Our Nola

I have very close family ties to Mississippi and Louisiana. Hurricane Katrina definitely left a mark on my family and impacted thousands of others. The Gulf Coast is still reeling from the disaster and with the tenacious spirit of it's inhabitants, the area will be born again. But there is still much recovery to do. Last year, one of my favorite shows, Studio 60, (now cancelled) did an amazing Christmas episode. It was probably one of the better holiday shows I have ever seen. And although I may be a little biased, the music from that episode will stay with me forever. Unfortunately, the clip from the show is no longer available on NBC. The episode featured musical performances by New Orleans musicians displaced after the hurricane. The musicians were led by Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews in an original arrangement of "O Holy Night". The song is amazing, stunning, beautiful and haunting all at the same time. It is sure to leave you with chills or at the very least an overwhelming sense of peace. The musical arrangement was assembled with the help of the Tipitina's Foundation, an organization dedicated to restoring Louisiana's irreplaceable music community and preserve the state's unique musical culture. Another one of our favorite sites is Save Nola. (NOLA, the abbreviation for New Orleans, LA) Several evacuees, in a attempt to rebuild their city by raising funds to build homes founded the sportswear line. The items are created, made and promoted by a group of native New Orleanians who lost their homes and personal possessions. 100% of the net proceeds will go to organizations dedicated to building, rebuilding or “greening” homes in New Orleans. The New Orleans affiliate of Habitat for Humanity is one such program. Save Nola is proud to support their unprecedented effort to build homes and restore our beloved city. Additionally, Global Green is working to create a safer, sustainable environment for the city’s future. The line of merchandise is great. We have t-shirts, baseball caps, and a tote which are rotated weekly in our wardrobe, they are staples really. Together, we will save Nola.

And that leads me to our daughter. We are giving Mattine the middle name of Nola. Although, it is a city she has never visited it is a place she will learn to know and love- the food, the culture, the family ties. She already has an incredible spirit and has overcome so much. The future awaits her and with the help and love of family, friends and strangers alike she will continue to grow and blossom. The name just seemed fitting. Except it is our "Nola Girl" who is saving us!

ONE step closer to Mattine!

Fed-ex is my new best friend. Our I-600 reached it's final destination today in Vietnam. Big sigh of relief. The ball is officially in play. From here we wait anywhere from 30-60 days for US Immigration to review our daughter's file and make a determination. We are confident she will be granted a Visa. I feel like there is no sense in worrying about her being denied. It is the furthered thought from my mind currently probably because I just can't wrap my arms around the concept although I know it is a faint possibility. I am trying to be optimistic that the process will roll along even though there are a host of concrete variables- Christmas, New Year's and Tet.

All I am asking for Christmas is pictures of the little munchkin. It has been two months since we have received photo's and I can't imagine how much she has changed. Those are the changes that parents document and record. Those are some of the stories that are shared with the child when they get older. It's her life and I feel like each day that passes we miss so much. She misses so much. So, I am hopeful we will have a special delivery for the holidays.

It is still so warm here. Normally by now we have a break in the weather. I bought this fabulous jacket a couple of months ago and still haven't had the opportunity to rock it out. I am looking forward t a crisp day when I can throw it on... it is so pretty! And colorful- I normally don't wear too much color but this jacket was irresistible to the senses. I longingly look at it in the closet almost everyday.

I have a couple of key items to pick up tomorrow and then the shopping is officially done, even if it isn't. There is no way I am stepping foot in the mall this weekend. To my embarrassment and disappointment I would have to resign myself to gift cards. Hiss, The awful GC, I know. But sometime you just have to throw your chips in and take the loss.

As much as I would love to continue to ramble, a new book is calling my attention. Good night and a happy Friday to all. Hopefully it turns 5 o'clock before you know and the weekend fun kicks in!

Love and light!

