A New Change

So sorry - I can't believe how long it has been. Well, last month was a bit stressful & I didn't know how to focus that anxiety into a blog worth reading.

Now I am content. I made the decision to take a new job. It still has to do with education but I help coordinate new programs and curriculum for an Art & science center. I love, love, love it! I enjoy being there. I am excited to get up each day and go. I even take the time to fuss and get ready. The people are so creative. I love the meetings where we just throw around ideas and brainstorm. You can feel the enthusiasm. So many possibilities.

I had to do a lot of soul searching this past summer. My poor devoted friends and family had to listen to me ramble on and on. I like to talk my thoughts & problems aloud. Yep - that can drive many people nuts.I think I talk in my sleep too.

Anyhow- this is a very good turn for me. Keeps me focused, energized and busy. This was God's plan all along.

A vacation!

Off for a two week vacation. We are in Mexico and I have found it easy to get away & relax. The weather is great & so is the view of the mountains & lake. It is easy to see why my mother moved here, but I am a convienence gal so this will only be a vacation- nothing more.
I'll post a few pictures soon.

Indecisiveness

It is a disease with me, I think. I am so indecisive - it is a wonder that I ever finished college, got married, had kids, signed up for adoption, bought a house, etc
I have tons of ideas. Idea gal - that's me! Great plans and love to share then with everyone - maybe even save the world! But when it comes to act on anything- I get cold feet, too risky, suppose I fail, look stupid, do it wrong and negative thoughts like these plague me.

My summer last year was torturous. I needed to take a leave from teaching to clear the brain, regroup. I was so stressed out, it wasn't healthy. Not anything in particular- just needed a change. So belaboring over & over for months - I took a one year leave to pursue some volunteer projects to make a difference & try new skills. It was good therapy until I realized that this change left my future uncertain. Yep, I looked back. My "old" position is not available and the new one I was assigned really stinks - for me. Not my major, grade level, and extra extra work for a part timer.

So now I have to decide to keep this awful teaching assignment for one year (enough to save for China) and hope, pray, hope and pray that my old position will open up, I won't stress out again, have confidence that it will work out. Or do I leave for good and go a different venue in this terrible economic time and take risks, be more assertive, and be a bit more "uncomfortable."

My friend tells me there are not such things as mistakes...I am trying to agree but anxious about my future. I do trust that God has a path for me - it could be to learn lots of lessons the hard way - that is scary. Sure, some day I will look back and see it was no big deal - but at the moment - its very consuming. I am trying real hard to accept the changes- I am just too darn emotional & a bit high strung for some of this.

Today I say one thing - the next day another. I am like this until the deadline comes.
Can you imagine what a joy it must be to live with me????

Crazy Dog!

Don't let that sweet looking face fool you! OOOOOHHHHH! She makes me so neurotic! Ok short trip for me but my fuse is low and I am trying to save that fragile jar of patience for my two boys who love to test that gray line.

The dog - aka called Coco - I use other words not "G" rated but she just chewed Gman's friend's sandal Crocs. So early the next morning I went up to the mall to get him a new pair. Later that day she chews Gman's shoes that were on the bed to be packed for our trip!

I cannot leave her alone in a room. She has dug craters in my flower beds, laid on the hostas to cool off, and chewed my gardening gloves (they were on a shelf in the garage) How did she get them???

The scariest part is that she still doesn't come when called. She won't bolt from the side door - but my friend left the other day out the front door and she snuck right past us!

Out into the street!

I freaked!

Our other (gentler, trained) dog ran out at a friends house & was hit by a car. So our family cannot go through this again!

I opened the car doors to see if she would jump in instead of playing run away with me in the street. I even got a piece of hot dog but by then she spotted our neighbors cat and ran after that. Luckily, we were able to trap her in the neighbor's garage. I know we need to train her on this. Hopefully this summer we can focus on this to do it right.

We decided to have her stay at a kennel while we are away. I don't want anything to happen to her while we are gone & she can be unpredictable. I had people willing to house sit but I just don't think I can relax enough when she tries to get away.

Yes, she is lovable. Stubborn. The boys adore her. But she has this independent streak in her that we are not use to. Our other German shepherd mutt mixes were a bit more needy and wanted to be near us all the time.

Just like every child is different- every dog seems to have its own personality too.

