Just staging a little packing..... thought I would get an idea what I actually had to take over.... not bad... now I am tired. I will take a nap....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Well, I must say my blog is lacking lately but I am still not in Saudi yet. :) For those of you who have been following Tim's blog, you surely are not disappointed. He has been posting pictures and experiences.... check it out.  wyolincoln.blogspot.com
Tim has his Igama! An Igama usually takes up to ninety days to process.  It took 10 days for Tim. Yeah! What does this mean? It means now my paperwork can be processed  ..... Yipee! Tim warned me that the arrival into Saudi would be disappointing because I would be jet lagged and tired... but I shared that it would be different for me.... I might be tired but I would be so glad to see him again... not just Skype him... but face to face! :) Yup! I am a bit excited! :) Now to just patiently wait for the process to continue.... good practice for my patience. Giggle..... wiggle.... twitch.... I am waiting.... that is me waiting..... :)

I head back to Adams tomorrow. I have enjoyed my visit with Jon and Pat. Laughs, good food, and good down time with friends..... nice. I talked to Tim on the phone everyday. He seems to be doing well... we both miss each other and hope the paperwork goes through quickly but it is what it is... Tim says the compound has a gardener who is going to set us up with a tomato and pepper plant. Yeah! Maybe we can even get some herbs and lettuce and radishes going for salad. :) We have a back awning area in which we will hang up sling chairs and visit with the neighborhood kitties. Pat and I talked over some decorating ideas for the new home stead.... now just waiting to get there. :)

Here is an Arabic lesson from Tim.... in case you all don't read comments. :)

In shaa'Allah
God Willing

salaam
Hello

Ma asalaam
Goodbye

Ismee
My name is ...

Marhaban
Welcome! (to greet someone)

Kaifa haloka
How are you?

Shokran (jazeelan)
Thank you (very much)!

Hal tatakallamu alloghah alenjleziah
Do you speak (English)

I went to Mankato, MN last week on Thursday to take a physical for my VISA to go to Saudi. I had to go back on Friday with an old chest xray from my normal health provider for a comparison and everything was fine. Yeah!  I drove on to Cole Camp, MO from there to visit old friends. I am still enjoying their company and hope they are enjoying mine....:)  I will head back to Adams on Tuesday and will continue to prepare for my departure from the US to Saudi.... it is getting closer. :) I miss Tim even though I get to talk to him every day... just not the same. He seems to be adjusting well to compound life. He still does not desire to learn to drive in Saudi... we will see. I am ready... even if I am not. :)

Today is Valentine Day and guess what? I got to talk to Tim on our new phone in Saudi!!! Yeah!!! I  was driving home from my visit to my mom, who lives in Wisconsin. I had just tried our number to see if the internet was up in Jeddah at out new home. I had gotten a voice mail which meant it was not working yet and then about 30 seconds latter I got a call from Tim.... he had just plugged our Jeddah internet phone in. Ha! Even around the world we are still on the same wave length... :) We must have talked for a good hour....It was close to bed time for him and early afternoon for me. I finally hung up and then called him back as I realized I had not wished him a happy Valentine Day. :) He loves our new place and had lots of great stories already.... He had lots of good advice for me for when I fly into country. He is not looking forward to driving in Jeddah but it does not look like an option. He will be staying around the compound this weekend... which is Thursday and Friday  in Saudi .... not Saturday and Sunday. He will do a bit of shopping off compound. He is already picking up the language and is getting used to Saudi time..... oomshalah.....not the correct spelling but that is how it sounds to my tin ear.... in means God willing... you ask when something might get done and it is always...oomshalah.... Ha! Well more to come.... Keep tuned in to the "Great Adventure"!

Tim is in Jeddah! He is very tired and says it is a desert. Ha! I have not talked to him yet but Patty got a call from in on the company. He will have internet soon. He told Patty it looks like Phoenix and the villa is really big. He told her the traffic was absolutely crazy. He has already taken a run around the complex. Keep him in your prayers. :) Love that guy!

Tim reminded me again today to take it as it comes and grow from it..... Thank you Tim! I needed that. :) Tim is now crossing the ocean .... flying to Jeddah. He might be able to get on the internet while he is in the air or not... He will be into Jeddah on Sunday. I was unable to talk to him this afternoon...just could not get a good connection... but I will get to talk to him soon enough. He flew to Boston with an interesting seat mate from Russia. He messaged that he much enjoyed his visit with this professor from Russia. He then was able to relax in the airport and enjoy dinner and an hour of paid internet at JFK. He has been such a strong and supportive role model for me in all this... THANKS! :)

Tim flew out today.... I will see him in person in Saudi next time we meet face to face. He made it into Boston for orientation and I am visiting my mom in Wisconsin. We are both excited about our "Great Adventure". Tim should be in Saudi by Sunday evening. It is in full swing now.

Looks like a nice day to stay in the hotel here in Denver. Tim will even be taking his last class here in the hotel....:) l had plans to meet up with friends today but will have to settle with phone calls... It is a record breaking snow here in Denver according to the news....lots of closings.... hard to believe I was running outside two days ago in a tank top and shorts here. :) It should snow all day here. The airport is closed but it should be open tomorrow  and the roads will be cleared for travel. :) I have had an awesome week here with Tim, meeting up with friends. :) Tim is stoked about his training and the opportunity he had to meet with his new coworker in class this week. We are sooooo excited about our Great Adventure!!!! :)

Pear Street in Boulder, CO

Minnesnowtons bring Snow to Colorado...