Merry Christmas

So, as it turns out, I wouldn't have been able to travel home for the holidays even if I'd planneed on it. The blizzard kept DIA closed until noon Friday and then only a few flights made it out. And, if driving... I-70 was closed to the Kansas boarder until Friday eve while they cleared huge drifts from the interstate. So, I stayed put and have had quite a lovely holiday.
Saturday was cookie baking day.
Then Sunday - Christmas eve - I was busy around the house until late afternoon when I went to Christmas eve service. Funny, it started snowing - AGAIN - just before I left home. Now as I said on the last post, DOT has been able to clear the mainstreets quite well, however the side streets are a nightmare with 8-12 inch ruts that you'll crash through or that act like rails taking you careening thru the streets - parking even worse. After finally finding a lot to park in and hoping they'd be gracious and not ticket me while attending Christmas Eve service - I parked and nearly broke my neck getting to church. But, I arrived, got some cider to warm my chilled bones, and found my seat with my friends.

After the service, I went to dinner with my firends in this picture - they are my family away from family. Lala and Hgirl are the sweetest and make me excited to have my own little one some day.
After dinner I drove home and got stuck in the frozen over ice rink that used to by the alley behind my house. It was 9pm, so I figured noone will be traveling the alley on Christmas eve, so I left the car until a kind stranger in a beat up Jeep Cherokee with only 3 tires - the 4th being one of the spare donut thingys- pulled me out today. (The roo hung it's head in shame for being bested by a 3 wheeled Cherokee.)

This moring woke bright and early and headed for Copp*r Mtn resort for a little skiing. It was a beautiful day with good snow, short lift lines and happy people everywhere. Kittbo drove up - thank you very very much, and we had a great day of it.






Happy Holidays everyone.
Peace to you and yours.

Yum Yum

Someone from the ALT group posted the link to My husband cooks. After being housebound from the blizzard wanting so badly to bake cookies, but having no supplies..then viewing My husband cooks... On my first outing I headed straight for the market to get eggs, flour, cocoa... all the fixins for some yummy Chiristmas cookies. I was able to shovel my way out of my garage, and once off the sidestreets and onto the mainstreets, the roads were ok. The grocery store however, was bare. I was able to get all that I needed, but if you were there for fresh produce - outa luck! The trucks were having trouble delivering shipments after the blizzard - I think a lot of people were having to improvise for their holiday meals.
But, for cookies, all OK! Sat night I spent in front of the stove making all the Christmas cookies that My husband cooks made. Look at their blog for the recipes and much better photos....


The toffee has a great flavor, but I wasn't able to get the "crunch" - I don't think I cooked it long enough...next time.


These chocolate cookies are devine! The texture light and crisp, the chocolate flavor... heaven. Try them.
I also made the chocolate shortbread and the creme anglaise clouds (substituted sour cream for creme anglaise). They're all so good and I was able to give some away to my friends.

Greek Art

Lovely Angel
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I'm playing catch up after no blogging for a month.
Here's photos of the art I bought in Greece. Two paintings very different styles. One a typical painting of the Greek Islands - A boat dock with azure,shimmering water. It was beautiful and this painting can take me back there.
The other whose face you see now is an incredibly beautiful painting of an angel. The gallery sent a short bio of the artist and a sentence from her regarding the painting. It says "This painting is inspired from the Byzantine Hagiogrpahy. It represents an Angle that brings good news to the villagers. She flows and flies through the houses of the village, it has metaphorical meaning.: The artist's mane is Agni Mpampiska, she's originally from Poland. The gallery owner said she would bring in some beautiful, but traditional Byzintine paintings and he encouraged her to step out a little and she's become this graceful imaginative (my words) painter. I love my angel and am happy to look at her each day. I love her sweet serene face. I also love the idea of her bringing good news to the village. I know the adoption village could use a little good news these days!

What the....

The Nightmare Next Door
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Ok, my neighborhood is a "transitional" neighborhood, if you will. My house is cute and fun, but happens to be placed next door to this.... I think the guy fancies himself a set designer, because each halloween he drags out these tired decorations. That would be one thing, if they were halloween and then gone... but no there's more. After halloween, he slowly begins the transition to Christmas. The coffin becomes Santa's sleigh - What had once been a creature thingy, now wears the jolly man's outfit, without the heft - it's creepy to see skinny skeletal fingers poking out of HoHo's suit - I think it knows I don't like it and watches me... The cauldron becomes the christmas tree stand and the headstones suddenly don stockings and wreaths....
It's a fright I tell you, and the neighbor seems to think "his public" would really be disapointed if he didn't do it. I try to reassure him that it would be ok, but to no avail, this horrid display shows up each year early October, and if I'm lucky, it comes down mid February.
This alone is enough to make me a scrooge.

Blossoms of Light

CIMG0330
Originally uploaded by MBmama.

Each year The Denver Botanic Gardens goes hog-wild on their holiday decorations. I went last weekend with several of the single adopty moms (specifically Jannine, Jan and Burnadette). The lights were quite pretty, we just happened to pick a bitter cold night to go. The dinner afterward in the warmth of Dizaly (with a name like that, this place won't be in business long...) and a bottle of red wine.
I've enjoyed getting to know these women throught the various parenting classes we've been taking and lately the outings - much more fun. We've planned to take a Chinese New Year cooking class in Feb, and sometime between now and then we will have a knitting night - I've promised to teach them..hmmmm...hope I can
More picture of the gathering here.

By the way, if you click on the photo above, you will notice the view of the lights through the Hologram glasses that Burnadette bought. All the lights look like snowmen...see.....

