Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Fab day today

We were home all day today and it was perfect. I have done nothing but work today, but I love it.

I cleaned the white risers on the stairs today. That was no fun, but they look fantastic. I also sent out Ping's birthday invitations after addressing them. I cleaned the kitchen, bathroom, hallway and dining room floors. I wrote an email to American Airlines and a few other places to take care of stuff. I called and met with a tree removal guy. I made appointments. Worked on some CASA stuff and some other items. I just did so many things and believe it or not, I have mostly sat at this desk all day just working. I love it, I really do. I feel like I got a lot done and it's not someone else telling me what to do. I am so glad I am not punching the alarm clock and heading to work where I am poorly paid and stuck working with crabby people. I keep thinking that today is the day I am going to stop appreciating being home. It hasn't happened yet. I seriously thank the lucky stars daily. I love living my life. I don't feel like I have been living my life for years now. I am a fairly happy go lucky gal right now. If my parents were alive, I would be downright giddy!!!!!

I have to share a quick story about Ping. Ping was sitting on the bed today while I got out her comb so that I could straighten her hair. Ping says, "I want chicken fingers Mama." Well it was 10 am and I didn't think that chicken fingers were appropriate, so I said that she could have some breakfast food. So she said "I want an awful Mama." That means she wants a waffle. So I said to her "Daddy makes you waffles, Mama doesn't make you waffles." Now I can absolutely make a waffle, but I was just teasing her and pointing out that waffles and Daddy time was special on the weekends. Now are you ready? The girl says "Daddy is a good cooker Mama. You are a good heater." I am like WHAT???? So she repeats it. I said to her "Are you trying to say that Daddy cooks for you?" She said yes. Then I said "Are you saying that all I do is heat food up for you????" To which she replied while laughing hysterically "Yes Mama." STINKER. She has me pegged. I don't cook. Daddy does all the cooking. I heat up chicken fingers and soup and leftovers. I can make a sandwich and I can roll ham and cheese with the best of them, but I am no "cooker." She is just priceless. If I could bottle her, I could sell it for millions. Cure for depression, have some "PING."

Mama Out!!!!!

Monday, June 29, 2009

It's been a busy couple of days here

Ping and I had a play date on Friday with Marghrit, her sister Talar and Marghrit's two girls. The twins are 1 1/2 years old now. They are adorable. We had a fabulous time visiting. Marghrit made lunch for all of us, which was awesome. We then sat in the living room and let the girls play. Marghrit showed me her pictures from her April trip to Syria. She used to live there. She and Berj brought Ping home a sterling necklace with a little pendant that had a pearl and some rhinestones. So thoughtful. They also brought home a beautiful table covering for me. It's cream and gold. We had a great time. Marghrit also shared with me some cherries that are from Syria. They are tiny and bitter, but when soaked, they turn sweet. They make alcohol out of these cherries. The alcohol is made for special holidays like Easter and Christmas. I had a little glass of the cherry liquor. The official name of it escapes me. It was yummy!!!!

After our play date, we went to the store to get Daddy an anniversary card and then headed home. We were pretty tired from a long day of play.

Saturday was an odd day. It was dark out like it was going to rain. That is all we have had, so we believed that it would evenutally start. It did as well as some thunderstorms too. Bill worked in the garage hanging some cabinets and shelves. I stayed inside and organized and cleaned a few drawers and closets. I also gathered up all of our old coats and put them in a bag for Goodwill. That took up the entire afternoon. We didn't do much in the evening except watch TV.

Sunday we got up, gave each other anniversary cards and headed out the door. We went to the Channel 7 news Health and Fitness Convention. It was in Boston and it was free. We would only have to pay for parking. I have wanted to go the last two years they have put this convention on, but we never went. Bill wasn't thrilled, but he was a good sport about it. It was crowded and hot. I saw Helen, Ron and Michael from the Biggest Loser. I also saw quite a few newscasters. We missed Tedy Bruschi, but did see Jim Rice. Ping got her face painted, we had our blood pressures checked and we had our skin looked at for skin damage. We didn't do a lot as it was so crowded and the lines were very long. We waited over an hour just for Ping to have her face done!!!! Once we recovered from the $35.00 parking fee, we headed out of town. $35 dollars to park!!!!! We thought it was absurd for 4 hours. I have never paid that much in Boston that I can remember. Anyway, we had dinner at a restaurant close to the house because we hadn't had lunch and it was dinner time. We then came home and put Ping to bed. It was an exhausting day.

