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Friday, November 26, 2010
Painting in progress!
We've had a wonderful painter fixing up our walls (there were actual gaps between the top of the walls and the edge of the ceiling in most places.) and painting. The first room, destined to be the nursery, is done!
Friday, September 24, 2010
2010 Gardening Assessment
Beans: Awesome. Definitely planting them next year--maybe 2 packets' worth.
Cucumbers: I'll do them every year, I think, along with nasturtiums--they really keep the bugs away from the leaves, and look pretty too! I'll mulch them right away, though, to keep the moisture in. Same is true of basil.
Pansies: also going in every fall and/or spring whenever the existing ones die out.
Peppers: 3 plants, and only 2 tiny peppers before September. Now, of course, there are 5, but we'll see if they get big enough to actually eat before the first frost. Not worth the money and effort.
Tomatoes: 2 plants, 3 small tomatoes, not counting the one the bugs got. Again, not worth the effort.
Carrots: Not nearly as tasty as the baby carrots I planted last year. Doing the babies again next year, again with parsley as the companion plant.
Spinach: Too late to get seeds for this fall, drat! Definitely buying 2 packets as soon as seeds come back: some for early spring, some to plant in the fall.
Daikon Radish: Also too late to get seeds. Getting some to grow sprouts--they make the most delicious, slightly-spicy sprouts, excellent for hummous or chicken wraps!
Geranium: The one I got at the Adelphi Friends Meeting's spring festival has been so pretty--white flowers with bright pink around the edges of the petals! I think I'll get 2 for next year.
English Ivy and Swedish Ivy transplanted from the ground cover to the hanging pots: About half the plants lived. Going to continue in the hanging pot that wasn't knocked down by the recent thunderstorm (we lost two HUGE branches from our corner tree, and a branch on one of the side trees is ready to go.)
Parsley and chives are such abundant perennials I don't need to buy seeds for another year at least to have all that I need.
All in all, a very good year!!
Cucumbers: I'll do them every year, I think, along with nasturtiums--they really keep the bugs away from the leaves, and look pretty too! I'll mulch them right away, though, to keep the moisture in. Same is true of basil.
Pansies: also going in every fall and/or spring whenever the existing ones die out.
Peppers: 3 plants, and only 2 tiny peppers before September. Now, of course, there are 5, but we'll see if they get big enough to actually eat before the first frost. Not worth the money and effort.
Tomatoes: 2 plants, 3 small tomatoes, not counting the one the bugs got. Again, not worth the effort.
Carrots: Not nearly as tasty as the baby carrots I planted last year. Doing the babies again next year, again with parsley as the companion plant.
Spinach: Too late to get seeds for this fall, drat! Definitely buying 2 packets as soon as seeds come back: some for early spring, some to plant in the fall.
Daikon Radish: Also too late to get seeds. Getting some to grow sprouts--they make the most delicious, slightly-spicy sprouts, excellent for hummous or chicken wraps!
Geranium: The one I got at the Adelphi Friends Meeting's spring festival has been so pretty--white flowers with bright pink around the edges of the petals! I think I'll get 2 for next year.
English Ivy and Swedish Ivy transplanted from the ground cover to the hanging pots: About half the plants lived. Going to continue in the hanging pot that wasn't knocked down by the recent thunderstorm (we lost two HUGE branches from our corner tree, and a branch on one of the side trees is ready to go.)
Parsley and chives are such abundant perennials I don't need to buy seeds for another year at least to have all that I need.
All in all, a very good year!!
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Thunderstorm!
We had a moderate but close--very close--thunderstorm last night. I kept hearing a "pop" sound, much like fireworks, and finally looked out the window. It looked like fireworks out there--one of the electrical wires across the street was on fire and sending up sparks like crazy! One emergency vehicle was already there, and by the time Ken had come downstairs to see what was going on the fire trucks were arriving.
The firefighters had to break into the building cati-corner to us, hunting for electrical fires in the wiring in the walls. Fortunately, no one was hurt and mostly the roof and the interior were damaged. No one was sufficiently injured to be taken in an ambulance that we could see.
We lost two huge limbs--better than 12 feet long--from the maple on the corner of our property. One is still hanging from the tree and our coop's maintenance department has been alerted about it. (No, Mom, I'm not going anywhere near that tree.) The other was chipped up by our city public works department this afternoon--I'd called at lunchtime and got them just in time. Or perhaps they were simply looking for all downed limbs in the area.
All's well that ends well--our unit wasn't damaged, no one was seriously injured, and we didn't even lose power.
The firefighters had to break into the building cati-corner to us, hunting for electrical fires in the wiring in the walls. Fortunately, no one was hurt and mostly the roof and the interior were damaged. No one was sufficiently injured to be taken in an ambulance that we could see.
We lost two huge limbs--better than 12 feet long--from the maple on the corner of our property. One is still hanging from the tree and our coop's maintenance department has been alerted about it. (No, Mom, I'm not going anywhere near that tree.) The other was chipped up by our city public works department this afternoon--I'd called at lunchtime and got them just in time. Or perhaps they were simply looking for all downed limbs in the area.
All's well that ends well--our unit wasn't damaged, no one was seriously injured, and we didn't even lose power.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Book Review: Baby, We Were Meant for Each Other
my Goodreads is having an attitude about transferring this, but here's my review of an adoption memoir I'm currently reading:
Baby, We Were Meant for Each Other: In Praise of Adoption by Scott Simon
Warm and humorous if rambling memoir about one of my beloved NPR radio hosts and his wife adopting two girls from China.
I'm a bit put off by the highly non-chronological order, but it's still an engaging and very real book of the joys and challenges (paperwork! intrusive questions and clearances! more paperwork!) of adoption and parenthood.
This slim (178-page) memoir a heartening book for people like me still going through the long pre-child adoption process, and a good way for non-adoptive people to understand the physical and emotional details.
I confess I'm getting all mushy, even over the spitting-up stories. And reading some of the humorous moments to my husband.
Baby, We Were Meant for Each Other: In Praise of Adoption by Scott Simon
Warm and humorous if rambling memoir about one of my beloved NPR radio hosts and his wife adopting two girls from China.
