Ode To Janis

I think he blushed pinker than the roses on the cake....

Janis' Birthday

Yesterday Judy and I planned a little get together for Janis' Birthday. Judy made the best enchiladas and black bean salsa. I added my homemade guacamole, rice, refried beans, lime punch and the cake!! Yup I made it! Janis' request for chocolate with buttercream frosting! I had a ball trying to remember how to make roses... Jim and Chris don't want roses on their cakes so I was a little rusty.

We had Birthday tiara's, pink and purple themed decorations and tableware, treat bags filled with things like, candy necklaces, chocolate truffles, and Lip Smakers. (mine was cotton candy!)

The food WAS amazing but the company was even better... There is just nothing like girlfriends! It really was a celebration of true friendship!!

P.S. - Chris got a little sucked into the excitement, see his video below... don't tell Jim he wore a tiara the whole afternoon!!

Thank you Mr. E...for being a Gentleman

When I met my husband Jim, he was just 22, a new hire Systems Engineer at EDS. I was just struck by what a gentleman he was. He was always so polite and I will say that after knowing him for some 18 years now, he is still that man.

One day he told me, that he was walking behind a woman entering work, so he sped up to open the door for her. Her thanks to him was a smirk and "You didn't have to open the door for me just because I'm a woman!"

He quickly responded back, "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't do it because you are a woman, I did it because I'm a gentleman!" Priceless....

In this day in age, almost 50 years into the "Women's Liberation Movement" women work hard at not being the 'weaker' gender. Aside from what women are doing in the workplace, at home they are taking out the garbage, mowing the lawns and repairing their garbage disposals, as a whole they don't expect doors to be opened, let alone our chairs be pulled out for them! They don't ask for help, that would be weak.

So, today, a typical Monday morning, I drove Chris because it is band day and he has a huge snare drum. I had also volunteered to bring in 29 water bottles for MEAP snacks. So as Chris pulled his drum and backpack, I was heaving the case of water through the parking lot into the school. I was wondering to myself, why didn't sign up for Nutra Grain bars? I was also wondering why I hadn't kept up my exercise routine because if I had I wouldn't be breaking a sweat right now, and I was kicking myself for being such a 'woman'.

Then I see Mr. E., our school's vice principal. He walks over to me and says, "Here let me take that in for you!" Music playing in the background...

There were two voices in my head, the first one said, "Oh thank goodness!!" but the second one said, "You can't make him do that you wimpy girl!" My desire to let him be a gentleman won out!

Thank you Mr. E. for giving me a hand and being a Perfect Gentlemen your manners were not lost on me today! Chivalry is alive and well...

I Will Do Anything For Coffee!

This one's for my dear friend Judy!!

Everytime Judy stops by to visit she brings me something, current magazines or a book that she's finished, just something. She is just incredibly thoughtful.

The last few times Judy came to visit she has brought COFFEE! Here in the Detroit area we have a very large Italian community and have many Italian owned specialty markets. Wonderful for foodies and Top Chef wannabe's. Judy's favorite is Nino Salvaggio's! or Nino's as she likes to call it. It is an extravaganza of produce, meats, cheese, baked goods and products from all over the world. This is where she gets the coffee!

Today's flavor? Creme Brule' Oh the smell of it, just put me over the edge!

A few weeks ago she brought Roasted Marshmallow - OMG-oodness!! I do not know how they did it, but my coffee smelled just like Girl Scout Camp.

Thank-you Judy!

The Toledo Zoo

Anyone asking why someone who lives so close to the Detroit Zoo would trek over an hour and a half in Michigan construction zones to the Toledo Zoo, has never been to both.

When Chris was born I became an annual member of the Detroit Zoo and literally averaged a monthly visit there. Some days it was just to see the butterflies, (which are very cool). About four years ago a friend invited us to go with them to the Toledo Zoo. Now we make an annual summer visit to Toledo and forget the Detroit Zoo.

The Toledo Zoo is very clean and beautifully landscaped. Most of the exhibits are either inside buildings, under canopies or nicely treed, to protect us from the sun. There is very little walking between each exhibit and most exhibits provide very close proximity to the animals.

The polar bear, seal, hippo and otter exhibits are all aquariums built into buildings for excellent viewing. Most other exhibits are also glass enclosed, bears, tigers, gorillas etc. There is just glass between you and these amazing beasts!

They also have a nice selection for dining from cafeteria style grill and deli to a sit down resteraunt for those who wish to be served! The Birdfeeder has the BEST ice cream! It is a must!

Update: Check out Amiee's Blog for more pictures and nice words about moi'!

Amiee's Blog

Hey everyone! My friend Amiee has FINALLY started her blog! Check it out to see an adorable video of her son Luca and a frog! Too cute!

Journey to Eden

No better way to celebrate my 100th post!!

