DOG GONE

All day I have been followed around by the snuggle pup, Mesa. My only "alone time" was when I fired up the lawn mower and cut the back lawn. Mesa was hiding somewhere in the house. She hates that "scary sounding" machine.

I am loading her up in the SUV and heading out for her to have a little swim up in the canyons near Park City, UT. Just the mention of swimming and she is freaking out with excitement. Enjoy your rest of the weekend and the 4th of July.

MEXI-OHHHHHHHH

Scene from the Cabo airport on the way home..... Home???? Why does the fun always have to end?

Twinkle Toes just plopped right on down on this display of a bottle of Mexican beer. It was so hot, she had the unhappy responsibility of Smiley's hat and she was so tuckered out that she just hit the floor on the first thing she saw that would give her a chance to "rest".

Just had to post this picture of this beauty. Love her blue eyes!!!

Sparkle was posed by me and thought her sister was "so weird" to just plop on the "dirty airport floor". Lately this little 12 year old gets so annoyed at her once adorable sister. It is kind of cute the way she now wants to be part of the adult conversation and will ease drop on adult conversations and input some real cute comments.


Those who know me know how I get sooooooooo very bored with shopping. Especially for the same stuff in every shop kind of place. With this in mind, I decided that the day the shoppers were going to all the trinket shops, I would stay back at the Villa and swim, read, chat with my Mom. Funny, but the other two who stayed behind from this shopping nightmare was Twinkle Toes and my Mom. All three of us have similar personalities.....

Sparkle loves to shop. With $40.00 USD in her hand and wish list from me, she shopped for Tate. I cannot believe how adorable these things are. Sparkle was able to bargain all this for $20.00 USD. In the right lower corner is a silver baby bracelet.

PLUGGED IN

With all this vacationing going on and the activity of Summer, I have become unplugged to the International Adoption World. I realize that this is about the time that rumors start hitting the Queen. As you might notice, I chose not to highlight the site, because frankly I have not been on that site this month. I have nothing against RQ and am appreciative for all the effort she/he does. I just have been too busy to think about the referrals. Yesterday when I realized that this was the case, I set myself a goal to stay away from RQ this month. Instead I have been reading the blogs of those who are in China right now and loving seeing the end results of this long wait. I am feeling really good about my choice of looking at the positive. Next month just might include the RQ.

SIMPLY PICTURES

I am working on my laptop technique.... If I plan on using this efficiently in China, I will be needing a lot of practice! Until then, I'm sharing a few pics.

HANGIN' at the VILLA

View from the main floor balcony

TWINKLE TOES IN FLIGHT

SWIMMING SISTAHS

TWINKLE TOES and SPARKLE

CABO BOUND

AWESOME and SMILEY

What is it with boys and JEEPS????

NO AIR CONDITIONING, NO WINDOWS.

GRAMPS, DAD AND TWO BOYS LOVED IT ANYWAY!!!!

SENIOR JUAN PEPE MARTINEZ

A.K.A. as SMILEY


A DAY of SAILING and SNORKLING.....

ON THE FRONT OF THE CATAMARAN.

SPARKLE AND TWINKLE TOES

AWESOME and SMILEY

COOL CABO DUDES

SNORKELING IN FREEZIN' OCEAN

TWINKLE TOES WAS A TOTAL FISH.

BATHING BABES

SUN... FUN..... AND A POOL!!!

twinkle toes and sparkle

A little eye candy......

Ahhhhhhh... Day two in Paradise.


Update on Awesome.... He will be serving his mission in Cherry Hill NEW JERSEY!!!!He will be starting his 2 year mission August 15......I am so very happy and proud of him.

LADY BUGS EVERYWHERE

Lady bugs really do happen in the stranges places...

We just arrived at the Villa. As a single gal lately when I travel, I consider how things just might change when I travel with my gal, Tate. This thought was passing thru my mind when I glanced up and spied this across the bathroom.....

WHAT????? Could this be a lady bug sighting????

Closer inspection....

Does this count as a sighting???