I'm a bit put off by the highly non-chronological order, but it's still an engaging and very real book of the joys and challenges (paperwork! intrusive questions and clearances! more paperwork!) of adoption and parenthood.
This slim (178-page) memoir a heartening book for people like me still going through the long pre-child adoption process, and a good way for non-adoptive people to understand the physical and emotional details.
I confess I'm getting all mushy, even over the spitting-up stories. And reading some of the humorous moments to my husband.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Finally, Otakon pictures!
I can't even begin to describe the con, unless you know the fandoms. Every year it's a place to watch new anime, check out people wearing costumes, shop in the dealers' room for commercial anime and manga-related stuff, shop in Artists' Alley for amateur and semiprofessional artwork, comics, jewelry, bookmarks and other stuff and go to panels with titles like "Hetalia Mock UN" (I missed that one, sadly) and "Feminism, Fanfiction and Fanservice")
Oh, and get together with friends and meet other anime and manga fans with similar interests.
One picture being a thousand words, here's an album-full of them.
A few highlights:
-The CLAMP photo shoot. I've noted which one that is in the pictures above. I was Yuuko from Xxxholic (she's also in other stories by CLAMP, primarily Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle). I had such a blast playing at being Yuuko and meeting other fans.
-Visiting my friends' Kevin & Sarah's booth, and buying a copy of Ensign Sue Must Die! by Kevin and his friend Clare.
-The Yoshida Brothers concert. Amazing shamisen players who perform with rock bands and on their own in a range of traditional Japanese to rock with other genres mixed in. They did a wonderful blues-influenced number.
-Playing with my roommates' ball-jointed dolls. One of them, Andrea (second from left in the last photo in my album) actually makes the dolls from molds. She also makes some of the clothes, and paints the faces (she has a lovely hand with makeup, tattoos and so on).
-Sunday Brunch with my roommates--see that last photo.
Oh, and get together with friends and meet other anime and manga fans with similar interests.
One picture being a thousand words, here's an album-full of them.
A few highlights:
-The CLAMP photo shoot. I've noted which one that is in the pictures above. I was Yuuko from Xxxholic (she's also in other stories by CLAMP, primarily Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicle). I had such a blast playing at being Yuuko and meeting other fans.
-Visiting my friends' Kevin & Sarah's booth, and buying a copy of Ensign Sue Must Die! by Kevin and his friend Clare.
-The Yoshida Brothers concert. Amazing shamisen players who perform with rock bands and on their own in a range of traditional Japanese to rock with other genres mixed in. They did a wonderful blues-influenced number.
-Playing with my roommates' ball-jointed dolls. One of them, Andrea (second from left in the last photo in my album) actually makes the dolls from molds. She also makes some of the clothes, and paints the faces (she has a lovely hand with makeup, tattoos and so on).
-Sunday Brunch with my roommates--see that last photo.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Throwing Pots and Playing in the Dirt
I haven't mentioned that I'm taking a pottery class: Intro to Wheel. So far I've thrown three reasonably good items: what's going to become a small herb-growing pot, a small pitcher and..what was the last one? I think it's going to be one of those straight-up-and-down Japanese tea mugs. Because *no one* needs another vase. Or mug. (I have a zillion of each)
I haven't done pottery since a community-school class I took while I was still married for the first time which means...twenty years ago or more? (Yes, I'm that old). And I thoroughly enjoy this. I decided to focus on the wheel because I've never been able to throw a decent pot--and the first night we got to do our own, I did a pretty good one! (the flowerpot). This teacher is excellent. I'll even get to try out some of our local dirt-clay! Heaven knows I dug up enough this spring.
I also want to take advantage of my free "open ceramics studio" time and make...a maki-roll platter like the ones they have in Japanese restaurants. I remember enough about slab-clay building to make one. Ken and I discussed texturing the bottom and I'm going to take his suggestion of using cheesecloth. I'll probably glaze it in cobalt blue, like most of the rest of our bowls and dishes, and our good glasses.
I haven't done pottery since a community-school class I took while I was still married for the first time which means...twenty years ago or more? (Yes, I'm that old). And I thoroughly enjoy this. I decided to focus on the wheel because I've never been able to throw a decent pot--and the first night we got to do our own, I did a pretty good one! (the flowerpot). This teacher is excellent. I'll even get to try out some of our local dirt-clay! Heaven knows I dug up enough this spring.
I also want to take advantage of my free "open ceramics studio" time and make...a maki-roll platter like the ones they have in Japanese restaurants. I remember enough about slab-clay building to make one. Ken and I discussed texturing the bottom and I'm going to take his suggestion of using cheesecloth. I'll probably glaze it in cobalt blue, like most of the rest of our bowls and dishes, and our good glasses.
Sunday, July 04, 2010
Garden Update
* My beans have beans!! I discovered that Monday evening. Now some of them look almost ready to eat
* The biggest tomato is about golf-ball-sized and mostly bright red. I might be able to make one serving of no-cook tomato sauce some time this week!
* Cucumbers are growing like crazy. I need poles!
* There's one section on the side yard where nothing will grow, not even the English ivy that loves to take over even amidst the super-hardy ground cover. I may just strew it with mulch and give up.
* BUGS have been eating the leaves of my beans, basil and some other plants. I decided to use a recipe I found for organic all-purpose bug spray: finely chopped garlic and onions or chives (I used chives since I have tons growing here) that you let sit for a week. Ken says it should just be called "repellant" because he can't stand it. I sprayed it this evening. If it doesn't work, at least I've pre-seasoned the beans...
* The biggest tomato is about golf-ball-sized and mostly bright red. I might be able to make one serving of no-cook tomato sauce some time this week!
* Cucumbers are growing like crazy. I need poles!
* There's one section on the side yard where nothing will grow, not even the English ivy that loves to take over even amidst the super-hardy ground cover. I may just strew it with mulch and give up.
* BUGS have been eating the leaves of my beans, basil and some other plants. I decided to use a recipe I found for organic all-purpose bug spray: finely chopped garlic and onions or chives (I used chives since I have tons growing here) that you let sit for a week. Ken says it should just be called "repellant" because he can't stand it. I sprayed it this evening. If it doesn't work, at least I've pre-seasoned the beans...
