I'll take the mile, please

I still have one more day of pictures for you. Feel lucky that I am having a hard time loading photos, otherwise you may be seeing A LOT more. And really, who needs that?

Since I have been home, I have decorated for Christmas. Which is weird in the heat, but REALLY weird where Christmas is forbidden. I feel a little rebellious. I mean, on camp, they say it's okay - as long as you don't offend anyone. In other words, no nativity in the front yard or baby Jesus anywhere visible. I have our tree up, stockings and other decor up. A couple of religious things, but over all, I left our religious things home. Sad.

Being away for a few days made me a little crazy. You know, give and inch they'll take a mile? Well, I want the mile. A little taste of freedom has made it really hard to be back. I had gotten really good at just letting things go. Can't drive? Oh well. Abaya on to go off camp? No big deal. Womens covered faces? Their choice. Call to prayer interrupting a simple trip to the store? Happens.

But now? I'm ticked! Honked, I tell you. For some reason I am so totally annoyed at all of these things. Seriously! I am bugged at all of the things I can't control. And let me tell you, around here - that's a lot.

And having freedoms made me forget that not everyone does. The day after we got home I was at the beach with the kids and asked the lifeguard, a friend of ours, who know's us well, "Did you go anywhere for Eid?" DUH? That was a rude thing to even ask. He doesn't get vacation. Ever! Really, like once in ten years they get to go home. What was I thinking? That the whole world lives as indulgent lives as us? I was embarassed I even said anything. He just said, "No. I stayed here." Well of course you did.

Then I was whining to Ping Pong ( :) you know, our house cleaner) about all the laundry I have. He was nice and reminded me that I have a big family and cook and clean for them as well, so it's okay. He then told me is 18 month old is to that terrible stage of messing up outfit after outfit. He said his wife is washing ten outfits a day. By hand. "She doesn't use the washing machine?" I ask. (See, I've lost it.) "We don't have a washing machine." Well of course you don't. Duh. Again, I felt lavish and selfish and full of complaining.

Then there was all of the drama of our little branch, it's dumb, but we have drama. And the fact that I missed Simon's Pirate Play where he was the captian that got to make his teacher walk the plank, right into the swimming pool. And I then I forgot my pictures for sharing time, and it's not like I can run home (have to get a taxi) or go to the ward library. (there isn't one)

Basically, I feel like Alexander and the teribble, horibble, no good, very bad day. Only it's a week and I'm not moving to Australia, I'm moving to America. You know my favorite part of the book? BTW. I love when they go to his dad's office and he get's into everthing and the book says, "Dad said please don't pick him up from work anymore." It just makes me laugh. The faces in the drawings are hilarious, and I'm pretty sure the author snuck into my house on a Sunday afternoon, while inmates were taking over, (going bonkers) and drew the scene.

This week will be better. The weather is a sunny 78 degrees, the ocean is bright blue and breezy, and the kids are soon out of school for three weeks. We're looking forward to a fun break. Weird that Peter has to work on Christmas though. It's even on a Saturday, which of course is like our Monday. Thanksgiving was su-weet, since it falls on a Thursday, which is our Saturday. Nice. More on that ecxiting day, coming up. I'll just set the scene for you: Chach, Simons ear, a pair of scissors and the emergency room. Oh, you won't want to miss it!