If you ever shop at Aldi, try their frozen Asia Specialties skewered Teriyaki chicken kabobs. OH MY they are yummy. My co-worker had them for lunch the other day so I went by Aldi on my way home and picked them up along with several other items. I heated them up in the oven today as instructed and ate some for lunch. OMG.. They are so good. These were perfect lunch/snack sized. They are small kabobs, but perfect for that appetizer you need to take to a party or have handy when you have guests come over and need something heated up in a few minutes(15 or so in the oven and 1/2 that time in the microwave).
Gizmo the kitty is doing much better after having started over a weeks worth of insulin shots. It was worth ever penny we spent on her to see her turn around in health. She is on 2 units of insulin in the AM and 2 in the PM. She is now also on hills w/d prescription diet food too... she seems to like it so far, but I have seen a decrease in her consumption in the last few days. I hope it is because she is balanced out on her insulin now that she does not have to eat so much and keep drinking water like she was.
Our home study renewal is in process. We have both booked our physicals for March 9th and 13th. Then our in home visit with the social worker is set for the evening of the 15th. I will say that I am in a less frantic state about preparing for the home study visit this time around than we were last March. I am much more relaxed, I think DH is too. We still can't believe it has been nearly a year having been active with our agency and home study ready, but we know the wait will well be worth every moment.
I talked to the agency owner the other day by email and all is well, we just hope that the activity of potential birthmothers picks up with the agency soon. We also contacted the agency in KS that we have our profile with and she said that the winter months have been slow, but keep our hopes up that we will be able to hear more soon.
Cheers to you all. I hope that this nasty cold wet weather clears up so we can all watch the season turn into Spring. A time for renewal of hope and activity to keep us all in happy moods.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Saturday, February 17, 2007
1 year ago, can you believe it?
One year ago this week (including next week) we were turning in our first rounds of paperwork associated with our homestudy process for domestic adoption of our first baby.
I got the homestudy renewal packet from the agency and have been looking at it for the past few weeks. Doing nothing about it yet, until today. I cracked it open and started filling out the background check sheets that we have to send off to the state highway patrol for Criminal Records and Identification division. Then we have forms to get our physicals done. I have my physical booked with our primary doc on March 9th and DH has his booked on the 13th I think (we have the same doc btw) . With those full physicals we need to do we also have to have a TB test. We then have to book a visit with our social worker and submit the payment of 350.00 to complete the homestudy update. Not sure if that visit is in her office or in our home. If it is in our home, I will tell you that I won't freak out and clean clean clean like a fool. I will clean, yet, but I won't go overboard either like we did last year. LOL If anyone has been through the home visit part of the homestudy then you know what I am talking about... Prep for the White Glove inspection type of cleaning. Ha
Things are rolling forward, but man let me tell you I am so wishing for the phone to ring with any udpates of potential situations to come in through our agency or the agency we are in the pbm pool in KS. Oh Phone ring.. ring ring.
I was recently asked by a friend, " How are you dealing with having to wait so long for any calls?". Well To be honest I can't grasp that we have been homestudy ready for nearly a year already. I mean, it really seems only like 6 months ago that we did the homestudy, but it really has been nearly 11 months ago. We both have very busy jobs so that helps pass the time. I am working hard on my EBAY items for sale trying to gather up the funds to help pay cash for each step of the process. So far we have 251.00 to help pay the 350.00 homestudy renewal fee. YEAH. (oh wait, I forgot that we had to use some of that money towards our sick kitty- gizmo! and yes, she is doing much better with her insulin shots and diabetic food now).
Oops, I got off track......So back to talking about the time passing. I look forward to when the time really is OUR TIME for that right call to say we have been matched and selected by a potential birthmother (pbm). I know when we first got to sit down with our agency, she told us it could be up to 18 months for a match to possibly happen. So while we approach the 12 month mark, I am saying prayers, tugging on DH to say his prayers too, and asking for come patience to keep our chins up and think forward to that day when we get the call instead of sulking for not having a match yet.
