Twice Blessed China Mom

Well, Clearly The School Year Has Begun...

2011-09-03T06:41:00.000-05:00

...as my girl has strep, two infected ears, and a sinus infection! I know bleach is bad, but so is strep...Hannah requested the liquid Amoxicillin instead of the pills, so we have three bottles in the refrigerator.

Batten Down The Hatches, Girls!

2011-08-27T12:35:00.005-05:00

I've been nagging our former aupairs, April (CT) and Dikun (NY) to keep in contact with their family during Hurricane Irene so they know they're safe, because we all know that moms need to know their kids are safe in a hurricane! Dikun has said she is in an area that has not needed to evacuate and plans to stay inside for the weekend. I love this girl for many reasons, but the fact that she has such fine common sense is one of the reasons. Another reason is that every time I get into naggy-mommy mode, Dikun knows I am that way because I love her and want her to be safe. I think of her mom, and know how hard it is to be away from a child. I want Dikun's mom to know I'm watching out for her girl, even though she now lives in New York.

So, now I'm waiting to hear back from Ms. April to make sure she is okay...

The Other Day...

2011-08-21T07:33:00.002-05:00

Hannah told me, "Mom, you sing really well! You should take voice lessons!" Little does she know that ANYONE singing along with Josh Groban sounds mighty fine. Love you, Josh! I'm old enough to be your mama, but you still make my heart pitter-pat. Just love our duets, honey!

One of My Summer Books...33 Men

2011-08-11T19:46:00.005-05:00

33 Men was a great read this summer. It was fascinating to learn about the technology it took to rescue the 33 Chilean miners. I'd heard bits and pieces, following the story through the media, but this put the small parts together. I had been really impressed following the news, with how they were trying to provide for the miners and prepare for their needs when they would be rescued, and learned that they worked with folks from NASA. There were psychologists that worked with the miners, and one that really angered the miners on a regular basis. That was actually part of the plan...they wanted the hostilities directed to someone outside the small area where the men were trapped. The miners were united in their anger against the psychologist.

A big part of keeping the men emotionally healthy was to have a routine each day, with specific responsibilities. The group had organized themselves quickly, and when they were able to communicate with the outside world, this continued.

The men were far more aware of everything that was happening on the outside than I had realized, even that girlfriends and wives had discovered each other...

Summer Blessings

2011-08-10T08:28:00.002-05:00

We never needed our time together as much as we did, this summer. Hannah and I had many good chats as we floated in the pool this summer...lots of processing the past year. Lots of Rummikub. Many bowls of ice-cream. Weekly trips to the library. Hannah really enjoys reading books when she can pop a CD in to hear the book read aloud, as she reads.

I read books! I love to read! Before I was a mom I was often reading three books at the same time. For the past decade, most of my reading has been People Magazine!

Thank You, God, for the blessing of this summer. I know many people think teachers have summers off, but this was only my third summer in my teaching career that I've taken the entire time off. Other summers I spent time teaching summer school, working on my Masters, pursued additional certifications, tested new students, and took additional classes. This really is the norm, and I don't know many teachers that aren't working an awful lot during the summer! This was a year that I KNEW we both needed me to be home, and I'm so thankful I had the ability to take the time for us.

I can take deep breaths again. My bambinos are safe. We are doing well.

So Sad For Norway

2011-07-25T20:01:00.002-05:00

Hannah had questions about what had happened in Norway when I had the news on tonight. So, I tried to explain. How can you explain what cannot be explained? She wanted to see a picture of the person that had murdered so many innocent people. I showed her a picture on the computer and she was surprised. He didn't look like a scary guy. He was dressed like a police officer, who should be a safe person. So very sad...

And Some Folks Live With Heat Like This All The Time...

2011-07-21T22:00:00.001-05:00

And Did You Know????

2011-07-13T07:30:00.002-05:00

Ants don't like it when their dead commrads hang around, so the ants that are still among the living will be dragging the dead guys out and piling them somewhere. Haven't spotted the pile yet, but also have not spotted any ants since our wonderful bug man left. Just thought you might like to know another ant fact.

Slab Ants 101

2011-07-11T17:51:00.002-05:00

I've tried the usual stuff for ants, and they are still in control around here, so an exterminator came today. I tried not to breathe too deeply as he set the baits in little crevices. Ants can lay a new egg every 8 seconds. Holy Moley!!! No wonder I haven't succeeded in my efforts! I'm looking forward to posting about something more important than ants very soon...

Oh, and did you know that ants don't like hanging around dead ants, so when the poison kills ants, the live ones will start carrying their dead brothers, sisters, cousins, etc., out and will dump them somewhere? So, I'm looking forward to finding an impressive hill of dead ants in the next few days. Really. Hoping. Lots.

Happy Independence Day, America!

2011-07-04T11:47:00.002-05:00

Darn Those Ants!!!

2011-07-02T12:40:00.003-05:00

Headed to Home Depot to get more Terro, as the nasty ants in the kitchen brought their siblings, cousins, and best friends for a visit! Watching the ants gather on a little puddle of Terro is so unpleasant...I have to exert all my self-control to just let them be, knowing they'll take the Terro back to their nest and kick the bucket, someday soon. I was wondering what we were doing WRONG, as I've never had a gathering of ants like this! I've had ants on occasion, but not like this wretched group...The lady at Home Depot said they've been forced out of their digs due to all the rain we've had...just looking for dryer quarters...This is WAR! So far, I'm not winning!

Summer Organization Begins!!!

2011-07-01T09:34:00.000-05:00

I was suddenly motivated to work on organizing my office...and spent 4.5 hours doing just that! That space became the place to put everything that needed to be filed and worked on...later. Well, later has arrived! Not finished yet, but I've got hope. Tomorrow is supposed to be a scorcher, so I think I'll be finishing this project tomorrow...

Some Very Fine Advice From A Lady Who Knows...

2011-07-01T07:00:00.002-05:00

Friends of ours live in Joplin and we've had several conversations since the devastating tornado that struck in May. Susie had some excellent advice, and something I never, in my wildest dreams, would have though of on my own, sad to say. If there is a tornado warning, make sure you have shoes with you. Their home was safe, but half of the folks in their church lost their homes. Friends and family lost their homes. Susie said, "Can you imagine trying to walk without shoes if your house was destroyed?" Great lesson.

Another suggestion from Susie was to have a weather radio that has batteries, and a crank, incase the batteries stop. That radio provided essential information for the Joplin community. Electricity was unavailable or spotty. No INTERNET, then spotty INTERNET. No phone service, then spotty phone service. Just like what I had read about September 11th, texts were more likely to get through than cell calls. People were able to learn that friends and neighbors had survived. They were able to ask for something their family desperately needed.

Have a system that allows quick access to the most important family documents...Grab it and go to the safe place. Reminded me of what I did during the wait for my daughters...When there were tornado warnings, I grabbed my paperwork and took it with me! Couldn't imagine losing those vital papers! After Hurricane Katrina, I read that the folks that were able to re-establish themselves most rapidly were those that had evacuated the area with identification, social security cards, and information for putting together a resume in their new community.

I think of our friends and their community every day. The worst challenges and circumstances almost always bring out the absolute best in humanity. I have no doubt that will be the case with Joplin. In the words of my friend, Marla, it could have been any of us.

2011-06-30T08:00:00.002-05:00

So many things were on hold during this past year...Every one of our flood lights in the ceiling went out during the worst of our challenges, and I think it took several weeks before I was able to get to Home Depot to purchase replacements. I also had to buy a TALL ladder. We have high ceilings! I screwed one bulb in after the other, hoping not to fry myself. So, now our lights are fine, but the cupboards really need some attention. I spent a few hours this morning trying to get our "stuff" in order in a few of our cupboards. Hoping to have the kitchen finished in a few more days...

An Answered Prayer

2011-06-28T08:16:00.000-05:00

The past year has been very tough and I've really prayed that this summer would offer respite to Hannah. She loves to sing, and is participating in a community production for about half of the summer. Being with kids her age and having the opportunity to sing will be great for her. On the first day, when I arrived to pick her up, she was overjoyed! A friend is also in the production! They're even in the same part of the production! The other family was glad to see Hannah is involved, too, so we'll be getting our girls together, soon. My girl needs some joy, and I'm so thankful!

I've Had the Yibby Jibbies For A Week Now...

2011-06-27T07:00:00.005-05:00

...cuz some bad boy has been entering the homes of several of my neighbors during the middle of the night to steal things...kind of like a Goldilocks Goes to the Dark Side. My neighbors have been up in their beds, doing what many fine folks of America do during the night...sleeping. Burglarizing a house is tacky enough, but burglarizing a home with the family sleeping upstairs just about made hair sprout on my chest!!! Yuck, yuck, yuck!!! When I say neighbors, I mean neighbors within spitting distance.

God Bless our local police department, who understood this was more than distressing for our entire community. They took to our streets, and even rang doorbells to provide information and suggestions. They provided written information for us. I've never been a big Facebook person, but I am now an official fan. There was a whole lot of information flying around thanks to a Facebook page, including a link to information about the arrest of the bad guy.

So glad he was arrested, because in my thoughts, continuing this behavior was a tragedy waiting to happen. He was either going to be surprised by a home-owner, or a home-owner was going to be surprised by him, and things were going to get ugly. We were hearing that the stolen credit cards were being used to purchase guns and ammunition. That took our level of concern up a few notches...Several neighbors with enormous dogs were kind of hoping he might decide to visit their home because then our problem would be, well...OVER! I was hoping he'd hit up a home with a video system that would record his nasty deeds. I'm just glad he's unavailable for night-time visits, for the moment.

Catching My Breath...

2011-06-26T10:33:00.004-05:00

It has been really wonderful to be home the past few weeks. The Christmas tree is still up...I still am amazed that Christmas 2010 passed. I remember that day because we started to get help that day...That's all I remember. A person I respect very much said the fact that the Christmas tree is still up is proof that I've been attending to the things that needed to be done...Some of those things have been floating with Hannah in the pool, and a few have been reading a good book.

I love sitting on the screened porch my dad built for my mom for their 25th Anniversary. We took ice-cream and sat on Grams' porch, about a week ago.

I also am designing jewelry. Making it, too. My soul is quiet while I move my beads around...I think about patterns, like when I work with my little kindergarten kiddos. My soul needed a little quiet. Oh, gee, do I want an AB pattern today, an ABB pattern? How about ABAC pattern? Am I in a sparkly frame of mind? Pink or magenta? Silver or Gold? Don't like my little bracelet? No big deal! Try it again!

Hannah and Savanna chose some beads they wanted for their bracelets. I was clueless about how to pull it together with what they chose, because I wouldn't have chosen those particular beads! They both turned out beautifully! I'm thinking I might be taking these girls to my next bead show to pick out some "only would a teenager pick out these" beads! They clearly saw the potential that I did not!

