THE CHINA EXPEDITION

Time flies.... : )

2010-06-10T23:25:00.000-07:00

Two years ago today, was referral day! I found out I was going to be a mother not only to one baby from China but two babies from China! Maxine had a twin sister. UNBELIEVABLE!!! How in the world I got so lucky is one of life's mysteries. So I had about 40 days until they were to be placed in my arms. And now today we celebrated with pony practice and Pinkberry. : ) 2 babies and 2 ponies! What could be better? Ahhhh..... Life is good.

GUESS WHAT HAPPENED ONE YEAR AGO TODAY?!???

2009-06-10T18:37:00.001-07:00

One year ago today, we got our referral for "twins!" THE twins! OUR twins! I can't even imagine life before them anymore. {I usually say I can't remember life BC (Before China)} I do remember what Sabrina said at the begining of our referral call. She said, "I have some good news and some bad news. Which do you want first?" Well since it was the day after most everyone received their referrals, I figured she was calling to say we didn't get our referral and that it would be here next month. So, I opted for the bad news first. She told me that I wouldn't be getting much sleep. Hmmmm... uh,why??? Then she went on to tell me that I was the mother of twins!!! I screamed in her ear and immediately apologized for doing so. I probably permanently damaged her ear drum. Have ya ever heard a Southern girl scream??? Come to find out this was our agency's first referral for twins. Wow...and the odds it was us??? Who really knows...but I am the luckiest mommie in the world! Our twins are the best! What strong, beautiful, funny girls they are. Oh and, way too smart for their mommie.

MEMORIAL DAY

2009-05-25T21:43:00.001-07:00

The twins and their first hot dogs, deviled eggs, baked beans, and potato chips...

MAXINE

Beans, beans good for the...

What the heck is this? Can I eat it?

Mmmmmm.....ketchup

Eeeewwww...dawggie, this t-dawg is da bomb.

BIBI

What is that? And what am I suppose to do with it?

Uhhhh...where's my pasta?

I sure hope we are having pasta for dinner.

Monkey see. Monkey do.

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT????

2009-04-27T16:40:00.000-07:00

THE TWINS ARE A YEAR AND HALF TODAY!!!! Happy 18 months, BiBi and Maxine!

LITTLE MISS MAXINE

2009-04-12T22:15:00.000-07:00

Maxine, where is your nose???

Maxine, where are your ears???

Maxine, can you pat your head???

Look. It opens!

And, it's green! I like green!

Can you put something in this???

Cheerios!?? I don't want no stinkin' cheerios!

Give. Me. Some. Chocolate.

Ridin' Rodi.

These better not have cheerios in them.

BiBi, her bonnet & bag of tricks...

2009-04-12T21:26:00.001-07:00

BiBi in her straw Easter bonnet with matching bag(given to her by Norma, Lil Norma, and Miguel) riding the Easter duck that Marme' sent.

Giddy Up Duck

I love my Easter hat!

Ride 'em Cowgirl!

I really love my Easter hat!

BiBi, where are your ears???

BiBi, where is your nose???

BiBi, can you pat your head???

BiBi, is there something stinky???

Sideview of the "Stinky" command.

HAPPY EASTER!!!

2009-04-12T19:46:00.000-07:00

Color-it-yourself Easter Bunnies with Easter Eggs

Pink Camoflauge Bucket Hats with Easter Baskets. (Nothin' fancy here. We shopped at Wal Mart) PS. Plastic eggs stuffed with cheerios. LOL.

Notice how Mommie's color-it-yourself bunny is tossed to the side. Nice, huh??? Otherwise the Baskets and Goodies the EB brought were well received with screams and screeches.

CANDY!!!! (Only 1 piece though and they actually shared 1 piece.)

Edible Easter Grass! I knew they would try to eat the paper or plastic kind so.... just opted for the edible kind. And, it comes in different flavors and colors. It is like eating a cross between taffy and raffia.

S. O. S.

2009-04-08T09:07:00.001-07:00

Excuse me, is that $hit on your $hirt???
And, S.O.S. is not referring to $hit On a $hingle as my dad refers to chipped beef on toast. It is referring to $hit On my $hirt....& the floor, the bed, a bottle, a toy, etc... all coutesy of one $hit $lingin' baby, AKA BiBi. No, she didn't just $ling poo. $he took off her diaper and $lung it around with glee. It just so happened it was a full load. How lovely. NOT. I am not blaming anyone for this but... someone who remain nameless, changed her diaper this morning. Thank you for that but next time do it right or don't do it. I told this nameless person to put her pants back on or she would take off her diaper. And, I even gave this person clean pants for BiBi. But NOOOOOOOooo he...oops, nameless person, didn't put her pants back on her. Of course I could have done it but I was making the twins brekkie and nameless person's "to-go" brekkie, washing dishes, unloading and loading DW, feeding dog, cleaning high chairs, etc....all before peeing. TMI, right? $o when I look around from chores while taking my first bite of my Nutella English muffin, she is very happily laughing, twisiting, shouting, and slinging her diaper. Now if we had a $low motion replay of this you would $ee me leap tall cabinets and baby gates in a $ingle bound. Hope I didn't pull a muscle. There was poo all over her. Poo covered baby...yuck. I would have liked to extracted her from the disaster zone and decontaminated her with a bath but then Litle Miss Maxine would have been left to have her way with the aftermath. That couldn't happen. $o while holding back the $truggling $hit $lingin' culprit and blocking Little Miss Maxine form entering the disaster zone, I baby wiped the area and baby. In the process $.$. $wiped me with her poo covered hands on the front and back of my $hirt. I haven't checked my hair yet. GROSS, the thought of it. No longer hungry for my Nutella English muffin. I am due for a bath anyway. LOL.
Oh the joys. $orry no pics of the $hit $linger available.

A MOST IMPORTANT DAY!!!!

2009-02-08T20:37:00.000-08:00

Well... at least to me, today turned out to be a very important day. No one else seemed to give a rats ***. I would say IMO it was just as important as the twins' first Christmas with me but not quite as important as their christening day (which BTW I have no pictures.) So... what is soooooo darn important about today????? Well....... The twins had {DRUMROLL, PLEASE}their first..... PONY RIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YUP. THEIR FIRST PONY RIDE!!!!!!!!!!! OMG!!! THEY WERE SOOOOO CUTE!!! YES, I'M BRAGGING AND EXAGGERATING LIKE ALL PROUD PARENTS DO SOMETIMES. BUT COME ON.... THE TWINS EACH RODE A PONY!!!! A REAL LIVE PONY!!!
First up... Maxine looks like she is ready to race.

Now we serious with BiBi. Let's get this show on the road.

BiBi checking out the competition.

Ride 'em cowgirl!

GONG HEY PHAT CHOY

2009-01-26T13:31:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year!!! Today is Chinese New Year's Day. Mok's mom has been visiting us since before Xmas so we are celebrating this year with red pockets, presents which include a new red ball and an animated pony named Smores (on sale at Target for 50% off), yummy food, China Mum flowering plants, Mandarin oranges, etc... Oh and the greatest present ever from Aunt Jamie... Parents brand toy cell phone that you can record your voice onto so the girls can have a special message from mommie. (Thanks Aunt Jamie!)
If I have a spare minute between diaper changes and feedings, I will post some pics of the twins.
I would like to wish all my buddies a special Happy New Year who have their kids at home for their first CNY and BIG HUGS to all my friends who are celebrating their (hopefully) last CNY without their babies.

GUESS WHAT HAPPENED 6 MONTHS AGO....

2009-01-21T16:06:00.000-08:00

DOES ANYONE REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED 6 MONTHS AGO??? GOTCHA DAY...THE DAY WE MET BIBI AND MAXINE FOR THE FIRST TIME. IT REALLY SEEEMS LIKE THEY HAVE BEEN WITH ME FOREVER. I CAN'T REALLY REMEMBER LIFE B.K. (BEFORE KIDS).

A never been released photo of Maxine and BiBi with their caretakers just before we get to hold them.

My Girls. Awwwwww.... Notice the square bald patch on BiBi. We later found out that is where they shaved her to give her an IV. Ugh...in the head.
More post to follow....

SANTA CLAUS DOES EXIST....

2009-01-01T21:25:00.000-08:00

HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS...

2008-12-20T19:35:00.000-08:00

.....right down Maxine and BiBi Lane.

BIBI & MAXINE ARE 1 TODAY!!!!

2008-10-27T08:27:00.000-07:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY GIRLS!!!
pictures to be posted of the days events....

FIRST PLACE AND THE BLUE RIBBON GOES TO......

2008-10-21T09:51:00.000-07:00

THE PONY GIRLS AKA BIBI AND MAXINE....were competing in their first horse show in the Halloween Costume Class (for people not horses) in Laughlin, NV at the Tennessee Walking Horse Western Celebration.

BiBi & Maxine: Where is our trophy!!??

BiBi: I wanna pony! And, who braided these ribbons?

Maxine: Is this pumpkin for me?

And, Mommie won a blue ribbon too.

FISHY FACE

2008-10-09T05:50:00.000-07:00

MEI MEI DA FISHY MONSTER

Just Chillin'....

2008-09-20T16:07:00.000-07:00

"YO, wut up?"

"WE'RE LUCKY THEY'RE ALIVE"

2008-09-18T23:01:00.001-07:00

THIS IS AN ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN THE ATHENS NEWS COURIER ON SEPTEMBER 7TH WRITTEN BY KELLY KAZEK.

http://www.enewscourier.com/homepage/local_story_250211345.html

'We’re lucky they’re alive’
Couple’s trip to China to adopt twin sisters almost turns tragic

By Kelly Kazek
kelly@athensnews-courier.com

For a few seconds, BiBi Beasley Mok stood in the middle of the living room without holding anything — not the table, her grandmother’s knee or her sister’s shirt.

Marveling at this new ability, she looked up at a visitor and grinned.

BiBi’s not quite ready to take an unaided step but it won’t be long, and then her mother, Beth Beasley, will have her hands full.

Because walking on the heels of 10-month-old BiBi will be her twin sister, Maxine. Beth, 42, an Athens native, and her husband, Mok Waiwan, 41, who now live in Venice, Calif., adopted the girls from China in July.

Going to pick up her daughters was, for Beth, the culmination of a lifelong dream to be an adoptive mother. What she couldn’t know is that it would nearly end in tragedy.

Before Beth could get back to the United States with the girls, both their lives would be threatened by a sudden illness.

“We are so lucky to be back with both of them alive and well and healthy,” Beth said.

How it began

When Beth was 2-years-old, a family friend went to Montgomery to adopt a child.

“So Beth said, ‘I want to go to Montgomery to get my babies,’” recalls her mother, Linda Beasley of Athens.

Beth, an architect, never forgot. In 1999, she married Mok, who was born in Hong Kong and came to the United States with his parents when he was 16.

Knowing that so many baby girls in his homeland had been placed in orphanages led to the decision to look to China as a place to adopt.

“His mother always wanted to adopt a baby girl from China but they were never able to,” Beth said.

But until Mok became a citizen, the process would require more paperwork. So in April 2006, with his citizenship official, the couple contacted Nightlight Christian Ministries, a California-based adoption firm, and began the adoption process.

They qualified to adopt twins but they did not know what child would be theirs until June of this year when the agency called to tell them about the twins, whose names at the orphanage were Jin Bi Yun and Jin Bi Xia. In China, the family, or sur, name is written first.

Mok, whose given name actually is Waiwan, was called by his family name Mok upon arriving here by people who did not understand the Chinese custom. The confusion is why Beasley decided to keep her last name.

The girls, however, will be called Maxine BiXia Beasley Mok and Elisabeth “BiBi” BiYun Beasley Mok, keeping their Chinese names as middle names.

In July, more than two years after beginning the adoption process, Beth and Mok were ready to travel to Nanning, China, in the Guangxi province to pick up their twins.

Beth arrived in Nanning July 17, traveling with her mother. Mok, an architect with Gehry Partners who was in the midst of a large project, followed on July 20 to sign papers. He returned to the U.S. the next day to continue the project but Beth and Linda had to stay until all Chinese and U.S. documentation could be completed, which was expected to take several days. Beth and Linda went sightseeing, careful to avoid drinking or brushing teeth with the water, and carefully adhering to feeding the girls’ the formula they were given by their caretakers.

On July 25, mother and daughter traveled to the Guangzhou province, taking the twins on their first airplane trip, to finalize papers. There, they were joined by Beth’s sister Jamie and nephew Austin.

What happened next

While in Guangzhou, Beth realized Maxine was having difficulty breathing.

Panicked, Beth took Maxine to the recommended hospital, Guangzhou Children’s Hospital.

She was in for a surprise.

“There was an outdoor waiting room and then you went upstairs to stand in line to see a doctor and describe what’s wrong with the baby,” she said. “A doctor at a desk writes out what tests are needed, then you go down to the cashier, where you had to pay in Chinese money because that’s all they would take and nothing is done without money.”

Everyone, including Chinese, was required to pay before any hospital services could be done, she said.

After taking Maxine back upstairs for tests, Beth had to wait for results.

“We had to get back in line and wait to see the doctor,” Beth said.
The process repeated itself when the doctor prescribed treatment. Beth went back downstairs to pay for the treatment, then took the rapidly sickening Maxine back upstairs, where the treatments seemed to have no effect.

Linda arrived to find Beth sitting on the filthy floor in the emergency room holding a tube to Maxine’s nose to get oxygen to her.

“It was 100 degrees in there. There was no air conditioning, nobody attending to Maxine,” Linda said.

Finally, doctors agreed to admit Maxine to the pediatric intensive care unit, which meant Beth had to carry the ailing child back down to the cashier to give the hospital more money.

At that point, Beth noticed the baby was turning blue.

Finally, doctors agreed to admit Maxine to the pediatric intensive care unit, which meant Beth had to carry the ailing child back down to the cashier to give the hospital more money.

At that point, Beth noticed the baby was turning blue.

Exhausted, she gave Maxine to Linda to carry back up to PICU.

“I was carrying her and her fingernails were blue and around her mouth was blue,” Linda said. “I didn’t think we’d get there.”

Both were relieved to see the PICU seemed clean and modern. Doctors told them to leave the baby, promising to call with any news.

Hospital visits were allowed each day only at 4 p.m. When they arrived the next day, Maxine had been hooked up to a ventilator but no one had called to tell Beth.

Eventually, doctors would diagnose severe viral pneumonia. With Maxine’s prognosis still unknown, BiBi also grew sick. She was admitted with the same diagnosis to a regular room at the hospital where a family member had to stay 24 hours a day because there were no attendants. By this time, Mok had returned because Beth and Linda feared he might never see Maxine again but he soon had to leave again.

In the meantime, Beth and Linda had called home to Linda’s husband Jimmy begging for help in getting the girls home.

Jimmy went to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and asked the highest-ranking doctor, Margaret Rush, if the hospital could help.

He was shocked when she said yes. An evacuation plane staffed with Vanderbilt doctors would have cost the Beasleys about $250,000, but at that point, afraid for the babies’ lives, they were willing to try anything to get home.

But then Rush was told China would not allow the plane into its air space and the plan was scrapped.

Fortunately, the girls began to recover quickly and within days were ready to come to their new home in the United States.
Linda and Beth changed airlines so they could fly nonstop to Los Angeles, then they flew to Nashville, where Vanderbilt doctors checked the girls thoroughly, giving them a clean bill of health.

Another homecoming

Beth’s visit with her parents here in Athens will come to an end this weekend and she’ll return to Venice and her husband with the girls.

Linda and Jimmy have enjoyed the weeks with their granddaughters and will miss having them in the house, Linda said.

