font-size: small;">t <span style="font-size: small;">l</span></span></span>ooking for <span style="font-size: small;">pumpki<span style="font-size: small;">ns for carving. T<span style="font-size: small;">he<span style="font-size: small;">y <span style="font-size: small;">are not very orange, but a<span style="font-size: small;">fter much searching<span style="font-size: small;">, I found some that are suitable for car<span style="font-size: small;">ving. One of the <span style="font-size: small;">grocer<span style="font-size: small;">y stores does have some large orange ones shipped in from t<span style="font-size: small;">he US. But when I compare 3 SR (<span style="font-size: small;">$.<span style="font-size: small;">80</span>)/kilo to 30 ($8/kilo) I can handle the color. <span style="font-size: small;">And out in the open a<span style="font-size: small;">ir i<span style="font-size: small;">t <span style="font-size: small;">is a litt<span style="font-size: small;">le more like going to the farm!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;">The men helping me couldn't quite figure out why I kept trying to stand them all up to see if they balanced by themselves. I thought better of trying to explain to them what I wanted them for. </span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #fce5cd;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is taken from inside the grade school. <br />Someone drew this jack-o-lantern in the humidity on the glass door.</span></span></td></tr>
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The Nelson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14085281073092925669noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592410598010837842.post-36013748922576482732011-06-17T04:21:00.000-07:002011-06-17T04:21:59.339-07:00Lunar Eclipse<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Last night was a lunar eclipse. And, apparently not just any lunar eclipse, but a relatively rare "central eclipse" where the moon passes through the center of the Earth's shadow. The last total, central lunar eclipse was July 16, 2000 and the next will be July 27, 2018.<br />
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The lunar eclipse started at 9:23 p.m. This photo was taken around 9:40.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8NIlNDty0ik528o678N_8FF-t-8I8n1-tkRRNsHJixh2rR5sH_BaOJCE3O0qC5UturPSGuMXw0dOcf8TXs0UZ7TCACNDGBnJJKhuncGoBtbQkPhcN8mmCKyEItHXcKIUlpTrytgIrir52/s1600/DSCF1266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8NIlNDty0ik528o678N_8FF-t-8I8n1-tkRRNsHJixh2rR5sH_BaOJCE3O0qC5UturPSGuMXw0dOcf8TXs0UZ7TCACNDGBnJJKhuncGoBtbQkPhcN8mmCKyEItHXcKIUlpTrytgIrir52/s400/DSCF1266.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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The total lunar eclipse started at 10:22 p.m. This photo was taken around 10:15 before it became too dark for the camera to actually capture anything.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZL-Sl5_3mGeMswH4MSXrtMCc9T57ldl4X85hx2GFKpI715H66ikEuVxFWr7F96EnU7LPMMbuFL6MhJObaXXIuZom0hldlS5k9JvgYZKtxNR9Jl2KAKAzvYURkrlZTyajH3xaWbrwpF5Gj/s1600/DSCF1293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZL-Sl5_3mGeMswH4MSXrtMCc9T57ldl4X85hx2GFKpI715H66ikEuVxFWr7F96EnU7LPMMbuFL6MhJObaXXIuZom0hldlS5k9JvgYZKtxNR9Jl2KAKAzvYURkrlZTyajH3xaWbrwpF5Gj/s400/DSCF1293.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>The previous lunar eclipses I have seen have left the moon a deep red. In this case, I actually lost site of the moon completely. It was amazing.</div>The Nelson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14085281073092925669noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592410598010837842.post-67727091399675138872011-05-26T14:44:00.000-07:002011-05-26T14:44:01.499-07:00The Same--And Different<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">It would be too overwhelming for me to try and catch up all that has happened in the last 2+ years. So we will start where we are at and go forward from there. If time allows we will later include some flashbacks and highlights. Here are a few things that have happened thus far in May. <br />
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One thing that never changes is that the kids are always busy and growing. <br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Josh</span><br />
