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Thursday, September 30, 2010
Friday, September 24, 2010
Things on my mind
- If your shoes are too heavy, get lighter shoes rather than dragging your feet.
- How come the grocery store never has the bananas at the right ripeness for our purchase?
- How do you know when a pomegranate is ripe?
- My favourtie Montrealers are in town.
- I bought myself a new toy.
- I should post more pictures.
- Family is who you say it is.
- I don't know where all this blogging urge has come from.
- I am happy the new TV season has started - favourite new show so far (I have only watched 2) Hawaii Five-O
- Girls weekend this weekend!!!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
AAAHHHH
I have been playing around with my blog and I shouldn't do such things...
This is going to be a work in progress while I learn HTML and how to change things...
Bear with me.
This is going to be a work in progress while I learn HTML and how to change things...
Bear with me.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Blogs
Since I have renewed my interest in blogging - well posting really. I have always been reading blogs, just not commenting on very many.
However, my blog list is a bit...lacking. Over the years some have gone private, some have closed their blog, some are just not my taste anymore and various other reasons.
So tell me - what blogs do you read. They don't have to be adoption blogs but I would love to add some blogs to my Google Reader.
Please share...
However, my blog list is a bit...lacking. Over the years some have gone private, some have closed their blog, some are just not my taste anymore and various other reasons.
So tell me - what blogs do you read. They don't have to be adoption blogs but I would love to add some blogs to my Google Reader.
Please share...
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Neighbours
Neighbours...Sigh...
We have a neighbour - well many of them. This particular neighbour of which I speak is driving me nuts. Well not really them, but their car.
Their car you ask?
It seems in the last couple of weeks, their car horn has a mind of its own. The horn arbitrarily honks - actually honks is a very mild word - it is more like SCREAMS at any time of day or night.
This morning I was LOUDLY awoken by their horn at 6:45am. NOT NICE! The other night it was 3:15am. This one had me slamming on the alarm clock thinking it was telling me to get up. There have been 11:25pm er's and 4:15pm er's. These are just ones that I have been home for and kept track of. Who knows how many others their have been that I haven't been around for.
Tonight at 7:30pm the horn was blaring again. I-HAD-HAD-ENOUGH! I marched over to their house and rang the doorbell and waited. I rang the doorbell again...and waited. They didn't answer the door!! WHAT?? I KNOW that they are home.
Next step - ambush them out by their car!!
I don't think I am being unreasonable with being woken up on NUMEROUS occasions but something MUST be done or my sanity will suffer - well suffer more than it has in the last little while!
We have a neighbour - well many of them. This particular neighbour of which I speak is driving me nuts. Well not really them, but their car.
Their car you ask?
It seems in the last couple of weeks, their car horn has a mind of its own. The horn arbitrarily honks - actually honks is a very mild word - it is more like SCREAMS at any time of day or night.
This morning I was LOUDLY awoken by their horn at 6:45am. NOT NICE! The other night it was 3:15am. This one had me slamming on the alarm clock thinking it was telling me to get up. There have been 11:25pm er's and 4:15pm er's. These are just ones that I have been home for and kept track of. Who knows how many others their have been that I haven't been around for.
Tonight at 7:30pm the horn was blaring again. I-HAD-HAD-ENOUGH! I marched over to their house and rang the doorbell and waited. I rang the doorbell again...and waited. They didn't answer the door!! WHAT?? I KNOW that they are home.
Next step - ambush them out by their car!!
I don't think I am being unreasonable with being woken up on NUMEROUS occasions but something MUST be done or my sanity will suffer - well suffer more than it has in the last little while!
Friday, September 17, 2010
Have you ever...
Have you ever thought how great it is that you don't have any nerves in your elbows?
Have you ever thought how the trees know to change their leaves?
Have you ever wondered how planes get off the ground and stay in the air?
Have you ever wondered where wind comes from?
Have you ever wondered what would happen if they shut off Niagara Falls?
Have you ever wondered how a childs body knows to shed baby teeth and start adult teeth growing?
Have you ever wondered how some people get their drivers licences?
Have you ever wondered why some people are so incredibly horrible?
Have you ever wondered why you connect with some people and others not at all?
Have you wondered what happened to me and why I am suddenly blogging again?
Have you ever thought how the trees know to change their leaves?
Have you ever wondered how planes get off the ground and stay in the air?
Have you ever wondered where wind comes from?
Have you ever wondered what would happen if they shut off Niagara Falls?
Have you ever wondered how a childs body knows to shed baby teeth and start adult teeth growing?
Have you ever wondered how some people get their drivers licences?
