Thanksgiving in Panama-first time ever!

Well, here I am, in Panama! Finally! I never thought I'd be here again. After spending a month in August with all the kids it's so weird to be here just with my husband!I am by myself in a hotel room with www! After catching up with a few boggy friend, sending my kids Tday ecards, watching enough Spanish on TV, and catching up on my em I decided it's time to blog! Before my husband comes home from work and hogs the www code! There is no wi fi here and it's like $13 a day for www. I am even skipping lunch! LOL! I haven't been alone (without kids I mean) in such a long time that I am glued to the bed with my laptop.
I tried to write all my thoughts down yesterday but it was so crazily busy! Then, the curfew cop told me to sign out. It was like 10 pm. Ever since he left I haven't gone to bed before midnight! WOW! I actually couldn't sleep but didn't want to have the comp screen wake him up! So, I laid quietly and prayed till sleep came around midnight! LOL!

My trip was awesome! The drive to Baton Rouge was long and many bathroom stops for the girls. For about 15 min we were in very heavy rain and it was sort of scary. I really wished I made an effort to get my hubby's truck fixed (dead battery that wouldn't start, so a new one would have been needed but not much time). But we made it, strong crosswinds for an old van and all.
My very good friend in Baton Rouge offered to drive me in my van and come pick me up upon return. We made it just in time after a long heart to heart catch up talk with a great friend! So refreshing!
Upon weighing my check in suitcase I was unpleasantly surprised that it was showing 54 lbs. My son took care of the suitcase and was positive it was 46 lbs. There was no way over 50lbs in that suitcase-just clothes and a tripod, which was barely 5lbs!So, I spent a good 20 min rearranging clothes into my carry on to make it an exact 50.0 lbs to the surprise of the airline workers. Hubby suggested I ask for their most recent calibration certificate. I had no clue I could. I had another suitcase inside of it for my husband to use and was getting ready to split my suitcase into 2 when they told me it's going to be an extra $25 for an additional suitcase. I am going overseas! I traveled in August and we were allowed 2 each! Oh, no, m'am. It's changed since September! Well, it doesn't say so on their site! At least I had plenty of time. I made it to the gate in time for boarding to start but the flight was delayed. I was getting a bit nervous, to say the least! I only had a 45 min layover in Houston. I think I like flying out of Atlanta better. The airplane had more room and a movie was shown. Oh, well! I am grateful for clean airplanes and friendly service!
My seat was all the way in the last row and you know how it is when the seat belt off sign goes off and everyone gets up and starts getting off the place. Husband recommended I tell the flight attendant about my dilemma and she promised to make a PA asking passangers to let me off the plane first. Well, the person sitting next to me heard it and offered to bother his friend who was a whole lot closer in the front! I was elated. I was first off the plane and on my way over a mile to my next gate. I had 20 min to make it there! I was in tears by now for there was no way for me to run with a carry on fast enough! And all the wheels were going the opposite direction. 3 minutes into my crazy dash I get called to jump in and rushed to my gate by this funny man in one of those fast go carts (i got no clue what they are called). He drove me like crazy laughing and making jokes at people to get out of the way, on your left, on your right! I had no clue those things can be so easy to maneuvers! I made it on right in time for boarding my seats! As I stood in the corridor I called hubby to let him know I will indeed be coming and that I totally forgot that I had $1 in my wallet! One needs $5 for an entry visa at the customs and they do not take checks! As I was telling him that on the phone the gentleman in front offered me $5! I was beyond myself! I realized I can write him a check and he graciously refused! WOW! WOW! WOW! That's al I can say! God took care of all my needs! We took off to Panama 5 mins after I sat down! I finally took a deep breath and relaxed!
It is different to spend such a great holiday without our children. Panamanians do not celebrate Thanksgiving and with the torrential rains that have swept all the Caribbean shoreline and have caused major flooding our spirits are a bit further from thanksgiving. But we are together. We weren't looking forward to spending 3 days in this hotel room but every other location on the Pacific coast is booked now. Many people returned to their countries. Well, I can't return and I don't want to return. I am just starting to enjoy myself!
Yesterday after I ate lunch with my husband and coworkers I broke a nail and couldn't find any nail clippers (kids I know y'all took them out!) I decided it's time to pamper myself. Front desk gave me the number for the closes salon and I was there in a few minutes. For $19 I got a ped and man with design. I was so temped to get acrylic ones for it was unbelievably inexpensive compared to the US. That's about the only thing that's inexpensive in this country.
We do hope and pray that the weather clears up. Our plans for a second honeymoon on the Caribbean have been cancelled and we only have 3 days together off work. But we are together! And we are so grateful! Hope your Thanksgiving is great! Blessings, Natalie

Do flu shots work? Ask a vaccine manufacturer-interesting phone call!