Ping and I had another play date today. We went to Sutton to visit with our friend Lisa and her three beautiful girls. Lisa had some of her good friends over with their children. All the kids did well together. We sat around the kitchen and chatted about everything from movies to adopting to getting veggies into our children. I had a wonderful time talking to these women. They were very warm and welcoming. Ping had a blast running all over with the other kids. We left in the early afternoon and grabbed some lunch. I was going to go straight home, but Ping was crying that she was starving. She also was upset because she had sand in her eyes from playing outside. So we had a quick lunch, went to the video store and headed home.

Tonight I had to go to Pepperell to meet a foster mom and the foster child that I have right now as a CASA volunteer. It went well. It was a trip out there, but it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I thought it would take longer, but it truly didn't.

Now I am home, catching up here and then having dinner. I am pooped.

I hope you are well!!!!

Mama Out!!!!!!!!

Beautiful cloth from Syria.

Armig, Ping and Noushig.

Marghrit on the stairs.

Ping pushing Noushig.

Ping pushing Noushig with Armig in the background.

The girls playing.

Getting a free ride from Daddy.

Helen from the Biggest Loser.

Helen.

Helen.

Ping doing the obstacle course.

Ping kicking a soccer ball.

Grant Greenburg from Channel 7.

Byron Barnett from Channel 7.

Ping trying her hand at tennis.

Michael and Ron from the Biggest Loser.

The sun was somewhere finally, but he or she belongs outside!!!!

Frances Rivera from Channel 7.

Ping loving her Daddy.

Face painted princess.

Ping and Joe Amorosino from Channel 7.

Ping with Rhett Lewis from Channel 7.

Ping with Kim Khazei from Channel 7.

Ping in the park that was next to the parking lot that we parked in.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

So pleased

Today I took Ping to the drop in center at the Y so that I could swim for an hour. It went well. She was good about going.

I spent the afternoon on the road doing an errand for Bill. Hope he knows how lucky he is that I was willing to do it. I know many woman who wouldn't drive somewhere they don't know just to drop something off for their husbands. Mind you, most people have GPS now. I do not! I was glad I was able to help him though. There are some wonderful things about having a schedule that is flexible and I am seriously grateful for it daily. I do not take it for granted.

I learned how to upload music to my blog last night. Today I learned how to embed a video to the blog. I am not sure about you, but I have a few things on the list in my brain. I am not talking about a typical to do list. I am talking about the list that floats around in my mind. On that list was learning how to add music and video to my blog. So I am so pleased that I finally learned how to do it. I know that sounds silly, but I am not technically savvy at all and I don't have a ton of patience to sit down and figure it out. So those are two things I can check off my list. I also want to learn how to put together a slideshow of pictures and music. That may take some time, but I am feeling optimistic that I can eventually get there. I would also like to start and finish a Lifebook for Ping. The mere thought of it overwhelms me. Additionally, I have always wanted to run a marathon. I don't ever see that happening. We shall see though. Life changes, right?

So all in all, it was a satisfying day in the land of Jill and Ping.

Mama Out!!!!!!!

Storm at sea

Please pause the music player if you want to watch a video or not listen to the music!!!!

Red couch photo in China

Ping harrassing Neesha

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Follow up mammogram fun

I had an 11:00 am mammogram this morning. My baseline one was done in December. They found a little something and wanted to recheck it in six months, so today was the day. Nothing like being squeezed to death by a machine. Thank god it was only one side. Things look good. I go back in six months again. Oh joy!

After my appointment, I went to the video store and picked out a new movie. I got "Not Easily Broken." It was excellent. Ping and I grabbed a quick lunch at Wendy's since it was getting late and then a quick stop at Price Chopper. It was another miserable day here weather wise. We really just wanted to get home. Ping thinks that Wendy's is a girl's house. I had to explain to her that it's a restaurant. She is in the "why" faze and it's killing me!!!!!

I had a lot of CASA work to do today. I did what I needed to do. When Bill got home, I fell asleep for a few. Didn't really mean to do that. I got back up and had dinner and watched the movie as well as put some stuff away. Fairly boring day here.

Hope everyone is staying dry.

Mama Out!!!!

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Successful first day off from school

I got up at 7:30 am and showered. We had our central A/C replaced today. The owner said he was coming at 8:30 am, so I knew I had to be up and ready. Sure enough, he was here at 8:20 am. We had three landscaping men here and two guys for the A/C. I had Bill lock the cats up at 7:00 am this morning. They had their litter box and food. Poor things though. They were not let out of the room until 5:00 pm. It was a long day for them. It is more important that they are safe though. One of our doors was open for 90% of the day. That wouldn't have worked for the three girls.

