Thursday, March 31, 2005
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
Monday, March 28, 2005
It's coming....
Spring is on the way! I am so excited as I am discovering new life bursting forth. For me it's a time to re-evaluate my existance and a sense that it's time to make a fresh start, to fix the things that I'm not happy about in regards to my attitudes and behaviors.
Saturday, March 26, 2005
Kids!.....People!
We were at the grocery store today, Claire, Sam and I, which in itself is a mistake on a saturday never mind the sat of easter weekend! We were walking down the baking isle so I could get some shortening to make lemon meringue pie. We pulled up next to a lady wearing VERY traditional muslim attire . The only part of her face showing was her eyes. Sam looked at her and declares VERY loudly " I see God mom, I see God" he repeated this over and over only varying it to add that " I see a nice God mom!"
Eventually we made it through the throngs of people to join the super long lines. As I am standing there I suddenly feel as though my chest is getting a draft. Well, as it turns out, Sam had unzipped my sweater so there I was standing there, bra exposed to anyone who cared to check it out.
On a different note entirely... I have been following the Terri Shiavo story very closely and I cannot believe what is happening. We don't get much in the way of the story here in Canada but reading info from the US it is so scary that they can get away with what they are doing to her. Noone is listening that can do anything about it. Why is he so afraid to let them rehabilitate her? Her parents have asked him years ago to move on with his life, they would care for her. He has moved on with another woman with whom he has fathered two children. Why is he so adament. How can they know she cannot be rehabilitated after not trying for 10 years? She is not in a a permanent vegitative state if she can laugh, follow a ballon, pull away when the dr is rubbing her face with a swab, open her eyes when asked to do so....
All the money he was awarded with which he was supposed to rehabilitate her has gone to everything but that.
What kind of world are we living in? It's merciless, starving someone to death. There is a website where you can get all sorts of info www.terrisfight.net
Eventually we made it through the throngs of people to join the super long lines. As I am standing there I suddenly feel as though my chest is getting a draft. Well, as it turns out, Sam had unzipped my sweater so there I was standing there, bra exposed to anyone who cared to check it out.
On a different note entirely... I have been following the Terri Shiavo story very closely and I cannot believe what is happening. We don't get much in the way of the story here in Canada but reading info from the US it is so scary that they can get away with what they are doing to her. Noone is listening that can do anything about it. Why is he so afraid to let them rehabilitate her? Her parents have asked him years ago to move on with his life, they would care for her. He has moved on with another woman with whom he has fathered two children. Why is he so adament. How can they know she cannot be rehabilitated after not trying for 10 years? She is not in a a permanent vegitative state if she can laugh, follow a ballon, pull away when the dr is rubbing her face with a swab, open her eyes when asked to do so....
All the money he was awarded with which he was supposed to rehabilitate her has gone to everything but that.
What kind of world are we living in? It's merciless, starving someone to death. There is a website where you can get all sorts of info www.terrisfight.net
Thursday, March 24, 2005
YUMMY
Grilled Chocolate Sandwiches
Serves 4; Prep time: 15 minutes; Total time: 15 minutes
There’s always room for dessert, especially for this sweet treat; it’s delicious and takes almost no time to prepare.
2
large eggs
2
tablespoons milk
4
large slices challah or Italian Bread (cut 3/4 inch thick)
4
ounces thin semisweet chocolate bar
2
tablespoons unsalted butter
Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting
1. In a large, shallow dish, whisk together eggs and milk; set aside.
2. Form two sandwiches with the bread and chocolate (break chocolate as necessary to cover bread without extending over edges); dip both sides of sandwiches in egg mixture to coat.
3. Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat; transfer sandwiches to skillet. Cook, pressing occasionally with a spatula, until golden, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towel–lined plate. Cut in half, and dust with confectioners’ sugar before serving.
Serves 4; Prep time: 15 minutes; Total time: 15 minutes
There’s always room for dessert, especially for this sweet treat; it’s delicious and takes almost no time to prepare.
2
large eggs
2
tablespoons milk
4
large slices challah or Italian Bread (cut 3/4 inch thick)
4
ounces thin semisweet chocolate bar
2
tablespoons unsalted butter
Confectioners’ sugar, for dusting
1. In a large, shallow dish, whisk together eggs and milk; set aside.
2. Form two sandwiches with the bread and chocolate (break chocolate as necessary to cover bread without extending over edges); dip both sides of sandwiches in egg mixture to coat.
3. Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat; transfer sandwiches to skillet. Cook, pressing occasionally with a spatula, until golden, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towel–lined plate. Cut in half, and dust with confectioners’ sugar before serving.
Here I Am....
Haven't blogged in a little bit as I really have nothing to say.The weather has also been nice enough that we are outside all afternoon.
Things around here are pretty much the same as usual. I'm mising my valley friends, I'm trying to maintain this household, and trying not to lose my mind in all the lonliness and chaos that can sometimes be my day.
Bulbs are coming up, which is encouraging. My new closet is coming along nicely which means that I will soon be able to unpack more boxes. That will help clear out the other front room and we can start the process of finishing off that room. We will need to cut through the foundation to put a couple of windows in but once that is done we will be all set.
I was watching Sam with interest this morning while he ate his breakfast. He does this every morning but I had never paid too much attention. As he eats his cereal, he moves from seat to seat taking his bowl with him. The time in each seat varies depending on the amount of time before he drips milk on the table. As soon as he has done so, he moves on to the next seat. He stresses only when there are no more clean spots. To him that is easier than getting up for a cloth with which to wipe the table.
I was excited to see that starting on Saturday night they are going to have a new Little House series on ABC. It will run for one month. They claim that it will be true to the books. Claire and I are looking forward to it as we have been reading the books at bedtime.
Anyway, off to try to be productive.....
Things around here are pretty much the same as usual. I'm mising my valley friends, I'm trying to maintain this household, and trying not to lose my mind in all the lonliness and chaos that can sometimes be my day.
Bulbs are coming up, which is encouraging. My new closet is coming along nicely which means that I will soon be able to unpack more boxes. That will help clear out the other front room and we can start the process of finishing off that room. We will need to cut through the foundation to put a couple of windows in but once that is done we will be all set.
I was watching Sam with interest this morning while he ate his breakfast. He does this every morning but I had never paid too much attention. As he eats his cereal, he moves from seat to seat taking his bowl with him. The time in each seat varies depending on the amount of time before he drips milk on the table. As soon as he has done so, he moves on to the next seat. He stresses only when there are no more clean spots. To him that is easier than getting up for a cloth with which to wipe the table.
I was excited to see that starting on Saturday night they are going to have a new Little House series on ABC. It will run for one month. They claim that it will be true to the books. Claire and I are looking forward to it as we have been reading the books at bedtime.
Anyway, off to try to be productive.....
Saturday, March 19, 2005
Random Ramblings....
It's been a week of spring break. Break for who? We have been busier this week than any normal week but I guess that's the point. Karen and I took the older kids to Crystal Palace in New Brunswick. Sam stayed home with Hud so we only had to take one vehicle. The kids had a blast. Claire who is afraid of everything begged me to accompany her on the rollercoaster. She loved it, I did not!
We had someone come and look at the roof and his opinion is that we need to do the whole roof. Nice. There goes my window money! We also need to replace the side door as it is leaking down into the basement. Not a huge problem now , but it's where we are in the process of putting a closet. We don't need the closet ruined.
Hud and Daniel are away at camp for the weekend, Claire had an overnight at her Nannies house so Sam and I are just hanging out. We went shopping today and I bought a blouse. I'm thrilled with everything but the fact that it is an x-large. What is happening to my body? My arms and face seem to be losing weight, my bum looks like a saggy granny bum and my boobs are growing. I was just getting used to my body and here we go morphing again! What will the end result be this time and for how long?!?
I was examining my garden this afternoon and noticed that I have some sedum starting to send up it's new growth. What an encouraging sight.
Sam has a wart on the thumb that he sucks. Not too exciting to the average soul but for me the result of putting on a wart remover bandaid is grand. He has tried a few times to suck his thumb but quickly pulls it out as the feel isn't right. He fell asleep last night without sucking it and all day so far he hasn't. He has asked a few times to have it removed but I have been telling him it needs to stay and he just goes off to play. We may be on the road to ending the sucking routine.
~Hope everyone has a grand weekend and that you have more excitement than me!~
We had someone come and look at the roof and his opinion is that we need to do the whole roof. Nice. There goes my window money! We also need to replace the side door as it is leaking down into the basement. Not a huge problem now , but it's where we are in the process of putting a closet. We don't need the closet ruined.
