hollysdaze

Bad Blogger - Good Facebooker

2010-08-14T08:18:00.002-06:00

Wow. Have I really not posted even one time to this blog in 2010?

I joined Facebook and fell off the face of Blog Earth.

If you know my name, send me a friend request. LOL! :-)

Be well,
Holly

Nativity Scene Drawing/Giveaway

2009-12-16T10:01:00.001-07:00

Please take a look at http://autumnaskswhy.blogspot.com/ to enter your Comment for a chance in the drawing for a nativity scene.

Here is what I wrote in the Comments:

Sad to say, I have ZERO nativity scenes. Zip. Zilch. Nothin'. :-( It's high time I added one, right? This one would be lovely! :-)

My 6 year old daughter picked up my oldest daughter's 2000 Millinium Baby ornament as we were decorating the tree and reverently said, "Is this the baby Jesus?" So sad. She needs a real nativity set!

My favorite set was the one my mom had when I was little. The was late 50's though the 60's. The stable had real hay glued on the roof and the little figurines of the wise men, shephards, baby Jesus, Mary, Joseph, et al, were made of painted chaulk! You could pick up each one and scratch a little white powder off the bottom, if you were sneaky. :-)

In the 70's, my mom and my grandmother took a ceramics class and made LOVELY (and huge) sets that are still in use in my mom and oldest sister's homes. Who knows where the humble chaulk and hay set is?

I'm off to post to my Facebook and my blog. Thanks for entering me!

All the best from Colorado.
-Holly

Santa 2009

2009-12-08T03:40:00.002-07:00

Irene's 7th BD and World AIDS Day 2009

2009-12-01T00:14:00.004-07:00

Today we celebrate the 7th birthday of my middle daughter, Irene!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Irene!! Her heart's desires for her presents were an iPod and a suitcase. LOL! We gave her a three piece suitcase set in her favorite color -- red! I told her she may not pack it, or I will have to pack mine to go along with her and daddy and May and Jane will have to pack theirs, too. We belong TOGETHER as a family. She giggles at me. :-) We have made such HUGE progress in the last two years! Grandpa sent her the iPod and she LOVES it. Look how cute she and Jane are together. I can see them as teenagers. :-)

It is also World AIDS Day. I will wear a red ribbon ... Education ... Awareness ... Research ... Fight ... Prayer ... and one day ... Cure!

Safety and Anonymity

2009-11-23T14:58:00.002-07:00

Just a quick reminder that I keep our last name, city, location, name of schools, etc. all private on this blog. I may be fooling myself, but I believe this allows for a greater level of safety.

Thank you for respecting our "anonymity" when you post comments to messages.

XXXOOO,
-Holly

Fall/Autumn

2009-10-05T13:44:00.006-06:00

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns." -- George Eliot

I love Fall.

I sometimes wish I could recall my life in such detail that I would know if something fabulous happened to me in the Fall, and this time of year somehow brings back that feeling, or if I just like it for itself and all its coolness, beauty and change.

-Holly

Sad News About Skippy

2009-09-25T17:02:00.007-06:00

We have enjoyed our little Skippy dog (rat terrier/chihuahua) for a year. During this whole time, she has had a seizure disorder. Normally, she seizes and recovers with temporary blindness and wobbliness that lasts for a short time (under an hour). She might go a month between seizures. But, a few days ago, she had a day that was practically ENTIRELY filled with seizures. She never had time to recover before another one was on her. The following morning, her breathing was very labored and she was nonresponsive. I took her for what would be her final visit to the vet. They kept her for about 6 hours, but she was gone. I made the extremely sad and hard choice to have her euthanized.

I have cried buckets. My heart has not been this broken since 1976.

I miss her terribly. I never had a pet who adored me like Skippy did. If I sat down, she was ON me. She always snuggled beside me under the comforter at night. She was my faithful friend.

I am so happy I got to know her for that short, short year. She gave me a feeling of Hope when I had little. She made me feel love through a very tough period in my life.

I am thankful.

RIP, Skippy, precious friend.

On a similar "doggie news" note -- I came home after my final visit with Skippy and I hugged our other dog, Cosmos (red heeler). His chest "felt closer" to me than it normally did. I backed away and noticed a tennis ball-sized lump on his throat! It was just as if he had swallowed a tennis ball! I called the vet and made an appointment for the next day for him to have surgery for an abscess. They kept him overnight. It was VERY HARD for me to be dogless for a night. Sad. :-(

When I went to pick Cos up, and CONFIRM the payment arrangement I had made the day before, the owner of the place came out to talk with me. He was extremely rude, belittling, mean, and downright cruel. I have given this man far too much of my time and energy, so I won't go into details here. But, let me say that after 6 years of our family's business -- he lost it with his 35 minute tirade. I will go further and tell you that I definitely DO NOT RECOMMEND DUBLIN ANIMAL HOSPITAL in Colorado Springs, Colorado. I have mixed opinions of the vets and office staff there. But, I will not be giving the owner any more of my money than what I have agreed (and WHEN he and I agreed). Period.

Having given this a lot of thought, I really feel sorry for him. Either he has really been burned by people not living up to their financial promises and obligations to him, or this economy is really hurting his business. Maybe both? But, I am a person of integrity and am offended by his treatment of me as his personal whipping post.

I find that you get what you expect. Since he expects the worst -- he seems to get the worst. Perhaps a fresh approach would be in order? Maybe my living up to my promises to him will help him begin on a new path toward belief in the Good that surrounds him? :-)

OK. There. I'm done.

Rest in peace, my sweet little Skippy.

-Holly

9-11-2001 Never Ever Forget

2009-09-11T09:43:00.004-06:00

You can hit us, but you cannot knock us down.

9-11-2001. Never forget.

A Summertime Challenge

2009-06-08T09:39:00.014-06:00

Most of us freely support our local food banks at Thanksgiving time, and via a few canned food drives at our children's schools, right?

But, people need food all year 'round.

And, in today's economy, food banks are stretched to the limit. They often find themselves with nearly bare shelves, due to demand exceeding supply.

A challenge ... as you are making lists of fun things to do with your children this summer, please add one more thing:

* Provide service to a food bank

This can look like a donation of canned and dry goods (we usually think of canned foods, but they also take boxes and bags of cereal, canned meats, baby food and baby supplies such as diapers, and even pet food, too!). Or, you could call and ask if they need help organizing their supplies.

There is a lot of nasty talk these days on the political side about "Socialism" and "keeping my money." Have we all forgotten what The Great Teacher, Jesus Christ, said in Matthew 25:35-40 (NIV):

35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40 "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'
---------
And, while you are gathering those items for the food bank, please consider adding a little prayer of thanks to God for the job that allows you to share. Sharing is good and kind. It is the right thing to do. It is not Socialism. It is being part of your community and providing love to your fellow human beings. I know you have it in you! :-)

Make a deposit in the food banks today. You never know when it might be YOU who needs to make a withdrawal.

Thank you.
-Holly

Easter 2009

2009-06-04T15:09:00.011-06:00

Back to Spring Break- Play Date

2009-06-04T13:22:00.019-06:00

Sooooo ... way back in early April, the girls had two weeks off school for Spring Break. One of the favorite things that happened was that they had their friends A and E over for a play date. They baked brownies, had a frantic and CRAZY scavenger hunt in the house, played outside (put their heads in the snow drift. LOL!), made charm bracelets, jumped on the mini trampoline, chewed bubble gum and blew bubbles, and had Chinese food for dinner. I am sure they did other things, but I cannot now recall them. :-)

The girls were SO HAPPY to be with each other again. We have taken this past year off Chinese school, and that was where we mainly saw one another. So, we have all missed one another.

When I took A&E home, I got to see baby R again. Ahhhhhh ... so sweet! Look below at her tiny hand in my hand. She is a miracle. ALL our kids are!!

Here are some of my favorite photos from that day so long ago. HAHAHA ;-)

24 hours passed - oh dear

2009-05-28T20:14:00.003-06:00

OK. The 24 hours passed and I did not post the promised 10 messages. BUT, the day is not over. LOL! I am extending my deadline! WOO! HOO!! LOL! :-)

Here is a shot I took today in May's class. Jane's last day was May 20. Irene's last day was today and she was released already. We all headed to May's 3rd grade class.

I now have a FOURTH Grader (May) and a FIRST Grader (Irene) and a KINDERGARTENER (Jane). I cannot believe it.

More photos later!! The girls are staying up late (anything past 8pm is late for them) and they should be exploding any second now (nearly 9pm). I'll be back.

-Holly

Oops -- I did it again

2009-05-27T11:28:00.002-06:00

(Do you remember that Brittney Spears song? So annoying. My girls have started singing it recently, because they discovered it on the Barbie website. They tell me that Barbie sings it. I think it is "too grown up" for little girls to be singing. Call me a PRUDE, but little girls grow up toooooo fast and are sexualized and materialized TOO much. There. I've said it.)

ANYWAY -- Long time, no blog! Enough of you have emailed me to poke me with your itty bitty cattle prods to GET GOING, already. I hear you.

I have become a serious Facebook addict. I need a 12 step program. It is SO easy and fast. It's like a giant chat over coffee with 200 of your friends.

BUT, I also know that there are many of you here who do not know me anywhere else. So, I will do better at remembering that.

I make you this promise: I will post a series of 10 messages within the next 24 hours. Each message will feature at least 4 photos. How's THAT??!! :-)

Now ... if I forget ... someone please email me and remind me. LOL!

XXXOOO,
-Holly

It's all in how you look at it

2009-04-26T16:46:00.003-06:00

"When you have two pennies left in the world,

buy a loaf of bread with one and a lily with the other."

-- Chinese proverb

I really love that.

Things are improving at our house. Chris has a consulting job as a General Manager with a company associated with home remodeling and improvement. These days, people remodel rather than move. :-)

We choose to see our glass as half full!

At this very moment, I am watching the movie "Fun with Dick and Jane" with Jim Carey (I'm not watching the movie with him, he is IN the movie. haha). Things could be worse!! LOL!! This movie hits a little close to home. But, I am laughing!!!!! :-)

-Holly

Happy Birthday, Chris!!

2009-04-15T09:53:00.006-06:00

We interrupt this Spring Break Photo Festival for a quick HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Chris/Daddy!! WOOOOO!!! HOOOOOOO!!!!! Party time (and key lime pie time! Yum!)!

May this year hold an abundance of Peace and Security for you, my treasured Love.

143!

-Holly

These photos were taken on Easter Sunday, as we combined Easter with Chris' BD celebration with our extended family. Doesn't everyone look great in their yellow?!

Spring Break - Hat Girls

2009-04-14T14:56:00.001-06:00

Spring Break - Time with Grandma

2009-04-14T14:48:00.003-06:00

Spring Break-Game Playing

2009-04-14T13:54:00.004-06:00

Spring Break

2009-04-11T20:20:00.006-06:00

As some of you know, we were off school for TWO WEEKS for Spring Break.

WHY??? You may ask. Well, I have a theory. I think it is so that families who have two households (divorce) can have time with the kids. There are two weeks for Fall Break, too. Two weeks is a nice vacation for a non-custodial parent.

For us -- it's a little LONG. And, more so when finances are tight and traveling is out.

BUT, we did have fun this Spring Break! The first few days were rough, as we got used to the change in routine. After that, we relaxed and enjoyed it.