Have you ever wondered why some people are so incredibly horrible?
Have you ever wondered why you connect with some people and others not at all?
Have you wondered what happened to me and why I am suddenly blogging again?
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Today
Today on the way home from work I noticed that some of the trees were starting to change. How did that happen. It is still officially summer for another week however, someone forgot to tell the trees.
I am NOT ready for summer to be over. This must have been the fastest summer ever. We had such fantastic weather this summer and I enjoyed every minute of it. Well mostly every minute. There were some stretches of REALLY humid weather and I have the a/c bill to prove it.
The end of summer signifies that fall is here and fall is ever so quickly followed by winter.
I am not a fan of winter. I don't like the snow, I don't like the bitter cold, I don't like cleaning off the cars and warming them up, I don't like trudging through the slush, I don't like the super short days and I don't like the length of it - it seems to last forever.
The house that we are looking for and hoping to buy one day WILL have a two car garage - perhaps then, winter won't be quite as harsh.
I am NOT ready for summer to be over. This must have been the fastest summer ever. We had such fantastic weather this summer and I enjoyed every minute of it. Well mostly every minute. There were some stretches of REALLY humid weather and I have the a/c bill to prove it.
The end of summer signifies that fall is here and fall is ever so quickly followed by winter.
I am not a fan of winter. I don't like the snow, I don't like the bitter cold, I don't like cleaning off the cars and warming them up, I don't like trudging through the slush, I don't like the super short days and I don't like the length of it - it seems to last forever.
The house that we are looking for and hoping to buy one day WILL have a two car garage - perhaps then, winter won't be quite as harsh.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Houses
Look at me - two posts in a week!!
Husband and I have been looking to move for a while now. The market here where we live is a busy one. We have put an offer in on a few houses and were outbid each time.
We are pretty picky on where we want to move - location is pretty much the only thing you can't change. There is not much available in the small area that we are looking. We will take our time and wait until we find what we want. Of course, if we increased our budget by $100K, so many more houses would be available to us. However, that $100K increase is NOT in the budget. Note to self - buy a lottery ticket.
Tonight we were watching an episode of House Hunters. I like to PVR it and race through the parts that I don't like. I don't care for the part when they are talking about what they do and don't like about the house. But that is neither here nor there.
This particular episode, the couple lived in Kansas City. I was SHOCKED that the cost of the houses were so low. Really shocked. They were looking at 3500sq foot houses and their budget was $300K. The houses were HUGE - REALLY HUGE!!
Husband wanted to up and move to Kansas City right there and then!!
Rest assured family - we are not moving, but I am continually amazed at the difference in property prices in different areas all around North America.
Back to the house hunt for us!
Husband and I have been looking to move for a while now. The market here where we live is a busy one. We have put an offer in on a few houses and were outbid each time.
We are pretty picky on where we want to move - location is pretty much the only thing you can't change. There is not much available in the small area that we are looking. We will take our time and wait until we find what we want. Of course, if we increased our budget by $100K, so many more houses would be available to us. However, that $100K increase is NOT in the budget. Note to self - buy a lottery ticket.
Tonight we were watching an episode of House Hunters. I like to PVR it and race through the parts that I don't like. I don't care for the part when they are talking about what they do and don't like about the house. But that is neither here nor there.
This particular episode, the couple lived in Kansas City. I was SHOCKED that the cost of the houses were so low. Really shocked. They were looking at 3500sq foot houses and their budget was $300K. The houses were HUGE - REALLY HUGE!!
Husband wanted to up and move to Kansas City right there and then!!
Rest assured family - we are not moving, but I am continually amazed at the difference in property prices in different areas all around North America.
Back to the house hunt for us!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Hello
Hello from the random blogger.
I know I neglect this blog...No apologies.
Next topic - I was at work the other day and I was talking to someone that I don't normally talk to. He was yipping away and that was fine. He then told me that his wife was pregnant! YAY! I was happy for them. He asked if we were going to have any more children. I said I didn't know. I haven't told anyone at work about our adoption.
He then proceeded to tell me about his friend who adopted from China and all the crap that he had to go though and how it is all a money grab and it is a big conspiracy from China to get more money from North Americans. He said it is all about greasing palms and paying for the politicians.
My mind was racing. I was stunned really. I just didn't know what to say, so I said REALLY - he said yes this is what he found out from his friend. I said that I didn't think that that was how it really was and he was insistent that it was.
He was telling me how much it cost and there was no way that it should cost that much. I tried to say that I was sure that part of the cost included their travel to China. He didn't respond to that.