The final picture in the set of photos is of my friends Danielle and Nancy. We've spent the last 5 or 6 Thanksgivings together - like family. This year I don't remember if there was a storm or what, but Danielle and John lost their electricity for about two hours - it's a little hard to fix dinner without an oven... they improvised and fired up the grill... about 10 minutes into it they ran out of propane - Luckily they have nice neighbors and were able to borrow a tank of propane and the meal went off without a hitch. Thanksgiving at their house has been a nontraditional affair of late - much to my pleasure. Last year steaks, this year duck -none for me, thank you - and ham.
Creative Danielle has a tradition of making Christmas ornaments after dinner each year - the photo is of Danielle and Nancy modeling theirs. It's fun each year to pull out the ornaments and remember each Thanksgiving.

Blizzard 2006

It's Cold!!
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Leo had a heyday in the blizzard - I had shoveled the sidewalk twice already, but it was coming down too fast to keep up with it. This time was actually the last time because it quit snowing about two hours later.... Notice the cars in the background and how deeply they're buried... My ambitious neighbors had just gone inside after shoveling their sidewalk and trying to shovel out their SUV

more photos here

Well,
this has been quite a storm.
It's my 3rd blizzard with the first one 1997 (22 inches)- that one kept me housebound for 3 days - my roommate snowshoed to her boyfriend's house - I was bored!! Once it quit snowing, I made a snowangel she was pretty with branches for wings and cut-out lips from a red pepper. She was the cutest little snow angel on the block.
The 2nd was 2003 (the BIG ONE - 36 inches)- that was probably the most devastating of the three because it had more snowfall and happened in the spring when trees were starting to bud - many branches were broken snapping power lines and tons of people were without electricity for days. I lost my phone line, but electricity stayed on.

Now the Holiday 2006 blizzard... 18 inches at my house - just a light dusting compared to some areas! This one has been hardest on DIA - you wouldn't believe the wind with this one. It caused drifts up to 12 feet high in some places - glad I didn't have to shovel that! I-70 was closed to the Kansas boarder until this afternoon trying to clear the drifts, and I know everyone had heard of the fiasco at DIA. I really feel for the travelers that have been stranded there since Wed and may not get out until Monday - some reports are saying it may take until Wed. I think I'd be renting a car!
I've passed the tiime by sorting my stacks that I never seem to have time for, knitting, talking on the phone, and shoveling.
I was working Wednesday when it started - I slid the whole way into work and I have a snow-friendly car - I knew it was going to be bad. There was so much nervous energy at work that day. I happened to be rounding at one of the local hospitals (only two miles from my house)- the nursing staff there were told that they could not leave until their replacement showed up, and if they were scheduled the next day, they must spend the night at the hospital or at a nearby hotel. If they went home and were not able to get back to work...big trouble. I just wanted to get everyone seen so I could get back home. I had left two pooches in my house - one of which (Lannie) saw the snow on the ground that morning and refused to go outside.
I got home around 3pm - Lannie refused a potty break until about 9 that night (probably close to 24 hours from her previous potty break) - she's really developed an aversion to the snow - I may need to get her a sweater and some booties -perhaps pink with rhinestones!

Flashback to earlier...Before leaving the hospital - I stayed a little later to help one of the docs - more moral support than anything... Anyway, he had a severe complication resulting in the need for emergency surgery for the patient... Unfortunately there was a blizzard going on outside. One of the three thoracic surgeons was in surgery, one stuck in traffic - standstill, the third not responding. Finally after 30 min or so of the poor pt receiving life saving measures, the staff working as hard as they could - the 3rd surgeon was found, arrived and took the patient to surgery. The doc I work with was devastated - understandably so... he was going to wait to leave until the surgery was over - very afraid that the paitient wouldn't make it and he wanted to be the one to tell the family. I haven't heard the outcome, but I really hope that when I return to work Tues that this guy's name is on our rounds list. I love all the snow, but this is really some of the scary complications that can come from it.

On to more cheery things. For some reason I LOVE these sproadic blizzards we get. I love shoveling - that's why I do it, even though the snow is still coming down in bucket fulls. On Thursday, all my neighbors were out shoveling at the smae time - it's the only time we really see each other in the winter. I like having the snow days from work - I mean really, in health care that is RARE! The one thing that hasn't been so good, is the eating... My pantry wasn't too well stocked and I've been in the mood to bake cookies - no eggs, flour or sugar...bummer! I did manage to walk through knee deep snow to get to 7-11 for chocolate chips, pretzels, milk and diet c*ke (must save the calories!).

Enough babbling... for more photos of the snow, check out Kittbo's blog. She's been out and about braving the roads. Seriously, you should check her's out - she has some cool photos of her view from her office looking downtown... Denver is beautiful when the sun comes out to shine on freshly fallen snow - stunning!!

Thankful for Moonbeams

I’ve always been fascinated by the moon, the night sky…I can remember many nights when I was younger staring at the sky and all the stars… we could easily see the milky way… I was fascinated by the bigness of it and my smallness. Somehow it made me feel more solid, like I belonged, I mattered if I could see something so beautiful that was soooo far away – it was proof of something – even if I didn’t know what.

Often, on Saturday night, we would drive to my cousin’s house – our parents would play cards, the 6 of us kids would watch Carol Burnett and then either play our own card games or get into some kind of mischief. We’d always stay late into the evening and then drive home in the dark. Often on the drive home we’d listen to a story on the radio – usually a mystery and I’d stare out the window – moon watching. It amazed me that each corner we took each curve and hill – even though I might lose sight of it for a moment – it was always there. Following…watching… guarding…protecting… I don’t know – but it was a safe, BIG, feeling.