Back Door Friends

In June of 1979 on my 14th birthday, my best friend Nancy gave me a book of poetry titled "God Bless My Friend". I just loved poetry back then. I even tried my hand at it during those emotional teen years but alas, as an adult, I have learned to control those raging emotions, quelling my gift of prose.

I remember pouring over the book and occasionally using the poems in handmade cards for those I dearly loved. I don't know where Nancy is now, we parted ways somewhere in the mid 80's. Times changed and so did we. Yet, I keep this book still today, in my sewing room, on a shelf with just a few mementos from my childhood, not because I wish Nancy was still my dearest friend or that it is an amazing compilation of poetry, but that it represents a simpler time, a sweeter time.

I pulled the book out today to post on one of the poems in the book. A concept I have carried in my mind almost 30 years. "Back Door Friends".

However, I was surprised when I paged through this sweet book and found that the poem I was looking for wasn't there! Well, it was there, but it wasn't as I had remembered. The title was "Song for Back Doors" not "Back Door Friends". I found the page immediately by it's beautiful line drawing of a the back door of a farm house.

On one side of the door is a beautiful garden backed by a picket fence. On the fence are ripening tomatoes, a sleeping kitten and a few books. The steps hold a baby's pull toy; a cow with wheels. To the right of the door, on the porch, are a pair of haphazardly placed shoes and there is a single boot next to a water dish. Leaning against the door are a broom and an umbrella and on the opposite side is a potted plant and another kitten; inspecting a bug. The door is being held open by a small boy, the mama cat is rubbing her face on his pant leg and the family dog is watching him in anticipation. Inside the kitchen is the boy's mother, she is wearing a checkered apron with matching hot mitts, holding a pie. She is young and sweet faced with her hair upswept, saving for the few loose tendrils.

I loved this picture as a young girl, dreaming of the day I would be a mother and what it would be like to have "Back Door Friends".

Song for Back Doors

Front doors are stately, proud and fine,
They let you in to call or dine,
Or if you ring at two or three,
They grant small talk and cakes and tea.
But backdoors with their faded looks,
Frame kittens, sunlight, boys and cooks,
They let you in without a bell
And friend to friend your secrets tell
While punctuating from a shelf
With apple pie you serve yourself.
The front door is mind's counterpart,
The back door hinges on the heart.

By: Gladys McKee

This poem still speaks to the girl in my heart. I have always wanted to be that mom. The one who was always baking and had friends popping in. When I first moved into my neighborhood I did all I could to solicit people to come over. I had parties, play-dates and mommy coffee times, just to show my hospitality and try to make friends.

Now, almost eight years later, wisdom has settled in. The truest of friends are the ones that come on their own; not looking for 'pie' , but friendship. The kind of friends that are as comfortable as family. Who pop in with very little notice, or none at all, not caring if you are in your pajamas or if your floors have been swept. They are there because they want to be, because you have created a haven, a warm place, a friendly place to share their secrets!

Thank-you to all my "Back Door Friends" - you know who you are, popping in to see what's new with the nursery, bringing me surprises like, ice cream (JS) or coffee (JT), or just dropping in to talk. I love it! Thank you for your friendship.

I especially want to mention my next door neighbors, Tracy and Lainey. Lainey is four. I just love to see her little nose pressed up against my back screen asking, "Ms. Lynn can I have a popsicle?" Tracy and I have spent many a lazy summer afternoon, sitting on my back porch doing nothing more, than 'passing time' .

Living the dream...simple, sweet times.

Sweet Melissa

Wednesday was my lunch with my dear friend Melissa. I had only really known her for a few short years before she moved to California last August.

Yet, she is just one of those friends... you know the type. That friend you always agree with, one you always laugh with, occasionally cry with, who always understands. A friend you can go for months on end without talking and then click right back together like nothing has changed!

Well one thing did change! Her daughter Natalie has grown like a weed! (okay Chris did too) We had such an enjoyable lunch at Red Lobster since Natalie is a sea animal nut and they don't have RL where they live!

Natalie is now 4 years old and had us cracking up at her enthusiasm over the Lobsters and singing songs to her popcorn shrimp. She spent most of lunch reading her favorite book on Sting Rays, and playing with the coolest matching, site reading, flash cards (ages 6 and up!) When I pointed this out to her mom she was surprised!

Natalie is beyond her years and Melissa is such a great mom. She even got Chris to eat 2 carrots and try the cocktail sauce! Okay, I'm not sure if paying someone to eat their veggies is a good idea but he did it for a $1. I don't think I'll be putting 'green' on the table next to his 'greens' anytime soon but Melissa had him laughing all through lunch.

Again.... I didn't have my camera! I am shooting myself!

Thanks Melissa and Natalie! We miss you already!

Brave Girls Shopping with BOYS!!!!