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Josh has played in a school jazz band since we moved here. He pretty much self-taught himself to play the bass, thanks to some basics from cello. His claim to fame now is that he can play 7 instruments: bass, cello, guitar, (every day after school with the amplifier), tuba, piano (most recently learning Moonlight Sonata), recorder, and mouth harp. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhnm21SDsbpcz9khldrgtdHmB9oxNxnQjplLJlVix7VJ2wxN7Yd-MUbHhxXmM-qIF8wbLgZ_Jo7RoMlsrXWu5Y-_xaQOoKj8o4KjKXYVv0sFMt-MbOvD-HkdZbGmWL34H9sC5tdLqxE1Qh/s1600/jazz_band_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhnm21SDsbpcz9khldrgtdHmB9oxNxnQjplLJlVix7VJ2wxN7Yd-MUbHhxXmM-qIF8wbLgZ_Jo7RoMlsrXWu5Y-_xaQOoKj8o4KjKXYVv0sFMt-MbOvD-HkdZbGmWL34H9sC5tdLqxE1Qh/s1600/jazz_band_small.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Josh on the bass.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Joseph</span><br />
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Joseph wore purple socks (something great from the Sock Outlet in Logan) to one of his baseball games. One of his coaches bet him he wouldn't wear pink ones to the next game. So he raided my drawer and found pink and white striped ones. The greatest earning from the bet was the satisfaction that "real men wear pink."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1068253313" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRbB4t1OvJihosmg-fU-nv0Ujxsv4W24DeGO7nmMZFS_9fSB8V4iJ_-073Hh_YOIB5ldmfDzmPPm1qGi3YhsihI1ts5dEsuw48AXlI5mHeA3QV8Vb6OZQHTcloR2mbjBAIQ_C1662wz1Uz/s1600/pink_socks_2_small.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1068253313">Joseph in his baseball uniform.</a></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1068253313"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_9xkWiAeefTIiOJIyNNxXMCIAONLuJGnsTgwhcCdSARijBja37jFJNURhHS5Ztk7I-MVsYsf2seqQYwW4irdoal-qDQn0606mP_SCU4xoBvPeVaOcpbWfod4BwqI8yPRtUoigpdla4WT/s1600/pink_socks_1_small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_9xkWiAeefTIiOJIyNNxXMCIAONLuJGnsTgwhcCdSARijBja37jFJNURhHS5Ztk7I-MVsYsf2seqQYwW4irdoal-qDQn0606mP_SCU4xoBvPeVaOcpbWfod4BwqI8yPRtUoigpdla4WT/s320/pink_socks_1_small.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joseph's pink socks - not standard issue.</td></tr>
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Each year the grade school has an art show. The kids' art work is displayed throughout the halls of the school so people can come and look at it. Here is Joseph's "Picasso self-portrait". Can you tell which one is the real one?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-chQ-mPI5Q6A6-x7ocMK5cZrQlko0sjp1_TeE3oNBr7_wE8B11iy0pKue-lMhXG0EaUpycjSdrXQZHkvyM-McKuPHtgt3kNC-h1Laarw0g284_YTBmbZKiqaDloODIAHZw10pnSbH8ku/s1600/joseph_art.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7-chQ-mPI5Q6A6-x7ocMK5cZrQlko0sjp1_TeE3oNBr7_wE8B11iy0pKue-lMhXG0EaUpycjSdrXQZHkvyM-McKuPHtgt3kNC-h1Laarw0g284_YTBmbZKiqaDloODIAHZw10pnSbH8ku/s1600/joseph_art.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joseph or Picasso?</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jordan</span><br />
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As you can see, Jordan now sports some cute glasses. She is farsighted, which she inherited from her mother, who also started wearing glasses at age 4. She is headed to preschool, which she loves. As also shown, her favorite color is pink.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIlVp2uLLCjWZ8SYicpuu1ZL1fg7jfHc8RX6-zM6OtJjbG3L7wiH3S7-KR2P5hyphenhyphenCtP6jO-p-wxIbmJWiDTr2EhWpTR6tpa6tsJMKhyWiV07C_Stjw0-gEiMpHq7CexO5KlgG5LsSc1PZL/s1600/jordan_dress.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVIlVp2uLLCjWZ8SYicpuu1ZL1fg7jfHc8RX6-zM6OtJjbG3L7wiH3S7-KR2P5hyphenhyphenCtP6jO-p-wxIbmJWiDTr2EhWpTR6tpa6tsJMKhyWiV07C_Stjw0-gEiMpHq7CexO5KlgG5LsSc1PZL/s1600/jordan_dress.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Take a curtsy.</td></tr>
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Another day at preschool--this day they were celebrating letter "Z" by catching some "zzzzzz's" and wearing their pajamas.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbpe5FFvqN21J0aqy2R7IZFSGNYdkQFtHKYSI2g-lvkW8TLnP3_UfrXjVXo9Sbd-Cp4FyXRMfQm9uhgNB0UE-Bi-1bhXvLV8nmd8Baow-NlDyGfjsahXf2xR7pj4WPb_0ZUDzCU1Ls7LX/s1600/pajama_day.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSbpe5FFvqN21J0aqy2R7IZFSGNYdkQFtHKYSI2g-lvkW8TLnP3_UfrXjVXo9Sbd-Cp4FyXRMfQm9uhgNB0UE-Bi-1bhXvLV8nmd8Baow-NlDyGfjsahXf2xR7pj4WPb_0ZUDzCU1Ls7LX/s1600/pajama_day.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pajama Day at Preschool.</td></tr>