“They’re beautiful and so outgoing,” she said. “They’re just wonderful.”

But the Beasleys have an excuse to fly to California next month — the twins’ first birthday.

“We’ll be flying a lot,” Linda said.

Some new old pictures from Tennessee...

2008-09-18T23:01:00.000-07:00

The twins had their first "photo shoot" in Tennessee by Shane Shiflet, a horse photographer! Look how they have changed in less than a month! These were taken on August 20th, I believe.

Photos courtesy of shaneshifletphoto.com

Shane Shiflet

What you really want to see....

2008-09-16T21:28:00.000-07:00

Maxine & BiBi - Rascals du jour

WE'RE HOME.....finally!!!!

2008-09-10T23:02:00.000-07:00

The girls and I flew in last night with the aid of my "mannie," my dad. He's the greatest! He has never really done in child/baby care and he was a champion "mannie" yesterday. And we passed all of Vanderbilt's test with flying colors! Vanderbilt's IA clinic is just terrific. We cannot thank Vanderbilt enough.
So we are finally home. I'm just trying to get settled, get supplies for twins, and slowly unpack the assorted 7, yes 7, checked bags/boxes that I brought home. One tends to accumulate a lot of stuff when travelling extensive periods with twins.
Oh and, one quick tip I have for those of you travelling to China soon. You can never take too many or too much antibacterial wipes or antibacterial liquid soap. More travel tips to come. But leave you with the 2 most important items to take to China. Ergos and Sit n Strolls. Could not have functioned without them.

AUGUST 21ST FROM AUNT JAMIE

2008-09-09T06:58:00.000-07:00

HAPPY ONE MONTH ANNIVERSARY

Wow, how time flies when you have two beautiful girls!!!! I truly can't believe it has been one month since Beth and Mok finally met their wonderful babies.

I would like to thank all of you for your thoughts and prayers during this immensely stressful time in Mok and Beth's life. They were definitely answered. Mei Mei and Bibi are thriving thanks to the wonderful, caring, professional Chief of Staff, Dr Margaret Rush and at Vanderbilt's Children Hospital, Dr. Cooper, Dr Rothman, and all the nurses and staff.

They will stay in Tennessee for the duration of August to be close to Vanderbilt to ensure they are completely virus free and ready to travel to Venice. They are pulling up on the crib and cruising around it. Bibi favorite thing is to lie on Mei Mei until she yelps for help:) It is amazing to see them so happy from the fragile state they had been. I see them having so much fun in Venice visiting all of you who can't wait to meet them for the first time. They have stolen my heart and I am so happy they have found such wonderful, loving parents. Mei Mei and Bibi are so lucky to have so much family surrounding them right now. Aunt Chavigny is AWESOME and so are Jeb, Jasper, and Mike. Need I mention Marmee (Grandma) and Grandy. They are beyond the most special grandparents I know. Mei Mei is such a charmer. She melts everyone's heart and Bibi is a little rascal.

Happy Happy Happy One Month Anniversary!!!

Love to all,

Aunt Jamie

FROM AUNT JAMIE

2008-08-04T06:54:00.000-07:00

August 3rd

We are sorry for the delay in posts and appreciate all of your thoughts and prayers at this time. This has been the most frightening, heart wrenching, physically, mentally, and spiritually trying time for Beth, Mok, and the babies. In time, when they are ready, they will share the stories and events that have taken place.

What is important now is focusing on the recovery of Mei Mei and BiBi and their safe return to the U.S. They are both in PICU with a rare pneumonia (they do not know the cause and we probably never will know) and slowly improving day by day. Their temperatures are down, their circulation has improved, their respiratory rate is finally normal, and removal of the ventilator is the next step. Both babies are unable to drink from bottles so this will be very challenging for a while and especially on the plane ride home.

They are searching and are in need of a doctor to travel on the plane ride home with them so if anyone has any connections or any information that would help, please notify us immediately.

Your continued thoughts and prayers warm our hearts. Please send all your positive, healthy energy their way.

With all my love,

Aunt Jamie

GOTCHA DAY WAS MONDAY THE 21ST!!!!

2008-07-23T03:16:00.000-07:00

TWO BUNDLES OF YUMMY!

Maxine BiXia (Mei Mei)

Elisabeth BiYun (BiBi)

I AM READY FOR MY CLOSE UP!!!! (BiBi)

WE ARE IN CHINA!!!

2008-07-18T19:03:00.000-07:00

Well, Mother and I made it to China. The Northwest World Business Class is AWESOME!! People... start saving your frequent flyer miles!! It is definitly worth it! So...In Tokyo when we changed planes, they confiscated all of our bottled water. Ughhh. We had no Japanese money...but I found some little place, Tatsu that would take USD so i could buy a miniture perrier for $4.00. Also there is a Mickie D's in the Tokyo airport that supposedly would take credit cards but I just could stand in that long line. Then when I gate checked one of sit n strolls in tokyo, they didn't bring it back up to me at the jetway after waiting and waiting and asking and begging. So it came out with the luggage fortunately. Then we pushed our great big overloaded luggage carts through customs after loading them, unloading them, scanning them and re loading them. Fun, Fun! Then we proceeded out into the GZ airport where someone was suppose to meet us and take us to the Novotel Hotel. Uhhhh... they weren't there. So.... I saw a sign pointing the way to the Novotel hotel and follow those down these extremely long and dark hallways under the GZ airport. (BTW it is like midinght at this point.) It lead us out the back of the airport into a garden area with a long slope up to the hotel which took us into the back of the hotel with no elevator to put our luggage. So some bellhop carried it up to the mezzanine and put it on the elevator to take it down to the lobby. And this is where we found they didn't have any reservations under our name. So... after many discussions of yes we have a reservation, they finally determined it was under a travel agents name. Phew! And then..... my Panda phone(Chinese cell phone rental) had not arrived. UGHHHH!!! Well, after many unsuccessful discussions i just let it slide until this morning when I raised some Alabama hell. Oh... our guide has just shown up. Must go see GZ now. BTW.. We are already laughing about the mishaps. Oh and if you try to call us at the Novotel, you have to give them our room #.

8 MONTHS OLD....

2008-06-28T12:47:00.000-07:00

Jin, Bi Yun

Jin, Bi Xia

Just wanted to let everyone know that the girls are now 8 months old!!! Happy 8 months to my babies!!! We should have them in our arms before they are 9 months old. Travel dates are still tenative but it is really close. And we received our Travel Approval yesterday, as well. So our Consulate Appointment has been requested. When we get confirmation of our CA then we buy plane tickets!!! OMG! Who is excited??? ME!!! That's who!!!

DOUBLE HAPPINESS..........

2008-06-14T22:33:00.000-07:00

JIN, BI YUN

JIN, BI XIA

IT'S LOOKING LIKE DOUBLE TROUBLE.....

2008-06-10T14:39:00.000-07:00

Well...its referral time again. And this month we are overjoyed and....overwhelmed to announce that we received our referral for TWIN GIRLS!!! They are 7.5 months old.
Province: Guangxi (This province is just west of Canton/Guangdong Province.)
DOB: October 27th, 2007
Name: Jin, Bi Yun
Name: Jin, Bi Xia
Pictures to be posted ASAP!!!
PS. Thank-you to everyone at Nightlight Christian Adoptions especially Sabrina and Kathryn!

STORK ALERT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-06-10T08:38:00.000-07:00

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY AND I'LL RIDE MY HORSE IF I WANT TO....

2008-05-31T16:57:00.000-07:00

Yep, it's my birthday again. Who would have guessed I still wouldn't have Maxine home with me for this birthday??? Not me. Not Mok. Not Mother. Not my sisters. Not anyone. I would have at least thought I would know where she is, who she is, how old she is, etc... but alas no referral yet.
So I spent my birthday at the barn with my mom and my equine baby girl. At least she(my horse) behaved herself today for her momma. But nothing could compare to yesterday when I got to ride 2 of the greatest horses ever. Of course they aren't mine....yet. ; ) But WOW they are amazing animals. Thanks to RTS for letting me ride them. : ) So, we are off for a yummy birthday dinner tonight at AOC. Maybe I will capture some video on my new FLIP video camera. : )

http://www.aocwinebar.com/menus.html

These are the small plates we had at our table for dinner. YUM!
goat cheese, dried figs and saba
roasted dates, parmesan and bacon
house-made foie gras terrine (OMG!!!)
marinated beets, olives, fried chickpeas and feta
gnocci with lobster, pancetta and truffle butter
lamb, grilled flatbread, favas and pine nuts
rabbit ragoût with dijon, chestnuts and tarragon (Mok ordered the Easter Bunny...yuck.)

NO NEWS IS NOT NECESSARILY GOOD NEWS...in this case.

2008-05-13T08:04:00.000-07:00

Well, as you all probably know or have guessed, we were not included in the May batch of referrals either. Soooooo...in case you lost count, we (all Nov 2006 expedited LID families) have been skipped 5 months with no referral. That means no expedited referrals have been sent out since the beginning of December. (*^*^@%#^@#)(_)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They (the CCAA) stopped sending out expedited referrals right before they got to our LID. Oh, lucky &%%@*$@# us. NOT. Yep, that's what I said ....no expedited referrals have been sent out since the beginning of December!!!!!!!!!! No reason. No word. No explanation. No idea. No guesstimate. No nothing. Zip. Zilch. Nada. This referral purgatory has taken a turn south. So, that's about it in the No News category for us. Stayed tuned for the slow and painful descent into Olympic hell of travel dates, no referrals, and exorbitant travel costs.
PS. The Olympics are 8-8-08 through 8-24-08.

NEW VIDEO...of my horse.

2008-04-03T16:37:00.000-07:00

Just A Heads Up ..for my family and friends

2008-04-03T14:07:00.000-07:00

Well, the next batch of referrals is on it's way but we will not be included again. It sure is better to know now rather than have to sweat it out hoping my agency will call in the next couple of days. Thank-you so much to the little birdie who checked with the stork. For those of you wondering what the heck is going on...you are not alone. We (and our expedited Nov 2006 LID friends) are as in the dark as you are. Oh and, our agency does not know or seem to have any way to find out any information either. And, in case you have lost count...we (expedited Nov 2006 LIDs) have now been skipped over for 4 months. And we have been waiting for 17 months. Fun. Fun. Not.
PS. But don't feel bad for me. I at least am on the expedited track. And, I have a summer full of activities planned including more horse shows! Stay tuned!

JUST HORSIN' AROUND....out in Indio

2008-04-02T17:01:00.000-07:00

To keep myself distracted from the upcoming batch of referrals, I went out to the Desert Classic Tennessee Walking Horse Show in Indio, CA. I was hoping to scope out the competition in the Leadline Class. That is the class Maxine and I can compete in together. She would sit on the pony and I would lead her around the ring. And, of course... we would have matching riding attire. (My mom and I competed in the Leadline class when I was 2 years old.) So, in CA the Leadline Class is 7 & Under and 70 & Over! How cute is that!!!?! Maxine could compete against her Grandy if we could talk him into doing it. Can anyone imagine my dad being led around on a horse??? ROTFL! So back to the competition....there was none! Not one single, solitary entry in the Leadline Class. Well, there will hopefully be at least one entry next year. Us!
So while I was out at the horse show, my horse and trainer competed in the 15.2 & Under - Open 3 Gait class Saturday morning. And, they won. Then, on Sunday morning we competed in the Pro-Am Specialty class which is where the professional(the trainer, Greg) and amateur rider(me) each show one way(half) of the class. And, we won. Here we are with our blue ribbon! Photo courtesy of Casey McBride Photography.

And here is a photo of the Victory Pass after we were presented the blue ribbon! Photo courtesy of Casey McBride Photography.

HOPE YOU HAD A HOPPY EASTER!!! woof, woof

2008-03-23T21:44:00.000-07:00

The Easter bunnies were good to us this year. We were the lucky recipients of iced sugar cookies from my Mom, decadent and extremely cute chocolate Easter desserts from Dave and Di, and the funniest Easter cards from my nephew Austin.

MYTH BUSTED: 3rd Time Is NOT the Charm!!!

2008-03-14T18:38:00.000-07:00

Well, March referrals have come and gone. We were not included again for the 3rd time. They arrived on March 3rd and it has taken me this long to write the post. That means we (November 2006 Chinese heritage expedited LIDs) have been skipped 3 months in a row!!! At least I'm not alone...but I hate that my new friends have been skipped as well. Can any other LID group top that??? I hope not...cause it really bites the big one! (Oops, actually they can.... while wallowing in our pity party I just remembered the a few Oct Chinese heritage expedited LIDs that were skipped as well.) I have heard of NSN LIDs being skipped but it seems to get resolved within a month. We have been skipped 3 months and have no answers, no predictions, and no idea what is going on with our timeline. Since I am not getting any answers from the professionals, I opened a poll in the upper left corner of the blog. So be sure to cast your vote/opinion of when Nov 2006 Chinese expediteds LIDs will get their referrals.
This update is brought to you via blog from Referral Purgatory, Venice, CA.
Fingers crossed for Better Luck Next Time!!! : )

Eight More Mile to Louisville

2008-02-28T16:33:00.000-08:00

Look what I found out today!!! Our master upholsterer in Athens, AL is a talented musician as well! Who knew!?!? He made some of the furniture for our latest project in Athens and reupholstered some of what was my grandmother's furniture for us.
I love the line he says at the end....
He was using all his fingers and all his strings.
On our crew, our master brick masons are very talented musicians, also. Our award winning metal fabricator is a musician as well. And now I found out our upholsterer is too.
Well...we might just have to have a party!?! Now if only the kitchen cabinets were complete. Oh and, I hear the cabinet fabricators can fry a mean turkey though. Speaking of turkeys... ; )
PS. I'm still looking for some digital pics of the upholstery work Roger created for us.

This is Fun!!!!

2008-02-26T16:18:00.000-08:00

This is fun and a complete waste of time...but enjoy.
Send me some of your best ones or post yours on your blog.

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & current car)
Penelope Suburban

2.YOUR GANGSTA NAME: (favorite ice cream flavor, favorite cookie)
Peppermint Sugar...uh huh.

3. YOUR “FLY GIRL” NAME:(first initial of first name, first 3 letters of last name) B-Bea

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME: (favorite color, favorite animal)
Orange Zebra

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, city where you were born)
Locke Athens...terrible.

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first)
Bea-Be

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (”The” + 2nd favorite color, favorite drink)
The Chartreuse Sun Drop

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first names of your grandfathers)
"Big Jim" Fred

9. STRIPPER NAME: (the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy) Cucumber Godiva ...Oh my goodness. That sounds nasty.

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother’s & father’s middle names )
Kathleen Edward....maybe I will be 2nd lady???

11. TV WEATHER ANCHOR NAME: (Your 5th grade teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter)
Hatchett Harrisburg

12. SPY NAME: (your favorite season/holiday, flower).
Autumn Protea

13. CARTOON NAME: (favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now + “ie” or “y”)
Mango T. Shirtie

14. HIPPY NAME: (What you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree)
Croissant Willow

15. YOUR ROCKSTAR TOUR NAME: (”The” + Your fave hobby/craft, fave weather + “Tour”)The Horse Riding 68 and Shady Tour

FLOWERS FOR ME!!!

2008-02-20T21:10:00.000-08:00

I don't know exactly what I did to deserve these but I LOVE them!
THANK-YOU GWEN!!!

WE'RE "NOT EXPECTING"....