The adoption support group in town is helping keep my Sanity. Thanks to D for running the meetings. She is a true inspriation to help us keep our minds focused forward and hopeful. She and the others that attend the meeting really do get it and really do understand that sometimes the wait is hard to deal with but realizing in the end when we have our baby it will all be well worth the wait. They can help me break down the fears I have. They help me remain confident we made the right decisions in the path of becoming parents through and within adoption. The Last IAS adoption meeting was great because we talked about the fears of waiting for a match, what to expect when we do get that call and what to pack if we have to travel out of town to meet our future baby and potentially the birth family.
We learned that it is not necessary to take a pack-n-play, it is ok if we need to get a 2 bedroom suite so one of us can sleep while the other will most likely be awake feeding or changing or bonding with our baby. It is ok to not pack TONS of supplies because more likely than not there will be a Wally-Mart or Target, or nice grocery store near you so you can buy diapers, bottles, formula, etc. Just pack sleepers, clothes, and some simple newborn or basic baby care items if needed. We can always get an extra cheap suitcase to send this all home if flying in from out of town.
D helped to allay the fears of another lady that has dogs, she was afraid the homestudy will go badly if her dogs are around while the social worker is in her house for the home visit of the homestudy. We have 3 lab mix doggies and 1 kitty. So we know it is possible to pass your homestudy with animals in the house. We love our doggies and kitty to the core so I would not want the social worker to have not met them. She even interacted with them and calmed them down from stranger barking at first too.
Ok, back to writing that 10.00 check for the background checks and finding a legal sized business envelope in this house so I can address these papers to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Criminal Records and Identification Division.
Anyone else have to renew their homestuday? If so, was your renewal visit with the social worker at your home or at their office?
One small update on my Weight Watchers weigh in. Today was week 8 of weigh ins and I have managed to lose another .8 lbs. So my total weight loss is now 12 lbs. YEAH. I feel good. My clothes are fitting better and honestly I can't wait until the start to get really baggy. That gives me a push to keep dropping the weight. I want new clothes for work, but I want to reach my 10% goal of a loss of nearly 22 lbs. Yes, That is my 10%. Yikes, but just glad I am 1/2 way there. I don't have a set weight loss goal, but to keep chugging the lbs off me is my goal.
I got the homestudy renewal packet from the agency and have been looking at it for the past few weeks. Doing nothing about it yet, until today. I cracked it open and started filling out the background check sheets that we have to send off to the state highway patrol for Criminal Records and Identification division. Then we have forms to get our physicals done. I have my physical booked with our primary doc on March 9th and DH has his booked on the 13th I think (we have the same doc btw) . With those full physicals we need to do we also have to have a TB test. We then have to book a visit with our social worker and submit the payment of 350.00 to complete the homestudy update. Not sure if that visit is in her office or in our home. If it is in our home, I will tell you that I won't freak out and clean clean clean like a fool. I will clean, yet, but I won't go overboard either like we did last year. LOL If anyone has been through the home visit part of the homestudy then you know what I am talking about... Prep for the White Glove inspection type of cleaning. Ha
Things are rolling forward, but man let me tell you I am so wishing for the phone to ring with any udpates of potential situations to come in through our agency or the agency we are in the pbm pool in KS. Oh Phone ring.. ring ring.
I was recently asked by a friend, " How are you dealing with having to wait so long for any calls?". Well To be honest I can't grasp that we have been homestudy ready for nearly a year already. I mean, it really seems only like 6 months ago that we did the homestudy, but it really has been nearly 11 months ago. We both have very busy jobs so that helps pass the time. I am working hard on my EBAY items for sale trying to gather up the funds to help pay cash for each step of the process. So far we have 251.00 to help pay the 350.00 homestudy renewal fee. YEAH. (oh wait, I forgot that we had to use some of that money towards our sick kitty- gizmo! and yes, she is doing much better with her insulin shots and diabetic food now).
Oops, I got off track......So back to talking about the time passing. I look forward to when the time really is OUR TIME for that right call to say we have been matched and selected by a potential birthmother (pbm). I know when we first got to sit down with our agency, she told us it could be up to 18 months for a match to possibly happen. So while we approach the 12 month mark, I am saying prayers, tugging on DH to say his prayers too, and asking for come patience to keep our chins up and think forward to that day when we get the call instead of sulking for not having a match yet.