Independence Day!
And what do Quakers do on July 4? We had a Meeting for Learning (that's Quaker for "Adult Religious Education") on the peace testimony.
Then, time for a nap. I came downstairs to find Ken watching 1776, probably my favorite movie for 4th of July (how can you resist a musical about the writing of the Declaration of Independence, with lots of jokes from Ben Franklin?). We skipped the end, leaving the Continental Congress wrangling over the wording of the Declaration, to have dinner at...Hana, our favorite Japanese restaurant.
Then we came home to Yankee Doodle Dandy with James Cagney. What a great celebration of old Broadway and musical theatre in the pre-Rodgers and Hammerstein days.
All really very American, enjoying freedom of religion, food of a former enemy turned ally, and songs of so many great things about our country.
"The land I love, the home of the free and the brave."
So many people worked and still work to keep it so: those men of the first continental congress, Abigail Adams exhorting her husband to "Remember the Ladies" (a hope that didn't come to fruition until decades of suffragists endured beatings, prison and forced feeding to bring half the country the vote), and others struggling for equal rights from Sojourner Truth up to my friends working for marriage equality. Each of us does our part to help this country truly provide liberty and justice for all.
Then, time for a nap. I came downstairs to find Ken watching 1776, probably my favorite movie for 4th of July (how can you resist a musical about the writing of the Declaration of Independence, with lots of jokes from Ben Franklin?). We skipped the end, leaving the Continental Congress wrangling over the wording of the Declaration, to have dinner at...Hana, our favorite Japanese restaurant.
Then we came home to Yankee Doodle Dandy with James Cagney. What a great celebration of old Broadway and musical theatre in the pre-Rodgers and Hammerstein days.
All really very American, enjoying freedom of religion, food of a former enemy turned ally, and songs of so many great things about our country.
"The land I love, the home of the free and the brave."
So many people worked and still work to keep it so: those men of the first continental congress, Abigail Adams exhorting her husband to "Remember the Ladies" (a hope that didn't come to fruition until decades of suffragists endured beatings, prison and forced feeding to bring half the country the vote), and others struggling for equal rights from Sojourner Truth up to my friends working for marriage equality. Each of us does our part to help this country truly provide liberty and justice for all.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
New job!
So, I've been at the new job for three days now. I'm an "Income Assitance Program Specialist" for long-term care, which means I'm doing evaluations and database searches and paperwork and so on to determine whether people qualify to get some of their nursing-home or other long-term care paid for by the government.
The first big part of my training is reading a 3-inch-thick manual with state and federal regulations, categories and formulas--it reminds me of federal tax forms than anything else I can think of and much of it is boooring. Thank goodness it includes examples so I can read how things play out in certain situations. And it's intended to help people with long-term problems--old people in nursing homes, people on permanent disability and so on.
And I get to play with databases and forms (I'm one of those weird individuals who loves forms and surveys. I worked with surveys my very first job at Peterson's Guides and have a soft spot for them). Plus I have a nice cubicle with my own computer (at my old job we had to share), and the other staff have been pleasant. Best of all I have a supervisor who's bright, comfortable to talk with, and dedicated--and has a great sense of humor. Example from Monday: "the first thing we're going to have you do is kill people." Meaning I'll make the appropriate changes to the database for people who have died.
Eventually I'll be dealing with actual customers, some of whom get obnoxious, but hey, I've been dealing with that for 12 years now and most of these people will be on the phone, not in person.
The commute is nasty--1 hour by car, 1 1/2 by subway--but only till my training period is over (oh and for about a month I'll be training even further away, ack!!). But after that I'll be working at a site closer to home.
And in the meantime, there's my iPod and books...
Note: Writing this was complicated by someone nudging and moving around the mouse. Someone wants to be scritched and petted...
The first big part of my training is reading a 3-inch-thick manual with state and federal regulations, categories and formulas--it reminds me of federal tax forms than anything else I can think of and much of it is boooring. Thank goodness it includes examples so I can read how things play out in certain situations. And it's intended to help people with long-term problems--old people in nursing homes, people on permanent disability and so on.
And I get to play with databases and forms (I'm one of those weird individuals who loves forms and surveys. I worked with surveys my very first job at Peterson's Guides and have a soft spot for them). Plus I have a nice cubicle with my own computer (at my old job we had to share), and the other staff have been pleasant. Best of all I have a supervisor who's bright, comfortable to talk with, and dedicated--and has a great sense of humor. Example from Monday: "the first thing we're going to have you do is kill people." Meaning I'll make the appropriate changes to the database for people who have died.
Eventually I'll be dealing with actual customers, some of whom get obnoxious, but hey, I've been dealing with that for 12 years now and most of these people will be on the phone, not in person.
The commute is nasty--1 hour by car, 1 1/2 by subway--but only till my training period is over (oh and for about a month I'll be training even further away, ack!!). But after that I'll be working at a site closer to home.
And in the meantime, there's my iPod and books...
Note: Writing this was complicated by someone nudging and moving around the mouse. Someone wants to be scritched and petted...
Sunday, June 20, 2010
The Last week at My Library Job
First off, my coworkers put up a poster announcing the party, and they got the perfect picture from Xxxholic to put on the party poster.
Then there was a power outage the morning of the party (we open late on Wednesday, so the party was 11-12:30) so they were late getting together and wouldn't let me in till everything was done. Our youngest page, who is a fellow nerd and anime fan, came to the Information Staff office to amuse me with anime stuff on YouTube. We watched two eps of YuGiOh! Abridged.
My coworkers had set up many of my favorite foods--homemade chicken lo mein from one of my awesome Taiwanese-American coworkers, strawberry-rhubarb pie, brownies, pumpkin pie (I don't know *how* Margarete found it at this time of year but she did!). Then we had presentations--flowers from one of my coworkers and from our Friends of the Library, a framed picture of a little girl reading that I love especially because of the quotation that goes with it ("Disgusted with life, she retired to the society of books"), a card with a manga page on it with sad girls and a penguin (the city's mascot--and the library's--is a penguin) and lots of good wishes from coworkers written inside.