2008-02-18T15:51:00.000-08:00

I got the highest compliment, I think. Mok's friend told me that he couldn't even tell that I was pregnant. HUH!???!! WHA!!!???!! I'M NOT! I guess Mok told him we were going to get a baby in a month or so and didn't mention we were going to CHINA to get the baby. OMG! NO! We are not expecting in the "Old Fashioned" sense of the term. We are expecting a referral not an epidural! I-YI-YI! Although at this point I am not sure which one is more painful.
So today I had a cyber conversation about "expecting" as well. A Chinese heritage expedited cyber aquaintance asked about when we were expecting our referral and that it's important to hear from others during this time of waiting. So my new advice for those waiting for there referrals in an International Adoption program is...
Be ready for the unexpected but don't expect it.
I should put that on a bumper sticker or a t-shirt, right???
Yep, I know that advice is as clear as IA is. Crystal clear, right? HA. NO. IA is a muddy abyss of swirling rumors and guesses. It is not for the faint of heart or weak of stomach. One must love the highs of butterflies in the stomach and the lows of the punch in the gut to survive this journey intact. Lucky me. I thrive on it. ; )
Oh and PS.... Happy 15th Month LID anniversary to us! It was actually yesterday but we were too busy enjoying the day off by going to Arcadia and eating at Din Tai Fung and shopping. It was a mini vacation for us. Ahhh... what a nice day.

www.dintaifungusa.com/

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!

2008-02-14T17:55:00.000-08:00

Look what Mok gave me for Valentine's Day!!! Looks like my choice of cribs will need to change to coordinate with our new rocker. That is just fine by me. I love all those modernist cribs! Yippee!

And, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to Jamie and Steven!

GUNG HAY FAT CHOY!!!

2008-02-07T10:06:00.000-08:00

Today is Chinese New Years!!! It is the Year of the Rat. Year of the Rat? Yep, Rat. Yuck. Oh well, maybe this will be a good year anyway??? We are looking forward to our LA Waiting Parents CNY's party on Sunday!!!

It's the Year of the Rat. Xinhua, the Chinese news agency, says that sign is associated with "a time of hard work and renewal in many ways" that marks "a good year to begin a new job, get married, launch a product or make a fresh start."

Hmmm...Maybe it is a good time to get our referral??? Now if the CCAA would just send out the November 2006 expedited referrals, I would be more than happy to make a fresh start. : )
HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!!!

Every year millions of people travel home to be with their families for the holiday. In parts of China, families make dumplings to symbolise luck and reunion.

NEW CHINA WEATHER UPDATES

2008-02-04T07:54:00.000-08:00

GOOD MORNING. I JUST WANTED TO POST AN UPDATE ON THE WEATHER SITUATION IN CHINA AND THE CONDITIONS IN THE ORPHANAGES. THE UPDATES ARE IN BOLD AND ITALICS IF YOU JUST WANT TO SCAN THE LASTEST INFORMATION. AND, HALF THE SKY IS STILL IN NEED OF MONETARY DONATIONS TO THEIR LITTLE MOUSE EMERGENCY FUND.

http://www.halfthesky.org/work/littlemouse.php

Update on China's Spring Festival Storms
Here’s an update on conditions and needs at the institutions we've been in contact with. We’ll provide further information regarding these and other orphanages needing help just as soon as we have it. In general the needs are for fuel, food, disposable diapers, warm clothing and bedding. Prices are soaring because no goods can be shipped and cold weather has destroyed all winter crops. Half the Sky is responding to the emergency by getting funds directly to the institutions in a variety of ways.

Beihai, Guangxi – Although ill-prepared for the bitter cold, the institution has so far managed to keep the children warm and fed.
Changzhou, Jiangsu – suffered the largest snowfall in Jiangsu Province.
Several buildings have collapsed. But the institution rushed to prepare for the cold and the children are fine. UPDATE: The orphanage now reports they are running out of diapers and need 750 diapers per day for an estimated 10 days. They request 15,000 yuan.
Changyu, Henan - need winter clothing, quilts, heaters, washing machine and a disinfecting cabinet. Estimated cost: 50,000 yuan; total child population: 33.
Chengdu, Sichuan – is experiencing the coldest winter in memory. They need a large room heater, diapers, shoes, socks and winter jackets. UPDATE: Chengdu repeats their request for a large heater/air conditioner and disposable diapers. They also request 120 warm quilts. Total request is 26,500 yuan.
Chenzhou CWI, Hunan – still facing the most difficulties of the orphanages we’ve reached. They’ve had no electricity or running water for 8 days and there is almost no possibility that power will be restored before New Year’s Eve (the 6th of February.) Because of the blackout, the hospital is closed. 20 children are ill and being cared for by institution staff as well as they can. The banks are closed so staff is contributing personal funds to buy food, coal and diapers. Prices are skyrocketing as all roads to Chenzhou remain impassable. UPDATE: The largest hotel in Chenzhou is running on one emergency generator and townsfolk who’ve been without power for days have filled all rooms and lobbies. There are very few places in town with even emergency power now. Hopes are to get some electricity by next weekend. UPDATE: The 20 sick children are being cared for by doctors from the local hospital (which is closed.) They are receiving IV's and medicine. Shi assures us that the children will be fine and that they will recover. They will feed the children and keep them warm no matter what. There is still no power. Families in Chenzhou are now rationed and can only buy 4 packages of noodles per family. The Civil Affairs Bureau delivered 3 sacks of rice to the institution. The are using candles but the cost per candle has gone from 20 cents to 5 yuan per candle. They are using coal to keep warm but the price of coal is skyrocketing. Two old people at the institution died. There are 800,000 migrant workers trapped in town that can't get out to see their families for Spring Festival. They expect another heavy snow tomorrow. We are in daily touch with the orphanage. They know that everyone is thinking of them and determined to get them the help they need. UPDATE: HTS has a team on its way to Chenzhou with supplies and money. Total funds requested to date: 150,000 yuan; total child population: 186.
Chongqing – warm and well, despite the terrible cold. UPDATE: Temperatures continue to drop - request warm blankets and floor mats.
Chuzhou, Anhui - has both water and power. Only public transportation has failed. HTS nannies and teachers are walking to work. They are leaving home extra early to be there for the children. UPDATE: Reports that their industrial clothes dryer broke down two days ago. They've tried to repair but it is still not working and they have no way to dry clothes and diapers in the cold. They ask for 28,000 yuan for purchase of a new industrial dryer and for a 10 day supply of disposable diapers.
Daoxian SWI, Hunan - need winter clothing, quilts disposable diapers, heaters, a dryer and medical assistance. Estimated cost: 80000 yuan; total child population: 32 (social welfare institutions house elderly also)
Desheng, Guangxi - needs winter clothes, quilts, disposable diapers and room heaters. Funds requested: 25,400 yuan
Fuzhou, Jiangxi - lost power for a few days but now it is back to normal.
The snow stopped a couple of days ago but now is falling again. The directors and HTS staff have gathered all the children into one big room to keep them warm. They’ve bought New Years clothes for the children and will have a party no matter how bad the weather. This year, however, the foster parents will stay home to keep the children safe. The institution has enough food and water. They want us to focus on those in more serious trouble and ask us please not to worry.
Gaoyou, Jiangsu – Despite incredibly heavy snow, the children are warm and well. UPDATE: Some of the children in the Family Village have caught cold. The Family Village supervisors is working with the families to care for the children. HTS is sending extra funds for heating the family village apartments for the next month - 513 yuan per family = 3078 yuan as well as 1800 yuan to cover the costs of New Year food for each of the Family Village apartments.
Guangzhou, Guangdong – This city is truly unaccustomed to cold and it is getting more difficult to find necessities to keep children warm. They ask for 30 space heaters and warm bedding.
Guilin, Guangxi - has two broken HTS heater/air conditioners in the Infant Nurture rooms and they’ve asked us to replace. The rooms are very, very cold. They ask for more soft matting for the floors and also snow boots for our HTS nannies who’ve been slipping and falling in the ice and snow as they come to work. They are so ill-equipped to handle severe weather. UPDATE: Also need disposable diapers, coal and winter quilts. Funds requested: 24000 yuan. UPDATE: The icy rain continues for more than one month. They are having problems with electricity and can't keep their dryer working. They ask for 1/2 the cost of a generator in additon to the items above. Total request is 37,000 yuan.
Guiyang, Guizhou – has seen ice, snow and now sleety rain. They need disposable diapers and some help buying food. UPDATE: Power is intermittant. They repeat the request for diapers and now understand that HTS has okayed the purchase. UPDATE: Further request for electric heaters. Total funds requested: 19200 yuan. Haikou, Haikou – Even sunny Hainan Island is experiencing a chill. The orphanage request a clothes dryer to keep the children in clean warm clothes, 20 heating lamps, 120 sets of winter clothing for 60 children, and a 10 day supply of disposable diapers. Estimated cost 28,000 yuan.
Hangzhou, Zhejiang - Because of snow, they've been unable to get vegetables for several days. They request a subsidy to purchase food at higher prices and also ask for disposable diapers. UPDATE: Additional request for space heaters and winter clothes. Total funds requested: 26,000 yuan
Hefei, Anhui – reports that they have everything under control and the children are warm and well-fed. UPDATE: The orphanage now realizes they will soon run out of disposable diapers. They ask for 10,000 yuan to purchase 7,500 diapers. Hengyang SWI, Hunan - need winter clothing, disposable diapers, heaters and medical assistance. Estimated cost: 80,000 yuan; total child population: 185
Hengyang County SWI, Hunan - need heaters, medical assistance. Estimated cost: 50,000 yuan; total child population 38 (social welfare institutions house elderly also)
Hengshang County CWI, Hunan - need heaters, washing machine, medical assistance. Estimated cost: 40,000 yuan; total child population 9
Huaihua SWI, Hunan - need winter clothing, quilts, heaters and a washing machine. Estimated cost: 50,000 yuan; total child population: 20. (social welfare institutions house elderly also)
Huaihua HeChen District SWI, Hunan - need winter clothing, quilts, diapers, heaters, medical assistance. Estimated cost: 50,000 yuan; total child population: 35 (social welfare institutions house elderly also)
Huangshi, Hubei – is in desperate need of disposable diapers. They ask for funds to purchase since goods can’t be sent to them right now. All heater/air conditioners have stopped functioning. They need quilts and warm clothes for the children. Several HTS nannies have fallen on the ice on their way to work and they need medicine to treat cuts and bruises.
Jiujiang, Jiangxi – had another heavy snow storm last night. Pipes have burst and the five boilers are broken. They are unable to bathe the children and are having trouble keeping them warm. They need quilts, bedding, warm shoes and space heaters. They need medicine for infant coughs and colds. UPDATE: Jiujiang requests a total of 52,000 yuan to purchase a heater, 100 sets of winter clothing (for 50 children) and 5 heater/ air conditioners.
Lianyungang, Jiangsu – is doing the best they can despite the lowest temperatures in history. While they still insist we help others first, they do request winter jackets for the children, warm mats to cover the floor and bottles for babies with cleft lip/palate. The last item we’ll have to ship from Beijing as soon as we are able. UPDATE: Lianyungang bought a covered cargo tricycle for each of the Family Village families to keep the children protected on their way to school. They also bought winter quilts and jackets for the Family Village. UPDATE: HTS is sending extra funds for heating the family village apartments for the next month - 495 yuan per family = 3960 yuan along with 36,600 yuan to purchase 100 sets of winter clothing, 100 quilts, 100 blankets and two heater/air conditioners.
Loudi SWI, Hunan - need winter shoes, emergency lighting, heaters and a disinfecting cabinet. Estimated cost: 100,000 yuan; total child population: 86 Liuzhou, Guangxi - requests disposable diapers, winter clothes, quilts and electric heaters. Total funds requested: 18,480 yuan.
Luoyang, Henan – all is well. They are accustomed to the cold.
Maoming, Guangdong - This is the coldest, wettest winter in memory, but they have warm clothing and electricity. They ask for warm floor mats, 12 space heaters, warm blankets and some help purchasing food. UPDATE: They request 43,680 yuan to purchase 200 Army-grade quilts, 38 space heaters, warm matting for floors, 130 sets of winter clothes, 300 pairs wool socks, 300 pairs gloves and 17 hair dryers.
Maonan District, Maoming, Guangdong – In the sunny south, they have never seen this kind of cold and damp weather before. It’s been a month with another month in the forecast. They need space heaters. Local citizens have donated warm clothes and blankets for the children.
Nanchang, Jiangxi – asks for warm floor mats and disposable diapers. They need a working room heater. Their electrical supply has been sporadic and with only a small generator, they’re not confident they can continue to provide heat to keep the children warm. UPDATE: Their boiler for hot water supply has broken down. They ask for funds to purchase a new solar water heater. They also ask for 10,000 disposable diapers, 130 quilts and wool blankets, as well as 150 sets of winter clothing, shoes and wool socks. Total funds requested: 44,000 yuan.
Nanjing, Jiangsu – continues to manage, despite the heavy snows. They would like 200 children’s blankets but insist that we look after others with greater needs first. UPDATE: HTS is sending extra funds for heating the family village apartments for the next month - 513 yuan per family = 3078 yuan as well as 12,000 yuan to purchase 90 quilts and 6 heaters for the Family Village apartments. They also request 20,000 yuan to purchase 100 blankets for the children in the institution. Nanning, Guangxi – is experiencing its worst winter in 48 years. They are doing their best to weather the storm but could use 6 large space heaters,
86 warm quilts for our Family Village and disposable diapers. Like many places, they are having trouble finding affordable food right now and would appreciate a subsidy to help through this difficult time.
PiangJiang County, Hunan - requests winter clothing, quilts, diapers, heaters and medicine. Estimated cost: 50,000 yuan; total child population 22 (county level social welfare institutions house elderly also)
Qingyuan, Guangdong – Again, the lowest winter in history. Constant rain. The children all have colds and sniffles, no matter how many padded layers they wear. They ask for 7 space heaters and 55 padded jackets. UPDATE: With HTS funds, they have purchased 110 sets of quilts and padded jackets but have been unable to find heaters anywhere in Qingyuan. They are going to try to send someone south to Guangzhou to find heaters. UPDATE: They request 2500 yuan to purchase 8 heaters and 17,600 yuan to purchase 110 sets of winter bedding.
Sanya, Hainan – all is well in this southernmost tip of China.
Shaodian, Henan - HTS supports a Family Village here for children orphaned by HIV/AIDS. Due to the heavy snow and bitter cold, the children suffer from chilblains on their hands and feet. Water pipes have frozen and they are now able to get water only a few hours a day. Food costs are rising. Power supply is intermittant. They request heaters and cream for chilblains as well as a subsidy for food.
Shaoguan, Guangdong – needs disposable diapers for 27 babies. They need 3 large room heaters and warm mats for the floors. UPDATE: They request 21,500 yuan to purchase 2 large room heater/air conditioners, 25 winter quilts and enough disposable diapers to last 2 weeks.
Shaoyang CWI, Hunan -has seen heavy snow every day for 20 days.There is sufficient water and, for the moment, there is power, so the children are warm despite daytime temperatures of -3C.However, 5 of 6 power poles have been downed by weather.Only one stands and the institution fears it will fall as well, leaving them without electricity.Much of the rest of the city is already dark. Children and caregivers continue to work and play together.High school students are cramming for exams and trying to ignore the cold.Everyone prays that the power pole will continue to stand. They request space heaters, warm clothing for 60 children and shoes.for the big kids. UPDATE: They request 23,575 yuan to purchase 15 sets of winter clothing, 65 pairs of winter shoes, 20 heaters and 1500 disposable diapers. Estimated cost: 23,575; total child population: 68. Wuhan, Hubei – is having a very hard time finding affordable food, “even cabbage.” They ask for food subsidies for the Family Village, 20 space heaters and 50 warm quilts. Heaters are working but there is no water for bathing. The local community has offered to take children in for the Chinese New Year and the institution feels this may be the best decision to keep them safe, so their requests are only for the Family Village. UPDATE: With HTS funds, they purchased heavy comforters, space heaters and food for the Family Village. The institution director personally visited each family to ensure that everyone is all right. UPDATE: HTS is sending extra funds for heating the family village apartments for the next month - 513 yuan per family = 5130 yuan. Total funds requested: 134,130 yuan.
Wuzhou, Guangxi – is enduring bitter cold. They need warm mats for the floors, disposable diapers, warm clothes and shoes for the children. UPDATE: They have received some assistance from the local government to buy winter clothes but need a food subsidy for the Family Village families and a 10 day supply of disposable diapers. Estimated needs: 12,500 yuan
Xiangtan, Hunan - has had snow for the past 10 days. The main water pipe is “broken again.” There is no water for cooking right now but they do have electricity, coal and blankets. They are still able to buy food but prices have gone way up. Not all of the HTS nannies can get to work every day. They are keeping the programs going as well as they can and make sure that at least five nurturing nannies are there with the babies every day, along with the institution’s caregivers. UPDATE: Snow has stopped but it's very cold and wet. They need 3000 diapers and 80 boxes of infant formula and rice powder. Request 8000 yuan. Xinhua County SWI, Hunan - needs winer clothing, quilts, disposable diapers, heaters, a washing machine and medical assistance. Estimated funds: 60,000; total child population: 32 (social welfare institutions house elderly also)Xinyang, Henan – is accustomed to the cold and all is well. UPDATE: It seems first information on Xinyang did not come from director of institution. Today's news is not so favorable. It has been snowing since January 10 and temperatures are the lowest in history. Some heaters are broken. The institution has gathered all of the children together in the largest HTS activity room to keep them warm. Due to the weight of ice, the roof has cracked and there are leaks into some of the HTS activity rooms as well as the nurseries. They are installing a "temporary toilet' on the same floor as the big activity room so children and caregivers don't slip on the icy corridors and stairs. They ask for disposable diapers, winter clothes, cream for chilblains for the children's hands and feet. HTS staff continues to walk to work through the snow and ice; there is no public transportation. UPDATE: They request 66,500 yuan to purchase 150 pairs of winter shoes (the children all have wet feet!), 12,000 disposable diapers and to repair the leaking roof.
Yangchun, Guangdong - reports a need for space heaters and hot water bottles for 88 babies at two sites. UPDATE:reports that they are making do with what they have and that, because others are worse off, to not make their request high priority. Will keep in touch. Yibin, Sichuan – It’s a snowy day but it feels like the weather may be getting better. They’re not sure. They feel the county-level institutions are worse off than they are so the ask us to consider helping others before them. They keep the children warm in the bright rooms that HTS created and they say everyone is well so far.
Yiyang, Hunan – still has electricity but the water has been shutting off and on. They have stockpiled food for the children. The greatest challenge is for the nannies to get to work. Because the buses are down, they must walk on icy roads. UPDATE: They request 31,760 yuan to purchase 70 sets of winter clothing and shotes, 65 winter quilts, 20 space heaters, 3 boilers and enough disposable diapers to last 10 days. UPDATE: Yiyang SWC estimated cost 50,000 yuan; total child population: 19. Yiyang CWI estimated cost: 50,000 yuan; total chlid population: 65 Yongzhou SWI, Hunan - need winter clothing, quilts, disposable diapers, heaters and medicine. Estimated cost: 40,000 yuan; total child population: 9.(social welfare institutions house elderly also) Yueyang, Hunan - has no electricity. The one functioning power generator is being used in the children’s dormitory. They are relying on coal heat but the price has tripled in recent days. They are running out of food and have applied to the local Bureau of Civil Affairs for funds to buy more. Our HTS nannies have been walking for hours to get to work, often slipping on the ice, “even though they try to be cautious.” UPDATE: Request for quilts, 4 large room heaters, disposable diapers, winter clothing and medical assistance. Estimated cost: 30-50,000 yuan; total child population: 192
Zhuzhou CWI, Hunan - need winter clothing, quilts, school supplies and medical assistance. Estimated cost: 100,000 yuan; total child population: 325

