This girl showed up yesterday. We first saw her several blocks away in a very busy part of town. She didn't seem to fear the cars or people. We noticed her, but we were busy going to Ve and Mim's haircut appointment (more later on this). The appointment lasted 2 hours and when we arrived back home, this turkey was now in our yard pacing the fence in an attempt to get by our chickens. The girls were excited, so we let the chickens out, and slowly walked the turkey to them. Once she joined our feathered flock we slowly moved them all back into the fenced area. We now have a turkey, for a while at least until she attempts to fly out...which by the way she has made no attempt at this what so ever...
We are now on spring break for a week..yeah!! What are we doing, not much, just relaxing...I have been dealing with plantar facilities since the end of October, that has now moved into the surrounding tendons. I have been in a lot of pain for 4 1/2 months, so I finally went to the doctor. They said I treated it right except for one important area...I never rested it..sounds like me. Anyway that five mile race at the beginning of March did me in. Running slow with Ve and Tuks, plus pushing Tuks in the stroller for more than half the way took its toll. They have me in a walking boot, stretches, and now they believe the whole problem hinges on the fact that I have narrow heels and the fatty tissue is spreading out and I do not have enough cushion padding....one thing leads to another, so I am moving slow of late.
Last weekend Mim and I had a blow out over her learning to listen to me, respect, etc., It happens about once a month, but this time was very different, and by Monday I found out why. She started menstruating...OK, so now I really do have a teenager in the house. So to re-cap just short of five months that she has been home, she has grown several inches, put on 10+ lbs, lost 3 teeth and now she is a young woman...
allot of changes in a short time..
As for the hair appointment. If you remember I relaxed the girl's hair shortly after Mim came home. It was OK for Ve, actually really good, but I feel (hindsight) Mim's hair was not healthy enough to have done it so soon. It started breaking in the back, so we went to have Ve's hair trimmed yesterday and Mim's cut really really short. It was traumatic for her, but we told her that it will come back healthier than ever. The hair stylist, Nina is a black woman who I specifically choose so
that Mim could hear it from her that cutting it off was the best thing to do at this time. I think it looks classy, and sophisticated, but Mim is adjusting. We bought more headbands and some ear rings so she doesn't feel like such a boy...She asked right away about relaxing it again, and I just said "We'll see, how it goes" maybe if she lets me I will post a picture at a later date.
We have also been planning out our summer...I hope to take a 3 - 8 day trip for each month that we are off. I have two scheduled so far and just need to firm up the last one. It should be nice. Ve and Mim will also be in summer school, so we will be busy but not too busy..Only 10 weeks away...hard to believe, but still seems so far away...
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
If you build it, they will come
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Whistling or Tundra...
we don't really know, but a huge beautiful flock stopping over on the way north none the less...Spring is here! Migration is bringing the feathered ones home and/or passing through...love it
Sunday, March 14, 2010
55-it's amazing what a warm sunny day can do for your soul
We spent nearly the full day outside. I managed to rake a part of my lawn and Mim jumped right in and helped me without being asked. She was amazed at all the green grass. She kept saying "I love green, Cool, look at all this green" Something so simple that we take for granted, green grass, and she was enthralled with it....more photos of our warm day
sandbox
even the tiny Seramas were outside for some sunshine
playing, riding and chickens, who could ask for anything more
dogs staying in the yard without a leash...love this, it brings back childhood memories when I would play outside, I always had a dog with me, and I am happy my girls can have that too.
sweet DaVinci, he gained 10 lbs in 1 month
dare-devil Mim with Heathcliff
cautious but willing Ve with Heathcliff and DaVinci
safety girl Tuki..she at first forgot how to peddle, but then remembered quickly. She like to wear her helmet ALL THE TIME WHEN OUTSIDE.....
closeup of Mim
My Buff Orpington Myrtle..I think she looks cool. She is standing behind Stella, a Black Aust
playing ball
with Ve and DaVinci
tuckered out after a full day in the sun, matter of fact all the dogs and girls are now sleeping while I sit here typing this post
later playing basketball with Kiki
more play
good day all around
Saturday, March 13, 2010
MusingMim
Mim has been talking like almost non-stop everyday for months now. I guess she is still quiet in school, but then more than makes up for it once she gets home. Today, early this morning we (Mim & I) were talking about the last four months since she has been home. We talked about how we had some doozy fights about her not listening and wanting to do what she wanted to do and how I set the boundaries. She re-capped what I did in those arguments, and I re-capped what she did. It was an interesting discussion. I then told her it is normal for kids to push their boundaries to see what they can get away with and it is normal for parents to set the boundaries. Sometimes we say "yes" to our kids, sometimes we say "no". That is why we were fighting. I also told her that it will probably happen again. Mim then states adamantly that she is all done fighting. Very funny child...she is not perfect but she is without a doubt a poster child for an older child adoption. I have said it before and I will say it again, she really is an incredible young lady.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Three Years
today I started blogging.......and blogging I still am. Not often, not wordy, but still holding on to the blogger world and still resisting the facebook world.....what can I say, I am stubborn and I love this journaling of childhood for my children.
Our family has grown up and out. Three more cats, 1 dog lost, 1 dog gained, 20 chickens, two more daughters, and a much heavier Aves (progress in the wrong way)..but we are still here, happy and busy........
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Arrival of Spring?!?!
pre-race excitement
post race meal - KFC - Mim & Tuki
Kiki & Ve
the three chillin'
Today - ohhh so nice temps - Ve & DaVinci
the pup
Ve & scooter
opening the outside door for the chickens today--they dared to venture out for the first time since last November
hard at play
Einstein & DaVinci - fast buddies
hard at play again
some of the girls loving being outside
can't wait for the eggs to turn golden orange once again..there is something about free- range eggs...oh so GOOD!!!! and good for you too.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Race Day - 5 miles
We all raced today...5 miles. Tuks walked/strollered/ran it, Ve walked/ran it, Mim ran 99% and walked 1% of it, I jogged most of it while pushing Tuki in the stroller, and Kiki pushed walked/ran it too. The only one wearing a bib and timing chip was Mim...see her results below. Not too bad to go out and run 5 miles without training..We all had a good time. I'll try to post some photos tomorrow!!!
bib number: 1568
age: 12
gender: F
overall place: 1386 out of 1877
division place: 12
gender place: 572 out of 923
time: 51:43
pace: 10:21
mile 2.5: 24:23
gun time: 54:05
Monday, March 1, 2010
My Travels