Some of the things we did included:
* Blew off all promised play dates. We didn't really PLAN this. It's just that we ARE a play date unto ourselves. LOL! It never occurs to me to arrange play dates in order to amuse my children. They handle that very well, themselves. I teach them ALLLLLLL the time that there is NO excuse for an intelligent person to be "bored." And, it is not my job to entertain them. They are VERY good at that! So, apologies to all the mom who mentioned play dates to me, and did not hear from me. It just never occurs to me! Sorry. :-(

* Did have one FUN play date. This was with our friends who have the new baby sister "R" in my previous posts. Two of the daughters are May and Irene's ages. The girls are very close friends and we MISS each other terribly since we became Chinese School Dropouts this year. It was SO GOOD to see the Merry Band running together. They had a scavenger hunt, made charm bracelets, playing in the snow, jumped on the little jump-o-line, baked brownies, and just played in the toys. All the girls had a blast!

* Played games. LOTS of games! Mostly, we played Life and a card game called Popcorn.

* Visited Grandma. We spent a couple of afternoons at Grandma's house, and she taught us some card games. May LOVES to play popcorn!

* Went to the movies. We finally saw "The Tale of Despereaux." It was fun!

* Tried to go to another movie ("Marley & Me") but never did make it there, because the SNOW (and more snow!) prevented us from going out. Truthfully, I was rather glad about missing this movie, as I have been warned by countless Other Mothers that the ending will make us cry. I would rather see it at home, where I can bawl my eyes out freely, and not feel inhibited by being at the theatre.

* Did yoga. Yes, yoga. The girls asked me what yoga is, and I had them drag their small play mats out as I popped in a yoga DVD. They were all REALLY good at yoga!

* Played with food. We made Meat Men for dinner one night. Meat men are pieces of lunch meat that you decorate with facial features made of condiments, pickles, cheese, etc. and then you eat them! It is fun. Give it a try.

* Watched it blizzard, tried to play in the blizzard, shoveled snow, played in the snow. I think it must have snowed more during those two weeks than it did all winter long! It was GREAT!! I had been wishing for more snow! Go ahead -- blame it on me. :-)

* Probably the biggest thing we did was to set up a bedroom for May. The three girls had been sharing a "sleeping room" and had a playroom in the bedroom next-door. But, May decided she wanted to have her own room! This is HUGE. She is feeling safe and secure! She is growing up! This is very cool. So, we took down Irene's double/full bed and stored it in the basement. Irene moved to Janie lower bunk and Janie moved to May's upper bunk. And, May moved next-door to the former playroom. But, not before we moved alllllllllllllllllllllllll the toys out, cleaned, rearranged, etc. Our entire main floor of our house seemed to be FILLED with plastic bins that were FILLED with toys. But, both bedrooms are getting into great shape now. And, all the girls are happy with their new beds. It is more hectic for ME at bedtime, as I need to read in two rooms. But, I'll live. :-)

* We got the girls some new winter hats on clearance. Tis the season! The end of the season!

* Chris took each othe girls for some special one-to-one Daddy time. Mostly, they just ran errands and went to the Library. But, time ALONE with Daddy is special! This always brings to mind my Daddy Dates at Michelle's ice cream parlorwith my Daddy when I was a little girl. He would wear a suit and I would wear my best dress. He would buy me a butterscotch sundae. These are sweet memories to me in a variety of ways. I hope my daughters look back on special times with their Daddy with the same smiles when they are grown up.

* We also did our usual crafts and stuff.

All-in-all, it was a nice Spring Break. And, we were all quite ready to have school start up again on April 6th!

Pictures will follow in other posts.

-Holly

More of Baby R

2009-03-30T18:05:00.003-06:00

Is this a beautiful baby, or what??

Meeting Baby R

2009-03-30T11:17:00.017-06:00

It occurred to me that I never posted pictures of when I took May and Janie to meet lovely and sweet Baby R on March 7! She was 48 hours old. R is such a beautiful baby girl! Mom L and Dad D are truly blessed to have this wonderful baby.

Each of our children, whether biological or adopted, has arrived in this world as a little baby. It was great to show May and Jane a baby and to open more dialogue about their beginnings. Janie asked if Baby R was born in China! LOL! We also have had MANY talks about birthfamilies, adoption, and personal history - all prompted by the arrival of Baby R! She is amazing in so many ways.

It had snowed that day and the sky was so beautiful as we drove to see them in the hospital. I felt SOOOOOO excited to meet this teeny, tiny person who was SO BIG in this world!

I battled back happy tears as L handed R to me to hold. This baby is an amazing person! Janie and May both were in awe at the sight of tiny baby R. Jane was afraid to hold her, but May opened loving arms to welcome R. She was so tiny and so perfect!

Things have changed since I have visited a newborn in the hospital! She wore a little alarm on her ankle that would shut down the whole hospital if it went off! Very cool.

As we were getting ready to leave the hospital and go back home, R's daddy, big brother and one of her four big sisters showed up for a visit. So, I got to take a few shots of them, too. Aren't they all amazing?? I let Mama L have a short break from my camera lens. She looked beautiful, too (always does!).

Here we are meeting R at the hospital two days after she was born:

Fingernails

2009-03-30T11:09:00.003-06:00

Before I continue, let me just say how plain my hands look in all those crocheting photos! LOL! I am letting my natural nails "rest" from my fake nails for a while (I do this periodically) and my fingers look really short to me! Plus, my hands are aging and becoming kind of dry and puffy. I am NOT complaining! Let's hear it for aging!!! WOOOOOOO!!! HOOOOOOO!!! So much better than the alternative (being dead!)!

I'm no hand model. :-)

-Holly

Learn to Crochet - Lesson 7 - Afghan Stitch (zig zag)

2009-03-24T13:05:00.018-06:00

Learn to Crochet - Lesson 7 - Afghan Stitch (zig zag)

And now for your final lesson. How to make the pattern that makes the zig-zag pattern in afghans.

You will start with a chain that is at least 1.5 times as wide as you want your afghan to be. The extra length will be taken up once the zigs and zags start forming.

For my example, I wanted to make 2 zig-zags with 9 Single Crochet stitches on each ascending and descending part of the zig or zag or "V". You need 1 extra stitch at the top to work THREE stitches into. And, you SKIP 2 extra stitches at the bottom to make the work start climbing back up again. So, for each full "V" shape, I will need 9+1+9-1. I like to leave a little wiggle room, so I make 44 Chains.

Once you calculate how many chains you will need, and you have finished the chains, lay them down on the floor (or a table) and form fake zig-zags to see if it looks about right to you. Remember -- you will need about 1.5 more length to your chain than what you really WANT the size to be when it is finished.

When you are finished with your chain, turn around and skip the first Chain (as always) and do 9 Single Crochet stitches. Into the next Chain (the 10th) do THREE Single Crochets into that ONE (the 10th) Chain stitch. After making those 3-in-1 stitches, make 9 more Single Crochet stitches into the next 9 Chains. Now you are ready to form the bottom of a "V" by SKIPPING 2 chains. Just finish your 9 and then ignore the next 2 Chains. Now do 9 Single Crochets and you are at the top of the "V" again. Do 3 Single Crochets into ONE Chain and then continue with the 9 Single Crochets down to the bottom of the "V" and SKIP 2 Chains.

Skipping the 2 stitches on the down side of the V:

3 Single Crochets in ONE stitch to form the up part of the V:

Continue this same way until the end of the FIRST ROW. Add your 1 additional Chain stitch to turn around.

Now, things change a little. You can see that you have been adding 2 extra stitches by making the TOP of the "V" - right? Well, now you need to do a little Math in your work and subtract back OUT those two extra stitches. If you forget, your sides will be SUPER CROOKED!!! LOL!

Here's the math: (Do NOT apply this to the first row you work on the Chain row. Do that first row as above.) On the second row, and all following rows, start with the extra chain at the end of the finished row. Turn around and do 2 or 3 Single Crochets, then SKIP 1 of the stitches (you just subtracted 1 of the 2 extra stitches). Work your way across the entire row (in my case, 9sc, 3sc in 1, 9sc, skip 2, repeat). When you get to the very last part (the final 9 Single Crochets), do 7 of the 9 and then SKIP 1 stitch and do the remaining 2 Single Crochets. You have reached the end and can now add the extra Chain and turn back around. Make sense?

The logic is that when you do the inside zigs and zags, you are doing the proper math by adding 2 extra stitches in the top where you do 3 in one hole, and then removing 2 stitches at the bottom of each zig zag. But. at each side, you need to remove one stitch. Therefore, you skip 1 stitch at each side before adding the extra Chain stitch and turning around.

After you do about a billion rows (remember the addictive quality of crocheting! LOL!) you will do these steps without even thinking about them or having to count them. Your work will just flow and you will be in that meditative state.

That ends this course on learning to crochet! I hope you are crocheting!! Send me email with any questions, and send me photos of what you work on!! I would really LOVE to see.

-Holly

Learn to Crochet - Lesson 6 - Yarn Changes

2009-03-24T12:40:00.006-06:00

Learn to Crochet - Lesson 6 - Yarn Changes

So, now you are making long chains of Chain stitches, and going back to do Single Crochet stitches into the Chains.

What about when you are running out of yarn in your skein, and need to tie another skein on; or you want to change to a different color?

There are two ways of ending a skein or changing colors: Tie Off, or Weave In

Tie Off
This is the method I use, for one personal reason. When I was a kid (I hate to admit these horrible stories about myself, but this is how we grow and teach, right??) my Mother had an afghan in her linen closet that was made by my Grandmother (my Daddy's Stepmother, who was just a WONDERFUL, kind, warm and loving person). This afghan was lovingly placed over us when we were children and were sick and on the couch. Nice, right? Well, kids are creative. I had plenty of time to look CLOSELY at that afghan. To pick at it. To find the worked-in ends and WORK THEM OUT and create huge holes in the afghan. :-( Later in life, when I learned how to crochet, I determined that no future person would be able to work MY ends out of my projects. So, I tie little knots to secure any ending. When I change colors, I tie. When I end a skein, I tie. I basically do at least two square knots (sometimes, three) and I pull the ends tightly. Then, I cut the loose yarn ends about 2-3 millimeters from the knot. To my knowledge, none of my knots has ever been picked out or let loose. And, I have washed our afghans TONS of times in the washing machine and dried them in the dryer. They are USED and not treasured.

So, I tie things off and work the little knot under the surrounding stitches so they don't show and poke out all over.

The two little 6 inch ends from starting the project and ending the project get looped through the end stitches and tied in. Then, I separate the 4 ply yarn into two sets of 2 ply, and I make tiny square knots with that yarn. Then, I cut the ends off about 2-3 millimeters from the knots. I work the knots back into the near-by stitches so they don't show.

Weave In
When changing colors at the end of a row, with a color you WILL use in the future, you basically incorporate the long pulled-out strand of yarn into the end stitches of your project until you are ready to change colors back to the color you stopped. Make sense? Just keep the skein near you and try to keep it from tangling in the project and the color you switched to. GOOD LUCK! LOL!! Hmmmmmm ... I think I remember a second reason why I decided to use the "make little knots" method instead of dragging those "not using right now" colors along beside me.

Do we think I have an issue with TANGLES?? LOL!

Life is too short to be untangling yarn knots all the time. :-)

Crocheters who use the "weave in" method, also work in the ends when they END a skein. When you are finished with a color, or a skein is running out, leave a strand hanging loose about12-18 inches. Also, start your NEW skein (or new color) by leaving a strand of yarn hanging out about 12-18 inches from where you start using that skein. When you are finished with the project (or you could go back as you are working) you go back and weave the loose strands of yarn into the project alongside the color that they are. Bad grammar. Use your hook to pull the loose ends into the project so they are not noticeable.

And, not able to be found by naughty ... er ... CREATIVE children with time on their hands!