A few years ago, I read this children’s book. “The Pirate Who Tried to Capture the Moon” by Dennis Haseley.
Here’s the excerpt from the jacket front:
There once was a fierce pirate who loved nothing. He lived alone on an island. And he captured ships. But after each victory, he saw the moon, drifting free. “Moon, follow me!” he ordered, jiggling his sword. But the moon sailed majestically through the sky, lighting up frog ponds, shining down on poets and baying wolves and Italian restaurants and all the things it loved. So the pirate captured all those things and waited. And the moon, seeing everything it loved gone, came down closer. And closer still…
As this huge moon- bigger than the pirate had ever imagined – came closer and closer getting bigger and bigger, the pirate became afraid. Eventually, as the story goes, the pirate released all the things he had captured trying to deter the moon, but the moon waited… then, as the huge moon waits patiently over him…
The pirate stared into its light, and a wild shiver ran through him like a wave. He forgot about being afraid. He forgot about being fierce. He lowered his sword, he dropped his armor, and he whispered, “Moon, wonderful moon, it is you who have captured me.” … now there was someone new the moon loved who loved the moon. For at that moment, in the middle of the night, the pirate began to dance.

This was such a picture of my life, taking prisoners, armor and sword in hand – then the moon – the huge, disturbing, frightening moon-sized love of the huge God of the Universe, captured me. Since a little girl it had been following me, waiting.
Suddenly, I realized that that’s what it’s all about here… just to love each other. The moon has become a symbol of that love to me – you may know it as “spirit” or choose to see it through the lens of Buddism, Taoism, Christianity, Hinduism… or thru simplicity, friendship...so many possibilities...
The beauty of this to me is that every day I know there are moonbeams – pieces of this love shining down. The hope of my little girl is one, my friends, my family. The people I love and those who love me are moonbeams, perhaps you reading this now are a moonbeam…all reflecting a little love and light into this world and into my sometimes dark life.
I love this book’s metaphor for life, its struggles, and the overwhelming touch of love. It lends a powerful icon to the love in my life. Hence, my moonbeam…I’m waiting to see her.

On this day of Thanksgiving, I am grateful for the moonbeams in my life...my parents, my family, my friends, the hope of my daughter, my dogs.... I'm also grateful to those of you who allow me to reflect a little love your way. Happy thanksgiving folks, have a wonderful shiny day.

Weekend

I've had a great weekend.
Alicia - my travel buddy and all around good friend was in town. She's looking for a loft so I tagged along on the shopping expidition which wasn't too fruitful, but we did see a few that were pretty cool. She's patient and has time for the right one to present itself - I'm just excited that she'll eventually be moving back - nothing against Wyoming, but a country girl she ain't!
She and I bought some art while in Greece. It arrived at her house last week. Her two paintings are by the same artist and are his interpretation of two marble busts - one of Alexander the Great and one of Apollo. They are hotties - I've tried to plea for joint custody to be able to stare at them for a while, but Alicia's not going for it. My paintings are quite different than hers - one of an angel (I'm a little obsessed with angels and with the moon for their guaridan qualities - someone has to look out for my girl while I'm unable to). The painting is done in a combo byzintine/Gustov Klindt style. The gallery owner promised to contact the artist so she could include a letter telling me her thoughts about the painting, and including her bio. I'll fill you all in when I get it. The other painting is of boats in a harbor that will remind me of the Greek Islands. I should get my paintings Thanksgiving weekend when Alicia's coworker will be able to transport them here in his truck. Apparently they are pretty big. So, lucky me that her coworker has family here ( 6 hours away) and is willing to fill his truck space with my goods! Dada dada da da!!(the happy dance song)

So, last night I was trying to feel like a wise urbanite and take public transportation to meet my friends for dinner in Lodo (lower downtown - isn't Denver so hip?) Well, our light rail system (commutor trains) is a baby and on Friday had the grand opening of the southwest corridor. To celebrate, and apparently work out the kinks, they offered free rides Friday and Saturday. Living 3 blocks from the station, I usually take the train when going downtown, so bonus that it was free, right? As it turned out, the line that would take me 2 blocks from my final destination, was down because of some fire or required maintenance (not sure which was the actual reason). NO worries, I could take the D line then the mall shuttle and voila, I'd be there. Off I went, while in the station I was looking at the schedule. There was a guy looking at the schedule too - I asked a quick qestion then the train arrived and we stepped on. The car we enter was deserted at this time and he sat in the seat opposite me (bench seats facing esch other). Normally, with space etiquette on public trasportation with complete strangers, you do NOT sit that close - across the isle, one seat away - anywhere else but on the seat facing the only other person in the car... So, a little freaked, but a well lit car on public transportation line - the next stop not too far away where others would be getting on... all ok. We talked a little - he was going to the Warren Miller film playing at the Pavilion theater - me to dinner with friends, blah blah, blah. We get to a stop - 2 stops prior to my destination and there's a voice over the loudspeaker "there will be a 10 minute delay". I'm already late, so I decide I can walk and get there quicker. I get up to leave, and my new "friend" decides he's going to walk too. He's seemed decent enough so far, if not a little unclear on boundaries, but what a delima. Am I getting off the safe train to walk 6 or so blocks with a perfect stranger who is going to turn out to be a serial murderer? Well, since I'm writing this, it obviously turns out well. But, not without a call to my friends with a detailed description of him "6' tall, shaved head, small wire-framed glasses, 40ish, black jacket and blue jeans" - to which he adds "and my name is Jeff". He said he worried about a white woman walking alone through that part of town by herself, so he wanted to make sure I made it ok. I'm not sure why I felt so ok striking out alone, and more creeped being accompanied by a stranger - fear of the obvious verses fear of the unknown?
In retrospect, it seems kinda dumb to have gotten off the train in the first place, but at the time I felt a little invincible... Hindsight makes me say the smart and safe thing to do would have been to wait on the train... next time....
I realize that as American women we are among the luckiest on the planet, but I have to say it pisses me off that we live in a culture where women still have to be fearful. Pisses. Me. Off.