Then came the musical numbers. Our head page Mark sang a song for Margarete who is being transferred in two weeks, then for me, and then the two of us did a duet of the Les Miserables song I rewrote (with assistance from Margarete) for the staff. It's rather incendiary about budget cuts to the library and the staff in particular. Everyone loved it--staff and Friends of the Library alike are extremely unhappy about the cuts.
Then we ate some more. I got lovely separate cards from Michelle, a children's librarian from another branch who was my mentor when I started, and from one of my favorite volunteers, Susan, a retired art teacher who helps with our infant & toddler storytimes. (She drew pictures of the bells and scarves we use at infant/toddler storytime on her card). There was much sadness on all sides seeing me go. One of my favorite teen volunteers was there with his mom--they've been regular patrons since he was a baby, and mom regularly brings us homemade goodies. So sweet of them to come--I'm glad it was the day after school ended so they could come as well as Josh!
It's awful leaving, but somehow a bit easier because I know people care about me and will miss me. And they keep insisting I have to keep in touch and visit.
I felt so loved.
Then there was a power outage the morning of the party (we open late on Wednesday, so the party was 11-12:30) so they were late getting together and wouldn't let me in till everything was done. Our youngest page, who is a fellow nerd and anime fan, came to the Information Staff office to amuse me with anime stuff on YouTube. We watched two eps of YuGiOh! Abridged.
My coworkers had set up many of my favorite foods--homemade chicken lo mein from one of my awesome Taiwanese-American coworkers, strawberry-rhubarb pie, brownies, pumpkin pie (I don't know *how* Margarete found it at this time of year but she did!). Then we had presentations--flowers from one of my coworkers and from our Friends of the Library, a framed picture of a little girl reading that I love especially because of the quotation that goes with it ("Disgusted with life, she retired to the society of books"), a card with a manga page on it with sad girls and a penguin (the city's mascot--and the library's--is a penguin) and lots of good wishes from coworkers written inside.
Then came the musical numbers. Our head page Mark sang a song for Margarete who is being transferred in two weeks, then for me, and then the two of us did a duet of the Les Miserables song I rewrote (with assistance from Margarete) for the staff. It's rather incendiary about budget cuts to the library and the staff in particular. Everyone loved it--staff and Friends of the Library alike are extremely unhappy about the cuts.
Then we ate some more. I got lovely separate cards from Michelle, a children's librarian from another branch who was my mentor when I started, and from one of my favorite volunteers, Susan, a retired art teacher who helps with our infant & toddler storytimes. (She drew pictures of the bells and scarves we use at infant/toddler storytime on her card). There was much sadness on all sides seeing me go. One of my favorite teen volunteers was there with his mom--they've been regular patrons since he was a baby, and mom regularly brings us homemade goodies. So sweet of them to come--I'm glad it was the day after school ended so they could come as well as Josh!
It's awful leaving, but somehow a bit easier because I know people care about me and will miss me. And they keep insisting I have to keep in touch and visit.
I felt so loved.
Home last weekend
We went up to NY State for a wonderful family weekend, taking the train as usual (so restful and a great time to catch up on reading and napping!)
My Uncle Tony (Mom's big brother) and Aunt Sheila celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They had a beautiful Mass of Thanksgiving at our hometown church, and then a luncheon reception. So many relatives, especially my "relatives-in-law" on Aunt Sheila's side, were there! I was especially happy to see Rachel and her husband Joe for the first time since their own wedding and to get some time to talk with them. Also seeing older relatives--my Great-Aunt Edith is in her 90s and still looking wonderful!
Looking through Uncle Tony and Aunt Sheila's wedding album was another highlight--I recognized my "Uncle" Ray right away as best man, and enjoyed picking out other people including Mom in her very poufy bridesmaid's dress--so much like the ones Aunt Sheila and Mom's other bridesmaids wore the next year when Mom & Dad got married.
The food was good too (can't have an Italian-American event without good food!) The cake (chocolate with a lightricotta-cheese filling!) was my favorite, I think.
I hope my cousins send or post pictures: Matthew was busy with his camera as always, and Chelsea was snapping couples pictures at the tables.
***but wait! There's more!***
After the reception we went up to Saratoga for dinner and to hear Dave's band, October Circle. Dinner was good, the Saratoga architecture is lovely, and I want to try the mineral springs! They have various herbal baths at one of the spas. Also a Museum of Dance that Mom and Dad said is great.
The band was better than ever--these guys have developed a lot of talent and just keep growing musically and with their repertoire of covers plus originals. Brad did amazing things with the theremin--unfortunately it cut out at one point and he hurt his hand getting the mechanism to work again. And I love Yetta the puppet!
Dave sang lead on a couple of songs--great pipes, baby brother! And your bass playing is excellent. Plus you were right--you guys play great dance music (which is why big sister was the first one up to dance)
My Uncle Tony (Mom's big brother) and Aunt Sheila celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. They had a beautiful Mass of Thanksgiving at our hometown church, and then a luncheon reception. So many relatives, especially my "relatives-in-law" on Aunt Sheila's side, were there! I was especially happy to see Rachel and her husband Joe for the first time since their own wedding and to get some time to talk with them. Also seeing older relatives--my Great-Aunt Edith is in her 90s and still looking wonderful!
Looking through Uncle Tony and Aunt Sheila's wedding album was another highlight--I recognized my "Uncle" Ray right away as best man, and enjoyed picking out other people including Mom in her very poufy bridesmaid's dress--so much like the ones Aunt Sheila and Mom's other bridesmaids wore the next year when Mom & Dad got married.
The food was good too (can't have an Italian-American event without good food!) The cake (chocolate with a lightricotta-cheese filling!) was my favorite, I think.
I hope my cousins send or post pictures: Matthew was busy with his camera as always, and Chelsea was snapping couples pictures at the tables.