-Holly

Spring Break Relaxation

2009-03-24T12:15:00.006-06:00

We interrupt Crochet Talk for some glimpses into how May (8), Irene (6) and Jane (5) relax during Spring Break:

May reads and listens to music:

Irene draws, colors and traces:

Janie enjoys the computer:

Eventually, Irene joins Jane at the computer:

Ahhhhhhhhh ... peace and quiet. At least for that moment. LOL!

-Holly

Learn to Crochet - Lesson 5 - Single Crochet Stitch

2009-03-23T09:19:00.049-06:00

Learn to Crochet - Lesson 5 - Single Crochet Stitch

Well, now you have your long chain. Now what? Let's do a second row and learn to do a Single Crochet.

TIP: Make sure when you hook the yarn strand (yarn over hook = yo) that you are getting the entire strand (4 ply means that there are 4 small strands that are wound together to form the one strand of yarn). If you are doing a stitch in the next row and the stitch into which you are working seems a little thin, look closely and see if you missed one or more of the 4 ply strands. If you did, do not rip out the row and redo it! Simply look closely and gather the rest of the strand into your new stitch. Does this make sense? It will. No matter how good of a Crocheter you are, you will undoubtedly miss a few of the 4 ply strands now and then. No biggie. Catch them up on the next row.

At the end of any finished row of crocheting, add one chain stitch (I nicknamed this the Turn-Around Stitch MANY years ago, so I would never forget it! LOL!). Since you are on your FIRST row, and they are all chain stitches, it is kind of silly to add one chain. But, you need to know to ALWAYS add that chain at the end of any finished row.

For right-handed people like me, (sorry, Lefties) you will now be working back toward the left side of your project. For the chain, you pretty much just let it fall straight down below your hands as you worked. Now, you will begin working right-to-left and building rows.

You now need to decide whether you would like your finished work to have a "flat" look, or a look with raised-looking rows. If you look at each chain stitch, you will see that it produces two strands of yarn in each stitch. If you work your new stitches in the front (near you) side of the chain stitches, you will get a "flat" project. If you decide to use the back (away from you) side of each chain, your rows will be raised and provide more texture to your finished project. The flat way makes the project go faster. The raised way makes the rows more visually interesting, but takes more yarn and goes more slowly. You get to decide. :-)

For my project shown in the pictures, I am working the front side of each stitch; thereby, creating a flatter look to my finished project. I'm in it for the SPEED, Baby!

However, I have now added a fairly equal second half in Single Crochet stitches with them worked into the BACK part of each Chain, so you can see the difference. The "flat" side with stitches worked into the front part of each chain took 8 rows. The side worked into the back side of each chain took 11 rows to get the same length. See below.

Single Crochet

After adding the extra chain at the end of the finished row, take your hook and place it into the SECOND chain stitch. This does not count the additional chain you added at the end of the previous row, which remains as the one on your hook. Plus, you need to remember to skip the first stitch in order for your sides to be nice and straight. We will check this after working at least 6 rows. After poking the hook into the second chain, draw the strand of yarn up through that second chain. You will now have two loops on your hook. Hold your hook horizontally, and wrap the yarn over (yo) your hook and draw it to the right through the two loops that are on your hook. They will go into the project as the Single Crochet and you will be left with one strand remaining ON your hook. TA-DA!! You did your first sc. :-)

Remember NOT to pull the yarn out too much. You are still striving to make each and every stitch the same size. Make them large enough to pull the yarn through with your hook comfortably. You should not have to poke and pull at the stitch to get it to come through the loop. It should slide through without strain or tension. Remember to keep things loosey-goosey ... but not TOO loosey-goosey! If your stitches are too long/loose, your project will be too filled with undesired holes and gaps. Make the stitches just big enough to get the hook through with the yarn on it. Go for uniformity.

Soooooo ... after that first Single Crochet, make sure the loop that remains on your hook is not too close to the row or too far away. Make needed adjustments.

Now, poke your hook into the third chain. Loop the yarn over the hook and draw it back to the right through the chain. You have those two loops on your hook again. Hold the hook horizontally, and pull the yarn through the two loops. Again, you will have one loop remaining on your hook. You have completed TWO Single Crochets!

Continue to make Single Crochet stitches into each Chain stitch until you reach the end of your row. When you have complete sc in each ch, add that one extra "turn-around" chain. Then flip your growing project around, so you are ready to go back to the left again.

Again, skip the first stitch (now you are working sc into sc stitches) and make your Single Crochet into the second stitch. Do this all the way along your row. Add the extra ch at the end of the second row of sc, and you are ready to turn around again.

Keep doing this until your project is finished. Periodically, lay your project down on the table to see when you feel it is long enough. A blanket should always be longer than it is wide. You will be able to judge this.

Below is a series of me crocheting 3 Single Crochet stitches:

Here is me holding the work with my right ring finger and pinkie:

Here is how my project looks after doing 7 rows:

After a while, check how your side edges look. They should be pretty straight if you have made your stitches the same size, pulled the yarn at the same tension, and remembered to add the extra Chain stitch at the end of each row:

Next lesson: Yarn Changes (Changing colors of yarn. Ending a skein. Tying off or weaving in ends?)

-Holly

Learn to Crochet - Lesson 4 - Chain Stitch

2009-03-23T02:42:00.011-06:00

Learn to Crochet - Lesson 4 - Chain Stitch

Chain

Hold your hook in your dominant hand (for me, this is my right hand) and hold the strand of yarn you have pulled loose from the skein in your other hand. Hold the hook like a pencil and let the yarn go through your fingertips.

Once you get some of the project finished enough to hold onto, you will want to hold it between your pinkie and ring finger behind your hook as you work. This will come naturally with time.

Hold your hook against the yarn about 6 inches from the end of the yarn, and loop the yarn around the hook, near the tip, twice. Leave about 6 inches of yarn hanging below the part you have wound around your hook. Now pull a strand of the yarn through the circle you have created on the hook. This takes some getting used to before it comes naturally. If you cannot easily get this first circle and chain going, simply tie a small circle into the yarn, with about 6 inches of yarn hanging beneath the circle. Then, pull a loop (chain) of yarn through that first tied circle.

Continue to pull small loops of yarn through each chain stitch and try to make them all the same size. But, while you are new to crocheting, don't fret too much over this! Uniformity will come with experience. Don't worry.

Make your chain strand as long as the width of your project. For a little Barbie blanket, this might be 25 chain stitches. For a blanket for your couch, this might be 150 stitches.

After you have made a long enough length of chain stitches, put your work away and wait for me to teach you the Single Crochet. We will work those along the chains tomorrow.

If you have any questions or comments, please email them to me, write to me in Facebook, or leave them here in a Comment.

-Holly

Learn to Crochet - Lesson 3 - Description of Basic Stitches

2009-03-22T19:17:00.016-06:00

Learn to Crochet - Lesson 3 - Description of Basic Stitches

So, now you have your yarn all ready to GO. You are itching for me to get going! But, let's talk just a little more. :-)

Crocheting is simply a series of knots. Very nice knots. Matching knots. Rows built on rows built on rows of knots. Loops pulled through loops. You pull the loops via a hook. You loop the yarn over the hook and pull it through the loop. One loop stays on the hook. Simple!

There are several basic stitches. They include the Chain, Single, Double and Treble stitches.

When you read crochet patterns, the abbreviations go like this:

Chain (ch), Single Crochet (sc), Double Crochet (dc), Treble Crochet (tc), yarn over hook (yo), loops (lps), and more! Once you have the CHAIN and the SINGLE CROCHET down, you will have the basic skills to go and read any pattern that you like! I will only teach you the Chain and the Single Crochet. I will also teach you how to make the Herringbone pattern (zig zag) that goes into making many blankets or afghans.

Chain

This is the most basic of loops and it is the base and foundation of any crocheted work. It is made by forming a circle with a strand of yarn, and then pulling a single strand through that circle of yarn with a crochet hook. You make a length of chain by pulling one strand of yarn through each loop, one at a time, over and over and over, until you have a chain long enough to start the project you are beginning.

Single

This is the stitch that I use the most. This is a single stitch worked through a chain stitch. This is made by pulling one strand of yarn over the hook and then another single strand through the single strand AND the strand you already have on the crochet hook. (pictures to follow will make this easier to understand)

Double

This is a double stitch; which jst makes it twice as long/deep as the single. You have two strands of yarn that you pull the stitch through to make one stitch. (pictures to follow will make this easier to understand)

Treble

This is a stitch that pulls yarn through three strands of yarn and makes a very long stitch. If you do 3 treble stitches and then 3 chains, and when you work your way back the other way do the opposite stitch (3 chains into the 3 trebles, and 3 trebles into the 3 chains) your finished work will have a nice, open weave to it. This makes a very open and light-weight project. I did this stitch on the yellow baby blanket I made for May before we brought her home. That was July 2001. Want to see it? Here she is today with her special blanket:

Herringbone Pattern (that is what I call it)

This is an afghan stitch that makes a zig-zag design in the finished work. Addictive! I have done millions of these stitches -- honestly! I have made MANY MANY blankets/afghans over the years (I learned to crochet when I was 16 - my sister Linda taught me). I nearly always use this stitch on blankets/afghans. To make the zigs and zags, you skip 2 stitches on the down zig and do 3 stitches into ONE stitch for the up zig (or was it a zag?). This pattern is useful on BIG projects, as it provides variety and keeps you interested. Doing a blanket without the zig-zag is far more tiresome and tedious and you lose some of the wonderful meditative quality of crocheting.

Here are my girls under the Christmas afghan, which I made with what I call the Herringbone pattern (and single crochet stitches):

Next lesson: The Chain stitch.

-Holly

Learn to Crochet - Lesson 2 - Materials/Yarn Prep

2009-03-22T13:28:00.013-06:00

Lesson 2 - Materials/Yarn Prep

This is a lesson for beginners. I will be assuming you have NEVER crocheted before in your life. Be patient with me if you already know some (or all) of these things.

Materials:

Get a skein of yarn. Choose 100% acrylic, 4 ply. Nothing fancy. Nothing frilly and fluffy. Just a basic yarn. You can get into fancy and fluffy yarns later, once you feel confident in your skills.

Buy yourself a size H/8 crochet hook. This is the perfect size for this weight of yarn. Later, when you feel more confident, you can buy thinner yarns and smaller hooks, or thicker yarn and bigger hooks! But, for now -- size H/8 is the one for you.

You may want to buy TWO hooks. These things are known to wander at times. :-)

Yarn Prep:

Look at the label on your yarn. It will tell you to pull one end of yarn out of one side of the label and then work from the yarn ending at the OTHER end of the label.

Disregard this. :-)

If you prep your yarn in the way I will teach you, you will rarely (never?) have tangles and battles with your skein. Remember, crocheting is peaceful. Strive for peace with your yarn as you work.

* Slide the label off your skein of yarn. Save it, if you think you will need more yarn of the same color. Toss it, if you are all set on yarn.

* Find the end where the yarn comes OUT of the center of the end of the skein. Pull that end out about 4-6 inches.

* Find the end of the yarn that is on the outside of the SIDE of the skein. Unwind that end off the skein about 3 feet.

* Place two of your fingers under this OUTSIDE end of yarn, and wrap the long end of yarn around the skein and wrap your fingertips under it, at least 3 times. When you are near the end of that piece of yarn, wrap the very end (maybe 3-6 inches) around and around the part you just wrapped around the skein. This secures the end so that it does not try to tangle itself in the working end (the end coming OUT of the skein of yarn). This will save you a billion headaches. Trust me on this one.

To illustrate:

After you have the skein ends ready, take the working end (shown to the right, above) and pull out a small pile of loose yarn. One rule to keep things running smoothly and peacefully is to KEEP IT LOOSEY-GOOSEY! :-) If you are constantly pulling and battling your yarn, you will fight for each and every stitch. Do you want to do that? No. It will be much easier to have beautiful and uniform work if you keep things loose.