On to tonight... I met 3 other single adopty women - I'm lovin' getting to know these women. Our LIDs are all within a month of each other so we'll be getting our daughters within... - well, hell, it could be at the same time, it could be 4 months apart!!! Regardless, we'll become mothers around the same time and all want to forge a support system, so we're doing things like the red thread run (earlier post), tonight we went to see a movie. Denver's international Film Festival ended today, we went to see a documentary "Free Liesl: Fear and Loathing in Denver". It was interesting and thought provocing and maddening at times about a young woman caught up in the federal murder law. A long and complicated story, but essentially she was in the car with a man who ended up shooting and killing a police officer. Despite the fact that she was sitting in a police car in handcuffs when the officer was shot - she was convicted of federal murder and sentenced to life in prison. Hunter S Thompson learned of this and became a mouthpiece for her, getting much public attention, the best lawyers involved and two days after he committed suicide, she was released from prison, thanks in large part to his efforts. The documentary really pointed out some disturbing facts about the media - stating allegations against her as if they were truth - biasing the jury, and also the needed reform of this law. Anyway, if given the chance, it's worth seeing. The filmmaker was present for questions after and said that it is available for purchase at HunterSThompsonmovies.com.

The thing about this that so bothers me is I vividly remember this event taking place. I was glued to my TV as the standoff was taking place at Denver apartment building, hearing the worst, that a respected officer was shot in the head and killed, and then the killer took his own life. The media then proceded to talk about Leisl as being responsible and I believed them. As it turns out - she was more of a hostage than an acomplice. It was all presented as fact rather than trying to understand her part of the story - it seems we all wanted someone to blame and since the killer was dead...
The media is the public's only access to this sort of information, one would hope that they would act responsibly. It seems that this documentary should be viewed in J-schools everywhere.
Again, long and complicated story, but the take home messages were:
1. The media doesn't always get it right, and unfortunately probably had a large impact on this woman's conviction.
2. Always, always get a lawyer before talking to the police (there is sometimes a fine line between cop and criminal).

Peace, and goodnight

Hmmm....6 months....

It's late, I'm sleepy, and out of touch. Today was crazy-busy at work - too many people with heart problems. Anyway, I got home and found e-mails congratulating me on 6 months. Yep, that's right, with a LID of 5/16, 6 months of waiting is behind me.
There was a day when I could be getting my referral any time. When I think of that 6 months might be a little soon for me - although I'm sure I'd quickly adjust. Now, we're looking at another year (18months) as a more likly scenerio. too long. Way. Too. Long.

Greece...finally...for real!

So, I’ve been wanting to post about the awesome trip to Greece – I’ve now been back for over a month and the details are becoming fuzzy.  But, I’ll try, simply to check this off my ever-expanding to-do list, if nothing else.  I’ll trust my faithful traveling companions, Jules and Alicia, to post comments for any errors or omissions.
Part of my delay has been figuring out photos…  Alicia's photos are great and hopefully can be found here – she’s a much better photographer than I.  
Mine…well, click on the number for each day and a flickr slideshow should pop up. Be sure to click "back" on your browser to get back to the blog
So, here’s the trip:

Day 1 <--click here for pics!
We flew into Athens.  We were quite travel-weary after a 10 hour flight in coach class with hardly enough room to move.  But we made it, met the woman from the travel agency with all our vouchers for hotels, ferries and taxi rides – too cool.
We were taxied to our hotel in the center of Athens – our room dark and stuffy, but a great location for walking and seeing the sights – which is what we did.  
Backtracking… several months earlier we had gone together to the I-Max to see a feature on Greece ( turned out to be primarily about the archeological dig on Santorini and not the tourist “how-to” we were hoping for) and then to the Tattered Cover – a most excellent independent book store.  At TC we bought Greece travel guides – each a different one.  Well, fast-forward and…here we are walking around Athens – none of us brought our guide books, nor had we read them extensively beforehand.  We did know however, that the Acropolis was the destination we were seeking and made it there.  We didn’t really know any history except it was really really old.  I don’t know, but knowing a little about these ancient structures sure would have brought it to life a little more.  As it was, it was very impressive and cool and amazing, but a little lifeless not being able to put it all in context of “the day”, you know?
While we were looking around, a very impressive storm moved in.  I love watching storms and the cloud formations – hopefully if I can figure out how to post all the photos, you can get an idea of this one.

Day 2
Up before the sun and a taxi to the ferry we took to Naxos, one of the many Greek Islands.  It was our first and perhaps only sunrise we captured there.  The ferry ride was interesting, enjoyable and landed us at a gorgeous island that I’ve fallen in love with.  The first day we were shuttled to our BEAUTIFUL hotel – we all acted like kids – we were so taken with its loveliness…giggling and pointing.  Lunch by the pool – a little vino…then off to the beach for a much needed nap.  We stayed at the beach until the sun went down – it cools off quite a bit so the photos show us with our jackets.  Then, our first sunset.
Showers and primping then off for dinner at Sirocco – a little restaurant owned by two cute flirtatious wind-surfing brothers.  They take everyone’s photos and put them on their website – ours is here....



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I copied this photo from the cute boys restaurant's website... This was our usual dining experience...wine, water, good food. We ate a lot of traditional Greek food such as Greek salads, souvlaki, a yummy treat called tomato dolmades , tzakziti (?), sandwiches with feta cheese, cucumbers, tomatos, sometimes salami... always wine!

Day 3
Exploring Naxos.  There is an archeological museum in the kastro section of the town.  This was the day we realized how much mythology is imbedded in their art, history, culture... we wanted to know more, so being the booky people we are, we all bought a book on Greek mythology – I read a few pages late that day on the beach before my nap and haven’t opened it again – Jules?  Alicia?

