a quick visit with a sweet friend

While there are many things about my life that leave much to be desired, one good thing about my life right now is how attuned I am to the blessings I do have.

Yesterday while in a nearby town for my son's swimmeet, I got to meet up with Karianne. Not for long, not one-on-one with good, deep conversation, but for a stretch of time long enough to remind me that in the friend department I am over-blessed, if that's even possible.

It's a mystery.

At the new house, we have no mailbox. I'm thinking that we either have one of those communal boxes somewhere in the neighborhood or that we have to pick it up at another location.

I haven't changed our address yet. So many people give me a weird look when I tell them that. It's just that I didn't feel secure in the fact that our move would be permanent, so why mix up the mailman in the meantime? I wonder how I find out about this mail situation? Guess I'll have to talk to the neighbors!

I like the fact that we still have this tie to the little house. Kind of like I'm just letting go a tiny bit at a time, not really saying goodbye yet. And, all of my friends know how to find me, least of all through web directory. I'm still here. And I'm still there. At least for another week or so.

We have hi-speed!

the move has been crazy. boxes everywhere that seem to multiply behind my back. But getting to know little things about the new house makes me feel secure. Like I'm falling in love with where I'm at.

One of the things that I love about this house, that I just found out about is that it has 9, read it, NINE cable outlets! to get the computer set up, complete with hard drives and everything has just made me feel a little bit more at home.

Parent-Teacher conferences

OK. so chris and I just experienced our very first parent/teacher conference on Monday afternoon. I'm happy to report that all was well in the reporting of Miss Ivy's progress in Kindergarten so far. The most uncomfortable part was sitting in discount classroom furniture with our knees up to our ears. Thank goodness we are short to begin with! Anyway, although I'm reassured that Ivy is right on track with her school involvement, I'm even more convinced that to be a kindergarten teacher, you have to be a little bit off. I'm glad that part of parenting is over until spring.

Life as a single mom

Life as a single mom is busy, busy, busy! At times, I feel proud of myself for handling it all, my job, the kids, our home. Since my kids dad lives in California (and only visits them two or three times a year), I am truly doing this solo. Fortunately, I have my sister and her family living nearby, as well as a few reliable babysitters to help me through. I also belong to a group of single moms with children from China. Finding them has been one of the best gifts ever! We try to get together once a month or so which allows our daughters to socialize with other kids that have families similar to theirs, and lets the mom lend each other ideas and support. Last weekend, we attended a Halloween party. Here are some photos.

10 on Tuesday

10 things you want right now but can't afford

1. another son from Ethiopia
2. for myself and my extended family to be debt free
3. a breast reduction and lift
4. tummy tuck
5. live in nanny
6. netbook
7. to get my hair done at the salon
8. pedicure at a salon, not one of those nail places
9. bigger house without a mortgage
10. go back to school to finish up my Bachelor's, but instead of needing LSAT prep, I'd finish with an art degree.

How lucky I am

Tonight DH got home from work after 8. I had cooked a whole turkey dinner, because I needed to cook stuff that I took out of the freezer. When it began to look like it was going to be a late night, I told my sister that I was bringing dinner to her house. I owe her so many meals for all of the times she has fed us!

So anyway, me and the kids head over there and stay for a couple of hours. When we get home, DH had just gotten home and started to clean up from his work day. I had flashes of times when I had been home, cooped up with the kids, wishing for a live chatwith another adult and although it totally isn't his fault, I would be so angry that I would take my frustrations out on him and we would all end up miserable.

But tonight was different. Instead of full rage, I only felt a twinge of irritation. And then I was able to bring it around and realize how cruddy he had it today instead of it all being about me. At my sister's house there are at least 4 adults to help me with the kids. It makes such a difference and I'm so lucky to have such support. Actually, we all are so lucky to have each other.