PC and I had loads of fun together this weekend. Friday night we played Wii. PC beat me so many times in MarioKart that I finally insisted we switch games. I tried to do it nicely. Not like the time he beat me at Wii lightsaber fighting and I threw the controller and the couch and said I wasn't going to play with him anymore. "Fine," he said, and he hasn't played that game with me since. So I knew I better be nice about getting whooped at MarioKart. And I was! PC played Rock Band with me. He was the guest bassist in my band, The Godfathers.
Saturday we went to Six Flags with adult friends. Most of our trips to Six Flags have involved the youth group. Going with just adults was great! I don't really like roller coasters, but I thoroughly enjoyed sitting in the shade and knitting while everyone else went on the big rides. Just to prove I wasn't a total wuss, I said I would ride the Screaming Eagle, one of the smaller wooden roller coasters. I played the Big Girl, but inside I was hella nervous. When we got to the front of the line, the coaster shut down for repairs. Saved by the maintenance guy! I got street cred AND I didn't have to risk my life.
I used to love roller coasters. Once, when I was in high school, I rode the Texas Giant 10 times in one day. The Texas Giant is a real gut blender - the kind of experience you don't do unless you have a chiropractic adjustment scheduled the next day. And I could ride it all day long. (Heh, heh.) Anyway, a few years ago PC and I hit Six Flags with the youth group. We went straight to The Boss, Missouri's version of the Texas Giant. Halfway through the ride, I knew something was not right. I desperately wanted to get off. I kept looking all around for a way out, an emergency brake or even a parachute. When the ride stopped, I had the shakes all over. I tried to hide it, but as soon as PC asked, "Are you OK?" I started crying. I was surprised because I really thought I liked roller coasters. I guess somewhere between the age of 18 and 25, my G-force tolerance dipped to almost nothing. I wonder whether knitting and roller-coasting are mutually exclusive hobbies. I mean, obviously you can't do both at once - knitting on a roller coaster would be a good way to get a stick in your eye. But maybe you can't even like them both at once. I started knitting when I was 23, so the timing would be just about right. If I could go back in time, I would still become a knitter and sacrifice roller coasters.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
How adoption messes with your mind
I saw this flier at church on Sunday night, and read only certain words.
I was filled with joy. I could totally adopt a three-year-old black American girl named Chelsea! She needs me! And I need her, for Heaven's sake!
Then, read all the words on the flier.
I know the photo is blurry, but it clearly says, "Feline." It was for a cat, not a human. I move that from now on, the word "adoption" should only be used to refer to parent-child relationships. We should "pass" laws, "start using" new technology and "bring home" new pets. It will make life much less confusing for those of us who are obsessed with adoption.
I was filled with joy. I could totally adopt a three-year-old black American girl named Chelsea! She needs me! And I need her, for Heaven's sake!
Then, read all the words on the flier.
I know the photo is blurry, but it clearly says, "Feline." It was for a cat, not a human. I move that from now on, the word "adoption" should only be used to refer to parent-child relationships. We should "pass" laws, "start using" new technology and "bring home" new pets. It will make life much less confusing for those of us who are obsessed with adoption.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Are we there yet?
We don't know yet when Vivine is coming home. It is a touchy subject. That does not keep every person we know from asking about it. I have considered a form of retaliation in which I inquire about upcoming events in others' lives with the tenacity of an impatient four-year-old on a 10-hour car ride. Imagine:
"Have you decided when you're going to retire? I mean, do you have a date? Why is it taking so long for you to retire? I really hope it happens soon for you. Will you tell me as soon as you decide? Promise?"
For good measure, I will throw in a story about someone I know who did something similar and it went horribly wrong:
"My friend recently retired, and he loves it. Well, everything except the government health insurance. He has to take blood pressure medicine and it costs a thousand dollars a month. Plus, he lost half of his pension when the stock market crashed, so he had to get a part-time job as a night cashier at QT. He developed gout, and I think he's getting depressed. But I'm sure that won't happen to you. Your retirement is going to be great."
Of course, I never would actually say anything like that aloud. (Just publish it to the Internet where it will live in perpetuity. I am going to claim the "I-didn't-say-it-to-her-face" defense.)
It is almost September. How can we still be doing this? I suppose I should say something about God and how his grace is the only reason I have survived the adoption without becoming an alcoholic. And that's true. But I also want everyone to know that the unbelievable dragging-out of this adoption is as much of an unpleasant surprise to me as it is to you. I really thought we would have our daughter by now. So, the next time you want to ask me, "Are you there yet?" ask God instead. God has the power to spring Vivine from Haiti, and if fervent petitioning hasn't gotten it done yet, maybe incessant whining will.
"Have you decided when you're going to retire? I mean, do you have a date? Why is it taking so long for you to retire? I really hope it happens soon for you. Will you tell me as soon as you decide? Promise?"