***but wait! There's more!***
After the reception we went up to Saratoga for dinner and to hear Dave's band, October Circle. Dinner was good, the Saratoga architecture is lovely, and I want to try the mineral springs! They have various herbal baths at one of the spas. Also a Museum of Dance that Mom and Dad said is great.
The band was better than ever--these guys have developed a lot of talent and just keep growing musically and with their repertoire of covers plus originals. Brad did amazing things with the theremin--unfortunately it cut out at one point and he hurt his hand getting the mechanism to work again. And I love Yetta the puppet!
Dave sang lead on a couple of songs--great pipes, baby brother! And your bass playing is excellent. Plus you were right--you guys play great dance music (which is why big sister was the first one up to dance)
Sunday, June 06, 2010
Pictures: of Ivan, alone and with some humans
Ken took several pictures over the last few days.
The first couple are of Ivan with our friend James. James and Mary came over for lunch and to pick mulberries from our tree--and, as it turned out, from many other mulberry trees in the "community area" that adjoins our backyard.
We had plenty to eat--I made my two Japanese specialties, soba with sweet walnut paste and cucumber maki rolls. Then we picked loooots of mulberries: James and Mary picked a gallon between them and I, with some help from James, Mary and Ken, got nearly half a gallon for us.
We also had a wonderful time talking and, of course, adoring Ivan. Ken picked him up to hold him so Mary could pet him--and Ivan reached out to her, so she took him in her arms. And he clearly liked James also, as you can tell from the pictures...
(if you want to see a photo full-size, just click on it!)
Other pictures are of me (with my new, slightly different haircut) petting Ivan, and of The Most Gorgeous Cat in the World on his own.
The first couple are of Ivan with our friend James. James and Mary came over for lunch and to pick mulberries from our tree--and, as it turned out, from many other mulberry trees in the "community area" that adjoins our backyard.
We had plenty to eat--I made my two Japanese specialties, soba with sweet walnut paste and cucumber maki rolls. Then we picked loooots of mulberries: James and Mary picked a gallon between them and I, with some help from James, Mary and Ken, got nearly half a gallon for us.
We also had a wonderful time talking and, of course, adoring Ivan. Ken picked him up to hold him so Mary could pet him--and Ivan reached out to her, so she took him in her arms. And he clearly liked James also, as you can tell from the pictures...
(if you want to see a photo full-size, just click on it!)
Other pictures are of me (with my new, slightly different haircut) petting Ivan, and of The Most Gorgeous Cat in the World on his own.
Monday, May 31, 2010
My new job
I start June 21. I'm trying not to think of this as "I start not being a librarian on June 21--I'll always be a librarian. And it's not a bad job. I'll be processing paperwork and working with nursing home residents who need help paying for their health care (Medicare, etc.) The hard part will be when rules require me to deny their requests. There will be tons of paperwork--up to 5 years' history on each person. And I will be trained on computer software, and on other things (one training will take 3 weeks, in Baltimore).
I talked with my new boss for a while the other day--she seems nice, and easy to talk with. I'm wondering when I should tell her about our adoption situation: "Oh, yeah, not only am I eager to get back to library work, but I might become a mom and need three months' family leave on as little as two days' notice."
But it will all work out somehow. I've got so much experience from my years of work (and unemployment, and freelancing, and dealing with difficult bosses/coworkers/customers). And I have so much support from family and friends. ::hugs you all::
I talked with my new boss for a while the other day--she seems nice, and easy to talk with. I'm wondering when I should tell her about our adoption situation: "Oh, yeah, not only am I eager to get back to library work, but I might become a mom and need three months' family leave on as little as two days' notice."
But it will all work out somehow. I've got so much experience from my years of work (and unemployment, and freelancing, and dealing with difficult bosses/coworkers/customers). And I have so much support from family and friends. ::hugs you all::
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Tech Love
Ken ordered a new GPS from Garmin last week. We've been getting it in parts--first the stand that holds it on the dashboard, then the case. He's been waiting anxiously for the delivery guy to come by with the actual GPS.
A few minutes ago he heard a quiet noise near our front door and raced to open it. Sure enough, it was a delivery person with the Garmin. He's like a kid at Christmas: tore it open right away, looked it over, and now he's gone. I'm sure he's installing it in the car as I type this.
This behavior comes as no surprise to his mom, of course.
Oh, and we went to Target this morning. Ken was all over the wide-screen HDTVs, and I squee'd over the baby clothes and even the (bisphenol-free plastic) bottles. We managed to control ourselves and get the toothbrush heads and scrubbing sponges we needed.
A few minutes ago he heard a quiet noise near our front door and raced to open it. Sure enough, it was a delivery person with the Garmin. He's like a kid at Christmas: tore it open right away, looked it over, and now he's gone. I'm sure he's installing it in the car as I type this.
This behavior comes as no surprise to his mom, of course.
Oh, and we went to Target this morning. Ken was all over the wide-screen HDTVs, and I squee'd over the baby clothes and even the (bisphenol-free plastic) bottles. We managed to control ourselves and get the toothbrush heads and scrubbing sponges we needed.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Oh, the Trauma! Taking Ivan to the vet
This morning Ivan had a vet appointment to get a checkup and his distemper shot, plus to have his bad breath checked out in case it was a sign of a problem and not just his diet of healthy kibble, holistic fish treats and the occasional salt-free tunafish.
Ivan does not like being confined or travel. I tricked him into the cat carrier with a catnip mousie. He was crying piteously within seconds. I got him into the car, eventually succeeding in buckling in the carrier. He was not going for the soothing cassette of folk music I was playing, so I sang to him on the trip, which cut the crying by about two-thirds (it was still a long 10 minutes!)
Once at the vet's I decided to take him out of the carrier so he'd be in my arms and petted and, I hoped, happier. All was fine till he decided to escape. Over my shoulder and back. Several times. Felt like I was being beaten with a cat o' nine claws. Apparently his claws weren't clipped recently enough (they don't look that sharp, but!)