Day 4
Exploring inland.  Naxos is a fairly large island and mostly agricultural, unlike other islands who survive mainly by tourism.  We wanted to see more so we caught the bus and took it into Filloti a small town that boasts the trailhead that will lead you to the summit of Mt Zeus – along the way passing the cave that is rumored to be the birthplace of Zeus.  Again, we read about it in the guidebooks – safely tucked away in our hotel – and decided we could figure it out… We met a kind English man who’s goal was to concur the beast too, so with the help of his guide book we got started on the trail (very poorly marked I must say!)  We were quickly left in his dust, lost the trail, barked at by a dog (Alicia, sure it was rabid - Jules, claiming it to be a loud Chihuahua).  So we conceded, and took our flip-flopped selves back out and decided to summit something else.  There was a lovely whitewashed church with a cobalt blue dome on top of a hill with a paved road leading to it – that’s where we headed.  (We took photos that purposefully left out the road to impress all with out mountain-scaling skills – but the truth is….)
As we were walking up the hill (scaling the mountain) the wind became quite ferocious and we noticed a lovely odor.  Turns out we were walking alongside the local dump – peeyeeww.  Once around the corner and at the top staying upright despite the gale-force winds we snooped in the little chapel (don’t really know why it’s there –not much inside- but, there’s one on every hilltop in that valley).
We waked back to Filoti, ate lunch watched the locals and then bussed back to Naxos Town.  
Back to the beach for our daily rest where Jules and Alicia received beach-side massages that worked them over and left Jules, the more adventurous – exposed.  And Alicia, tense from fear of exposure.
  That night we went to a wine-tasting and concert at the museum.  They featured local Naxos wines, native dances and traditional Greek music.  It was fun, the host charming – as we found most Greeks- and the wine tasty.  Tasty enough to try several!
Back to Sirocco for dinner cause the boys there were so dang cute.

Day 5 (already??!! hummph)
Up early for last minute shopping then off to the ferry.  We’re headed to Thiera (you may know it as Santorini, but the locals call it Thiera)
We got off the ferry at the base of a cliff. Now they have a paved switch-back road that cars/vans/trucks can drive up to the top. Apparently there was a time when you went up by donkey, foot, or gondola - YIKES.
We checked into our hotel which overlooks the caldera (the ocean and volcano) and then made our way into town for some shopping, dinner and our first Santorini sunset. Santorini is famous for their sunsets for a reason - they're stunning!

Day 6 I was tired! We spent the morning by the pool, then that afternoon walked to Santos Winery - sampled a flight, bought a few bottles. This is hard work you know! That evening we went for a gormet meal which was really lost on us. The complemetary appetizer was cavier/pate thingy - which I nearly spewed - hate that fishy taste. Alicia's the same and Jules a vegetarian... Oh well, the rest of my meal was good.

Day 7
This morning we went on a volcano tour. The caldera hosts an active volcano, which for the right price, you can take a boat over then pay another 2 euro to walk on the volcano (which for all intensive purposes looks like a pile of black rocks). There is one little area where some steam is coming out and smells like rotten eggs. After the "hike" on the volcano - off for a dip in the "hot springs" which were more like swimming in tepid-stinky-rusty water. We were left cold and smelly and ready for a shower and a nap.
That evening - off to the town of Oia - it's supposed to be the best place on the island for watching the sunset. I think everyone else went there too - it was crowded - hardly a spot to stand in to see the sunset. Everyone clapped when it was over - kinda funny.

Day 8 - spent on the ferry going back to Athens - I was grumpy and took no photos

Day 9
Alicia's Big 4-0!! She's very well-preserved!
We spent the day waking around the plaka. We saw the changing of the guard - they do a pretty amazing little routine - Alicia got a photo just as one guard was in his high-kick... not sure that skirts are the best chice for this routine, but at least he has his tights on! We spent the day wandering then found an art gallery where we bought some amazing work (at least I'm hoping they are - we're still wating on them to be shipped). I'll post a picture of it once it arrives ( I'm a little fearful given the fact that I was taken this way in France last year!
Another nice traditional Greek food dinner then off to bed...

Day 10
Early morning to catch the taxi to airport and then the loooooong flight home.
Let the recovery begin.

I know this was long - hope it was worth it.

all tag

Nicole adn Wendy (links to them below) sent out an all-tag on this little list of questions - kinda fun... check it out then do your own.

1) What side of the heart do you draw first?
the right

2) Can you dive without plugging your nose?
Yep. But never, never from the high dive - too afraid. I tried to be brave several times as a kid, and yes, I was the one making everyone on the ladder back up because I had to climb back down. (blush)

3) What color is your razor?
aqua

4) What is your blood-type?
A neg

5) Who would you want to be tied to for 24 hours?

I'm lame and can't remember his name, but the guy who played Aragon in that recent trilogy (ok, I'm really lame - I can't remember the name of the trilogy either)

6) What is a rumor someone has spread about you?
That I am tall, blond and sexy. Feel free to spread it. (ok, I stole this from Nic, but it made me laugh!!)

7) How do you feel about carrots?
I love the color....

8) How many chairs at the dining room table?
6, but one is a little wobbly

9) Which is the best spice girl?
I don't remember.. how about sporty

10) Do you know what time it is?
yes, 10:20 - it says so on the bottom right of my computer screen

11) Do you know all the words to the Fresh Prince song?
nuh uh

12) What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator?
push the alarm

13) What's your favorite kind of gum?
Peppermint - the strong whitening kind - it's either Trident or orbit

14)T or F: All's fair in love and war.
False

15) Do you have a crush on anyone?
A new one every day almost.

16) Do you know how to use some words correctly, but not know the meaning?
I did that last week - can't remeber the word, but I was afraid I'd get caught

17) Do you like to sleep?
Bedtime is one of my favorite times of the day - snuggling into the yummy sheets. comfy mattress. I love that time of day

18) Do you know which US states don't use Daylight Savings?
Arizona I have an Aunt and Uncle in Prescott

19) Do you know the song Total Eclipse of the Heart?
Once upon a time hmm hmm hmmm hmmm hmm hmm total eclipse of the heart...

20) Do you want a bright yellow '06 mustang?
No. But my neice, Erica does.

21) What's something you've always wanted?
A husband

22) Do you have hairy legs?
No, not really

24) Would you rather swim in the ocean or a lake?
A lake. The ocean is great, but the sand and the salt....

