Bound to eventually happen

After several years of living in one of the worst traffic places in the world, we were finally involved in a major traffic accident. Friday morning, 27 March 2009, we had just arrived at the Mercure Hotel to escort 21 ladies from Dhahran to our meetings. As we were pulling into the parking places in front of the hotel, we were hit by a car traveling approximately 100 kph (that about 62 mph). He hit the passenger side of the car - MY SIDE!

It couldn't have happened at a better place, though. One of the ladies from Dhahran is a qualified 1st Aid Responder and another one a nurse. Thankfully neither one of us were seriously injured. As you will see from the pictures, I was literally wedged in my seat.
Here are my two "angels" checking out my feet - literally through the hole in the door.

The ambulance crew and onlookers trying to figure out how to get me out of the car.

Being lifted into the ambulance. Notice I'm hanging on! The other thing to notice is my dress and abaya are in shreds. They literally had to cut them away as they were trapped between the seat and the crushed door.

Saved the best picture for last - Literally walking way - without the back side of my dress and abaya.

This was taken after what we have dubbed the "In-n-Out Hospital."

We are thankful that neither one of us were seriously injured and that we had immediate help. I have been battered, bruised and sore, but I am recovering well and thankful to be alive.

Wedding Quilt No 2

Thought it would be fun to show you where I am at with Wedding Quilt No. 2. I am not very good at free-hand quilting, so this one I am quilting using my embroidery module. It is going to take some time, but I think it will be worth it. (Just the body of the quilt will require 252 separate hoopings!)

First I use a paper template to know where the embroidery needs to go on the quilt.

Block A

Block B

This shows the backside of the quilt - you get a better idea of what the finished quilting/embroidery looks like.

Wonder who will end up with Wedding Quilt No. 2??????

Wedding Quilt No 1

Yesterday – 15 March 2009 – the Riyadh International Quilt Guild held its annual Challenge Quilt Contest. The theme this year was “Stars.” I entered my first Wedding Quilt made for our grandchildren. (I plan on doing one for each grandchild to give to them when they are married.) This quilt measures approximately 95" x 95". All fabrics were purchased here in the Magic Kingdom.

We had outside judges come to judge the quilts – someone who didn’t know any of our work.

but my most pleasing award was “Viewer’s Choice,” this is where the Guild members vote on their favorite quilt.

Haws Trivia

Between 3 March 2009 and 22 March 2009 - all 5 of our children will be in their 30's! On 23 March, T starts a new decade for his siblings by turning 40. Happy Birthday to All.

Kingdom Center Enveloped by Sand

Here is a view of the Kingdom Center being enveloped by the sand storm that hit Riyadh yesterday just before noon. This is taken from the next tallest building the Faisiliah Center.

Riyadh hit by a Sand Storm

We had scant warning of the sand storm roaring down upon Riyadh from the north coming out of the Qassim area. This massive front of brown dust and fine sand just filled the sky over 1000 meters high. If you remember the sand storm in the movie 'Hildalgo', you have an idea what very quickly enveloped us. This picture is taken from high up in the tallest building in Riyadh with King Fahad highway on the left and Olaya Street on the right with streams of cars heading right into mother natures best.

About 5-seconds after the picture above.

This next picture shows a wider view on the left. The we come to be best.


The above is what we saw from any window for the next 4 to 5 hours beginning aroung 11:15 AM before the fine dust started to disapate enough to see more than 50 meters in any direction. Accidents galore occured in minutes. People found safety by heading in-doors and staying in-doors. We all basically ducked for cover and sat out the afternoon and night. If there was a crack anywhere in one's home, the dust found it and made a nice trail inside leaving a fine coating on our tile floors. If by drawing the curtins we still found some fine dust near some windows and both doors, but we could breath and slept well while the storm blew itself out.

The 'Edge of the World' is a popular sight seeing point of interest northwest of Riyadh. As you approach the edge of the escarpment running nearly south to north through a wide valley laced with Acadia trees along the wadi that winds its way you soon see a notch in the escarpment wall and are wowed by the view looking west. The drop off is over 300 meters down to the next valley floor with numerous wadis heading off into the distance. At the edge of our view is the town of Al Barrah and the remains of an old sandstone Turkish fort nearby complete with a deep well, a guard tower, and a few old farms.

This gives one a view along the escarpment wall looking south.

If you look closely you'll notice the clothing is snug in front and flapping in the back. The wind was blowing over 40km/hr and facing the wind head on has its own fun. Hence, we stayed clear of the edge itself to be on the safe side. Little flakes of sand would tingle as they struck us directly in the face or any exposed flesh. Marie is just laughing standing asking me to take the photo shot quickly.

Now what is Mick doing. Oh yea, taking a GPS coordinate. Perhaps we are not at the right spot. Nah, we are at the right spot and the YM in our ward are making a trail to the bottom and back up. Three car loads from our ward made the 2-hour trek from Riyadh. The last 1-hour was over the rough teraine suited best for the 4-wheel drive vehicles in which we travelled. The YM group stayed much longer taking a 10km hike while our vehicle headed back to Riyadh to enjoy the remaining hours of our Thursday afternoon.

Shopping with Marie in Khobar

Now this nondescript looking building houses one of Marie's favorite shopping stops in Khobar, Saudi Arabia known simply as Al Mushiri by one and all. On the outside it looks like many stores selling clocks and watches. but inside, it is much more.

Inside is a different story. Bernina is present and the main attraction for Marie, who brings newbie's here for a sewing experience par excellence. When in Khobar, one always stops in for a refreshing look around and to pick threads and "you name it." Marie is truly in her element.