Korean BBQ

2008-02-03T20:40:00.000-08:00

So after a rough week and weekend, I told ya'll I was going to do some retail therapy. Well, I did. Well, actually Mok did. I asked him for a camera and he delivered. Mok got me a new camera which takes video! So this is my first test video. WARNING TO MY VEGAN FRIENDS: It is meat on a grill. Our sunday evening visit to Korean BBQ. Yummmeeeee!

WEATHER UPDATE IN CHINA

2008-02-02T10:22:00.000-08:00

Update on China's Spring Festival Storms (FROM HALF THE SKY)
Here’s an update on conditions and needs at the institutions we've been in contact with. We’ll provide information regarding these and other orphanages needing help just as soon as we have it. In general the needs are for fuel, food, disposable diapers, warm clothing and bedding. Prices are soaring because no goods can be shipped and cold weather has destroyed all winter crops. Half the Sky is responding to the emergency by getting funds directly to the institutions in a variety of ways.

Beihai, Guangxi – Although ill-prepared for the bitter cold, the institution has so far managed to keep the children warm and fed.

Changzhou, Jiangsu – suffered the largest snowfall in Jiangsu Province.
Several buildings have collapsed. But the institution rushed to prepare for the cold and the children are fine.

Chengdu, Sichuan – is experiencing the coldest winter in memory. They need a large room heater, diapers, shoes, socks and winter jackets.

Chenzhou, Hunan – still facing the most difficulties of the orphanages we’ve reached. They’ve had no electricity or running water for 8 days and there is almost no possibility that power will be restored before New Year’s Eve (the 6th of February.) Because of the blackout, the hospital is closed. 20 children are ill and being cared for by institution staff as well as they can. The banks are closed so staff is contributing personal funds to buy food, coal and diapers. Prices are skyrocketing as all roads to Chenzhou remain impassable.

Chongqing – warm and well, despite the terrible cold

Chuzhou, Anhui - has both water and power. Only public transportation has failed. HTS nannies and teachers are walking to work. They are leaving home extra early to be there for the children.

Fuzhou, Jiangxi - lost power for a few days but now it is back to normal.
The snow stopped a couple of days ago but now is falling again. The directors and HTS staff have gathered all the children into one big room to keep them warm. They’ve bought New Years clothes for the children and will have a party no matter how bad the weather. This year, however, the foster parents will stay home to keep the children safe. The institution has enough food and water. They want us to focus on those in more serious trouble and ask us please not to worry.

Gaoyou, Jiangsu – Despite incredibly heavy snow, the children are warm and well.

Guangzhou, Guangdong – This city is truly unaccustomed to cold and it is getting more difficult to find necessities to keep children warm. They ask for 30 space heaters and warm bedding.

Guilin, Guangxi - has two broken HTS heater/air conditioners in the Infant Nurture rooms and they’ve asked us to replace. The rooms are very, very cold. They ask for more soft matting for the floors and also snow boots for our HTS nannies who’ve been slipping and falling in the ice and snow as they come to work. They are so ill-equipped to handle severe weather.

Guiyang, Guizhou – has seen ice, snow and now sleety rain. They need disposable diapers and some help buying food.

Haikou, Haikou – Even sunny Hainan Island is experiencing a chill. The orphanage request a clothes dryer to keep the children in clean warm clothes.

Hefei, Anhui – reports that they have everything under control and the children are warm and well-fed.

Huangshi, Hubei – is in desperate need of disposable diapers. They ask for funds to purchase since goods can’t be sent to them right now. All heater/air conditioners have stopped functioning. They need quilts and warm clothes for the children. Several HTS nannies have fallen on the ice on their way to work and they need medicine to treat cuts and bruises.

Jiujiang, Jiangxi – had another heavy snow storm last night. Pipes have burst and the five boilers are broken. They are unable to bathe the children and are having trouble keeping them warm. They need quilts, bedding, warm shoes and space heaters. They need medicine for infant coughs and colds.

Lianyungang, Jiangsu – is doing the best they can despite the lowest temperatures in history. While they still insist we help others first, they do request winter jackets for the children, warm mats to cover the floor and bottles for babies with cleft lip/palate. The last item we’ll have to ship from Beijing as soon as we are able.

Luoyang, Henan – all is well. They are accustomed to the cold.

Maoming, Guangdong - This is the coldest, wettest winter in memory, but they have warm clothing and electricity. They ask for warm floor mats, 12 space heaters, warm blankets and some help purchasing food.

Maonan District, Maoming, Guangdong – In the sunny south, they have never seen this kind of cold and damp weather before. It’s been a month with another month in the forecast. They need space heaters. Local citizens have donated warm clothes and blankets for the children.

Nanchang, Jiangxi – asks for warm floor mats and disposable diapers. They need a working room heater. Their electrical supply has been sporadic and with only a small generator, they’re not confident they can continue to provide heat to keep the children warm.

Nanjing, Jiangsu – continues to manage, despite the heavy snows. They would like 200 children’s blankets but insist that we look after others with greater needs first.

Nanning, Guangxi – is experiencing its worst winter in 48 years. They are doing their best to weather the storm but could use 6 large space heaters,
86 warm quilts for our Family Village and disposable diapers. Like many places, they are having trouble finding affordable food right now and would appreciate a subsidy to help through this difficult time.

Qingyuan, Guangdong – Again, the lowest winter in history. Constant rain. The children all have colds and sniffles, no matter how many padded layers they wear. They ask for 7 space heaters and 55 padded jackets.

Sanya, Hainan – all is well in this southernmost tip of China.

Shaoguan, Guangdong – needs disposable diapers for 27 babies. They need 3 large room heaters and warm mats for the floors.

Shaoyang, Hunan -has seen heavy snow every day for 20 days.There is sufficient water and, for the moment, there is power, so the children are warm despite daytime temperatures of -3C.However, 5 of 6 power poles have been downed by weather.Only one stands and the institution fears it will fall as well, leaving them without electricity.Much of the rest of the city is already dark. Children and caregivers continue to work and play together.High school students are cramming for exams and trying to ignore the cold.Everyone prays that the power pole will continue to stand. They request space heaters, warm clothing for 60 children and shoes.for the big kids.

Wuhan, Hubei – is having a very hard time finding affordable food, “even cabbage.” They ask for food subsidies for the Family Village, 20 space heaters and 50 warm quilts. Heaters are working but there is no water for bathing. The local community has offered to take children in for the Chinese New Year and the institution feels this may be the best decision to keep them safe, so their requests are only for the Family Village.

Wuzhou, Guangdong – is enduring bitter cold. They need warm mats for the floors, disposable diapers, warm clothes and shoes for the children.

Xiangtan, Hunan - has had snow for the past 10 days. The main water pipe is “broken again.” There is no water for cooking right now but they do have electricity, coal and blankets. They are still able to buy food but prices have gone way up. Not all of the HTS nannies can get to work every day. They are keeping the programs going as well as they can and make sure that at least five nurturing nannies are there with the babies every day, along with the institution’s caregivers.

Xinyang, Henan – is accustomed to the cold and all is well.

Yibin, Sichuan – It’s a snowy day but it feels like the weather may be getting better. They’re not sure. They feel the county-level institutions are worse off than they are so the ask us to consider helping others before them. They keep the children warm in the bright rooms that HTS created and they say everyone is well so far.

Yiyang, Hunan – still has electricity but the water has been shutting off and on. They have stockpiled food for the children. The greatest challenge is for the nannies to get to work. Because the buses are down, they must walk on icy roads.

Yueyang, Hunan - has no electricity. The one functioning power generator is being used in the children’s dormitory. They are relying on coal heat but the price has tripled in recent days. They are running out of food and have applied to the local Bureau of Civil Affairs for funds to buy more. Our HTS nannies have been walking for hours to get to work, often slipping on the ice, “even though they try to be cautious.”

http://www.halfthesky.org/work/littlemouse.php

A BIG THANK-YOU TO MAE FOR DONATING! CHECK OUT HER BLOG LISTED TO THE LEFT AT WORD TO YOUR MUTHA.
AND, A BIG GIGANTIC THANK-YOU TO MY MOM FOR THE MOST GENEROUS DONATION!!!

(^&%(#^(_#_+_-&&@@!!!

2008-02-01T19:04:00.000-08:00

Well, for the last 2 sets of referrals(the Dec 31st batch & the Feb 1st batch) we have been told by our facilitator that our referral would be included but unfortunately it has not happen yet. So maybe 3rd time is the charm??? Let's hope so!!! Otherwise I will be the grumpiest, most vile person in Venice!!! I will be walking around lookin' for a fight while consuming mountains of junk food! And, my general contractor(s) will probably not ever speak to me again after my outbursts. I know the cabinet fabricators won't. Oh well. Next kitchen is going to be from Ikea. So in the meantime, I will help put the economy back on track with engaging in some retail therapy! Darn it...I wish The Carriage House had an online store.
So, what's the &%^^(@* hold up??? No one can explain why no Chinese Expedited referrals have been sent out since Nov? 2007. ARRRHG!!! &^%&^%(&)&@*#!!!! Phew, I feel a little better after a good cyber scream.
Oh and if you want to hear/read some really scary, depressing news.... then read this. It is very sad. Have tissues ready.

"Welfare institutions in south and central China are having the hardest
time dealing with the weather disaster. This part of the country is
simply not equipped to deal with extreme cold or heavy snow and ice. The
most common critical problems are power outages, lack of safe drinking
and cooking water, lack of fuel, diapers and public transportation. In
many places where buses have stopped running, our Half the Sky nannies
have been walking hours (in one case, 4 hours) along icy roads to get to
the children. As conditions worsen, our nannies and teachers are
remaining at the institutions day and night. They have given up the idea
of going home to their own families for the holidays. They need quilts.
They need warm clothing. They need coal, water, disposable diapers and
food. Here are the reports I have thus far, while in-flight. I will send more
soon. Where you don't see a report, either all is well or I don't yet
have information. I will tell you when we've heard from everyone. We've
also given all the directors an emergency number to call when/if the
situation changes.

Hunan Province -
Chenzhou has had no electricity or water for six days. They are relying
on coal for heat and cooking. The supermarkets and banks are closed.
Staff is using personal money for baby food, diapers, coal and water.
Costs are rising due to shortages. They have a natural well which,
thankfully, is not frozen. Even the older children are helping to fetch
water. They have perhaps six days of food remaining. The local
government is overwhelmed by the disaster and is unable to help much.

Shaoyang has seen heavy snow every day for 20 days. There is sufficient
water and, for the moment, there is power, so the children are warm.
However, 5 of 6 power poles have been downed by weather. Only one stands
and the institution fears it will fall as well, leaving them without
electricity. Much of the rest of the city is already dark. Children and
caregivers continue to work and play together. High school students are
cramming for exams and trying to ignore the cold. Everyone prays that
the power pole will continue to stand.

Yueyang also has no electricity. The one functioning power generator is
being used in the children's dormitory. They are relying on coal heat
but the price has tripled in recent days. They are running out of food
and have applied to the local Bureau of Civil Affairs for funds to buy
more. Our HTS nannies have been walking for hours to get to work, often
slipping on the ice, "even though they try to be cautious."

Xiangtan has had snow for the past 10 days. The main water pipe is
"broken again." There is no water for cooking right now but they do have
electricity, coal and blankets. They are still able to buy food but
prices have gone way up. Not all of the HTS nannies can get to work
every day. They are keeping the programs going as well as they can and
make sure that at least five nurturing nannies are there with the babies
every day, along with the institution's caregivers.