25) Do you wear a lot of black?
Yes. Usually on the bottom with fetching colors on top (black is slimming you know)

26) Describe your hair.
fresh from the beauty parlor tonight. I take advantage of them and have them straighten it - so, it's straight tonight, layered and several inches past my sholders. Usually it's curly

27) Do you have Entomophobia?
is that bugs or something? definite Arachnophobia (great now I'll probably have a bad dream!)

28) Are you an adult?
sometimes

29) Where is/are your best friends?
Here in the Denver metro area, and sis in MO

30) Do you have a tan?
fading, but yes. Greece was good (or bad, depending on your perspective) for that.

31) Are you a television addict?
Not really - take it or leave it...that is until jan when Ameircan Idol starts

32) Do you enjoy spending time with your mother?
Yes. I'd love to spend time with my mother. I do talk to her a lot

33) Are you a sugar freak?
Yes - but currently on a no-fun-with-food diet. I blame this for my memory problems!

34) Do you like orange juice?
it's ok

35) What sign are you?
Aquarius

36) What color is your Cell Phone?
silver

37) Where do you wish you were right now?
Back in Greece...or Hawaii sounds nice...China?...

Ok, Nic and Wendy did an "all tag" which means you should answer these too and let me know - I'll go check yours out.

Red thread run

AAC sponsered a fun run/walk at Denver's City Park yesterday. I forgot my camera, whoich is too bad because it was a lovely morning and the shirts are cute. I do have a pic of my new sneaks (don't they look fast)- it alway makes me nervous to buy new exercise shoes, because it seems that each time I do, I suddenly lose interest in excercising. We'll have to see how it goes... Any suggestions from you regular exercisers on sticking to it?


Back to the run... It was really cool because it was about adoption in general, not simply Chinese adoption. There were adoptive familes with children from Ethiopia, Korea, Domestic, Russia.... there were also people who simply think adoption is a cool idea and support adoptive parents - thanks Jules
The winner of the run did it in 18 minutes - kinda funny - he had a car ahead of him clearing us slow folks out of his way so he could get through. He then came running back through the crowd cheering us on, yelling "you're almost there! come on! You can do it!!!" We were pretty sure we could make all of 3.2 miles, but his encouragement spurred us on :)
After the run, two other single adopty moms and I went to brunch - it's really nice getting to know others in the same boat as me - determined to have a full life as we wait for these little pumpkins.
Later I went out to Jules (linked above)house. She and her husband Keith are building the coolest house ever. It's very ecologically friendly, with passive solar heat some special roofing material that has an R value of 42 - verses 4 on any normal roof (has something to do with insulation capabilites). My vocabulary as well as my knowledge of home building (trust me, I know nothing of this, so I learn something each time I go) is expanding greatly each time I go out there gulams, casons, steel pans, earthen plaster, straw bale construction...who knew? This place is gonna rock.
They have it framed now, I went up onto the main floor and their view is amazing! They look for miles out onto table mesa in Golden and Green mountain, and a sea of city lights beyond... It's an amazing project and I'm very proud of my friends for being so environmentlly conscious and kind to our earth.

Cate's scarf

Cate at Having a Knit Fitt was the recipient of my scarf on the ISE3 I was in a rush to get it in the mail, so I forgot to include some information in her package. Here it is Cate....
The yarn is Classic Elite yarn's Classic Silk in sea coral (you said you like orange - hope you like sea coral as well)
Care instructions say hand wash cold - dry flat
The pattern was dubbed "snakes and ladders" and I found it here
Here are some pics of the FO














It's not a truly reversible scarf, however I like the purl side too (not shown) I also like the 3-demensional effect of the pattern - perhaps that's an excuse 'cause I couldn't get it to stay flat even after blocking. The pattern does make a lovely silloutte though. I hope you enjoy it Cate.

Thursday Thirteen

Thirteen Things that made me smile today 1. My mom...I think of her a lot - sometimes cry, sometimes smile. She was amazing and I miss her! I think "Grandma" was her favorite role ever - I know she'd be happy to be getting another grandchild, I just wish she could have met her. 2. Dad, I miss you too but couldn't find a photo to post. I can still hear your laugh and the distinct slurpy-way you had of drinking a hot cup of coffee. 3. Greece - I had a great time. More to come on that one.... 4. The pattern for the quilt my SIL is going to make Moonbeam once I gather all the fabric. Isn't it beautiful! 5. Leo loves the snow. We had plenty this morning. 6. Lannie... she's saying "What, me in the snow? I don't think so..." 7. This actually made me frown...and yell. He's pouting right now 'cause he's in trouble. He just ate my turkey burger! 8. A beautiful blanket Moonbeam received in a cybershower. This was missed on my thank you post earlier.. will write more later. 9. The book that inspired Moonbeam's nickname. More to come on this as well. Perhaps I sould title this post "More to come" 10. A little watercolor I picked up in Greece. 11. I'm missing my loved ones today I guess. Here's a picture of my Grandma at 92. She was a character and I miss her too. She lived in NC, I lived there a while in my 20's. Many Sundays I'd go to her house, sit at the kitchen table drinking sweet tea and eating pie watching the birds in the feeder right outside the window. We'd usually work a jigsaw puzzle and as I was leaving, she'd say "Let's go cut you a pot-of-flowers". I'd have a bouquet of whatever happened to be blooming. 12.The smell of clean laundry. 13. The end of the day, when you've done all you're going to do except crawl into bed. Good night and Happy Thursday. Links to other Thursday Thirteens! 1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

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So much to say...

It's been a long time my friends, and as you can imagine... much has been going on.
First, I must say many thanks to the recent gifts. Here's a shot of the bibs I received in the Sept and Oct CCAI yahoo group bib exchange.