OH JOY PART 2 and 3

Honesty where has the time gone??? My life has been a whirlwind of working tons, a little sleeping, traveling, working tons, a little sleeping and now traveling..... to CABO MEXICO!!!! Oh June where art thou???? Before I start chatting about my OH JOYS, I will say that on June 7th I left Mesa at a friend's to be watched. I will not see that sweet snuggle pup until June 27th.... or so. I crave my gal, snugly, sweet pup that she is. I do know that she is much better where she is right now. Whenever I leave her, she kind of goes thru a mourning period for a few days with hunger strikes and mopping around. When I pick her up, she will not leave me alone and follows me around EVERYWHERE demanding scratches and kisses. Well, maybe not the kisses, that would be ME who demands that. Instead of subjecting her to a few days with me, I decided to leave her for the full 20 day vacation time.

OH JOYS

PART 2
The OH JOY part 2 is the fact that I will be spending time doing the things I love the best. Spending quality time with my family, and vacationing to an exotic place. Cabo exotic??? To me I have not done too much traveling to Mexico and this in itself is exotic. But wait, the Joy does not stop there. Welcome in Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. My brother is friends with a Las Vegas mega rich developer who is lending us their huge 6,000 square feet Villa, with private housekeeper, and a large pool directly on a private beach. Why all the secretsy???? John wanted to surprise his kiddos in a fun way with a scavenger hunt with clues leading up to the a video of where we will be vacationing. The kids are beside them self with JOY. So, leaving on a Jet plane on Wednesday, both sets of grandparents, me and brother's family of 6 head off for a week long festivity to Cabo...... Snorkeling, deep sea fishing, para sailing, scuba, relaxing and making memories.

This brings me to my JOY 3

In the middle of these two proud grandparent stands Awesome. Amazing young man that he is..... Just take a look at the goods hanging from his neck!! Let me remind you that I am the AUNT..... This just gives me bragging rights. If parents gushed on like I do, this would be considered tacky but an AUNT, forgivable!!!

The JOY of this sweet nephew is not the fact that he excels academically.... it is his humble pure heart and the solid fact that he loves ME. I really will spend another post on him and his accomplishments. But the JOY part 3 is this..... Some of you have seen those young men in dark suits and white shirts knocking on doors. Ah, the MORMON missionaries. Run for the hills or welcome them in....Whatever. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormons) it is a choice for the guys of 19 yrs and the gals of 21 yrs to dedicate two years to missionary work away from family, friends, and life as they know it. How unique for someone to choose this path, putting their life on hold and dedicating two years to serving others. Awesome has been excepted to PENN in the Wharton School of Business with a $40,000,00 per year scholarship. He will putting this on hold for two years. The Cabo trip is the final hoopla to life as we know it. Soon Awesome will be serving his mission and once done with his two years, heading to PENN and Wharton and making his own life. How quickly things have change from when I held him in my arms as a tiny newborn. Life marches on. Soon my life will be changing, Tate will be one more cousin.... sadly having to wait to meet the Amazing Awesome Austin!!!

On Wednesday evening while we are having dinner in Cabo, Austin will find out here he will be spending his next two years and how quickly we will be saying goodbye..... I type this with huge tears in my eyes.

I will post where when we find out!!!

CATCHING UP....

I missed my 15 LID..... which was JUNE 7th!!! Thankfully time is just a whizzin' by.

WEDDING IN ORLANDO

I planned on blogging a lot more on vacation. I had the laptop in tow but somehow I was missing convenient ways to hook to the Internet.

For the last week I have been attending my nephew's wedding in Orlando FLORIDA. I had a fabulous time and will blog about this later.... Just a few pictures from the trip.

You may now kiss the bride..... such a sweet and tender kiss....

Presenting the MR and MRS Anthony and Crystalyn P..... After a brief three day honeymoon, Anthony now has been shipped to Germany.

I love this picture of my sister, my brother-in-law the ever funny and entertaining Tony and the happy groom..... Anthony.

Here is Anthony having a little "Nana dance" with his grandma (my mom) Sunny. I have never seen Anthony so vibrant and happy as he is right now in his life. I am so very proud of him and the man he is and will become.

The most gorgeous bride's maid at the wedding is my college going niece....AMANDA!!!! She is such a sweetheart and fun!!!