Quick update

- we dropped out of puppy class. Our dog is still wild. Couldn't handle having the biggest problem dog in class.
- Was passed up on promotion- dealing with it.
- waiting impatiently for next job assignment.
- Celebrated 17 yrs marriage- we've come a long way, baby!
- Found this year very introspective yet I am seeing the bigger picture
- built my trust in God with stronger faith
- My boys are growing in young adults & each stage give us a new perspective
- still waiting to adopt, never sure if we are going to if it takes as long as they predict
- I have great friends & family support, I have had more coffee house chats with them this year than I have my entire life!

I hope to be back into this blog this summer. I do make up posts in my head but missing some of that old zeal I had to continue. Off to Mexico for 10 days in June to visit my mother. I need this vacation.

Who to Give to?

This is typical. My mailbox is full of groups wanting donations. The pile you see before you is just environmental groups - not even radical ones but ones to safe parts of land, ocean or animals.
I think I only gave to one or two. Now I have been definitely sold on some mailing list.

I use to feel guilty with the little gifts they sent - address labels, wrapping paper, tote bags - and I would donate to send something to cover those costs. But now - I didn't ask for this & it is too much. It is a waste & probably kills more trees by printing all this junk!

We try to be generous. It just seems that it is becoming too much lately. Now we are doing more local donations. Specific to our community or near by city that has homeless shelters & food kitchens. We also give to local animal shelters and to specific school projects. Lastly, not so local but to Star*fish & Love w/o Boundari*s but obviously near to my heart.

PS sorry but it seems that I have been a "once-a-month-poster" and now should have a a little more time this month write more. Although, I still check in with some of you regularly.

New puppy

Meet our new puppy! Her name is Coco. We found her through an animal foster group. She is about 7 months old and 56 lbs! Yes- she is part German shepherd & St. Bernard. We joke that we got our youngest son (58 lbs) a pony! How big will she get?- about 80-90lbs. - Just enough to keep strangers out.
Very cute & lovable - but so un-trained. I am down two pairs of shoes & a pair of leather gloves. Countless kid toys. She was even creative by chewing on the kids' sled. I think we will need to get horse riding lessons from MG. Does she look ridable enough? ;)


Why a new dog? - We lost our other dog to a tragic accident so one week without a canine was too long. Too emotional to blog.

Back to casual

I am going to my hubby's work party. It is at a fancy conference center, lots of food, free gambling for tickets to be used in a lottery type of giveaway of some cool stuff. His work has been doing very well. It wasn't like this 5 years ago. They cut back all the parties & fluff. Now- the solar industry is doing well. Viola! We have a party! This is quite the contrast to my potluck work party in a pole barn. Mine was fun and down to earth but his work really spoils people well.

I missed last year's party due to my grandfather's funeral. So I was really excited for this. Get my little black dress out, heels, pearls, time to primp.

Yesterday, I was informed the theme is "sports" in honor of the superbowl. Yuck! So it looks like I'll throw on my red wing hockey jersey (how NOT flattering) and jeans. Maybe I'll sneak off to the sport store and see what they have. I did joke that maybe a Dallas Cheerleader outfit- Yes a joke. Those of you that know me - know I couldn't do it! No matter how much money you were offering...

Strange But True

I came across some tid bits to share...

A car uses 1.6 oz of gas idling for one minute. Half an ounce is used to start the average car!

It is estimated that 4 million "junk" telephone calls, phone solicitations by persons or programmed machine are made every day in the United states!
(I'd say at least 20 a week at my house)

It takes glass one million years to decompose, which means it never wears out & can be recycled an infinite amount of times.

Forest fires move faster uphil than downhill.

Most lipstick contains fish scales. (ARGH! YUCK!)

Skepticism is the longest word that alternates hands when typing. (Yep.. I just confirmed that)

Over 2500 left handed people are killed from using products made for right handed people! (Now what "products" are we talking about????)

Just for fun- yeah - I'm a geek ....

Sugar OD 101

Too much sugar in the house. I am so slothly... I need to move... I was Xcountry skiing before the holiday but my present was new boots. They don't fit so now I am not doing much.

I was going to swear off sugar today but we are going to a neighborhood party & I am in charge of kids dessert...I am baking choc cookies right now. I can't resist the dough.

We went & hung out with my sister & her family on New year's eve. Had some good laughs, good wine & good company.