I'm thinking about my students making something special for their moms this year. Moms give so much of themselves...wouldn't something shiny from their kiddos be a special treat? So, until that time, the teens in our family will have some sparkly bling from me!

A Lovely Day...

2011-06-24T07:11:00.002-05:00

My friend, Fanny, and her husband joined us this week for lunch and a long chat. Fanny and I met when I was in college and decided to spend my first summer in Europe. We're from the same area in the Midwest, but didn't meet until we were in France. Fanny actually connected with me when hotel rooms were assigned in our first city. I was distraught that I was assigned a single room...there just happened to be an extra room and I was the lucky one that had my own place for the night. I was very excited to be spending the summer in Europe, but I was YOUNG and didn't want to be in a hotel room without one of the other students.

Fanny knew I was in tears and we were roomies for the rest of our days in Europe. We spent a lot of time in search of potties all over Europe. For some odd reason, I took a lot of pictures outside the very interesting potties that were new to both of us. Fanny has always been a bit braver than me, and we were joking today about how I stood very timidly on the top of a mountain, looking at the clouds below us, and Fanny kept climbing all over the mountain. We agreed there should have been some safety rails, and I kept saying, "I don't think you should be doing this..."

We visited the Louvre and saw the Mona Lisa. Close up, she looks like it has been a hard life. Kind of surprising to see her in person. The process of being swept out of the Louvre was very interesting...the guards literally swept folks out of the building, including us.

I ate the oddest pizza with peas in Italy and was sicker than a dog the next day. Sick, as in barely able to make it to the bus. Sick as in, if I didn't have to move, I wouldn't have moved. Not. An. inch... Fanny took over, made sure I had water, made sure my luggage was transported to the bus, and didn't let them leave me behind when I could barely get my aching bones and muscles to our beloved bus!

Old ladies warned us not to wear our gold necklaces visible, on one street, and through their motions told us that bad guys on motorcycles would rip them off our necks. Okay, gotcha. We had many lunches of bread and cheese, and Fanny introduced me to Cidre, which is a fermented form of cider. Apple cider with a punch.

One of our travel mates became ill and died while we were in Italy. It took months for his body to be returned to the US. We attended a memorial for him, months after his death. Lesson: Do not pass away in a foreign country.

In Germany I danced with the craziest guy in lederhosen. A crazy man. He is probably still dancing. Ask Fanny, she'll tell you. We went to a beer garden, but I don't drink beer. That was very fortunate, as they charged money to use to potties. I've heard that beer in equals lots of trips to the potty. The lines were REALLY looooooooong. The place may have made as much money on the potties as they did on beer that night...There was a lady that worked at the beer garden that could carry a gallon pitcher on each of her fingers. I'm not kidding! Ten gallons of beer between her two hands!!! What a woman! Scared me a lot.

We saw where The Sound of Music was filmed, and saw the little glass house when the song is sung about being 16, going on 17...We went to Mount Saint Michel in France, where you better not get lost! We were able to drive out to the island, but the bus had to depart before the tide came in. I took a walk, but not too far.

We shared so many firsts during that summer, and you really do learn a lot about a person you're traveling with in foreign countries. It seemed funny that we'd lived so close to each other, but didn't meet until our time together in Europe. We returned, continued college, and took our little sisters camping. I rented a tent from my college, and some experienced campers could tell we didn't know what we were doing and helped us put the thing up. I put my finger in a hole in the tent while it rained during the night. The band-aid fix hadn't worked.

You know you've got a true friend if you can enjoy each other as travel buddies through foreign countries where you don't speak the language and survive a camping trip.

Fanny spent most of her career in Europe, working as an occupational therapist. We've spent time together, as time permitted, throughout the years. So...it was really lovely to have lunch together, catch up, and just hang out together. She's married a lovely man from Scotland named Steve, and we got a chance to know him a bit better, too! My friends are in lots of different parts of the country and world and I always appreciate the opportunity to connect and catch up!

P.S. It is also a true friend that walks in, sees the Christmas tree in the corner, and says that the scene is "Uplifting." Thanks, friend!

Okay, It Was a BAD Idea...

2011-06-23T07:00:00.000-05:00

The next version of Superman is being filmed in our area, and they were looking for some "extras". I told Hannah and Savanna I would take them...Also said that there will be lots of people that show up, so to just look at this as an interesting experience. We all agreed that if there was a long line, we would head back home and go swimming.

So...I turned the corner to get to the place this was being held and started laughing like a crazy lady. There were major masses of people. Serious people. People who came with umbrellas. People who meant business. People who were prepared to wait until the very end...So, we headed to the pool. I would never make it in the world of Toddlers and Tiaras.

And Where Were YOU Last Night???

2011-06-22T20:25:00.004-05:00

We were hunkered down in the basement, under the stairs, with our dog, and my computer because there was a tornado warning that lasted for almost an hour! While we were down there, I couldn't get live information regarding the warning on my computer. Frustrating. I'm getting a weather radio this weekend. Need to find one with a good alert system and not too technically challenging for me!

To the Picketing Parents in Florida...

2011-06-16T08:31:00.023-05:00

I wrote this in response to the parents in FL that were outraged that their children were asked to wash their hands after lunch and rinse out their mouths due to a life-threatening allergy of a 1st grade classmate. Some parents were very upset their kids were being told they couldn't have peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for lunch. You can see a video of the controversy here.

You have our attention, but I wonder if this is how you really want to be known. I’d like to share our story with you. I speak as a family member and as a teacher, also.

Our family had no experience with life-threatening allergies until several years ago, when my niece began experiencing anaphylactic reactions. This means that her kidneys, liver, and heart can stop working when she’s exposed to what her body cannot tolerate.

Until this time, we knew very little about allergies. My brother went for allergy shots, I felt like I had a cold when around cats, and my dad had some very bad allergic reactions that took him to the hospital. We really didn’t know, about life-threatening
allergies. I’m a teacher, and each year, our list of children with allergies at school increases. Interesting, isn’t it? Kind of scary, too.

Then…my niece began having life-threatening allergic reactions. We didn’t know what the cause was, but in time, my sister was quite certain what was causing the reactions. This was confirmed through allergy tests.

It is impossible to provide an environment that is totally free of what makes my niece ill, but the goal is to limit her exposure. This means adjusting the clothes, underwear, swimsuits, shoes, and flip-flops she wears. We need to be aware of what athletic
equipment was made from. What were people wearing on their hands when food was prepared? My niece also needs to avoid specific foods. My niece carries an epi-pen. She has had to learn to be safe in various environments.

We’ve all made adjustments…removed items from our home, made sure we let friends know not to bring specific items to gatherings that might cause a problem, and expected my niece to grow more independent and responsible for managing her allergy as she matures.

My niece left her first school, along with her three sisters, as the school was unwilling to keep her safe. As a teacher, I was horrified that her parents were told by the school district to call the school district’s attorney regarding her needs. They didn’t
want to talk to attorneys. They wanted to know their girl could be safe, and it was clear she could not.

So, the school lost my four of my nieces. I know all aunties think their nieces are special, but mine are VERY special. You’ll just have to trust me on this. The school also lost my sister and brother-in-law, who had been very involved and helped in many
ways.

The new school does their best to keep my niece safe. They have a HEPA vacuum cleaner, which takes the bad stuff and doesn’t let it back into the environment. My sister and brother-in-law have provided a HEPA air filter for my niece’s classroom. They helped finance new athletic equipment which was safer for my niece. They also offered to provide classroom supplies for all children in my niece’s classroom so that the items that would cause a problem would not be present. The school has been honest and made phone calls when a mistake has happened, and there has been an exposure. This allows our family to take the necessary action to keep my niece safe.

The adults have done their part. They have kept a child safe.

Not all of our kids need to be kept safe in the same manner. As a parent and as a teacher, I know that we don’t keep all kids safe in the same ways. Some kids are street smart when they’re quite young. Some kids aren’t street smart, ever. We need to watch out for those children in a different way. Some kids are impulsive and too active. Keeping their safe might mean giving them a friendly reminder to respect everyone’s personal space before recess. Not a big deal.

I’ve worked in elementary schools with Early Childhood programs. We keep our little three and four year old children safe in a different way than we do our first graders. For our little ones, that may mean learning to wear a bike helmet when they’re tooling abound the Learning Resource Center. Think riding a bike isn’t what happens during school time? Think again! Some kids need help with gross motor skills. We take care of kids and make sure they get what they need. Not a big deal.

Schools are providing for the needs of many children dealing with autism. Keeping some of our kids safe, when they’re dealing with autism means we understand that a light touch may be very alarming to them, and deep pressure can be very calming. Keeping these kiddos safe might mean giving more pre-alerts, to let them know what will be happening next, sometimes even saying, “I know it will be really hard to stop working at the computer, but we have to do that in two minutes.” Keeping them safe means understanding that their attention may be somewhere else when it is time to walk around busses and cars. Keeping these kids safe might mean that an extra adult is present for practicing safety drills. No big deal. We take care of kids and make sure they get what they need.

We work with kids with social and emotional issues. Keeping them safe may mean providing social groups where they can practice interacting with peers in a positive way. Keeping them safe might mean modeling how to respond to a peer on the playground. Sometimes we literally give these kids the words to use because they don’t use those words and wouldn’t think of using those words on their own. We take care of kids and make sure they get what they need. No big deal.

As parents, we help our kids understand that being fair doesn’t mean everyone gets the same as another…it means that everyone gets what they need most to be safe and successful.

I have worked in schools for thirty-one years. We know how to adjust environments, keep kids safe, and provide for their needs. Kids don’t come to us with the same background experiences, and preparations for success. They don’t come to us with the same strengths in learning. We know how to help kids feel proud that they’ve exhibited character and compassion by showing kindness to another person. We make situations like this an opportunity for learning compassion for others. It’s a good thing.

Has your child ever received any type of educational boost? A special reading teacher? A math intervention? Has your child struggled with writing? Has your child received any type of intervention at school that helps him/her be more successful?
Would it be reasonable to deny this help to your child when it is possible for us to do this? Most of the kids in a school don’t need this boost, but for your child it would make a really positive difference. Do we really want to go here?

I attended an in-service on bullying, recently, and the presenters spoke about the importance of creating a climate of compassion, and addressing this again and again, throughout the school year, as a way to minimize bullying behavior. Is it really too much to ask your children to wash their hands, rinse out their mouths, and be conscious of the foods that can cause a fatal reaction to a little girl who is in first grade? Is this really how you want to be known?

I've worked with kids all my life, and I've been amazed at how beautifully they rise to the needs of others. Some kids that are darned challenging to work with absolutely shine when they're helping another student. It isn't a big deal. The students in my niece's class became very alert to possible dangers for her. They care for her and don't want her to be sick.