Next, are photos of a workbook that was given to me. It's entitled "Chinese for Children". There's an incredibly sweet woman whom I work with on occasion who went to China this fall. Her name is Nancy. Nancy has a daughter (one of five!) who lives in China and she went to visit. While there, she saw this workbook and thought of me. That was the sweetest thing ever. I had asked her to smuggle back a little girl for me - the wait is awful - I guess I'll have to make do with the language workbook. Actually, I was very moved and surprised that she thought of me on her vacation - what a kind woman.









I'm also participating in an International Scarf Exchange and received the most gorgeous scarf ever. It's in an incredible purple/blue colorway in double stranded Cascade 220. It has a yummy feel around the neck and best of all., Deborah, the fantastic creator, included a mini version for Moonbeam. I love the cable pattern and the little details (the poodles and my initials). It was packaged very prettily too - I'm gonna have to regift in that box! I opened the lovely box and it smelled like a dream. There was a cute little seashell sitting on top of the wrapping and a sweet-smelling bar of soap included. All in all, I love this scarf and everything with it. Thanks Deborah!







Unfortunately, I'm still working on the scarf I'm making for my recipient. The deadline is Nov, but I'm not sure that I'll make it. This pattern isn't one I can do while watching a movie or in social situations. You have to count and keep track of where you are. Unlike many of the female gender - I'm not the best multi-tasker...



More to come soon - with much about my fabo trip to Greece!

Yassos!

Greetings from the lovely Naxos Island in Greece. Here's an update on our trip so far...
Day 1 : A LONG flight crunched into a space way to small for long legs (makes me think of springing for business class to China!) But that is all a distant memory now. After 16 or so hours of travel to get here, I'd say it's worth it.
We (my friends Alicia and Jules) spent the 28th in a fog walking through Athens and the ancient Acropolis... can barely remember because we were definitly sleep deprived.
The next morning.. up before the sun and on the ferry on our way to Naxos.
The trip to Naxos took 5 hours and the boat was packed. I heard the sunrise was beautiful over the water, but I was too sleepy to get my bottom out of the chair to go see it.
Our first lesson in Greek was taught by the colorful group of Greecians sharing our table. How best to describe them? In Greece, once you pass the age of 60ish, you travel with your fellow seniors for weekend trips to the islands. Our experience was a must for us. Among our lessons were how to correctly pronounce the island we were about to visit, tasting a local pastry (doughnut shaped and very delicious) that was handmade by "the teacher" (a lively white haired man among the group... whose only English was "I am a teacher").
And when we reached the island.... stay tuned!

Above was a joint venture by the sleep deprived Barb and the (apparently) water deprived Alicia.

BTW...Naxos is beautiful...so far much eating, enjoying the local wine...hiking - sort of...local music, beaches.....

Weekend Warriors

Well, I guess I'm destined to be a sporadic blogger - that's ok, I'll get a system soon.
I just had a great weekend. My sis (who'll be traveling to China with me) and BIL just came out for the weekend. It was such fun, but unfortnately, no pics - my camera went on the fritz. Too bad, 'cause I missed the before and after shots of the weekend warrior projects, and the incredible scenery of Rocky Mountain National Park.
I'm not that bothered by the nonfunctioning camera - I was wanting to update, but couldn't justify spending the money when I had a perfectly good camera already - now I can. -It may just need a new battery, but I'm not checkin'! So, any suggestions on good ones? Any favorites? I'd like an easy-to-carry one with ability to do video with audio (my old one had two-minute video sans audio). The old one also only has 3.2 megapixel which I know I can do better.
I'm preparing for my trip to Greece in a few weeks. I'm so excited! I'm traveling with two girl pals. One will be turning 40 on the evening of the moon festival - Oct 6. I'll be in Athens celebrating my friend's long life and toasting my loved ones far away. Unless there's a chinatown in Athens I won't be eating mooncakes, but maybe a phylo dough moon-shaped goodie as a close representation. We're visiting the islands of Naxos and Santorini. I am so ready for this - can't wait.
So, back to the weekend with my sis. I have this old house (which I love) that was born in 1909. She has character that you can't find in new homes and problems that go with it. I've been a busy girly the last few weeks trying to deal with a flooded basement from rain pouring in a basement window. Unfortunately the window was closed - it was leaking around the seal. Handyman BIL to the rescue. He not only cleaned the mega tons of toxic crap that had begun to fester and clog my gutters causing the tsunami to fill my basement, but he put screens on them so that nasty stuff will never reaccumulate, made a new window sill/rain blockade out of concrete, trimmed the trees around the house, and fixed various other delapidated and ailing areas as he saw fit. It was awesome. While we had Tony busy on the outside, Donna (my sis) and my neighbor Jennifer helped me paint my bedroom. It's now changed from the boring stark white to a lovely shade of Barley (#199 Benjamin Moore) that looks fabo with my new rug. Now I can find bedding at my leisure.

Leisure...Ahhh I can't wait. I'm ready to relax here and here

Random blogging to get back in the game

I've been out-of-sorts lately, discouraged by all the rumors of long waits and small referral batches - needing a little break from my obsession with the blogosphere. However, I think I'm back again. There's referral out there again today with more July Dragonflies meeting their babies. One very popular blogger (cause she's entertaining as all get-out) just got matched with twins! I know they're ecstatic in salsa-land. Jump over to see a photo of some cutie-patooties. Twins!! Glory be.

Now, back to my little life....

I made this little jacket for Moonbeam. The yarn wasn't the correct guage for the pattern so I just measured length and width of fabric as I went. I think it all went well except the collar - it's a little wonky.
This is thick yarn that made into a thick fabric that will be very warm - jacket like. the problem is that the neck is way too open when one needs a warm jacket. I'm gonna have to either pick up collar stitches and fill it in somehow, or ..... any suggestions?...Help...



Photo #2 is of the cute cute bibs I received in the CCAI yahoo group bib exchange. They are lavender (yummy color) with the one on the right saying "cute as can be" with pink little ladybugs. Love 'em thanks Katherine A.!