So, pull a little pile of yarn out of the skein as you work. If you feel tension on your yarn as you work, pull out another little pile of yarn.

Be careful not to pull too large a pile of yarn, or it will tangle up and you will battle that! Just pull enough to keep from having tension on your yarn as you work.

Here is a reasonable pulled-out pile of yarn:

Now I must go and gather groceries! (The word Groceries will forever bring to mind the book Eat, Pray, Love. LOL!) And, so you go and do other things, too, and I will post the next lesson by late tonight. This brings me to ...

Storage:

When you are not actively crocheting, you will want to store your project. Once you really FEEL the meditative and relaxation aspects of crocheting, you will want to take your crocheting everywhere you go! You will do it at lunch time. You will do it in doctor's office waiting rooms. You will crochet on planes and in cars (my younger sister gets car sick when crocheting in a moving car, so be aware of your own senses on this one). Get yourself a fun bag to tote your crocheting. I recommend a large nylon beach bag. If you have cats that will want to dislodge your efforts, maybe one with a top zipper or another way of closing it? Chose one that is big enough to store your upcoming skeins in the bottom, with your project on top of that. It is fun to see the skeins disappear and the project grow!

Next lesson: Chain stitch. The base of all crocheting.

-Holly

Learn to Crochet - Lesson 1 - Philosophy

2009-03-22T13:22:00.003-06:00

At least 3 people have told me that they would like to learn how to crochet. I love LOVE to crochet. So, I decided to make an attempt to teach it on my blog! LOL! We will see how this goes.

Lesson 1 - The Philosophy of Crocheting

Crocheting is meditation. It is a peaceful and repetitive process. While crocheting, you should feel your stress lift away. You should feel calm and peaceful. You should eventually come to a level where you can work on a project without counting stitches, and letting your mind fly and wander in lovely ways.

If you are struggling- stop.

If you are feeling the yarn pulling, or feeling tight - stop.

If you fear you are not doing it right - stop.

Take a breath. Just be with it. Make the needed adjustments. Review instructions. Try something different. Relax.

Crocheting is peaceful. You must allow yourself the space to receive this peace.

Are you ready?

-Holly

Columbine/Rage/Routine/Love

2009-03-22T12:15:00.006-06:00

Ponderings ...

My mind has been PACKED with memories, challenges, what-if stuff (hate that) and more lately.

The death of Natasha Richardson felt hard to me. Why? I do not know her. I am not the type of person to be a "fan" or subscribe to People magazine. I am, by nature, a Realist.

Plus, I really have my hands FULL with my Real Life! LOL!

So, why did her death hit us so hard? There are so many people who are saddened by her death. Maybe it is because it was so sudden? She was too young. She was beautiful and full of life. She had a loving marriage and two young sons. We feel our own mortality.

For me -- I miss my dad. Whenever anyone dies ... I miss my dad.

If you look at photos of me when my dad was alive and photos now, you can see the stress and age on my face and body. Even in my heart and soul. It has been hard. A hard transition. It has taken a toll far greater than the just-under three years would normally produce.

Plus, the financial stresses of the last 18 months.

Plus, an older child adoption.

Plus, the challenges of raising May. (May reads this, and so let me state LOUDLY that I adore May. She is my heart. There is NO better kid for me. There is NO better mom for May. We truly do belong together.)

We are coming up on the 10 year anniversary of Columbine, too. So, my thoughts turn to that sad day and all the families who would LOVE LOVE to have a "challenging child" still alive.

We are starting a two week Spring Break, and while that sounds lovely to childless people and families who have Spending Plans for trips and vacations ... it is more challenging for our current Life. :-) But, I love a challenge!

May is a kid whose feet slip and slide under her without routine. She has always had sensory issues, raging episodes, and other issues. And, any change in routine seems to amplify this noise for her. I know this. I anticipate this. A two week Spring Break is a HARD change in routine.

Still ... her raging yesterday and all the verbal assault was nearly "too much." BUT, it was NOT too much. Why? Because I am aware. I am here for the long run! So is she. :-) We will find paths through alllllllll of this ... together.

I know that many (!!) adoptive families read my blog. For some, it may feel as if your bonding was firm and immediate. For others, there have been harder days ... weeks ... years. For a few, there have even been disruptions of matches. And, rematches where things have been much easier.

For ALLLLLLL of us, please let me recommend a book. "The Connected Child," by Karyn B. Purvis, Ph.D., David R. Cross, PH.D., and Wendy Lyons Sunshine is one to make time for. (Even though I do not believe in making time! LOL! We each have 24 hours, just like everyone else! It is up to us what we choose to do with those 24 hours.)

This book should be given by Social Workers to each family who adopts a child. It is a MUST READ. Hear me. Yes, even you families who had those "our eyes locked and love set in" adoptions. LOL!

I have had so many wonderful resources since adding our three daughters to our family. Much of what this book contains had already been presented to me from various sources and in a multitude of ways. Like my 24 hours, it was up to me to choose to listen. To tune in. To become aware. To see beyond "what appears to be."

So, when May argues, controls, RAGES, lashes out, etc. I can know (KNOW) that it is not directed at me personally. There are bigger underlying issues. And, I am firmly committed to walking that path with her. It is SO worth it.

If you are (or will be) an adoptive parent, it is up to YOU to get this book and to place your heart in a place of listening. That horrible teenager you have ... you will see him/her in a whole new light. Truly.

If nothing else, this book will give you the insight to "not take it personally." And, that is GOLDEN when dealing with attachment issues. It often seems as if the child knows JUST how to push your buttons. You have to be really aware and engaged to know that that is not even what is really happening! Phew! Hard work!!

If this message speaks to you in any way, please get this book.

After May had the two terrible rages yesterday, I was laying (lying?) beside her on the floor and holding her hand as she calmed down. After the war, there is always this sweet SWEET time where we gather back into each other. I had the TV on and the channel was tuned to an XM music station. Sarah McLachlan's song that says "I will remember you. Will you remember me?" came on and my eyes filled with tears. My heart flooded with memories of Columbine. My mind turned toward May's friend in Chinese school who will never know her big brother, who was killed in Columbine, and to that son and daughter's Daddy who is one of my Life Heroes. I respect and admire him so much!

May asked why I was crying, and I choked out my teaching of Columbine, school safety, gun control and gun safety, parenting even when the shoes are empty, etc. and all those parents who would LOVE to have a child to walk through a RAGE that very day. May and I talked and talked, as we calmed down from our own hard day. She has always been a kid who truly understands things beyond her years. After a while, she said, "Mama, President Obama should make a new law that says that NO GUNS should be allowed in the United States."

It is at this point in time in all discussions of Big Things where I feel my own sense of conflict at "inflicting my own beliefs" upon my children. I want to guide them. I want to make them think. I want to present more than ONE WAY to believe, think, keep faith, act, and perform. I want them to form their own beliefs and ideas!

So, I told May that while it sounds great to have "no guns" there would always be a way for people with bad intentions to get guns and use them. Plus, people who enjoy guns in less harmful ways (not criminals) are very powerful and there are MANY of them who would never allow a "no guns" law to pass. So, the best thing we can do is respect guns and teach people how and when to use them. I told her (again, for the billionth time) that when she is old enough, her Daddy and I will teach her how to shoot guns and care for them. But, while she is a child, if she sees a gun, or her friends show her one, she must LEAVE. Run away and tell Mom or Dad. PERIOD. No alternative. No discussion.

I hate that people make guns into toys for children. Guns are not toys. We don't even have water guns. My girls know that guns are real and nothing to PLAY with.

But, I also know the attraction that forbidden things can cause. So, I promise them that they WILL get to shoot guns when they are older.

I have had a lot of fun killing saplings, paper plates, targets and empty cans with guns. A .357 can do a lot of damage to a young aspen. LOL!

My children (and yours) will NEVER come upon a gun in my house. I hope you can say the same for your own children and for mine when they play at your house.

I will never EVER take away your right to own guns, but I will INSIST upon your treating your guns with respect and the world's children with care and respect.

ANYWAY ... after the rage, the love is strong. And, sometimes God sends you a message -- or a song -- that helps to drive that realization home when you need a little reminder.

I love May. Nothing she says or does will ever change that one tiny bit.

-Holly

Long time no blog

2009-03-22T11:52:00.002-06:00

Deja vu.

Your questions:

* Has Chris gotten a job? No. But, he is close and has done some "filler" jobs. We thought THE JOB had arrived, but his Employer turned out to be less than honest and less than flush. Sigh. But, Chris keeps on sowing those seeds (resumes) and some very fertile ground has recently appeared. Keep faith! :-) I will give you news once we have solid news.

* Are we OK? Yes, for the most part. :-) We are well and happy and in full belief that the fianncial end will improve!

The truth is that I have SOOOOOOOO many ideas for blog posts that my mind cannot focus. LOL! Maybe I will just do them ALL. LOL!

-Holly

My friend L and her baby-UPDATED!

2009-03-05T10:55:00.007-07:00

Update at end of post!

I am nervous and excited today! My friend L will likely have her baby girl, R, today! She is undergoing some tests to see if R is ready to face the world.

L and I met when we were awaiting our first daughters from China. We met on-line in a huge China-adopt community of about 10,000 members! We quickly learned we both lived in the Denver area, and were using the same adoption agency; and we met and became fast friends. We hoped, beyond hope, that we would travel together to get our babies, knowing this was unlikely!

Match Day came and not only would we travel together, our babies were from the same orphanage! Wow!

That was the summer of 2001. We each went on to have 3 daughters from the Jiangxi province in China!

Flash to TODAY. After 3 wonderful daughters from China, and two darling step-children, L and her husband are to add their "Ours" ... maybe TODAY!

I am like a cat on a hot tin roof. On pins and needles with excitement!

I cannot wait to be an "aunt" again!

More when I know more.

I am sending prayers for health, strength, bravery, peace, safety and every other wonderful thing for L and R.

-Holly

UPDATE!! Baby R was born at 5:37pm on March 5, 2009! She weighed 6lbs 3 oz, and was 19" tall. Proud new Daddy D reports that she has lots of hair! L is doing great & so is R! GOOD JOB, GOD!

On a strictly personal note, I am SOOOOO HAPPY to have this wonderful new little person to celebrate on March 5! That date had held another meaning for me decades ago. But, now it is R's birthday! I AM THRILLED!!!!!!!!!!! :-)

My Angels

2009-02-22T23:59:00.004-07:00

There are angels in my house. I call them my daughters: May, Irene and Jane. I took these pictures during one of their sister slumber parties.

I swear ... I am so in love.

Cocoa vs. Chocolate

2009-02-22T23:37:00.004-07:00

My girls ask me alllllll sorts of questions, and I answer them all as best I honestly can.

The other day, they wanted to know how chocolate was made. I went into all sorts of details of cocoa beans, butter, sugar, etc., and ended up letting May and Irene (Janie declined) taste cocoa powder. I swear, I laughed SOOOOO HARD!! LOL!

Take a look at these faces and see if you laugh, too.

-Holly

My Toothless May

2009-02-22T18:40:00.003-07:00

The Tooth Fairy will again be visiting our house tonight. May was crawling around under Chris' desk this afternoon and when I asked her what she was doing, she said she was looking for a surprise for me. LOL! Then, she popped up with a tooth in her hand! :-)

Her mouth is starting to look really interesting!

(For those who do not prefer these bloody former-tooth-spot photos, DEBBY, don't worry --

I am going to blog more stuff and this post will soon be buried by more appealing photos. LOL! But, do notice the ROOT still left on this tooth. Man. Was it really ready to leave May's mouth? Too late now! LOL!)

