QuALTing

I've given in. I'm making a 100 good wishes quilt. What changed my mind? Why, the ALTs of course...talk of funky fabrics and ground rules ruling out babyish, hard core girlie and commercial characters sucked me in. And you know what? So glad I joined the quilt cult...check out some of these fabrics - they are fun, funky and beautiful. They're going to make a fabulous quilt that our child will find use for beyond babyhood. Thank you to all of the ALTs who've sent very creative and loving wishes our way - we will treasure them always. As for family and friends, you all need to get on the ball - we've only received one quilt square and wish from your group. I've never quilted before, don't own a sewing machine and have no idea what I'm in for, so I need these fabric squares and wishes soon so I can start planning. And no worries - I have a sew savy friend willing to help.

10 Months LID

We've made it into the double digits - our dossier has now been logged in at the China Center for Adoption Affairs for 10 months.

Mardi Gras

Laissez le bon temps rouler!

Tuesday had a great time at our little Mardi Gras shindig last weekend - and so did everyone else. We had vegetarian jambalaya, hurricanes, king cake and lots of great conversation. It was my first try at jambalaya and I must say it rocked. It was so refershing to see everyone come out of hibernation. Bring on Spring!

And yes, Tuesday kept her collar and beads on all night - she's quite the party dog.

Kung Hay Fat Choy!

Wishing you all health and happiness in the year of the Boar!

The year of the Boar: is one of benevolence, one with a lot of 'feel good factor', one of "abundance" and a good year for business. Life in this year will be lived to the fullest and although there will be uncertainty it will be minimal. It is a rich year with impetuous acts, but care is recommended with any matters concerning money. The Boar is the symbol for great courage and integrity.

If referrals stay at their current pace, then it's probable that our child will be born in the year of the Boar or Pig. Here's what one site says about people born in Boar years:

Chivalrous and gallant, people born in the year of the boar are always flying the white banner of purity. Whatever their ambition, they do what they must with all the strength they have, for their strength is an inner strength that no one can overcome. There is neither left nor right nor retreat when a boar person sets out to do something. He has tremendous fortitude and
great honesty.

Boar people don't make many friends, but when they do, they make friends for life, and anyone having a boar-year-born person as a friend is indeed fortunate. Boar people don't talk much, but when they finally say something, they let it all come out at one time, and there is no shutting them up until they have finished. Like monkey people, they have a great thirst for knowledge. They study a great deal and on the surface are generally well informed. However, if their knowledge is probed, it will be discovered that what they knows is limited. The Japanese saying is that such a person is broad in front but has a narrow back.

Boar people are quite short-tempered, yet they have quarreling or arguments. They are affectionate and kind to their loved ones. They are shy and if they encounter any problems, they will not ask for outside help but will seek solutions to their problems by themselves. Boar people are advised not to get into lawsuits, for, being impulsive and hones, they will lose the suit to someone who is unscrupulous.

Mandarin Monday

I'm finding Mandarin class to be a lot of fun, especially the cultural tidbits he adds in here and there. In this week's class we each received a Chinese name - basically the teacher took characters that sound similar to our names - and we used brushes and paint to try our hand at creating our characters a la calligraphy. It was rather meditative after a while and I'm thinking I need a Buddha Board. We also drilled numbers and practiced saying them and translating into English.

So I leave you with 0-10 in pinyin: ling, yi, er, san, si, wu, liu, qi, ba, jiu, shi
And just for fun, 1101: yiqianlingershiyi
And, finally for you lottery players out there 1 million: yiyi

Zai Jian!

Here's a Thought...

If referrals continue at the current rate there's a very good possibility our future child has been conceived.

Early Spring!!!

As I look at the single digit temperature on the thermometer and feel the blow zero wind chills I'm thrilled to announce that the one and only, the authentic Punxsutawney Phil, the prognosticating groundhog has finally and for only the 15th time in recorded history predicted an early spring! Happy Groundhog Day to all!

January Stork Alert

Congratulations to all families with LIDs between September 28 and October 13, 2005! Your referrals are here! Let the fun begin!

CCAA has also announced that they've completed review of dossiers logged in through March 22, 2006.

This means there are 6 months and one week of LIDs in line for referral ahead of our LID of April 20, 2006...and it means that our dossier is likely in CCAA's review room - right now they're looking at our homestudy, our photos, our financial statement, our physical forms, etc. Cool, huh?