He then started that it was a baby buying scheme and that the Chinese don't want their girl babies and this is the best way to for them to get rid of them.
WHAT???
My phone rang at that moment and I was rescued. I honestly didn't know what to say to him. I have spoken to him before and he has strong opinions on everything and doesn't want to hear anything that anyone else has to say that contradict what he is thinking.
I just continue to be shocked that people are so narrow minded and they think they know so much about something that they know NOTHING about.
I know I neglect this blog...No apologies.
Next topic - I was at work the other day and I was talking to someone that I don't normally talk to. He was yipping away and that was fine. He then told me that his wife was pregnant! YAY! I was happy for them. He asked if we were going to have any more children. I said I didn't know. I haven't told anyone at work about our adoption.
He then proceeded to tell me about his friend who adopted from China and all the crap that he had to go though and how it is all a money grab and it is a big conspiracy from China to get more money from North Americans. He said it is all about greasing palms and paying for the politicians.
My mind was racing. I was stunned really. I just didn't know what to say, so I said REALLY - he said yes this is what he found out from his friend. I said that I didn't think that that was how it really was and he was insistent that it was.
He was telling me how much it cost and there was no way that it should cost that much. I tried to say that I was sure that part of the cost included their travel to China. He didn't respond to that.
He then started that it was a baby buying scheme and that the Chinese don't want their girl babies and this is the best way to for them to get rid of them.
WHAT???
My phone rang at that moment and I was rescued. I honestly didn't know what to say to him. I have spoken to him before and he has strong opinions on everything and doesn't want to hear anything that anyone else has to say that contradict what he is thinking.
I just continue to be shocked that people are so narrow minded and they think they know so much about something that they know NOTHING about.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Amazement and Awe
Amazement and Awe – that is what I was feeling.
Today is the RIDE TO CONQUER CANCER. A 200km ride from Toronto to Niagara Falls. To participate, you have to agree to raise $2500 for the ride. If you have not raised the money, you will not be able to ride, or you will have to put the remainder of the money in yourself.
My sister decided last year to take on this challenge. As with most things, she does, there is no half way. It is all or nothing and she goes for the gusto.
Last July when she made the decision that she was going to do take on this challenge, she went out and bought a road bike, special shoes, a helmet, riding clothes, gloves and whatever else she was going to need to do this properly.
She started training and figuring out how to ride with her feet attached to the pedals. She set up a trainer in her basement for the winter so she could still use her bike. While at the same time she was thinking of ways to raise money. She was talking to her friends and family. She was sending e-mails and Facebook messages. She was organizing a garage sale from August 2009 to be held in May 2010. She made flyers, magnets and posters.
She started riding outside again in the spring. She would train on her days off doing rides, learning about hills and building her stamina. She progressively was able to do longer and longer rides.
Today was the test!
This morning at 6:20am, Husband was driving Sister and her friend downtown to the starting line. Their bikes had already been dropped off the night before. There was breakfast, team meetings and the opening ceremonies.
The ride started at 8:30. At about 9:30, Husband, mom and I headed to the ‘cheering station’. It is a part of the route that was designated for ‘cheering’ on the riders. We got there and found a spot at about 9:45am. As we were walking to the edge of the road and the cyclists were pedaling by us in droves, I was in AWE. The sight is something to be seen. It actually brought a tear to my eye as well as mom and Husbands eyes. I think my mouth was agape in amazement. It was really quite a sight seeing all those people peddling away.
We stood there and clapped at every single rider that passed us. There were 4000 people signed up for the ride. FOUR THOUSAND!!!! We stood there for over an hour cheering and clapping and supporting those who chose to do this.
Sister came by the cheering station and I had more tears in my eyes – as I do again as I write this – I am so incredibly proud of her – for so many things – making a decision, sticking to it, following through, going outside of her comfort zone and putting her body through to in the hopes of being able to help those who have been stuck by this terrible disease.
WAY TO GO SISTER!! I have never been so proud of you!!! We will be waiting for you and cheering for you as you cross the finish line!
Today is the RIDE TO CONQUER CANCER. A 200km ride from Toronto to Niagara Falls. To participate, you have to agree to raise $2500 for the ride. If you have not raised the money, you will not be able to ride, or you will have to put the remainder of the money in yourself.
My sister decided last year to take on this challenge. As with most things, she does, there is no half way. It is all or nothing and she goes for the gusto.
Last July when she made the decision that she was going to do take on this challenge, she went out and bought a road bike, special shoes, a helmet, riding clothes, gloves and whatever else she was going to need to do this properly.