Jiangsu Province -
Changzhou has seen some heavy snows but the director reports that the
children are fine. The director says that he's doing his best to ensure
that the children do not suffer. Public transportation is crippled by
the snow and HTS nannies and teachers are waiting for hours to catch a
bus for home or even walking home in the snowy dark.

Nanjing reports no problems at all despite the heavy snows. I tried to
fly into Nanjing yesterday but it was not possible.

Anhui Province -
Chuzhou has both water and power. Only public transportation has failed.
HTS nannies and teachers are walking to work. They are leaving home
extra early to be there for the children.

Guangxi Province -
Guilin has two broken HTS heater/air conditioners in the Infant Nurture
rooms and they've asked us to replace. The rooms are very, very cold.
They ask for more soft matting for the floors and also snow boots for
our HTS nannies who've been slipping and falling in the ice and snow as
they come to work. They are so ill-equipped to handle severe weather.

Jiangxi Province -
Fuzhou lost power for a few days but now it is back to normal. The snow
stopped a couple of days ago but now is falling again. The directors and
HTS staff have gathered all the children into one big room to keep them
warm. They've bought New Years clothes for the children and will have a
party no matter how bad the weather. This year, however, the foster
parents will stay home to keep the children safe. The institution has
enough food and water. They want us to focus on those in more serious
trouble and ask us please not to worry.

Jiujiang says they've never faced such bitter weather. They desperately
need disposable diapers. Washable diapers cannot be dried. They need
warm clothes, shoes, gloves hats quilts and warm mats for the floors.
They need medicine for infant coughs and colds.

Hubei Province -
Wuhan suffers heavy snows but they still have power. Heaters are working
but there is no water for bathing. The local community has offered to
take children in for the Chinese New Year and the institution feels this
may be the best decision to keep them safe.

Huangshi reports that the freeze is so severe that all heater/air
conditioners have stopped functioning. They need quilts and warm clothes
for the children. They need disposable diapers. Several HTS nannies have
fallen on the ice on their way to work and they need medicine to treat
cuts and bruises.

Gathering these reports together makes me think about how careful we
have always been at Half the Sky to maintain our focus on nurture and
education programs. Ours is not a medical or relief organization. There
are many wonderful groups who do that work. Probablyt he primary reason we've been able to accomplish so much and reach so many children is because we've maintained our focus on our core mission -- providing nurturing care for children who've lost their families. But a moment like this really cannot be ignored. The tragedy of Hurricane Katrina in the US taught us that no matter how wealthy a country might be, its vulnerable citizens (old, poor, ill, and orphaned children) are the ones who suffer most when disaster strikes. Even as China seems to be entering the first world, a disaster like this is quite simply crippling. We know that orphaned children will be among those who suffer the damage most. I say this because I think we should break one of Half the Sky's rules and, if there are sufficient funds raised in the Little Mouse Emergency Fund, we should offer relief (water, food, diapers, quilts, clothing) to any orphanage where children need help. Let's see how this goes. If people are as generous as I think they might be, we will work with the provincial Bureaus of Civil Affairs in every hard-hit community, and offer assistance to all welfare institutions where there is need. Please lend a hand, however you can. You can donate to the Little Mouse Emergency Fund by calling us in the US at +1-510-525-3377 or in Asia at +852- 2520-5266 or by visiting us at www.halfthesky.org or go to http://www.halfthesky.org/help/docs/usdonation-orderform.pdf to download a form to mail or fax. Donations are tax-deductible in US, Canada and Hong Kong. Please forward this message and tell your friends and family. I will be back with an update very, very soon.
Thank you!
Jenny Bowen
Executive Director
Half the Sky Foundation
www.halfthesky.org

Half the Sky was created in order to enrich the lives and enhance the
prospects for orphaned children in China. We establish and operate
infant nurture and preschool programs, provide personalized learning for
older children and establish loving permanent family care and guidance
for children with disabilities. It is our goal to ensure that every
orphaned child has a caring adult in her life and a chance at a bright
future."

AND A BIG HEARTFELT THANK-YOU TO MY SISTER, JAMIE FOR MAKING A DONATION!!!

Overdue Christmas Wrap Up

2008-01-24T00:36:00.000-08:00

I have to share with you what Dianne gave me for Xmas. She is the most amazing gift giver ever. Oh and, she actually made the cow pattern pants and the cowgirl outfit! And she customized the back pocket of the cow pants with Maxine's name! YEE HAW!!! (Hint, hint...We need a pony, Grandy!) So without further ado...here it is!

And, Dianne gave us the cutest little hand crocheted pink cowgirl booties! They are just amazing but didn't photograph so well. And did you notice the adorable frog hangers she gave us. They are peaking out of the tops of the clothes.
So a BIG thank-you to Dianne for all the Xmas goodies!!!

JAPANESE???

2008-01-18T22:37:00.000-08:00

Well, Dianne had this fun little test on her blog. She took it and it said she should learn to speak French...which she does. So I took it to see if I should learn German which I took in high school. Nope. Not German. Not French. Not Spanish. Not even Chinese. Japanese. Yep, Japanese. Japanese??? I should learn Japanese? Huh? That's crazy. I will have to see what our friends Osamu, Kayo, and Hiroshi say to this. I'm sure they will ROTFL.

You Should Learn Japanese

You're cutting edge, and you are ready to delve into wacky Japanese culture.
From English to eating contests, you're born to be a crazy gaijin. Saiko!
What Language Should You Learn?

And for what it's worth, I find the word "Engrish" in this little graphic offensive. I'm not sure why I even put this on my blog but here it is. I may have to delete it later. Oh, but that does make me think about my favorite movie. Lost in Translation.
Update: Thanks to Di I have corrected that offensive little word to now read English.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED....well sort of.

2008-01-07T17:09:00.000-08:00

The goal for my project in Alabama for Pre-Xmas was to have the remodel and addition at a state where my Mom could have her 35th Annual Cookie Swap and our Christmas dinner at what was my grandmother's dining table in the newly remodelled house (which used to be my grandparents' house when they were living). Well, we pushed and pushed and pushed til we couldn't push anymore. We just had to settle that the house was ready except for ....the kitchen cabinets...oh and her bathroom cabinets. Everyone really worked beyond the call of duty...except the cabinetmaker who I choose to call out. Yep, no kitchen cabinets. {The cabinetmakers are Nixon Cabinets in Athens, AL.} My mom and dad were and are still angreeeeee to say the least. Who knew it would take 3 years to build kitchen cabinets??? But that didn't stop Christmas or the Cookie Swap. We set up a temporary kitchen island which was an old store counter that my grandfather had given me from his feed and seed store. We made it our Snack Bar for the Cookie Swap and family gatherings. Our snacks were served out of 7 galvanized buckets lined up down the feed and seed store counter. As for Xmas dinner, we cooked and heated food next door and brought it over. Well worth the extra effort and hassle! We moved in the basic furniture and then the drapery lady came in for her installation. Then the most amazing upholsterer delivered his masterpieces! That was the best Christmas present ever...for my mom and me. Upholstery pictures to be posted soon.

Mom on the left and Joy(the Cookie Swap co-hostess)
on the right standing at the table with the wassail
and vintage Santa mugs. Located in the
breakfast hall looking towards the office loft.

Striped hall looking towards library.

The cabinet-less kitchen loft with Snack Bar.
Notice the stainless steel tool cabinet we are
using as temporary storage. Vintage industrial
lights salvaged from a New Orleans warehouse
and restored Pre-Katrina.

The store counter from Pop's feed and seed store
AKA The Snack Bar. Located approximately where
the kitchen island will be. Cast iron column
salvaged from old warehouse in Memphis.
Mike(BIL) seated and Jasper(nephew), the
cutie-patootie.

So, now that the mission is somewhat accomplished, we are ready and waiting on Maxine's referral. The soonest we could hear something would be Jan 24th. So it could be anytime from a few weeks to a few months. As everyone knows that is involved in IA, you just never know what the CCAA will do and when they will do it. So Fingers and Toes Crossed for Good Luck!!!

MOK IS 40!!!!

2007-12-11T08:08:00.000-08:00

Hey, hey, hey....Mok turns 40 today!!!
Happy Birthday!!!

I'VE BEEN TAGGED!!!

2007-12-10T18:10:00.001-08:00

AND THIS TIME IT WASN'T MY CONCRETE BLOCK FENCE.
Dianne has tagged me in the blog-osphere world which means I get to answer some fun questions. So here goes... (hope I can muster up some xmas spirit for this.)
It's a Christmas Tag:
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? WRAPPING PAPER but I really love the printed boxes I got at Big Lots a couple of years ago. Very cool vintage graphics. But I do have to admit that I use bags if a present requires it.
2. Real tree or artificial? FAKE FAKE FAKE!!! I have a silver tinsel tree, a white tinsel tree, and a red tinsel tree but my favorite tree is the one I made from scraps of metal wire and an old metal patio umbrella frame. I gave it to my mom to use a couple of years ago and we call it Roadside Christmas.
3. When do you put up your tree? After the Thanksgiving Holidays.
4. When do you take the tree down? New Years...umm...sometimes July. As for the Roadside Xmas tree, we don't take it down. We drape it with vintage barkcloth.
5. Do you like eggnog? Yup! with bourbon or brandy or whatever alcohol you put in it.
6. Favorite gift received as a child? My pink floral sleeping bag. Oh and, a white wicker table from Grandma.
7. Do you have a Nativity scene? No, I don't think so but I have so many unopened plastic storage boxes of xmas decorations.
8. Hardest person to buy for? Mok
9. Easiest person to buy for? Me! ; ) LOL
10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? The 3 vacuum cleaners someone kept giving me every year.
11. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail if I had time.
12. Favorite Christmas movie? Rudolf
13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? October
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Uhhh...not a xmas present.
15. Favorite things to eat at Christmas? PEPPERMINT ICE CREAM!!!
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? BIG, FAT COLORED ONES MIXED WITH LITTLE COLORED ONES! No blinkers, though.
17. Favorite Christmas song? Rockin Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Travel only if my dogs can go. Ideally travel to snow!
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Probably.
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Angel made of silver screening material.
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Open 1 present xmas eve which is pajamas from my mom. And the rest... xmas morning after we open the stockings. And now we do dirty Santa on Christmas night. That is the most fum thing to do!
22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? TRAFFIC!
23. What is the "corniest" family tradition you do, or miss doing? It's not corny to me! I love it....making a cookie house.
24. Ugliest Christmas Decoration ever invented? The big bright fuzzy red bows. They are the worst color of red.
25. Which looks the best, theme trees or homey trees? Hmmm? Vintage, ecletic colorful.
26. What does Christmas mean to you? Family and EATING and Mom and Joy's annual cookie swap!

1 YEAR AND COUNTING....

2007-11-17T09:53:00.000-08:00

Today is our 1 year LID anniversary. Is that a good thing? Well, I'm not sure about that. It is a good thing if you have to wait over a year for your referral. It means we are 12 months closer to travelling to China to be united with Maxine.
I have done quite a few things to keep myself distracted from the wait. Some good. Some not so good. Some as frustrating as the wait itself. Some ridiculous. But as long as I was distracted from the wait, then that was a good thing, right?
Here are some of the things I did to keep myself distracted.
-Moving my horse from Tennessee (where my BIL was training her) to California and getting a new horse trainer. Side effects can be family-strifus, roughus-on-the-walletus, but... lots-of-funnus.
-Caring for my dog who has cancer which required chemotherapy and radiation. Side effects (for me) can be heartus-breakus, roughus-on-the-walletus, cleaning-uppus-lots-of-crappus and other bodily fluids during all times of day and night. But I am so thankful she is keeping me company during this wait. She is training me well for a baby's schedule.
-Demo-ing the interior of our house. We are currently attempting to get it remodelled in time for Maxine's arrival.(That's not gonna happen.) Side effects are inability to locatus-our-belongings, only one funtioning-toiletus, and panica-attacki's.
-Designing and attempting to manage the construction of 2 projects that are 2000 miles away from my home in another time zone. Side effects are extremely longus-commutus and unpredictable workus-hours.
-Some other distractions have included Mandarin lessons, shopping(mostly with Dianne!), blogging, joining yahoo groups, starting yahoo groups, eating, tennis, severely spraining my ankle while playing tennis, shopping on the internet, internet surfing while eating(mostly unhealthy, fattening things), and coloring my hair a ridiculously inappropriate color, oh... and more eating. Let's just say when I look in the mirror these days, I am not thinking about how long I have been waiting. I am thinking, "What the hell was I thinking?!!"
-One of the most rewarding things I have done is to make new friends as well as reconnect with longtime friends. So, its been a very busy year...but not as busy as the upcoming year will be. We are *hoping* for our referral to arrive in January and to travel in the spring. Fingers crossed. A more conservative outlook would be that our referral should arrive in March and travel in late May???? We just don't know. Nobody really knows. So back to my distractions for a couple more months...minus the ankle injury, hopefully. And maybe I will get a hair color correction... and maybe I won't. Or, maybe I will get some crazeee chunky highlights, paint my fingernails purple, and wear goth clothing.

PS. That is a picture of what we now call Maxine Pie. I thought we would celebrate our 1 Year LID-iversary with a chocolate pie. It is chocolate cream pie and it unfortunately tasted like hell. YUCK! Whoever said, all pie is good pie, is WRONG! Californians CAN'T make pie to save their lives! If you ever wanted to taste a real chocolate pie, you would have to have had a chocolate meringue pie from H&H in Athens, AL...but sadly, very sadly they closed recently and left me not much of anyplace to eat at night when visiting for work and family functions. If anyone knows where I can find the pie maker for H&H, please let me know. Like I need more pie. We are back to that eating thing as a distraction, again.

www.mytennesseewalkinghorse.blogspot.com

To Maxine. From Marme'.

2007-11-13T18:08:00.000-08:00

These are some really cute things that my mom has given me for Maxine.
A pale pink knitted blanket, "Beetlejuice" dress, "Sox-Tab" Mary Jane shoes, "Adidas" tennis skirt, & "Sand and Sun" beach shoes. Just thought I would show them off for everyone to see. Thank-you, Mom for all the goodies!!! And, in the background is one of my vintage orange chenilles I am saving for Maxine's room.
And... the count down to "LID 1 Year" has begun. We are 4 days away from being logged in for 1 entire year! That's right... almost officially waiting for one year.

DOUBLE DIGITS!!!!

2007-11-08T10:39:00.000-08:00

My nephew, Austin is 10 years old today!!! (Double Digits, as he says.)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AUSTIN!!!

What have we been up to???
Let's see...
Between, my severely sprained ankle, my dog's cancer and chemo schedule, our work schedules, our remodel, visiting my horse weekly, and my Mandarin lessons, life has been BUSY.
Besides that, my dad visited us Oct 10th - 12th. Then he borrowed my car for a little 3 week jaunt up to No Cal to go the vegan farm. So we were down to one car for the two of us. Mok said he was going to take the bus to work. HA. That might have happened twice.
On the 21st, Dianne and I co-organized a dimsum get together for waiting parents in the LA area. That was so nice to meet everyone in the same slow boat to China as us. And just for fun, I customized a onesie for every couple with the Chinese characters for baby. (Thanks to Kathy, my friend and Mandarin teacher, for supplying the most appropriate characters for this project...bao bei meaning baby / treasure / darling.)