Hud and Daniel are away at camp for the weekend, Claire had an overnight at her Nannies house so Sam and I are just hanging out. We went shopping today and I bought a blouse. I'm thrilled with everything but the fact that it is an x-large. What is happening to my body? My arms and face seem to be losing weight, my bum looks like a saggy granny bum and my boobs are growing. I was just getting used to my body and here we go morphing again! What will the end result be this time and for how long?!?
I was examining my garden this afternoon and noticed that I have some sedum starting to send up it's new growth. What an encouraging sight.
Sam has a wart on the thumb that he sucks. Not too exciting to the average soul but for me the result of putting on a wart remover bandaid is grand. He has tried a few times to suck his thumb but quickly pulls it out as the feel isn't right. He fell asleep last night without sucking it and all day so far he hasn't. He has asked a few times to have it removed but I have been telling him it needs to stay and he just goes off to play. We may be on the road to ending the sucking routine.
~Hope everyone has a grand weekend and that you have more excitement than me!~
Wednesday, March 16, 2005
Kissing...who knew?
Read an article today about kissing. Who knew people actually analized such things.
Kissing not only feels good on your lips and in your nether regions, smooching is actually beneficial to your health. As two tongues touch, nerve endings fire off messages to other parts of your body: various muscles clench, your lungs start to work harder and your lips swell (who needs Botox?), to name but a few. As your heart rate increases, your veins dilate and all that rushing blood can make you feel hot and sweaty. A French kiss requires the use of more than 30 facial muscles (bonjour!), toning your jaw and cheek, which in turn reduces the likelihood of sagging chops. A good make-out session burns about half the calories of jogging and makes your mouth water, which helps flush out plaque and prevent cavities. And, kissing is good for your soul, too. Physical touch boosts certain hormone levels in your body, which can create that warm, fuzzy, feels-good-all-over sensation. Nurturing, bonding and loving, the therapeutic power of a kiss may have started the first time your mom kissed a boo-boo on your elbow.
So to Cori I say, we want to see a record of the number of kissing hours you put in on a daily basis....
Kissing not only feels good on your lips and in your nether regions, smooching is actually beneficial to your health. As two tongues touch, nerve endings fire off messages to other parts of your body: various muscles clench, your lungs start to work harder and your lips swell (who needs Botox?), to name but a few. As your heart rate increases, your veins dilate and all that rushing blood can make you feel hot and sweaty. A French kiss requires the use of more than 30 facial muscles (bonjour!), toning your jaw and cheek, which in turn reduces the likelihood of sagging chops. A good make-out session burns about half the calories of jogging and makes your mouth water, which helps flush out plaque and prevent cavities. And, kissing is good for your soul, too. Physical touch boosts certain hormone levels in your body, which can create that warm, fuzzy, feels-good-all-over sensation. Nurturing, bonding and loving, the therapeutic power of a kiss may have started the first time your mom kissed a boo-boo on your elbow.
So to Cori I say, we want to see a record of the number of kissing hours you put in on a daily basis....
Saturday, March 12, 2005
In Answer to Andreas Question....
the little clear drip of snot from anyones nose!.... How can they not know it's there?
had to do it this way cos it wouldn't let me comment on yours....time to switch to haloscan
had to do it this way cos it wouldn't let me comment on yours....time to switch to haloscan
Friday, March 11, 2005
What an ordeal!
Holy cow. I have just spent the better part of an afternoon/evening trying to set Daniel up with another blog, unconnected to mine. It was far from easy but I think now we have done it. You can find him at the same address www.snowboarddude.blogspot.com I'm sure he would love any visitors......
Damn the weather!
Why is it that every time I get a chance to do something fun the weather wreaks havoc on me? We didn't go to the valley last night because we ended up with slippery roads due to snow. We are supposed to go away first thing monday morning for spring break and Karen is supposed to arrive here on Sunday but we are expecting 25 cm of snow sat-sun with high winds. ENOUGH ALREADY!!!!!!!!
I ran out for supplies this morning in case we are storm stayed and while out I went to the mall just to see if I could find the kind of winter coat I have been looking for. Nobody had the style I wanted left by the time my birthday money came but I thought I'd give it a go. Well, as luck or whatever you want to call it would have it, Reitmans had ONE coat. Just what I wanted. $160 coat, taxes included $45 and change. I guess it's my day?!?