You’ve been given an opportunity to educate yourself, to understand the challenges some families face, and show your compassion. You’ve been given an opportunity to talk to your own children about compassion. The compassion we reap is the
compassion we will sow. Scary, isn’t it, to show your children, who will outlive you, that rejection is the answer when someone has a medical need that causes the most minor inconvenience to others? Do we really want to go here?

There are so many issues worth your time with a picket sign, but is rejecting this child the one for which you want to be known?Washing hands. Rinsing mouths. Becoming educated on life- threatening allergies. Showing compassion for one person whose
needs are different than your own…Truly, this does not seem too much to bear. I would welcome having conversations with my own children, about how we can do something so small to keep another safe…

It isn’t too late. We all make mistakes. I assure my children of this on a daily basis, because I’ve made as many mistakes as every other person on the face of this earth. You have the power to recognize your mistake. You have the power to put down your picket sign. You have the ability to be support behind this family instead of one more stress when they’re dealing with their child’s life threatening allergy every day. You have the power to embrace this little girl and her family. Be humble. Tell your kids you made a mistake, as we all do. Tell them, that now that you know you made a mistake, you need to make things right, and show support for a little girl and her family. They won’t remember your mistake. They’ll remember how you fixed your mistake.

For those of you that will continue to carry your signs, and reject this child, and suggest home-schooling, I wish you continued luck for your family without life- threatening allergies. My niece wasn’t born with her allergy…it developed due to exposure, as most allergies do. We had no idea we’d face the challenge of dealing with a life-threatening allergy until we were suddenly dealing with a life threatening allergy. We never know what the future holds when talking about the health of our children, do we?

Some Good Chats

2011-06-13T09:00:00.000-05:00

Hannah had a few giggles over me sharing the word "teenybobber" with her...as in a teenager. She is very excited to be an official 13 year old and it seems to come into every conversation she has with someone she hasn't seen for awhile. "Did you tell them I'm 13?" The answer is never yes, because my brain doesn't think that way, but hers certainly does!!!

We seem to be having some really good conversations in the pool, these days. Just like every other mom, I hope my responses are the right responses...

A Lovely Weekend...

2011-06-12T22:26:00.000-05:00

My niece, Savanna, stayed with us after Grams' birthday. We enjoy her so much we hung on to her for a second night! We tried for a third, but the girl does have a life! We picked out some beads for new bracelets I'll be making the girls, and then headed to the wedding where Hannah was singing, with friends. The wedding was outside, and it was trying so hard to rain, but we just had sprinkles until the "I Do's" were said. We headed to the library to pick up some more books. We're working on reading this summer...Also got in a swim, even though we froze when we got out!!! Yikes!!!

Hannah and Savanna both enjoy cooking, so they did a lot of cooking this weekend. Tonight, they made Brazillian Rice and pot-stickers. I like to hear the girls talk...they're just good together. Oh, and did I mention they made brownies??? It really was a great weekend!

And...the tree is still up. Took Grams' birthday photo next to the tree...everyone is getting kind of attached to the tree...it has grown on us over the past 8 months. Someone suggested decorating it for the 4th of July. Time will tell.

Long Time, No News, Here!

2011-06-09T19:49:00.001-05:00

Summer Break is here! My goal is to get down the Christmas tree. Yes, it is still up. We're celebrating Gram's birthday tomorrow, and I'm thinking if it doesn't come down tomorrow, I'm sure it will be done before the next birthday celebration! I know, you're thinking I must be so incredibly incompetent...The darn thing has been up since last November!!!

Today it was POURING when the kiddos were arriving at school. I had my usual morning duty outside, and said a few prayers I wouldn't be fried by lightening, as I held my umbrella! I usually ditch the umbrella and just get a bit wet, but today really required an umbrella.

It was in the high 90's for the past two days, and today it dropped to about 60. That kind of rapid decrease in temperature rattles me because of the risk of tornados...I was grateful to get home...We've got the windows open, getting the cool air into our humble abode.

We Just Keep Taking Those Steps...

2011-04-23T16:52:00.001-05:00

We're still trying to find our "new normal". We're doing all the right things, meeting with the right people, doing what has been advised. I haven't rejected a single recommendation. I still feel like I was punched in the gut, and Hannah does too. I spend a lot of time trying to breathe and not hyper-ventilate. I look forward to having more time in the weeks to come to just walk out some of the stress that is so incredibly present with every heartbeat.

We've Been Blessed With Spring!

2011-04-10T18:29:00.000-05:00

We're smiling in the Midwest, today. The windows are open, ceiling fans are turned on, and I can't even count how many times I took time to sigh and just feel spring. Now I need to work with our dog, who is ready to rip apart anyone walking by. I keep reminding her we only bark at the bad guys, but she's not buying it.

Extreme Couponing on TLC-New Series

2011-04-10T07:56:00.000-05:00

Well, super couponing certainly has our attention these days, thanks to TLC's new program, Extreme Couponing. They've chosen some colorful characters to represent the super couponing community, so far. I was really pleased that they showed an entire family involved with saving money, last week. The children clearly understood how they were helping, and were learning skills that have the potential to save them amazing amounts of money, considering they'll begin being a consumer with far more knowledge than almost every other person their age. That has been something very positive and powerful in our family. I'm thrilled that my kids know that we plan our purchases, and usually have coupons in hand.

One segment on Extreme Couponing had my attention before the woman even began to shop. The boots. First of all, I don't know how anyone can walk in boots like that. When I go into a store knowing I'll be doing a trip similar to what boot-lady did, I am in walking-shoes and jeans. I'm prepared to spend time in the store, know I might need to reach up high, and am also prepared to get on the floor, as I might be reaching on the lowest shelves. I leave my coat in the car because I get hot while I'm concentrating and working hard. Make-up? Are you kidding??? I do put on a little extra deodorant, though. My sister and I joke that we're about to perform brain surgery, because some transactions are pretty complicated. And, I do apologize to neuro-surgeons. I know my "brain surgeries" are nothing compared to yours. You save lives, and I save money so I can pay doctor bills. Big medical bills brought me to super couponing. Sorry. You're awesome, and you rock.

A lot of super couponers have had trips to the store where they've saved the same percentages as boot-lady did. They've also had trips where they've saved a higher percentage than boot-lady. I have, too, and I'm still learning how to be a super couponer. Not every shopping trip has a 97%, 98%, or 99% saving amount, but when there are special promotions going on, and it is the end of a promotion, and we have extra catalina coupons, yes, super couponers can achieve what boot-lady did. Honestly. Ethically. With coupons intended for the products we purchased. Following the specific rules of the store. No special tricks.

TLC seems to be choosing super couponers that really stand out to the rest of us. Following people who purchase organic products at the store with their coupons isn't as interesting, I guess. Following people who help stock food pantries might not get the ratings that boot-lady will. I get it. TLC is in business to make money. I'm disappointed though...the name of their channel is The LEARNING Channel. Could we learn from people who at least do their stuff LEGALLY??? Seems like it would be reasonable to at least start from that place, don't you think?

There are wonderful bloggers that could be incredibly helpful to families considering taking on super couponing. I can't imagine that a single one of the folks I follow would be willing to risk their reputation to participate with an upcoming episode of Extreme Couponing. I guess the title says what TLC wanted for the show; Extreme.

For those that want to learn how to be a super couponer, know that you can do it. You can learn to have shopping trips like boot-lady, legally, if you're willing to invest the time. Many people tell me they would love to do this, but lack the time. I lack the time, but I have those massive medical bills. So, despite the lack of time, I had to find the time to learn to save money in one part of our budget, to move it to another area of our budget.

You'll make mistakes as a super couponer. Know that when something doesn't work, it is because you made a mistake. I chat with a lot of the friendly folks at Walgreens and know that some people trying to learn to do super coupon deals throw hissy fits when they don't get their register reward. I had a long chat with one of the ladies last week and told her that these are the folks that will never succeed in super couponing, as they are assuming Walgreens or the clerk did something wrong. Nope. Very unlikely. Especially if you are a newbie. I'm into my third year and still consider myself a newbie.

I've made every mistake known to mankind with super couponing. I lost money with each mistake. Ouch! I learn from my mistakes and try not to repeat those mistakes. I share my mistakes with my friends, hoping to save them money. When I make new mistakes, I share those mistakes, too. Three years into this, and I still assume anytime my brain surgery doesn't work out, it is my fault. Once or twice there has been a problem with a catalina or register reward printing out. I've made many, many more mistakes than that. Remember, if it doesn't work out, it is because you made a mistake. It's okay...just be nice to the people that check you out, review your items, your receipt, and information on promotion items and figure out your mistake, so you don't make that mistake again, and can go on to your next mistake. Humility is a good thing in super couponing, in my humble opinion.

Know that once you are doing super couponing deals, you stand out as a customer, in a way that your friends who do not shop in this way, do. Checking us out is more work for a clerk. Lots more work, sometimes. Don't be like boot-lady and purchase one item planning to use a different coupon to pay. Not fair. Makes us all look bad.

Be organized. Be prepared to step out of line, if you're doing multiple transactions. Don't make people wait behind you. Watch the person checking you out. Have your coupons ready for them, all facing the same direction. Do everything you can to make your transactions as easy as possible. I want them to smile when I walk in, not groan. I've had many clerks thank me for being organized and for knowing how different promotions work. They've told me I am welcome to come through their lines any day, anytime. I'm going to be there anyway. I'm thankful to know I'm welcome.

Find someone to help you. If you're in the Chicago area, Jill Cataldo is an honest, ethical mentor for people beginning as super couponers. She's beginning to travel to different parts of the country, so even if you're not in Chicago, the information she shares will help you. She has a DVD that explains super couponing. I think it costs about $20. I'm not related to Jill, and I don't work for her. I've just learned a lot from her, and I'm here to tell you that you can save $20 in a single breath, when you understand super couponing. I've seen her video and it is very clear to someone who is beginning. If you have a friend, ask them to go shopping with you the first time. When I began, I didn't have friends who were super couponers. I was the first, of my family and friends. Many of the mistakes I made would not have been made if someone had spent one hour with me in Walgreens or Jewel. So, I'm quick to offer to do this for others.

If super couponing is something that will help you provide for your family, you can learn how to do this. Honestly. Ethically. Legally. With integrity. And...you don't have to buy a boatload of mustard, either!!!

Our Poor Pup...

2011-04-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

...got 4 shots in one day. She climbed into her little puppy bed when we returned from the vet's office, and didn't climb out for the next 19 hours. Each time I touched her she cried. Big cries for a little girl who weighs less than four pounds. Hannah just sat next to her when she came home from school, and pet her very quietly. We were very relieved when our little lump of love started moving around and being her peppy, little self again!

