Life ramblings and the journey through adoption.
Thanks everyone!
Our SW said that she would hate to cut our trip short by us flying home early in the off chance that this doesn't work out, so she said we can meet on the 19th or so after Narda's back form LA, and that we'll "meet" the BM via phone ahead of time! Yeowza!
So our next assignment is a list of questions, and a "rehearsal session" - holy moley.
I'll know more later today....
She also did say that the BM's SW (that's Birth mother's social worker) was TOTALLY convinced that this would "go to plan" - ie: that she'd follow through with an adoption plan.
Cross ALL fingers.
OHHHHHH! AND since the BM is in NJ (that's New Jersey), that as SOON as she signs her "termination" papers, there's NO 30 day waiting period - it's FINAL. Our SW thought that since we live in NY that it might not apply, but she now thinks it still does - OH MY GOSH.
I'm off to google this.
Friday, August 05, 2005
Thursday, August 04, 2005
half a dozen...
OK, so the Birthmother picked another family.
Allow 30 seconds of sadness to wash over you, as it did us.
OK.
Ready?
The Nicole, our FABOO Social Worker tell us about the next "situation" - it's working with another agency, as their agency didn't have enough "culture" - (read "black people") for this one BM. So our agency fed exes over some profiles, and the BM, HER sister AND her mother ALL pick us.
Exclusively.
Holy crap.
Baby girl due on August 28th.
BM is 16, an honor student, and NO drug, alcohol or cigarette use. She DID have prenatal care. SHe is African American, and so is the BF.
We have told our SW 100 % YES.
Next step - WE MEET THE BIRTH MOTHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The BM wants to parent, but realizes that she cannot. The BF is not a legal risk, and the ONLY risk is her own desire to parent, but she does not want to drop out of school, nor does she want to go to a home for PG teens, she wants to remain at home. Her entire family is on board for US.
WOW
I might have to fly back early from LA - but that's A-OK by me.
Thank you oh wonderful internet, I'll keep you posted of course.
Love,
me.
Allow 30 seconds of sadness to wash over you, as it did us.
OK.
Ready?
The Nicole, our FABOO Social Worker tell us about the next "situation" - it's working with another agency, as their agency didn't have enough "culture" - (read "black people") for this one BM. So our agency fed exes over some profiles, and the BM, HER sister AND her mother ALL pick us.
Exclusively.
Holy crap.
Baby girl due on August 28th.
BM is 16, an honor student, and NO drug, alcohol or cigarette use. She DID have prenatal care. SHe is African American, and so is the BF.
We have told our SW 100 % YES.
Next step - WE MEET THE BIRTH MOTHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The BM wants to parent, but realizes that she cannot. The BF is not a legal risk, and the ONLY risk is her own desire to parent, but she does not want to drop out of school, nor does she want to go to a home for PG teens, she wants to remain at home. Her entire family is on board for US.
WOW
I might have to fly back early from LA - but that's A-OK by me.
Thank you oh wonderful internet, I'll keep you posted of course.
Love,
me.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
5th time's a charm?
So our SW calls this am, and informs us that Birth Mother #5 has selected us (and also told us that if this one doens't work, that there's another one that's interested). She (SW) said we're popular, and I jokingly said something about never making it past the semi-finals... She did try to reassure us that it WILL happen, which we know it will, but we're just so eager to be parents.
So the situation is, once again, perfect - VERY healthy, smart, intelligent Birth mother, NO drugs or alcohol, and she already has two children. The biggest risk is in her own desire to parent, so even if we do get chosen, we will need to wait until after she gives birth (due on September 1st) and then makes her decision. She is currently very adamant about giving this child up for adoption, but right now is not September 1st.
Baby boy. African American mom, and African American / Hispanic dad - again, gorgeous!
So send some good "pick us" vibes, and whatever other ju-ju you can, we need it, as the Birth Mother picked us, 2 other couples, and a single mom. So now, she looks at our photo album.
Thanks internet, you rock!
So the situation is, once again, perfect - VERY healthy, smart, intelligent Birth mother, NO drugs or alcohol, and she already has two children. The biggest risk is in her own desire to parent, so even if we do get chosen, we will need to wait until after she gives birth (due on September 1st) and then makes her decision. She is currently very adamant about giving this child up for adoption, but right now is not September 1st.
Baby boy. African American mom, and African American / Hispanic dad - again, gorgeous!