We took the kids tubing earlier in the day & then a movie. We wanted to "tire them out" - who were we kidding? They were exhausted by 11 but they fought us all to stay & watch the ball fall. Then came the horns & then the dancing & then the tripping & falling over each other becasue "they were not tired". Off to bed by 12:30. I was feeling so " merry" until I had to become the parent again. Talk got serious by 1 am & fell asleep on the granite by 1:30.

Ready for 2008 - fresh start- going to make those resolutions- uhm...tomorrow when I get rid of the headache.

I got this from another blog - but oh so fitting. This was an ad in a 1965 issue of LIFE magazine.
Enjoy & Happy new year!


I started this before New years & finished it on New years day. I didn't change the date.

Bell Ringing Bliss

Tis the season! I have always wanted to ring bells for the salvation army. I tried to a few times as a family but got busy, no interest from home, didn't know where to go, etc. Now that I advise a middle school volunteer group - I coerced them into agreeing to do bell ringing for the holidays.
I (sooooo smartly) signed us up to bell ring for 5 hours on two days! Yep - last Friday and yesterday.

Okay - Friday from 4-9pm. Cold night. There were about 10 kids for the first hour. I told them to bring instruments if they had them. A trumpet, saxophone, clarinet, and flute showed up for entertainment. Of course no one seemed to know the same songs so we had more of a guess that tune among all the other tunes.
all the kids but my own two, all had left by 6 pm. That was pretty long. I still had an hour until the other advisor was going to relieve me.
My son just started playing the clarinet and knows jingle bells & hot cross buns. So after the 100th time of jingle bells, I turned on the "boom box" (do people call them that still?) and played my holiday CDs. My youngest danced, we gave out candy, we sang- it was a jolly time! Time flew!
We actually filled the kettle. OK- the real reason was probably that the store we were in front of had a big 50% off holiday sale. I will continue in my dream world to think I made it up in the ranks of bell ringing. But I should choose shorter shifts next year.

Yesterday was about the same except we had poor weather. It was a rainy slushy blizzard and no one was out shopping with the weather. We did not fill the kettle but my husband joined us and brought us hot chocolate.

I thanked my family for the best Christmas gift.
Let me explain what happened last year.....

Last year, all I asked for was a nice shopping trip as a family to purchase the sharing tree gifts. We arranged this on a Saturday & arrived right around lunchtime. We went to the food court & we let everyone choose their own lunch. Once everyone was fed - off to shop for others- goodwill- thinking of those less fortunate....

We went into a store looking for a sweatshirt hoodie for a teen. I didn't like the quality of what this store had so we left. As we are leaving my oldest complains first- "are we EVER going to buy these?" I patiently tried to explain that it will take time to find the best match. A few minutes later in the next store- my youngest complains next "Are we going to buy anything for US?"
I patiently explain that the day is about others not ourselves and these are gifts for charity. He then asked "Who is this charity person? and Why can't we go look at the toys?"
Then my husband's pager goes off and then he is on the cellphone with work for the next 30 minutes while I am trying to be patient with the whiny kids that don't know why I am looking around a store, checking prices and wish these guys could SHOP.

So I caved. In tears, I told everyone we need to go home that I was just going to lose it.
I got a lot of apologies and they weren't being mean or spiteful - they just don't browse or get a sense of good feelings to shop for gifts. I love to buy gifts. It is more fun than for myself. If this was a sporting goods place - it might have been different.

So my husband suggested I go and spend the afternoon alone- enjoying the time in peace. I ended up calling my 9 yr old goddaughter and she came with me. We had a delightful time! She never asked for anything, had great ideas, laughed at silly fashions, tried on hats with me, - so at the end I bought her a few fun things - just because.
I know this isn't with all men - but I am out numbered. My guys just can't. They can grocery shop on good days & are well behaved in stores & resturants. I guess this was just not making sense to them. Maybe I built it up to be something more than they saw.

BUT this year's bell ringing event was better than the shopping and it didn't cost us anything - just some good quality time together.

Home study Update

We just had the social worker come today to update our home study.
Yesterday, I felt sad that it had been so long that paperwork "expires". I didn't think we would have gotten to this point.
But today after she left- I feel a bit closer to our adoption. It seemed a little more real again. I know that sounds crazy but talking with someone who helps make it "official" was ok.

Her agency does all types of adoptions. She didn't say that much about China. We did mention that this is longer than we thought going into it. She said that she just signed someone on for China and made sure they understood that it maybe a 3 year wait.