I Almost Smooched the Doctor...

2011-04-07T09:00:00.000-05:00

Really, I was thinking that I could have puckered up, because, as he was explaining the results of my bone density test, he said I had the bones of a 20 year old. If only all my other precious parts were that of a 20 year old!!! I swear, I could hardly hear the rest of what he shared, because I was so happy about the 20 year old bones! Also, my thyroid medicine is shrinking the growths on my thyroid, which is good news. They're half the size of what they were a year ago.

Recent trips to the doctor have resulted in explanations along the line of issues being related to AGE. Yikes! Whatcha talking about??? I remember my dad telling me to enjoy life, because it really moves quickly. I was a 20 something then, and didn't get it.

This was the best doctor's appointment in a very long time!!!

No one tells you to start yoga at age six, and not stop, because all those parts don't stretch and move as easily in the years to come...So, if you're six and reading my blog, listen up...Tell your mama you need to start yoga!!! Time is ticking!!!

After the Party...

2011-04-06T09:00:00.000-05:00

...we headed outside to breathe some air that hadn't been recycling inside for the past few months. Awesome...delightful...sweet! We also chatted with neighbors that were equally grateful for fresh air, no snow, and no need for coats! Peace. I just felt peace, watching Hannah play with other kids...Our neighbors kids grew INCHES since last fall. It was just good to connect again. Good to breathe. Good to be able to hear the birds, feel the sun, and see my daughter play.

Oh, If We Must...

2011-04-05T09:00:00.000-05:00

After our birthday lunch, birthday cake and ice-cream, we remembered that we needed to taste test Savanna's chocolate chip cookies, which were baked on four different types of cookie sheets. I think I was the only one that didn't test all four types...the rest of the family did the official taste testing, and let me tell you, they really took this seriously. I heard a whole lot of impressive adjectives flying around the family room. After everyone made their final decision about the best and worst (could there be a "worst" chocolate chip cookie???), I was called in to confirm their opinions.

So, after a weekend of trying to understand Shintoism, taste-testing the cookies was a sweet treat.

Your Eyes Are Not Deceiving You, Sad to Say...

2011-04-04T15:31:00.000-05:00

This is coming down. This week. If you know us, you understand why there have been other things that have been much more important than packing our Christmas tree, lately. Then, we had water in the basement. Now we're almost dry...time to say goodbye, until next Thanksgiving. I like to have our tree up early. Sometimes freaky early.

When my friend, Kim, and I were roommates she just asked that I not put the tree up before Veteran's Day. That was our agreement. You can ask her. She'll tell you. Kim, are you reading this??? You were a great roomie! I loved being in all your wedding photos for "former roommates", "colleagues", "travel buddies". I think I only missed out on college friend, because I hadn't met you yet!!!

And We Miss Ms. April!!!

2011-04-03T14:16:00.000-05:00

And We Miss Ms. Dikun

2011-04-02T19:31:00.000-05:00

I Almost Wet My Pants...

2011-04-02T17:10:00.000-05:00

My niece, Savanna, is with us this weekend so I can help her with a research project on Shintoism. We're also preparing for a birthday party for Hannah, Annika, and Sara tomorrow! We were talking about food that needs to be prepared, and Savanna asked if we needed to vacuum. Hannah looked at me and said, "I vacuumed a few weeks ago."

Really. I tried. I really tried not to laugh, but I did. I was even a bit hysterical, I think!!! Before I had children, I vacuumed every morning before I left for work. I really did. I also used foam cleaner for the sink in the bathroom. Every day. I mean it. I'm not kidding.

Well, of course, we don't live that way now...and if you've been at our house, you know that is true. I've lowered my standards a whole lot. I was just giving myself a pep talk a few days ago, about the importance of lowering them a bit more, until school is out and I can whip us back into shape.

We Miss Ms. Johanna!!!

2011-04-01T19:26:00.000-05:00

St. Martin...The Summer Hannah Learned to Read

2011-03-31T18:15:00.000-05:00

I will always remember our time in St. Martin. Hannah was learning to read, the summer before kindergarten. We would head down to the beach in the morning, go back to our condo when the sun was strongest, have lunch, read, take a nap, and head back to the beach...Oh, that was sweet!!!

And...She's a Grand Traveler!

2011-03-30T18:13:00.000-05:00

Love That Smile!

2011-03-29T18:11:00.000-05:00

And...We Both Love Chocolate!!!

2011-03-29T09:00:00.000-05:00

Oh, How My Girl Has Grown!

2011-03-28T18:04:00.000-05:00

From our first moment together, Hannah has been so full of love, and so willing to accept love. She loved wearing girly shoes, and especially MY shoes when she was little. Now she's constantly taking my socks!!! I never have socks because my darling girl can now WEAR my socks! Once she gets them, God only knows where they go when they're not on her feet...her room is a scary place with lots of stuff that probably doesn't really belong there!

Don't you love her self-portrait? I had it on the wall for a few years...I just melted each time I saw it. Now it is packed in Hannah's memory box. So are the ladybug sunglasses. Is there anything sweeter than a little girl? I don't think so!

Signs of Spring

2011-03-28T09:06:00.000-05:00

Those buds are trying, they're really trying to get ready for spring. I see them concentrating! Do you think people who live in milder parts of the world celebrate spring like we do in the midwest??? I. Don't. Think. So.

True Love

2011-03-27T14:56:00.000-05:00

Hannah knew I had to have a blood test this past week, and asked if I wanted to use her Emla, which numbs the skin prior to a poke with the needle. You would have to know how much my girl believes she needs Emla before a shot or blood draw to know what a generous offer this was. I wouldn't think of taking a drop Hannah's Emla...no way!

I was scared of needles when I was a kid, too. I remember I was so tensed up when a nurse went to give me a shot in the bottom, that the needle went flying across the room! I got over any concerns about needles when I had my appendix removed and was in pain. The nurse arrived to give me shots of some really good stuff, and I was very happy to give her any body part she wanted, to get a little relief.

A Few More of My Favorite Photos...

2011-03-16T20:37:00.000-05:00

...of the beginning of our life together. I can look at each of the photos and remember exactly what was happening in our lives. There were so many changes for both of us! We returned from China in April, just after Hannah's first birthday. I remember waking up each morning with a smile on my face, and the pure joy that my daughter was sleeping in the next bedroom. Our first summer was so special; lots of time with family, friends, and therapists, too! Oh, did my girl blossom!!! In September, I received a call that my dad was ill, and in the hospital. Within days we knew he had brain cancer. Hannah and I travelled most weekends during the fall, five hundred miles round trip. It might have been the trip where she screamed for 98 miles that I knew we couldn't continue to do this. Also, I really needed to be back home with family. I applied for a teaching position in Illinois in October, and we left WI and moved to IL in December. Christmas was the happiest and saddest...so thankful Hannah was home and I could be her mom...so sad knowing it would be Hannah's only Christmas with her grandpa, and it would be my dad's last Christmas with us.

From the Beginning...A Heart Filled With Love...

2011-03-16T20:24:00.000-05:00

...and it still is, at (almost) 13.

Our First Home Together Nekoosa, WI

2011-03-09T18:01:00.000-06:00

My dad was diagnosed with brain cancer several months after we returned from China, so we relocated within several months of Hannah's adoption, heading back home. I still miss our home in WI, but know that it was the right decision to move closer to family. Also, we now live in an area with wonderful diversity and with great resources for adoptive families.

Twelve Years Ago, Our First Day Together!

2011-03-09T17:56:00.000-06:00

I think that bath helped! Didn't she have the sweetest smile? I love the picture of my sister, Dawn, with Hannah!!!

21 Days Till My Girl is a Teenager!

2011-03-09T17:51:00.000-06:00

So I thought I'd share a few of my favorite photos! This was us in our first few hours together, in China. Hannah was sick, had been taking medication, had a fever, and was wrapped in five layers of clothing! When we returned to our hotel, I gave her some medication for her fever, and a bath, hoping that would help, too.

I messed up and attached one of the photos twice, but I love this photo so much that I'm not deleting it!!! I am such a lucky mom!

So Proud of My Girl!

2011-02-22T10:55:00.000-06:00

Bring a Broom If You're Stopping By...

2011-02-21T11:01:00.000-06:00

Good news and bad news. Bad news is we have water in the basement. Good news is Hannah headed downstairs this morning, and then called to me right away, so we knew and could do something. We spent a few hours throwing out things that have been destroyed, protecting things that need to be off the ground, and sweeping. Lots of sweeping to move the water to one area where it can go down a hole. As you can tell, I don't know what I'm talking about...the professionals are coming, but not fast enough!!! So, bring a broom if you plan to stop by anytime soon!

Happy Chinese New Year!

2011-02-20T10:44:00.000-06:00

Hannah and friends learned how to make Chinese dumplings yesterday. Ms. Dikun and Ms. April made dumplings by scratch, but now that I know how to use the little wrappers, this is how I'll be making them! Ms. April made a wonderful sauce with a mixture of vinegar and soy sauce and it was delicious!!! Apparently eating dumplings helps to ensure a prosperous year, so we'll be eating some dumplings next new year, too! We had so much fun with our friends, and it was so nice to be together again. We've really missed being with friends, and this has been another step in building our "new normal" and reconnecting with those that are important to us.

This Was Our Path Out After Our Little Blizzard

2011-02-19T10:42:00.000-06:00

Happy Chinese New Year!

2011-02-05T23:13:00.001-06:00

H and I met with our friends to celebrate the Chinese New Year today. It was so good to see friends that we hadn't seen for so long, due to how hard life has been during the past few months. We are so blessed to have so many adoptive families in our community, and families that have become our friends. The little ones were so precious in their special clothes, and I told my friends to enjoy seeing their kids in their special clothes. Those days are done for H., at least for the moment. A few years ago I got her into one of her Chinese dresses when I told her it was her birthday present to me. We had a family picture taken, and within a few minutes, the dress was GONE!

My Snow Angels Have Arrived...

2011-02-02T16:13:00.000-06:00

My snowplow driver hasn't arrived yet...but three guys saw our pathetic amount of snow and offered their services. I suspect they could make a heck of a lot of money on a day like today, when we've had a bit of a blizzard...

Blizzard 2011

2011-02-02T14:36:00.001-06:00

I was wondering if G knows there has been a blizzard. Is she aware of the snow? Can she play in it soon? Our backyard is massive drifts, and if she was with us, she would want to put on her snow pants, and grab her sled. It just seemed odd that she wasn't here on a day that she would have enjoyed.

I tend to nest on days like this, so I made two lassagna dinners, a massive pot of chili in my soup-kitchen (I'm not kidding) pot, sloppy joes, and taco meat.

