In my previous post I listed 50 things about myself that folks may or may not know about me. I forgot one more that I'll add.
51. I proposed to Dan. Yes it was me that asked. Dan and I had dated about 2 and a half years, much of it a long distance relationship. He was on the East coast, me in the Chicago area and he got this great job offer out in the SF bay area. He took the job and I was still in Chicago. I felt like we had dated quite a while and we needed to see if our relationship was really going to work. So Nick and I moved out to CA, Dan and I were married and we are still together 18 yrs. later. Truthfully, I was scared to death to get married again...but I took a chance.
So now I think that I'd like to see a few more of these posts with "50 (it doesn't have to be that many) little facts about yourself" on blogs. We might get to learn some new things about each other. :)
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Monday, January 28, 2008
100th post
Well I looked at the number of posts yesterday and realized I've hit 100, really 101 to be accurate. So to celebrate my 100th post, I thought I'd do something different and instead of talking about Grace, or the adoption wait, or whining about something, I'd talk about me. Here are 50 things about me you may or may not know. I hope I don't bore you all too much.
1. I've been married for 18 years to Dan.
2. I take a size 7.5 shoe.
3. My middle name is Elizabeth (a family name).
4. I am 1/2 Swedish, the rest German, Irish and a little bit French Canadian.
5. I graduated from Purdue University in the state of Indiana. I majored in nursing and worked for a year on an adult neuro-rehab floor, then 17 years in Neonatal ICU's (also floated to Peds ICU's).
6. I loved nursing, but should have majored in Art or Design in college.
7. My eyes are green.
8. I'm 5'6" tall (I always wanted to be 5'8").
9. I am an intuitive person.
10. I'm not a camper. Camping to me is staying in a hotel.
11. Being a SAHM is the hardest thing I've ever done--I have so much respect for my Mother who did this in the 1960's, 70's and 80's.
12. One of my favorite vacations is to travel to Napa, CA-stay in a B&B and go wine tasting! Wish I was there right now, we have close friends that live there.
13. I cry easily watching movies.
14. If I won the lottery or a lot of money I'd donate most of the $ to children's charities.
15. I'm the oldest of 4 children and I definitely have an "oldest child" personality.
16. My ex-husband and I have a very civil relationship.
17. I love to sing! I have an average voice.
18. My 2 favorite cities in the U.S. are Chicago and San Francisco, I've been fortunate to live near both of them for many years.
19. Some of my interests are: reading (about China and adoption), gardening, interior design, calligraphy, card making, and wine(yes-- wine).
20. I'm "wound pretty tight" a lot of the time, but people tell me I have a calm demeanour and voice.
21. My favorite season is Fall, second favorite is Spring.
22. I'm an organized person (most of the time) and a planner.
23. I was in the top 5% of my class of 675 students in high school.
24. My favorite foods are: shrimp, garlic, fresh green beans and peaches. Not all mixed together though.
25. I wear glasses now and am new to wearing them.
26. I grew up in a very "Leave It to Beaver" family...my Mom stayed at home and Dad was home every night for dinner at 5:30pm.
27. Some favorite movies of mine are: The Sound of Music, Lost in Translation, When Harry met Sally, My Fair Lady, Little Miss Sunshine, and Memoirs of a Geisha.
28. Some memorable hairstyles that I had were the "Marcia Brady" mid-70's "do," the "Farrah Fawcett" late-70's "do," and of course the big hair 80's hairdo. I will have to find some old pics of me then and post them. I was pretty good with a curling iron I will confess.
29. I'm an accessory (purse's, shoes, and jewelry) addict. I admit I have a problem.
30. I've had a blast in my 40's and look forward to turning 50.
31. The trip to China and adoption has truly been a life changing experience for me in so many ways, and I will never be the same.
32. I love biology, anatomy and physiology and never tire of reading about those subjects.
33. My celebrity crushes are on George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Jon Bon Jovi, and Harrison Ford (in his younger days).
34. I grew up in the Lutheran Church and I now belong to a Presbyterian one here where we live.
35. I want to learn how to knit (my Mom knits beautifully), and plan on taking a photography class.
36. I'm not very athletic, in fact I'd describe myself as kind of klutzy--but I'm a strong swimmer and I can water ski.
37. I miss the medical profession but doubt I'll ever return to it.
38. I was NOT the nicest teenager--very nasty to my Mom for a time period. Sorry Mom.
39. I was a "girly girl" growing up.
40. I'm a great friend!
41. I think my last name (the married name) is funny (the humorous kind of funny).
42. Some favorite books of mine: The Good Earth, To Kill a Mockingbird, Diary of Anne Frank, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and The Little Prince.
43. I'm not opposed to plastic surgery someday. Hey, I'm a little shallow but I'm also truthful. :)
44. As an adult I've lived in North Carolina, Ohio, Illinois (2 different times), Northern California, and Wisconsin. I've enjoyed every place that I've lived.
