Today's Horoscope

Let me preface this by saying that I DO NOT put any faith in astrology ... I just find it interesting and amusing. Today's message was timely and strictly coincidental for this pisces girl:

This is a time of transformation through your own sense of artistry. Be patient with this process. Rushing
it can ruin it. Tending to the details can bring about beautiful results. This is a time to nurture love and
relationships.

Hence, I will carry on .................

Having Second Thoughts!

Okay ... it has all come back to me now!!! It isn't the act of painting itself that I detest ... it is all the #@!*# prep work! I spent
two and a half hours taping over hinges and brackets and screw heads AND I am not even finished !!! I will totally lose it if the tape starts coming off before the painting is done (or started, for that matter!). I am beginning to think I should have just purchased the furniture set from Nature's Child ... the two grand may well have been worth it! I know, I know ... I will feel so 'accomplished' when it is all said and done ... at the moment ... that is of NO comfort! Tune in for regular updates (unless I end up in the psych ward that is!).

Back at it ...

Last night, a good friend of ours took a few minutes in between the gourmet dinner I served and dessert, to put the crib together. Was there an ulterior motive behind the dinner invite??? Absolutely not ... but since there was time ...................... Anyhow, today I began the grinding task (literally!) of sanding the crib down and preparing it for the first coat of paint! As you will see, this whole thing will be a very SLOW process. I most likely won't get past the sanding today due to 'hockey' ... yes, I now play hockey (I'll share those anecdotes on another day!). With that, I must grab a new sheet and get down to business! By the way, if any of the St. Monica friends are checking in ... see if Gerri recognizes the photos! Well, I'm off to work .................

PMA

PMA ... not to be confused with PMS ... is one of those things I remember from my highschool days. It stands for POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE. I don't remember which teacher this came from or the circumstances of it being passed on to us at the
all girls school (Jody? ... any thoughts?), but I do know it is one of those things that stuck (unlike any information from chemistry or functions and relations classes!). I am having a little difficulty having a PMA today ... the 'rumours' are out again and as can be expected, I am starting to accept that our referral most likely will NOT come around the end of March. I think, for all intents and purposes, let's just say, I'm almost certain, that we will receive a referral some time before the end of summer .... how's that for an open window?! Today I also became acutely aware of the 'ticker' I placed behind my desk, to countdown to referral. Although I have removed about 5 group numbers since September, there are still 4 to go before us. Just imagine ... when our paperwork went in, there were about 4 groups getting a referral each month! This continues to provide evidence of the magnitude of the slow down. And so although I may not be 'positive', I am getting a bit of an 'attitude' AND bordering on going absolutetly 'mental'. Now there's PMA for you ................

Happy 1st Birthday Olivia!!!

My neice turned one last week (January 15th), but due to a stuffy nose and fever, her party was rescheduled for last night! Isn't she a sweetheart?!

A Labour of Love

So, I ventured off to the paint store yesterday with my bag of 'inspirations' and ideas in hand. The colour consultant was very
impressed with my planning and proceeded to put together the colour selections. It was all very exciting!!!! We decided that
it would be cool to do the 'distressed look' with a pink undertone (like the chandelier). And then she thought doing the inside of the armoire in green would be a great idea. I concurred ... headed to the checkout ... picked up an assortment of paint brushes ... one for each colour and off I went ... feeling completely elated!!!!! Until I got home and realized the vast amount of work this 'project' was going to involve!!! Have I shared my utter disdain for painting yet? I'm not kidding ... I HATE painting ... period! In fact, in the last few years, Sean and I have hired others to paint for us ... no matter what the cost! What was I thinking in that paint store?! So ... now, not only do I have to paint each piece of furniture ... I have to paint each piece THREE times! That's right ... 3! First I need to put on a coat of pink (pink blossom to be exact), followed by 2 coats of 'sand dollar' (one of a 100 different shades of white). And no latex paint for me .... oh no, it's OIL baby! And I haven't even begun to THINK about the sanding that has to occur with the crib and dresser! Did I say I would be complete by the end of February??? That will be a miracle! I did manage to come home and get the green slapped on inside the armoire ... just finished the second coat this morning ... not really sure how I'm liking it ... which will be a whole other story! My best intentions were to get the pink on the outside this morning as well BUT ... I'm thinking it would be best, once I open the can, to paint all the pieces at one time (this will save on buying a brush each and every time I paint a piece. So, that means, I will need to get the crib put together and sanded as well as purchase a dresser and kid's table and chair set. I'm thinking I'll head to IKEA next week and just buy new, unfinished wood products (with the sole purpose of eliminating the 'sanding' step). Putting this room together will truly be a labour of love ... with an emphasis on the LABOUR ... hmmmm, guess I'll experience some 'labour pains' after all!!!