I was able to escape for one hour today when the A/C guys went to get a few parts and to have lunch. I needed to go get a video, get some vitamins for Ping and get to the post office. Other than that, we were stuck in the house all day. It didn't pour today. It only sprinkled on and off. It was a dark day though.

The new A/C unit is gigantic. It's truly mammoth! The other unit was about 10 years old and fading. There are two rebates being offered right now, so it was worth it to do now rather than wait a year or so.

Ping was as silly as she could be tonight. She was singing and dancing. Daddy found it amusing. I found it loud. At one point tonight, she sat behind me while I was typing. I didn't even know what she was doing as I was trying to get something done. I turned around and found that she had covered her face with foam pieces. Take a look below. She made this piece of art for me yesterday and tonight she picked it apart and decorated herself! Even one of the A/C guys said tonight at 5:00 pm, "does she ever run out of energy because she has been going all day long?"

Hope you are well.

Mama Out!!!!!!

What can I say?

She is so happy, but so devilish.

My sweetie.

Monday, June 22, 2009

School is DONE!!!!

It's been a crazy few days here. We have had a lot of activity. For Father's Day, I decided to give Bill the "Gift of Time." What that means is that instead of Bill doing the list of projects that need to be done here, I hired some people to do the jobs. I thought it was a great idea. I wanted the garage interior to be painted, I found someone to do it and they came out Saturday. I wanted to get some weeding, edging and bark mulch done so I hired someone to do that. I wanted the house to be power washed. Again, I hired someone to do that. When you work full time, it's nearly impossible to get stuff done. Most people know that. Add to it the New England weather which is always unpredictable and weekend obligations and you are left with limited time to accomplish anything! These are projects we needed to have done. I just didn't see how they could be done in July and August. I got a lot of estimates and got some really great prices on the work. So we have had a lot of people around the house lately.

Thursday I had to be here for the power washer. He came in the afternoon. At 10:00 am, I had to go to the end of the year classroom gathering at Ping's school. It was really cute. They all acted out nursery rhymes. Then the teacher gave her a book and a certificate of completion. So sweet.

On Friday, we hung around while the house was being cleaned. It's been a month and it was needed desperately.

Saturday we had painters come at 9:00 am. They were supposed to leave around noon. They didn't leave until 5:30 pm. We had a party to go to in Norwood. Needless to say, we never got there. However, it worked out great because our friend Anita came over. We watched "Lions for Lambs" after having dinner. The movie stunk. It was great to see her though.

I have been watching one movie a night since Blockbuster is running this special right now. So I have seen "Taken" and "Defiance" and "Slumdog Millionaire." All were great movies. Tonight I have "Revolutionary Road." I also saw "The Reader" as well as a bunch of others. It's been fun, but tiring. I stay up to watch the movie no matter what the time!!!!!!

Yesterday was Father's Day. Bill said he wanted something tangible. Told him that my fist was tangible. Of course we were joking with each other. I told him that if he hired someone to do some of the upcoming projects I have, I would be the most loving and wonderful wife ever. Good thing I don't have to worry about it. It is never going to happen. I know my husband.

We went to Gymboree, Michaels, Home Depot and Flying Rhino for linner! We didn't have lunch, so we had linner. It was okay. We got a few organizational things for the garage. I hate Home Depot with a passion. I hate Lowes as well. I don't know why, but it's the most boring store in the world to me. I also hate looking for stuff in the store. I wanted to drag my heels, but I had to go as it was for the garage that I am trying to make neat!

Ping was hilarious yesterday. She locked herself in my bathroom while I was showering. She also locked in Neesha. I asked her to open the door and show her Daddy something. She said she couldn't or Neesha would scratch her. Neesha was on the counter staring at the door. Ping was worried if she reached for the knob, Neesha would think that she was playing with her. So all of a sudden, she turns to me, puts one finger up and says "I have an idea." So she took the step stool to my bed that was locked in with us and put it up to the door. She petted Neesha and told her she was a nice kitty as she reached for the door handle. She was too far. So I told her to turn the other sink on so Neesha would move. Neesha didn't move. So Ping put the step stool closer to the door and started to pet Neesha again while she reached for the knob. She got it and opened the door. I was so impressed. She has problem solving skills and she isn't even four yet. I was proud of her.