And then after meeting all of these great people, I started a yahoo group for us, LA Waiting Parents. Yes, me the computer dummy is blogging and moderating a yahoo group.
Then on the 23rd-28th, Mok had to go to NJ for work and a wedding. While he was gone, "baby-girl" had her chemo. Oh my. The aftermath of chemo is rough for several days.
I left for a work trip to AL on the 29th-3rd. And while I was gone my dad returned to LA with my car. While in AL besides working at least 12 hour days, I did get to visit with Susan C and her family one evening. What cute kids she has! Also while we were working our tails off, my mom fell and split her knees and hand open and had to get 8 stitches in one of her knees. I have photos. They are a little blurry due to the blackberry camera and the shaky hand taking them. YUCK. Since my mom's doctor was "too busy to see her," our contractor got us into see his doctor where his sister works. We had a ENT doctor sew up her knee while balancing her leg on his lap. Life is always interesting around here.

So since my mom was somewhat incapacitated, my sister met us in Nashville to drive us around to 3 fabric stores and then onto the airport where I departed and my dad arrived. My dad got off the plane that I flew out on. (Are you confused yet???) So Dad and I visted at the gate and then he drove my sister back to her apt and then Mom and Dad went on back to Athens.
I arrived back just in time to celebrate Mok's and my 8 YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY on November 5th!!! Woo Hoo!!! Since it was a Monday, our favorite restaurant, Joe's was closed. : ( So we went to Bottlerock. It was a really nice change of pace. We highly recommend it. (Paula introduced me to this place. Thanks Paula!) Then Tuesday Mok left for another work trip to NJ. And last night, I went to the Salt Creek Grill to meet Kathy, Janet, and Gwen who are other waiting mothers that live on the westside. (I met them at our dimsum get together.) Such a nice relaxed evening. Whew.... And I think it only gets busier from now until Christmas.
Oh and while all of this was happening, referrals arrived on Nov 2nd/5th for regular LIDs of Dec 1st - 8th, 2005 and for Chinese expedited LIDs for the month of Sept 2006!!! SEPT 2006!!! OMG!!! We are NOV 2006! So we just have October 2006 and then us?!? HUH??? WHAT??!? Now let's just say that the CCAA does not always refer out expedited LIDs every single month and sometimes they only refer out half months. But let's not forget that in October they referred out 2 months. *GULP* Holeee moleeeee.... I need to get my **** in supersonic gear.

DID I EVER SHOW YOU THESE???

2007-10-16T10:46:00.000-07:00

First of all, I have a very talented and generous friend, Dianne...who MADE/CREATED/DESIGNED these outfits. Yes, she actually sewed these wonderful outfits for Maxine! AMAZING, AREN'T THEY?!?
As I said in a previous post, I am lucky but I am really, really lucky to have such a talented and generous friend. And, how super cute will Maxine be in these retro inspired ensembles!?! Well, when we finally get Maxine home with us and venture out to a vintage car show, she will have to wear the 50's inspired dress with the shades. (See the Paddy Wagon Rides Again post.) And, when we travel with the airstream, she must sport the chenille shorts and cropped top. (Our airstream is a 1948 Wee Wind, I might add. See the Airstream Dream post.) Oh and, check out the pocket on the chenille shorts. It is a vintage pink stove. Love vintage stoves!!!
And if you want your own Dianne creation, she sells these on www.etsy.com under Itsy Betsy. I think this is the link to her virtual store. Enjoy!
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5104755

ITSY BETSY

THE HUNTSVILLE TIMES

2007-10-15T13:51:00.000-07:00

A daughter is waiting After all this time, there comes a peace to know the call is near
Sunday, October 14, 2007
By GINA HANNAH
Times Business Writer
gina.hannah@htimes.com

In this two-part series, Times staff writer Gina Hannah writes about the two-year process she and her husband went through to adopt a child from China. The series will conclude next Sunday.

For the past hour and a half, the electronic reader board above our heads at Hong Kong International Airport's Gate 66 has flashed a destination of Changsha in Mainland China. It is in Changsha where our group - 15 couples and one husband whose wife has to stay home in the States - will meet the dark-haired, doe-eyed little girls who will become our daughters.

We're dragging with jet lag. A few of us have what we can only assume is food poisoning. We meander about the gate, sipping bottled water and nibbling on granola bars. Some of us fire up laptops, taking advantage of the airport's free wireless Internet service to e-mail home.

One of the husbands, a man from Knoxville named Kelly, notices the reader board no longer says the flight from Gate 66 is going to Changsha. It's headed to Tokyo.

A voice crackles over the loudspeaker in a language we don't understand, then in English we can't hear well. Kelly goes to the check-in counter and learns our flight is delayed and changed to another gate at the opposite end of the airport. My husband, Pete, and I look at one another and sigh, then join the others, gathering our weary bodies and our luggage and heading to our new gate.

It's just another minor hurdle on our journey to become parents.

Choices, decisions

Our journey began long before we set foot on a red-eye flight from San Francisco to Hong Kong. It began with the hopes and expectations most couples have when they decide to start a family. But the months, then the years, passed us. We celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary, our 40th birthdays.

We watched as friends welcomed one, two, three babies into the world. We envied them. We saw other friends choose to remain childless, focusing their energy on their careers, travel, each other, at peace with their decision. We envied them, too.

Drugs, hormones, surgery didn't help. A reproductive endocrinologist gave us a definitive answer: My insides were too tangled for a healthy pregnancy to take place - at least not without more surgery. Then, with the help of more drugs and hormones, "maybe" I would conceive. "Maybe" I could carry the baby to term. Early labor could mean emergency surgery and permanent damage.
We decided I wouldn't have the surgery.

We would, however, create a family. Adoption would be our choice. We contacted agencies, joined online parent groups, asked questions. We considered different countries. We weighed the pros and cons, made a decision, changed our minds, then changed our minds again.

Our ultimate choice came from my husband's family's past.

Paper pregnant

At age 87, my mother-in-law still recalls scenes from her childhood in mainland China - the steep hills, the rickshaws, Tung Ting Lake, the largest lake in central China. Her parents, Pete's grandparents, were missionaries in Hunan Province, from the time my mother-in-law was 2 until she was 9. She still remembers being evacuated during the anti-Christian movement in the 1920s.

"Wouldn't it be neat if our child came from the same place where Mom lived?" Pete mused.

During our research, we learned that we could specify which region of China we'd like our child to be from, but it could delay our referral, because there was no guarantee when the paperwork for babies in a certain province would be processed. Among the orphanages that care for the millions of Chinese children - mostly girls - who are abandoned because of the country's one-child policy, many don't participate in the government's adoption program.

We tell our home study social worker that we will accept a child from any province.

Our agency tells us the wait from the day our paperwork is logged in by the Chinese government to getting our referral is six-to-eight months. About six weeks after referral, they said, we will travel to China to meet our child and bring her home.

The paperwork takes several months to gather. Our dossier, which will be sent to China for review, includes our home study, medical exams, financial statements, reference letters, employment letters, background checks, child abuse clearance forms, birth, marriage and divorce certificates.
Each document must be notarized, certified by the county clerk, verified by the Alabama Secretary of State, then authenticated by the U.S. Secretary of State. At the end of the process, a cardboard box holding copies of our paperwork weighs 11 pounds.
Our agency translates our dossier into Chinese and sends it to the Chinese Center for Adoption Affairs, or CCAA, China's government office overseeing adoptions. Two weeks later, we get our log-in date: Sept. 12, 2005. The clock is ticking; we are officially "paper pregnant."

Unlike with a typical pregnancy, I can celebrate with a big glass of wine.

'Rumor Queen'

We calculate that we'll travel in the spring of 2006, maybe as late as summer. We start buying baby books and toys (it's difficult to buy clothes for a child whose age or size you don't know). We wait. And wait. And wait.

Spring and summer come and go. We add 1,000 square feet to our house. We paint. We buy more toys and books and stuffed animals. We answer questions from well-meaning friends and family as best we can.

We ask our agency about the lengthening wait. There are no firm answers. We join online waiting-parent groups - and rumors fly.

Toward the end of each month, I keep vigil, watching CCAA's Web site, which is changed once a month to reflect the latest cutoff date for referrals ready to be sent. We wait for any nugget that might help us get a grasp on when we'll be able to bring our babies home.

Waiting parents have cyber slumber parties, gathering at computers from across the United States, Britain, Australia, France, Spain and Scandinavia, sipping coffee, tea, wine, martinis, depending on our own personal time of day. We chat on a Web site created by a woman we know only as "Rumor Queen," a woman who is waiting for her second child from China and is, apparently, good at crunching statistics.

She looks at the length of time between referrals, the number of referrals in each monthly batch, and tells us it doesn't look good. The referrals are based on our log-in dates, and each month, fewer log-in dates are included in the batch.

One night, I dream that I awake very early in the morning, go to my laptop and see that the new cutoff is Aug. 9, 2005, just about a month away from our date. A couple of days later, I wake up, fire up my laptop, and peek at CCAA's site.

There's a new cutoff date.

It's Aug. 9, 2005.

'The Call'

It's a surreal feeling, the peace that comes from knowing something you've been waiting for so long is about to happen. A comedian I heard once referred to it as the joy of being "next." Because we know on which dates the Chinese government logged in dossiers, we know that we're coming up to bat. We celebrate another Christmas childless, but without the grief and emptiness of years past. Relatives come to see our bigger house. We stock the bar and throw a New Year's Eve party - the last one of its kind we'll be having in a while, we figure. There are still half-full bottles sitting on our bar when we get The Call. It's Jan. 4, 2007.

Other parents have told us about The Call. "You have a daughter!" a joyous voice on the other end of the line says. Or, sometimes it's "You have twins!" Even more surprising is the occasional "You have a son!"

Our caller's voice has a slightly different tone, more cautionary. I think her name is Jan. As she speaks, I want to reach through the phone lines to grasp her meaning.

"Before I send you any information, you need to know that this little girl is older than the age range you requested," the woman says. "She's 20 months old."

Nearly 2!

"If you don't think you can accept this little girl, you can turn down the referral and your dossier will be put back in with the next batch," she tells us.
We hang up the phone. We remember our training, where we learned that sometimes the longer a baby has been in an institution, the higher the risk of development and attachment problems. We talk. We pray. We weep. We pick up the phone and call the woman back.

This is our daughter. Send us a picture.

We get our photo Jan is sending us a picture of our daughter via e-mail, and our Internet service is out. We're upstairs, in the hallway. Pete waves a laptop over his head, trying to patch into our next-door neighbor's wireless service.

I'm doing my best to write down a birthdate, height, weight, location, all with trembling fingers. I have a list of questions recommended by other parents, concerning health, living conditions, dietary needs, clothing sizes. I manage to ask none of them.

But we get our photo, a small thumbnail headshot, and this much we know:

She is beautiful.

She is healthy.

Her name is Fu Li Bian.

Her birthday is May 26, the day after mine.

And she is waiting for us, in Hunan Province.

LUCKY ME...

2007-10-11T21:42:00.000-07:00

Lookie, lookie, lookie at what Jamie (my sister also to be known as Aunt Jamie), sent for Maxine. Oh, won't Maxine be the cutest girl ever in this?!!
I LOVE IT!!! How cute is this?!!

I am so lucky.

FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE....

2007-10-04T15:48:00.000-07:00

http://journeytoanna.com/

http://nuestrapaloma.blogspot.com/

http://parelsuitchina.punt.nl/

http://www.awaitingbabysis.blogspot.com/

http://scubakath42.blogspot.com/

http://slow-boat-to-china.blogspot.com/

THE OCTOBER BATCH

2007-10-02T22:46:00.000-07:00

Well, its that time of the month. No, not that time of the month!
IT'S REFERRAL TIME! Referrals have arrived for the month and it looks like the CCAA has sent non expedited NSN (Non Special Needs) referrals out for LIDs(Log In Date) for November 26th, 2005 through at least November 30th, 2005. The cut off date has not been announced yet but that is everyone's best guess as of right now. That was a very disappointing amount of referrals for non expedited families. And, my heart goes out to those with early December 2005 LIDs.
BUT... the interesting part that concerns Mok and I, is that the CCAA referred out 2 months worth of LIDs for families of Chinese heritage. (FYI: That's Mok!!!) So, they have referred out July and August of 2006!!!! WOO HOO!!! August 2006 families were definitely surprised. It just goes to show that you can never tell what will happen in international adoption. So, as of yesterday we were figuring about 9 more months until we received our referral... but now with only 2.5 months of LIDs ahead of us... who knows??? Only time will tell. Hmmmm? I don't even know what to think at this point???
PS. Our LID is 11-17-06

WHAT'S MY FUNKY INNER HAIR COLOR?!?

2007-09-23T22:56:00.000-07:00

Your Hair Should Be Orange

Expressive, deep, and one of a kind.

You pull off "weird" well - hardly anyone notices.

What's Your Funky Inner Hair Color?

OK...I MIGHT BE TRYING THIS NEXT TIME.

"THE GARAGE-MA-HALL"...work update

2007-09-14T10:27:00.000-07:00

Just walking -n- talking....
Maybe this is a new Olympic event???

What is a garage-ma-hall, you ask??? Well, this one is an 8 car garage with a loft style "office, gathering space, and kitchenette" on the second floor with a balcony and roof deck. It sounds kind of mundane right now but check back for the "fire escape stair" installation.

Meanwhile Back at the Farm....

2007-09-12T21:09:00.000-07:00

"A Pup Cake"

ON THE ROAD...

2007-09-12T20:33:00.000-07:00

Tucumcari, NM

Have a Slaw Burger at Honey's in Fayetteville, TN

Try the Fried Pickles at Granny Fishes'

Waterfall near Tullahoma. TN

Meridian, MS

Meridian, MS

The Maiden Voyage

2007-09-08T22:49:00.001-07:00

THE AIRSTREAM DREAM....

2007-09-08T22:43:00.000-07:00

Visions of shiny aluminum trailers danced in their heads...
Well, the airstream dream has been years in the re-making and it has finally come to fruition. This journey could have qualified for its own personal blog. It took longer to restore, remodel, & rehab this tiny little trailer than it will take us to adopt a child from China!!! We could probably have adopted 2 children from China in the time it took to make this airstream dream happen. Just some background information on this tin can. It is a 1948 Airstream Wee Wind model.
So without further ado, here are some before and almost-after photos. I will be adding more pictures ASAP from our maiden voyage. If you have an airstream or vintage trailer of your own please share.

More photos of the transformation

BEFORE PIC...it's not so bad, right?

WRONG... it was pretty bad.

VERY WRONG... it was a disaster.

Visions of shiny aluminum trailers danced in their heads...
ALMOST-AFTER... see I told you I had a vision.

OK, VERY SHINY... inside and out!

HERE WE ARE....AT THE TWHNC

2007-09-04T20:23:00.000-07:00

Where, oh where have we been, you ask??? Well, we have been to compete in the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration aka The Celebration in Shelbyville, Tennessee. First of all, photo courtesy of Shane Shiflet. Thank-you. Finally... a picture to be proud of. Now, it's time to brag!!! What a beautiful horse I have!!! I am one proud horse-mama. As one of the locals in Shelbyville said, "sheez a lawng n lean, mean wawking ma-sheen." I totally agree. She is awesome.
She's All That Jazz
So, "Thank-you's" go out to Russ Thompson's Stables and especially to Greg Bryant. Great job guys! We will be returning to So Cal this week. Phew...gotta get out of this heat and humidity. 105 degrees with high humidity is too much for me to handle not to mention my dog children. They are roasting. The pavement is too hot for their tootsies. Yee-ouch! So, final packing tonight and a hopeful early departure tomorrow morning is in order. YEE-HAW!!! (that's Tennessee talk) California here I come!!!
PS. More of my adventure to be updated ASAP which will include my luggage carrier taking flight, pics of diners, project updates, and the airstream adventure.

8 months and still counting.....