In need of humour?

Check out www.createdinchina.blogspot.com .... Sunday's entry .... very funny and NOT adoption related.
Anyone else experience this kind of 'relationship'?

The Inspiration

So as I prepare to get started on the room I think back to my inspiration ... denin, flowers and the notion of shabby chic! I've put together some pieces to create a palette for the room using the bedding, denim, colour schemes and of course the chandelier (which looks stark white in the photo, but has a tinge of pink in it). I'm thinking of searching the net for some ric rac
to use as a border between the denim faux finish I will attempt and the 'key lime' green I'm contemplating ... I think I need to visit my trusty paint consultant to help me make these final decisions!
What do you think?

14+ Months ...

As of Thursday, we hit the 14 month mark. This, as everyone knows, is WELL beyond the original projected timeline of 6-8 months. I have very mixed emotions about this ... obviously I am disappointed! Each day, week, month that goes by is another
day, week, month older we get AND, more importantly, another day, week, month that Cadence gets older and goes without a parent! I could also look at the bright side and know that we are getting that much closer to knowing who our daughter is ...
Today, I'm afraid, is a 'blue day' for me. Our agency states the current timeframe is now 16 months and increasing ... probably to 2 years ... we shouldn't hit that, but the odds of us receiving a referral in 2 months time is probably unlikely. So ... I'm in a funk ... no energy or enthusiasm to do anything. I did manage to complete the adjustments to the armoire, and although it is still not perfect ... it is as good as it's going to get (and the doors now close and latch!). I am no longer in the mood to hit the paint store ... maybe next week!

Oh ... check out my horoscope from Thursday:

There is a strong shift in direction for you . You need to reassess the situation at hand and its eventual outcomes as what you originally valued may be losing appeal or may just be lost altogether . Take this time to reflect and relax. A new quest will be found soon enough.

What do you make of that???????

Yikes!

Okay ... this is where I start to get REALLY nervous ... no joke ... I am scared sh*@#less. It was one thing to start 'the room' and put 'her' name out there ... today ... this arrived! Now, I have no one to blame but myself! Once again ... I couldn't resist a sale!
You see in November our school was selling magazine subscriptions, well ... obviously I need to support my students ( okay, as staff I get 50 % off!). Anyway, I figured I might as well go ahead and order it ... probably take months anyway ... WRONG!!!
I just get soooooo anxious about being mentally ready and then having the bomb drop. Maybe if I just tuck it away ... in the armoire ........ I'm telling you, my nerves are shot!

My Favourite Video Clip

I have borrowed/plagiarized this You Tube clip I found on someone else's blog. It is sure to make you smile!
I have it bookmarked and go to it whenever I need an emotional lift. Check it out ....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flJI_IW5-jM

If you can't find it from here ... google You Tube, Dinner Laughter (that's how I found it).

Voila!

Well, here it is ... the armoire! Notice the chair? At the moment it is serving a purpose ... to con the public (you) into thinking I actually accomplished my goal. The doors do not close at the moment. I have chosen not to install the door clasps as I am not satisfied with how the top doors hang. After making a few adjustments (and several profane utterances), I have determined it is time to call in the pros ... yes, I am admitting defeat! I will also be painting this piece ... estimated completion date ... end of ...
February is probably realistic. I want to have all furniture pieces bought and placed in the room prior to painting anything ... the more I think about it, this is going to be ALOT of work!!!
On a positive note ... I did get a handyman in to hang 5 light fixtures today and I am thrilled!!! The chandelier for Cadence's room is just perfect ... I am jumping for joy!