I just got this is my mailbox from Dr.Mercola and just had to post it!

First sleepovers and tea party

Oh, what a day today! My son went to his first ever Bday party with a sleepover. He called me 3 times at least letting me know he might not stay for the sleepover and ended up coming home a bit before 2. He was just checking to make sure I don’t stay up waiting for him and leave him a key outside the house (we live in the city now and we lock our doors) In the meantime I let my girls' friend come over for the first sleepover ever! SO, my son's bedroom got occupied unbeknown to him. Was he surprised to walk in and see 4 girls spread out on his bedroom floor! LOL! I thought I warned him when he called but he didn’t think I was serious! He didn’t think I’d let these dainty people occupy his smelly cave! Well, they didn’t complain! They were so happy to have a larger room!So, after the girls had pizza for dinner ( I had made a pizza crust yesterday enough for only 4 peope, perfect!) and tea and hot chocolate served in china it was already 9pm. They girls watched a movie and I didn't even get to kiss them good-nite. They passed out while watching. SO, no whispering and giggling and the fun stuff. I didn't even hear them! What kind of sleepover is that anyway! LOL
So, I decided to use that quiet time and watching a Russian move a friend gave
me months ago. Well, it's 3 am and I am still up enjoying it so much and I am glad it's Sat tomorrow but I better get to bed. Oh, it's so good to hear Russian again. It's such a great historical movie and I just couldn’t stop. It’s a series and it just weaved the story so wonderfully!!! I stayed up till 4 am to wake up at 8 and run to the gym just to wake up . My same friend had a baby yesterday and I decided I'll watch as much of the movie so I can tell her tomorrow when I go visit her at the hospital and we reminiscence while I get to hold the newborn! I can't wait! Enjoy the party pics. The girls were really silly. We didn’t make it formal, for it was a spur of the moment thing. I didn’t plan anything because son got invited just a few short days before. So, please, forgive me for not fancy pics. They weren’t even trying to be lady like since no boys were around! LOL!

Fall pics

While watching the Russian movie (post below) I edited a few fall pics I took. I was too worried the leaves will all fall down before I have a chance to snap a few shots. The one with me of course wasn't taken by me. I have a few more of the girls but the tree in the background was so red it was hard to edit it in a hurry. Another day, or nite of editing, oh well. Enjoy!

10 things I will miss after I move, well 10 for now

I have really had a weepy kind of day today. I am really missing my husband. I don't think it kicked in till after the ball season was over. I stayed very busy bringing 4 kids to their practices. It kept my mind off. Now that my mind is occupied with other things in the pms like blogging and Waste book (as one of my very good bloggie friends called it today) I just realized how much I miss my husband who is still in Panama.
I cancelled an afternoon of spending time with a good friend who wanted to learn how to make a few of my recipes because I just couldn't deal with talking about moving and plastering a smile on my face. Though she is moving around the same time we are! But she is not sad about moving! She was here temprorary as well but she has a very extended family and roots where she is returning! I don't have the same roots! I do have part of my husband's family back to where we are moving, but not like hers. My hubby will also not be moving with us. He'll just be moving us and going back to work overseas. he is hoping to bring us with him. This time it's to Jamaica. But I don't want to go for just a few months. Panama was a fine and dandy month long visit, but I don't know if I really am ready in my heart to pack for a who knows how long this time visit. Please, pray for this decision. We want to know what to do.
We've been in this area almost 20 months now and have grown to really like it. I mean I know where places are, the best way to get to them, got friends and great hs support group with an em loop and all.
I was wondering today what will I miss the most when I leave this area? Now, it's way past midnite and it's not a good time to mop around but I fugured:it's already late!!! SO, I will attempt shortly.