She did mention too that the few China adoptions they were doing have switched to other countries. We are also using another agency that specializes only in china adoption but need this local agency to do our home study. This local group will also be responsible for our post placement paperwork.

And overall, we are once again "good people" to adopt on paper! Whew!

CNC photo

This is the dragonfly picture. What I entered in the contest was: enlarge to 11x14 two of the photo and using an exacto knife to cut out the wings and put glue under it to raise them. It looks 3-D and sort of like it is flying. I finished it by putting a dark blue mat around it.

I just found out that I am one of winners in the photo category. I don't know which one won but I am guessing it is the dragon fly.

I really enjoyed the diversion to mess around with my hobby. It is expensive at times so you have to be choosey. I'll need to get a paying job to continue this - but then you don't have the TIME to take the pictures....Catch 22
My church asked if I wanted to set up a display of photos in the fornt hall. Now I am working on a theme- Nature or kids. Maybe two displays... Hmmm

Sleepless

I neglected blog posting and visiting for about two weeks. My son had been sick with some "GERM" for over three months. What the diagnosis came to be is- "allergies"
Do you ever get the feeling that it is just a generic term like having a "cold?"
After two weeks of test that is the answer we got.
Let me back up- so you can experience the fun too....
Three weeks ago I went to the pediatrician finally after months of this kid breathing funny and having circles under his eyes like we abuse him. Now some may be thinking - mono, right? Well, this kid also had ENERGY. Only throwing up will slow him down- and that is in the bathroom and then out.
So I cough, choke up the money for the Dr. to tell me Claritin and singular 1x a day.
After a week - no improvement- not worse.
So we go back and the Dr. tell me to go to the Ear Nose & Throat expert right away. His tonsils look bad. Huh?
I go there and Dr schedules us for an x ray and a sleep study- again -a whatta?
The next day we go for the x ray. Pretty scary seeing a little guy only 3 ft tall lined up on a wall with a giant x ray tube shooting at his face. I hear the technicians discussing what "number" to set it at - say what? my suggestion - low! They get someone else that gives them a higher number. I tell my kid to close his eyes- the technician laughs- "that won't matter."
The next day after that we go to hospital to have a sleep study. I was told I could not drop him off and leave him there alone. Do people do that?
I am going to have to spend the night too. Oh joy! The whole family comes to be there to tuck him in- hubby and big bro.
We are met downstairs in a back hallway by two big male nurses or if they have a special title.
They have to hook the little guy to 18 wires (we counted) with a sticker or pasty stuff. He is really brave - even when his big bro tells him to watch being electrocuted when he pees. Nice....
The room have one double bed. I slowly figure out I have to sleep there too. I was hoping for a recliner on the side. Nope- there is a camera facing the bed and an infrared camera above. It is really creepy. Like big brother watching. I don't care as long as I don't know someone is bugging my house. See I have no idea if anyone ever follows me since I don't pay attention to that, either. I am a dreamer - I love my own thoughts- I get lost in them easily enough.
I brought a laptop and was planning to blog this post as it was happening. Hubby and Big Bro go home and I get ready to start on some work.
The head nurse tells me I cannot use the laptop. Oh- I say - thinking the computer will mess up some of the tests. Ok- I tell him I'll just work on some stuff by the lamp light here. NO- he tells me again. No lights on - period. & I cannot leave the room.
Well, I guess I better just hop into bed at 9pm and lie next to the little guy. I was also told not to touch him (like hug him or wrap an arm while he is sleeping there) again- I will try - plus he has so much stuff on him I know I would accidentally pull a wire.
So they talk to me, laying there in complete darkness, with my sweat suit on, answering about the ambiance to make sure the temp is right, etc. They are just these voices in the dark. I am feeling very uneasy and know I am not going to get any sleep.
After I think some short black out period on my part, I wake up and look over at the little guy. I did this about a hundred times that night. I prayed I wouldn't drool, talk in my sleep or snore.
One time on my routing checks- I see the little guy way on the edge of of the bed. I am nervous since he falls out of be alot and now there are these wires. So I whisper into the dark " Can I move him from the edge just a bit?" Then the voice from the dark answers "You may." Very creepy, kind of like a thriller movie that you wish you weren't a part of.
They woke us up at 5:30 am to remove the stuff. He tells me that the little guys breathing was clear and looked good. He said that I didn't sleep well. -Really?
The results from either were nothing. My pediatrian now thinks a CAT scan- a whatta? So delay on the next test to call a reputable allergist in town and made my own appointment- giving them a good story off all we had been through. Got in two days later from a cancellation.
Allergy Dr. Looked at my kid and said "Allergies". I told him what we had done. He was furious - yep that would describe it- he said - "your kid is a poster child for allergies!- I'd fail my 1st year med students for not recognizing that!" He tested little guy on the spot. Little guy (aka nature & animal lover) is allergic to everything outside- trees, grasses, ragweed, pollen, mold, cats, and rodents. But not dogs. Dr. gave him some nasal stuff & zyrtec, told us to get an air purifier for dust mites - only a mild reaction (whew! I was afraid I'd really have to clean house or something).
Yeah! Kid feels better but we just have to watch the seasons here and use the meds before it gets too serious.

