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Run down before I blow this popsicle stand

Have deleted my excitement over the the secret pal that I was assigned. I decided that I had said too much, and didn't want her to have a clue of who I am. So I wonder, wonder, wonder who she might be???

I am out of here again for 2 weeks. I am off to help the "the keeper of the nest" If you don't already know my best friend(for 20 years) is pregnant with her 3rd child and on full bed rest with a 3 & 5 year old. So I am going back to help keep them afloat. So won't be posting much if at all. I will be watching though. I will try and check in with you all in about a week or so if I have some down time.

I have been able to at least get my ETSY site up and running. So you can go here to see what I have. I have posted it all on here, but now you can officially buy it without emailing me. I have not gotten everything up yet, but will once I return. Taking good pictures of your products is the hard part. Thank you to my helper for getting my banner up and looking so pinkalicious. My web site is still under construction. But hopefully will be up and working soon. I really appreciate everyone thus far who has bought something from me!! I hope you are enjoying what you bought, because I really enjoyed making it for you.

Here is some really interesting news. I think we are going to host a Chinese Exchange Student starting in August for the school year. She is from the Chongqing Province, she will turn 17 right after she arrives. She will be a sophomore in HS, she came to the US last summer for just a month long exchange. She is in the top 5% of her class of 1000, and she looks darling. Not really sure what prompted this decision, but we are both are very excited, and as we were making the final decision today, we ran into a family at the grocery that is hosting a girl from Thailand who is approx the same age and has been here for most of the school year. Her English was beautiful, and she said it was the opportunity of a lifetime, and that she is having a great time. She said she was homesick the first month, and now she says.....not so much with a BIG grin on her face. She said she even got to go to the Caribbean. The mom said it had been a great experience, and that they would probably host again next year. So that is BIG news around our house. We think it will be a great opportunity for us to learn a lot about Chinese first hand. Hopefully she will be helpful in tutoring us in Chinese; especially helping us with our tones. She says she loves to cook, and hopes to be able to teach us to cook Chinese food. So I think she is going to be a great fit for our family.

So that is about it from Texas. When I return from this trip we are headed to meet a few other adopting families for a weekend in Austin. We are really excited to meet everyone, and I think it will be a lot of fun! So to all that will be there that weekend, we are looking forward to meeting you all. Have a safe trip to the Lone Star State, and don't drink too many margaritas before we get there!!!

So I will look forward to checking on you all. I am hoping to hear that The Singing Bird is on her way to pick the beautiful Emme Lu. So I will be watching your site, and please share the pictures if you do happen to eat any bugs.

Here's to referrals being just around the corner(we hope) and here is to getting into November folks....it is about time. 06' we are coming atcha!

Are you up to the challenge?

This was a letter written by someone at Love without Bounderies. It was posted on my agency board and found it to be profound. These are all things that I have been planning for, expecting, and trying to learn how to recognize, foster, and resolve. I think that it is truly very difficult for most people to understand what institutionalized life would be like. But I think that Amy spells it out beautifully. The lives that our future children are living are not lives that we would ever desire for them, and would never expose them to if they were home with us. But it is the cold hard reality of their lives, and we must make every effort to understand their lives before us, and to actually respect where they have come from. It really is a hard knock life for them.
If you are adopting, it is your responsibility to educate yourself as if you were preparing for any other life changing moment. We must take to heart that by making the choice to adopt, and to adopt internationally that we are actually the chosen, and we must take that responsibility very seriously, and have a strategy of how you will handle what is ahead. This adoption is not about bringing home your "china doll", staying at the White Swan for your Red Couch photo op, or your Barbie that is given to you when you arrive. This is not about ladybugs & red threads.

This is as serious as it gets. For a lot of us this may be the most serious issue we deal with in our entire lives. I feel like I have one chance to do this right, and I will do whatever it takes to make sure I am prepared for the challenge. If it ends up no a challenge at all....that will just be the icing on the cake.
I personally have done a ton of reading(and will continue for a long time) I am trying to go to as many seminars as I can to educate me and help me be the best"adoptive" parent that I can be.
You are welcome to take this letter and copy it off of my blog.