I was just threatening to put him back in the carrier when the vet called for him. He was pretty good--went to be weighed without a fuss (he's lost 1 ounce since last year). Then he submitted to having his teeth checked. They're the bad-breath culprit: he's developing tartar. The vet recommended waiting till the tartar gets worse, as they'll have to knock Ivan out to clean his teeth properly. After my experience with the clawing, and considering how he is about getting his claws trimmed, I agree there's no way he'd put up with it while conscious. Otherwise he's fine: no problems with his ears, stomach, etc. He even took his shot without a cry.
Then I had to shove him in the cat carrier again and pay the bill. The vet assistant told me Ivan needs a rabies shot in December. Guess who's taking him? I told Ivan, "I'm recommending that Daddy wear his leather bomber jacket when he takes you."
Then, finally, we got to go home. He didn't cry this time (probably over-traumatized and hurting from the shot) but had his back to me for the first half of the trip. So I sang to him again. I checked on him at a red light and he was facing me and seemed a little happier, so I kept singing.
Oh, and I got to go to work after that (after taking a shower and slathering antibiotic on the surprisingly small claw marks.)
Playlist for the trip included:
Skinnimarink
If Ever I Would Leave You (I forgot half the words!)
A Groovy Kind of Love
A Bushel and a Peck
All My Loving
Old McDonald (while we were driving through the Agricultural Experimental Station on the way home)
Ivan does not like being confined or travel. I tricked him into the cat carrier with a catnip mousie. He was crying piteously within seconds. I got him into the car, eventually succeeding in buckling in the carrier. He was not going for the soothing cassette of folk music I was playing, so I sang to him on the trip, which cut the crying by about two-thirds (it was still a long 10 minutes!)
Once at the vet's I decided to take him out of the carrier so he'd be in my arms and petted and, I hoped, happier. All was fine till he decided to escape. Over my shoulder and back. Several times. Felt like I was being beaten with a cat o' nine claws. Apparently his claws weren't clipped recently enough (they don't look that sharp, but!)
I was just threatening to put him back in the carrier when the vet called for him. He was pretty good--went to be weighed without a fuss (he's lost 1 ounce since last year). Then he submitted to having his teeth checked. They're the bad-breath culprit: he's developing tartar. The vet recommended waiting till the tartar gets worse, as they'll have to knock Ivan out to clean his teeth properly. After my experience with the clawing, and considering how he is about getting his claws trimmed, I agree there's no way he'd put up with it while conscious. Otherwise he's fine: no problems with his ears, stomach, etc. He even took his shot without a cry.
Then I had to shove him in the cat carrier again and pay the bill. The vet assistant told me Ivan needs a rabies shot in December. Guess who's taking him? I told Ivan, "I'm recommending that Daddy wear his leather bomber jacket when he takes you."
Then, finally, we got to go home. He didn't cry this time (probably over-traumatized and hurting from the shot) but had his back to me for the first half of the trip. So I sang to him again. I checked on him at a red light and he was facing me and seemed a little happier, so I kept singing.
Oh, and I got to go to work after that (after taking a shower and slathering antibiotic on the surprisingly small claw marks.)
Playlist for the trip included:
Skinnimarink
If Ever I Would Leave You (I forgot half the words!)
A Groovy Kind of Love
A Bushel and a Peck
All My Loving
Old McDonald (while we were driving through the Agricultural Experimental Station on the way home)
Monday, April 26, 2010
Can you stand more garden news?
I finally fulfilled a years-long dream: I bought and planted a lilac bush a week ago. Amidst amazing amounts of azaleas.
Click on the picture below for photos--run the slideshow and you can see full-size versions, with captions...
Now the tiger lilies are trying to take over too. They are massing along the side wall of our townhome. I expect them to come in the window soon and start watching NCIS with us. So I dug up several of them: planted some in the sunnier parts of the front yard where it's pretty bare, and gave a couple to Rosalyn, our next-door neighbor. Then I tried digging up more and the darn things have such strong roots (with lots of bulb-like nodes on them) that I broke my trowel! Need to get a new one from Behnke, evidently. Along with more manure for the rest of my spring planting, since I've used up the 40 lbs. I got three weeks ago.
Click on the picture below for photos--run the slideshow and you can see full-size versions, with captions...
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| Garden Late April 2010 |
Now the tiger lilies are trying to take over too. They are massing along the side wall of our townhome. I expect them to come in the window soon and start watching NCIS with us. So I dug up several of them: planted some in the sunnier parts of the front yard where it's pretty bare, and gave a couple to Rosalyn, our next-door neighbor. Then I tried digging up more and the darn things have such strong roots (with lots of bulb-like nodes on them) that I broke my trowel! Need to get a new one from Behnke, evidently. Along with more manure for the rest of my spring planting, since I've used up the 40 lbs. I got three weeks ago.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Great adoption news!!
Our homestudy update was finally appproved!!! So we are eagerly awaiting requests to "show our book" to birthparents.
MLA Conference
I spent Thursday and Friday at the Marlyand Library Association Conference, in beautiful (really) Ocean City, Maryland. Here are some highlights...
-A lot of warmth, a fair amount of news, and a bit of good gossip from friends from my old library system.
-Eating my picnic lunch on the beach. The conference center was right on the beach by the Atlantic Ocean! I love the ocean off-season. And, yes, I took off shoes & socks and waded in just up to my ankles. The water was the temperature of a good cold glass of water.
-I bought awesome ankle socks to support the library association (picture below!)
-Teen Interest Group meeting was made of awesome, from making "minimal-mess" tie-die socks with permanent markers and rubber bands (my creations are with the "library-association" socks below) to getting tons of bookmarks sent by publishers.
Click on the photo for a close-up. In case you're wondering what the little red thing on the library-association socks is, it's a crab with glasses. Reading a book. You can see why I had to get them.
-Had dinner with two former coworkers, one of whom said of Otakon, "those people are weird." "Yes we are!" I replied proudly (he's retired boss of our computer geeks *and* a science fiction fan so he knows weird from the inside).
-The after-dinner speaker was Rafael Alvarez, former reporter for the Baltimore Sun and an excellent storyteller, not to mention the kind of library advocate that warms the heart. I bought his book Storyteller, and have read three of the short stories so far--excellent. I recommend him to
-Closing workshop was on Laughter Yoga. Seriously fun and helpful for stress reduction. Which is important as my job is still in question. I do have two interviews for available jobs elsewhere in the county next week, though--both in Health and Human Services (not a huge leap from public librarianship, especially the job helping low-income people with financial information and processes...)