Me now- I have laryngitis- I cannot talk and no energy. Seriously- I squeak. This is a curse if you are Italian. Almost as bad as not having hands to help express yourself. Maybe a sleep study....

Running with the Big Dogs

Yep, this puppy got off the porch to take a run with the big dogs. I had meetings all day yesterday with people that had titles after their name like: director, CEO, emeritus, PhDs, chairman, and usually more than one title - unlike mine which follows my name as volunteer.

It was quite a learning experience. I watched body language,subtle and not so subtle power struggles and measuring others up. I was like a puppy being potty trained...

Not sure exactly what was productive out of the meetings- lots of "good meeting", "this was helpful", "let's keep doing this" and "sounds good."

See, I think sometimes they are so far removed from the worker bees that they don't know what is going on. A few times when I was acknowledged that I was there- I was asked to clarify - which I thought I did (taught 8th grade -I can be clear if I need to be) - then they would reiterate and it was nothing like I said. How many different languages can we be speaking here?

So while I was hoping for a concrete task list, support, new strategies to moving forward - they just seemed to applaud themselves for getting together. Very strange.

So I am continuing to work through some piles, set my own tasks to meet the goals we ALL set, and hopefully I made some connections with leader dogs for when I need a favor.
Yep this puppy is moving on....

Organic or Local

I want to put out there the idea that has been bugging me this summer.
Which is better- eating organic foods or locally grown produce? and when is one better than another?

Some organic produce comes from CA! That is a long way to ripen or over ripe or are they picked very green?

The cost of organic is so high! We have a local distributor for organic milk - still 2x the cost for half as much but it tastes so good.

Eggs! Yikes- 3x as much.

Some local grown foods use chemicals & pesticides- Is this why there is such a high rate of Cancer in America?

If you have any good sites I should look at about this -please let me know. I will put out a comparison of what I find out in another post.

Blah-Blah- talk - talk-

I was having blog-block...(hehe - sounds like a lotion)and decided to start rambling and see what happens.

First, I have talked with some of you about career changes. I need to get over this transition. I am driving my friends and family CRAZY! I am finding a heck of a lotta stuff about myself though. I am a "worker- bee" I like having a boss and some structure and direction. My amazement for those that have their own business. I would be Chapter 11 in a week.
I am generally a creative person. I work best with a partner to bounce things off of. I have a great teacher friend who we would walk and come up with some of the best activities to do in class. Of course a lot of work but we were both sadistically worker-bees.

I like routines. My class was structured- not rigid - some flexibility but enough that the students knew what to expect when they walked in. I did "surprised them with questions, demos, things like that but I wouldn't go to bed the night before until I had things all planed out- even if it was just mental notes.

Am I missing teaching? Yes and No. There is terrific energy working with middle schoolers. I miss that. I am not stressed out with grading and the testing of my patience.I needed a break. That is for certain. Unfortunately, I didn't rest over the summer to be ready for Sept.
I am calmer now in that respect (I am a bit of a spaz- but all self induced). I have more patience and time to answer my kids in complete sentences, look at their homework, sign papers, make the kids breakfast and lunches, not lose it as much when the kids start an argument. I am able to take that deep breath and start over.

Now, I am fretting about my role, the program, what I want or rather need to be doing to keep busy.
Remember this is a one year leave. I can go back next year but not in my exact position.
Too much to think about - I'll go get my camera and see if I can think about something else for awhile...therapy....
Thanks for reading/listening!

Signs say...

Its one of THOSE days...You all have had one in your life, I'm sure of it.

I am not the quickest one to figure things out, get a punch line or have witty comebacks, so today is just another way to miss the obvious...