Below is a letter from Amy Eldridge, from Love Without Boundaries, addressing the recent adoption disruptions and parental preparedness. If you are reading this, think about posting it on your site - a waiting parent who reads your blog may benefit from it.*****I have been so saddened by this situation. I most definitely wish there was a way to educate ALL adoptive parents about the truths of institutional care, however I have come to realize in my daily work that there are just as many parents who are not online reading everything they can find on adoption as are.There are hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of parents out there who have no idea what life is like for a child in an orphanage, and who head overseas to pick up their "China doll" only to be handed a baby who is unresponsive, thin, unable to eat..and on and on and on. While adopting my son last month, I walked several times over to the White Swan to talk to parents, and over and over I spoke with moms and dads who had no clue whatsoever about the issues their kids were having. I heard so many times things like, "she won't eat solid foods" (oral aversion), "she has no muscle tone" (muscle atrophy from lying in a crib all day), "she won't smile" (pure grieving from being taken from her foster mom). I guess since I live China 24/7, I assume everyone adopting does, too, which is not the case.I talked to at least a dozen parents who didn't even know their child's orphanage name, and while I gently said "you might want to memorize that for your child's sake", at the same time I was trying to process how many parents get all the way to China without ever reading about post-institutional issues. It was sobering to me.Babies in the NSN (non special needs) as well as the SN (special needs) path can have issues with attachment, motor skills, emotional issues and more. I think all of us on the WCC (Waiting Children China) list acknowledge that, while also acknowledging that all children (whether bio or not) can have these same issues. Living in an orphanage of course increases the odds.I think the easy out is to say that agencies have to do more, as well as social workers, but I do think that most of them do try to give information to the parents but often parents don't want to hear it or else think it won't happen to them. Again, I am often surprised to talk to parents leaving soon and to realize they are not prepared. One family was adopting from our foster care program, and when I told them that the child was DEEPLY attached to the mom, the father said, "guess she might cry for an hour or so then?" An hour or so? She had been in foster care for over a year! I tried to explain that this little girl was about ready to lose everything she had ever known, and that they should not expect her to be sunny, happy, and full of personality after an hour. I told them to please remember the 72 hour rule.......that after 72 hours they would probably see her spark, but that she would probably grieve for a long time after that as well.I think for many adoptive parents, they just don't want to read the "bad stuff", and so I do think that ultimately it is the parents who are at fault for not doing more to educate themselves. There certainly are books galore out there about post-institutional issues. I equate this to when I was pregnant with my kids and I would read "What to Expect When Expecting", and I would get to the C-section part and always skip it. Each and every time I would jump to the next chapter as "that wasn't going to happen to me". Well, on my fifth baby, when they were rushing me in for an emergency C section, I sure was wishing I had read that section earlier! But at that point in the OR, while they were strapping my hands down to the table, it was too late, and so I felt complete panic when I could have been prepared. I think adoption from China is very similar to giving birth...it is much more rosy to only read the happy stories on APC, but I now encourage every family I meet to read the harder ones as well, because if you are the family who is handed a child that is limp and listless and who looks autistic, what you have learned in the past will help you make the right decision for your family during those very emotional first few days.I have been called many times in the last few years by parents in China worried about their children. I agree that having a support network to help you through the initial time is essential. Everyone should go to China with at least one phone number of someone they can call if they are panicked upon meeting their new child. I remember feeling so alone when I was handed my daughter and she was so tiny and limp. Because our foundation often helps with the kids who have been disrupted, I am aware that sometimes there are children who have much more serious issues than originally reported..and that is such a hard thing for a parent to get to China and then discover their child is truly autistic or has serious mental delays. I think everyone on both the China and international side would agree that it is absolutely wrong of an orphanage to not be honest in their reports, and no one would excuse that, but I also know without a doubt that the majority of kids who are disrupted are just suffering from institutional issues and would catch up quickly in a loving home. It is always a very sad day for the orphanage and everyone involved when a child that they know is absolutely fine, but perhaps thin and grieving, is returned by their new parents for being "delayed".I think far too many people believe their child's life is going to begin the moment they meet them. The truth is, and everyone must realize it..a child's life is going on RIGHT NOW in China, and all of their experiences are shaping who they are. The vast majority of aunties that I have met in China are such kind and caring people, but it absolutely is not the same as having a mom and dad at your beck and call. I have had new parents call and say "we didn't think living in an orphanage would affect her at all", and those statements truly puzzle me. How could they not contemplate life in an orphanage?Walk through Babies R Us and you will see every gadget known to man to make our children's lives here as ideal as possible. Now Americans have two way video monitors, so that when baby awakens not only can mommy see when to immediately rush in and comfort him, but she can talk to baby so that he doesn't even have one single second where he feels alone. How many new parents would have a newborn and then put that baby in a crib 22 hours a day on their own? How many would only feed their baby, even if they were really crying hard, every 8 hours? Or prop the bottle in her crib and then not watch to see if she ever really ate?Of course no one would do that..we feed newborns on demand, comfort on demand, love continuously..and whether people want to recognize it or not, that is NOT the life of an orphan in an institution. ...even when the aunties are as good as gold. I remember one night when I took some volunteers in for the night shift in an orphanage, when normally just a few aunties are working. One mom looked at me with tears in her eyes as she slowly realized that it was absolutely impossible with just two hands to feed every child, to comfort every child, to soothe every baby who was crying. She said her heart was aching to realize that her own daughter most likely had many, many times where she cried without someone to comfort her.....and she told me that for the first time she finally understood why her daughter had such a deep seated fear of being out of her mom's sight.The aunties are trying their absolute best, but that doesn't equal mother/child care. I remember being in an orphanage in the north this past winter and the aunties were so proud of how they had 6-8 layers of clothes and blankets on every baby to keep them warm. They were swaddled so tight that they couldn't move, but it was freezing in the orphanage and so the aunties wanted the babies to stay as warm as possible. What alternative did they have? It really was freezing there..I was cold in my wool coat, so the babies couldn't be up and about with just 1-2 layers on, with the ability to move their arms and legs. To stay warm they had to be immobile, and so of course all of those kids have weak muscle tone. But the aunties were truly trying their best, and when a parent is given one of those beautiful children on adoption day, I am sure they will go back to their room with concern and say "she can't sit up by herself..she can't put weight on her legs". That is absolutely the truth, but she also survived 10 degree weather in a very cold province and she will catch up soon enough with parents to encourage her.To not acknowledge that living in orphanage circumstances can cause lower body weights, low muscle tone, inability to make good eye contact is very sad to me. Can it be overcome? Most definitely! The one thing I have learned over and over again about the kids in China is that they are fighters and survivors. But for some reason, people seem to want to ignore these issues in public forums.Recently, one of our medical babies that we had met several times in person was adopted, and we all knew that this child was a "spitfire". When the family arrived and spent a few days with her, they decided she was too much of a handful for them and they wanted to disrupt. She absolutely was not what they expected. When they called their agency, they were told they had two choices: adopt the child, bring her to the US, and change their expectations of what they were hoping for, or adopt the child, bring her to the US and the agency would have a family waiting at the airport to adopt her locally. Option three of leaving the child in China was never once given. I admire that agency so much, as they were thinking of the child and the child alone. The family followed through with the adoption and handed the little girl to a new family upon her arrival in the US. As horrible and tragic and emotional as it was for everyone involved...I still feel this was the right decision for the agency to make. It was done in the absolute best interest of the child, who had waited a long, long time for a family. I wish more agencies would advocate for the rights of the child, instead of always seeming to give in to the parents, especially in those cases when they know with absolute certainty that nothing is permanently wrong with the child. Recently with another disruption, the agency I spoke with told me that it was "easier" to just get the family a new baby.Sometimes easier does not equal right. The first baby who was rejected has now been labelled "mentally challenged" even though the agency knew the child was really going to be okay.I think all of us, who do realize that delays occur and that babies can usually overcome them, should be these children's advocates by continually trying to educate new parents on what to expect in China. By helping them be better prepared, we just might help stop a disruption in the future. I love Chinese adoption with my whole heart, and it is my life's work..but I also want every family who goes to get their baby to go with their eyes open and to be as emotionally prepared as possible, for the child's sake.