BEACH TIME

Aside from the gala event, I actually got to lay on the beach just outside of Tampa on Anna Maria Island for three whole hours. No sunscreen was put on and I am feeling a little tenderness, but how I am LOVING the GOLDEN GLOW I am sporting..... I know SKIN CANCER.... you warned me. Next time I will remember to put it on. PROMISE.

I haven't forgotten to share the JOY news..... but I will, I promise. I just have not had time to get it together. It is nothing to do with my China Adoption or a waiting child or anything. Just an amazing once in a life time TRIP to Cabo Mexico...... with the two most important ingredients in my recipe to a happy life..... FAMILY and travel.

TEASE....

Just an update on ME and my joyous news.... I now can tell, but I have got to be a tease for one more day. I finally have time tomorrow as I am traveling to Florida to go to my nephew's wedding. I actually bought a laptop and made sure to have it ready to go so I could blog in the airport or plane. I will promise that I will write the other two OH JOYS and post tomorrow (Wednesday) or at the latest Thursday. I will say that it really is not that big of news to others but brings me such joy that I must share or I will burst!!! Sorry for the tease!!

BROCCOLI SALAD

As requested......

Broccoli Bacon Salad!!!


I have learned a little secret about this salad!!! When you only need a little like one serving for those of us "single" or "not everyone likes broccoli" meal preparation. You can make a small batch!!! This knowledge has set me free as I make single servings often..... Basically for every 1/2 cup mayo (can use lite) use 1-2 TB grated onion, 2 TB sugar, and 2 TB apple cider vinegar. Best if you make ahead of time so it can get all these good flavors mixing and dancing together.

Method behind my madness.....

I will buy the broccoli florets at C*ostc* or Sam's. So I grab a handful and chop into small bite size pieces. I fry up some bacon that I have also cut up before frying into a little bit crispy. I know others who just buy the pre-cooked bacon bits (Not bacono, please). How can you have anything good without some cheese???? I get the pre-grated for a quick fix Monterrey Jack cheese. You can use cheddar but Monterrey is the best for my taste buddies. It is all about proportions and likes.... If you like bacon.... add bacon if love cheese add more cheese...remember that this is a broccoli salad so do not forget some broccoli in you quest for the perfect taste satisfying mixing. Sometime I will add halved green or red seedless grapes, or shelled sunflower seeds...... Whatever you like to add, mix everything together just before you serve and poor over the dressing at the end..... You want it to SNAP with crunch and deliciousness......

Enjoy!!!

AN INTERRUPTION...

Just a brief message in this blog to address one issue.....

Gymboree....

You are evil, like crack to me.... When I am in your power, I am useless against your cuteness..... Oh so very weak yet so very strong as I pull out my debit card.....

This is in response to an email I just got..... SAVE ME!!!

OH JOY... Part One

Earlier I had talked about OH JOY, something I could not share at the moment, but would later. This JOY comes in three parts..... All three parts are all about my brother and his amazing family. This is the first part which is about JOHN (my brother).

Those of you who have siblings that you just love to no end would understand what I am saying here.... If you do not have such siblings, just play along, I guess.

I have a brother.... an amazingly brilliant, loving and helpful brother. He can do ANYTHING!!! If he doesn't do it, he will try and figure it out. My boy toy used to feel competitive about my admiration for my brother. He is a loving strong leader in his family, charitable, honest and noble. He has always loved his work and made a good living. Shortly after 9-11, his type of work took a deep cut as consumers became more conservative with their spending. Sad, this cut affected his job. He has either been looking for work or doing jobs that did not really challenge his amazingness and was only a way to pay the bills. Lately he was been without a job and searching for something that would pay the amount of income he wanted and challenge him. My heart ached for him because I saw how unhappy he has been at these interim jobs with the stress of providing for his family. This JOY was overwhelming me when I heard the news that he once again had landed a job that would give him everything that he was looking for. It just warms my heart with such JOY to see him once again light up with the challenges and blessing that he sooooo very deserves.

Got to get going because I am expected in a few minutes at his house for a Memorial day BBQ and it is at least a 30 minute drive...... I am bringing broccoli bacon salad, cheesecake and fresh raspberries!!!

My second JOY I should be able to share June 1 or so......