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All over camp are posted these coolers of water with paper cups. It's great to have it whenever we are out and about. Jordan and I had gone this day to feed the ducks and fish, ride her bike and play at the park. It was hot already at 9:00 am and she ended up running in the sprinkler. Then these "things" started moving towards us. I had never seen these ducks and they freaked me out a little. At first I thought they were some kind of wild turkey. Then I realized they were wanting the bread we had been feeding to the fish. We gladly fed it to them so they didn't attack us.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwyQfizsvNxJhSjdK6L3JGzkd-TKPzosG1c0emaIQh8rny_o5YHPdrniIOIKjki3WP7tAKesuDX3WF9W0s4Rcm57tNZNBkn6oOE3Jhs1Mox_syxiwbRr__2zLFruKqsJ_lE4DizNu84Rku/s1600/psycho_duck.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwyQfizsvNxJhSjdK6L3JGzkd-TKPzosG1c0emaIQh8rny_o5YHPdrniIOIKjki3WP7tAKesuDX3WF9W0s4Rcm57tNZNBkn6oOE3Jhs1Mox_syxiwbRr__2zLFruKqsJ_lE4DizNu84Rku/s320/psycho_duck.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Besides the ducks being different, here are a couple of other things we have adjusted to.<br />
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We fight cockroaches off and on. This was one of the on days. I found him in the morning, on its back waiting to be saved. Sorry, off to the toilet with him--that is after I compared his size to a double AA battery. Sometimes I just have to close my eyes and flush!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitswnjzHt1JWxxtRICv48-Tc1Bl-ezdE_WMK07-QACgKg0V5xMlKH2RifV5Gn2c-esyzTe-ew0BuYjp8PawOCe399beITTUnCcdAQkr9a-kylIg6Abt7l0o9-Lm7yUlr_qKAnSf41SsbFs/s1600/Cockroach.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitswnjzHt1JWxxtRICv48-Tc1Bl-ezdE_WMK07-QACgKg0V5xMlKH2RifV5Gn2c-esyzTe-ew0BuYjp8PawOCe399beITTUnCcdAQkr9a-kylIg6Abt7l0o9-Lm7yUlr_qKAnSf41SsbFs/s1600/Cockroach.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nasty cockroaches!</td></tr>
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Here in Saudi, when they don't want you to see something offensive in print, they simply black it out. We see it in magazines and on product boxes. Any pictures of women with any skin showing, particularly in bathing suits, gets the magic marker treatment. The arms, legs, and chests are colored in with black marker. (Wouldn't that be a fun job for someone?!) Of course, pork is outlawed here. (The Arabic term for it is "haram".) As a result, we don't get pork bacon. We get if from some other animal than pig, in this case turkey. The funny thing is that what they are censoring in the photo below isn't the pork itself, but any reference to pork! As you can see, they have tried to black out the word "pork" in the sentence, "Less fat than USDA data for pork bacon." <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKT67ANRdOBYxjyJWDmxx4kFADsdOvgR-Zc4RE-6WSbvmBAZvCLrMBnrQCYXx_VhkRLsiCcOYp0lbXIwTlm5WEdhJi8Ge4qnMMdiEMusvoHnhUNr5XIjC3rzae-RH2wzigZ6NNZnVWQbHn/s1600/turkey_bacon_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKT67ANRdOBYxjyJWDmxx4kFADsdOvgR-Zc4RE-6WSbvmBAZvCLrMBnrQCYXx_VhkRLsiCcOYp0lbXIwTlm5WEdhJi8Ge4qnMMdiEMusvoHnhUNr5XIjC3rzae-RH2wzigZ6NNZnVWQbHn/s1600/turkey_bacon_1.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turkey bacon</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPlWD52j-sdBkcXaJJgUfmDgai4aSBj45dboePGsdePVp00xGIyWgATQy7cY4zCshKEHMRYOss8ZdSWAT41dVIQJ-s6w3jNsct-hhq5fOhUDIAzdlefmovzZ99Zq9aV1bDinxgUC53cVV/s1600/turkey_bacon_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHPlWD52j-sdBkcXaJJgUfmDgai4aSBj45dboePGsdePVp00xGIyWgATQy7cY4zCshKEHMRYOss8ZdSWAT41dVIQJ-s6w3jNsct-hhq5fOhUDIAzdlefmovzZ99Zq9aV1bDinxgUC53cVV/s1600/turkey_bacon_2.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't even think about p***.</td></tr>
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</div>The Nelson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14085281073092925669noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3592410598010837842.post-71158964902685076022011-05-25T11:29:00.000-07:002011-05-26T15:02:43.631-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="color: #660000; font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>We're Back. . .Online! </b></span> </div><br />
It's been some time (understatement, yes) since we have kept up on our blog. It seems that life never slows down no matter where in the world you live. But we are going to try again to keep this site updated so we can share our experiences and keep in touch with friends and family around the world.<br />
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We are into our 3rd year living in Saudi. Much has happened, and yet much is the same no matter where you live. There is always work to go to, laundry to wash, meals to cook, and, much to the children's dismay, music to practice. But life here is also very different. We hope to update you on some of the things that are different or have changed--those that keep our life interesting--and those that have remained the same and help us to maintain a degree of sanity in the desert heat. </div>The Nelson Familyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14085281073092925669noreply@blogger.com0