-A lot of warmth, a fair amount of news, and a bit of good gossip from friends from my old library system.
-Eating my picnic lunch on the beach. The conference center was right on the beach by the Atlantic Ocean! I love the ocean off-season. And, yes, I took off shoes & socks and waded in just up to my ankles. The water was the temperature of a good cold glass of water.
-I bought awesome ankle socks to support the library association (picture below!)
-Teen Interest Group meeting was made of awesome, from making "minimal-mess" tie-die socks with permanent markers and rubber bands (my creations are with the "library-association" socks below) to getting tons of bookmarks sent by publishers.
Click on the photo for a close-up. In case you're wondering what the little red thing on the library-association socks is, it's a crab with glasses. Reading a book. You can see why I had to get them.
-Had dinner with two former coworkers, one of whom said of Otakon, "those people are weird." "Yes we are!" I replied proudly (he's retired boss of our computer geeks *and* a science fiction fan so he knows weird from the inside).
-The after-dinner speaker was Rafael Alvarez, former reporter for the Baltimore Sun and an excellent storyteller, not to mention the kind of library advocate that warms the heart. I bought his book Storyteller, and have read three of the short stories so far--excellent. I recommend him to
-Closing workshop was on Laughter Yoga. Seriously fun and helpful for stress reduction. Which is important as my job is still in question. I do have two interviews for available jobs elsewhere in the county next week, though--both in Health and Human Services (not a huge leap from public librarianship, especially the job helping low-income people with financial information and processes...)
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Monday, April 12, 2010
Easter 2010
We had an excellent time at Easter, spending three days with many of Ken's relatives at his uncle and aunt's home. Bonnie and Ed were, as always, excellent hosts. Easter celebrations included an excellent family brunch and the annual Easter Egg hunt in Bonnie and Ed's yard! Ken and I hid the eggs for the older kids, perhaps too well--three eggs were extremely difficult to find! The little ones found theirs much more easily.
Photos, mostly of the egg hunt, are in the album below--just click on the photo of Bonnie:
For a few days after Easter, Ken and I were hosts in turn for his cousin Janet from Northern Ireland and her boyfriend Peter. We spent Monday in Baltimore, seeing Edgar Allen Poe's home and gravesite (just outside an appropriately dark and mysterious-looking brick church), the Constellation (one of the last of the US Navy's sailing ships) and a WWII submarine. Tuesday Ken took Janet and Peter into Washington for a whirlwind tour of the major monuments and other sights, including the cherry blossom trees just past their peak. We enjoyed getting to know our new relatives better, finding many common interests including music and cats (Ivan enjoyed the extra attention).
Photos, mostly of the egg hunt, are in the album below--just click on the photo of Bonnie:
 |
| Easter 2010 |
For a few days after Easter, Ken and I were hosts in turn for his cousin Janet from Northern Ireland and her boyfriend Peter. We spent Monday in Baltimore, seeing Edgar Allen Poe's home and gravesite (just outside an appropriately dark and mysterious-looking brick church), the Constellation (one of the last of the US Navy's sailing ships) and a WWII submarine. Tuesday Ken took Janet and Peter into Washington for a whirlwind tour of the major monuments and other sights, including the cherry blossom trees just past their peak. We enjoyed getting to know our new relatives better, finding many common interests including music and cats (Ivan enjoyed the extra attention).
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Adoptive Parenting Prep Class
Well, this wasn't your typical parenting prep class! One prospective dad said he came in expecting to hear about diaper-changing, but as the presenter (a social worker who worked with addicted pregnant women before working for our agency) told us, we could learn that stuff from books, friends and family.
Sooo...what did we learn about? We started by hearing each other's stories. There was one prospective mom there who's even older than me! I made sure to chat with her during the first break; us middle-aged moms need to support each other!
Then we watched a film on "Adoption: Then and Now" and had to laugh at the 1950s-era informational film at the beginning.
Major things we learned:
How hard this is for birth mothers. I'd read about this in books but the video really brought it home. Several of the women interviewed were sure, even years later, that they made the right choice, but they loved their babies and missed them. The film included a couple of birth dads, one who said "I pray for my baby every night." These days, most birthparents in the US can have at least occasional contact if they want, which usually works out well for everyone. Some birthparents want only letters, others think no contact till the child is grown up is best, and others have occasional visits with the adoptive families, gettting to talk and play with their birth child.
The presenter strongly recommended that we contact birth parents only through the agency, at least till we're absolutely sure we can trust the birth parents. Some are immature or have problems that mean they can't behave in a way that allows security for the child and adoptive family. We're planning on sending letters and photos to the agency twice a year to go to the birth family, and if it seems safe for everyone and good for our child we'd like to have in-person visits, with the first one or two at the agency.
"What if the birthmom or dad wants their baby back?" you are thinking. Our agency is very careful about that. They won't let an adoptive family take a baby home till (a)both parents have signed relinquishment papers and (b)the birthparent's (usually just the mom) social worker is sure she won't change her mind. If they have doubts, the baby stays with a foster family till the relinquishment period (30 days in Maryland!) is over, then the chosen adoptive family takes their baby home. The parent can't get the baby back unless something is done wrong legally, and the agency's very careful about those matters (Yes, they have an attorney on their staff).
This way seems much better for everyone than the old one. Adoptive families, including the child, can know a lot not just about the birthparents' medical history, but their personalities and interests (things adopted kids really want to know as they get older) and sometimes have contact with them. The birthparents aren't pushed to forget their child forever and can learn how their birth-child is doing. Kids are brought up knowing about being adopted. (My friend's little girl learned at age 2 when her mom explained that she was getting a baby brother who was coming on an airplane from Korea, just like she did.) I'm glad we'll be able to tell our child some things about his or her birth family. Also, we can show them the album we made (which many of you have seen) and say "this is what your mom used to pick us to be your forever parents" and keep track of the adoption story from our first decisions--one reason I'm writing this blog!
