The Stork has Landed...Finally!

Babies, babies, babies! The stork has landed for those with with LID to July 15. It has been a crazy extended wait for these families. Hopefully travel approval will come quickly.
I've read a few blogs about people dreaming about their daughters. I'm not usually one to remember my dreams, but being on Gracie watch I've not been sleeping soundly. So long story short, I had my first dream about China the other night...but not about Ellie =(
I was on this weird shuttle/camper/bus traveling with even weirder people (sorry fellow agency LIDer's!) Looking out the window I could recognize none other than... Windsor Castle! Uh...not exactly the Imperial Palace. I did note that Windsor was rebuilt from the last time I'd been there in 1992(fire). Then our shuttle/camper stopped and my mom met up with me at this strange International restaurant serving only crepes (must've been that late night cooking show I just saw!) We had to hurry and decide if we were going to eat there or not because it was filling up very quickly.
Dream Analysis: It's gonna take even LONGER to get to China the way and direction I'm traveling!!! And perhaps the busy restaurant means there are lots of people in front of me. Brilliant deductions, eh?!
Maybe it's better that I don't usually remember my dreams... =)
Picasso-The Dream

Stylin'

Gracie's e-collar was cutting into her "ankle" every time she tried to lick her stitches. My attempts at leg warmers using old socks just didn't cut it! Not only unstylish, they kept slipping off. However, my Dad created this masterpiece. Good enough to wear at the Ascot Races!



Rubber tubing along the sharp plastic edge taped on by duct tape seem to be softening the pressure. And wouldn't you know, I think black & white are "the in" colors of late Summer/early Fall!! And it matches her tri-color so well! Unfortunately it looks like the Gracer is not yet convinced!

Almost Summer Vacation (again!)

5 more days of summer school to go! I'm having a lot of fun teaching 1st grade. I have a great little group that I'm getting to know and love. Plus it's a nice change from Speech Therapy. With speech I usually have up to 4 students at a time. When I do inclusion in Kindergarten classrooms I continually struggle with behavior management-the little ones are so wiggly! Hopefully I've gotten better at managing the class as a whole! (Ergo my constant use of Stop. Look. Listen.) One of my students drew this picture of him showing good citizenship during the first week. I HOPE it's more of his statement of "reporting a problem" (tattling?!) and less of a statement of my behavioral management skills!
Translated Speech Bubbles:
Andre: Ms. S., Rashad is on the table.
Rashad: No I'm not.
Ms. S.: Ok, I will "dill" with that later.


It seems that I see this as a problem that is not of immediate concern! Guess I probably won't show this to the principal! =)
(Hmmm...how did I get black hair? My roots must be growing out! And look at those biceps!)

P.S. Gracie is hanging in there. She hasn't really worn the e-collar (she fights it) as her bandage covers most of her leg. Bandage comes off tomorrow so I'll have to figure out what to do. Bernie is very nervous around Gracie. Maybe she thinks she's next?!

Gracie's Back Home

Gracie is home and being very vocal about her unenjoyable stay and current uncomfortable situation. She usually follows me around from room to room so she is upset that she's confined to her doggie bed (she has an absolute tantrum in a crate). It took forever to check her out of the vet care facility. I just sat there anxiously with my Dad, looking at the door, waiting to see her. Made me think about how I will be feeling when I am sitting in that room, waiting for my name to be called and Ellie to be carried in by her nannies.
Thanks for everyone's posts and emails. She is doing ok for now. Oh those sad brown eyes! And yes, Bernie and Gracie are at opposite ends of the house, ignoring each other. Pretty much back to normal! =)

Gracie's Vet Hospital Sleep-Over

Thanks to everyone asking about Gracie. She is still recovering, "resting well with pain meds" at the vet hospital tonight. It's so strange not having her follow me around the house and barking at me for a treat. If everything goes well, she should be able to come home tomorrow morning. Unfortunately she'll have to wear that "Elizabethan Collar" which she absolutely hates.
Bernie is kind of acting strange and she didn't eat her dinner. I'm sure she wonders what's up. She'll be bummed when Gracie comes back though! My girls can't stand being apart but otherwise pretty much ignore each other. Guess that's standard sibling behavior! I'll update tomorrow after Gracie comes home.

Uncle S to the Rescue!

My brother has helped me with many things over the past few years and in particular this week with Gracie and her surgery. So this post is in recognition of the guy who has been braving the suggested China vaccinations in order to be there for "Baby Mine" day (whenever that may be....)
I will today recite the ditty he is teaching his own daughter...
S is wonderful,
S is wonderful,
Yes he is!
Yes he is!
What a guy! =)
Thanks, Unca S!

Partial Tag

I've been trying to work on the 7 things tag (thanks Connie!) but I'm really having trouble with it. I don't tend to have all time favorites books/movies and my "what I look for in a man" requirements extend way beyond 7!! (Yes, I am single!) I did manage to complete this part though.

7 things I say most often
1. DUDE!!!
2. Oh, wow… (when listening to others. Thanks to my brother for noticing that one…)
3. Stop, Look, Listen (doesn't always work though!)
4. NO barking! (again, doesn't always work!)
5. What happened to my line? (Walking down the hall with students.)
6. Maybe this time next year. (Regarding being united with my daughter.)
7. Cool.
I'm sure there are others which I don't tend to notice. Purposely!