She started training and figuring out how to ride with her feet attached to the pedals. She set up a trainer in her basement for the winter so she could still use her bike. While at the same time she was thinking of ways to raise money. She was talking to her friends and family. She was sending e-mails and Facebook messages. She was organizing a garage sale from August 2009 to be held in May 2010. She made flyers, magnets and posters.
She started riding outside again in the spring. She would train on her days off doing rides, learning about hills and building her stamina. She progressively was able to do longer and longer rides.
Today was the test!
This morning at 6:20am, Husband was driving Sister and her friend downtown to the starting line. Their bikes had already been dropped off the night before. There was breakfast, team meetings and the opening ceremonies.
The ride started at 8:30. At about 9:30, Husband, mom and I headed to the ‘cheering station’. It is a part of the route that was designated for ‘cheering’ on the riders. We got there and found a spot at about 9:45am. As we were walking to the edge of the road and the cyclists were pedaling by us in droves, I was in AWE. The sight is something to be seen. It actually brought a tear to my eye as well as mom and Husbands eyes. I think my mouth was agape in amazement. It was really quite a sight seeing all those people peddling away.
We stood there and clapped at every single rider that passed us. There were 4000 people signed up for the ride. FOUR THOUSAND!!!! We stood there for over an hour cheering and clapping and supporting those who chose to do this.
Sister came by the cheering station and I had more tears in my eyes – as I do again as I write this – I am so incredibly proud of her – for so many things – making a decision, sticking to it, following through, going outside of her comfort zone and putting her body through to in the hopes of being able to help those who have been stuck by this terrible disease.
WAY TO GO SISTER!! I have never been so proud of you!!! We will be waiting for you and cheering for you as you cross the finish line!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Really??
You've got to be FRACKING kidding me!!!
There is a website out there - CHINA ADOPTION FORECAST that predicts, based on the previous patterns, when you can expect your referral.
The last batch of referrals - released this week - was for FOUR days. With 229 days from April 21, 2006 (current date they have processed up to) and our LID - the prediction is: MARCH 2015!!!
Only two months ago it was October 2013 - how quickly things can change.
This date means for us:
- An almost 9 year wait for our daughter - at this point in time.
- An extra $6000 (at this point in time) in fees from our agency
- Pretty much NO HOPE left that we will ever see her face
- A brain that just can't process this any more
Time for our thinking caps - do we want to stay in a program that is virtually dead? Do we believe that this will ever happen? Can we mentally keep our heads where they should be to see this through? Do we want to be that age that we will be when and if this ever happens to bring our daughter into our family? How much faith do we put in this website? How much faith do we put in the CCAA that they won't end the program? How much faith do we keep in the CCAA that they MIGHT speed up?
How much longer do we keep this portion of our life on hold for a dream that might never come true?
We are running out of faith quickly...
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
What Now...
Things just keep getting better and better financially with us over here!!
As you may recall from the previous post, our agency has demanded $1200/year to "maintain" our adoption file. Still a bit sketchy on what they need to do and the number of staff they need to do it but whatever...
And now, the condo that we live in has advised us of a special assessment that is required of each home to fix the water mains in the entire complex. The bill for that is $6000!! per unit.
Husband didn't get a raise this year with the economy and all. We are wanting to move to a new house - still are required to pay the $6000 before we do. Don't know if the move will ever happen now.
Expenses have increased and the money is flying out the window faster than ever before.
Our agency is going to have to wait for their money, else a lien will be placed against my house.
Things suck when you have to choose between a house and a family. However, if there is no house for the family to live in, what is the point?
Sorry for the bitchy post - I am in a bitchy mood!!
As you may recall from the previous post, our agency has demanded $1200/year to "maintain" our adoption file. Still a bit sketchy on what they need to do and the number of staff they need to do it but whatever...
And now, the condo that we live in has advised us of a special assessment that is required of each home to fix the water mains in the entire complex. The bill for that is $6000!! per unit.
Husband didn't get a raise this year with the economy and all. We are wanting to move to a new house - still are required to pay the $6000 before we do. Don't know if the move will ever happen now.
Expenses have increased and the money is flying out the window faster than ever before.
Our agency is going to have to wait for their money, else a lien will be placed against my house.
Things suck when you have to choose between a house and a family. However, if there is no house for the family to live in, what is the point?
Sorry for the bitchy post - I am in a bitchy mood!!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
You Can't be Serious!!
In January 2006 we began our journey to our daughter from
During that time, there have been many ups and downs in relation to our adoption. As time went on, the ‘downs’ significantly outweighed the ups.