The insurance adjuster was here today to look at the roof. He tarred it a little as we had plywood exposed. We can patch it but we figure we may as well replace the front of the house. The back and sides are good for another 5-10 yrs and I think we will leave them as they are. The roofers will come at some point today to give us a quote. Could we get anymore exciting?
I ran out for supplies this morning in case we are storm stayed and while out I went to the mall just to see if I could find the kind of winter coat I have been looking for. Nobody had the style I wanted left by the time my birthday money came but I thought I'd give it a go. Well, as luck or whatever you want to call it would have it, Reitmans had ONE coat. Just what I wanted. $160 coat, taxes included $45 and change. I guess it's my day?!?
The insurance adjuster was here today to look at the roof. He tarred it a little as we had plywood exposed. We can patch it but we figure we may as well replace the front of the house. The back and sides are good for another 5-10 yrs and I think we will leave them as they are. The roofers will come at some point today to give us a quote. Could we get anymore exciting?
Thursday, March 10, 2005
Just a note to say that my son Daniel has entered the world of blogging. His page needs a little help still but he is writing at www.snowboarddude.blogspot.com
It's Over....
and all is quiet. We survived a night and day of hurricane force winds with not too much damage. I thought for sure our big trees were heading into the house but somehow they held fast. I had visions of being pinned on the bed in a compromised position.....
Daniel ended up not having school but we didn't know til he had already gone across the street to meet his friend. So, I ran in my jammies and he decided to stay there. Half an hour later I got a call from the head of the phone tree to have me call my list. A lot of people hadn't caught the cancellation so had sent their kids. The school had not had power all night so I'm not sure why they hadn't cancelled first thing.
Off to the Valley tonight to see a production by the Woman of Wolfville called Bodies Without Borders. Two of my friends are in it, so a few friends here and I are taking a road trip. Should be a good time. Lets just hope the weather holds out til we get there and back safely.
Enjoy the day....
Daniel ended up not having school but we didn't know til he had already gone across the street to meet his friend. So, I ran in my jammies and he decided to stay there. Half an hour later I got a call from the head of the phone tree to have me call my list. A lot of people hadn't caught the cancellation so had sent their kids. The school had not had power all night so I'm not sure why they hadn't cancelled first thing.
Off to the Valley tonight to see a production by the Woman of Wolfville called Bodies Without Borders. Two of my friends are in it, so a few friends here and I are taking a road trip. Should be a good time. Lets just hope the weather holds out til we get there and back safely.
Enjoy the day....
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
Today is the day!
Today is the day that our friends wee babe has major open heart surgery. He will endure a five to six hour operation to correct some problems that keep his heart from getting oxygen. Please say a prayer or two or ten for he and his family.
Sunday, March 06, 2005
He did it!!!!!!!
Sam is now trained. Too fabulous. We went to church today in our underwear and a restaurant too. At the restaurant he told us he had to use the bafwoom. Good Boy! He told Karen later on the phone that he used the toilet at the french fry house. Funny kid.
Friday, March 04, 2005
Poor Sam....
Sam is desperate to go snowboarding at Martock so I called this morning. It is going to be awhile for him as the smallest board they have is the same height as him. The smallest boots are a size 13. He takes a 7.5. I guess he will just have to settle for Daniels old board in the back yard, and cardboard in the house.
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
Today I read something interesting...
I am still after four years struggling with moms feelings regarding my finding my birth family. I thought I might find some useful info online that would help me deal with her thoughts. She has told Hudson and others that this Christmas was very hard for her. I thought it was one of our better as I didn't yell at her. She felt as though it was a competition between she and my birth people. Anyway, as a lot of you know, I was a beast growing up. I was angry all the time, yelling crying, being hateful. I felt I didn't fit and that no-one understood me. I felt rejected, and disconnected. I stumbled upon a number of articles this afternoon that really made me take notice. 'the severing of that connection... causes a primal or narcissistic wound..which manifests in a sense of loss, basic mistrust, anxiety and depression, emotional and/or behavioural problems, and difficulties in relationships with significant others' (Verrier 1993)
~Being there to support my daughter in her search and reunion has brought us even closer as an adoptive family. When I hear that other adoptive parents are afraid of search and reunion because they fear losing their son or daughter, I am not surprised that they don't realize that it actually strengthens their relationship. I cannot imagine not supporting your son or daughter in their search and reunion journey anymore than I can imagine not allowing them to get their driver's license or go on that first date or leave home to attend the college of their choice. Why be afraid of more people that will love your son or daughter? Adoptive parents have one more parenting task to do for their adopted son or daughter than biological parents. That additional parenting task is to support them in their search for their birth family as a part of the process of their growing up adopted and feeling good about who they are and where they came from.
