New York New York -

Ok all - for the first time in my life - I'm off to New York to visit Manhattan and see a broadway show and I can hardly stand it!! I can't believe it's finally here and I'm actually going to the Big Apple...

I won't be able to post, because I'm not so high tech that I actually have a laptop. (Gasp!) But while this is a business trip, there will be plenty of fun to be had!

Wish this country mouse luck...

xoxo - be back Sunday

Mommies Who Lunch

I am a new inductee into the "Mommies Who Lunch" group that meets in my hometown. We are all expectant adoptive mothers, or already adoptive mothers - all adopting/ed from China, all from the same agency.

Needless to say, we spent the afternoon laughing, talking about our adoptions, oohhing and awwwing over Erin, Kelley, and Shelley's beautiful kids, and eating some really good food.

Like the true "non-chef" that I am, I asked my husband to make up a nice "appetizer thingy" for the girls and I, and he really out-did himself. I've included a picture so you can appreciate the master at work. It's beefsteak tomato with a fresh slice of mozzarella cheese, a basil leaf - sprinkled with salt, pepper, extra virgin olive oil, and a splash of balsamic vinaigrette. Now you know why I call him Chef Boyardee.

Meanwhile, back to the luncheon - we just had a great time. And wonderful Robyn gifted all of us with wonderful bathtime yummies from Old Navy, while Erin surprised everyone with beautiful charms of a little angel that has the word "faith" inscribed on its wings- so sweet!! It's always good to be surrounded by those who "get" this crazy process, and by those who understand everything you're going through and have yet to face. We're all at different stages, which I think is the beauty of it. Some have been to China and back, some have been LID for seven or eight months, and some have yet to finish their paperchase. Still, we all share a common bond - our daughters. And who among us could ever grow tired of that wonderful topic?

The Famous "Appetizer Thingy"

Kelley and her sweetie, Mia

A Friend Like You...

If you've ever had a friend who you could be yourself completely with and know for certain that they would not judge you or love you any less...

If you've ever known someone with whom you had no reservations about letting your inner child out for a visit...

If you've let that person pick you up when you were face down in the muck and care for you or if you've done the same for them...

Renee has been a best friend of mine for years and years. It all started when we were having lunch with a mutual acquaintance and I made a crass joke. She proceeded to spit her lunch all over me as she collapsed in a fit of laughter. With the lettuce dangling from the tip of my nose and a startled mutual friend looking on...we became the nearest and dearest of friends. I can't explain it, really. We just got each other and thus began a friendship that has spanned many years, several love interests, heartache and heartbreak, loss of friends, loss of pets, changes in jobs, changes in style, a move across country, and a marriage and impending adoption. But you can't keep a good dog down...and neither then can you keep apart friends who are attached at the hip and divided over nothing.

If you don't have a friend like this, I suggest you keep your eyes peeled for one. Not only are they good for the spirit, but they are great for laughs, hugs, encouragement, and as you can see above - total and utter abandon of your adult self.

Love you Renee! Thank you for being the kind of friend that can always seem to bring out the best in me. Always and always...miles or mayhem...

Working 9-5...what a way to make a living!

Sing it! You know you want to...

Well, needless to say, my transition to working at home has been interesting. You know how when you've never really had the chance to do something that you've always wanted to do, or when you might have done it a long time ago and can't quite put your finger on the sensation that doing said "thing" gave you? Well, this is the case for my leaving the corporate world and transitioning to my new job - where I work from the comfort of my home office.

Don't get me wrong - love it. Totally 100x's better so far than commuting to an office everyday so that someone else can hover nearby and make sure I'm dotting my I's and crossing my T's. I can't stand to be micro-managed. (not you in a million years Des) At any rate, it's been interesting, because I've been sitting in that chair at that computer for roughly 10-12 hours a day. I'm not exaggerating, there is that much work to do. SO - for those that thought I was getting on the escalator of life - you were right. What can I say? But, I do find that it's harder to walk away. In my corporate job at 5:00 - I was out the door and did not usually give another thought to my e-mail, workload, or deadlines. At home though, I find myself still sitting here at 8:00pm fiddling with this or that project. I'm gonna have to get some boundaries in place for myself or I'm gonna burn out!

Here's my first one: leave the computer...just walk away...you can do it. E-mail can survive and so can the phones for the evening. It's ok. Just walk away...

Walking...