-Holly

Obama Inauguration Zoom-In Thingy

2009-02-22T14:40:00.002-07:00

Thank you to everyone (!!) who sent me the link to the Obama inauguration zoom-in thingy. Very fun!

What I want to know is the HOW of this.

For anyone who has not yet seen it:

http://gigapan.org/viewGigapanFullscreen.php?auth=033ef14483ee899496648c2b4b06233c

-Holly

Brady Bunch Musings

2009-02-22T13:57:00.007-07:00

My daughters are on a huge Brady Bunch kick. We kept basic satellite TV as one of our very few treats of late. We have a TiVo season pass to the Brady Bunch and the girls can sing the theme song. LOL!

Things I have observed about the Brady Bunch lately:

* So nice to see the oldest brother have the personal self-confidence to dress in the same colors (two tones of purple) as the baby sister

* All the cars in the supermarket parking lot are American classics! I would LOVE to have any one of them!

* Mike and Carol have lots of patience and some very good parenting strategies. I could learn a lot from them.

* Marcia flips her hair ... a lot.

* Jan whines.

* Alice wears a uniform. Why?

* The house is huge, but the 6 kids share two bedrooms.

* Carol does not appear to work outside the home, and yet has a housekeeper.

* The kitchen is daringly stylish (avocado green appliances and orange countertops).

* The kitchen has this strange bricked-in space and I cannot tell if it is a pizza oven?? Firewood storage space?? What??

* There are nearly always multiple pots on the stove, and it must actually function, as there is sometimes steam when a lid is removed.

* Cindy's dresses are too short and cutesy. Even in the really early episodes.

* No matter how many times I see it, I really can't get enough of the parents calling from the bottom of the stairway and the kids all coming running down the stairs to them. LOL!

* Mike has a den. A den. Not an in-home office. A den. Darren Stevens had a den, too. I want a den.

* Mike and Carol give the appearance of being pretty ... um ... active in the bedroom, and yet they have no "Ours." They seem young enough. Maybe Carol knew Mike was gay?

* Six kids shared one bathroom. OK. Now I understand the need for a housekeeper.

-Holly

Spacebar Musings

2009-02-22T13:14:00.004-07:00

At least 6 people have asked me (in various ways) if I am OK. Some have mentioned the lag in my blog postings.

Some know I am on Facebook (if you know my real first and last names - please do not post them to this blog, but look for me on Facebook and add me as your Friend).

I am not un-OK, angry, disappointed, irritated, forlorn, depressed, or any other number of bad attitudes. LOL!

The truth is -- my spacebar was stuck. LOL! I cleaned out my keyboard about a month ago and it was fine for a little while. But, it started up again and it was really TIRESOME to have to go back through EVERYTHING I type and add EVERY necessary space. Sigh. So, I got a little more silent. :-) Tell the truth -- wasn't it actually a bit refreshing?? :-)

OK. My spacebar is working perfectly now and I am ready to catch the blog up to date. Stay tuned.

-Holly

Another Tooth Bites the Dust

2009-01-29T22:19:00.002-07:00

Guess who's coming to our house tonight? That's right! The Tooth Fairy! Even though May misplaced her tooth on the way to bed, I feel certain that The Fairy will show up -- tooth or no tooth!

-Holly

Chinese New Year 2009

2009-01-29T02:44:00.006-07:00

Xin nian kuai le!! Happy New Year! We have finished the year of the rat and started the year of the ox! WOOOO!! HOOOO!! May this year bring you health, wealth, joy, luck, peace and abundance! And, to me, too. :-)

This school year has really felt "off" as we skipped Chinese school for the first time since May was 2 (she is now 8). This Chinese New Year celebration also feels different, as we are not with our Chinese school friends in celebrating. BUT, we did have a family celebration! We banged on pots and pans to scare away the bad luck of last year. We swept the old year out the door, but refrained from sweeping on New Years so as not to whisk the good luck away! We ate yummy Chinese food (like we don't do this all the time! LOL!). We gave May, Irene and Jane their hong bao (red envelopes that had money and chocolate coins in them). The girls wore their Chinese dresses to school (it was COLD and so they added long sleeved shirts and long pants or thick tights underneath!

Aren't they lovely?? Beyond lovely. I am SO PROUD to get to be their Mama!! Wow. For a person who was once told that I had a less than 20% chance of having a baby -- I have THREE gorgeous daughters!!! AM I WEALTHY AND FORTUNATE, OR WHAT??

Happy New Year, everyone!
-Holly

Prayer

2009-01-29T00:58:00.024-07:00

As I watched all the events of Inauguration Day on January 20th, I took many photos off the TV. LOL! Some of my favorite ones are of people in prayer. I heard four people pray that day.

I listened as Rick Warren (a FANTASTIC CHOICE!) prayed, " ... We celebrate a hingepoint of history with the inauguration of our first African American president of the United States. ... And we know today that Dr. King and a great cloud of witnesses are shouting in heaven. ... When we fail to treat our fellow human beings and all the earth with the respect that they deserve, forgive us. ... I humbly ask this in the name of the one who changed my life, Yeshua, Isa, Jesus [Spanish pronunciation], Jesus, who taught us to pray ... (he then lead the crowd saying the Lord's Prayer).

Civil rights leader Joseph E. Lowery’s benediction was wonderful! He was the PERFECT CHOICE. He spoke, " ... When justice will roll down like waters and righteousness as a mighty stream. ... We ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to give back, when brown can stick around, when yellow will be mellow, when the red man can get ahead, man, and when white will embrace what is right. ... Let all those who do justice and love mercy say amen. (And the crowd responded with, "AMEN!")

I do not know the names of the two men who prayed at the lunch later. The (priest?) with the gray hair and collar had a style of prayer that I do not personally prefer. He read his prayer and repeatedly look out on his audience. Looked at notes, looked at audience. It was as if his prayer were a sermon to the crowd gathered, and not his heart's feelings spoken to God. So, the style was UGH to me.

I am a huge believer in affirmative prayer. I love to hear people's heart-felt words of love, thanks, hope, belief, kindness and action to God.

Any prayer that evangelizes, judges, excludes, is filled with hate or fear or negative consequence turns me completely cold.

I have read and heard so many people speak of "praying for President Obama." My own prayer is that all these prayers be filled with love, hope, belief, kindness, thankfulness, and support.

America may have never needed solidarity more than we need it THIS day.

Let us pray.

-Holly

Hilary

2009-01-28T17:47:00.003-07:00

When I first started thinking about who to vote for in November's election, at first I was a big supporter of Hilary Clinton. My personal and professional lives were so easy during her husband's presidency. I liked her, too. So, jumped in. I can remember the exact moment I changed my support to Barack Obama. I was listening to Barack speak via Podcast on my iPod as I cleaned the girls' playroom. After I was done, I said to Chris, "You know, I may switch to Obama." I was shocked.

And, I never looked back. I made the right choice.

I have to say that I think Hilary will be a good Secretary of State.

And, I really hope someone close to her will counsel her to stop making this face on TV. We have pause buttons and TiVo, digital cameras, and the strange compulsion to take photos off the TV set. Shots like this live forever! :-)

January 20, 2009 Inauguration Day

2009-01-23T17:21:00.007-07:00

Jerri - This post is for you, Girl. LOL! (Not because of the subject, but because taking photos off the TV amuses you!)

I took 316 (yes, you read that right) pictures off our TV on Tuesday, January 20, 2009 as our President Barack Obama was sworn in and all the festivities happened.

I sat with tears of JOY and AWE streaming down my cheeks, as I watched and my 3 daughters checked to be sure I was OK. I hugged them tight. I explained that not only did I think that a wonderful man had become our President, but we had elected our first black President! I explained, in tears, that people had died, marched, protested, and fought for this day! Some had lived to see it, and some had not. The day just felt HUGE to me.

My girls are young enough that this moment may become "normal" to them and their life experience as time goes on and our world evolves. But, I want to teach them how important it is in historical terms.

Wow.

Out of those 316 TV photos I took, the following is probably my favorite. I will post other favorites in other posts (Jerri). :-)

-Holly

MLK Day Clean-Up and Cookies

2009-01-20T00:13:00.011-07:00

The girls and I spent about an hour and a half cleaning up the open space behind our house. It was SOOOOOOO WINDY today!! I was amazed at all the stuff we gathered as trash out there! The photo below shows us about halfway through.

May dropped her beloved purple heart-shaped sunglasses that she has had for years. I am hoping she and her daddy can head back out there tomorrow morning and find them. She lost them pretty close to our house, so maybe ...

My knees were beyond aching by the time we got back home. Bless whoever discovered ibuprofen! The fall I took in the kitchen later in the evening, as I was showing Chris how closely the girls "hike" near me did not help at all. LOL! (Karma?) I lay on the kitchen floor and LAUGHED HYSTERICALLY!! It was SUCH a slapstick fall. I love slapstick! I could actually feel my hair go UP as my body clumsily fell DOWN. LOL! I only have a few bruises (my ribcage fell against the white plastic bucket you see in the picture. WHY didn't it make it to the garage with the big bags of trash??), so I am thankful. And, they say a good laugh is very healthy for you! I certainly got that!! I could NOT get up for a long time because I was laughing so hard!!

When faced with difficult events, you can laugh or you can cry. I choose to laugh!

The girls and I talked a lot about other specific ways we can PLEDGE to continue to serve, support, and enhance the people, community and land that surrounds us each day. America's future depends on ALL of us pitching in and making a great effort. Yes, we can!

We had a lot of fun baking chocolate chip cookies, too. And, more fun eating them!

And, tomorrow (today) we will awaken to A New Day. KEEP HOPE ALIVE!!

-Holly

Happy MLK Day!

2009-01-19T08:56:00.017-07:00

Today, we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day. It is one of the holidays that is the most meaningful to me on a personal level.

Without the efforts of Dr. King, and so many like him, our interracial, blended culture family would not be as readily accepted as it is. I am unspeakably and profoundly thankful.

I clearly remember the 1960's and 1970's of America. The race riots (we had them in my high school), the protests, the gaining of rights, Dr.King's murder (I was in 4th grade, and the events of 1968 shoved me toward my life-long left-leaning point of view), and inching toward a true blending.

And, tomorrow ... America's first black President will be inaugurated!

Think of it. The progress. It makes me cry with JOY!!

(I have to interject here that Barack Obama is SO much more than his race. But, it is one way he is "seen and defined." I recently read ... OK, I listened to the audio book ... his book "The Audacity of Hope" and I wish that EVERY person who has a HOPE for the future of America, regardless of race or political affiliation, would listen to/read that book. It is amazing! And, it helps to know Soon-President Obama so much better. Open your mind and consider it.)

Today, we will bake chocolate chip cookies - our symbolic (and yummy and fun!) way of celebrating the blending of races, cultures, religions/faiths, lifestyles and every other defining feature in America today! The growing Oneness. We will also participate in volunteer efforts in our community. We will create art and beauty.

Together, we can ALL continue to change America for the better.

To quote our Soon-President: "There is not a black America and a white America and Latino America and Asian America; there is a United States of America."

And, in the words of Martin Luther King, Jr.: "Now, I say to you today my friends, even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: - 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.' "

Amen.

I know there are many people who are hesitant about President Obama and what may be to come. To those people (of whom I am strongly not one) I hope the following quote will move straight into your heart, take root, and give you peace:

"Hatred paralyzes life; love releases it. Hatred confuses life; love harmonizes it. Hatred darkens life; love illuminates it."

-- Martin Luther King, Jr.

When you feel hate (which is really fear) -- make an effort to replace it with love. The two cannot coexist.