Amy Eldridge,

Love Without Boundaries

Two of the loves of my life

Here is Jack and Katie, the little apples of my eye. There mom is my oldest dearest friend, more like a sister than a friend. She has blessed me with these two adorable little monkey's. I spent last week with them while they were on spring break. Their mom is having their 3rd child(little Meggie) and has been put on bedrest. As we can all imagine trying to run your entire household, and take care of a 3 & 5 year old from the comfort of your bed is pretty freaking challenging. So Aunt J came to help, and am headed back in just about 10 days. It was non-stop for 5 days, but worth every minute of it when you hear the giggles, the I love you's, and just the sparkle in their little eyes. We saw Disney on Ice(a must see...if you are under the age of 7) We had playdates with Jack's friends(not everyone has well behaved children) Slurpee runs, and a lot of camping out with Mommy to help keep her company.

There were some funny moments as well that might make them think twice about having Aunt J come back to help. The dog(Molly) ate an entire bowl of mashed potatos, and macaroni and cheese in one sitting, and then an entire stick of butter in another. I was given a pardon on this one, as they know I am only use to a dog that is about 20 inches high, and not one that can stand on her hind legs and help herself to whatever tasty treats Aunt J leaves out on the counter. I have now become the apple of Molly's eye, she can't wait for me to return. Then Miss Katie whom I refer to as the "perfect child" was put down for her nap(mind you without crying) and while I did check on her at one point during the 2 hours she was in her room(where she was found to be sound asleep) When I heard that she was awake, and went in to retrieve the cute little pickle, this is what I found!!

Yes, she had found a magic marker, and had gone hog crazy with it. Fortunately for me, and for her room she had spent most of her time working on her body art. It was everywhere, feet(top and bottom) hands, belly, diaper, obviously she looks like a coal miner with that face, and most of her shins were covered as well. She did make it to the dresser, the shutters, and a picture frame, but with luck, and a baby wipe that all came off.
We all had a good laugh, and "the perfect child" has been renamed "The Gremlin"
Yes, I was pardoned again, and told that this was really good practice for all the things my little gremlin would be getting into.

I hate that there is a medical reason that I am having to spend a great deal of time with them, but must say that I love seeing them, love spending time with them, and enjoy every minute with them. We will all look back, and laugh when it is all said and done and we bring home the new little one. So by July I will have 3 little apples.

Some more items I have available

For your friends with babies on
the way. I have one for the little
prince's on their way too. In blue.
$25 Black or White 100% cotton


The little ballerinas in your life
will love this t-shirt. I have it
in White, Mauve, Yellow
$18 100% cotton



These little mono alligator clips
have become my most popular
item. I have the above colors
available, and can do a single
intial. $10 for the set.

I'm Baaaaaaack

Celebrating the year of the dog, or for all of the golden
pigs being born this year. $22.50 each. Black or White



Large 3 inch Mono ponies.
$10 Single intial.