The adoption support group in town is helping keep my Sanity. Thanks to D for running the meetings. She is a true inspriation to help us keep our minds focused forward and hopeful. She and the others that attend the meeting really do get it and really do understand that sometimes the wait is hard to deal with but realizing in the end when we have our baby it will all be well worth the wait. They can help me break down the fears I have. They help me remain confident we made the right decisions in the path of becoming parents through and within adoption. The Last IAS adoption meeting was great because we talked about the fears of waiting for a match, what to expect when we do get that call and what to pack if we have to travel out of town to meet our future baby and potentially the birth family.
We learned that it is not necessary to take a pack-n-play, it is ok if we need to get a 2 bedroom suite so one of us can sleep while the other will most likely be awake feeding or changing or bonding with our baby. It is ok to not pack TONS of supplies because more likely than not there will be a Wally-Mart or Target, or nice grocery store near you so you can buy diapers, bottles, formula, etc. Just pack sleepers, clothes, and some simple newborn or basic baby care items if needed. We can always get an extra cheap suitcase to send this all home if flying in from out of town.
D helped to allay the fears of another lady that has dogs, she was afraid the homestudy will go badly if her dogs are around while the social worker is in her house for the home visit of the homestudy. We have 3 lab mix doggies and 1 kitty. So we know it is possible to pass your homestudy with animals in the house. We love our doggies and kitty to the core so I would not want the social worker to have not met them. She even interacted with them and calmed them down from stranger barking at first too.
Ok, back to writing that 10.00 check for the background checks and finding a legal sized business envelope in this house so I can address these papers to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Criminal Records and Identification Division.
Anyone else have to renew their homestuday? If so, was your renewal visit with the social worker at your home or at their office?
One small update on my Weight Watchers weigh in. Today was week 8 of weigh ins and I have managed to lose another .8 lbs. So my total weight loss is now 12 lbs. YEAH. I feel good. My clothes are fitting better and honestly I can't wait until the start to get really baggy. That gives me a push to keep dropping the weight. I want new clothes for work, but I want to reach my 10% goal of a loss of nearly 22 lbs. Yes, That is my 10%. Yikes, but just glad I am 1/2 way there. I don't have a set weight loss goal, but to keep chugging the lbs off me is my goal.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
Dirt tattoo
Holt on Dirt is HOT. Wahhhhh.
Tonights episode features a tattoo on his right upper arm. "Virescit vulnere virtus" (Courage grows strong at a wound)is a great saying. I have heard it before, but never seen it in a tattoo. He wears it well.
Courage grows strong at a wound or Courage grows strong through a wound is latin from what I remember. I have looked at it again on google and it some claim this to be their Clan Motto for Scottish or Celtic heritage. But it is a Latin Saying originally. Hmmm Prety strong words though for anyone to read into. I have courage, but to make it grow stronger at the face of a wound is pretty deep depending on how you look at the meaning of it.
Oh, I love the name Holt btw.
Tonights episode features a tattoo on his right upper arm. "Virescit vulnere virtus" (Courage grows strong at a wound)is a great saying. I have heard it before, but never seen it in a tattoo. He wears it well.
Courage grows strong at a wound or Courage grows strong through a wound is latin from what I remember. I have looked at it again on google and it some claim this to be their Clan Motto for Scottish or Celtic heritage. But it is a Latin Saying originally. Hmmm Prety strong words though for anyone to read into. I have courage, but to make it grow stronger at the face of a wound is pretty deep depending on how you look at the meaning of it.
Oh, I love the name Holt btw.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
weight be gone
Ok.. WW's weigh in was a great suprise today (Saturday) with a loss of 2.8 lbs. This is week 7 of ww's( but really week 13 because I skipped a few weigh in's here and there) .. so my total is :
DOWN 11.2 lbs. WOOOHOOO!
My weeks went like this...
11/11/06: starting weight 218.2
11/18/06: -5.2 lbs
12/2/ 06: -1 lb
12/9/06: -0.6 lb
1/20/07: -1.6 lbs (yes, I managed to lose weight during the holidays wink.gif
2/3/07: did not lose anything, but did not gain either
2/10/07: -2.8 lbs
starting weight: 219.2
current weight: 208
goal: I use to say 145, but I am just happy with anything less than today's weight.
219.2/208/145
I have not been exercising like I need so my goal in the next week is to walk at least 4 miles in 5 days. We have a walking track at work (temporarily) so I will walk as much as possible.
DOWN 11.2 lbs. WOOOHOOO!