For good measure, I will throw in a story about someone I know who did something similar and it went horribly wrong:
"My friend recently retired, and he loves it. Well, everything except the government health insurance. He has to take blood pressure medicine and it costs a thousand dollars a month. Plus, he lost half of his pension when the stock market crashed, so he had to get a part-time job as a night cashier at QT. He developed gout, and I think he's getting depressed. But I'm sure that won't happen to you. Your retirement is going to be great."
Of course, I never would actually say anything like that aloud. (Just publish it to the Internet where it will live in perpetuity. I am going to claim the "I-didn't-say-it-to-her-face" defense.)
It is almost September. How can we still be doing this? I suppose I should say something about God and how his grace is the only reason I have survived the adoption without becoming an alcoholic. And that's true. But I also want everyone to know that the unbelievable dragging-out of this adoption is as much of an unpleasant surprise to me as it is to you. I really thought we would have our daughter by now. So, the next time you want to ask me, "Are you there yet?" ask God instead. God has the power to spring Vivine from Haiti, and if fervent petitioning hasn't gotten it done yet, maybe incessant whining will.
Monday, August 17, 2009
If you really want to know...
After two years in the adoption process, I finally found a Web site that describes each step in succession. This must be a new site. When we started the process two years ago, I had to piece everything together from blogs, message boards and interviews with other adoptive parents.
To get an idea of what we've gone through, visit http://adoption.state.gov/country/haiti.html. We are in the final step, "U.S. Immigrant Visa."
To get an idea of what we've gone through, visit http://adoption.state.gov/country/haiti.html. We are in the final step, "U.S. Immigrant Visa."
The latest
Remember when every blog post I wrote had a unifying topic with an interesting lead sentence and several supporting anecdotes? Those days are over. Right now, all of my brain power is focused on keeping the crazy inside. I am a woman on the edge, y'all. My baby is THIS CLOSE and, yet, I have no actual idea when she is coming home. I am exhausted, moody and anxious - above all anxious. From here until I-don't-know-when, blog posts will consist of random nuggets of information and photos taken with my new, awesome camera. Even italicizing and shrinking the size of my photo captions seems overwhelming. So you'll just have to deal with regular font for the time being.
Random nugget #1: We started remodeling the kitchen.
Bye-bye ugly tile.
Hello, gorgeous drywall.
PC did not believe I could fit that piece of Sheetrock in the trash. I did!
Random nugget 2: We harvested and ate the first watermelon. It was perfect - watery and melony, just like we meant to do it that way.
Here PC is demonstrating how the watermelon is larger than his head.
Random nugget 3: Bear is finally trying to earn his keep. He said he would pay the bills if we taught him how to read and write.
Whatever, he is just trying to get our attention by eating important papers.
Random nugget 4: I am practicing my photography skills with the new camera. Here are beautiful things from all over the house. As you can see, we have a thing for Haiti stuff, purses and Virgin Marys.
Computer. Coffee.
I tried to take a picture of this awesome cross stitch with the old camera, but it didn't look this good.
Close up of Vivine's quilt
Fridge. Lots of Haiti stuff.
Beer box. Diploma cover. Knitting.
Plant. Little statue. Cowboy hat. Yee haw!
More Haiti stuff.
Chair. Stool. Mary. Knick knacks.
Guitar. Lazy Dog.
Fancy dishes.
Morning me.
Piano. Crosses. Books. Dog food. Purses.
Door. Window. Bureau. More Marys. More Haiti stuff. More purses.
Fake flowers. Haiti painting. "Repurposed" patio furniture. (Now it's a sectional!)
Random nugget #1: We started remodeling the kitchen.
Bye-bye ugly tile.
Hello, gorgeous drywall.
PC did not believe I could fit that piece of Sheetrock in the trash. I did!
Random nugget 2: We harvested and ate the first watermelon. It was perfect - watery and melony, just like we meant to do it that way.
Here PC is demonstrating how the watermelon is larger than his head.
Random nugget 3: Bear is finally trying to earn his keep. He said he would pay the bills if we taught him how to read and write.
Whatever, he is just trying to get our attention by eating important papers.
Random nugget 4: I am practicing my photography skills with the new camera. Here are beautiful things from all over the house. As you can see, we have a thing for Haiti stuff, purses and Virgin Marys.
Computer. Coffee.
I tried to take a picture of this awesome cross stitch with the old camera, but it didn't look this good.
Close up of Vivine's quilt
Fridge. Lots of Haiti stuff.
Beer box. Diploma cover. Knitting.
Plant. Little statue. Cowboy hat. Yee haw!
More Haiti stuff.
Chair. Stool. Mary. Knick knacks.
Guitar. Lazy Dog.
Fancy dishes.
Morning me.
Piano. Crosses. Books. Dog food. Purses.
Door. Window. Bureau. More Marys. More Haiti stuff. More purses.
Fake flowers. Haiti painting. "Repurposed" patio furniture. (Now it's a sectional!)
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Chillaxin'
Chillax: Blend of "chill out" and "relax." To relax; to be laid back. Synonyms: Calm down, chill, cool it.