Large Poly Shopping bags, great
for the beach or for your grocery
shopping.
$12.50 with Monogram, or family
name.

Business is great, and thank you to everyone that has ordered. I hope you have received your items, and are enjoying them as much as I enjoyed making them for you. If you have any cute pictures of your little ones in their zodiac shirts, and are willing to let me post them, I would love to have them. I love doing these shirts, it really is one of my favorite items.


I have a few new things to add to the site, but this was all this post would take, so I will add some additional photos.

Happy St. Paddy's day

Happy St. Paddy's Day....tomorrow. I am getting ready to head out of town, and I knew I would not have time to update tomorrow. So hopefully you are getting out the green beer, the corned beef, and cabbage and are headed for a festive day of green, the Irish, and leprechauns.

Just wanted to make sure that you are aware that you can email me to order anything from Pink Polka Dotz. I am still working on a website, I have an ETSY store under construction, and so I will shamelessly have to hawk my goods here until I have both of those up and running. Bear with me until I all of this business stuff ironed out...it is not my forte-I am left handed for goodness sakes, I am a creative one, not a business one. I have a paypal account so it is very easy to order and pay. If you are wanting a different font, or want to choose different thread colors that is very easy to do as well. You just have to let me know.

I am off to KC again, my dear friend who is pregnant with her 3 rd child(sweet little Meggie) was just put on full bed rest, and has a 3 & 5 year old on spring break next week. So Aunt J is coming to rescue the troops and have a more peaceful week at home while mom is going crazy in bed. 2 weeks down 17 weeks to go. I then will go back in April as her father(who lives with her family) needs to have surgery, and that will be difficult when there really isn't anyone to even take him to the hospital. So I again will head off to play Florance Nightingale for 2 weeks in April. So I apologize as updates will be few and far between.

Thanks again to all of the nice people who have been so supportive of this new business. I have had a great response from blogger land thus far. It always is surprising when someone emails me to place an order, but it sure makes me giddy.

Cheers, and make sure you have something green tomorrow....I would hate to have to pinch ya!

In case anyone is wondering...we really are adopting

Hey, went to the mailbox today, and low and behold there was our BROWN ENVELOPE!!!
What a nice reminder that we really are adopting, and someone other than us actually knows this tiny tidbit of information. I have been wondering for 6 months what it looks like, and never expecting to actually get my hands on one.

I really did not expect to receive this.
It does feel good, because I actually do feel like someone else is aware that we are adopting, and it is not a figment of my imagination. WOW our dossier actually arrived!!! Yeah!

It was dated September 18, 2006 Two days before our LID.

Here are some more cute things!!

How cute is this little t-shirt? I am telling you that I think this is so cute, and I hope my cyber shower person is as excited as I am about this little shirt.

This little ballerina shirt is pretty cute too! This new job is so awesome, it offers such immediate gratification. It always looks so much cuter than I ever expect. This is one of those things. Thought it would be cute, but can't stand how cute I think the finished product actually is.
These are some packaged ponytail holders.
These are great bags that would be perfect for grocery shopping(very strong) or taking to the beach(waterproof)

Anyway, just wanted to share some of the latest creations. Let me know what you think.

AND NOW FOR YOUR SHOPPING PLEASURE

Okay, so here are a few of the things I have been working on as of late. These are personalized beach towels. They are a great size for the pool or the beach. 30X60. I have them in hot pink, royal blue, turquoise, bright yellow, kelly green stripe. I think they are the perfect birthday present for just about anyone...everyone needs a beach towel. Everyone that has bought these from me requested the bold block font, and as you can see it looks really good in all caps too(can't do if it is a long name) I think these are really great for kids birthday presents.
These are the two Chinese zodiac t-shirt/onesies I did. You can see one is for the year of the pig(I think that pig is too cute) and the other one is for a little girl that is the Rooster. I can't decide which one I think is cuter, I just think they are adorable, and can't wait to see my little one in hers.
I have white, pale yellow, and mauve long sleeve t-shirts in a variety of sizes(12-18mths-4T) I primarily have black in the onesie style, but have a few t-shirts as well.
These are 100% cotton. It is hard to tell in the pictures, but the stitching is extensive with these designs, they each have over 18,000 stitches. The pictures really don't do it justice.


This was a birthday gift I did for a friend, and I think it turned out really cute. I have a few of these sets if it strikes your fancy.



These are just a few of the key fobs I have done. I have a big variety of ribbon that I will preview once I have the opportunity to take some more pictures.

I just received some Chinese character in the last few days, and I have not had an opportunity to get anything done with them. I will work on those this week. If you have any great ideas please don't hesitate to share. I can use all the good ideas I can get.
I can't believe the response from people already. I was not prepared for the fact that I would have already had so many requests, and purchases. So I am slowly getting up to speed, and trying to get the business end of this all taken care of.

If you have any interest in something posted just send me an email, and I will be happy to talk about pricing, sizes, fonts, or other ideas that you have to incorporate into something you are wanting.
I will try and add some more things in the next couple of days.

Didn't realize it had been so long!!!

I know, I know, I won't act like I have some amazing excuse for the lag in posting.