HUGGING MY NORWEGIAN ROOTS

Just wanted to share something I got via email..... This is one of the many reasons I love Norway!!! This picture of the Oslo Fjord, is taken off of my friend's deck on the 17th of May.... Norway's Independence Day, kind of like our 4th of July. It is the custom to wear traditional costumes, carry the Norwegian flag and parade and celebrate all day and night long. Oh man, do I miss this family.

I have known and loved these kiddos since before they were born.... I miss them tons!!!! Left to right.... Molly, Matias, and Beret.

This dress was given to me, I mean Tate. Both of the little gals above wore this dress. This history adds so much more meaning to me. Last year as our local Norwegian community celebrated the 17th of May, I had hoped that Tate would have been in the arms of her Nana, in a traditional costume and her Gramps, who would be handing out Norwegian chocolate and Norwegian polser (hot dogs) at this year's celebration. Each year there is a celebration and soon she will be there slurping Orange soda (Solo) sucking down chocolate and all dressed up like the Chinese-Norwegian-American Princess that she is.

MISSING YOU

Is it me or is anyone else BUMMED that so many blogs are closing down. It seems that once bloggers are back from China with their kiddos then they decide to quit the blogging world and leave me high and dry. It is kind of like, I was part of their roller coaster ride. I was reading these blogs during the blue times of the disappointing slowdown, the anticipation of when they receive their referrals and TA and the joyous Metcha/Gotcha time. I just loved being able to click onto your link and see the blooming of a family and the everyday joy of life with one of China's jewels. I have been there with you during all of these tough times and have experienced your JOY.... Now I feel kind of let down, out of the loop and in need of continuing to be part of your world. SO really, is it just me that misses the closed down blogs or are others feeling my loss???

OH JOY....

SHEAR UNEXPLAINABLE JOY!!!!

Exuberant, amazing uplifting JOY!!!!

Something I can't go into right now, is happening to our family......

I will share in June....
Big smiles for my Brother!!!

GUILTY....

Saturday night was filled with 14 year old FUN!!!! This is the night that I was lucky enough Smiley put aside his friends (mostly girlfriends) and spent overnight with ME!!! The first hours were filled with returning text messages to these friends, saying that "HE WAS SPENDING THE NIGHT WITH HIS AUNTIE" and in other words, I am not available and stop with the texting. Once this was done, I had his undivided attention. It was so much fun getting into the heart, mind and emotions of a 14 year old teen. Smiley is the gorgeous delightful comedian of our family. He is so much fun to talk to and spend time with.... Hence his immense popularity. Dinner was eating his new favorite food... ASIAN!!! He reminded me that he is an amazing photographer (I need one in China) and he would love to go with me to CHINA!!! Hmmmmm, a real good idea since I know that if I want decent pictures of Gotcha with Tate and spontaneous together pictures of me and Tate, I cannot rely on my sweet Mom. Well, something to consider!!! With dinner out of the way and we headed to hang at the hottest place in town on a Saturday evening..... The Gateway Plaza. Wouldn't you know that this HAPPENING place has my favorite Gymboree store location. I could not help myself and in I went with a 14 year old boy-teen in tow. I did swear Smiley to secrecy to my purchases because I do not want to hear grief about these buys. Smiley was great at the secret keeping. I am the one to blame for the blab. The next day, on Mother's day, I had to spill the beans on buying this...... How could you not buy this???? I did get it in 3. Grief I did get. But, hey.... this is the way I can keep connected to the upcoming event of adding a child to the mix. So what if Tate has way too many gorgeous clothes and toys...... There are worst fates than that!!!

(close-up detail of dress)

Mesa has to check out everything that I bring into this house.... this dress is no exception. Wouldn't you know it, she left a little wet nose spot on the dress....

HAPPY MOMMA'S DAY

Happy Mother's Day to Mothers present and Mothers in the future.......

AS TIME PASSED...

I started to find myself......

I slept way too much. Thought at first I was depressed and sleeping, but soon realized that I was exhausted beyond depression....

I watch DVDs! I have not sat through watching a whole DVD forever without pausing the movie and starting on either laundry, dishes, vacuuming, or calling someone. I never realized that the great movies that people were talking about were indeed great movies! I just thought they stopped making "those kind of movies" !!!