I have been working on a making a movie CD to thank my aunt & uncle for a nice visit. I took over 100 pictures and organized them into a movie format and added music, titles and such. The "project" is saved but it will NOT burn to CD or even be saved as a MOVIE on my computer (yes there is plenty of room).Why do these thing need to be sooooooo difficult. Good intentions....

I burned my tongue on my coffee this morning. I can't remember when I have done that last myself. I make my own brew each week (ancient Christine secret) and nuke it in the morning. Today I put in the wrong amount of time - duh 1:45 but I must have put in 2:45 or something higher. I start it and go do something else while it is heating up. Of course, my kids were trying not to laugh as I spit it out when I thought it was a nice warm cup. You know how it probably is funny -LATER but at the time you are so mad that you want to blame it on someone else. The boys got to see that "fear for your life" mode that I occasionally show...
Now - I feel my tongue all day. "I tink I got a bister."

Last, many of you know that I have a terrarium and critter area from *Hell*. I encourage my kids to have these "pets" but once again I am the one cleaning and checking water pH etc. I have "lost" tadpoles, frogs, a little fish (I think it got eaten but not sure by what). It keeps me busier than I want to be. Now we have a tree frog, newt, goldfish and a gecko. How do you do it on a farm?? ;)You know I'd be trampled by a horse or sat on!

I dropped a cage full of crickets today. Yes - they are feeder food for the gecko and tree frog. Now they are all over my Berber carpet. I ended up killing most of them at first accidentally by grabbing at them before they disappeared. Then I was getting more frustrated so I just thought I will buy new ones tomorrow. I will be moving the couches again and vacuuming. Now on the list of scheduled events ...
I also cleaned the tank, added fresh water, cleaned the water pumps - rinsed the motors and cleaned the filters. Now one isn't working well at all. After an hour of - very uncensored words- it is pumping water at a slow trickle. Argh.. Good intentions- clean cage - happy critters- Me at the end of my nerves...

So once again it takes awhile to read the signs. I think back to bed and read a book...what's the worst that can happen ---papercut???

What to do....

First day of school was Tuesday. I was happy to send my kids off but I was lost without MY first day. For 14 years I would be in a dead panic on this day- first impression of the teacher! I missed it. At the end of the first day - I always knew it was going to be ok. Making dinner and laundry isn't going to cut it for me.

My dH has described my time off this year as a "chain smoker who has gone cold turkey." Yep that is me. I thrive on energy- Middle schoolers have a lot of it- so I am trying to work on a new mentor program for my middle school. Only problem is that everyone keeps telling me to "talk to this person" and "Read up the latest research." I feel that I have been doing a lot of meetings, listening and researching- but I need some ACTION.

Patience -right? hmmm. I think my adoption wait has tapped me for the moment on patience. Balance is key. I never had that under control while teaching.

OK so today is Wed. I went roller blading after dropping off the kids. Did more research in between appointments added more "ideas" to the ever growing list of possibilities. Not in the groove yet. Not much on paper as I hoped. I need to do this.

Still here - just slow

(Another pic - called umbrella)

I have started so many posts in my head but just don't get it down in time. A few ramblings...

My little dude was taken to nature camp this week. For some reason this was hard on me. He has been to camp before but this time without his big bro. I waited in the parking lot and watched him. He is shy at first but a typical extrovert. He will make friends. I guess there are some days I want to hold them so tight and keep them from growing up. This feeling creeps up at random times. If you don't have kids yet - wait- you will get these soon enough. They are like a rock drowning your heart in an ocean. It also centers me into what is a priority in life.

(Little Dude fishing)


My lack of posts and comments - although I enjoyed a cyber shower- is mainly due to going through a career change now. It has me caused some confusion, questioning and lots of stress. I am following my heart on this, realizing I need a change - just praying for some better answers. When it is official - I will post more details. I am a low risk taker - if you knew me - this is huge.

The last of the rambles for the night - is that I really enjoy reading other people's blogs. It is also fun to get to know others especially in the adoption world. I am trying to comment but I do like to check around and visit sites. I get inspiration, opinions, lot of funny stuff, and updates on the adoption. I think people are fascinating. I like learning about different people and their personalities. Some places - like a concert- a beach- a mall- offers more diversity. I realize that we are not alike- I wouldn't want us to be. Differences make us interesting. I have my opinions too but I guess I am seeing how I measure up.

Update - I finished my web class- that is why I am out with the camera lately - to relax again....