The rest of the week continued in the same vain, with every room getting tackled and a huge decluttering took place. With Ramadan approaching this weekend, it's a time to be charitable, so I'll be finding an organisation to come and collect all our unwanted items.
I had a sore throat, probably due to the constant air con. On Friday a migraine started to appear, stiff neck, eye strain, it takes a few days to hit full force, but I'm hoping fluids, rest and meds can keep this at bay.
I'm also still trying to deal with a few UK issues, that I guess will have to wait till next month when I visit. There's only so much that can be done via email.
141/365 Sunday. Car.
This is my 3rd Ramadan in Dubai. 2015 I only had a week as I'd been to Canada for the first part, I didn't cope at all well with the restrictions of eating and drinking in public, I didn't have a car, so I was pretty much stuck indoors for that time as it's too hot to be walking anywhere in summer. Last year I was working, but with work and the heat I was too hot and tired to do anything once I got home from work. This year I'll be here until 4-5 days before Eid and I have a car, most places I use/visit in Dubai are within a 3-5km radius, but are beyond walking distance, again due to the heat. It was midday when I returned to the car the temperature inside was 43c. Kitchen is now spotless, will be eating out the rest of the year. I turned the job offer down.
142/365 Monday. Mud.
It's amazing what a professional make up artist and good lighting can do for someone. Not wanting to waste such a good look, I popped into Mall of the Emirates on my way home and bought Bob a McDonalds as a late birthday treat. I then tackled some emails, chasing replies and had a little nap. I dropped Peter at the airport as he's in Saudi till Thursday and called in at Dubai Festival City, had a coffee, did some shopping and watched the Imagine fire, water and light show. I then treated myself to a face pack and hair conditioning treatment.
143/365 Tuesday. Outdoors.
The lounge, dining room, sewing room and conservatory is now also spotless, it was mid morning before I heard about the suicide bombing at the MEN in Manchester. As an expat I think I've become desensitised to events such as this in my home country, but it doesn't mean I don't care or have empathy, it just becomes harder to relate to. popped out for coffee early evening to enjoy being able to spend time outdoors, the cat is in and out like a yo yo all day. When I go out, I do make sure she's safely inside.
144/365 Wednesday. Mix it up.
Sorted some paperwork and headed off early to beat the crowds for a coffee at The Souk Madinat, ended up as usual in Costa as there is shade to allow me to sit outside for as long as possible. Tackled the bedroom and bathrooms mid morning and did the washing. School confirmed son's taxi for his lift to the airport tomorrow. £90 each way. Headed off to the beach just before sunset for a swim.
145/365 Thursday. Drinks.
Peter arrived home in the early hours then headed off to the office for the day. I ironed, washed up, prepped tea, walked the dog and did some gardening, all before 8am. I went food shopping and was back home by 12pm I had to stock up for the teens arrival in the morning and enjoyed some time in my lovely clean home.
146/365 Friday. Random!
Up early and off to collect the teen from the airport. Apart from cooking breakfast and preparing dinner for another night. The only other thing I did today was sort and pair 45 socks the teen brought with him, throwing 15 socks away that I couldn't be arsed to pair up. The teen slept most of the day, as did I and Peter watched the TV, walked Bob and washed up.
147/365 Saturday. Old.
FA Cup Final 2010 Chelsea v Portsmouth. Back when life was uncomplicated, we all lived in the UK and we were there with my job. Those days are long gone now, I really need to try and move on.
On the blog this week:
My Sunday Photo - J is for Job.
Travel - Monday Escapes and PoCoLo - Visiting Dubai during Ramadan.
Parenting - TweensTeensBeyond and TriumphantTales - How Social Media can damage children's lives.
Animal Tales - Animals on my UK travels.
Gardening - Identifying and dealing with deadly Nightshade.
Great post! Your makeup looked great! I loved the picture with your toes in the sand- it looks so relaxing!
ReplyDeleteloved having my make up down, such a treat, the beach was lovely, hardly anyone there at sunset
DeleteI wish you well on the spotless kitchen - mine stays pristine for all a few minutes as no-one seems to notice. A sunset swim sounds lovely. Have a great time with the teen - if he stays awake long enough x
ReplyDeletenope, kitchen lasted all of a few hours and had to be cleaned again on sunday
DeleteYou look stunning in that photo. Well done on all the cleaning! It must be nice to have your son around for a few days. I really don't know what boys do with their socks!
ReplyDeletethank you, you won't ever see me look like that other than in a photo
DeleteIt sounds like a busy week of cleaning...Ants are a nightmare to get rid of. We had some a few years ago. They were relentless.
ReplyDeleteI hope you feel better soon.
Your make up looks great. You look fabulous.
i really loved the make up session, sadly i haven't been able to recreate the look
DeleteYou look gorgeous. I just love it when someone else does my makeup, feels such a treat. I could do with a good deep clean. I think I might actually do that tomorrow. I'm running out of space to put things!
ReplyDeletethank you. giving the house a deep clean now means i have a garage full of unwanted stuff to get rid of
DeleteLove the make up look. Good on the decluttering - I don't even need to declutter and move things around - the OH has no idea how to put things away.
ReplyDeletehalf the time my family never even notice
DeleteThe make up looks great. I keep thinking about having some professional shots done. Had to laugh at the socks. Can you drink in your car in Dubai or is that still 'public'?
ReplyDeleteI didn't actually realise there were restrictions on eating out in public in Ramadan. So used to people eating around me in the UK! Doesn't bother me.
ReplyDeleteYour make up looks fab!!
What a gorgeous photo, you look absolutely fabulous. That beach shot look sizzlingly hot I regularly bin lonely socks and invariably the other halves will turn up within literally minutes. Have started buying The Boy nothing but black socks so he'll always have a matching pair, at least until there's only one left :)
ReplyDeleteIf you can't be seen then you're ok
ReplyDeletesometimes hard to move on when you do not feel settled in the new life. flipping heck at the socks, but yes I am sure 15 pairs will do him.
ReplyDeleteDo places like Costa etc open during Ramadan when the locals cannot eat and drink during the day?
Beautiful picture of you.
costa and other coffee shops are available for take outs during Ramadan and the food halls are open from 12pm as are all hotels and their restaurants
Deleteok, just wondered if it was cost effective to be open when most of the population are not eating and drinking.
Delete