Goodbye Sweet Car

Well, SGI called last night and told us that my dear, sweet VW has been deemed a total loss! They couldn't save her! I am sad...I loved my car. It took me to and from places safely. It was fun to drive....sigh. I know it is just a car but it was my car...and so the search begins for new (used) one.


R.I.P

I will miss you!

Bead For Life

Yesterday I hosted a Bead for Life party. Bead for Life is an organization which partners with women in need from Uganda to help make a difference in their lives. The party featured beautiful beaded jewelry made of recycled paper by refugees from Northern Uganda’s brutal war and HIV+ mothers. All of the women Bead for Life works with were living on less than a dollar a day before they began making beads.

The best part of all is that the money raised from the sale of the beads goes directly to the women and communities in Uganda. The hostess/host do not get any benefits from hosting....they need to buy their jewelry just like everyone else.

Hosting the event is free - doesn't cost you one red penny (of course any food or refreshments you serve are your expense). You contact Bead for Life - they ask how big and when your party will be. You give them your address and they send you out the kit with all the jewelry in it. Then you sell the jewelry to your friends and send the money back to Beads for Life. There is no shipping costs involved - nothing, nada! It was awesome!

And the jewelry is AMAZING!!! It is so much prettier and more intricate when you see it in person.

Because I am a cotton-headed-ninny-muggins (I have been itching to use that since I watched Elf Saturday night for the umpteenth time) I forgot to take pictures of all the gals trying the jewelry on. Sheesh! Can you believe it.

I think about 25 women came out for the party (thanks to all those who brought friends and family along) making it a success. The total sales from the day where just a few dollars shy of $1700.

$1700!!!!!! YOU GALS ROCK !!! I am so excited to send the money to Bead for Life - All the purchasing of jewelry for yourself or loved ones has just made a woman and her family's life on the other side of the world that much better!!! How awesome is that!

The adoption posse came out in full force - Cheryl, Rhonda, Ricki, Sandi, Natasha, Jessica and Shauna...they hung around after for a visit and catch up...Rhonda's right...we all need to be living in the same city to do this more often - come on Ricki and Rhonda - move to Toon Town. Shannon - we missed you and wished you were there - I made black bottom cupcakes in your honour (they were awesome!). Jess it was nice to meet you! We will see you soon hopefully :)

I love that women came together to celebrate and empower women a world away. I challenge all other women out there who read my blog to throw a Bead for Life party...and blog about it!

Ever have one of those days....

...where you wish you would have just stayed in bed...or at least an extra 5 minutes at Cheryl's having tea.

Today was one of those days for me!!

In my defense, the driver ahead of me had the all clear to merge. They accelerated to merge, I looked to make sure I was clear, I accelerated and at the same time the driver in front of me decided to stop! Suddenly!!!!

I am o.k., the other driver is o.k. - her big gas guzzling SUV is o.k. - my beautiful, sleek, fairly gas efficient, heated seats and sun roof, silver 2003 Volkswagen Golf is not :(

To top it all off - the police officer, nice as she was, gave me a $280.00 ticket for "Undo Care and Attention".....There was care....there was attention!

Oy, I shoulda stayed in bed.

Phenomenal Woman

One of my favourite poems of all time is a poem by Maya Angelou called "Phenomenal Woman".

I am sending this out to the all the PHENOMENAL women who are on this crazy roller coaster ride called adoption. Whether you are just starting, waiting for a referral, waiting for court or travel or are already home with your wee ones...

...without all of you, this would be a much harder journey. Thanks for all your love and support.

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Maya Angelou

Once in a Lifetime

On this day, the day of.....37.....I am reminded of my favourite song by Talking Heads




Once in a lifetime and I am thankful to have reached it!

Need New Hobby to Pass the Time

So, I decided I need a new hobby to pass the time while we wait for our referral.

And.........I have decided to take up hula hooping!!!!!

Americus Wilson


What??!?! I could totally do that!