A Nice, Quiet Weekend

2011-01-30T17:56:00.000-06:00

We had lunch with my sister, brother-in-law, and four nieces, on Saturday. My niece, Savanna, joined us for the weekend. Saturday night the girls made individual pizzas and one large pizza. I tried to help with science, and we did a note-taking session. Sunday, we picked up a friend of Hannah's and went to the movies. My sister and nieces came to pick up Savanna, after skiing and we had pizza, peroghi's, salad, cherries, and gingerbread cookies. Kind of eclectic, wouldn't you say?

And...For My Wisconsin Friends!

2011-01-23T12:09:00.000-06:00

My dear friend, Renee, changed the prayer a bit, and her priest read this in church. Uh-oh, for the Bears.

Our Father;
who art a Packer;
Hallowed be thy fame.
Thy Championship come; Thy play be run;
At home as it is away.
Give us this day our Sunday win;
And forgive us our turnovers;
Though we pounce on those who turnover against us;
And lead us not
into fourth and long;
But deliver us from DA BEARS.

In the name of Lombardi;
As it was in 1967, 1968, and 1997;
So shall it be in 2011;
Reign without end, Packers! - AMEN!!

So let it be written, so let it be done!

For My Chicago Friends

2011-01-23T12:07:00.000-06:00

Our Papa; who art a Bear; Hallowed be thy fame.
Thy Championship come;
Thy play be run; At home as it is away.
Give us this day our Sunday win;
And forgive us our turnovers;
Though we pounce on those who turnover against us;
And lead us not into fourth and long;
But deliver us from Rodgers.
In the name of Ditka, Butkis and thy Holy Payton;
As it was in 1985;
So shall it be in 2011;
Reign without end. DA BEARS - AMEN!!

A Little Life Lesson...

2010-11-20T21:27:00.000-06:00

Hannah and Grace were with me today, while I was on the computer. I had received an inappropriate message from some man, somewhere, that I've never met. Inappropriate, and I took the time for a little dose of reality. "Remember how we've talked about not responding to people that try to get personal information from you over the computer??? Well, let me show you what you do, my little chickadees!" Of course, I was being a bit dramatic, for effect.

I pointed out the message, not giving them an opportunity to read it. Next I showed them the delete button. "What do you do with those types of messages, ladies??? Delete!" I looked at Hannah and said, "What do you do???"

She was laughing due to my drama, but shouted, "Delete!!!"

I looked at Grace, "What do you do???"

"Delete!!!"

And so we did.

I've Just Got To Say...

2010-11-20T07:28:00.000-06:00

..that I'm all for pat downs and body scans. Bring it on, TSA. I've been frisked, been told to take off my shoes, and irritated when a TSA worker threw out my brand new tube of wrinkle cream, before I even opened. Darn thing was an ounce too much for a carry on! Big deal. In my humble opinion, the opportunity to fly on a plane with my children, and have a very good chance of landing without any major upset, outweighs any right of ours that is a part of our Constitution. Are you still reading, ACLU? I'm all for civil liberties, but I need to be alive to experience them!

I'm a very tiny part of the flying public, a team player, and believe that sometimes we need to suck it up for the good of our community. I'm a teacher, and even our kindergarten students are beginning to learn about being part of a community. Rules for a community need to be different than rules than a family may generate. Community rules are meant for those who are least likely to behave in a way that is positive for a larger group of people. Look around; there are a lot of folks that know the right thing to do, as a member of their various communities. But there are some that don't make choices with consideration of the common good. Laws forbidding public urination? They were not written for me or mine! Probably not for you or yours, either! Body scans and pat downs are needed for very few people, but they're the ones with the weapons and explosives to make airplanes crash into heavily populated buildings, or blow up in the sky. The rest of us follow the rules designed for THEM because we're there for the ride, too. It isn't easy to know who has a very different plan for the flight than other passengers, so we all need to be screened.

I love to travel, and I've been to France, Italy, Switzerland, Holland, Germany, Russia, Egypt, Israel, China and a few countries closer to home. I've flown. I get it. It can be a bit of a hassle, but it is the price we pay for the opportunity to travel. I've had folks mess up my carry-on, go through my carefully packed suitcase, and move my underwear around. They've told me to take off my shoes, empty my stuff to be x-rayed, and I've been patted me down, including those areas I'd prefer not to be touched by folks I don't know and won't see again. No big deal. I'd do that, and a whole lot more to ensure that my plane ride is uneventful. Am I worried about the form of my body being visible to them? Are you kidding? They've got a job to do, and a lot of people to process. I don't think they give a hoot about anything, but looking for things that might end the day badly for hundreds of people and their families. Do I think my gynecologist thinks about what my insides look like after he's completed a pap test? No, I don't. I'm a little person in the sea of humanity. It isn't about me, and whatever TSA needs us to do, I would say, "It isn't about you, either."

Not a day has passed without me thinking of the families who lost loved ones on September 11, 2001. Early on, I thought of the pregnant women left behind. I think of their children, who will never know their daddy. I think of the children who did know their daddy or mommy, and now they don't. I've thought of the school children who evacuated their school on that day that I remember as being unusually beautiful in the sky. The loss of a loved one is so sad, and a death due to terrorism leaves me with such a profound sorrow that I don't have words to describe it. I've thought of the parents left behind to raise their family. I think of the people who screened the hijackers that day; it can not be an easy burden to carry. I've thought of the police officers, fire fighters, and other rescue folks who have been ill due to inhaling all that remained from that terrible day and the months and months of clean up. I think about how that day began with the worst of humanity, and how quickly the best of humanity was shining.

I won't be flying for Thanksgiving, but hope that any passengers that are considering making a point with TSA workers will reconsider. They have a tough job. We all have jobs, and sometimes people get angry when we are truly doing our job. My experiences with TSA folks have been positive, with the exception of Wrinkle Lady. She could have been a whole lot nicer when she trashed my wrinkle cream, but I know she was doing her job, and I didn't say a word. TSA workers might be missing out on family celebrations for Thanksgiving. They want people to have an uneventful trip. If you make it to YOUR family and back home without incident, they've done their job well, So, for me, I'll be remembering the TSA folks, and thankful for their service on this upcoming holiday. I will be hoping that those who slow down the process are few. I'll even think a good thought for Wrinkle Lady.

So Thankful for our Local Resources!

2010-10-31T19:23:00.001-05:00

I'm very thankful that we live in an area where we truly have access to any type of support we might need, as a family. Both my girls have had medical issues, and we've never struggled to find exactly what is needed. Grace's cleft team is local, and that has been an incredible blessing. I didn't want our trips to her cleft team to be separate from the rest of our lives; places where we only go when we're having cleft appointments. I just really wanted it to be part of our lives, and not so frightening. Grace has had seven surgeries since she's been home, and six of them have been at the same hospital. We just know the routine. Hannah has been at that hospital too, for medical care. She knows where we are when we're away from home. The fact that we go for other appointments that are a lot less stressful than cleft surgeries makes it healthier when we are actually having cleft appointments. This is the first time in four years we don't have any surgeries on the calendar!!! Hooray for us!

So Happy Friends Are Heading to China These Days!!!

2010-10-23T06:58:00.000-05:00

So many friends have been waiting so long to travel to China for their adoptions, and it has been so wonderful to start to see them finally receiving their referrals and travel approvals!!! I have more friends that are waiting, and I'll be thrilled when they receive THEIR referrals. The entire process is stressful enough, without the incredible periods of just...plain...waiting... With both my adoptions, as I neared the end of the process, I was praying for no international incidents that might put our countries in some type of a conflict. Waiting is tough when you're two, and even tougher when you know your child is waiting for you on the other side of the world.

Loser Mom

2010-08-19T05:24:00.000-05:00

We love playing Rummikub, a game with number tiles. Lately, Hannah has been creaming me quite often. Grace, always the competitor, wants to be on the winning team. So the other night, she said, "Mom, tonight I'll be on YOUR team. Then we can BOTH be the losers. But, we'll be proud, because we didn't CHEAT!"

So You Had a Bad Dream???

2010-08-09T20:03:00.000-05:00

This mama was not the least bit nice last night, when two kids ended up in my bed, along with our dog. One big sister had gone onto YouTube, when she had permission to be on Animal Planet. And what did she see? Some video about Bloody Mary. She went into the bathroom, turned off the lights, and said, "Bloody Mary" three times. Bloody Mary didn't show up, but she still filled in her little sister, on the legend of Bloody Mary. We had a talk about the virtue of remaining on the website that has been agreed upon, and that trash into the brain is sometimes tough to say goodbye to.

So, at this stage of my life, when I'm hot all the time, two kids were in my bed, and my beloved older daughter, who is like a human furnace, was closest to me. None of us slept well...two people having visions of Bloody Mary, and one old lady that was hot, hot, hot.

So, if you want love and reassurance when you have a bad dream in my house, don't be watching Bloody Mary when you're supposed to be learning about the habits of zebras in Africa.

P.S. I'm nice about bad dreams when people haven't been on YouTube without my blessing.

The Day I Finished School...

2010-07-27T14:04:00.000-05:00

Hannah got sick! Thankfully, she had a 24 hour bug and is feeling fine again. Now I need to start preparing for my next school year in my new building!

My Little Sister Had a BIG Birthday!

2010-07-26T09:00:00.000-05:00

I didn't even call her yesterday, when it was her actual birthday, because I am a lousy liar and suspected she'd ask me if I knew what was up. She had an inkling her beloved hubby was planning something, just not sure what. The only thing she got out of me was that she didn't have to clean her house. My job was to pick up the cake, and I walked like a very old lady, fearing I'd take a tumble before I got to the car! Then when I didn't tumble, I feared it would melt before I got it to the restaurant. Every vehicle on the road was a potential danger to the cake, which had a picture of my sister, when she was a baby!!! I started smiling once I handed over the cake, and just waited to surprise my sister! We had a great time! Life is better with a super sister!!!

The Bad Thing About a Great AuPair...

2010-07-25T20:32:00.000-05:00

...is when she leaves! Ms. April is now on the East coast, close enough to spend time with Ms. Dikun!

Okay, I'm Back...

2010-07-16T22:59:00.000-05:00

Life has just been really busy, especially since Ms. April left, to move to CT. Several days before the school year ended, I learned I was one of eight ELL teachers that are being moved to new buildings. I'm sad to leave the building I've been working in, and thankful that everything that I hear about my new building is great. So...I'm still trying to finish my school year, that technically ended at the very end of May. I just taped up the boxes that will be moved to my new building, and hope I'll be finished next week. Then I'll head to my new building! One of my Yahoo groups had a discussion recently about the life of a teacher, and the myth that we're off all summer is not very accurate. I've had two summers in my thirty years of teaching that I haven't worked.