But I have had a lot going on lately.

So no excuses, I will just get right to it!

I went to Houston to pick up my MIL and her 2 dogs(Shadow & Banjo) and they came to stay with us for 2 weeks. I have the best MIL of anyone I know. She is so nice, she is friendly, helpful, fun, loves to shop, and actually loves me, and is very excited about the baby!! She was a world of help while she was here, and we only wish she could have stayed a bit longer. She will be back late in the summer to help me start the nursery.

Shadow & Banjo

Both dogs adjusted very well to our house. They loved running up and down the stairs, and back and forth chasing the squirrels in our backyard. Shadow doesn't really travel well, and seems to suffer a little motion sickness while in the car...so she threw up both directions-yuck!! But overall the travel was fine, and a good time had by all.

By the time I took them back home, we had been together for a total of 3 weeks, and she and I had bought pretty much everything there was to buy....some very serious shoppy shoppy went on during those 3 weeks.

I am a very lucky girl to have such a great MIL!!

Yes that is Mike Modano!

While my MIL was here we took her to a Stars game. Now I am not a big sports fan. But I must tell you what happens when I take in a hockey game. I just go crazy, I never sit down. I love hockey, I love the Stars(I loved them better when we still had Darrian Hatcher, and Eddie Balfour) but it is so exciting, so fun, and there is just nothing better when a good legal hockey fight breaks out, and sticks are flying. I really like it when there is a foul, and they stick the player in the naughty box...they should have the naughty box for every sport.

Anyway, we had great seats, great food, and a great time.

The Stars beat the Mighty Ducks 4-0

D & his mom. I don't love this picture of either of them, as it does not do them justice...my MIL is extremely attractive...she is 75 and has less wrinkles than I do!! Yes, D always smirks in pictures(that is why the CCAA will refer us the smirky baby, to match the passport picture he submitted)

I have a secret fantasy....I so want to drive the Zamboni at the hockey game. I have no idea why, but it looks so fun, and they use to have this cannon on there that shot out t-shirts to the crowd...I would really love to do that.

Okay, I have another post to follow to stay tuned, I will have it up in just a little bit, and you are going to be excited, it is really, really, good. So go have a cup of coffee, read the Sun paper, and come back and see me this afternoon!!

Happy New Year!!

Happy Chinese New Year to everyone.
It's official, Year of the Golden Pig has been rung in, and I am really hopeful that our baby girl is going to be born sometime this year.
I am afraid to think that out loud, and jinx myself.
We went out and enjoyed some lovely warm, and sunny weather today, then we went to our favorite Chinese Restaurant for lunch, and then off to pick-up the baby doll I ordered from Learning Express. I had to laugh when they handed her to me, as she is awfully fair skinned. But the salesgirl pointed out to me that she is positively Asian, as she does have brown almond eyes, and all of the other baby dolls have big round blue eyes.
Regardless, she is very cute, and we now have her first baby doll in hand. This was her New Years gift, we considered new clothes(Chinese Tradition) but she already has so many clothes, and didn't have a baby doll yet.
So while we still have a lot to learn about Chinese New Year, I have been doing some reading, and wanted to include a little info for you in case you are not aware of the importance of this holiday.
Chinese New Year is the longest and most important celebration in the Chinese calendar. The Chinese year 4705 begins on Feb. 18, 2007.Chinese months are reckoned by the lunar calendar, with each month beginning on the darkest day. New Year festivities traditionally start on the first day of the month and continue until the fifteenth, when the moon is brightest. In China, people may take weeks of holiday from work to prepare for and celebrate the New Year.Common expressions heard at this time are: GUONIAN to have made it through the old year, and BAINIAN to congratulate the new year, or Gung Hay Fat Choy to wish a Happy New Year!
There are many celebrations during this time of the year. It last for 15 days, and there are many festivities that go on during this time. The lantern festival must really be spectacular. Lots of red and gold. Lots of fireworks and food, and the dragon dance to scare away the evil spirits.
So this will at least give you a little background info on the significance of this holiday. But there is also major significance that it is the year of the pig. The Chinese consider children born under this sign to be very lucky, and will have much help throughout their lives. So I hope the only luck we get here is the luck of her being born this year, and maybe getting to go get her next year!

On the BWM(big white machine) front, things are going quite well. I have learned a lot, I have embroidered a lot, and I have my first paying customer coming by next week to bring something for me to embroider for her(which is making me sweat, just thinking about it) I still have so much to learn, but I have made some serious progress.
It appears right now that the name of my business is going to be: The Pink Polka Dotz, I have a graphic design artist working on my logo right now, and then I will have my business cards made. I am going to have someone help me with a website soon, but don't think I will be taking orders on it for a few more months. I have ordered some things that I will have available, so I need to wait to get them in before I really start with the on-line stuff.
I will post a few of my things that I have available now, as some of you have posed some interest in buying some things from me. So as long as you can do check or pay pal, I should be able to help you out with some really cute things. The pig picture above is one of the designs I have available, so I will be doing these on some long sleeve children's t-shirts and onesies. I have the entire Chinese Zodiac, and they are all as cute as the others. So bear with me, and I will have some pictures up soon of some products. Leave me some comments on what you think of this design....I think it is too cute. I have also ordered some Chinese characters such as: truth, happiness, love, prosperity, health. So I think I will be able to incorporate these into some really cute things as well.
I really appreciate every one's support in this new business. You all were right in saying that it just takes time, and that I would learn everything I need to know. I am definitely getting there, and can't wait to show you some of the things I have made. I am really having a lot of fun with this now.
So stay tuned, and I will get some pictures up very soon. My MIL is visiting(I have the best MIL in the whole world) but she is here for another week, and then I will drive her back to Houston, and stay a few days. When I get back I will have more time on my hands to get some pictures out there.