Christmas on the Intracoastal

What do Floridians do to prepare for the upcoming holidays? We don't shovel snow! And we certainly don't pull out the parka's! Instead we go caroling with a hot toddie (or a cold beer) on the high seas..... tradionally, a group of us jump on the boat and watch the beautifully decorated and extremely lit boat parade putting across the calm seas. The event always sparks a festive mood! Now if I could just finish up my shopping all would be well!
Fa La La La La La La La!

Surprise...surprise

There is nothing I love more than a package waiting for me at the door when I get home. (For the record- there are things I love more, for instance a hot towel right out of the dryer, a crisp sunny day, being out on the boat, fresh baked, soft chocolate chip cookies, and of course beautiful shoes!) I don't shop on-line very often so receiving a package from the postman is a pretty big deal in my house. There is the excitement of tearing the box open to see what is in inside and the anxiety of whether or not I will like what I ordered. Usually what I liked a week ago isn't so high on my liking list a week later. Anyway, this weekend we are celebrating our sixth wedding anniversary. I decided I would buy myself something just in case my significant other didn't. I am only looking out for him in this regard by making sure I have something I like and want. Honestly, it was just an excuse to buy the bracelet I have been eyeing for a couple of months. So, I ordered this fabulous bauble from EnergyMuse. The manifestation bracelet just seemed fitting. And I totally love it. This really isn't the time of year to be gifting for oneself but you'll see my strange, obscure rationalization above. The site says this about the piece:

All of us are born with potential. Reaching that potential is the greatest gift we can give back to the Universe. The Manifestation bracelet was created to support that journey.

I really need to finish up my holiday shopping. I have a couple of individuals who are stumping me. That is one of the reasons I typically don't like Christmas. We put so much stress and pressure on ourselves to make it perfect. Just that one time of the year, the stars must be perfectly aligned. And the commercial aspect of people just buying things for the sake of buying them really turns me off on the holidays. There are things I love about Christmas. I love seeing Christmas lights. I love sugar cookies made only the way my mom makes there with her signature lemon sugar icing. I love wrapping presents and making them look beautiful. In fact, the people I am stumped on just may end up getting a spectacularly wrapped box with nothing inside. Just a pretty box! I love the cool nights of December in Florida. It is cool enough to go and enjoy the weather but not so cold you don't want to be outside. So, I guess I am not a complete Ba Hum Bug! Back to my trials and tribulations currently scouring for the perfect gift...the weird thing is that I love to give presents especially when I know I have found the "perfect" gift. It needs to have the right sentiment. It needs to be personal. I will shop throughout the year and put items aways with particular people in mind. In fact, sometimes I forget what I have bought and have a fantastic surprise when I pull everything out to wrap. Sometimes, I am lucky enough to end up with an extra gift for myself!

If all the difficulties were known at the outset of a long journey, most of us would never start out.

-Dan Rather

Things may be looking up!

I have to admit...

I am a french fry toucher. I have a couple of food fetishes and one of my wackiest ones is that I always "feel" my french fries before I pop them in my mouth. I know this sounds strange. But I feel like the weight of the world has been lifted from my shoulder by confessing this odd behaviour. Here's the deal: I don't like mushy anything especially french fries. I don't even like fried food but given the fact that the potato slivers are called "french FRY" it just insinuates crunchy, firm, solid, and slightly hollow. It does not mean, soggy, oily, moist, or flimsy. My test method is simple. Pointer finger gently presses the meatiest portion of the fry and waits to see the reaction of the cooked carb. This is a hard habit to break when out with friends who have yet to encounter the "touching" spectacle. And I must add that I won't start to man handle anyone else's fries, poking around on someone else's plate uninvited....unless of course we are on a first name basis and you are comfortable with the process. Needless to say, very few french fries actually pass the test and so it really isn't too much of a problem for my waistline. It's kinda it's own weird diet. My food issues don't stop with french fries. I don't eat bread. And this is not because of any "non-white" diet food item. I just don't like bread. Bread baskets at dinner do nothing for me except clutter the table. If I was going to eat bread it must not be soggy. That means that I have a time limit on when I can eat a sandwich if there were any condiments on it i.e. mayonnaise, oil and vinegar, mustard. I am always racing the clock and fighting the wetness factor of the bread. I get completely freaked out when foods unintentionally touch each other. It's not that I can't mix food but I have limits as to what can and the conditions must be appropriate. I especially have a problem if something salty touches something sweet. I don't like liquids from the meal to be on my plate. There have been occasions when I have had to wipe my plate free from liquid. If I totally hate the food on the plate it needs to be removed quickly. For instance, if they bring a pickle on the plate (I am a finicky pickle eater) then I need to place it on someone else's plate or at least a napkin if I am not going to eat it. I like my food either hot or cold but nowhere in between. When food is ready I believe it should be eaten, then with no delay. I don't gally-lag around the kitchen. I sit down and eat. I have no idea where all these strange issues came from. My parents are completely normal and did not instill this in me. I am very lucky that loved ones and friends understand and accept my odd food behavior. I am discreet with my food fetishes. I never make a scene or display bad behaviour in public. Most important and in terms of the future, I am hopeful that my daughter will not learn these bad habits from me. I know the cycle needs to be broken. I acknowledge that once Mattine arrives I will be so busy with her and our new life I will be elated to eat a soggy french fry. Hopefully it will be the match stick kind- much less chance of finding a flimsy fry!