Changes in China

2010-07-16T22:43:00.000-05:00

As my friends have waited, waited, and waited for their referrals, I've truly struggled to understand why the process has taken so long. I've struggled to believe that there are fewer children in Chinese orphanages. The information in this post, from a talk Amy Eldridge from Love Without Boundaries gave, made it clear to me. Hope you'll check this information out. Amy also added additional information in the comment section of the post.

Thinking About an AuPair?

2010-06-27T14:35:00.000-05:00

I just love this site, and you will too, if you are considering an aupair! People were introducing themselves, and I let them know why I stop by now and then even though we are NOT hosting an aupair at this time! We've hosted five aupairs, through AuPair in America. We're in the suburbs of Chicago, and this agency has been great! Totally recommend them!

I like this site so much that I'm still visiting, even though we don't have an aupair at this time! I am a single, adoptive mom. I chose to host our first aupair when my oldest daughter was going to attend K and would only be at school for part of the day. She was still going for occupational therapy and speech therapy, at that time. We were blessed with an incredible aupair who quickly became part of our family. She returned to her home country at the end of her year with us, applied for a visa to be a student in the US., and lived with us for two more years. My daughter was in school full-time, and I didn't need an aupair at that time. I adopted my younger daughter several months before our previous aupair returned to her country to complete her education. When I returned after my second adoption, my younger daughter went into a small home daycare situation. I was glad that my younger daughter had a little time to get to know Ms. Johanna, as she is important to us. We'll travel to Germany in the future to visit her. My younger daughter was almost three when she came to the US and had a very tough time adjusting. I quickly knew she couldn't be in a traditional daycare setting, and made plans for bringing another aupair to our family. My daughter has had seven surgeries in the past four years. We've also had a speech therapist come to our home weekly, and an attachment therapist, too. After our dream situation, I had two aupairs that were removed from the program and told to return to their home countries. I feel that I would have dealt with those situations much faster, if I'd had the support of this group. I've made mistakes, but I've learned from those mistakes, and been determined to learn from those who have experience and wisdom to share. After our two tough situations, we had two wonderful aupairs, both from China. My daughters were born in China, and I'm so happy that we've developed friendships with young women from their birth countries.

I am an ESL teacher, and I think that this has helped me to deal with some of the cultural issues, and to be an advocate for our aupairs as they've pursued their education. I've also had fun helping our aupairs and their friends with English!

I think that the international travel that I've done has also helped me understand the absolute shock people can experience in a new land...I spent three summers in Russia, without speaking the language...oh, my! I've traveled in Europe, and Asia, to adopt my daughters. I spent time in Israel and Egypt. These experiences have led me to the belief that I need to help our new aupairs get settled before I can hope that they can focus on my children. I give priority to getting them state IDs, bank accounts, library cards, etc., college enrollment, etc. I try to drive consistent routes in the early weeks with our aupairs, so that they get some understanding of where they are located and are not feeling that they're in a constant state of confusion.

I send very detailed letters of introduction. I read samples people wrote that were half a page long and thought, "Is that all????" My letters of intro were between 14 and 17 pages long. You think you might want to come live with MY family? Let me tell you ALL about us, the good and the not so hot. I also send a copy of our family book, via e-mail, so that our aupairs have every opportunity to know how we live together. Yes, those darned family books take a long time to put together, but I thought if I ever got run over by a semi, my sister could walk in and know everything she needed to know about our routines!!! Also, I got the flu the morning after picking up our fourth aupair, and that family book helped a whole lot during the two days I was hiding from my family. I knew we had a keeper when our aupair just took over, day #1, and kept my kids away from me until I was better.

I have always loved the opportunities to learn from people from different parts of the world. My philosophy has been that we don't begin to examine our own culture until we're rubbing bellies with another culture. Hosting aupairs has been an experience of rubbing bellies with another culture. I've been fortunate that our aupairs have been willing to have great conversations where we can learn ways that our countries are similar and different. I had the most fascinating conversation with our aupair, Dikun, about crime and punishment. I also learned from her that seeing cemetery's so close to residential areas in the US is very different than what would happen in China. Dikun told me that people would be too afraid of the ghosts to live close to a cemetery. April, our most recent aupair, has the most wonderful laugh, and we had so many happy times together. She also taught us how to make Chinese dumplings. My younger daughter calls them "dump-a-lings". I haven't been brave enough to make them since she left, though!!!

For families that truly want to give their time to a young woman, support her dreams, and be there to guide her when her parents are not nearby, I can't imagine a more wonderful opportunity for everyone: families that need childcare, children who can make friends with people from different parts of the world, and young women who are pursuing one of their dreams. I guess that is the reason that I still show up here, even though we are not hosting an aupair at this time. When I was starting our experience, I didn't have this site to connect with others. I didn't have friends that had hosted aupairs. I was learning, but on my own. I know the value of the information that is shared here. So, I'll stop by now and again.

Sister Talk: How Do You Do Surgery?

2010-06-05T20:44:00.000-05:00

Grace and Hannah have the most interesting conversations in the car while I'm driving!!! Grace was curious about how a doctor cuts a person's body during surgery. I was wondering if Grace was thinking about her own surgeries in the past.

"How does the doctor cut???"

"Well, with a knife...you know like how you cut an apple or an orange? The doctor cuts with a very sharp knife."

"Oh yeah..."

Grace's Career Goals...for Today...

2010-05-26T09:00:00.000-05:00

"When I grow up, I"m going to be the king of the United States!!!"

Hannah's First Solo!!!

2010-05-25T20:35:00.000-05:00

Grams, Auntie Dawn, Uncle Dave, Savanna, Sara, Amanda, and Annika joined us for dinner and the performance! Hannah did a great job and we're all very proud!!!

Lady Gaga

2010-05-09T06:53:00.000-05:00

Okay, I've been out of the loop, obviously, in many ways! I recently learned of a performer with a foul mouth named Lady Gaga. Hannah also heard about her at school. We had stopped at Grams house for a few minutes, and Hannah mentioned Lady Gaga. Grams knew more about Lady Gaga than I did...like I said, I've been out of most loops, recently. Grams was filling me in, when Hannah said, "Mom, didn't you say you LIKE Lady Gaga?"

"No, I never even heard of her until very recently."

"Oh, yeah, that was Yo Yo Ma (the famous cellist) you like."

I think Yo Yo Ma's heart skipped a beat while we were having this discussion. Sorry, Yo Yo Ma. Keep making your music!

We've Been MIA...

2010-05-05T06:02:00.000-05:00

...due to LIFE! Be back soon!

"What is that thing in my mouth?"

2010-03-15T16:37:00.000-05:00

Grace is not too happy that her tongue feels something in the palate area of her mouth, these days. "My tongue feels it when I talk! What is it?"

"Remember when you were born your mouth was a little broken? Well, now it is fixed, and that is why your tongue feels your palate. My tongue feels my palate when I talk, too."

"Yeah?"

"Yep."

No More Shopping For Me!!!

2010-03-14T15:23:00.000-05:00

We waited quite awhile for some good action with promotions at Jewel, and then there were five promotions going at the same time!!! I am not walking into a store for anything but fresh fruit, milk, and butter for a very, very long time. If the food isn't at our house, we don't need it, so thank you very kindly, Jewel, for your wonderful promotions, but it is time for me to catch up at home! I've been sucking up dust bunnies today, and plan to pay a few bills!

Yes, this is one of the pay-offs for super couponing...no need to shop, for a long time!

A Little Family Photo For You!

2010-03-02T18:16:00.000-06:00

Why Did My Kids Just Dump Ice Cubes Down the Potty?

2010-02-21T20:31:00.000-06:00

They're hoping for a snow day! There is a lot of snow headed our way, and one of Hannah's former teachers told her that dumping ice cubes down the potty and sleeping with jammies inside out will bring about a snow day!

Feeling Better...

2010-02-17T20:39:00.000-06:00

Yesterday was so rough!!! Grace cried so many times. She's frustrated when I can't understand her speech. She's tired of her neck hurting. She's congested from the tube during surgery. She's tired of having a nose that doesn't stop running, especially when she can't stop crying! "It's your fault!!! You hurt me!" Knife to my heart....ugh! I had jarred her when she was on my lap, earlier.

In the recovery room, a week ago, I was helping the nurse move Grace, and she was hitting me, thinking I was hurting her. Maybe I was; she needed to be moved, and my helping meant she'd hurt less than my not helping. To my girl, I hurt her. These days, I try to remember the words of a former colleague, that her kids would need to have something to talk about on a couch someday...might as well be things their mama had done to them. One doctor we're working with has expressed concern about medical trauma; I wanted to hug him that he knew about such a thing.

At this point, I'm just hoping that this surgery works, because it doesn't always work.

We went to my chiropractor today. I had spoken with him prior to Grace's surgery, because I was aware that Grace would have neck pain after surgery due to the position she was in for about two hours during the procedure. He examined Grace, said that she absolutely needs some work done on her neck, but we both know it can't be now...Grace had some ultra sound therapy on her neck today, and that will be repeated soon. When she's better, we'll deal with the neck work...

Grace's Questions For the Surgeon

2010-02-16T13:23:00.000-06:00

Top of the list..."When can I eat crunchy stuff again???" She's on pureed food for two more weeks, then she can have crunchy stuff like crackers. We put the cracker box on the counter by where she eats, so she can see that crunchy stuff is in her future. This was her idea, not mine. I'd be tormented to see what I can't have, but Grace likes living on the edge...

Next, "When can I jump on beds?" Now this is coming from a kid who loves to jump on beds, but hasn't got the umph to do it at this time...Again, she's looking into the future, knowing she'll have the umph some day. Grace's surgeon had talked to her about having quiet play (hahahahaha!!!) for three weeks after surgery, and not "jumping on beds". Well, her play can be a bit more exciting in a few more weeks, but the rules haven't changed, and this mama says, "No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed!"

"When do I have to do this again?" Seems that there will be a little break, and no more procedures are coming our way, for the immediate future.

I haven't looked inside Grace's mouth yet...I've learned with all the surgeries it is just better not to peek for awhile. The first time Grace had surgery, I looked after about a week, and was sure Grace had ripped out all her stitches, because she was spending a few hours screaming each day, soon after coming home from China. Her mouth didn't look like I thought it should, and even the pediatrician said I was right to make a call to the cleft team, when she took a peek. The cleft team said in all their years they'd never had a kid rip out their stitches, but if the mama needed the kid to be examined, they would do that. We waited, and a few weeks later, at the regular appointment, the cleft team thought Grace's mouth was BEAUTIFUL!

The healing that the body does is an incredible thing. I have surely seen that, as Grace has gone through all her surgeries. It is amazing to me that tissue can be cut, moved, sewn, and then grow...