I promised myself that once I finished school, I would chillax for a while. You know, calm down, lie back, cool it. Here's how it has gone so far:
Our club's sole purpose was to go underneath/inside those branches and sweep up all the dead pine needles under the trees. We made little brooms for ourselves out of the longest pine needles to help us get the job done. We left the brooms under a tree and came back the next day to get any pine needles that fell overnight. It was one of the best clubs ever.
The moral of the story is: I have always preferred work to play. Now I just have more diplomas to keep straight on the wall (and dust-free).
I promised myself that once I finished school, I would chillax for a while. You know, calm down, lie back, cool it. Here's how it has gone so far:
- Saturday: Graduate, swim at friends house, watch movie while knitting. Hey, that's chillaxin'!
- Sunday: Wake up, clean house, go to church, have party with college friends, stop by barbecue with other friends, get groceries, hit up Big Lots for new home decor, cook dinner, write thank-you notes, redecorate living room.
- Monday: Leave for work at 7 a.m., come home at 5:30 p.m. Resolve adoption problem while PC cooks dinner, walk dog, dig old rug out of basement, vigorously clean rug, write more thank-you notes, place rug under furniture in living room, begin intensive study of Creole.
Our club's sole purpose was to go underneath/inside those branches and sweep up all the dead pine needles under the trees. We made little brooms for ourselves out of the longest pine needles to help us get the job done. We left the brooms under a tree and came back the next day to get any pine needles that fell overnight. It was one of the best clubs ever.
The moral of the story is: I have always preferred work to play. Now I just have more diplomas to keep straight on the wall (and dust-free).
Monday, August 10, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Shower pics
My dear friend J. Gerd. hooked me up with photos from last weekend's shower. If you weren't there, now you can see what you missed.
Me giving a speech while holding my paper very tightly.
Where's Jenni? Hiding behind the mountain of loot.
"Owe. Mai. Gawsh. Goodnight Moon is my faaaay-vorite."
The lovely assistants: T-Dogg, Jenni and Katie.
Everyone Poops is actually quite factual and unfunny.
It was really hard not to read every book as I opened it.
Slightly scandalous shot of me opening a present. I don't even wanna know how many of these shots are out there.
I really am THAT excited about the booster seat, y'all.
Mingling with our college buds.
Me giving a speech while holding my paper very tightly.
Where's Jenni? Hiding behind the mountain of loot.
"Owe. Mai. Gawsh. Goodnight Moon is my faaaay-vorite."
The lovely assistants: T-Dogg, Jenni and Katie.
Everyone Poops is actually quite factual and unfunny.
It was really hard not to read every book as I opened it.
Slightly scandalous shot of me opening a present. I don't even wanna know how many of these shots are out there.
I really am THAT excited about the booster seat, y'all.
Mingling with our college buds.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Bo-Gars and Kids Books and Bears, Oh My!
Last weekend, my one-and-only Most Fabulous Mom, a.k.a. MFM, a.k.a. Momsicle, came to town for a visit. We went to my newly christened, second-favorite place in St. Louis, the Botanical Gardens. (Busch Stadium is still and ever will be first.)
You might be surprised to find out that I love the Botanical Gardens so much. Unlike most of my other favorite places, it has no roof or walls or Internet connection. The Bo-Gar has one major thing going for it, and that is its tidiness. It's nature in its Sunday best. You can adore all the flowers and plants you want and never get mud on your shoes.
We asked a nice-looking lady to take our picture. It was, apparently, the first time she operated a camera.
MFM getting ready to say something.
I'm bringing white legs back, yeah!
The MFM came to town for a little shindig at our church in honor of Vivine's adoption. We had a glorious time. The church ladies provided good food and girliness in abundance. I'd love to show you what I mean, but I was so overcome with joy that I took not one photograph the whole time. So, if you were there and you took photos, please e-mail them to me.
Vivine got loads of presents, mostly children's books per our request. My new favorite pastime is hanging out in her room and reading stories to myself. One really nice church lady remembered that mommies like to get presents, too. She got me the perfect gift, really:
A gummy bear the size of my hand!
I am already at work fangoriously devouring it. By the time you read this, I will have eaten its face.
You might be surprised to find out that I love the Botanical Gardens so much. Unlike most of my other favorite places, it has no roof or walls or Internet connection. The Bo-Gar has one major thing going for it, and that is its tidiness. It's nature in its Sunday best. You can adore all the flowers and plants you want and never get mud on your shoes.
We asked a nice-looking lady to take our picture. It was, apparently, the first time she operated a camera.
MFM getting ready to say something.
I'm bringing white legs back, yeah!
The MFM came to town for a little shindig at our church in honor of Vivine's adoption. We had a glorious time. The church ladies provided good food and girliness in abundance. I'd love to show you what I mean, but I was so overcome with joy that I took not one photograph the whole time. So, if you were there and you took photos, please e-mail them to me.
Vivine got loads of presents, mostly children's books per our request. My new favorite pastime is hanging out in her room and reading stories to myself. One really nice church lady remembered that mommies like to get presents, too. She got me the perfect gift, really:
A gummy bear the size of my hand!
I am already at work fangoriously devouring it. By the time you read this, I will have eaten its face.
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