Today, the eve of the inauguration, feels like the VERY BEST Christmas Eve the child in me could ever imagine. A wonderful gift is coming tomorrow.

Oh -- and, just one more:

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."

-- Martin Luther King Jr., Strength to Love, 1963

Amen and AMEN!

-Holly

Bare tree in the living room

2009-01-18T10:59:00.004-07:00

Isn't this where we started about a year ago?? I remember posting about having taken allll the Christmas decorations down and the ornaments off the big tree, and having a bare tree in the living room.

Deja vu.

Janie (5) and I skipped church today and we got all the ornaments off the tree. OK. I took 99% of them off. But, Janie kept me good company. She always does. That kid is an absolute pleasure to be with.

She says the cutest things. I put all the ornaments temporarily into a plastic bin and will sort them all into their boxes and bags and repack them into two plastic bins later - probably after everyone is asleep. My productive time! LOL! Janie looked into the box and said, "Look, Mommy! The angel is having a bath in all the ornaments!" LOL! You gotta love that.

EVERY year when I get to this stage, I ponder whether we will move before the next Christmas. If I ever knew for sure we would NOT move, I would just leave the jumbled ornaments together in the temporary "to be sorted and packed better" box, and save the time and trouble of making them all safe and secure.

It is interesting where my brain wanders. And wonders.

OK. Now I have to work up to folding the branches up and getting it ready for Chris to put into the big boxes. I am very careful (read: compulsive and controlling) about how the branches get folded and unfolded. So, it takes a long time.

Better get to it.

-Holly

Cynthia brings me China memories

2009-01-14T13:08:00.012-07:00

My on-line friend fellow China Mom, Cynthia, is in China right now adopting her 6 year old son (just 11 days older than our Irene is now)! I am LOVING reading her blog and following her journey. A couple of things brought back specific memories of our trips to China to adopt our three daughters.

First, there is a picture of Cynthia's younger daughter jumping on the hotel bed. That one brought to mind our trip to adopt Irene (then 4 years and 8 months of age). Irene's jumping, her fall, lots of blood-soaked hotel towels, Chris taking Irene to the hospital (in Nanchang, Jiangxi, PR China) for 3 stitches (the equivalent of 6 to 7 stitches in the USA) and her banging her head on a glass coffee table and breaking the stitches open again in Guangzhou and Chris taking her to the hospital there.

Here is Irene in her little net hat which kept the gauze bandages in place. (OK. That was what it was intended to do. It didn't work very well.)

Moral of the story? Try not to let your kids jump on the hotel beds in China. And, in our case -- pay more attention to your children than to the chops (name stamps) salesperson who is visiting your hotel suite.

The other memory that Cynthia brought to mind involved the fact that her new son tries to get away from their hotel room and "go home." He runs for the door. He attempts to climb out the window. He sleeps in his clothes and shoes -- ready to LEAVE at any moment. (This is all NORMAL, by the way.)

When we went to adopt Janie, she was 2 years and 3 months of age. She was sooooooo sad, and she cried the most quiet and sad tears. She was truly melancholy. Having met her foster grandma (PoPo) twice (she approached me secretively when we visited the orphanage on Janie's trip, and we got to meet her in a much more open and official way when we visited the orphanage again during Irene's trip) I now understand Janie's grief in leaving her.

ANYWAY -- Janie would go to the hotel door and reach up and cry and cry and cry. One time, she walked us to the coat closet and motioned for us to give her her new coat and snow pants (her NEW ones, not any of the 7 top layers or 5 bottom layers she was wearing when she arrived to us on Gotcha Day), along with her new tennies (not the really cute orange boots she arrived in) and her new mittens. We dutifully helped her put them on. Then she was able to willingly sleep through the night.

Yes - clothed in her outdoor gear.

To this day, the following photo is one that can pull my heart right into my throat. Love sometimes takes a while to grow between adopted kids and their new parents. But, Janie had me at "Hello" -- or at least by the time this photo was taken:

Hair Things

2009-01-14T13:06:00.002-07:00

Guess how many hair do-dads May (my 8 year old) put in my hair last night as I read to the girls before bed. Go ahead -- take a guess.

Give up?

65! SIXTY-FIVE!

When I was finished reading, I sat on the couch and took them out.

It took a while.

-Holly

Before I go on ...

2009-01-14T13:04:00.001-07:00

Before I go on, I just have to say how much I enjoy the comments you guys leave on this blog! With your words and reactions, you constantly lift me up in laughter and in love.

Thank you.

-Holly

People Helping People

2009-01-12T16:52:00.005-07:00

I recently made a list of Goals/Intentions with my dear friends Megan and Lori. One of my major goals is to be present and aware in today, rather than wasting time in the past ("times were so much better back when ..." or "I shoulda woulda coulda ...") or worrying about the future ("what if ...??!!" 0r "this horrible thing may happen ..."). By being in the past or future, I am throwing away today. I don't want to do that.

But, this is a HARD goal/intention for me. So much of this behavior feeds Depression. And, we all know how MUCH Depression likes to FEED FEED FEED upon me!!!!!!!!!! Insatiable. Sigh.

So. Today I found myself having a particularly hard time keeping my "Be Present in Today" goal/intention. I made a CHOICE to use a tool that I know works:

GET OUT OF MY SELF.

When I take the mirror down from SELF and start looking outward, it is a sure cure for Depression, living in past/future, worrying about things that I cannot NOW change or act upon.

About that very moment (I kid you not) I got an email from my close and personal friend, Michelle Obama (OK, we don't really know one another, but whoever put together their email contact system really knows how to make it seem as if we are friends). My friend Michelle Obama told me about this site:

http://www.usaservice.org/page/content/eventsearch

I went there and found a way to GET OUT OF MYSELF any time I want to, or have time to! And, you can, too. You can search by date or area to find ways to be of service during the upcoming MLK Day weekend.

If you are looking for some service or volunteer opportunities. please go take a look. It is not for Dems or Repubs ... it is for caring people. And, I know for sure that is YOU. Go see.

There are on-line events, group events, events that serve YOU as an individual (looking for employment? Go see! There are some job fairs listed.), on-going efforts, EVERY manner of service and volunteer effort you could imagine! Wow. Just wow.

If you find something great, and I know you IRL (in real life) please do take a moment to email me and let me know what hit you, and how you will serve and be served this Martin Luther King Day (or during that weekend).

-Holly

Christmas Dinner and Birthday Celebrations

2009-01-04T09:40:00.036-07:00

So. If you are looking for my Petition to God (thank you) go back two posts older (January 2).

We went to the home of my oldest sister and her husband (Ricki and Jerry) for Christmas dinner, and the birthday celebrations for me (50), my nephew (OK, great-nephew) Kedus (4) and my middle daughter Irene (6). It is GREAT to have kids to celebrate birthdays with me! When we put the candles on the cake, it looked like we were turning 6504! LOL! Love it.

Our family made the cake as our contribution to the family dinner. Ricki and Jerry worked SO HARD to make this a lovely day and yummy dinner -- and it was!

Ricki and Jerry's son (my nephew) and his wonderful family (wife and 6 year old son) were there from North Carolina. We had not seen them since my Daddy died in early 2006, so it was GREAT to have them for Christmas!!

Here are LOTS of photos from the day. I will load them in small size and you may click on any that you want a larger view of.

How to Make a Pinecone Wreath (in about 2 hours)

2009-01-03T12:29:00.017-07:00

I have to thank my old friend Connie, whom I met while working for KPMG Peat Marwick in Denver a couple of decades ago (OK, just shy of that). She was Ms. Super Crafter and taught me how to make beautiful pinecone wreathes without wire, handtools, or injuries!

Now, I will teach you ...

You will need:

A bag of pinecones (take your time and have fun at a park, cemetery, or someone's yard as you gather them - be sure to get a good mixture of sizes, types, and condition - you want old gnarly ones and ones not opened and perfect ones and ALLLLL types)

An electric skillet (the cooled glue comes right off, or you can dedicate an old one to crafting)

About 15 large glue sticks (like you use in a hot glue gun)

A hay wreath, wrapped in plastic (leave the plastic ON). There are two sizes. I prefer the smaller size because I like to enjoy my wreathes indoors. The larger size is great for a wreath to be used outdoors.

Some wire for making a hanger

Spray acrylic sealant

Table covering (those plastic-covered-fabric tablecloths meant for picnics work great)

Here we go:

Spread the tablecloth on a large table.

Plug the electric skillet in and set it to about 325 degrees.

Drop the 15 glue sticks into the skillet to melt.

WARN ALL CHILDREN TO STAY AWAY. The glue is scalding hot.

Place your hay wreath in front of you on the table.

Select small cones to go inside the hay wreath.

Select large cones to go around the outside of the wreath.

Select medium cones to go on top of the wreath.

You can lay out the cones on/around your hay wreath to plan out whether you have enough.

Move the 3 sizes of pinecones to 3 piles to the side of where you are working.

You are ready to glue. THE GLUE IS HOT. If you touch it, you will get burned. Be careful.

Take the small cones and dip each one lightly in the melted glue and hold it in place on the inside of the wreath until the glue cools. Work your way around until all the small cones are in place.

Pick up the project and make sure it is not glued to the table. :-) Do this periodically.

Now move to the outside of the wreath, and glue each large cone to the outside edge, working your way around the entire outer circle.

Remember to pick up the wreath to be sure it is not glued to the tablecloth.

Now glue the medium sized pinecones all around the top of the hay wreath.

Once the foundation of these 3 circles of sizes are done, you get to be creative!

Glue whatever smaller pinecones seem right to you, as you work all over the wreath and fill in the gaps. Be sure to glue some cones upside-down and on their sides. Use the ones that are old and decayed and gray. Use the ones that are mostly eaten by the deer. The more variety you can use, the more beautiful and interesting your finished wreath will be.

Your goal is to NOT be able to see the hay wreath anymore. Once you have accomplished that, you are finished gluing and can unplug the electric skillet of glue.

If this is your skillet for cooking, the remaining glue can be easily removed once it has cooled by lifting gently at an edge and prying up the sheet of cooled glue.

Decide where the top of your wreath is. Work your wire for hanging around the hay wreath base, by carefully threading/working the wire in-between the cones. Twist the wire and make sure the part that touches your wall will not scratch it.

You can now give your wreath several coats of spray clear acrylic. Do this with GOOD ventilation outdoors or in your garage. Allow it to dry thoroughly between each coat. The acrylic will give the wreath more strength and will also kill any remaining tiny bugs.

Oh - Did I mention that it is NICE to have a small vacuum cleaner with you as you work in order to suck up the bugs and spiders that may appear out of the pinecones? I am always amazed that there are ALWAYS critters in there, even in the cold winter months!

You could add a bow, if you like. You can also glue on small needle sprigs, if you like (they will eventually dry out and fall off). I prefer my wreaths with pinecones only.

Here is a photo series of the process:

Petitioning God

2009-01-02T08:16:00.005-07:00

So. I am reading the book "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert. I tried to read this a couple of times before, but the timing was not right. It is now. I am really enjoying this book.

Before I had children, I used to whip through 2-3 books at one time. These days, I labor through one book and it takes me forever to reach the end.

In Eat, Pray, Love on page 32 the author petitions God to end her difficult divorce.

I am not big on prayers that ask God for something. I call them the "I want a new red bike" prayers. However, our family has a true NEED and I feel it is time to "petition God" in a manner inspired by Ms. Gilbert's writing.

In the book, the author and her friend "imagine" (visualize) that many people add their support of her petition by "signing" alongside her signature. As I read this part of the book, I could feel the power and support that she must have felt as alllllllllll those people signed her petition to God.