45. I never in a million years thought I'd be a parent (again) in my 40's and now probably early 50's when this second adoption is completed.
46. I've been pregnant 4 times (sadly, I've had 3 miscarriages).
47. I have amazing parents and siblings that I am close to.
48. I love little kids, I don't really have a favorite age or developmental stage of children. I do have a least favorite age group-2 yr. olds. That's just my opinion.
49. My sister Betsy and I are 18 months apart to the day in age. When we get together no one can get a word in. My husband Dan says she and I have our own language. Betsy and I laugh until we cry when we are together. Having a sister is the best!
50. I met Dan at our 10 year high school reunion. He was married previously and had been divorced for a few years. I had been divorced 3 days when we met. I almost didn't go to the reunion because my best girlfriend (who was supposed to go with me) had a baby the day before. So I went by myself. I remember I was scared to death to go alone and of course grieving my divorce. I met Dan at the reunion, actually re-met. We went to the same high school, had many classes together and had many mutual friends, but never dated. He and I both went to Purdue University at the same time, but again never dated. I did have a crush on him then. Our paths crossed many times as young people. At the 10 year reunion he followed me around like a puppy, I had been burned pretty badly by my ex and didn't want to date anyone ever again (ha...so I thought) and certainly not get married again. We became friends and dated for 3 yrs. before we were married. It's the best thing I've ever done. Dan is the love of my life and the person I was supposed to be with forever. It just took me a little while to find him.
Well, there's my 50. I didn't think I could come up with that many and probably could have gone on and on, but won't. :)
1. I've been married for 18 years to Dan.
2. I take a size 7.5 shoe.
3. My middle name is Elizabeth (a family name).
4. I am 1/2 Swedish, the rest German, Irish and a little bit French Canadian.
5. I graduated from Purdue University in the state of Indiana. I majored in nursing and worked for a year on an adult neuro-rehab floor, then 17 years in Neonatal ICU's (also floated to Peds ICU's).
6. I loved nursing, but should have majored in Art or Design in college.
7. My eyes are green.
8. I'm 5'6" tall (I always wanted to be 5'8").
9. I am an intuitive person.
10. I'm not a camper. Camping to me is staying in a hotel.
11. Being a SAHM is the hardest thing I've ever done--I have so much respect for my Mother who did this in the 1960's, 70's and 80's.
12. One of my favorite vacations is to travel to Napa, CA-stay in a B&B and go wine tasting! Wish I was there right now, we have close friends that live there.
13. I cry easily watching movies.
14. If I won the lottery or a lot of money I'd donate most of the $ to children's charities.
15. I'm the oldest of 4 children and I definitely have an "oldest child" personality.
16. My ex-husband and I have a very civil relationship.
17. I love to sing! I have an average voice.
18. My 2 favorite cities in the U.S. are Chicago and San Francisco, I've been fortunate to live near both of them for many years.
19. Some of my interests are: reading (about China and adoption), gardening, interior design, calligraphy, card making, and wine(yes-- wine).
20. I'm "wound pretty tight" a lot of the time, but people tell me I have a calm demeanour and voice.
21. My favorite season is Fall, second favorite is Spring.
22. I'm an organized person (most of the time) and a planner.
23. I was in the top 5% of my class of 675 students in high school.
24. My favorite foods are: shrimp, garlic, fresh green beans and peaches. Not all mixed together though.
25. I wear glasses now and am new to wearing them.
26. I grew up in a very "Leave It to Beaver" family...my Mom stayed at home and Dad was home every night for dinner at 5:30pm.
27. Some favorite movies of mine are: The Sound of Music, Lost in Translation, When Harry met Sally, My Fair Lady, Little Miss Sunshine, and Memoirs of a Geisha.
28. Some memorable hairstyles that I had were the "Marcia Brady" mid-70's "do," the "Farrah Fawcett" late-70's "do," and of course the big hair 80's hairdo. I will have to find some old pics of me then and post them. I was pretty good with a curling iron I will confess.
29. I'm an accessory (purse's, shoes, and jewelry) addict. I admit I have a problem.
30. I've had a blast in my 40's and look forward to turning 50.
31. The trip to China and adoption has truly been a life changing experience for me in so many ways, and I will never be the same.
32. I love biology, anatomy and physiology and never tire of reading about those subjects.
33. My celebrity crushes are on George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Jon Bon Jovi, and Harrison Ford (in his younger days).
34. I grew up in the Lutheran Church and I now belong to a Presbyterian one here where we live.
35. I want to learn how to knit (my Mom knits beautifully), and plan on taking a photography class.
36. I'm not very athletic, in fact I'd describe myself as kind of klutzy--but I'm a strong swimmer and I can water ski.
37. I miss the medical profession but doubt I'll ever return to it.
38. I was NOT the nicest teenager--very nasty to my Mom for a time period. Sorry Mom.
39. I was a "girly girl" growing up.
40. I'm a great friend!
41. I think my last name (the married name) is funny (the humorous kind of funny).
42. Some favorite books of mine: The Good Earth, To Kill a Mockingbird, Diary of Anne Frank, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and The Little Prince.