Well, enjoy the rest of the weekend. It is a great day because while it is the start of Chinese New Year, it is also the start of The Amazing Race-All Stars tonight on CBS 7 p.m. CST.
Can't wait for it to start, it is 7:00 yet??

Peace Out!

Happy Valentines Day

Just wishing everyone a Happy Valentines Day!

I personally think this is not a very nice "made up-marketed" holiday. Why would we ever make up a holiday that leaves people feeling blue and left out? I think really only children should celebrate this pretty day of cards, candy, parties, and more candy. I think the pressure should be off adults when it comes to this day. Last night when I was at the grocery store, there were all of these men there trying to pick out flowers, candy, cards, etc. I feel as though there is this giant ball of stress to make sure you pick out the right one for your sweetheart kind of takes the "specialness" out of having this lovable day. I would rather get the special card or something sweet on just a random day of the year to let me know someone appreciates me, not on a manufactured day, when everyone feels a little forced to do so even if they don't necessarily want to.
This is the holiday that I love to make and send cards to my best girlfriends to let them know how much I care about our friendship, and appreciate all that they do for me(mostly because it is so unexpected) I also love to give valentines and sweet surprises to the all the kids in my life. Kids love valentines, and they love to feel so special when given something you have made, and put so much love into. There is no pressure for them, they just cut out a big red heart, sprinkle some glitter, write their name, and it is as though they made us a Picasso. I think we should adopt the same feelings towards our spouses, or significant others, or just our loved ones. I also think that we all have birthdays, anniversaries, and other holidays that the people in our lives can let us know that we are extra special. So I think the need or desire for a dozen of overpriced roses, the biggest box of chocolates, or worse yet, a very pretty box of bling on Valentines Day is a little passe.
So there will be no roses(or any flowers), no candy, certainly no bling. There might possibly be a card, but not much more than a BIG I LOVE YOU said, and maybe we will celebrate with a little skillet queso from Chili's while we watch American Idol tonight. But that will be about the extent of Saint Valentines Day at our house.

But if you love Valentines, and this is your special day for people to say I love you, then please know that I do. XOXO

Finally to all of those marrying in Las Vegas today....you picked a very loving day to wed, and we send you wishes for many years of happiness ahead-LOL

Wii Bum

Okay, I must start this by saying that I am not really into video games at all, not so much, no real interest, nada, zip, zero, haven't had any interest in video games evaaar(okay, I did enjoy a little pac mac in his day) Occasionally a little solitaire while I do something on the computer, but just don't get the whole video game phenomenon. Well that was until I played Wii.

We went to visit my in-laws, and my 12 year old nephew just got his Wii that he actually got for Christmas, but just received because you can't find them anywhere. I had heard this story, and of course thought it was so silly that people wait in line all night for anything, much less a video game, and certainly could not find the worth in paying an exorbitant amount of money for something you could get cheaper if you would only wait a few months when everyone lost interest.

Well do I owe an apology to all those silly people that waited in line all night long, or paid ridiculous prices to get their hands on what may be the most fun anyone can have in the comfort of their own home. No need to go join a health club.....just buy a Wii, and you will save the guilt of not ever going to the gym. This thing is incredible, and I don't say that lightly. It really is as though you are bowling, playing tennis, or even playing a little golf very badly.

It has Tennis, Boxing, Bowling, Golf and something else. Sorry I was only there for 48 hours so I didn't get a chance to play all of them, so I don't remember exactly what is on there. What I do know is that between Tennis, and Bowling, my shoulder and my bum are hurting as though I went at it with a personal trainer for a week straight. I can barely walk my bum hurts so bad, I am limping around like an 80 year old woman.

I had so much fun playing these games that I couldn't do anything else while I was there. I was so hesitant at first to play, but then they showed me how it works, and off I went to the black hole of being an "gamer" Every time I got a strike I would yell in excitement, every time I won a tennis match I was doing the dance of celebration....I was acting like a complete idiot, and I loved every minute of it. Including everyone laughing their arses off at me!!

All I can say is we came home, searched to see if any stores in our area had it in stock, and then it took about 5 minutes after coming up with nothing that we were buying our own Wii on Ebay. So I suspect in about 5-7 days our own personal health club will be arriving UPS, and I can only suggest that you seriously consider getting your own....you won't regret it, I promise. I do suggest that you get at least 2 remote controls, it will make it all the more fun.