As I post my own petition to God in this public manner, I am envisioning all the many signatures and support that join my plea.

Thank you.
-Holly
------------------------------
Dear God,

Please intervene and help Chris gain employment. He has faithfully applied for jobs, had interviews, and tried every outlet he can think of. This lack of employment is bringing financial suffering and lack to our family, as well as stress and worry to our family and to everyone who cares about us.

I recognize that you are busy with wars and tragedies and much larger conflicts than the financial well-being of one family. But it is my understanding that the wealth of the planet is affected by the wealth of every individual on it. As long as our family experiences financial lack, the whole of the world’s economy is contaminated by it. Similarly, if even one family can be free from financial insecurity, this will increase the general wealth of the whole world, the way a few healthy cells in a body can increase the general health of that body.

It is my most humble request, then, that you help us end this financial lack and gap in employment, so that one more family can have the chance to become prosperous and financially secure, and so that there will be just a little bit less financial instability in a world that is already far too troubled by economical woes.

I thank you for your kind and immediate attention.

Respectfully,
Holly

Happy New Year!!

2009-01-01T15:27:00.005-07:00

I was all too happy to kick 2008's skinny, little, cheap, miserly, stingy, miserable, stressful, worrysome, lacking, blind, unjust, crazy rear-end out the door, and fling my arms open wide to welcome wonderful 2009!!

How many of you are doing black-eyed peas today?

Here are my wild and crazy daughters, as they celebrated the arrival of 2009. (Aren't they angels?? I can nearly see Janie's halo and wings. :-) You can also almost SEE May and Irene plotting as they recharge! LOL!)

May this year bring you ALL that you need and much of what you want (and to me, too!!).

Happy Birthday, Dad!

2009-01-01T11:23:00.005-07:00

Today is Chris' Dad's birthday!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD! Can you imagine a baby born just as the new year is rung in? Does that make the birthdate 12-31 or 1-1? 1-1 it is!!

I am so very thankful and happy that C's Dad is healthy and energetic.

I just wish we could see him more often!

(For one thing, we need some better and MORE RECENT photos of him! HINT! HINT! Ashley - if you read this, get over there and take some shots and send them to me via Facebook! :-)

Enjoy this day, and your year ahead, Dad!

Christmas Morning

2008-12-28T15:45:00.017-07:00

So. May woke up first (of course! my rooster!) and then got her sisters up at about 6am. They knew they were allowed to open their stockings and Santa gifts before waking Mom and Dad. So, Chris and I lay in bed and listened to them yickity-yacking about their stockings and toys that Santa brought. It was the most fun! I just loved listening to them.

After they got us up, May played Santa and placed each person's gifts in a pile near that person. Then, we took turns as we went around and around the circle till all the gifts were opened.

Normally, I bake some cranberry-orange bread (like a pound cake with cranberries and orange juice and zest in it), but that did not get done this year. I skipped cards and a newsletter entirely, too. Neighbor gifts? Feh. Maybe I am falling apart at the seams?

But, we did have store-bought Danish and cinnamon coffee cake. And, coffee. Must have coffee.

The girls were far more interested in the chocolates and Goldfish crackers that Santa put in their stockings. LOL!

The paper and bows FLEW and soon the living room was properly adorned for its Christmas Morning Look. :-) (Plus, two more days for good measure. Well, I did pick up the paper, bows and boxes on Christmas.)

Just about everything was a hit and the photos tell you which gifts were favorites.

Merry Christmas, everyone!! (OK, so I know it was 3 days ago. Work with me here.)

New Scissors

2008-12-28T15:33:00.003-07:00

I got a new pair of "Mom Only" scissors for Christmas. What made me laugh was that they were encased in plastic packaging and secured with a plastic rivet and you really needed a pair of scissors in order to open it. Hee! Things like this crack me up.

Christmas Eve

2008-12-28T13:43:00.008-07:00

I need to build some better traditions around holiday food/meals. LOL! On Christmas Eve, we enjoyed a pizza and watched The Nutcracker, It's a Wonderful Life, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the old animated one, not the furry Jim Carey one).

The girls each got to open one present. Jane selected a VIP Littlest Pet Shop penguin from May. May and Irene each chose the VERY VERY white tennies that I gave each girl, along with bottles of fabric paint to decorate them. (Separate blog entry to follow on that craft.)

They headed outside to scatter reindeer food on the ground. Then, back to the kitchen to leave milk and cookies for Santa. Somewhere in all this, Janie got the idea that something she had done would prevent Santa from visiting our house. She had a nice and reassuring chat with Daddy about how she was just perfect and had NOT done a thing to stop Santa's visit! He would be here! Promise!

Irene and Jane fell asleep fairly easily (much better than last year, when Irene was TERRIFIED of Santa being in our house!), but May got up REPEATEDLY. SOOOooooo much excitement in that sweet head of hers. She finally fell asleep about 11pm and I was able to go to bed and get out of Santa's way!

Yes, that is me in my reading glasses in the photo with May draped over my shoulders, as we admire Santa's snack. I'm 50 and no longer care who knows that I wear reading glasses (and would actually love some high-powered lamps that would attach to the sides of them, since I NEED LIGHT to be able to see anything these days. LOL!).

Marshmallow People and Monkeys

2008-12-28T11:59:00.007-07:00

We love to do crafts together. Ones that are edible are even more fun! I am SOOOOOO committed to helping my daughters be creative individuals.

I'm 50! WOOOO HOOOOO!!

2008-12-25T10:53:00.003-07:00

It's my birthday. Uh-huh. It's my birthday. Nanner nanner.

And I'm FIFTY. Uh-huh. Yeah, that's right -- 50!

Uh-huh.

I am celebrating!

Now I can wear a red hat (like I didn't before. Uh-huh.)

Massive quantities of Christmas-related kid photos to follow soon. (But not now. Because it's ALL ABOUT ME. YES, ME ME ME! bwah hahahahahahahaha)

-Holly

The Little Trees

2008-12-24T09:02:00.011-07:00

OK. Here is a post just for you, Debby! (Debby, my China-mom on-line friend, not Debby my sister, who never has time in her schedule for such things. Poor woman.)

Here are the little trees (with flash and without). Keep in mind that the girls did much of the decorating, and so they are ... PERFECT! But, Martha Stewart might not agree. Poor woman.

Chris' Bear Tree with The Bear Family,

Irene's Tree in the Santa Boot with the Sparkling Bells (she chose to display it in their bathroom, which has been great!),

Jane's Tree in the Snowy Hill (where have all her other ornaments gone?? Into her Secret Drawer maybe?),

and May's Tree with its Variety and Heart Atop!

May and Jane's trees are together on their chest of drawers in the sleeping room, and I plug them in for the girls to fall asleep to.

Our tree

2008-12-22T23:48:00.007-07:00

I just love the way our big tree looks! There are soooo many handmade ornaments on there (and more now that Chris' dad just sent us even more of the ones that C's mom made! Thanks, Dad!!!). There are old ones, new ones, silly and sentimental ones. It all adds up to visual and emotional perfection to me. Some of you will recognize YOUR creations in the photos below. The tiny socks are near the top of my favorites.

We have another large tree that we call The Traveling Tree. It is set up in our home's tatami (Japanese and Chinese) room, which used to be the master sitting room. I bought that tree and much of what is on it, when we lived in Toyko. Nothing that is breakable is allowed to hang on it. It has lovely ornaments of plastic, wood, candy, paper, plaster, and fabric.

We also have 4 tiny trees that are each about 14-18 inches tall. The girls each have their own, plus Chris has one with a bear theme (bears all over it, and a bear family that sits beside the tree).

Here are some shots of The Big Tree this year:

Tink Jammies

2008-12-22T04:03:00.004-07:00

Who knew that Wal-Mart has kids' PJs for $4?? My kids love matching, and were THRILLED to get new Tinkerbelle jammies. Cool. I think I will have to get a bigger size for Janie, as she is SO TALL and this size doesn't seem to work best for her.

Trimming the big tree and the little dog and others

2008-12-21T00:41:00.011-07:00

(Aside: So. As it turns out, Skippy appears to indeed be a female dog after all. She is in heat, and scheduled for spaying on January 12. Who knew?? Clearly, not me! LOL!)

Here are some photos of our big tree, our little dog, my 3 treasures (AKA daughters), my darling husband, one of our tiny trees, and Janie being able to put the star on top of the advent calendar while on her tip-toes! I am not editing the order or anything else about these photos. Deal with it, people! :-)

As always, click on the photo if you want to see a bigger size.

Ho Ho Ho
-Holly

A new winter song

2008-12-15T23:48:00.003-07:00

My lovely daughters learned a new winter song and performed it for their Daddy while I took a picture. Since it is destined to become a family favorite, I thought Iwould share the lyrics with you:

"Yes, the weather is so cold.

But, we do as we are told.

Don our favorite underwear

To keep our heads so warm."

LOL!!! You should see May's face when she sings this. LOL!

Snow Day - dough ornaments

2008-12-15T09:52:00.009-07:00

Last week the kids had a Snow Day off from school. It got me to thinking -- what do kids in non-snowy climates wish for in order to get an extra day off from school?? Do they even get surprise days off from school?

Having three HEALTHY (read: active and loud and competitive) children, I never wish for a day off from school! LOL! We all need the structure and routine that school provides. BUT, this past week I wished for a Snow Day! I imagined in my head all the FUN we could have!

And, we did.

The girls and I made dough (the recipe is 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt, 1 cup water, 1 teaspoon oil - we doubled that recipe so we would have PLENTY) and fashioned it into ornaments. The girls LOVE using the rolling pin. And, they really enjoy all the cookie cutters that we use to make the shapes of the ornaments. We made this batch into shapes of two kinds of Christmas trees, a Santa boot, stocking, bell, bear, 3 kinds of stars (including a Star of David), and I cut around each of their hands - which are probably my favorite ornaments!

After the cutting, you MUST remember to make a hole for hanging the ornament. You have to do this before baking them hard as ROCKS. LOL! Trust me. I know.

Bake them on cookie sheets in a low heat oven (280 is what I use, I think) for about 3 hours. Or, until they are hard as rocks. They are still breakable, so don't drop them! Trust me. I know.

After they are completely cooled, paint them, use glitter glue, attach lace and beads and sequins, whatever strikes your fancy! After all that dries, give them two coats of clear acrylic sealing spray (out in the garage, or other ventilated area), thread ribbon through the hole after the sealant is dry, and WHA LA! You have made baking ingredients into lovely items!

Our tree has dough ornaments from each of the Christmases since 2004. That's a lot of dough ornaments! Plus, we give a lot of them away each year. This is one of my favorite holiday traditions. It is economical, fun, creative, innovative, and interactive! Plus, you get a lovely piece of art! What could be better??

X-Box???

Nah.

RipStick???

Nah.

Blue Ray???

Nah.

Call my kids deprived, but they don't even know what those things ARE! LOL! (Did I spell each of them correctly?)

I came to Motherhood at a late age, and via a long and bumpy road. I know (KNOW) what treasures my children are. It is my pleasure to spend time with them and create traditions with them.

Summertime visitors

2008-12-14T21:40:00.006-07:00

In July of 2007, just a few days before we left for China to get Irene, our next-door neighbor Larry let us know that he took some pictures of some early morning visitors in our backyard!

I was so surprised when he emailed me about a dozen photos of two deer in our backyard! They were eating birdseed out of one of the feeders, and taking a drink from May and Jane's tiny wading pool! They also seem to be eying May's garden. That summer, she had a lot of yummy things in there.

I think the first photo is so interesting! Larry was peeking through his forest of TREES into our backyard, which could better be referred to as The Badlands. My dear neighbors have been beyond patient with our "natural landscaping." Once finances are more abundant in our family, and I have at least one knee replacement, our landscaping will be done!