So send some good "pick us" vibes, and whatever other ju-ju you can, we need it, as the Birth Mother picked us, 2 other couples, and a single mom. So now, she looks at our photo album.
Thanks internet, you rock!
Monday, August 01, 2005
BMI
OK, so I had a physical today, and although I feel the need to lose aobut 80 pounds, my PCP (Primary care physician) feels I only need to lose about 40. MY BMI is 36 - ZOINKS - that's 4 points shy of surgery folks. I'd NEVER do the surgery, and I know it's worked for some people, so I'm not judging, I'm just saying, I'D never do it.
OK internet, I need some help here. I've done OA, and I lost 125 pounds, and then quit smoking and went on fertility drugs, and gained about 60 back. I've been doing a half ass job at Weight Watchers, but I DO work out, and I love it. But I've been hovering at this current weight for about a year, and I'm sick of it.
I SO UNDERSTAND how to lose weight: "Eat less, move more." I have the "move more" part down pat, but who wants to move in and be my personal chef and hand slapper and ego stroker, saying "Shelli, you are good enough as you are, you don't need that 1 point only 70 calorie fudgicle to feel better..."
See how hard it is? When it's only one point?
sigh.
OK internet, I need some help here. I've done OA, and I lost 125 pounds, and then quit smoking and went on fertility drugs, and gained about 60 back. I've been doing a half ass job at Weight Watchers, but I DO work out, and I love it. But I've been hovering at this current weight for about a year, and I'm sick of it.
I SO UNDERSTAND how to lose weight: "Eat less, move more." I have the "move more" part down pat, but who wants to move in and be my personal chef and hand slapper and ego stroker, saying "Shelli, you are good enough as you are, you don't need that 1 point only 70 calorie fudgicle to feel better..."
See how hard it is? When it's only one point?
sigh.
More on Harry...
Sorry gang, I just can't get enough right now, and I'm sure it will die down, but with book six just finished, and now having re-read almost all of the books again, I share the following with you - but first, a public service announcement for all of those that want to speak of the religious qualities of the books....
PLEASE stop trying to compare the Harry Potter series to any form of Christ-like religious theology mumbo-jumo. We always try to find the deeper, hidden meaning, trying to find a G-d like presence in all that we see and do - just look at the virgin mary who showed up on a piece of toast and is being sold on e-bay.
I mean, really.
When it comes down to it, we, as humans, only know a few handful of story plots, and we keep doing them OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER. Shakespeare borrowed form the bible, we borrow from Shakespeare. Almost any Bible story has been told in numerous forms in various centuries by random writers. Don't believe me? Go ahead, pick up a book, any work of fiction and read it while LOOKING for a parable or a Torah Portion or a Christ-reference - you'll find it SOMEWHERE in there. Our ability to creatively invent is great, but it is also limited in a sense. We only know of about 5 plots, and we twist them something awful, but all stories are linked to a total of about five plot or through-lines.
So there's nothing new, really, and it's all the same, but it's HOW it's told that is wonderous, shining and new, and makes me stay up until 2am every night reading.
I LOVE JK Rowling for getting people hooked on reading again, and even personally so. I was one of those kids who, after being tucked in, would get a book and a flashlight and read for an hour or two before falling to sleep. I stopped doing that as I got older, and relied more on TV and other forms of entertainment. Like the state quarters that renewed my interest in the coin collecting I did as a child; JK Rowling renewed my interest in reading, and for that, I'm eternally grateful.
Now, to my philosophies and thoughts and clues that I've picked up along the way, while re-reading the books again. I'm about to finish book 4, and start book 5, so I'm sure I'll have more to say, but here's a start...
In Book one, we hear Dumbledore say to Harry:
“To the organized mind, Harry, Death is but the next great adventure.” – so YES, DD is really dead. HE will “live” through his portraits, however.
In book two, we hear DD tell Harry that he’s never really gone for those that are loyal to him, and as a result, Fawkes comes to his aid against the basalisk, giving him the sword from the sorting hat, so how will Fawkes, the sword and the sorting hat come to Harry's Aid in Book 7?
In book three, we learn about Trelawney’s prophecy “Voldemort will come to power, and it will be his servant (Peter Pettigrew) that will help him.” (this we see in the end of Book 4)
We also learn about the time turner – which I HOPE comes to play in book seven… perhaps they sneak into the Ministry of Magic and steal it, and turn back time to prevent DD’s death….
