Gotcha'!!

Hello all! Wow what a difference a couple of weeks makes! The weather has cooled to the low 90's during the day and the water in the Gulf has cooled considerably. During the week the beach is pretty busy and it is packed on the weekends. We usually go right when we get home from work at about 3 pm and stay about an hour. We are early risers even on the weekends so we get down there before the crowds get too thick. Last week the waves were pretty rough. One hit me and knocked me backwards off my feet. I crashed into Jimmy and almost took him down with me. Kids were crying and intimidated by the strong tide coming in. Today is perfect! The water is calm and crystal clear and the the tide is way out allowing for lots of shallow areas for the little ones to splash and play in. We were surrounded by families and not one child cried or was unhappy at all. Because it was early it wasn't too hot and there was a lovely breeze. Heaven on earth! There's lots of activity as well. There is a seasonal event called Covenant Garden that takes place on The Walk. It consists of lots of vendors booths set up Wed. - Sat. selling all kinds of items to the tourists. You can buy shoes, dresses, jewelry, childrens toys and lots of trinkets. I'm posting pics today I took from the bedroom window looking down at the set up but I will post pics of the action up close and personal tomorrow. There is also a staging area being erected on the beach. The Walk has a presence on Facebook and I asked if anyone could tell me what is going on but no news yet. It appears to have four rather large stadium type seating areas facing a center stage and two smaller ones for a different stage. Its still being constructed but I'll keep you all posted. As a side note Janet Jackson performed in Abu Dhabi last night and Kim Kardashian is in Dubai. We didn't go to Janet but there are lots of concerts coming up and we are looking forward to seeing some good acts.

Jimmy and I were enjoying the beach this morning frolicking (me anyway!) in the water and we found a crab! I stayed in the water and followed the crab while Jimmy went to our beach site to get his underwater eyeballs (goggles!). He came back and caught the crab. Jimmy named him Gotcha' and we brought him home with us. We even brought home sand and water from the beach so he wouldn't go into shock or freak out. Jimmy Googled info about crabs and feels confident we can give him a good home and care for him properly. We went to the mall and bought everything we need to make him a nice home. He lives on the balcony in his own little habitat and seems to be OK. We gave him turtle food- dried shrimp so he will be eating well. I keep going to the door and checking on him. He goes up on the beach area we made and then into the water so I guess he is getting acclimated to his new environment. He's moving around and I take that as a good sign.

Remember last post I told you we found breakfast sausage? This is our lovely breakfast on the balcony featuring sausage, eggs, biscuits and gravy. Don't you just love the paper doily place mats?! They add a touch of elegance to our meals!

Gotcha' in his temporary home until we bought him a bigger habitat.

Close up of Gotcha' in his new home. Those two bumps along the top of his shell are his eyes poking out .

Gotcha' in his new home. We made a beach so he can get out of the water and he has water so he can swim around too.

We bought a small table to set his habitat on. He is right outside the door but out of the way so he won't get bumped or knocked over. He is also not in direct sunlight so he won't fry.

Staging area being erected on the beach. You can also see there are alot of cars in the public parking lot and all those spots near the water are people.

Taken from the bedroom window- more of the staging area and you can see there isn't a parking space to be found! This is less than half of the parking area for the beach and every space is taken and cars are circling like vultures for a space to open up. It is almost 6 pm here right now and it is crazy busy!

Taken from the bedroom window looking down on The Walk. All those umbrellas are the booths the vendors set up for Covenant Garden. This is less than half of the whole set up.

Again from the bedroom window- more vendors booths. So much to do and see on The Walk!

I want to give a shout out to my neighbor and financial advisor Kyle. So glad to know you are checking out the blog. Thanks for the email and we will stay in touch for sure. A big hello to Shae- you are a beautiful pregnant lady! Bob, Judy and my other friends who have sent Jimmy & I messages- we miss you all and can't wait to see you at Christmas.

As always- much love to my beautiful girls Ashley, Dara & Tara. I miss you like the dessert misses the rain (haha). Tara- tell John I said Ahalan - Pronounciation: Ah-Ha -Lahn (hello). Mom, Pam & Amy- Miss you so so very much. Christmas is coming!

To all my readers - salam alakom (peace be upon you)!

Peace, love and happiness to all-

M&J