I love these pictures of our peaceful deer visitors, taken by our wonderful dear neighbor.

Our Backyard

2008-12-14T10:31:00.006-07:00

There are many things I like about where we currently live. One of my favorites is our backyard. While our property sits on just half an acre, it feels like more because we back to Open Space, and beyond that are homes on 5 acres (and more). They are horse properties, and the people directly behind us have two horses. One horse and rider practice dressage in a small circular riding arena and I get the biggest kick out of that. Poor horse. Such a fancy pants thing -- dressage.

I love seeing what nature looks like at any given moment out my back door. Here are a few recent lovely events. The first was a HUGE moon to the west of us, early in the morning in mid November. Then a sunset in late November, and finally an early December snow.

In my next post I will show you some guests we had that our next-door neighbor Larry captured on film!

Fountain of Youth (for skin)

2008-12-14T09:37:00.005-07:00

As I approach my 50th birthday a couple of weeks from now (yippeeee!), I have noticed that my skin is drying up beyond all belief! This has actually been happening for about a year now and is probably tied to perimenopause. Or real menopause.

At any rate, I would look at my hands and feet and wonder why my Mother's hands and feet are on the end of my arms and legs! LOL! My shins have captured some crocodile skin. Ugh.

So, I mention all of this to my niece Jill in early November, and she recommends shea butter to me. She tells me that it is in the ethnic hair/skin care section at stores like Wal-Mart. Shea butter makes sense to me, as that is what Jane's pediatrician recommended in her body wash for baths and showers (she has very sensitive skin).

I bought a pot of Palmer's Shea Butter, and have been using it ever since. I LOVE THIS STUFF. My skin is soft and smooooooth and supple and the elasticity had returned to it. My dry skin (even on heels) just rubs off after a bath or shower, just like it did when I was 20! My skin has not been this hydrated for decades!

Living in Colorado, you are wise to sleep with lip balm on to avoid chapped lips. I have given up my beloved Blistex Silk and Shiny in favor of a bit of shea butter! Works great! When I have a cold, I will still rib a little Vics Vape-O-Rub on my lips. Seriously! I have found nothing better! The smell evaporates (or your sense of smell deadens??) after a very short time. Try it. Only for adults without skin sensitivities.

Here is a picture of what you need to look for, if you have dry skin or chapped lips. It is a solid, but if you rub it in your hands, it melts and is easy to apply. Thanks for the recommendation, Jill!!

Janie got a booster seat!

2008-12-12T19:43:00.004-07:00

Guess who finally got her weight to over30 pounds and got to have a new booster seat instead of a 5-point harness child seat?? Janie! YIPPEEEE! She is SO HAPPY to be able to buckle herself up and get out of the car all by herself. So sweet!

Anybody want to buy a gently used Britax Roundabout carseat with a blue denim/plaid cover? I am going to clean it up and offer it to our local FCC (Families with Children from China) group, and then put it on Craigslist.

The Morning After

2008-12-12T02:54:00.005-07:00

The morning after Irene's party, she awoke in her Snow White costume. She is always GROGGY and GRUMPY in the morning (when she is older, she is going to be like her Mama and be a Two-Cuppa Girl), but she was extra pouty that morning, as she could not for-the-life-of-her locate her second play shoe. I kept telling her to go and look where she found the first one, but she kept telling me that she did not know where she found the first one. LOL!!

There are still many funny communication issues after having her for 15 months in our English Immursion Course. HEE!

Irene's party

2008-12-12T01:42:00.018-07:00

We had Irene's birthday party to celebrate her 6th birthday on December 3rd (Wed) after school. It was kind of late notice, and so I sent out email invitations! It worked great, and we had a good crowd. Lots of her schoolmates came. Our dear friends from Denver came, and it was SOOOO GOOD to see them and to hang out with them after the party. I didn't want them to leave. My mom and my sister Ricki came, and were a BIG help in all the festivities.

The kids were invited to come dressed as princesses if they liked, and many of them did! They did a craft of foam pieces that made a decoration that said "Let it Snow" (although, many of them decided to just spell out their name instead of those words) and had a snowman and a penguin.

I brought out the crazy rice box and Ricki ran the craziness as they were blindfolded and timed and searched the box for small toys and candies. When May was little, the kids threw handfuls of rice, sat in the box, and it took me weeks to get all the rice cleaned up. LOL! This time, the kids carefully and gently searched for the treasures, and very little got spilled. I tried to encourage more ACTIVE digging, but they remained calm and cool. Maybe the days of the FUN of the rice box are passed?? My girls still love reburying the treasures and finding them over and over again after the parties. I joined them this time, and SO enjoyed the feeling of the cool, dry rice flowing over my fingers and hands. It gave me a longing for the beach!

After the rice box search, they did the pinata. It was a little too weak and broke on about the 3rd or fourth kid! I need to perfect my technique. After it opened and all the candy was scooped up, several of the kids still wanted a turn at hitting the EMPTY pinata! It was fun forme to see that they enjoyed it so much -- even without the reward of candy!

It helped that they got to use Chris' wooden sword from Japan. The kids always love that.

Irene loved her Sleeping Beauty doll cake, but refused to eat any. LOL!

Irene LOVED every present she got - lots of girlie foo-foo things. She was thrilled! She was probably most thrilled with the Snow White costume Ricki and Jerry gave to her, and the tiara-earrings-crown-shoes set from Grandma. She changed into these, and one of her boy friends then got to try on her pink dress! Fun!

She slept in the Snow White dress, and has worn it EVERY day since then. LOL! When we were driving to church a few days later, she was wishing that she could wear it to church. I told her she should have ASKED - I would have said YES. I can just see what she will be asking/wearing this coming Sunday. :-)

After all the party events were finished, Ricki gifted the kids with one of her wonderful stories. They loved it!

THANK YOU to everyone who helped Irene have such a great celebration!

Irene's cake (friend party)

2008-12-10T01:50:00.010-07:00

Each year since May turned 2, the girls have each gotten to choose the theme of their cake. This year, Irene decided she wanted a Sleeping Beauty doll cake, with strawberry cake and pink frosting. And, so it was! As always, I bake the cakes and make the frosting, but Chris puts them together and decorates them. We are a good team. (in many MANY ways)

This year, Chris decorated the cake early in the morning before he headed off to work at his current remodeling gig. So, I noticed he had his tool belt on. But, when he turned around, I laughed like crazy at seeing the things in his took belt! LOL!! I think his sense of humor is one of the best things about him. :-)

Irene LOVED her cake. The look on her face was priceless. But, did she end up eating even ONE bite of the cake before it was allllll gone??? Nope. Not one bite. Silly girl.

Irene Turns 6! (family party)

2008-12-09T21:19:00.011-07:00

We celebrated Irene's 6th birthday on December 1st with a small party just for our little family of five. As is our tradition, Irene got to pick a little cake at the bakery. She chose chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. That's mygirl! She chose dinner, and it was Chinese noodles. The girl has a serious addiction! LOL!

I asked the bakery gal to write Happy Birthday, Irene on the top. The name IRENE totally threw this woman! LOL!! I had to spell it s-l-o-w-l-y three times for her as she wrote. Sheesh. And, she still used a lower case I instead of a capital. Weird.

We kept the presents pretty low key, and Irene was thrilled with each one! She really loved a new red shirt with a bow on it, the books from my sister Linda and her family, and a special envelope from her Connecticut aunts, Peg and Alice. She loved getting some new books and cartridges for the My First Leap Pad, even though they say they are for Preschool. She LOVES the Leap Pads. Littlest Pet Shop toys were also a hit.

Irene has seen a lot of life in her short 6 years. To see her HAPPY and GIGGLY is just such a joy! She is my treasure. Happy birthday, Irene!!

All May Wants for Christmas ...

2008-12-08T02:14:00.006-07:00

... is her two front teeth!

This morning, we were getting ready to get ready for church and May told me her second front tooth was now really loose. I replied with my usual, "Well, then yank that baby right outta there!" She pulled a little more on it, got a wild look in her eye, grabbed a Kleenex, held it to her tooth, showed me a tiny spot of red on it, and went RUNNING off to the bathroom mirror yelling, "I taste blood!"

That girl of mine sees and tastes blood and GOES IN FOR THE KILL! LOL!

Next thing we know, she is back from the bathroom with her new and improved smile, and her tooth in the Kleenex.

"Sister Susie sittin' on a thistle."

Thanksgiving at our house

2008-12-08T00:25:00.012-07:00

So. We hosted Thanksgiving at our house this year and had 14 people. Kind of a smallish gathering. Nice! We were 50% kids and 50% adults, which was FUN! I completely forgot to take many photos, and especially of the table -which was square and GREAT!! Chris came up with the design, which allowed us all to be truly together and to share laughter and conversation among all 14 of us. Very cool!

My girls had a lot of fun playing with their cousins (OK, second cousins), including rough-housing on Irene's bed. The laughter was a salve for this past tough year.

Why is that if I have 24 hours in each day. like everyone else, the hard times seem to pass so slowly? I think back to easier times and they feel so distant. But, at the same time, I feel that brighter days are just on the horizon!

My poor brain. So confused.

I am thankful for the wonders in my life, some of whom are picture here. Chris and my oldest brother-in-law, Jerry, were in the kitchen when I was taking photos. I am profoundly thankful for them, even though you don't see them here! :-)

I love a (Veteran's Day) parade

2008-12-07T21:57:00.027-07:00

I love a parade. No, you don't understand. I really REALLY R-E-A-L-L-Y love a parade!! I think it is in my genes. And, there is nothing like a Veteran's Day parade in a military town. We live close enough to Colorado Springs to go to their parades. And, this one on November 8, 2008 was (to borrow my Daddy's term) FANNNNNNN-TASTIC!

I took about 200 photos and narrowed them down to the best MUST HAVE 72. Then, I whacked away without mercy and decided on these 40 to show to you. But, it has really lost so much of the feel of the day. There was a place of honor for every branch of the military, every war, every major battle, MIA/POW, ROTC, vets and active duty, helicopters, subs, flag displays, and MORE MORE MORE. Wow. AWESOME!

It was a little chilly when it first got started. Irene began by whining and moaning and grumbling. But, she ended the parade with her coat off and DANCING in the street! It was WONDERFUL!

At the very end, after the street sweepers and motorcyle cops had gone by, a guy rode his bicycle up to us and let the girls sit on it and he patiently explained the unusual bike to them. He let each of the girls sit in the bike. He was so nice and chatty and friendly. Turns out that Chris knows him from the local cycling club. The guy ran for public office a while back. I believe it. He was very personable! He became Our New Best Friend, Alan. He kidded the girls that he was the only parade entrant who stopped and let them ride on the ride. He was right! Nice guy.

Sooooooo ... come along to the consolidated version of the Colorado Springs Veteran's Day Parade, 2008! I'll post the 40 photos in small size. You will need to click on any that you want to see in a larger size. See if you can find my nose.

-Holly

8 days no blog

2008-12-05T14:34:00.003-07:00

I am, once again, a bad blogger.

It is not for lack of material! I could blog about the Veteran's Day parade, Thanksgiving, and our two parties to celebrate Irene's 6th birthday. Let alone the fantastic snowy view of our back yard and my crazy family snow kayaking and building a snowman, the girls playing and sleeping (Irene slept in her new Snow White costume that her Aunt Ricki and Uncle Jerry - my oldest sister and brother-in-law - gave to her for her BD) and other Life Happenings.

I won't say I don't have the time. I still have 24 hours, just like everyone else.

Must make a greater effort.

Soon.

-Holly