And we learn that “if a wizard saves another wizards life, they have a special bond, and he is indebted to him.” (Potter saving Pettigrew) – THAT explains why Snape is always saving Potter, as James saved HIS life, and since he could not save James’ life, he is now focusing on Harry.
In book four, we learn about Snape’s past as a Death Eater, and how he came over to the good side BEFORE Voldemoret fell, and how DD trusts him and uses him as a spy. I think DD and Snape did their own unbreakable vow some time back…
Oh, and as for the movies, I was getting so annoyed that their hair was getting longer, but then I realized – “Look at Dumbledore!” HIS hair is long. DOH! Wizards have long hair. Except, of course from other schools. So perhaps it’s just a Hogwarts thing.
In book four, Voldemort uses some of Harry’s blood to “come back” telling him that he is now using some of the same “protection” that Lilly used on Harry… Thus connecting Harry and Lord Voldemort even more.
I also have a TON of references as to how and why Snape is still good, and protecting and saving Harry, but they are the SAME as everyone elses. When I come up with a NEW thought (Like my thought that he and DD did the unbreakable vow) I'll share. For now, feel free to discuss amongst yourselves.
PLEASE stop trying to compare the Harry Potter series to any form of Christ-like religious theology mumbo-jumo. We always try to find the deeper, hidden meaning, trying to find a G-d like presence in all that we see and do - just look at the virgin mary who showed up on a piece of toast and is being sold on e-bay.
I mean, really.
When it comes down to it, we, as humans, only know a few handful of story plots, and we keep doing them OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER. Shakespeare borrowed form the bible, we borrow from Shakespeare. Almost any Bible story has been told in numerous forms in various centuries by random writers. Don't believe me? Go ahead, pick up a book, any work of fiction and read it while LOOKING for a parable or a Torah Portion or a Christ-reference - you'll find it SOMEWHERE in there. Our ability to creatively invent is great, but it is also limited in a sense. We only know of about 5 plots, and we twist them something awful, but all stories are linked to a total of about five plot or through-lines.
So there's nothing new, really, and it's all the same, but it's HOW it's told that is wonderous, shining and new, and makes me stay up until 2am every night reading.
I LOVE JK Rowling for getting people hooked on reading again, and even personally so. I was one of those kids who, after being tucked in, would get a book and a flashlight and read for an hour or two before falling to sleep. I stopped doing that as I got older, and relied more on TV and other forms of entertainment. Like the state quarters that renewed my interest in the coin collecting I did as a child; JK Rowling renewed my interest in reading, and for that, I'm eternally grateful.
Now, to my philosophies and thoughts and clues that I've picked up along the way, while re-reading the books again. I'm about to finish book 4, and start book 5, so I'm sure I'll have more to say, but here's a start...
In Book one, we hear Dumbledore say to Harry:
“To the organized mind, Harry, Death is but the next great adventure.” – so YES, DD is really dead. HE will “live” through his portraits, however.
In book two, we hear DD tell Harry that he’s never really gone for those that are loyal to him, and as a result, Fawkes comes to his aid against the basalisk, giving him the sword from the sorting hat, so how will Fawkes, the sword and the sorting hat come to Harry's Aid in Book 7?
In book three, we learn about Trelawney’s prophecy “Voldemort will come to power, and it will be his servant (Peter Pettigrew) that will help him.” (this we see in the end of Book 4)
We also learn about the time turner – which I HOPE comes to play in book seven… perhaps they sneak into the Ministry of Magic and steal it, and turn back time to prevent DD’s death….
And we learn that “if a wizard saves another wizards life, they have a special bond, and he is indebted to him.” (Potter saving Pettigrew) – THAT explains why Snape is always saving Potter, as James saved HIS life, and since he could not save James’ life, he is now focusing on Harry.
In book four, we learn about Snape’s past as a Death Eater, and how he came over to the good side BEFORE Voldemoret fell, and how DD trusts him and uses him as a spy. I think DD and Snape did their own unbreakable vow some time back…
Oh, and as for the movies, I was getting so annoyed that their hair was getting longer, but then I realized – “Look at Dumbledore!” HIS hair is long. DOH! Wizards have long hair. Except, of course from other schools. So perhaps it’s just a Hogwarts thing.