We were planning to have my friend Amiee and her boys (Adrian 8 & Luca 3) over today to swim. With cool temps and pending rain, what else do you do in Michigan when it rains? We went shopping... heading out to Great Lakes Crossing and 'Did the Mall'!

We had lunch at Rainforest Cafe, where Luca was enthralled with all the animals but became a little nervous when they started to move and make noise. He was a real trooper and made it just fine through lunch.

Chris and Adrian had fun doing what boys do best, and Amiee even let Chris push Luca around in the stroller for a while. He LOVED this... visions of things to come...

We went to Outdoor World, to see the fish and mandarins, and various 'stuffed' animals! Once we got that out of the way we lured the boys into some of our favorite children's clothing stores by bribing them with ice cream at DQ later. When they were filled with DQ we let them run around on the play area and take a ride on the carousel. Chris loved getting a chance to "watch" Luca, giving him an excuse to crawl all over the play food himself!

It was a perfect way to spend a rainy summer day, letting the boys bond and giving us mom's times to dream about getting our girls one day...

Thanks Amiee, Adrian & Luca! Chris & I had a very fun day!

My only regret... I didn't bring my camera!

Amiee's LID

BIG NEWS!! BIG NEWS!! BIG NEWS!!

After a typical 6 month round of paper chasing, our friends are LID for their daughter, EDEN.

Amiee called me on Friday full of excitement! Her agency had contacted her with the news that their LID is April 16th, 2007!

I met Amiee almost five years ago when Chris began 1st Grade. She was his 1st Grade teacher! Back then I was still doing my infertility stuff and her son Adrian was just a little guy in pre-school!

Since then, Amiee and her husband Ron had a second son Luca who is almost three. Adrian is in the 3rd grade now, he plays hockey and just had his First Communion!

I will never forget the day I told Amiee of our adoption news! Not to hurt anyone else's feelings... but Amiee's reaction does top ALL! She jumped up, let out this excited scream a gave me a big hug! Her enthusiasm warmed me for days! That was last spring...

Just after school began in the fall, I got a call from Amiee asking if she could talk to me about our adoption. They were thinking of adopting from China as well! Yeah, a real friend who is adopting too! Nice to have company in the Roller Coaster!

They are such a nice family, any child would be blessed to be part of their home! Eden will be so loved!

Congratulations, Amiee, Ron, Adrian and Luca!

Now if we could just speed up the wait!

Flowers from Hope

Saturday was one of those few and far between lazy winter mornings.

Jim and I slept-in, recovering from a stressful week while Chris enjoyed his usual Saturday morning full of uninterrupted video games.

As Jim and I snuggled in listening to the blips and beeps of Chris' fun, we recounted our week, convincing ourselves that it was perfectly justified to enjoy a lazy morning.

After counting our blessings and planning our day we finally decided to join the land of the living.

Jim went to practice his bass and I took my coffee into my sewing room, booted up my pc and called my mom. My usual morning routine. As we were discussing one of our favorite topics... "How much longer until we are referred" someone came to my door. Ugh! I'm in my pajamas, it's a perfect Saturday morning, how dare a solicitor spoil my morning?

When I got up I realized this was no solicitor, it was a floral delivery! Oooooh! How exciting! I still had my mom on the phone as I talked to the delivery person and opened the flowers. They were just beautiful. Pinks! My absolute favorite! Roses, carnations, alstroemerias and daisies in a pretty cut crystal vase with a silver frame. As I fumbled with the card, I was telling my mom all about the flowers and wondered who would have sent them.

When I read the card, began to cry. I was quite shocked really. I couldn't even read the whole thing at first. I kept saying, "Who would have done this?" When I stopped crying I finally read:

Dear Mommy, Daddy and Big Brother,

I can't wait to be your
daughter. It won't be long now.
I am so excited. I know
that it will be love at first sight.

Love, Hope your daughter.

I ran to Jim crying and holding the card. I actually scared him. Once he recovered realizing it wasn't bad news, he said he hadn't sent the flowers. I spent the next half hour trying to discover who sent me this amazing gift to no avail. I have my suspicions but no proof. The florist said that it was someone who wanted to remain anonymous, but to tell me that it was someone who loved me very much...

I want to thank whoever sent us these beautiful flowers and moving message from our baby, from the bottom of my heart. What a touching, selfless gift. Whoever you are, you know that these last 10 months have been very difficult, but Hope is beginning to feel 'real'. The message from her made it so. Thank-you.

Later that evening we had a house full of friends, who toasted Hope, wherever she may be. Wishes of health and a speedy referral, were all around. I just sat back and looked around at all the happiness in the room, absorbing the warmth, the joy, the love. How blessed I am, with friends, family and a baby on the way...

After 8 years I'm finally "pregnant".