#3 - I've been keeping our pal Sophie while her momma is vacationing. Here's a photo of Sophie and Lannie playing twister on my new hip rug (kind of reminds me of olives -?- the colors work great in the room, ok!). Check out the new hardwoods - they were a pain, but worth it!

Doggie Disneyland

I took the pooches to Chatfield Resevoir today. There is a 200 acre off-leash dog park there complete with ponds and a river in which to swim (Leo) or splash (Lannie). Bottom line is that it's great for all involved - I get to walk without wrestling them on their leashes and they get to be dogs running, swim/splashing, sniffing other dogs parts, barking...
Here's some photos... I doesn't hurt that you have a beautiful view of the front range.



I definitly subscribe to the old addage " A tired dog is a good dog." They were very good dogs the rest of the day. ;)

UFOs

Still in the heat of summer, but anticipating fall coming, I guess I’ll rev up the ol’ knitting motor.  
I currently am working on a sock.  I historically struggle with things that are pairs.  Right now in my UFO stash are 3 single socks and one thrum mitten. (They're all scrunched from being in my UFO pile for several years now). My goal this year is to finish these pairs.  The sock I’m working on now is the second of a pair (yeah) the first one I finished in France last fall.  Perhaps the second I can finish in Greece this fall – they then can be my traveling socks.  The mitten should be next and then the other two socks.  The other two socks are actually matching – crazy colorful stripes – one adult, one baby.  Maybe I’ll finish before moonbeam arrives and we can wear our matching socks.  On second thought, these are actually too colorful for me who usually only wears white or black socks – yep pretty boring in the sock department.  But, maybe Moonbeam and Aunt Donna can have matching socks…there’s a great idea.

I've posted close-up photos of the heels of the two different socks. The rust-colored pair turn the heel in a series of short rows, the crazy-colored socks in a more traditional heel flap. Since these are the only two socks I've made, I don't know yet which I prefer. Anyone out there with experience here? preference?

Happy Birthday Jules

Happy Birthday Jules! It was fun celebrating you tonight. My dear friend celebrated her b-day today (8/10).  She’s awesome, just did a triathalon this past weekend – go girlpower!  She and her husband are in the process of building a totally cool “green” house.  It will have straw bales for construction/insulation, and many other conservation features ( I don’t even have the vocabulary for all the incredible energy efficient things they are doing)  I’m trying to talk her into a blog so we can all watch this project.

We went to the Denver Botanic Gardens to see Nanci Griffith – I love this artist. She is spunky and delightful, and a true folk icon. She definitly has a 60's bend and I love her stance on peace, and loving each other. From a Distance is ONE of my many favorites of hers and was my first introduction to Nanci Griffith in '88 or so. True to her folk roots, her songs are about social justice, peace and love.

Well, I’ve been tagged.  I was actually tagged once before, but was in a funky space and thought it was hard.  Today Melissa O tagged me and this seems much easier (maybe it’s my space)
4 jobs I’ve had in my life
Nurse’s Aide
RN
Nurse practitioner
…not much variety here
I did do a short stent selling lemonade at concerts during grad school.  Free admission
4 movies I would watch over and over
Princess Bride
When Harry met Sally
Under the Tuscan Sun – not academy award winner, but I love the redefining of “family”
Amalie
4 places I have lived
Missouri
Colorado
North Carolina
Hawaii
TV shows I love to watch
American Idol!!
Oprah
Starting Over
…I am such an emotional grrl
hmmmm…no cable or satellite, don’t watch much TV
4 places I have been on vacation
Holden Beach, NC
France
Sailing: St Lucia to Grenada
Camping/ car trip from Glacier National Park  to Banff, Canada
I LOVE vacations!
4 websites I visit daily
I usually check in to see what’s happening with
WendyZ
Millicent
Salsa in China
And Naked Ovary since her referral
4 of my favorite foods
chocolate lava cake
French fries
Ice cream
(notice a theme yet)
4 places I would like to be right now
I love where I am: in my chair with the pooches at my feet
China – bringing home moonbeam
Traveling – another sailing trip would be good
In Missouri with my family
OK, so whom to tag... how about Stacy and Katherine

More presents! Wow, this cyber shower is great!

Look at the ADORABLE outfit and fun toys that Verna gave me. I lovelovelove them. I may have the best-dressed baby around. A cool thing about Verna, she's calling her baby Moonbeam too.

Meet the other furbaby

Lannie was feeling neglected so I promised her I would post her picture too, it's just that yesterday was Leo's birthday. She didn't think it was fair that I didn't post about her on her gotcha day, but I wasn't blogging then. I did just realize that her gotcha day is the same as my DTC (the day my Dossier was mailed To China - for all you non-adopty folks). Very cool.
Lannie was abondened at Wal-mart in Broomfield, CO and given to me on 5/4/02. It turns out she has a skin disease that poodles often get called sebacious adenitis. She doesn't produce any oil in her skin and it damages her folicles causing her to itch and have very bad hair (which has potentially saved her from the fufu poodle cuts).
She's quite a love despite being a little raggedy.

Leo is 6!!!

Happy Birthday little dude!

Thanks for all the fun times.
For the last 6 years the words most frequently uttered by me have been: "Leo, sit. Leo, down. Leo, zip it! zip it! I mean it! What did I say? Good boy. Hey, leave Lannie alone...."
I love this dog. He's what you would call "enthusiastic". He makes me laugh. a lot.

Here are some photos of the dude on his birthday. Luckily he doesn't understant that it's his birthday because his momma was lame (again)and didn't get him anything - oh, other than the medicine for his raging ear infection and his monthly shot for his Addison's disease.


He's trying to look very nonchalant as he's snickering inside about raiding the recycling bin (evidence behind him). Dude, you're busted! Now go clean it up! (I wish)


The ol' "Bow to your queen" command - pretty good huh?

He's just waking on his birthday...isn't he cute?