1. My friends and my kids' friends. Friends at church. Just found one we really love!
2. Running out every other Sun am (well, in my car that is) to Panera bread to get a bakers dz (half asiago/half cinn crunch) bagels with cream cheese and be back in under 10 min. and grabbing the Sunday paper with the comics and all the coupons and stuff in my driveway. (see I got 2 in one here)

3. Running out (again, I could run to it but it would take just a bit longer) to Kroger to get a gal of milk (upon finding out some big kid drank the last 16 oz that were supposed to last the whole family for cereal for bfast) and a loaf of bread (cuz he ate that with the milk before bedtime, he is only 12 ya know!) and telling the kids to continue doing school like I am home and returning 20 min later to see them doing so and acting surprised: Oh, mom, you were faster than 20 min. There were no sales?
4. My gym, again, running distance
5. The movie theater, running again. Though we've only been 2 the whole time we lived here. I took the kids to watch Kung Fu panda after hubby left. And just watched Madagascar.
6. BAM, Hobby Lobby, Target all in one convenient location 5 miles away, 0.2 from I 85!
7.The mall, small, but again running distance.
8. Sam's -4 miles away, same deal with school-do not move if you want lunch that your brother so thoughtfully ate. Yes, I know, he didn't know I planned on using that for lunch.
9. Libraries- 2 great ones!
10. My russian friends whom I just met and who are planning a NY's celebration our style! I am feeling myself just starting to tear up here at number 10, so I will have to cut it out right here right now before I break down crying and my hubby thinks I am writing this blog directly for him. I am not, baby. I am just way emotional today and am glad I went on the airport (yes, we even have a small one here) field trip instead of dealing with "school" today. Will try to juice my future pilot for details of airport field trip as well as the gazillions of pics he took. I won't bore you with the unedited ones. I am really good at the delete button!

That's it for today (wow, it is early in the am, my hubby would be getting up in a few hours and I am still not in bed.) I wonder why he still calls us early and leaves us messages wondering why we are still sleeping! LOL! We've all been going to bed late here. I think we are in denial that there is a bed time since our curfew police is gone (dad).

Antioxidant Pomegranate Smoothie and Giveaway! One day! Hurry!

You've got to enter this quick giveaway before tomorrow, Nov 7 if you like Pomegrantes and/or Pom juice. Check them out at 5dollardinners.

Be blessed.
Natalie

Review and giveaway of a clickfree external HD One day left!

Just a short one tonite and it's not about Obama's victory.
It's about a giveaway for an ext HD. I always can use one. I hope I win. But you might too! So, head on to Mommies with cents and leave a comment. You get an extra point for blogging about it. How easy is that? But hurry, the drawing closes Fri, Nov 8. midnite!
Bless ya,
Natalie

ON a lighter note the day before the elections. I already mailed my absentee vote so I can laugh now and go to sleep before midnite hping that I won't dream of all the election talk. I totally relate to my friend who sent me this video put it:
" This election has dominated so much of our attention, I've started feeling like I could quote the speeches I hear in my sleep. Now I know why...."


http://www.236.com/video/2008/watch_synchronized_presidentia_9857.php

My photo homework-showing action with panning

My most favorite photo blogger Crazybusy always challenges me. She really rocks! You guys have to check her out! She has 6 wonderful children (a sweet new baby too!) and she has time to post great tutorial on photography. I am really blessed to have found her on HSB and I am very grateful for her. She is super busy homeschooling and keeping house, but yet, she manages to cut out time to educate moms like me who love photography. SO, I might be late in my assigments that she challenged us to in one of her photo posts, but I couldn't wait any more!

So, here is my assigment. I sure hope I showed action! Did I? They are really not very good shots of 2 of my girls. I couldn't get a good one of my 3rd one but by the time I pulled out my cam it was time to get dinner, so only 30 or so shots for me tonite, but I will get more, I promise Allysa). So, Allysa, please, feel free to comment. They are not the best shots but it sure was fun learning panning. I always have plenty of willing kids around and I will try again! And I've always wanted to try it. I learned about it in my photo class but never got to actually try it. Thanks so much for challenging and teaching us! Be blessed, my friend!