A while ago – maybe a year or two – our agency instituted a new fee that they called an ‘administration fee’. They ‘sold’ the fee by saying that things in
Whatever…
On Friday afternoon – at
OH YES!!
SOOO – The cost has increased 500% in the last two years – who is to say that it isn’t going to increase another 500% in the next year or the year after. Who is to say an ADDITIONAL $20,000 later there will be a baby at the end. Who is to say that after our agency has bled us dry we will be afford to travel to
I am LIVID – that doesn’t even seem to be the word that fits. With an anticipated five year wait still ahead of us, that is an additional $6000 - at THIS point in time - on an adoption that may or may not even happen!!!
There were no cost cutting measures added or included with the e-mail. No reductions in pay, no 4 day work week, no changing offices to pay less rent, no asking for volunteers instead of paying staff, no NOTHING – well except for the demand for money to cover whatever…
We can’t call and complain either, as they have been instructed (and this started a while ago) to not talk to clients if they get irate – they are told to hang up on us. They apparently don’t have to deal with the problems caused by anything.
So what happens to our file if our agency DOES go under? Anyone know? Right now I am not sure that I care about any of it anyway. Anyone else had additional fees instituted by their agency?
AAGGGHHHH!!!!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Six Years!
Six years ago today I said I DO to the most fantastic man in the world from there I became the luckiest woman in the world!!
We were married on a beach in Cuba and it was perfect. Today we celebrate our 6th anniversary in Florida (last year was Mexico)...I see a trend happening here...
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY H!! You have made me one LUCKY and HAPPY woman!!
I LOVE YOU!!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
A New Family!!
Our wonderful friends D&D have become a family!!
They have met their daughter Daphne and we couldn't be more thrilled for them!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Sunday, December 06, 2009
3 YEARS!!
WOW!!!
It has been three years since our file landed on a desk in China.
Three years since we thought we were going to have a daughter.
Three years of waiting and hoping.
Three years of meeting WONDERFUL people.
Three years of developing some GREAT friendships.
Three years of disappointment after disappointment.
Three years of every emotion possible.
WOW! Still can't believe it has been three years.
Still can't believe that after three years, we are not even half way there...
Happy three years to Dolores and Shawn too!! We are so lucky to be going through this with you.
Monday, November 02, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Pictures Have Arrived!!!
Pictures are in and there is a beautiful video on Doris and Dan's blog of their DAUGHTER!!!
Pop on over and take a look...have a tissue on hand.
Pop on over and take a look...have a tissue on hand.
Saturday, October 17, 2009
I Remember...
I remember when I used to think that blogging was one of the best things ever.
I remember when I used to walk around thinking and composing blog posts in my head all day.
I remember when I used to plan things that I could blog about.
I remember when I thought that I was actually going to get a daughter from China.
I remember when I was so excited thinking about the impeding referral of our daughter.
I remember when I wanted to stay home all day and read adoption blogs.
I remember when I believed what our agency told us.
I remember when I this blog held MUCHO importance to me.
I remember when I was not so cynical about the whole process.
I remember when Dolores and I would talk about our trip to China together to bring home our daughters.
I remember when I was so naïve about adoption related things.
I remember when our agency told us we would have our daughter in summer 2007.
I remember when our agency told us we would have our daughter by the end of 2008.
I remember when our agency told us we would have our daughter by 2010.
I remember the day our agency told us not to expect a referral before 2015.
I remember the moment I lost all faith in our adoption.
I remember when I used to walk around thinking and composing blog posts in my head all day.
I remember when I used to plan things that I could blog about.
I remember when I thought that I was actually going to get a daughter from China.
I remember when I was so excited thinking about the impeding referral of our daughter.
I remember when I wanted to stay home all day and read adoption blogs.
I remember when I believed what our agency told us.
I remember when I this blog held MUCHO importance to me.
I remember when I was not so cynical about the whole process.
I remember when Dolores and I would talk about our trip to China together to bring home our daughters.
I remember when I was so naïve about adoption related things.
I remember when our agency told us we would have our daughter in summer 2007.
I remember when our agency told us we would have our daughter by the end of 2008.
I remember when our agency told us we would have our daughter by 2010.
I remember the day our agency told us not to expect a referral before 2015.
I remember the moment I lost all faith in our adoption.
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
34 Month LID
Today is our 34 month LID. I forgot...again...
However, as Dolores and I were driving back from K1's today after some super twin goodness, we were chatting and Dolores suddenly remembered about our LID anniversary.
We already had dinner plans together tonight so we raised our glasses to 34 months. It was GREAT to be able to 'celebrate' with them...
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