My weeks went like this...
11/11/06: starting weight 218.2
11/18/06: -5.2 lbs
12/2/ 06: -1 lb
12/9/06: -0.6 lb
1/20/07: -1.6 lbs (yes, I managed to lose weight during the holidays wink.gif
2/3/07: did not lose anything, but did not gain either
2/10/07: -2.8 lbs
starting weight: 219.2
current weight: 208
goal: I use to say 145, but I am just happy with anything less than today's weight.
219.2/208/145
I have not been exercising like I need so my goal in the next week is to walk at least 4 miles in 5 days. We have a walking track at work (temporarily) so I will walk as much as possible.
Friday, February 09, 2007
Oh kitty I love you so, but why are you so expensive? Part 2
Finally after a long few days wait I called the vets office tonight to see if they had gotten the blood results for dear kitty, Gizmo. The doctor was not in, arrgghhhh. I was told to call back tomorrow (Saturday). BUT Just after eating dinner tonight (1 hour after calling the office) the Vet himself called me back from his home. I think the office called him and told him to call me after I called to check in and was not happy about not having gotten a call from him as promised no later than today.
So the verdict is that Gizmo has Diabetes.
Well, this is no surprise to me. She has all the classic symptoms of this disease. We have done nothing wrong to cause this, but more so he mentioned her age as one of the major contributors that has brought this on plus the fact that she is not on the best diet food. We get to buy some nice yummy food for her and then give her shots.
So he asked me to book an appointment soon (Monday) and bring Gizmo back in so he can give me a prescription to take to the local corner (HUMAN) pharmacy to get insulin and needles and so that he can give me a class in giving 2 shots daily to my poor non-suspecting kitty. Poor girl.
A funny thing is that I DON'T NEED a shot class. Ok, I am sure I can learn a quick tip or two from the vet on how to keep the kitty still while I give her shots, but little does he know that I have managed to give myself over 600 shots in all my 5 fresh IVF cycles and 1 frozen and IUI cycle (well ok, kudos to DH helped me with the PIO shots in the hips). So I am sure the drawing up of the insulin into the needle will be easily remembered and the kitty will be happy she has someone that knows how to administer shots to her instead of an uneasy, trembling hand.
I am sad I have to give her shots, but if it means a happy kitty, MORE POWER TO HER, literally. The hard part of prepping for her shots in the future is actually finding her in the house because she sure has some interesting hiding/resting places throughout. She loves to snuggle up in the clothes I have stacked up in the basement laundry room. She loves to go downstairs in the family room so if she is out in the open I can easily take the shot to her, but I will be on the hunt for her here and there.
So the verdict is that Gizmo has Diabetes.
Well, this is no surprise to me. She has all the classic symptoms of this disease. We have done nothing wrong to cause this, but more so he mentioned her age as one of the major contributors that has brought this on plus the fact that she is not on the best diet food. We get to buy some nice yummy food for her and then give her shots.
So he asked me to book an appointment soon (Monday) and bring Gizmo back in so he can give me a prescription to take to the local corner (HUMAN) pharmacy to get insulin and needles and so that he can give me a class in giving 2 shots daily to my poor non-suspecting kitty. Poor girl.
A funny thing is that I DON'T NEED a shot class. Ok, I am sure I can learn a quick tip or two from the vet on how to keep the kitty still while I give her shots, but little does he know that I have managed to give myself over 600 shots in all my 5 fresh IVF cycles and 1 frozen and IUI cycle (well ok, kudos to DH helped me with the PIO shots in the hips). So I am sure the drawing up of the insulin into the needle will be easily remembered and the kitty will be happy she has someone that knows how to administer shots to her instead of an uneasy, trembling hand.
I am sad I have to give her shots, but if it means a happy kitty, MORE POWER TO HER, literally. The hard part of prepping for her shots in the future is actually finding her in the house because she sure has some interesting hiding/resting places throughout. She loves to snuggle up in the clothes I have stacked up in the basement laundry room. She loves to go downstairs in the family room so if she is out in the open I can easily take the shot to her, but I will be on the hunt for her here and there.
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
oh kitty I love you so, but why are you so expensive?
Yes, my cat and dogs are my children and yes, I will spend money on them to keep them well. That said, 200.00 later. OUCH. Yes, my furkitty, Gizmo, is sick. She is nearly 14 years old and she is showing her age.