In book four, Voldemort uses some of Harry’s blood to “come back” telling him that he is now using some of the same “protection” that Lilly used on Harry… Thus connecting Harry and Lord Voldemort even more.
I also have a TON of references as to how and why Snape is still good, and protecting and saving Harry, but they are the SAME as everyone elses. When I come up with a NEW thought (Like my thought that he and DD did the unbreakable vow) I'll share. For now, feel free to discuss amongst yourselves.
Friday, July 29, 2005
remember the first one?
OK - so y'all remember our first referral? As we called him "April 12th baby"
He's now in the special needs program with our agency, and here he is! Awwwww, it would have been a HUGE challange, but he's such a cutie!
John
He's now in the special needs program with our agency, and here he is! Awwwww, it would have been a HUGE challange, but he's such a cutie!
John
Public Service Announcement
The idea is that you store the word " I C E " in your mobile phone Address book, and against it enter the number of the person you would want to be
contacted "In Case of Emergency".
It was thought up by an ambulance man/paramedic who found that when they went to the scenes of accidents there were always mobile phones but they didn?t know which numbers to call and he thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name to file "next of kin" under. Following the disaster in London, East Anglian Ambulance Service have launched a national
"In Case of Emergency (ICE)" campaign with the support of Falkland's war hero Simon Weston.
In an emergency situation, ambulance and hospital staff will then be able to quickly find out who your next of kin are and be able to contact them. It's so simple that everyone can do it. Please do. E-mail this to everybody in your address book, it won't take too many 'forwards' before everybody will know about this. It really could save your life, or put a loved one's mind at rest.
For more than one contact name use ICE1, ICE2, ICE3 etc.
contacted "In Case of Emergency".
It was thought up by an ambulance man/paramedic who found that when they went to the scenes of accidents there were always mobile phones but they didn?t know which numbers to call and he thought that it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized name to file "next of kin" under. Following the disaster in London, East Anglian Ambulance Service have launched a national
"In Case of Emergency (ICE)" campaign with the support of Falkland's war hero Simon Weston.
In an emergency situation, ambulance and hospital staff will then be able to quickly find out who your next of kin are and be able to contact them. It's so simple that everyone can do it. Please do. E-mail this to everybody in your address book, it won't take too many 'forwards' before everybody will know about this. It really could save your life, or put a loved one's mind at rest.
For more than one contact name use ICE1, ICE2, ICE3 etc.
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Stef in Oliver
Stef was the BEST part about Oliver, truly! the chick who played Nancy SUCKED ASS. Oliver was too nasaly and not waifish AT ALL, Faigin was horrid, but the kids who played Noah and The Artful Dodger were great, too.
Go Stef!
I'll write more later about it, but I had to share this picture.
Monday, July 25, 2005
Monday's quiz...
Monday Meme 10 : 2005-07-25 : List Three
1. List three things on your desk:
Picture of my dead cat, cell phone, lotion
2. List three things you are wearing:
red shirt, birkenstocks, necklace
3. List the last 3 things you ate:
popcorn, yogurt, weight watchers cereal
4. List the last 3 people you touched:
Roman, Kim, Stef
5. List three things you'd love to own:
built-in bookshelves, granite countertops, crown moulding
I was the 41st person to take this week's Monday Meme!
Sunday, July 24, 2005
feeling like a mom for 20 minutes
Our friends Liz and Lisa moved a couple of weeks ago, and I went and helped them. I got in some time with their yummy son, my favorite almost 2 year old, too.
We were cleaning out a closet, and out comes the mcClaren XT
And they offer it to us, gratis, saying that some friends of theirs had given it to them, and since they have the bugaboo (drool) they didn't need it and do we know of anyone who wants it.
Imagine the scene, if you will, Hermione Granger (you KNEW I'd get a Harry potter reference in here somehow...) in class, knowing the answer to a question. So if course, I blurt out - us! We'd LOVE it! So they then also haul out a baby backpack - not just ANY baby backpack, but this one deos windows! It's a hiking baby backpack. (And to get around all of the Jewish superstition, we are putting it into our storage unit in the basement, which Liz and Lisa own, and we can buy it back from them when we need it, for a dollar!)
So after I'm all sweaty and gross from to move them, I take my goodies on the subway, and people stood out of the way as I entered the subway car! NEW experience! AS I leave the subway, I open the stroller and put the backpack inside, to make easier maneuvering to our apartment. I got looks and SMILES!