Movies watched....

Dream Girls

Pursuit of Happiness

The Queen

Walk the Line

Happy Feet (bought it)

Projects!!!!! Yes I can say Projects and feel such relief that some of these headaches are done. I actually had a blind hung on the glass door that I have had for FOUR years!!!!! Although I was going to stay away from all that was Tate related, I just could not! Instead I tackled the kitchen and made it more kid friendly. NO, I did not put locks on the cabinets. I will be doing this just as I leave for the airport to head to China. (I will ask ever so sweetly my brother to do this when I am in China). I added a microwave about the stove. New knobs on the cabinets, hung a chalk/magnet board by the phone, moved the garbage to be under the sink, and replaced my old gross sink faucet to a brand spanking new goose-neck faucet!!! Yeah!!!! All I have got to do in the kitchen is organize with some shelf stuff and we are good to go with the kitchen. I am wrestling with myself to replace the old linoleum with hard wood floors..... I am thinking that Tate will be to precious to be crawling around on those gross floors.

Books???? A few.

Walks???? Yes.... Mesa is wondering what has happened to her sedentary lifestyle. She walks with her tail held high as if she is the luckiest dog in the world. She is the luckiest dog in the world even without the walks, but try telling her that. Spoiled.

Entertaining??? This Thursday I will be hosting my Gourmet club for an English Tea..... I have never talked about the Gourmet club, and I will at another time..... Fun times!

MY PROTECTOR

Noise from the tree trimmers in the backyard....... Freaking Mesa out.





The whirl of the vacuum from me cleaning in the front of the house........ Freaking Mesa out.

Where I find my protector, my brave puppy, MESA.....

Freaking out under the protection of her snuggle blankets on her bed.

I feel safe!!!

ANOTHER LID.....

MONTHS DOWN.....

How strange is this??? When I was googling the number 14, on the first page was this. LADY BUGS!!!! I am counting this as a ladybug sighting for sure!!! My strategic de-FUNKing is working and I am feeling so much more hopeful and in tune with ME. Thanks for the lovin'.

Congrats to all the new parents who are gazing at the faces of their beautiful Chinese jewels..... And today we will get to SEE the faces of Ms Hannah and Lilly!!!

DOING THE FUNK....

I never quite understood why people felt like they needed to post that they are taking a break from the blogging world...... Until this week.....

Honestly, I am not sure how to get out of this funk.... I have tried to keep my rose colored glasses on for me as well as be positive for others..... "Things will speed up" and "I feel that soon OH SO VERY SOON we will get our referrals". I have touted to others not to pay attention to the rumors.... Advise I have not taken for myself. I have been obsessed with Tate and all Tate related stuff.

I love being part of your lives and the blogging community, but I need to just forget about things for a few weeks and work on ME... I cannot be a positive support to others. I have nothing more to give in that area. So instead I will get back in touch with who I am... I will take walks with Mesa, read non-adoption/Asian related books, cook something difficult and gourmet and time consuming..... Entertain people who will not ask me about the adoption... and just live my life sans the adoption...... It doesn't mean that I love and care for y'all less.... I will be back and after a few weeks catch up on your lives. Just need this for ME.....

I am still hoping that my funk is temporary and that referrals really will speed up.......

Ciao for a few weeks.....

BOOKS....

Amazon is making a ton of money off of me right now!!!! I pre-ordered this book last January with two other Chinese influenced books.... Today the mail person came a knocking and left me these great reads!!!

Every Year On Your Birthday is written by Rose Lewis the same author who wrote I Love You Like Crazy Cakes. The new book is cute and I really like it, It just is not as cute and touching as Crazy Cakes is..... Still a great addition to a child's library.


Every night I plan on reading one of these Chinese Children stories before I go to sleep..... It just may help me dream of Tate. The illustrations in Chinese Children's Favorite Stories are great! Hmmmmmmm, which story should I read tonight?


Some of my other recent buys were adoption related or Children Health Issues...

The Baby Book and I Love You Rituals

Both books I highly recommend..... Also I have bought other children's books to add to the ever expanding library for Tate.