Handywoman Update

As of 2:00 this afternoon I was almost finished the armoire ... and then ... had to take 8 hinges off and re-attach them on the proper sides. I also made a booboo at the very beginning ... one I will not correct as it would mean complete demolition ... I will find a way to make it work! All that is left is to nail in the backing and attach the handles, but I'd like Sean's assistance to ensure the piece is level. Photos tomorrow .......
Lisa and Buck dropped off their crib today as well ... yikes!!! That will be next weekend's project! Hopefully these projects will help the time pass quickly ..........

The Armoire

Saving $100 on a purchase ... not necessarily a 'deal'. As you can see, the armoire I purchased is going to be somewhat of a project! Hoping to be done by Sunday .... we'll see!

Jody's New Room ...

Well Jody ... and other guests ... check out your new room! All it needs now is ... a ceiling, walls and perhaps some berber!
To be honest, it is not as bad as it looks ... it's actually warm and dry down in the dungeon AND it is CLEAN ... believe me!

If anyone has second thoughts about visiting ... relax, there is also a pull out in the den .... upstairs!

CCAA Update

Although we have known for the past couple of days that referrals have started being received around the world, the CCAA site
wasn't updated until late yesterday. Here is the update:

The CCAA has finished the review of the adoption application documents registered with our office before January 31, 2006.
The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose adoption application documents were registered with our office before September 27, 2005.

There were approximately 18 days between these referrals and the last set. It seems China is taking about 2 months+ to refer one month's worth of files. From this it would seem that we are about 3 months away from our own referral! Of course, being the 'rookie' I am, I have to remember Chinese New Year falls within this time frame which will undoubtly have an impact! And apparently, September 29th and the month of October are big ... lots of waiting parents to be matched so, I will just have to sit back and see what the Rumour Queen has to say ...

Any Comments?

Just want to let you know that you can comment on any entry at any time. At the bottom of each post in blue is # comments. Click on that and you can read others' comments and/or add one of your own. I believe most of you would choose the Anonymous route, unless you have a Blog of your own. Leave your name (first only please for 'security' reasons) in the body of
your post so we know who has been visiting us! Looking forward to hearing what you think ................. I think!

The Cousins ...

Anyone who knows me well, knows 'cousins' are an important part of the family puzzle! I take pleasure in introducing Cadence's first and only cousins thus far .... Olivia and Mackenzie! We are soooo excited that both of these young ladies will only be a phone call away ..... yay!!!!

And so it begins ....

Jody ... say goodbye to your room as you know it!

Today, Sean and I dismantled the current guest room and relegated those furnishings to the basement! Truly it is not as bad as it sounds ... the space is dry, quiet, and shaggable!!!! We will not hear a sound so ... enjoy!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Happy new year to all our friends and family! We wish you all much health, happiness and prosperity in the coming year ... a cliche I know, but heartfelt just the same!
We hope everyone enjoyed ringing in the new year ... Sean and I had a quiet night at home! We started off with a game of Brewopoly ... really, it was fun! We also enjoyed some brie with pepper jelly, calamari, and Alaskan king crab legs ... a feast for
two! I was a little late in grabbing a movie and ended up with Nacho Libre ... let's just say, I had earned a free movie for the month and was glad I didn't have to pay for it! As for the champagne and hot tub ... the rain ... yes, RAIN! ... kept us indoors and the bubbly ... it will continue to chill until ...... end of March? April? ... who knows!

It is sometimes hard to believe that we were at this same place emotionally last new years ... eagerly anticipating the arrival of Cadence in a matter of months. My patience over this past year has certainly surprised me and I am hopeful that we ARE now
on the last legs of this journey ... I will NOT be patient for much longer! As we do get closer, I have started to realize some of the fears that are lurking in the back of my mind ... my fears of the unknown! It is very difficult at times to prepare for this child of whom we know nothing about ... how old is she? is she in fact a she? what will she look like? will she have any health issues? is she with a foster family who is nurturing? is she in an orphanage ... laying for hours in one of those cribs without a mattress? does she have a crib mate? will she reject us? will she reject me? And those are just the immediate concerns ... I can't begin to tell you my worries for her future ... I'll leave that for a later date! In an effort to keep my mind off the worries, I will begin to 'prepare'! This week I am emptying the guest room and putting together the armoire ... I hope it is not too premature of me ... perhaps I'll get in touch with my agency just for a little reassurance ... can you blame me?!

Cheers everyone!