It was a FUN adventure, that was oh, too short, and the first time I drove a stroller to our house. It felt GREAT. And I can't wait for a bi-pedal to be sitting in it.
For now, whenever I need to get more toilet paper, I get a little sneak peek at the stoller, and my heart leaps a little.
We were cleaning out a closet, and out comes the mcClaren XT
And they offer it to us, gratis, saying that some friends of theirs had given it to them, and since they have the bugaboo (drool) they didn't need it and do we know of anyone who wants it.
Imagine the scene, if you will, Hermione Granger (you KNEW I'd get a Harry potter reference in here somehow...) in class, knowing the answer to a question. So if course, I blurt out - us! We'd LOVE it! So they then also haul out a baby backpack - not just ANY baby backpack, but this one deos windows! It's a hiking baby backpack. (And to get around all of the Jewish superstition, we are putting it into our storage unit in the basement, which Liz and Lisa own, and we can buy it back from them when we need it, for a dollar!)
So after I'm all sweaty and gross from to move them, I take my goodies on the subway, and people stood out of the way as I entered the subway car! NEW experience! AS I leave the subway, I open the stroller and put the backpack inside, to make easier maneuvering to our apartment. I got looks and SMILES!
It was a FUN adventure, that was oh, too short, and the first time I drove a stroller to our house. It felt GREAT. And I can't wait for a bi-pedal to be sitting in it.
For now, whenever I need to get more toilet paper, I get a little sneak peek at the stoller, and my heart leaps a little.
Friday, July 22, 2005
15 minutes
Dooce's entry for July 22nd
If you read this tomorrow, scroll down to the entry for 7/22/05
Cheers,
Shelli
If you read this tomorrow, scroll down to the entry for 7/22/05
Cheers,
Shelli
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Johnny was faboo!
it Is SOOOO not a movie for children!
It was kind of creepy in that "Escape to Witch Mountain" kind of way. But we loved it. And did anyone else pick up on the "sheep love" scene? Hmmmm...
And I loved the one Oompa Loompa dude.
I was compelled to take my camera out and get a picture of Johnny, but I didn't want to copy Dooce...Dooce's picture of Johnny
but the best part....
The trailer for The Goblet of Fire - my Goodness, puberty has hit Harry, Ron and hermione HARD! Harry is handsome as ever, Hermione pretty, and Ron, well, he's not so cute anymore, kind of dorky lookin, so I hope he grows out of it - but I was rivited to that trailer - I cannot WAIT for November 18th!
It was kind of creepy in that "Escape to Witch Mountain" kind of way. But we loved it. And did anyone else pick up on the "sheep love" scene? Hmmmm...
And I loved the one Oompa Loompa dude.
I was compelled to take my camera out and get a picture of Johnny, but I didn't want to copy Dooce...Dooce's picture of Johnny
but the best part....
The trailer for The Goblet of Fire - my Goodness, puberty has hit Harry, Ron and hermione HARD! Harry is handsome as ever, Hermione pretty, and Ron, well, he's not so cute anymore, kind of dorky lookin, so I hope he grows out of it - but I was rivited to that trailer - I cannot WAIT for November 18th!
Johnny! Swoon...
OK, I will admit it here, to the whole wide internet - I *heart* Johnny Depp - I have *hearted* Johnny Depp since his days in 21 Jump Street.
And today, after work, and the gym, my friend Cat, her husband and I are going to see Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
Now let me explain a little bit. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is my FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME. EVER. It was the FIRST video I ever bought with my own money, I religiously watch it on TV, commercials and all, whenever it's on.
I've loved the movie since childhood, and that has never changed.
NOW, add Johnny Depp to the mix, and well, WOW.
Narda thankfully understands that sometimes you have to have a celebrity crush, even if it IS a man... :)
And today, after work, and the gym, my friend Cat, her husband and I are going to see Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.
Now let me explain a little bit. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is my FAVORITE MOVIE OF ALL TIME. EVER. It was the FIRST video I ever bought with my own money, I religiously watch it on TV, commercials and all, whenever it's on.
I've loved the movie since childhood, and that has never changed.
NOW, add Johnny Depp to the mix, and well, WOW.
Narda thankfully understands that sometimes you have to have a celebrity crush, even if it IS a man... :)
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