43. I'm not opposed to plastic surgery someday. Hey, I'm a little shallow but I'm also truthful. :)
44. As an adult I've lived in North Carolina, Ohio, Illinois (2 different times), Northern California, and Wisconsin. I've enjoyed every place that I've lived.
45. I never in a million years thought I'd be a parent (again) in my 40's and now probably early 50's when this second adoption is completed.
46. I've been pregnant 4 times (sadly, I've had 3 miscarriages).
47. I have amazing parents and siblings that I am close to.
48. I love little kids, I don't really have a favorite age or developmental stage of children. I do have a least favorite age group-2 yr. olds. That's just my opinion.
49. My sister Betsy and I are 18 months apart to the day in age. When we get together no one can get a word in. My husband Dan says she and I have our own language. Betsy and I laugh until we cry when we are together. Having a sister is the best!
50. I met Dan at our 10 year high school reunion. He was married previously and had been divorced for a few years. I had been divorced 3 days when we met. I almost didn't go to the reunion because my best girlfriend (who was supposed to go with me) had a baby the day before. So I went by myself. I remember I was scared to death to go alone and of course grieving my divorce. I met Dan at the reunion, actually re-met. We went to the same high school, had many classes together and had many mutual friends, but never dated. He and I both went to Purdue University at the same time, but again never dated. I did have a crush on him then. Our paths crossed many times as young people. At the 10 year reunion he followed me around like a puppy, I had been burned pretty badly by my ex and didn't want to date anyone ever again (ha...so I thought) and certainly not get married again. We became friends and dated for 3 yrs. before we were married. It's the best thing I've ever done. Dan is the love of my life and the person I was supposed to be with forever. It just took me a little while to find him.
Well, there's my 50. I didn't think I could come up with that many and probably could have gone on and on, but won't. :)
Sunday, January 27, 2008
14 months anniversary of our LID
"Traveling at such a slow pace, Do you think you can ever get there?" A fast steed asked a lame turtle. "Yes, as long as I keep going." said the turtle.
From Chinese saying Bo Bie Quian Li
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
Grace
Grace's preschool photo--taken 2 months ago in November. She looks so grown up I think. In the last year she has matured by leaps and bounds both emotionally and physically. The time goes so fast...it seems like yesterday that she was a baby. I often wonder how we got her. I mean how did we get this girl? How was she picked for us? She is the perfect child for us in so many ways--personality(she is so much like me at age 5), temperament, interests. I think of the other 10 children from her travel group and each one is special and an individual and also absolutely perfect for their own families too. You read a lot about the "red thread" to China and it is real and quite strong. It is there for us for Lily too and for all the other families who wait for their children. There are days that I don't know how I can wait any longer for Lily. Somehow I do, and a lot of the reason is that I get great comfort from the fact that she is not ready yet for us. The child for us will come when it's the right time. We are so very blessed, and everyday I thank God for giving us this blessing of our Grace. :)
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Monday, January 21, 2008
The Review Room
Well our dossier has been in the review room for approximately a month. Probably longer than that because no one really knows the exact time that it's being reviewed. No news is always good news...but it's awfully quiet out there. I have not heard or read about anyone being reviewed or asked questions from CCAA in our LID group of Nov. and I've been a little antsy about it lately. It sure would be nice to be out by Chinese New Year which starts Feb. 7. There will be a lot of celebrating in this house when we DO find out, it means we are an important step closer to our daughter! :)
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Resolutions
A resolution is defined as, " a course of action determined or decided on." I don't make too many resolutions at the start of each new year. But this year I've made 3 that I believe I can stick to.
1. Complete Lily's 100 good wishes quilt. I've collected almost 100 fabric squares and wishes, so we are very close, I need to email or call a few family members and friends to ask if they'd like to contribute to the quilt. I will definitely post a pic of it when it's finished. Even though a referral for Lily is most likely a long way away, I feel like completing the quilt brings me closer to her.
2. Do a Lifebook for Grace. This has been a goal of mine forever and I'm going to do this! I have many good ideas for it, text wise. Grace is 5 and she's at the age where she would benefit so much with a book about her "own story." Grace is quite familar with her adoption story, but I think it's important for her to have a Lifebook.
3.Exercise. I have a really nice treadmill in the basement collecting dust. I used it faithfully for few years, but now it's a dust collector. For a while Grace even displayed some of her stuffed animals arranged quite neatly on it. If I resolve to walk on that treadmill 3 times a week, I think that's reasonable as far as keeping that commitment. I saw the photo at the top of this post and it made me laugh because there's a lot of truth in it.
Well those are my 2008 resolutions, I don't make crazy, unrealistic ones anymore. :)
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