Redecorating

We've made major changes in the motorhome. We stored our two chairs and ottomans in the townhouse and bought a leather loveseat that reclines! Sooooo.....comfortable! It takes up alot of space but we love it. A new lamp/table and different throw pillows and we have a whole new look!

Roger is already making plans for his new HD TV that he plans to install when we are in Florida! His reward for going back to work!

Early Christmas

We celebrated Christmas a little early with my family this year. Mel and Ray, Joel and Rachel, Kyle and Rachel, Kirt, Carlos and Megan all came to San Antonio last week-end. Megan and Carlos stayed with us and the others stayed in the townhouse. We had such a fun family time - dining out on Mexican food, touring the Riverwalk, shopping and playing cards. We even cooked a traditional meal with turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and the works - yum! We missed Judy - she couldn't take time off during a really busy time for the plant - and of course, Mom, Kyle, Heather and the girls. But, like so many families, we had to adjust to changing times! We were so glad they all came to Texas!
Kyle and Heather and the girls just got back from Phuket, Thailand on "holiday" - just in time for Santa to come! They had a great time - the girls fed an elephant and got to hold an eagle. They also had a gymnastics school so Samantha got to fly on a trapeze! Hope they remember all these wonderful adventures they have had while living in Kuala Lumpur!
Baking pumpkin bread and date nut torte today - been hungry for both. Carlos and Megan will be here Christmas day and Monday and then we'll take off for Florida on Wednesday.

Home, Sweet, Home

I left Kuala Lumpur on Wednesday, November 30th. Even though I was excited to see Roger, (I missed him so much and so did the girls!) coming home always seems much harder than going. I flew from KL to Singapore, only a 55 minute flight and arrived at 9:30pm - then I had a 5 hour lay over - my flight to Moscow didn't leave until 2:30am. Hard to stay awake until then - so afraid I would fall asleep and miss my plane! Ten hours to Moscow - a 2 hour lay over - then 12 hours to Houston! Between a bad cold and god knows how many time zones, I was wiped out when I finally arrived! It has taken me 4 days to feel human again but the trip was worth it. I had a great time!
We actually went to Lake Conroe near Houston to a Boomer RV Rally over the week-end. I didn't participate much but good to see old friends again and celebrate the up coming holiday season.
Roger is doing well at work - basically doing the pre-planning needed to get the project started and getting settled into his new office. Samantha and Emily made him a picture frame for his desk - by gluing seashells we gathered in Langkowi on a frame and putting a cute picture of them in it. Of course, he cherishes it!
I need to get busy with holiday preparations and Christmas cards!

Christmas Pageant Poem

The Christmas program at Samantha's school is on Friday night. Emily knows the poem almost as well as Samantha.

Heather and I had an amazing massage today - 90 minutes of pure bliss! You're so relaxed they need a spatula to get you off the table! I'll need another one after my long airplane ride!
Samantha and I walked down to Solaris this afternoon to the bank. As we are walking along the sidewalk she saw a discarded water bottle and said "Oh my God, this is so frustrating! People throw trash all over and it's not good for the earth!" When we checked out at the store she asked if we could have an extra bag to put trash in on our way home! Such a little environmentalist!

The Climbing Walls

Today, Monday, is a Malaysian Holiday so Kyle and the girls had the day "off ." We went out for lunch and then to the indoor climbing walls. Samantha couldn't wait to show me how high she can climb and Emily decided to try it too! It makes me nervous to watch them but they love it!

Shangra La

One of Heather's friends that moved to Australia is back in town this week-end so we met her and another friend at the Shangra La Hotel for "tea" this afternoon. A beautiful lobby with this gorgeous bouquet of Birds of Paradise - at least 4 feet tall. The tea sandwiches, scones and desserts were delicious and we even got to see a Chinese wedding in the garden. Heather is meeting more of them for dinner tonight. Kyle is going to a shrimp boil at the International School. The girls and I are going to enjoy a bubble bath, pedicures and a sleep-over in my room!

We called Marion so the girls could sing her "Happy Birthday!" They are the birthday ambassadors!

Roger, Megan and Carlos called to let us know they had just eaten at the new Lupe's Tortillas (our favorite Mexican restaurant in Sugarland and they just opened one in San Antonio) and the fajitas were as good as they remembered! Then they went to Starbucks for pumpkin spice lattes! I gott'a get home!!!

Turkey Day

No Turkey Day in KL - Kyle at work and kids in school. Heather and I went to Samantha's class and made turkey hats with the kids and then went shopping in the afternoon on Thursday. We talked with Roger, Megan, Carlos and his niece Olivia this morning - it was about 6pm in San Antonio and they were getting ready to eat Thanksgiving dinner. So glad Roger wasn't alone. We are cooking a turkey with bread stuffing this afternoon and joining friends for a traditional dinner this evening.
The girls called and talked with Santa Claus last night! He talked to them for awhile and then they got to leave a message telling him what they wanted for Christmas. Emily told him she wanted a "bouncy ball" and then after she hung up she said "I no have an Ipad - I want an Ipad!" Heather told her Santa has limits!! Samantha wants a "2 wheeled scooter." It just so happens that her best friend Claire, across the street, wants one too.
They woke me up this morning all excited because "Sonny" their Christmas elf arrived last night. He is Santa's helper and comes early to watch them and report to Santa how good they have been. Nobody can touch him - otherwise his magic disappears. He "flys" to a different perch every night so it's fun to find him each morning. We are going to put the Christmas tree up this week-end so I can see it before I leave.
Heather and I are going to Chinatown one last time this morning!