2007-07-17T07:56:00.001-07:00

Could it really be our 8 month LID anniversary?!??!! YES, it could be!!!! So, here we are having been registered with the CCAA for 8 months. (That doesn't include the many months we waited for our homestudy to be complete.) That sounds like a long time but there are families that have been logged in 19 and 20 months and still don't have their referral/baby! Our friends D&D have been logged in for almost 16 months. (twice as long as us!) YIKES...now that's a long time. Hopefully, we won't have to wait that long but you never know what the timeline will be where international adoption is concerned.
The latest "rumor" concerning the Chinese heritage expedited referral track (which we are to suppose to qualify...thanks to Mok being born in Hong Kong) is that it should take somewhere between 12 and 15 months for referral...that is from another Chinese expedited parent in waiting (in my Chinese expedited referral yahoo group) who met with the CCAA recently when they visited their adoption agency in Australia. The practical side of me tends to think it will take 15 months. But a little voice keeps telling me to be prepared at any point from here on out to drop everything to go to China. Yeah, I know. I should see somebody about that little voice I'm hearing. ; )
So if we "listen" to the rumor, it could 4(*gulp*) - 7(*ugh*) more months until we get out referral. So that is the latest info I have on our status but I'm still hoping I will get an update from my facilitator soon.

HORSIN' AROUND....

2007-07-16T11:31:00.000-07:00

Well, here are some photos of my equine baby girl. She is a Tennessee Walking Horse named She's All That Jazz. (I didn't name her... these horses are named after their "daddies." Her "daddy" is The Jazz Man.)
She is trained in So. Cal. but has already made the cross country trip (with our trainer, Russ Thompson) to Shelbyville, Tn for the TWHNC aka The Celebration. www.twhnc.com

So without further ado, her she is.

Here she comes... but that is not me riding her.

And, she won...this is her victory pass!!!

And, here she is with a very cute 12 year old girl showing her!!!

Uh, that's obviously not me either...but she(my horse) looks awesome!!!

And, there she goes. Tennessee or Bust!!!

The Paddy Wagon Rides Again...

2007-07-12T16:05:00.000-07:00

After having misplaced the only key for many months, replaced the battery, and fixed the two back tires, the Paddy wagon is ready to roll. The Paddy needed to be driven and moved to a new parking spot for my nestitis disorder to be treated. Success! The Paddy is almost as good as new. The Paddy needs to find a new momma &/or daddy. So if anyone knows a car buff looking for that rare 1-Ton 1953 Chevrolet Panel Van, let them know that my Paddy is for sale. Sad but true...the Paddy wagon is for sale.

JULY REFERRALS

2007-07-09T18:36:00.001-07:00

This month regular referrals were allotted to those families with LID's of November 7th, 2005(!) through November 14th, 2005(!). Congrats to the new families!!! As for Chinese heritage expedited referrals no one seems to think any were allotted. So, the theory is that we(expedited) were skipped this month. Why? No one seems to have an answer for that. The families "Logged In" during June 2006 were those up next for Chinese expedited referrals. So, I wish for them a second surprise batch this month. That is what I would call Christmas in July... a second surprise referral batch. So speaking of Christmas... with the unpredictability of expedited referrals, my prediction of travelling in December 2007 is waning. But as we have been told before, we never know what the CCAA has up their sleeve. Anything is possible.
So to keep you entertained, here are some of the newly referred babies. Enjoy!!!
http://www.gettingourgirls.blogspot.com/
http://meimeimaia.spaces.live.com/
http://www.questforcadence.blogspot.com/
http://waiting4kailee.blogspot.com/
http://www.oliviadenae.blogspot.com/
http://groups.google.com/group/Mollymatthews/web/referral-photos
http://welcomehomelittleone.blogspot.com/
http://norgauer.blogspot.com/

Penthouse Pool Party....check

2007-07-06T22:53:00.000-07:00

Well, the roof deck was completed just in time to view the fireworks on the 4th of July. So, to beat the heat I "installed" a roof top pool. Check it out.

Plastic kiddie pool from Rite-Aid - $8.00
Floating froggie fountain from Big Lots - $2.00
Duckie Rug from Target - $1.00
Turtle Floatie - priceless. * Again, compliments of Dianne which was the gift that inspired the roof top pool.

HOPE YOU HAD A HAPPY 4TH...

2007-07-05T08:20:00.000-07:00

FRIED GREEN TOMATOES, FLAG CAKE & FIRECRACKER ONSIE *Onsie compliments of the one and only... Dianne.

Per Susan's request the following is my
Easy Breezy Fried Green Tomato recipe. I preface this recipe with saying that I like them thin and crispy.
4 green tomatoes sliced thin
Mixture of cornmeal, garlic powder optional and pepper optional.
Buttermilk
Dip tomato slices into buttermilk then dredge them in the cornmeal mixture. (This is a messy process.)
I pan fry these in vegetable oil until slightly brown and then do the flipside. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with salt immediately. (If you are doing a second batch, you may need to add more oil.) It is best to eat these immediately but if you can't or you have leftovers....then you can "re-fry" them. I have and they were even better! I also like to make BFT's with them. That is a Bacon and Fried Tomato sandwich. Mayo is optional but highly recommended on toast. When I "re-fry" them for a BFT sandwich I like to fry the bacon first then then use the bacon grease for the "re-frying" of the tomatoes. I know it's bad for you but how many times a year are you going to find green tomatoes. So enjoy them that once a year you have them!!!
PS. I also use this same process for my fried pickles and fried okra.
PPS. I found my green tomatoes at the Santa Monica Farmer's Market on Main Street but Susan you could check the farmer's market in Athens if you are over there early in the morning. It is down the hill from Kreme Delight.

DIAGNOSIS NESTITIS...

2007-06-05T05:09:00.000-07:00

Well, after the husband went to work.... I had a major attack of nesting. It was a now or never episode. So, it resulted in more of a now episode.
Do you think there is medication or therapy for this kind of attack??? And, is that medication or therapy CCAA approved??? Until, that is determined I will continue on the path of destruction until my new contractor can be prescribed.

Peek-a-Boo

PS. The husband should have known this day was coming but he had no idea it was today/yesterday. "SURPRISE HONEY!!!"

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY....

2007-05-31T09:42:00.000-07:00

And, boy have I gotten some awesome gifts which I will post later after I check on the construction crew....

What a special doll from Dianne.

And this inflatable tub quacks!

Leave it to Dianne to find the most interesting book!

WE INTERRUPT THIS BIRTHDAY TO BRING YOU THE ROACH COACH THAT CAME TO MY HOUSE!!!
MOM IS BUYING ME A VERY SPECIAL BIRTHDAY LUNCH... the best BLT I have ever eaten! WHO ELSE HAD A ROACH COACH SHOW UP AT THEIR HOUSE FOR THEIR VERY OWN BIRTHDAY LUNCH?!? PROBABLY JUST ME.

Check out this super chic reed diffuser that Kathy, my Mandarin teacher and friend gave me. How sweet is that!?! And, the perfect stainless steel thermos to carry to China for keeping Maxine's water warm for her formula is, of course, from the the most fabulous...Dianne.

Ooooo, look at the cute little sporty shoes for Maxine from Dianne!!

And, look at these Nike SBs Bears from Mok. Anybody else have any of these??? The brown material is actually Teddy Bear material!

There are so many more presents to post. I am a lucky girl.

OPENING CAN OF WORMS.....

2007-05-30T21:20:00.000-07:00

HOLeeeee GUACAMOLE!!!! I have officially started our remodel. Oh my... it is worse than nerve racking when it is your own home. It is a gut wrenching, butterfly inducing, tummy trouble test of nerves, patience, & a juggling of workers(and foremen), truck parking, phone calls, etc... as well as a string of first day disasters.
It is only the second day and I'm on my second foreman. And, why you ask.

DISASTER #1 was noticed on our(my mom's and mine) return to my house yesterday. I spotted broken glass in the driveway. Hmmm, what is that from??? Look up. Oh ****!!! What the **** happened!!!? Oh, I bet they threw a piece of demo'ed plywood off the roof and it hit the window. What dummies! Why didn't they just carry it down like I asked them if they were going to do? So, I go up into the guestroom where the broken window is. OMG! They didn't even knock out the large jagged pieces of glass hanging from the frame or clean up the broken glass! (My mom is visiting and obviously staying in that guestroom... the suitcase full of broken glass and clothes should have been a dead giveaway!) And, all they did was tape a piece of saran wrap like plastic over the broken glass and window frame??? What the ****!??? H E L L O... this is LA. How could they think someone could sleep in there like that!? IDIOTS! So, after a couple of phone calls to and from the construction company owner, workers were sent back to board up the window and clean the glass. HA... what did I expect from a man??? Surely not the glass cleaned up, did I??? Nope, didn't happen. And, I told the constr. co. owner that. What a way to start a job. So, today they installed new glass in the window...of course not tempered and not coated like mine was. Arghhhhh!!!! Corner cutters! Not liking their work.

OOPS!!!

DISASTER #2 was not really determined until this morning. So, this morning after dealing with my doggie being sick everywhere, my mom said that I should check the water heater. She said that there was no hot water to wash her hair. Hmmm? What else could go wrong this morning? NEVER, EVER utter or think those words when doing a remodel! So I asked DH if he had hot water. (Our bathroom uses a different water heater.) NOPE. No hot water. I'm sure that was a refreshing way to start the day after working til midnight and having an 8 o'clock meeting to attend... NOT. Oh, how awful for him. So.... my helpful DH rushes out to turn the gas back on. OOPS, not a good idea we decide... because he has to leave before lighting all the pilots, etc. And, after inspecting the gas meter closer it was damaged from the flying plywood, also. The 5 month-new gas meter was damaged and the impact had turned the gas off to the house. So, I call the plumbing company... ugh. I fortunately had an appointment for other plumbing issues for this morning. But when I called they couldn't come til 9AM and they didn't arrive til 9:30ish. The plumber assesses the problem, makes a quote, leaves for parts. {BTW, THE PROBLEM IS NOT JUST A CRUSHED BRACKET, TWISTED PIPES, LACK OF GAS, OR PILOTS IN NEED OF LIGHTING... THERE IS A BREAK IN THE PIPE AND THERE IS A GAS LEAK!!! WHAT?!! I GUESS I'M LUCKY THERE WAS NO EXPLOSION. HOW THAT CONSTRUCTION COMPANY COULD LEAVE ME OVERNIGHT WITH A DANGEROUS SITUATION LIKE THAT WITHOUT EVEN A PHONE CALL, EMAIL, OR NOTE, IS BEYOND MY COMPREHENSION??!!!?} Then, more calls to the constr. co. owner. Relay the quote. He(the GC), then, behind my back re-negotiates the quote. I'm sure the plumbing company will never come back to work for me(not that I will call them again). And, if the plumbing company can decrease the original quote that much, then what did they NOT do up to code and what corners did they cut??? OH ME...this is quite an experience! I am not a happy camper with this construction company or plumbing company. What a tummy twistin' time I have had today...all while celebrating my birthday a day early with Dianne and Mom. Aahhhh, what a nice time we had at dimsum(yummy, relaxing, and presents!)... even though my doggies had to come with me and stay in the car because of the plumber being everywhere in the house and the construction workers in and out of the house. Poor doggies but LUCKY ME! Dianne gives awesome presents!!! More to come on that ASAP.

6 MONTHS AND.... still counting

2007-05-18T14:14:00.000-07:00

We have just passed our official 6 Month LID anniversary. For you outsiders regarding the lingo, that means we have had our application logged in with the CCAA for 6 months now. Dare I say... we are halfway there? Only time will tell.
When we started this process, we were told the wait would be about 6 months until we got our referral. Then a month and half into the wait, we were told it would be a year from LID to referral. So who knows how long this wait will actually stretch out to be???
I just have to say if the original prediction of 6 months were true, I would be up a creek without a paddle. (See photos of my jobsite under the Alabama Derby post - yikes!) I still feel like I am headed upstream and that paddle is just within reach. So, I am about to take hold of that paddle and shoot the rapids in a mad rush to "get ready." Anyone that gets in my way better be wearing their life preserver...cuz momma's gotta nest. And boy, does that nest need some major re-nesting. Pics to follow soon.
Of course, if our referral fell out of the sky tomorrow, I would drop everything to attend to that and be overcome with pure joy and sheer bliss but since that is highly unlikely I am working like a dog until that referral arrives. And, speaking of working like a dog... Mok is the hardest working dog of all. He is putting in about 80 hours a week. Aaaaah, the life and times of a FOGA architect.
SO, HAPPY 6 MONTH LID ANNIVERSARY TO US!!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

2007-05-13T10:11:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day to my mother, my mother-in-law, my sisters (Chavigny and Jamie), my friend (Dianne, who is a mother-to-be), and to all the other mothers waiting for their babies from China. I received my first Mother's Day cards and Mother's Day presents this year since I am a mother-to-be, also. Chavigny (my sister) gave me a "mother-to-be" card that was spoken like a true experienced mommy and 6 stainless steel egg cups. How sweet of Chavigny to think of me.

And, a "secret pal" sent me a big package of surprises and a card. I, of course, knew it was Dianne. What a great surprise! The red onsie says Lil' Fire Cracker and was wrapped in glitterama tissue stamped with, "going 2b just like my mommy." How cute is that?! She also gave me the Best Friends For Frances book, a "boo boo bubba" cold pack for my doggies, a sandwich cutter, a "mommy's little girl" bib, toddler toothpaste and gum brush all wrapped in colorful tissue with ladybug stickers and a secret pal card. Dianne is da' bomb!!! I love all the unexpected goodies!!!

So, this past week I sent my mother an orchid arrangememt in a silver vase. BUT...the big gift for Mother / touching news of the day... we decided to finally tell Mother that we are naming the baby-to-be after her mother (who we girls called Nana). So it's official. Baby-to-be has a name. She is Maxine. And, I thought it an appropriate Mother's Day gift for her since she lost her mother (Maxine) 20 years ago today. I know Nana and Papa Fred would be honored. And, we hope to have our Maxine (formerly known as Baby-to-be & POD) home with us at least by the next Mother's Day. Fingers crossed that will happen.

THE ALABAMA DERBY...

2007-05-07T08:30:00.000-07:00

So, the race is on to see what happens first. Will my project cross the finish line first or will our referral sneak up from behind and win by a cute little nose?? On your mark, get set, GO!!! Actually, the project is on the home stretch (minus the 2nd phase of the 8 car garage-ma-hal / office) and the referral is just rounding the first turn. So my prediction is that Phase 1 (the residence) will be complete prior to referral and Phase 2 (the garage-ma-hal) will be complete.... who knows when??? Phase 2 is just loading into the starting gate. So, here are some pics of the progress of the interior construction. It is still quite a mess but, I see paint on the walls. That is progress. Now, if we can get to the floor installation and refinishing, I would be cheering. As for the cabinets, forget about it. I may have to get "T" to come down and strongarm these guys. How hard is it to get a vertical grain douglas fir, flat panel cabinet anyway??? You would think I was asking them for neurosurgery. Geez, it's just cabinetry!!! IKEA, here I come.

PS. The pictures of the horse arena are from The West Coast Tennessee Walking Horse Trainer's Show in Pomona, CA. My horse, "She's All That Jazz" won a first and a second. And, she could be your's, if the price is right!!!

5 MONTH LID ANNIVERSARY

2007-04-17T23:05:00.000-07:00

Well, 5 months down. How many to go??? Only the CCAA will know.

EASTER BUNNY SIGHTING IN VENICE!!!!

2007-04-08T14:32:00.000-07:00

The Easter Bunny does exist!!! The EB's(aka Dianne & Dave) surprised us this morning with this yummy looking Easter bread ring with colored easter eggs baked into it. I can't wait to try it! And, check out the cute little bunny card on the bread ring...too cute!