My girl is very emotional...very weepy, and has regressed emotionally, but in a very healthy way, I think. She's letting me care for her in ways that I couldn't because she didn't come home with us until she was almost three. I've been feeding her, wiping her tears and nose, and holding her hand a lot. She just needs a whole lot of TLC. Her voice is still small and quiet, which is a big change for my girl. She's congested from the tube that gave her oxygen during surgery, her speech is changing, and is sometimes tough to understand. She really breaks into tears throughout the day...even when nothing is wrong at all... Hoping we make progress with this in the next week, before she returns to school. Also hoping we make progress with her neck. She just moves without moving her neck, because it hurts. We're getting help tomorrow, and I'm hoping to understand more about how to help her after we meet with my chiropractor. No manipulations for her, but hopefully, some work to relax her muscles.

Another Surgery Down...

2010-02-13T12:46:00.000-06:00

Grace had surgery this past Wednesday, for the plastic surgeon to create a pharyngeal flap. This is an explanation of the surgery, beyond my understanding of improving the airflow to improve articulation. This is a video of the surgery that I found on You Tube. Kind of tough to see, but I was glad that I understood what was going to happen.

Grace was in surgery for about 90 minutes. Another tube was placed in her left ear, and then the pharyngeal flap was created. Tissue from her throat was removed to construct the flap. She's now 6.5 years old, and has been much more aware of what would be taking place, than previous surgeries. This trip to the hospital came with much more anxiety for her than previous trips. I think the reason she was able to actually walk into the hospital was knowing that the freezer was stocked with ice-cream and popsicles that I promised to cut up, and we had lots of chocolate pudding, applesauce, and jello waiting at home.

The surgeon had told me that Grace would have a sore throat and sore neck, due to the position she would be in during surgery. Her throat is feeling much better, but her neck is still pretty nasty...Poor thing moves like a great, great, great grandma. We see the surgeon next week, and will see the chiropractor the next day. No adjustments, but a little soft tissue work to help her get back to her comfortable self.

Grace has been sleeping a lot, which is great, as that will help her heal. She's in my room, as she sounds quite congested from the breathing tube during surgery. I learned from doctors and physical therapists that healing takes place during rest, so I'm very happy she's been sleeping well at night and taking a nap during the day. Her emotions are pretty raw right now, and she's needing a lot of special loving. I thought this was her 7th surgery, but it was actually her 8th. For a kid who is always moving, it has been nice to have her slow down and relax enough to fall asleep while I hold her. I'm sure the drugs also contribute to this! She had morphine in the hospital, and tylenol with codeine at home. She's already been asking when she'll have to do this again...I don't know, but am hopeful we'll have a bit of a break for awhile.

I Was Wondering Why My Bed Was Moving...

2010-02-10T05:57:00.000-06:00

...as I slept. It woke me up, and I checked the time, and went back to sleep. Yikes! We had an earthquake! It registered 4.3 We live in the midwest, and we're accustom to lack of sun, cold, wind, snow, rain, cold, floods, blizzards, cold, tornadoes, and did I mention cold weather? The good news is I wasn't losing my mind when my bed was moving. Bad news is that if we could have a 4.3, I guess we could have a bigger one! Time to learn a bit more about earthquakes! Ms. April and I both thought that the wind was causing the movement we felt. Ms. April said she was afraid our house would break and we would freeze! Did I mention the cold we experience in the midwest? Every one of our aupairs has been absolutely stunned by the cold!!!

Would You Like Some Free Cheerios?

2010-01-24T19:57:00.000-06:00

Click here for a chance to receive free Cheerios.

This is How I Plan To Sweeten the Deal at Jewel...

2010-01-23T20:38:00.000-06:00

I'm excited about the promotion headed our way at Jewel, and plan to work a good week at Walgreens into my plans. Walgreens has a great week coming up, the same time as the Conagra promotion at Jewel. The Register Rewards at Walgreens are almost always manufacturer coupons, which means they can be redeemed at Jewel. So, I will start at Walgreens, pick up a few items, pay for them, receive the Register Rewards to receive more than I actually paid, and I will roll those lovely catalinas into deals at Jewel!

Well, this is my plan…I know I’ll be spending some money for the Conagra promotion at Jewel, so I will be stopping by Walgreens first, to pick up some items that will be free. These are the items that will be free, after I purchase them, and receive my Register Rewards. Note that the Register Reward equals the amount I will pay, thus free!

$2 RR wyb Vitamin Schtik Lip Care $1.99 FREE

$7.99 RR wyb Blink Tears $7.99 FREE

$10 RR wyb Joint Juice $10 FREE

$5.99 RR wyb Scalpicin $5.99 FREE

$7 RR wyb Zicam Cold Sore Gel Swabs 10ct $10.00
This will be free to you, if you are able to locate the $3 peelie.
$10.00 - $3 Peelie - $7RR = FREE

I will purchase the items, and receive $33 in Register Rewards. Next, I will head to Jewel, and use the $33 in Register Rewards to pay for my items included in the Conagra promotion. Of course, I’ll get my out of pocket expense down as much as possible with coupons. I can probably get it down to pocket change by using the Register Rewards from Walgreens. Register Reward catalinas are manufacturer coupons. That means that Jewel will be paid the full amount on the Catalina, plus a processing fee.

The queens would save more money, by doing multiple transactions for the Walgreens items. For example, I suspect they would do something like this:
Transaction #1
$2 RR wyb Vitamin Schtik Lip Care $1.99 FREE
Pay $1.99 plus tax, receive $2 RR

Transaction #2
$5.99 RR wyb Scalpicin $5.99 FREE
Use $2 RR from #1
Pay $3.99 plus tax, receive $5.99 back
This was a money-maker for you!

Transaction #3
$7 RR wyb Zicam Cold Sore Gel Swabs 10ct $10.00
This will be free to you, if you are able to locate the $3 peelie.
$10.00 - $3 Peelie - $7RR = FREE
If you have the $3 peelie you’ll start with paying $7
Use your $5.99 catalina from #2
Pay $1.00 plus tax and receive $7 RR
This was another money-maker for you!

Transaction #4
$7.99 RR wyb Blink Tears $7.99 FREE
Use your $7 RR from number 3
Pay $.99 plus tax, and receive $7.99 in RR
Yikes, gal pals, you're getting rich!

Transaction #5
$10 RR wyb Joint Juice $10 FREE
Use your $7.99 RR from #4
Pay $2.01 plus tax and receive a $10 RR
Can you stand it? Another money maker! Way to go, gal pals! Most of you don't need joint juice, but I do! If you don't know what Joint Juice is, you're younger than I am, and you can buy this for a gag gift for a friend who is having a BIG birthday. Or, drop it off at my house!

Now, here is the amazing part, if you really want to have fun, gal pals! Go ahead and purchase your items at Jewel, and if there is anything that you really need at Walgreens, consider using one of your catalinas from Jewel to buy that item! Then, repeat, if needed! Remember to save lots of Joint Juice for me!

Request Your Betty Crocker Coupon Book

2010-01-22T20:05:00.000-06:00

Click here to request a Betty Crocker Coupon Book!

Conagra Promotion at Jewel 1/31-2/4/2010

2010-01-22T19:39:00.000-06:00

Jewel will be having a $20/$5 Conagra promotion beginning 1/31/2010. I was in Jewel today, and the products that have been included in this promotion in the past are already marked down. The catalina should begin printing 1/31/2010. There will be products from Conagra, Georgia Pacific, General Mills, Dr. Pepper, and Snapple. Georgia Pacific products could be Brawny, Quilted Northern, and Sparkle. Click here to see what Conagra products are. Click here for Conagra coupons you can print.

I had just noticed the new coupon booklet available from Conagra yesterday. This is an example of how there are sometimes clues that lead you to believing there might be a promotion headed our way. Sometimes I have a feeling because there are a lot of blinkies available. Sometimes some generous coupons become available. Sometimes I just know it has been awhile, and I’m probably just hoping!

If you want to give this a try this month, check out some of the articles that I wrote in November. It will help you understand that in the land of Super Couponing, $20 does not mean $20 out of your pocket.

I’ll try to help you with a few scenarios when I have an idea of the products that will be included. While I am waiting, somewhat patiently for a $30/$15 deal, I must say to you that the $20/$5 deals are a nice way for you to start.

As always, if you start following the blogs of the queens, remember that there is a reason your savings is unlikely to match their savings, and it isn’t that they’re better at saving money than you are! Your beloved queens already have their stockpile and they would never even consider the possibility of shopping unless food is free, or almost free. They might not need the things your family may really need! They obtained them in another promotion, so they’ll figure out what they can get for free, and just buy those items. Keep this in mind. Also, remember that your queens are also experienced with Dominicks, Meijer, and Walgreens. The queens will be paying with the catalinas that they obtained from those stores, recently.

Conagra Coupon Booklet Has $17 in Savings For You

2010-01-22T05:56:00.000-06:00

Request your booklet here. Love the Conagra promotions! Is this a clue that one will be headed our way soon? Hope so!

Let's Do The Right Thing

2010-01-18T18:22:00.000-06:00

I received this letter today and feel that it is appropriate to pass it on.