After a few weeks of noticing her back legs were giving out on her and she was seemingly walking flat footed, I took her into the vet tonight. She is dehydrated, has a very rapid heartrate, skinny (down 5 lbs in the last 2 years) and is showing signs of either diabetes or kidney disease. So after seeing the doc for about 8 mintues, he takes her back to take blood, empty her bladder for a specimen and gave her a large bolis of IV fluids under the skin.
The Vet will call me on Thursday or early Friday with her blood results. I wonder what will happen if she has diabetes? Anyone ever had a cat with diabetes? I had gestational diabetes and gave myself shots so I can do that if necessary. Have you had to do this if your kitty was sick?
I have had a cat with Kidney failure so I know what to expect with that :(
Kitty's high heartrate also showed the known murmur she has. Poor girl. I love her so.
Please give some + vibes to her if you can spare a few. I have always had animals and hate hate hate it when we have to put them down. I don't want her to suffer, but I also want her to stay around as long as she is not in pain.
Lets see if I can post my kitty's picture again. This pic is from about 8 years ago. She loved to drink her water out of the sink so we always left the water running for her, now she hardly ever drinks out of the sink due to having to jump up there.
After a few weeks of noticing her back legs were giving out on her and she was seemingly walking flat footed, I took her into the vet tonight. She is dehydrated, has a very rapid heartrate, skinny (down 5 lbs in the last 2 years) and is showing signs of either diabetes or kidney disease. So after seeing the doc for about 8 mintues, he takes her back to take blood, empty her bladder for a specimen and gave her a large bolis of IV fluids under the skin.
The Vet will call me on Thursday or early Friday with her blood results. I wonder what will happen if she has diabetes? Anyone ever had a cat with diabetes? I had gestational diabetes and gave myself shots so I can do that if necessary. Have you had to do this if your kitty was sick?
I have had a cat with Kidney failure so I know what to expect with that :(
Kitty's high heartrate also showed the known murmur she has. Poor girl. I love her so.
Please give some + vibes to her if you can spare a few. I have always had animals and hate hate hate it when we have to put them down. I don't want her to suffer, but I also want her to stay around as long as she is not in pain.
Lets see if I can post my kitty's picture again. This pic is from about 8 years ago. She loved to drink her water out of the sink so we always left the water running for her, now she hardly ever drinks out of the sink due to having to jump up there.
Sunday, February 04, 2007
reminder to set my tivo
dr. phil has a story on in 2 parts about an adoption scammer. Lady posing to be pg that has scammed potential parents.
Dr. Phil is doing a show on Adoption Scams will air on Feb. 22(Part 1)
and Feb. 23 (Part 2).
You can see a clip of it here:
dr. phil on youtube
oourtsey of lynn on the yahoo adoption scam group
Dr. Phil is doing a show on Adoption Scams will air on Feb. 22(Part 1)
and Feb. 23 (Part 2).
You can see a clip of it here:
dr. phil on youtube
oourtsey of lynn on the yahoo adoption scam group
Saturday, February 03, 2007
What's Happening?
Ok, I am ready for Spring. I mean SPRING. Not HOT weather. I am done liking all this snow and ice and snow. I am ready to work on a garden of veggies. I am ready to go camping. DH is ready too. He keeps telling me that every evening when we are at home. I am ready to bbq and eat out on the deck. I am ready for a nice long SPRING filled with decent temps.
I am keeping busy with the ebay stuff and am going to try my arm at selling on Craigslist again. So far we have another 200.00 saved up on my ebay sales, but my ebay invoice is coming out soon. Ouch. Anyone sell on ebay that can give me tips on how to open and run an ebay store? Is it worth it? I think if I can expose my sales more I would get more business, but am I making enough to do that? What kinds of fees are associated with a store? Listing/Sold fees I mean.
I am keeping busy with the ebay stuff and am going to try my arm at selling on Craigslist again. So far we have another 200.00 saved up on my ebay sales, but my ebay invoice is coming out soon. Ouch. Anyone sell on ebay that can give me tips on how to open and run an ebay store? Is it worth it? I think if I can expose my sales more I would get more business, but am I making enough to do that? What kinds of fees are associated with a store? Listing/Sold fees I mean.
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