Adoptees often have abandonment issues from their original relinquishment. To feel abandoned a second time by their adoptive family just when they are trying to resolve these issues through search and reunion is an emotional hardship. To ignore or discount the importance of their biological family feels like genealogical genocide to some adoptees. If blended families are possible in families that divorce and marry new partners, then blended families are also possible in adopted families. Searching is not about adoption and it has nothing to do with the quality of adoptive family parenting. Searching is about relinquishment and the search for who they are as a physical person. ~
This is where mom struggles so much. She feels that I will turn against her either on my own or with their help. She has suggested that I need to choose as no-one can have two families. I don't and never have wanted two, I just want one big one that includes everyone. However, I have realized that this is not a realistic concept and so I will begin leading a secret life. She will not be totured with the knowledge of my goings on. Her being privy to the happenings in my life has only brought her pain, so this is where it stops.
She is not able to accept the fact that my emotions are everywhere. My loyalties are everywhere. My love can be everywhere. How can it be wrong that I am loved by people other than her.
For me these thoughts and the many others I read made me realize that there is nothing wrong with me( at least in this regard) and that I can own the feelings that I have. I will just keep them to myself.
~Being there to support my daughter in her search and reunion has brought us even closer as an adoptive family. When I hear that other adoptive parents are afraid of search and reunion because they fear losing their son or daughter, I am not surprised that they don't realize that it actually strengthens their relationship. I cannot imagine not supporting your son or daughter in their search and reunion journey anymore than I can imagine not allowing them to get their driver's license or go on that first date or leave home to attend the college of their choice. Why be afraid of more people that will love your son or daughter? Adoptive parents have one more parenting task to do for their adopted son or daughter than biological parents. That additional parenting task is to support them in their search for their birth family as a part of the process of their growing up adopted and feeling good about who they are and where they came from.
Adoptees often have abandonment issues from their original relinquishment. To feel abandoned a second time by their adoptive family just when they are trying to resolve these issues through search and reunion is an emotional hardship. To ignore or discount the importance of their biological family feels like genealogical genocide to some adoptees. If blended families are possible in families that divorce and marry new partners, then blended families are also possible in adopted families. Searching is not about adoption and it has nothing to do with the quality of adoptive family parenting. Searching is about relinquishment and the search for who they are as a physical person. ~
This is where mom struggles so much. She feels that I will turn against her either on my own or with their help. She has suggested that I need to choose as no-one can have two families. I don't and never have wanted two, I just want one big one that includes everyone. However, I have realized that this is not a realistic concept and so I will begin leading a secret life. She will not be totured with the knowledge of my goings on. Her being privy to the happenings in my life has only brought her pain, so this is where it stops.
She is not able to accept the fact that my emotions are everywhere. My loyalties are everywhere. My love can be everywhere. How can it be wrong that I am loved by people other than her.
For me these thoughts and the many others I read made me realize that there is nothing wrong with me( at least in this regard) and that I can own the feelings that I have. I will just keep them to myself.
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
IN LIKE A LION.....
Well, it looks like March is hitting us with a bang. We are in the midst of a snow storm that is supposed to change to a freezing rain fiasco. The school buses are not running so they have cancelled schools. Even though we only live a block away!
However maybe this means the month will head out like a lamb, nice and gentle. Gardening here we come!
update on little man- a procedure was performed on sun that is feeding oxygen to his heart through his umbilical cord. That is working well so they can hold off on the surgery for a bit. He was able to be held and nursed which is a good thing. He will remain in the hospital until the surgery but after if all goes well, he will be able to go home in three days. Please keep praying for the whole family as it is still a very difficult time for them. They meet with the dr. today so pray that they will have an understanding of what needs to be done. Thanks.
However maybe this means the month will head out like a lamb, nice and gentle. Gardening here we come!
update on little man- a procedure was performed on sun that is feeding oxygen to his heart through his umbilical cord. That is working well so they can hold off on the surgery for a bit. He was able to be held and nursed which is a good thing. He will remain in the hospital until the surgery but after if all goes well, he will be able to go home in three days. Please keep praying for the whole family as it is still a very difficult time for them. They meet with the dr. today so pray that they will have an understanding of what needs to be done. Thanks.
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