WELL HERE IT IS...the big green monsters

2007-03-26T17:10:00.000-07:00

I have been fretting(completely obsessed!) over luggage for the trip to China. Well, here it is. My sister gave it to me for Christmas and it just arrived this month. These are the last pieces of this style and color in existence. Jamie pleaded, begged, wrote letters, & told everyone at the distributor and manufacturer about our Chinese adoption to obtain these. The manufacturer now knows us by name. It was a huge ordeal to get this....but here it is in all it's glory.... the brightest neon lime green luggage on the planet earth!!!! (We will not have trouble spotting which suitcase is ours.) Of course, Mok may not want to claim "the big green monsters" but he'll get over it. Well, these may be big but they are super light weight and roll like a dream on 4 very durable looking casters/spinners. I can highly recommend this brand. (And, for all you people out there who are scared of color, they have black. I sent Jamie the black set for Christmas and she says it is very classic...but I like my lime green better.)
PS. The brand of the luggage is International Traveller.

EXTREME MAKEOVER (Bunny Edition)

2007-03-26T17:07:00.000-07:00

After years of disrepair, my little stuffed chenille bunny from childhood was sent in for a makeover. He checked in at Dianne's for some restoration on his heiney and a lip implant. {Vanderbilt, Jamie's late doggie had torn a hole in his heiney years ago.} As well as a heiney lift and new floral cottontail, he also had an apparent sex change. He is now known as "Carrotina." He received pink ribbons in his floppy ears. And, he/she also received a new wardrobe that any transgender bunny would die to have... a pink jumper dress with a carrot pocket and a lace-trimmed eyelet slip. So, Carrotina, the adorable transgender bunny is ready and waiting for Baby2B. Of course, we won't discuss transgender bunnies with Baby2B for years to come. ; )

GUNG HAY FAT CHOY!!!

2007-02-18T08:37:00.000-08:00

3 MONTH LID ANNIVERSARY

2007-02-17T09:42:00.000-08:00

Our dossier (paperwork/ application) has been "officially" logged into the CCAA (China Center of Adoption Affairs) for 3 months. I know that is not long in the overall scheme of waiting for a referral these days. (Our friends, D&D have been logged in almost 11 months.) But hey, I feel like we are making progress. The next batch of referrals is due out at the end of February or beginning of March...due to the Chinese New Year holiday. Those referrals will most likely go to waiting parents that were logged in from October 14, 2005(!) through the end of October 2005(!) as well as waiting parents with Chinese Expedited Status that were logged in during the month of April 2006. So with a LID (That is Chinese adoption lingo for "Log In Date.") of November 17, 2006, we are expecting our referral to arrive in October (or November) of 2006. We are, of course hoping for sooner. Let's speculate some more... "If" our referral arrives in mid November like our adoption facilitator predicts, then we would more than likely be travelling to China to go get Baby-girl Mok somewhere around December 20th, 2006. Uh... that means Christmas in China??? Folks, we are just speculating here. Don't make any plans yet...but you can place bets on when the referral will arrive. I am betting October 19th. I am hoping May or June so that we would travel July or August so that all who want to come along on this journey to meet the newest Beasley-Mok can do so. In all honesty, I don't think there is any hope of a May referral. I selfishly wanted a May referral so that I could be back in time for the Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration with Baby-girl Mok. I wanted to take her to Shelbyville, Tn to meet her Auntie Chavigny, Uncle Mike, Cousin Jeb, and Lil' Cousin Jasper. http://www.twhnc.com
So, get out your crystal balls, tea leaves, or whatever insider information you have and PLACE YOUR BETS!!! The winner of this contest to receive ... Hmmm? I don't know what the prize is yet. Any ideas on that too? A months supply of previously used diapers??? Nah, just kidding. How about a special gift brought back from our trip to China??? Or...???
FYI: Our mini LID anniversary cakes that Mok bought for us are from Jin Patisserie.
http://www.jinpatisserie.com

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY... just practicing

2007-02-14T23:08:00.000-08:00

Yummies for our future daughter's Valentine's Day included heart shaped Rice Krispy Treats made with pink marshmallows(2 adult sized and 1 baby sized), Red Velvet cupcakes with pink frosting and sprinkles, bite size Red Velvet heart mini's, and assorted candies. I am going through my "Pink Phase." Do you think they make green marshmallows for St. Patrick's Day shamrock treats???
PS. Happy 10th Anniversary to Jamie and Steven!!! For those of you who don't know, they were married outside in the snow with 10 guests, 60 Alaskan sled dogs and 6 "mushers". It was the most exhilarating, beautiful, wonderful day in Aspen at Krabloonik. A day none of us will ever forget.

http://www.krabloonik.com

VIDEO OF A CHINESE ORPHANAGE

2007-02-07T08:23:00.000-08:00

http://www.ouraussiechinababy.blogspot.com/2006/09/yangxi-swi-video.html

Look at all the cute babies. Do you see your baby here??? I believe this video was taken in September 2006.

WHO'S THE CUTEST DOGGIE?!?

2007-01-22T19:30:00.000-08:00

LOOK AT MY CUTE DOGGIE RIDING IN THE BASKET OF MY NEW TRIKE. SHE IS THE CUTEST! WHEN SHE IS UP TO IT, WE LOVE CRUISIN' THE BOARDWALK. OTHERWISE, DIANNE AND I HIT THE BIKE PATH. OF COURSE, DIANNE RIDES HER OWN BIKE. ; )

78 DAYS AGO....

2007-01-05T17:38:00.001-08:00

Hello Everyone,
We just wanted to share our little bit of good news. 78 days ago we were DTC(Dossier to China). And, not until today at 12:33PM (Pacific time) did we just find out our LID (Log in Date) which is the "official date" that the CCAA put our application into their system. Can you believe it took 78 days to find out our LID?! 78 days! So our LID is (drum roll, please) November 17, 2006!!! WOO-HOO!!! FINALLY! So, this is the date that we start counting from to predict our referral date. Aww, but who's counting anyway?! ME! That's who! And, Mok too.
I would also like to share what our facilitator told us today in regards to referral lengths. I don't like what I'm hearing but thought some of you might want to know.
"SO, it is taking about 10 months at this time( for expedited status), I would estimate yours will be about 12 months." WHAT?! I don't think I can count THAT high! YIKES! Oh, and she did confirm that we are in the expedited(ha) program.
LID 11-17-06 BINGO!!!
So, Mok and I are pulling out the Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose' and toasting to our "official" place in the back of the expedited line! Cyber Cheers!
And, I would like to share with you my new favorite chocolate...the Black Pearl Bar from Vosages Haut Chocolate. It is wasabi, ginger, black sesame seed and dark chocolate bar. What a combo that is!!! Unbelievably delicious! Hope it goes with Billecart-Salmon Brut Rose'.

THE POSTGAME GIFT REVIEW, a play by play...

2007-01-02T18:32:00.000-08:00

WOW, doesn't even cover it. My family was very generous with tres chic and super cool gifts. We are so lucky to have such caring family. I think "Baby 2B" being the first niece and granddaughter has it's advantages. So, onto the loot....
Jamie gave us a pre-xmas gift of the most super hip hat anyone has ever created. It is beyond description...knit, stripes of pale yellow and pink, peaked beanie by Moppitt. Watch out Venice Beach. Here comes the soon-to-be reigning princess of the funkalicious fashionistas! Unbelievable! And, as if you could follow up that hat with anything... not just 1 but 2 pairs of super cute Robeez shoes...pink with cupcakes and hot pink with ponies. And, I love ponies(especially Butterscotch, the pony Mother bought for her grandchildren)!!! Cupcakes and ponies!!! Every little (and big) girls favorites. And, for Christmas Jamie gave Mok(for "Baby 2B") some Binkster Tushie Buddies...that's diaper covers for "ya'll" not in the know. They are reversible with Chinese red silk brocade on one side and faux leopard on the reverse. Mok was not so sure what they were when he opened them. Then he pretended they were for him. Oh, what a silly "daddy 2B" he is.
Never to be out done in the shopping department, Chavigny gave "Baby 2B" the cutest(ZACKALI 4 KIDS)ensemble that I have ever seen. It is hand-knitted cotton in a thistle color with giant lime polka dots that remind me of the tops of parasols. And, it is beyond adorable.
Then, there were lots of stocking stuffers from Mother, errr...Santa. White fuzzy booties, white mittens, and a white knit hat with multi colored braids...we are ready for a White Christmas. Mother also gave "Baby 2B" a Baby Einstein Comfy chair that has a caterpillar for a back which I caught Mok using yesterday as a computer chair. Mother also gave Mok the coolest diaper bag ever! It is the Diaper Dude bag...(camouflage with orange zippers)which I plan to borrow.
And, our friends, Dianne and Dave gave us a CD of Chinese lullabies, how lovely they are...the lullabies and D&D.
Thanks everyone for including "Baby 2B" in Christmas 2006!
Oh, and the coolest gift ever is what my dad gave me...an adult size teal metallic colored trike with a basket on the back!!! How fun is that?! And, thank-you Jeb for picking the perfect color!

Christmas (has) Past

2007-01-02T11:00:00.000-08:00

Belated Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!! I have been without a functioning computer in Alabama for 28 days...but who is counting??? Me! It seems I'm always counting. Counting and speculating on how long until we get our LID!!!(Our DTC was 10-19-06! Yikes! Are we lost in the mass of dossiers?!) How long til the next batch of referrals? How long til we get our referral? How many days between referrals? How far will the CCAA(Chinese Center of Adoption Affairs)get with the next batch of referrals? Counting and speculating.
So during my 28 days in Alabama(minus the 3 days each way to drive there and back with our 2 dogs), I spent them working on my parents' remodel and addition project and preparing for a big family Christmas...but mostly working/ fussing/ pleading/ problem solving and some not-so-nice yelling...oops. Oh, and let's not forget to mention falling in an unmarked trench in the dark of night. That's when I did my not-so-nice yelling. The falling in the trench was not just me. It was both dogs and me. Oh, what a ruckus I made. It was a chaotic trip to say the least.
While I was there I did do some fun things like decorate a pink Christmas tree that my mom bought in honor of "baby-2B." And my mom and Joy hosted their 30 something annual cookie swap. That is always fun. Next year I'm hoping to take along our little bundle of joy to her first cookie swap. We did get to spend a lot of quality time "bonding"(as Steven, my BIL) would say with my 4 nephews. Remember...I said it was chaotic. There were tons of toys, 3 turkeys, 2 honey baked hams, 5 cakes, at least 12 dozen cookies, 5 xmas trees, 12 people, lots of noise, 5 dogs, 2 tricycles, 5 cars, 1 new truck, and red mud everywhere....as well as a construction crew working on my parents' project next door and in the yard. It was a tornado of constant chaos and eating. Ahhhh, the holidays. I will do the postgame gift review this afternoon. : ) As of right now.... I hear some west coast agencies are making their referral calls and at least one expedited couple has received their referral. Congrats to Allison and Adam!!! (Expedited couples are those couples with Chinese ancestry...which we are because Mok was born in Hong Kong as well as his mom. His dad("Daddy-Mok") and grandfather were born in the Guangdong province of mainland China.)

SHE'S A RAMBLIN' WRECK?!?

2006-11-25T15:27:00.000-08:00

Look what Grandy-Bear sent "baby-girl." Just think, there is a baby-girl somewhere in China already destined for Georgia Tech. This has got to be the cutest care package ever!!! It even came packed with pink tissue paper! And, check out the baby-girl yellow jacket in the crib and the "Baby Buzz Club" sippy cup with matching rattle. Guess it is time to start a college fund. Who would have guessed that the first baby care package would come from my dad?!? And, he did it all by himself. WOW. This one brought me to tears.
Thank-you to Grandy-Bear (AKA Daddy-Bear and a former Georgia Tech football player).

Baby's First Jumper

2006-11-25T14:58:00.000-08:00

My friend, Dianne made me this Do-It-Herself jumper from a vintage pattern with this very cute "car" fabric and snaps. This is what "baby-girl" will wear when we visit Marme' at her farmhouse. I can just see "baby-girl" now...running around in the grass chasing lightning bugs under the big trees in front of the farmhouse.
Thank-you for this wonderful gift, Dianne.

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

2006-11-21T09:02:00.000-08:00

HowManyOfMe.com

There are:
7
people with my name
in the U.S.A.

How many have your name?

2006-11-18T21:56:00.000-08:00

DTC 10-19-06
LID to be determined....

THE CHINA EXPEDITION

Time flies.... : )

GUESS WHAT HAPPENED ONE YEAR AGO TODAY?!???

MEMORIAL DAY

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT????

LITTLE MISS MAXINE

BiBi, her bonnet & bag of tricks...

HAPPY EASTER!!!

S. O. S.

A MOST IMPORTANT DAY!!!!

GONG HEY PHAT CHOY

GUESS WHAT HAPPENED 6 MONTHS AGO....

SANTA CLAUS DOES EXIST....

HERE COMES SANTA CLAUS...

BIBI & MAXINE ARE 1 TODAY!!!!

FIRST PLACE AND THE BLUE RIBBON GOES TO......

FISHY FACE

Just Chillin'....

"WE'RE LUCKY THEY'RE ALIVE"

Some new old pictures from Tennessee...

What you really want to see....

WE'RE HOME.....finally!!!!

AUGUST 21ST FROM AUNT JAMIE

FROM AUNT JAMIE

GOTCHA DAY WAS MONDAY THE 21ST!!!!

WE ARE IN CHINA!!!

8 MONTHS OLD....

DOUBLE HAPPINESS..........

IT'S LOOKING LIKE DOUBLE TROUBLE.....

STORK ALERT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY AND I'LL RIDE MY HORSE IF I WANT TO....

NO NEWS IS NOT NECESSARILY GOOD NEWS...in this case.

NEW VIDEO...of my horse.

Just A Heads Up ..for my family and friends

JUST HORSIN' AROUND....out in Indio

HOPE YOU HAD A HOPPY EASTER!!! woof, woof

MYTH BUSTED: 3rd Time Is NOT the Charm!!!

Eight More Mile to Louisville

This is Fun!!!!

FLOWERS FOR ME!!!

WE'RE "NOT EXPECTING"....

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!

GUNG HAY FAT CHOY!!!

NEW CHINA WEATHER UPDATES

Korean BBQ

WEATHER UPDATE IN CHINA

(*^&%*(#^(*_#_+_*-&&@@!!!

Overdue Christmas Wrap Up

JAPANESE???

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED....well sort of.

MOK IS 40!!!!

I'VE BEEN TAGGED!!!

1 YEAR AND COUNTING....

To Maxine. From Marme'.

DOUBLE DIGITS!!!!

DID I EVER SHOW YOU THESE???

THE HUNTSVILLE TIMES

LUCKY ME...

FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE....

THE OCTOBER BATCH

WHAT'S MY FUNKY INNER HAIR COLOR?!?

"THE GARAGE-MA-HALL"...work update

Meanwhile Back at the Farm....

ON THE ROAD...

The Maiden Voyage

THE AIRSTREAM DREAM....

HERE WE ARE....AT THE TWHNC

8 months and still counting.....

HORSIN' AROUND....

The Paddy Wagon Rides Again...

JULY REFERRALS

Penthouse Pool Party....check

HOPE YOU HAD A HAPPY 4TH...

DIAGNOSIS NESTITIS...

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY....

OPENING CAN OF WORMS.....

6 MONTHS AND.... still counting

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

THE ALABAMA DERBY...

5 MONTH LID ANNIVERSARY

(^&%(#^(_#_+_-&&@@!!!