Now I must go put some tiger balm on my Wii bum, and hope that it feels better before our system shows up next week. Then I will be very busy bowling, and developing bunns of steal!

What is your preppy name?

Your Preppy Name Is...

Marsden Holden Averell the FifthBut most people know you as Corkie

What's" Your Preppy Name?

Girls just want to have fun!!

Well I am back from the one day of training in Tampa on the BWM. While it was very helpful, I think we will go back for some more training down the road. But as for now, we are good to go, and just are waiting for a service guy to come and make some minor setting changes, and I will be off and running(okay. I will be off and practicing actually) The weather was beautiful in Tampa, such a nice change from the terrible cold weather we have been having here. So you will see we spent the day at the beach soaking up some sun and vitamin D. It was a nice break, even if it was for just one day.
Then I was off to KC to take care of my very sweet little goddaughter Katie, while her parents went to NYC. She is 3 1/2, and is just a blessing to our family. D calls her the happiest baby on earth. She was the perfect child while I was there(much to her mother's chagrin-she keeps trying to tell me that she does cry, and misbehaves- I am not going to believe it!!) she was perfect for her Aunt J. We had a great time playing with her dolls, dressing up, having tea parties, going to her ballet class, and finally making some valentine cookies(pic included) It was 5 days of perfect girl fun, and I am so lucky to have such a wonderful little girl in my life.


While I know it hasn't even been a month yet that referrals arrived, it feels like fovever and ages ago that they did. I seem to be looking forward to this batch, I guess it is because Oct is such a big month that it would seem promising if they could get through a decent amount of days. Lets just keep our fingers crossed. I do hope that once we get the wait to 18 months that we will see the wait stabilize a bit instead of each month adding another month to the wait. In the mean time, I will work on my list, read some books, decorate a nursery, work on my new business, and hope that our referral will be sooner rather than later. But for now, I fed my little girl addiction, and I should be okay for at least a little while.

Weekend Wrap Up

Well we're off tomorrow to Tampa for our training on the BWM(see below) so while I am looking forward to feeling more proficient on the machine, I am a bit worried that it is going to open up a BIG new can of worms for me. The training is just one day. We have 9 hours one on one with this trainer. So it will just give me just enough information to be dangerous. Right at this moment I know very little about the actual use of my new machine. When I read through the multiple books that came with it, it might as well be in French, as it is speaking a different language. So my list of questions is fairly short at this point. I don't know enough to even ask good questions. So this training day is just going to educate me enough to let me go home, and drive myself and D crazy!! The good news is we can go back anytime in the next year for more training, which we might have to do.

On a great note, I went to the Dallas Market yesterday. My friend who has a showroom at market reserved a badge for me, and so I walked the nine floors yesterday looking at all the treasures, and things that I can buy to monogram at wholesale prices. I found some really great things. I am telling you peoples once I have this down, you are going to want to buy some stuff!!

We are very slowly recovering from the loss of Matty. We both still have our bad days, and we both actually had a really bad Matty day this past week. But we are working through that grief. The house is just so quiet and still, and we have no real obligation to anything. I still always feel this giant rush of panic around 5:00 p.m. if I am out and about, as I feel I need to rush home to feed the dog, and let her out. It will be at least a year before we get another dog. I think we will get 2 dogs this next time. We waited to long to decide we wanted a second dog for Matty, as Matty would have never forgiven us. So I think we will get 2 in a very short period of time. We are looking at a standard schnauzer(D's pick) and I want a chocolate labradoodle. I think it is important for kids to have pets, and so we will get to the point that I think we are ready for that again. But for now we will just have to do some dog sitting for our friends.

Once I return from Tampa, I leave the following day to go to KC, to take care of my goddaughter Katie(3) while her parents take her 5 yr old brother Jack to NYC to visit his aunt. So I am really looking forward to our 4 days together for some good one on one time. Hoping it will give me enough of a little girl fix to help me out for the next month or so.

The wait for this baby is beyond words to me at this moment. There just seems to be so much uncertainity, and speculation that there are less children available, more domestic adoption taking place, this being the year of the golden pig leads people to believe that children born in this year will be highly desired and kept. Then there is the theory that little girls are becoming more of a status symbol to the wealthy in China, by showing that they are wealthy enough to keep or adopt a girl because they don't need a son to take care of them. The list goes on and on, and situation remains fluid at all times. We have moments that we wished that we had picked a different country. Someone asked recently if we were offering advice to a family looking at IA, would we recommend China. After pondering that for a day or so, I would say right now I would not pursue China, there are just too many unanswered questions, but I would watch and wait a year or so, and see where China is at that point. Then make the decision.

Oh, I forgot to mention that we have been logged in for 4 big months.

I have some movie recommendations for you:
The Good Shepard-long, very long, but very good.
Happy Feet-an absolute must see!!! Can't wait for it to be out on video
Little Miss Sunshine-we wanted to see it in the movies and didn't, Netflix delievered, and I can't wait to buy it. LOVED IT, LOVED IT, LOVED IT!!!!!

So I am out of here for a week, but will be checking in to see what everyone is up to, and if referrals have arrived.

Enjoy the weekend, and peace out!