The agency is available to help all the way--they have several groups for adoptive parents all the way through the teenage years, not to mention a zillion workshops on everything from communicating with birth parents to dealing with drug withdrawal. Most drugs do not cause permanent damage (though weaning a baby who's been bored addicted is harrowing). Alcohol is the worst--even one drinking binge can cause terrible permanent damage. We've been really conservative about how much alcohol we're willing for the birth mother to have had.
We also talked about bonding--extremely important for adopted babies so they quickly learn to trust their adopted parents and to feel safe and loved.
And we did an exercise, watched a video and talked a lot about transracial adoption. Not an easy decision. It's not enough to "just love" a child as transracial kids have even more identity issues than adopted kids of the same ethnic group as their parents, who have more identity issues than bio kids (and we know how bio kids are about identity, especially as teenagers!)
So, a lot to learn and think about. Fortunately, we got to make comments and ask questions a lot. The presenter gave Ken & I the name of another agency person with connections with county governments to see if our very-long-delayed child-protective-services clearance can be speeded up.
Being with other future adoptive parents was great--we had some things in common (being older like the one couple, not having any kids yet like most others) and some that were different (five prospective parents had been adopted themselves--one transracially).
And the presenter recommended that we keep a blog about our journey, so our child can learn about it when he or she is old enough. That encouraged me to write this--for all of you and for our future child (or children if we get twins!) as well.
Next Tuesday, we learn about Outreach--ways we can directly look for possible birthparents if we want to. Stay Tuned!
Sooo...what did we learn about? We started by hearing each other's stories. There was one prospective mom there who's even older than me! I made sure to chat with her during the first break; us middle-aged moms need to support each other!
Then we watched a film on "Adoption: Then and Now" and had to laugh at the 1950s-era informational film at the beginning.
Major things we learned:
How hard this is for birth mothers. I'd read about this in books but the video really brought it home. Several of the women interviewed were sure, even years later, that they made the right choice, but they loved their babies and missed them. The film included a couple of birth dads, one who said "I pray for my baby every night." These days, most birthparents in the US can have at least occasional contact if they want, which usually works out well for everyone. Some birthparents want only letters, others think no contact till the child is grown up is best, and others have occasional visits with the adoptive families, gettting to talk and play with their birth child.
The presenter strongly recommended that we contact birth parents only through the agency, at least till we're absolutely sure we can trust the birth parents. Some are immature or have problems that mean they can't behave in a way that allows security for the child and adoptive family. We're planning on sending letters and photos to the agency twice a year to go to the birth family, and if it seems safe for everyone and good for our child we'd like to have in-person visits, with the first one or two at the agency.
"What if the birthmom or dad wants their baby back?" you are thinking. Our agency is very careful about that. They won't let an adoptive family take a baby home till (a)both parents have signed relinquishment papers and (b)the birthparent's (usually just the mom) social worker is sure she won't change her mind. If they have doubts, the baby stays with a foster family till the relinquishment period (30 days in Maryland!) is over, then the chosen adoptive family takes their baby home. The parent can't get the baby back unless something is done wrong legally, and the agency's very careful about those matters (Yes, they have an attorney on their staff).
This way seems much better for everyone than the old one. Adoptive families, including the child, can know a lot not just about the birthparents' medical history, but their personalities and interests (things adopted kids really want to know as they get older) and sometimes have contact with them. The birthparents aren't pushed to forget their child forever and can learn how their birth-child is doing. Kids are brought up knowing about being adopted. (My friend's little girl learned at age 2 when her mom explained that she was getting a baby brother who was coming on an airplane from Korea, just like she did.) I'm glad we'll be able to tell our child some things about his or her birth family. Also, we can show them the album we made (which many of you have seen) and say "this is what your mom used to pick us to be your forever parents" and keep track of the adoption story from our first decisions--one reason I'm writing this blog!
The agency is available to help all the way--they have several groups for adoptive parents all the way through the teenage years, not to mention a zillion workshops on everything from communicating with birth parents to dealing with drug withdrawal. Most drugs do not cause permanent damage (though weaning a baby who's been bored addicted is harrowing). Alcohol is the worst--even one drinking binge can cause terrible permanent damage. We've been really conservative about how much alcohol we're willing for the birth mother to have had.
We also talked about bonding--extremely important for adopted babies so they quickly learn to trust their adopted parents and to feel safe and loved.
And we did an exercise, watched a video and talked a lot about transracial adoption. Not an easy decision. It's not enough to "just love" a child as transracial kids have even more identity issues than adopted kids of the same ethnic group as their parents, who have more identity issues than bio kids (and we know how bio kids are about identity, especially as teenagers!)
So, a lot to learn and think about. Fortunately, we got to make comments and ask questions a lot. The presenter gave Ken & I the name of another agency person with connections with county governments to see if our very-long-delayed child-protective-services clearance can be speeded up.
Being with other future adoptive parents was great--we had some things in common (being older like the one couple, not having any kids yet like most others) and some that were different (five prospective parents had been adopted themselves--one transracially).
And the presenter recommended that we keep a blog about our journey, so our child can learn about it when he or she is old enough. That encouraged me to write this--for all of you and for our future child (or children if we get twins!) as well.
Next Tuesday, we learn about Outreach--ways we can directly look for possible birthparents if we want to. Stay Tuned!
Sunday, February 07, 2010
Surviving the Snowpocalypse
We're fine; got home in good time from work Friday afternoon, with plenty of food and books at home. We lost power Saturday from 6am to 4pm, but the three of us kept each other warm.
Yes, we took pictures...just click on the 'cover photo' below:
Yes, we took pictures...just click on the 'cover photo' below:
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| Snopocalypse Feb. 2010 |
Friday, January 29, 2010
Photos and Videos from Dad's Birthday Party!
Sorry I'm a month and a half late, but here they finally are!
Just click on the picture, and that will let you into the album. You can either click on "Slideshow" to see them all, or click on each pictue as you like.
Just click on the picture, and that will let you into the album. You can either click on "Slideshow" to see them all, or click on each pictue as you like.
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| Dad's party |
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