Duplicate post- sorry.

I grew up on it too! Living here in the UAE, sadly there aren't many 'cold' days - so eating soups doesn't happen too often. Now the weather is at its coolest, I am in the midst of a soup, stew and casserole cooking frenzy.

Yes it is. I like a little, ( Ok- a fair bit) of bacon in this soup.

My No-Name Soup...it is potato-ery though :D * 1 onion - chopped * rashers of bacon ( I use 4 or 5 usually) * 750 g potatoes ( peeled and diced) * 2 cups chicken stock ( though vege stock is also fine) * 440 g tin creamed corn * 1 1/2 cups milk. Coat a saucepan with non stick spray, heat and brown the onion & bacon. Add potato and stock. Bring to the boil. Lower heat & simmer, covered, for 10 minutes. Stir in the corn and milk. Cook, stirring for another 10 minutes or until potato is tender. Yummo!

My DS is about to start year 7 ( in Feb, when our new school year starts). His schedule may need some tweaking, but the plans are: English : LLATL (green) Math: MUS ( pre Algebra) Spelling/ Vocab : my own words chosen History : SOTW 2 Science: God's Design ( Plants and Weather units) Music: guitar and keyboard ( teaching himself) Religion(s) : Sikhism and Islam IT: organised by DH Geography: own curriculum ( I make it up as I go along :D) Art: as above.

Have a wonderful Christmas Linda. This is our last (??) Christmas in the U.A.E- should hopefully be back in Oz for Christmas next year. It's 5.30pm here...presents wrapped and Turkish Delight and milk will be put out after dinner ( the kids were told when they were young that Santa LOVES Turkish Delight:D) Enjoy the day!

We school Jan - Dec too. We are Australian, but currently living in the UAE, where the school year (generally) runs July- June. We still follow the Australian school calendar as during summer here, it is very, very ( have I said very:D) hot. This is when the main break occurs. As it is too hot to do anything, we continue with school, sitting in an air conditioned room...lol. When the weather cools here ( this time of the year), we take this time off, so the kids can run around and enjoy the more pleasant weather. As we plan to return to Australia ( and possibly the school system) later next year, following their Jan- Dec system suits us perfectly.

Well, the saga continues. As a few of you already know, I lost my blog a few weeks ago, and have been painstaking re-adding all of the entries again ( I can cut and paste the words from my local machine, but have to reinstall all the photos again....time consuming!) So- now I have about the past 30 entries back on line and have 100 or so to go. My biggest problem, is that all of the comments left by you all have been lost. Now I don't want to sound like a sooky la-la and whine and moan...but can somebody PLEASE leave a comment on any of the 30 entries I have re-entered. I'm not fussed which entries, I just want to feel that these past few weeks spent adding entries back on have been worth it. * sniff, sniff* :crying: And now, if you would kindly pass the cheese to have with my whine....:D

Mine elder 2 were just over 9 and 10 when we began and 2 years later, have just finished volume 1. I thought it was still suitable for their ages, and like most items, we just tweaked it to suit us.

It's Saturday afternoon here now... Last night DH picked up KFC for dinner on his way back from camping out in the desert with the kids. Tonight- we are having: 15 Minute Mexican Lasagne, sour cream, guacamole and a garden salad.

Eid Mubarak all! We aren't Muslims, but I love this time of the year. Our neighbours have just slaughtered some goats and a bull, and no doubt, later on today we will receive a wonderful meal ( or 2!) There are 8+ families living in the house next door to us ( I thought there was 8, but there may be more...as there are 44 children!), so during Eid ( and National Day next week), there will be much laughter and festivities happening...well into the night I'm sure!

The toilet.:ack2: Dh or the kids clean it. For some reason, leaning over it makes me feel like I should be vomiting in it. I gag, I hack, I cough until I have tears rolling down my face. Dramatic? Yes. But I *loathe* to clean it. The rest- I'm OK with.:Angel_anim:

Well- what an week Im having. * insert frustrated icon here* I have lost my blog, due to a computer glitch, and so am in the process of re adding all 18 months worth of entries. I think I have added about 5 or 6 now- all new ones- but not schooling ones, as we have had visitors and took a short break to Bahrain too. So, feel free to pop on over and see how much I have added ( Im going as fast as I can...lol) Look forward to being fully up and running in next few days/weeks (sigh)

Yes, this is our 2nd move- both times to the UAE. It has been a wonderful, enriching experience for us all. We have been blessed to have been able to travel to places we would never have visited, due to distance and cost from Australia. We are planning to return home to Australia next year, but I would be willing to give another international move a go.