Soup is good for the soul.

Alphabet soup...
A - Available or Taken: VERY taken, and very smitten!!
B - Best Friend: Karen, Stacy, Suz, and David
C - Cake or Pie: Moist white cake(the only reason I go to weddings or birthday party)
D - Drink of Choice: Diet Pepsi with lime, or any kind of martini
E - Essential Item You Use Everyday: toothbrush, cell phone, Clorox bleach (I love this stuff)
F - Favorite Color: Can't pick one, but I love all shades of pink, I love black, taupe, and red
G - Gummy Bears or Worms: I'll take either. I love all that is gummy. I really love Cinnamon bears, or gummy penguins(peach flavored)
H - Hometown: Columbia, MO
I - Indulgence: Linda's fudge cake at Cheesecake Factory
J - January or February: Neither, but I will take February
K - Kids and Names: Taylor(22) Connor(19) and this babe right now is Avery, but it might be Abigail, Claire, Tate, or Sophie
L - Life Incomplete Without: Hubby, kids, dog, my in-laws, girlfriends, art, and beautiful flowers.
M - Marriage Date: Oct 12, 1996
N - Number of Siblings: 1 sister, and 2 step sisters.
O - Oranges or Apples: Oranges
P - Phobias or Fears: Heights, Snakes, confrontation, being stuck at the window on a plane and needing to go to the bathroom.
Q - Favorite Quote: I have a couple:
The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. Mahatma Gandhi
Before you embark on a journey of revenge, dig two graves. Confucius
Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm. Sir Winston Churchill
R - Reason to Smile: Woke up this morning, my husband, my godchildren, and my future daughter, my stepchildren graduating from college
S - Season: Spring or Fall
T - Tag 3 People:Anyone who read this far.
U - Unknown Fact About Me: I was the first runner up and miss congeniality in the Boone County Fair when I was in High School. I don't think my husband even knows this fact.
V - Veggie You Don't Like: Lima beans and cooked carrots
W - Worst Habit: Spending way too much time on the computer, I hate to wash my hair, because then I have to dry it, and it takes entirely too long. Being a rule follower to an extreme.
X - X-rays: I have had plenty, as well as MRI's, CAT scans, and sonograms(too many to count)
Y - Your Favourite Food: Mexican, Indian, Thai, Chinese, tofu. I know, I just said I was a rule follower, but come on, no one just has one favorite food.
Z - Zodiac: Cancer

BIG white machine

Okay, so you see that really BIG white machine sitting there all by its lonesome? Well that is officially my new profession. Yes, as of January 4th, I now run an embroidery business. You ask how do I know how to run that BIG white machine......I don't. Well I have done a few things in which you can see in the other picture. Those are actually monogrammed ponytail holders, and while I think they turned out great, there is still this question as to how am I going to learn all things embroidered, and how am I going to learn to run this BIG, white machine??????

It has been a daunting weekend full of first, curse words, anxiety, stress, giddiness, and finally just plain fear that I will fail, or worse......break the BIG white machine. The BIG white machine is a HAPPY Voyager made in Japan. It holds 12 spools of thread, it hooks to my computer for its designs, it weighs 88 lbs, and it has my little brain just a spinning.

D has been my biggest cheerleader in this process, he believes in me, he trust that I will learn to work the BIG white machine, and not break it, and he thinks without any hesitation that this is going to be a great stay at home career for me-because frankly no one loves monograms more than Moi.

I wish at this very moment that I had that same trust, and faith that I will succeed in this expensive endeavor, but right now all I feel, is fear of the BIG white machine now taking up residence in my office. I have already spent countless hours troubleshooting issues, it won't cut the thread automatically, I can't figure out how to size things to a proportion that is necessary for the project at hand, I have absolutely no idea how I am going to learn to digitize anything(embroidery lingo...really have no idea what it means) Now you ask, surely there is training involved with such a high tech BIG white machine-right? Right, but it is in Tampa, FL and we live in Dallas. It is only offered on Mondays, and we don't have a free Monday until February. They suggest you "play" with your BIG white machine for a bit before coming to training so you will have plenty of questions, you will have a feel for what you are learning, and you will have had issues come up that they will be able to advise you on. Well, they do know something....we have had plenty of issues come up in the last 4 days, and we will have plenty of questions that is for sure, but I am not convinced that we will have a "feel" for the BIG white machine for awhile.

So, if you are wanting ladybugs embroidered all over your undershorts, or an Ode to the RQ on your nightshirt.....find someone who knows how to run their BIG white machine. But if you are wanting a monogrammed ponytail holder, then I am your girl.

I ask you wish me luck in this new profession. D swears after we go to 8 hours of training I am going to feel proficient....yeah right. But any good karma you have to send would be appreciated. Well back to watching the online videos of how to run the BIG white machine. If you have a BIG white machine and have more than Karma....you have advice for me that would be appreciated too!! Maybe a glass of wine and a xanax would make me feel more proficient in the field of embroidery-just kidding it has warnings posted all over it claiming you should not operate heavy machinary under the influence of wine or anxiety.

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Nic, Happy Birthday to you. Now blow out the damn candles!