My Poor Gracie

The Gracer has bad knees. She's already had one TPLO/metal plate put in her right leg and now she needs her left leg operated on. Plus she has a "slight" infection on that old metal plate.?????? (That's going to be removed "no charge" by the surgeon...) Seems my summer school money will be going to her latest operation and not my savings...Grrrrr. Gracie and Bernie love to go running with me. Now Gracie just gets about a 10 minute walk/sniff until she starts limping. I have to find a babysitter for her when I run with Bern because if Gracie is left alone (at least without Bernie) she HOWLS and HOWLS and HOWLS. I can hear her down the street. I have a good guess this is the reason she was given up by her previous owners. Separation anxiety. My other option for running would be this...




from Living with a Neurotic Dog. Oh, Gracie...What an expensive free puppy you have become!

Gimme Five...

months since LID (my dossier being logged in at the CCAA). Since the CCAA is supposedly moving to a different building right now, hopefully my dossier stays intact and in order. =)
I've been away from blogging for awhile, busy with teaching summer school and trying to ignore these rumors which seem to get worse each month. I will try and get back to posting the wonderful fabric/wishes I have received lately. Oh yeah, and I survived that wedding I went to sans guest! I think I only have one more to go to this year...
Thanks for checking in on me!

My Secret Pal Rocks!

Not only are there month referral rumors flying about, but my February Secret Pal has beautified my day (nursery, actually!) with some wonderful items! THANK YOU, Secret Pal! (I'm bummed I still have no clue as to who you are...) I am off to a continuing ed class (microsoft access...boring....) so I will post pix and tell all tomorrow. Just wanted to let you know it arrived and everything will be *perfect* for Ellie's room!! Thank you!!!!
*************UPDATE******************UPDATE***************
Ok, so 5 hours later the rumors have been crushed (per usual) but I still have my awesome secret pal gift to keep my spirits high!

Thank you Secret Pal for your wonderful nursery gifts!! The picture frame is so sweet and the blankie and bunny are so soft! I want to fill that picture frame NOW!! =) If you look closely you can see all the cute stars, crowns, hearts, bugs, moons,...virtual Lucky Charms...on the crib sheet! LOL Oh, and I Love Baby Einstein Classical Lullabies and I'm going to bring it to school tomorrow to calm my 1st graders! Bonus if they fall asleep! P.S. I do have an inkling you're not in Florida!

Dossier Doubts

The CCAA is in the midst of reviewing Nov/Dec 2005 dossiers. There have been reports of a few surprising dossier denials due to various reasons. Plus the CCAA is supposedly tightening their requirements. I'm guessing my Feb 06 dossier should be in review by early Fall and I'm starting to get concerned, especially as a single. I hadn't thought about what I would do, what life would be without Ellie. I've been too busy trying to guesstimate referral date and counting back to possible birth months, matching her age to my nephew due in early November, reading about attachment, planning my school work so I can get home earlier and how to acclimate my dogs to a new little attention seeker. I've put off the thought of possible rejection. I really feel for those families who have had been denied. Hopefully their dreams have just been temporarily deferred. And hopefully my mind will re-focus on Ellie playing with her cousins next summer.

Wishes from Wonderful Friends

I have known Angelique since the first day of pre-college week at University of California, Irvine. We both were freaking out about our weird roommates and good looking male counselors! =) We've both moved cross-country multiple times, but always seem to visit a couple times a year.

Angie's parents always invited me over to their house in college. Since then they have moved to New Orleans where thankfully they and their house survived with minimal damage after Katrina hit. You know, her Dad cooks the best cheese enchiladas and her Mom is one of the nicest ladies I have ever met. Note the beautiful wish she composed. I am so thankful that they participated in this quilt. It means so much to me that I can pass the memories and love of these wonderful people on to Ellie.

Anniversary Wishes

Happy 36th Anniversary, Mom & Dad!

"Where we love is home, home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts."
Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr
Heck, you've shown us so much love at home neither our hearts nor our feet want to leave! =) Maybe not the correct interpretation of the quote, but I wanted to let you know how much we all love, admire and thank you for your commitment and love to each other.
No wonder I'm single...I can't find a relationship that matches up to yours! =) And that's a definite positive!

My Fridge Exposed

Lisa, Jillian, Connie and Donna are some of the brave souls that have opened their pantries to the blog world! Donna upped us all with adding her fridge! So I thought I'd join the mess, I mean fun! =) My pantry/cupboard has only dog food so here are two shots of my fridge. Just look at them! Notice the gold lid eye gel (works so much better cold...but I always forget it's in there!)and also notice the restaurant take-away box. Yes, this is my fridge. Looking at these pictures you'd think I'd be much thinner!! =)I'm not much of a cook and I am not motivated to cook for myself, especially when you have lots of leftovers for days after. Luckily my parents live nearby and invite me over...often. I know, pathetic...but my Mom's cooking is delicious and isn't it nice that I spend time with my parents?! (Don't fall out of your chair laughing on that last comment, Mom!) Guess one of my goals for this GREAT WAIT for Ellie is to learn how to cook for her. (Or else hope Mom sets another spot at their house!)

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Although we are celebrating your birthday on the 4th, I just wanted to let you know how much I love you. We always ask so much of you and you never seem to mind. Not many Dad's help support their daughter way into her 30's so she can adopt a child or spend their day tiling their son/daughter-in-law's kitchen on their birthday! Thank you and Happy Birthday! P.S. K is ready and willing to open your presents for you on Tuesday so you can relax and take it easy that day! =)