Hahaha- I agree! Oman ( particularly the Musendam region in the north) wins my vote. I've just arrived back from holidaying in Bahrain, and I loved it. Not everyones cup of tea, but the people were really friendly, the place was clean, and I got my bearings ( location wise) quicker there than I did after 4 years here! ( I know its smaller, but the road seemed to be set out better...lol

It's been a while since I drove in an 'official' taxi ( DH drove me around for years...lol) The taxi rides are very, very cheap ( compared to Oz), but I didn't use them often. I have only been driving here for a year and it isn't for the faint hearted, so I wouldnt recommend hiring a car unless you were a VERY confident driver. - remember, coming from the UK ( like Oz), you drive on the left hand side of the car- right hand side of the road- so it can be daunting to begin with. Like Kate suggested, you are welcome to contact us when you arrive and well be happy to show you around or meet you somewhere. As much as Dubai is nice the other emirates are the jewels in the crown! :D

Hi Megan, I'm sure Kate will chime in later too. We have lived in Dubai and are currently living in Sharjah ( the emirate above Dubai). There are plenty of low cost activities to do within Dubai and the the other emirates, and of course there are expensive outings. Some of our favourite low cost outings ( just in Dubai) * The Dubai Museum. As a family of 5, it cost us $3 to enter ( in total). It is a fabulous museum, full of interesting artefacts and lots of information. * The beach- the weather is lovely this time of the year. Today it is around 35 deg celsius ( 95F), so perfect for the beach or pool * Parks. There are many parks here ( some will cost you about $3 to enter), but they are a re lovely way to spend a few hours. * Jumeirah Mosque. This is a large mosque in Jumeirah that is open to the public ( I think its every day except Friday). They do guided tours and have great staff who will answer all your questions about life in the Emirates and any questions you may have about Islam. * The souks ( markets). This is one of my favourite areas of Dubai. There is the gold and diamond, fish, fabric & textiles, and spices souks ( + others). From this heritage area, you can travel by abra ( water taxi ) across the creek. ( about .30 c a person). * Have a walk through the malls. Ibn Battuta Mall in Jebel Ali is one of my favourites. It is designed to look like past periods in history that Ibn Battuta ( the traveler) passed through. It has a China Court, Egypt court, Tunisia Court, Indian Court and my favourite- the Persia Court. ( has to be seen!!) The Mall of the Emirates has an indoor ski slope inside it. We were there last week- cost us about $30 a person- that included snowsuits boots etc. What a blast! Dubai Mall has a HUGE indoor aquarium and an ice skating rink. There is a cost for the aquarium- but you can also view the main tank without paying ( you pay to walk through a tunnel in middle of tank- and to visit exhibits etc) * A drive out to the sand dunes to watch the camel racing. After 4 years here, I still LOVE watching the camels, just wandering through the deserts. * Bastakia Arte Souke- in the heritage area. A must see. Here in Sharjah- there are MANY, MANY museums. Sharjah is rich in heritage and tradition. The museums etc cost us no more than $3 a family to visit! Anyway- there are plenty of things to see and do! Lunch doesn't have to cost a lot. Fine dining is expensive ( as it is anywhere in the world). Food court prices we think are reasonable ( cheaper than what we pay in Australia), and then smaller, non- touristy eateries are VERY cheap!!! I personally, would jump at the chance to come! What a wonderful gesture from your friends! Let us know if you have any more questions. * edited to say- there are plenty of supermarkets around, so you can buy what you need to make sandwiches etc for a picnic, or to stock up on water, snacks etc. Supermarkets such as Carrefour, Geant and LuLu's tend to be cheaper than Spinneys and Choithrams. :-)

If it makes you feel better, I had to look it up in the dictionary. :D

Yes, For us Australians ( and possibly New Zealanders), Remembrance Day used to be known as Armistice Day, and from what I have read, the name was changed after World War 2. I found this bit of info on the name change. The 11th of November was originally called Armistice Day, but was changed to Remembrance Day after World war II as a gesture to commemorate those who have died in all manner of war and conflict over the last century.

It was also Remembrance Day in Australia and New Zealand ( along with many other nations). We observed the 2 minute silence at 11.00 am this morning, followed by reading In Flanders Fields. We even managed to buy some poppies this week! Lest We Forget.

:lurk5: Oh my, you bought tears to my eyes, as you just described my son to a T. He has just turned 12, and we battle these same issues on a daily basis ( and have done for a couple of years now). I'm mentally drained and exhausted,and until I read this post, I really did think that it must be my parenting style. If you don't mind, I will lurk here, waiting for the wise words of wisdom to flow from the hive.( I'll check back in the morning, as it is almost 11pm here, and we have a field trip tomorrow) :grouphug:

Loved it....and just added it to my FB page!

I have a pack of white Tim Tams arriving on Sunday, when my mum arrives for a visit! Can't wait!

Hello all- Mrs Slacker here. Yep- once again I missed 3 weeks in a row! My tri-weekly report is now up. * add sheepish look icon here*

Not really my style either, but I do like the look of number 4, followed by #1 :)