We On our calendar, for the past two weeks, on Thursday, May 21, has been written 'Grandad coming'. Jack was especially excited for Stuart's dad to come visit. Each day this week, before going to bed, he has announced how many days until Grandad would be here. Then he would say, 'I'm so excited to see Grandad'. I just adore the enthusiasm of six-year-olds.
Sunday it was back to the school grind, and then after school I hit the gym. The rest of the afternoon and evening were just spent playing with toys and the normal routine for bedtime.
Monday after school I went to the grocery store. They were cleaning one of the broken coolers, the one that usually holds the shredded cheese. I asked the lady working there if they had any shredded cheese. She said they did, asked me what I wanted, then from the back cooler brought out what she thought I wanted. It wasn't the right stuff so she escorted me to the cooler herself. Where else but the UAE does this happen? Only employees get to see the secret coolers. Every day here is a unique experience.
Monday evening Stuart started his training for the Thailand rugby tour he will be going on May 28. Fortunately, the team is comprised of Fujians who are younger and will support the team. Stuart thinks he won't play much. I wish he wouldn't play at all, but I guess I don't get a say in it. I really think it's more about the travel and fun with 'the boys', so I'm excited for him.
Tuesday after school I discovered the first episode of the new season of the Bachelorette was on! Yahoo! My day was complete. I told Stuart, thinking he would be thrilled for me, but apparently he doesn't really care about the Bachelorette. Strange!
We went swimming Tuesday after school. There were none of our usual crowd there, but it was a refreshing break from the heat. The temperatures are hitting almost 110 degrees each day. I can only assume the brutal heat is here to stay until late October. Fortunately we will get some relief when we are in the UK and France this summer.
On Tuesday evening I decided to wash the gown I wore to the rugby ball. The dry cleaner said they wouldn't clean it because the navy blue would run into the white fabric. Both fabrics were polyester so I knew that there was no way they would bleed into each other. Turns out I was right! No running of colors at all. However, it seems there is a sharp place in our washer. Oh yes, the dress is ruined. It looked as if a cat had used it as a scratching post. Super! It's a bit of the story of my life. I always think I have a 'solution' and often I mess things up. Fortunately, for me, I never really take it too badly. I asked Stuart what I should
do with the dress now. He initially said I could throw it away, but then he decided he could wear it for a costume. Okay then, a costume it becomes. At least it looked fabulous once.
Wednesday I left school a bit early and headed to Dubai. Dr. Barry had ordered another MRI so I had that done. It was fast and then I booked an appointment to see him June 7. It was the first available so although I think the time will be cut close to have any surgery, I booked it. He stated to me that he didn't want to wait until I got back from summer vacation. It is also easier for me to take the time off now rather than the beginning of the school year. We shall see what happens. When I left the hospital this was a car that was parked outside. Glam!
On my way back from Dubai I stopped at the secret Spinneys. Spinneys is a grocery store, but secret Spinneys (as I may have mentioned before) is a liquor store that really is disguised more like an adult book store. It is house on the back side of a virtually empty building, with steel doors as an entrance and exit. The only thing posted on the doors is the hours of operation.
While I was in there getting provisions for when Stuart's dad was here, I heard one of the employees frantically tell someone they couldn't be in the store. I looked up and saw a man dressed in a kandora (the white dress-like garment that many Emiratis wear). The employee rushed him out the exit and I proceeded to pay. Apparently it is against the law to go into a liquor store in a kandora or an abaya (the women's wear). That would explain why the Emiratis honk outside of secret Spinneys for someone to serve them. Well, I guess that doesn't really 'explain' anything, but now I know why they don't go in. I always thought it was because they were lazy.
I paid and walked outside, followed closely by an employee with my black bags (to hide the booze). When I got to my car I saw the same man that was ushered out of the store and he was getting out of a white Mustang. The only difference this time was that he was wearing jeans and a brown shirt. I instantly laughed. He giggled and I told him that was probably the best thing I had seen all day. When I got to the back of my car to put in the bags from the store, I noticed the driver of the Mustang had rolled down the passenger side window. I got a little concerned thinking that he was going to be upset with me for laughing at the situation. So when I got back to my door I leaned down and started to apologize. But then I decided I would just laugh more and tell him the same thing I had told his buddy. He chuckled along with me and added in, 'We do what we must'. It takes all kinds in every society.
Once I got home and unloaded the beverages I headed to the rugby club, where Stuart and the kids were. My intention was to snatch them and then come home to put them to bed. Unfortunately they were playing with their friends so I just hung around and chatted to some people. Once we did finally leave we headed home for baths and bed. It was a bit of a late night, which I had hoped wouldn't happen because I knew Thursday night would also be late because we were picking up Granddad at the airport.
Speaking of 'Granddad', I have wondered all these years why Stuart can't spell 'Granddad'. Look it up! Apparently the Americans and the Brits even spell that differently. When I was telling him, on Wednesday night, that I asked Jack before putting him to bed what tomorrow was, and his response was 'Granddad Day!' He informed me that 'Granddad' was spelled, G-r-a-n-d-a-d, not with 2 'd's as I had written in the blog. He reads and critics the blog as I write it during the week. So I decided I would check Google. Sure enough, the nations spell it differently. So I suppose since it is Stuart's dad, I will resign to the fact that we need to spell it the British way.
Thursday we left for Abu Dhabi and went to Yaz Mall. We decided to eat at the Cheesecake Factory. Stuart was disappointed because they were out of fried mac and cheese balls. We survived! Cheesecake Factory is always a treat and reminds us of home for sure.
We decided to make our way to Ikea and do a little shopping before Grandad's plane landed. We bought a few bits and then headed to the airport. His plane was due to arrive at 7:35 pm, but we knew it was going to be 45 minutes late.
Friday morning we woke up and headed to Dubai. We had a bit of a lazy morning so didn't leave the house until about 9 am. We got to the mall, where the Dubai Aquarium is housed, and had a coffee before heading into the aquarium.
The aquarium has expanded since we went with Grammie and Pop last spring. There is a bit more to do and the money seemed more worth it this time. The kids loved it and it was even more fun having Grandad with us.
This is the aquarium wall that everyone stands in front of to watch the fish and sharks swim around. It's quite incredible.
Inside the aquarium there were these port holes that had magnifier glasses so the sea creatures would appear bigger.
Of course, after having a look at the Burj Khalifa, driving as close to the Burj Al Arab close to the beach, driving home, kids napping all the way, and an hour or so at home, we headed to the rugby club where the beer could be ordered.
Saturday we got up and Stuart made breakfast for us. We then decided to show Grandad the city of Al Ain. Because it was so hot, we mainly just drove around and Stuart was the tour guide. We visited the camel market, Jebel Hafeet (the highest natural point in the UAE), and then we went to the rugby club to swim. Once we were home from the pool, The Richardsons came by and visited for a bit. They brought Millie a lot of toys that May had grown out of. Millie was thrilled! Once they left I bathed the kids and they went to bed shortly after.
Saturday evening we ordered in from the Curry House, which is always a favorite. We turned in around 10 pm and declared the weekend a success.
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