Leaving Orlando!

I went to visit my BFF (so high school but I love it) today in Orlando and we had a fantastic afternoon. The perfect day included a cool but crisp afternoon, coffee, yummy lunch, engaging and humorous conversation (nobody gets me like she does!), and of course her beautiful children. We have been friends for so long and have gone through so much together........stopping at red lights, sneaking over the railings, are you coming up for air?, cleaning whitewalls leaving no evidence of our activity, the many firsts of so many things, FIRE WOMAN at the top of our lungs, BK lounge, Flagler atrocities, and then real life.......... I couldn't imagine not having her in my life and I can't wait for her and her family to meet Mattine. Anyway, when I was leaving her town, Orlando, I followed my trusty navigation unit. She (navigation unit) has a British accent and is very annoying. She occasionally repeats herself. Hate that! Anyway, sometimes she likes to take the long way and if you avoid her directions she will re-calculate and then in an agreeing manner (still British wanting tea and scones tone) she will get you back on track. Well, today I got turned around. Of course, she made matters worse and I knew she was trying to send me the long way so I avoided her. Needless to say, we both ended up lost. Funny thing is that she (British navigation unit) doesn't know anything about CLOSED on-ramps. Every time she tried to send me a new way we got even more lost. What's worse? Know when you can see the interstate but just can't get there? I mean, you are close but the unobtainable carrot is just dangling in front of you- all roads are closed, all exits lead away from the ramp. That is how I felt today. Such a defeating feeling. However, I had an idea this may happen. And left myself a thirty minute window. I knew I would escape but it might take me a little while. Anyone who has tried to leave the ferocious vacation city of Orlando knows how tricky the feat can be. In my opinion, only one other city ranks up there with Orlando and that is Atlanta (a city I have had the pleasure and pain of having called a residence). In fact, I think it is a conspiracy that the developers of Orlando made the roads so that once you made it Disney World you wouldn't be able to leave. Mickey sneers and smirks from I-4 taunting you, challenging you to find the road out! Well, I made it. No thanks to British direction girl or Mickey but my own directional tenacity. I did the driver victory dance. Funny thing is that at one point, while lost in Downtown Church Street Station vicinity, a friend who I was on the phone with, suggested I call my husband to get me out of the mess. I found this thought hysterical and preposterous. How on Earth was my husband two hundred miles away going to figure out where the hell I was and then figure out how to get me home when I couldn't even figure it out. And I surely wasn't going to call my BFF. She would be rolling on the ground laughing that I couldn't find my way out of a paper bag- that's for sure. Good news, I got out of town with a couple of minutes to spare!

CNN Video About Vietnamese Adoption

For those of you who have not seen the video, it is a good synopsis or example of the current situation regarding our adoption . Please be patient and stay tuned after the small commercial interlude. Here is the link.