This mailing is going out to everyone on my e-mail list, so if you don't know me or are not interested, I apologize ahead of time. However this is something close to my heart, which is causing me to lose sleep at night, and I feel I must make a plea and ask people to help out. * I am asking that each and every one of you contact your congress people, Hillary Clinton, and the White House and urge them to allow Haitian orphans to be flown to the United States immediately. Children are the most vulnerable people in a disaster, and almost all of these children have adoptive families waiting for them in the U.S., Canada, Europe, or South America. If each orphanage is allowed to bring their children here, then the parents, caregivers, and social workers from that orphanage could rally around and provide the kind of care these children need. Those children who are being adopted into U..S homes could go to their families and the adoptions completed in the U.S. Those going other places could stay here in approved foster families in places where adoption agencies would be able to communicate with the foster parents, complete their adoptions and send them to their forever home. There are plenty of volunteer foster parents waiting to help. These children who are being adopted have parents who have passed through home studies, have spent thousands of dollars of hard earned money, and have waded though waist high paper work in order to adopt Haitian children. Most have visited Haiti, bonded with their child, and have an on going interest in the well being of their child as well as children in general. They are thoughtful people who have made sacrifices and commitments to the well being of a human life and want to protect and nurture a child in the folds of their family. Their child sits in Haiti with a future of malnutrition, disease, illiteracy, no family, no advocate, no parent love, and a great possibility of being another "stupid death". Most of their Haiti paper work is under flattened buildings and many of their adoption government workers are dead. It will be years before life will return to normal in Haiti and the government will function. We can reconstruct the paper work here and go from there. Meanwhile, children can thrive, as one can not put childhood on hold. Sure, there is a possibility of mistakes and poor situations but the risk of not letting these children come as refugees is even worse. We allowed children to come to the US in 1975 when Saigon fell. Children from orphanages were airlifted to the Presidio in San Francisco. I was there and volunteered at the Presidio and while there was chaos at times, I saw children who were in terrible shape come to life again. I saw children united with their adoptive families and I saw good problem solving on the part of adoption agencies. Was it easy? No! Were lives saved and did children go to their homes and enjoy healthy, happy lives? Yes! Those children are now adults and living full lives instead of being abandoned on the streets of Saigon or dying from disease and malnutrition. It seems to me that the only morally right
decision on the part of the state department is to let these child come to the US and let them be nurtured while the paper mess is sorted out. Should a piece of paper that says "Visa" determine the life of a child when there are parents waiting for him/her? I think not! For those of you who follow the Christian faith and those who don't, I think it is a time to think about what Jesus would do in a situation like this. I think He would be in favor of getting these children in the most nurturing environment as quickly as possible. What can you do? You can write your congressmen, Hillary Clinton, and the White House and urge them to pressure the State Department to make a quick decision to grant refugee status to these kids. I am told that numbers do talk when congressmen are making decisions as to where to put their energy. Let's make this an issue that will be at the forefront of their actions in the coming week. You can find the names of your senators and representatives on the internet if you do not know who they are. Thank you for reading this. I think about the probable out come of my 40 year old, mixed race son's life had he stayed in Viet Nam, and what my four year old grandson from Haiti would be facing today if he had not come here one year ago. I am glad they both are here in the US with families that love them unconditionally. Let us rally behind these Haitian orphaned children and give them a chance to have a fulfilling life, full of family, education, and health.
Regards, Elizabeth Costantino

Help for Haiti--One Link at a Time

2010-01-15T19:08:00.000-06:00

Bloggers are some creative souls, and many have committed to donating money to Haiti when new people visit their blogs and post a link on their own blogs, inviting others to visit. I will be visiting a few more blogs than usual this weekend, and hope you will too! I'm providing links here, and here, in hopes that you will meet some new friends, who will be donating more when YOU take a moment to stop by!

The World Is So Small When You're an Adoptive Family

2010-01-14T17:00:00.000-06:00

The news of the tragic earthquake in Haiti took my breath away, as the earthquake in China did, when so many people died. I knew that Kathy from The Red Thread Promise had begun her monthly travels to Haiti, and had been following the blog. Before I could even write an e-mail to find out if Kathy had returned safely, there were four e-mails in my mailbox. I was amazed that TRTP had received e-mails from River of Hope Orphanage in Haiti. The children are safe, but frightened from the after-shocks.

From friends who have traveled to Haiti, I am aware that there are so many needs in this country, so close to my own. I spoke with a friend last night, who had also traveled to Haiti for The Red Thread Promise. She said that perhaps the world will now give more attention to this country, with so many needs. I hope so. Click here to view the updates from The Red Thread Promise.

Let the Fun Begin, Gal Pals!

2010-01-07T06:20:00.000-06:00

The coupon queens are heading out today to start doing the General Mills deals at Jewel. The promotion began several days ago, but they suggested waiting until today. They felt that the prices would be better beginning today. This promotion will run through January 13th. These are a few scenarios I planned. When I get to the store, however, I need to confirm the price that will get me to the $20, as the information in the flyers is often not accurate for where we actually shop.

With this promotion, try to find the price check machines to confirm the price that will get you to $20. You may need to ask for help to locate this. If you are not able to find a price checker, you can check prices when you begin to scan your order.

When I check myself out, I don’t scan my card, immediately. It is one more check of my math, to make sure that I’ve got the $20 before tax.

These are a few of my plans, but I need to confirm the prices when I actually shop today. I tried to create some scenarios that I thought beginners would like to purchase. I am trying to minimize the out of pocket cost.

#1
4 Cereal @ $4.99 $19.96/$8 out of pocket (oop)
1 Green Giant Vegetable in can $1.69/$1.29 oop
Cost: $9.29-coupons for cereal depending on what you have
Receive $5 catalina for next transaction

#2
Repeat Transaction 1 For More Cereal:
4 Cereal @ $4.99 $19.96/$8 out of pocket (oop)
1 Green Giant Vegetable in can $1.69/$1.29 oop
Cost: $9.29-$5 catalina from #1= $4.29 minus coupons for cereal depending on what you have
Receive $5 catalina for next transaction

#3
3 Cereals @ $4.99 $14.97/$6.00 oop
3 Progresso Light@ $8.50 $8.50/$4 oop
2 Yogurt @ $6.70 $6.79/$3.00 oop
Cost: $13.00-$5.00 catalina from #2=$8.00-coupons
Receive $5 catalina for next transaction

#4
3 Progresso Light @ $8.50 $8.50/$4.00 oop
2 Yogurt @ $6.70 $6.70/3.00 oop
1 Betty Crocker Potato Buds @ $3.39 $3.39/$1.69 oop
1 Green Giant Vegetables $1.69/$1.29 oop
Cost: $8.69-$5 catalina= $3.69 minus coupons
Receive $5 for next transaction

Coupon Match Up for General Mills Promotion

2010-01-05T21:08:00.000-06:00

Thank you, My Brain is Inside Out, for the coupon match up for the General Mills promotion at Jewel.

Eat Out of the Pantry Challenge January, 2010

2010-01-02T08:18:00.000-06:00

A few bloggers I follow decided to challenge themselves to creating all January meals from their well-stocked pantries. There are no hard rules; each family can make their own plan, but the goal is to limit grocery shopping, and to use up what exists in our pantries. I decided to join them! Some bloggers are saying that they will continue to purchase milk, eggs, fresh fruit, etc.,

My plan is to limit my spending to $100 this month. This spending will be for milk, eggs, fresh fruit, and the General Mills promotion that I've heard might occur at Jewel. Check out some of the other families that are also planning on eating from their pantries during January or 2010!

Happy New Year!

2009-12-31T18:29:00.000-06:00

Well, as usual, we've been celebrating the new year since it began, many time zones away from us! We celebrated Australia's happy new year, China's happy new year, Europe's happy new year, and while Hannah is determined to have her peepers open at midnight for our local new year, I've made it clear I will not be awake. We had a very late dinner for us, of Chinese food, from our favorite restaurant.

Ms. April said there is a belief in China, that your mood when you're celebrating the new year is what your mood will be for the entire year. Hannah and Ms. April are drinking tea with caffeine to help them make it until 12 p.m. I was glad that Ms. April didn't want to go out tonight. We hunker down for the night and let the rest of the world party. We'll be playing some mean games of Rummikube tonight. My usual partner is done with her happy new year celebrating due to several poor choices. Hoping tomorrow is better for her.

Congratulations, Pam in Henan

2009-12-31T14:13:00.000-06:00

Pam is an American woman who has lived in China for more than six years. A student of hers told her of a baby that had been abandoned very nearby. Pam and her husband cared for this baby for the past six years, and she is now legally their daughter! Take a peek here.

I love happy endings! As if this was not enough great news, the baby from Pam's foster home will receive the surgery she needs, as funding has been secured. Happy New Year, Pam. Thanks so much for all you've done over the years. Congratulations! Your daughter is beautiful, and I hope someday she'll understand how her need led you to provide for the needs of so many other children without forever families. You are a very special lady.

Before The New Year Rings In...

2009-12-31T13:51:00.001-06:00

Make sure that you've printed coupons from the resources I listed, recently. The coupons will be reset the following day, as it will be a new month.

This One Is For You, Sister Dearest!

2009-12-31T13:43:00.000-06:00

Dawn and I were just talking about needing some Conagra products! Mashup Mom shared this link for a $17 coupon booklet. Okay, so now we need to hope there isn't a big Conagra promotion until our coupon booklets arrive! Copy and paste this link to request your booklet.

http://startsampling.com/sm/101044/captureAddress.iphtml?item=101044&source

Thanks, Mashup Mom! Newbie friends, make sure you request this, as the Conagra promotions are awesome!

Great Resources for Super Couponers!

2009-12-31T06:28:00.000-06:00

Jill Cataldo posts deals on Tuesday mornings.
Mummy Deals provides info about deals and Super Couponing
Couponers Wanted is a great resource for Jewel in the Chicago area. They cover many different stores in the US. Check for your stores. You will need to request to join.
Mashup Mom is a great resource for the Chicago area. Rachel is local for us, and posts helpful info almost every day.

Advance Notice for CVS
Use this for personal care items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, make-up, deodorant, etc.

Taylortown Coupon Preview provides advance notice about coupon inserts

Red Plum-You can print from this site. After you print your coupons, click on back to print a second time. Can only do this extra print once. Do this anytime that you print. The places know your printer identification number. If you have more than one computer, use a second address. Make a different address than your regular e-mail as you’ll startgetting a lot of junk e-mail. They say they don’t sell your e-mail, but I don’t believe this. This applies to all places you print coupons from.

Smart Source-You can print from this site. Print today, as it is the last day of December. The coupons reset for the next month, and then you can print again!

Hot Coupon World-Information about deals

Coupon Mom-Information about deals and she matches coupons with upcoming sales at different stores

A Full Cup-you can connect with other super couponers. There is info about stores all over the US.

BOGO-This is a site that will tell you about BOGO (Buy one get one) deals. I read about two friends that go shopping together, purchase only BOGO items, and split the items at the end.

Order coupons from The Coupon Clippers. If you see that items will be on-sale soon, place the order immediately. You want your coupons to arrive asap, as if it is a really good sale, the items are picked up quickly by Coupon Queens, and their friends.

Dominick’s-You can load coupons onto your Dominick’s
card-no paper.

Jewel has a place to add coupons to your loyalty card, like Dominicks.

Sometimes when Jewel has a good promotion, they’ll say Limit 4. This means 4 of each variety. For example, if Kraft cheese is on sale, you can get 4 Mexican, 4 Sharp Cheddar, 4 Mild Cheddar, etc.

Meijer-print coupons from Mealbox-great resource! Look on the bottom left
for Mealbox and sign yourself up. Stack these coupons with manufacturer coupons and you’ll save a lot!
http://www.meijer.com

Thank You, Couponers Wanted!

2009-12-28T15:01:00.000-06:00

Couponers Wanted is an awesome resource for Jewel, in the Chicago area. There are many experienced super couponers who help members prepare for upcoming promotions. Also, once the promotion starts, and the catalinas are printing, we are able to share information about what is working, and what isn't working.

Today CW provided a 28 page UPC list of the current promotion at Jewel. This is a huge help, as it is possible to confirm that the product I'm putting into my cart is one that is included in the promotion.