Sick

Ugh. Steve's allergies got better, and mine got much worse as we moved through the month of May. Something brutal is in bloom in Seattle and I'm not sure what (actually, everything is in bloom and that's likely the problem!) I went to the doctor two weeks ago to get prescription allergy meds, only to find out that my new health insurance (thru my new job) doesn't kick in until June 1 - and with my Rx's costing upwards of $150, I had to put them on hold. I am so happy that tomorrow is the 1st...believe me, I will be first in line at the pharmacy! The past couple of weeks I've been getting by with over the counter drugs and by using a neti pot every evening before I go to bed.

Then Thursday night I started not feeling so good in general. Steve made dinner - grilled up some chicken and veggies - one of my favorites - and I couldn't eat more than a couple of bites. I woke up around 4 am with horrible stomach cramps. Like an idiot, I went to work yesterday (hoping the stomach problems would go away) and by 11:30 had to leave work and come home for the day. A beautiful, sunny Friday afternoon off work and I spent the entire day either in the bathroom or in bed. UGH. I had a fever and everything. Blah. Steve went out to the store and got me some Pepto and chicken soup. By 7 pm, I was able to force down the soup. By 10 pm I felt on-the-mend - and today I feel fine. So it must've just been some kind of 24 hour flu bug. I haven't had that kind of thing in years (and hopefully WON'T again for many more years!)

Long story short - my plan is to lay low this weekend and stay healthy!

Memorial Day Weekend

Some of you may remember THIS post from last year. At the time, I was in the midst of adoption paperwork and payments, and eating mac 'n' cheese for dinner three nights a week, just to make ends meet - so I was unable to fly out to Seattle and be a part of the service for my grandpa. He was a World War II veteran who was rightfully buried in a plot at Tahoma National Cemetary.

This weekend, my sister, my cousin, Steve and I had the opportunity to take a drive out to the cemetary. It is so beautiful there. Very peaceful. Surrounded by enormous evergreen trees with majestic views of Mt. Rainier. Overall, not a bad place to be laid to rest. Most of the plots around his are other WWII and Korean War veterans, but sadly, there are young people from the Iraq War buried there too. Clearly, on this day (and every day!) we need to remember them and their families, and the enormous sacrifices they have given - as well as all the people serving in our military around the world.

A Trip to the Groomer

Luna went to the groomer today. First time since we moved. I'm always nervous about leaving her anywhere new with people I don't know or trust. Yes, I'm already a paranoid mom...dog mom anyway! I forgot to take "Before" photos, but here's some cute "Afters"...


She is such a good girl about going to the groomer - and they gave her a cute pink bandana to wear home! Thankfully Steve was able to drop her off and pick her up, since the groomer was booked over a week in advance and I had to work today.

Speaking of which, things have gotten crazy there in recent weeks. I'm finally getting the lay of the land...and it is an incredibly busy land. It is definitely a double-edged sword, being surrounded by the world of adoption day in and day out. Some days it is amazing and the stories I see and hear keep me motivated in the long, long wait for Lia. Other days, it is very hard to see so many other families receiving referrals and getting ready to travel; or sharing their kids' preschool, kindergarten (and even high school and college!) graduation photos with us. But I guess realistically, if I wasn't working there, I would be searching out those stories in other places. So why not be a part of the process from the inside out? Overall, it's a cool thing.

China Earthquake Relief

Wenchuan earthquake in Sichuan Province has resulted in the death of more than 40,000 people and the collapse and damage of at least 4.5 million buildings and houses.

In response, Chinese Children Charities/CCAI has established Earthquake Relief Fund to help orphanages purchase tents, food, diapers, medicine, clothes, and post-quake building repairs and construction. See the latest earthquake updates.

Chinese Children Charities is a 501©3charitable organization. 100% of your tax deductible contribution will go to help the orphans in China. To make your contribution, please click HERE.

Lucky number...

13 months down...whoo hoo!

Spring Day

Steve and I took the dogs for a walk around the neighborhood. The street behind our house has several trees that are in full bloom. So Steve stopped to take this photo of Luna and I.

We all enjoyed the walk and taking in the spring sights and smells...and then went home and took our allergy pills...lol. Poor Luna needs a haircut!

In other news, I was scheduled for computer training today - over in Bellevue. It took me an hour to get there during the morning rush hour. Made me glad I don't have that kind of commute every day!

But the good news is, my fave radio station C-89 FM plays their "Save the Wave" 80s flashback mix on Thursday mornings, so I got to hear a lot of great tunes I hadn't heard in many years, which made the hour drive kind of fun. :)

The class was over by 3:45, so I took the long way home (across the floating bridge) and took in the sunshine along the way. Holla!

Quattro de Mayo!

Today my mom & dad hosted the extended family for a "Quattro De Mayo" get together. My grandmother, aunt, uncles, cousin and sister all attended - along with myself, Steve, the dogs. The purposed of the party was to gather everyone together for some good food and do an early Mother's Day tribute, as well as a celebration of my birthday (which is tomorrow). It was a lot of fun. Of course we did a Mexican theme so tacos were on the menu:



Also, my sister and my cousin were each kind enough to bring me gorgeous birthday flowers:



My aunt made an angel food cake and brought an array of toppings. I chose to top mine off with strawberries, raspberries, chocolate cool whip, and dark chocolate shavings! YUMMY :)


The weather was really nice, so my mom pulled out the patio furniture. My parents live on a greenbelt, so it was a lovely backdrop. Here are my sister and Steve enjoying the sun and getting wild with bottled water and Diet Coke (lol).


A sunny day with family and great food...what more could a girl ask for on her birthday?