She also has a glorious personality. Last night at dinner, she got ice cream for dessert. It came with her dinner. So I opened my mouth and pointed and said "Ah, ah." That is what she does when she wants something to eat. She knows how to ask, but if Bill has something she wants, she goes to him and does the pointing and the "Ah, ah." She knows it cracks us up and that is why she does it. So last night I started doing the "Ah, ah" and then Bill chimed in with the same thing. Ping couldn't stop laughing. She totally knows when we are mocking her. She was giggling like crazy. Then Bill and I got dessert. We never do. It was only because it was a special day. Usually we are too stuffed. Anyway, Ping started the "Ah, ah" and pointed to Bill and to me. She was signalling that he had to share his dessert with me and me with him and then she would make us share ours with her. Do you think she parted with her ice cream? Hell no. She really is quite the gem. I love her personality. I love how she totally gets when we are behaving like her.

Today was Ping's last day at school. After I went swimming, I picked her up and we came home. We had two gentlemen working in the rain out in the yard. The weather has truly been awful. Ping did a few projects at the kitchen table while I put some pictures in frames and in books. I also booked her birthday party. I tried to find invitations I like. I made a few calls for CASA. I can't even name everything I did today. I will say that I truly put in a great day and I am happy about that. I love beebopping along.

Well that is all for now. Guess I will upload a few photos:)

Mama Out!!!!!

Ping is in the Rub a Dub Dub.

My chef.

Mrs. Ivers on the right. One of Ping's teachers.

Three girls in the tub.

Ping is in the back.

Trying to get off the chef apron.

My happy girl.

Mrs. Bowman in the purple, handing off stuff to Mrs. Ivers. Two of the three teachers in Ping's classroom.

Another cute rhyme.

Mrs. Milton. Ping' primary teacher.

A bunch of her friends.

Mrs. Milton reading to Ping. She told each student how special they were to the classroom.

Holding her book.

Snack time.

Sophie sitting in a odd spot for her.

My special ladybug.

Mexican style!

Another shot of the Mexican style top. It's too big at the top right now I guess.

Neesha in a box.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

I am dead tired

Yesterday I decided to hand clean 30 window screens. Needless to say, it wasn't fun. It was a dirty and tiring job. It had to be done though.

Cleaning the screens took up most of the day. I was waiting on Bill to come home so I could go out. Ayi Meri had her baby boy. 8 lbs and 10 ounces. When Bill came home from his dentist appointment after work, I went to the hospital to visit. I got to hold the little guy. He looks so much like Lucas. Such a cutie. I got a few pictures, so I will post them.

Today was a crazy day. After I picked up Ping from school, I took her to Davis Farmland. We met Mindy and Ciara there. We spent the entire day walking around and feeding the animals, playing with all the toys they have and then we finished the day playing in the splash park. We had a ton of fun. I got a nice sunburn on my face, neck and legs. I didn't think the sun was that strong, but it was. We truly had a wonderful time as the weather was perfect. It was just hot enough to be comfortable without overheating. If every day could be like this, I would be blissfully happy.

I did have 2 kids give me a hard time about my weight. One was in the line at the food counter. He poked his sister and told her to look at me. I just stared at him. He knew what he was doing and I wasn't going to act oblivious to it. The second kid was in the bathroom. He started to giggle and say "Whoa. Mommy did you see the fat lady?" Well she was in a stall or something and ignored him. I said "Don't be rude." So he repeated "Oh, don't be rude." He could not have been more than 5 years old. I was pretty disgusted. I didn't let it ruin my day though. I was there for Ping. She had a blast and that is all that mattered. That and I know deep in my heart that despite my weight, I am a good person. I am not my weight. I am a whole person who treats others with love and respect. This child isn't being taught proper manners. Clearly this has been passed on by a hateful person and is considered acceptable. If I ever hear Ping being rude like that, I will personally throttle her. She isn't being raised to hate people who are too tall or short or thin or wide. I hope she never learns to dislike people because of their color. I hope she embraces people of all religions and economic backgrounds. We can only do our best.

So let me get down to sharing some pictures here.

Mama Out!!!!!!!

Saying inside the fortune cookie from Sarah and Brad.

Me with Ryan.

Girls looking at the bunnies.

Bunnies.

Ping in clubhouse area.

Tree house and trains.

Little cars.

Ping running around.

Ringing the bell.

Sitting in the camper.

Back of the camper. She is getting supplies.

How tall are we?

Waterfall.

Feeding the babies.

Mindy feeding the goats.

"Hmmm, we hungry!"

Snooky.

White llama.

Smile Snooky.

Petting the snake. Ick.

Birds.

Bill the duck.

Beautiful.

AAAFFFFLLLLAAAACCCCCCC.

Pretend milking.

Babies.

Feeding the babies.

Horses.

Hungry cows.

Ping on the piggy.

Splash park.

Brrrrr, it's cold.

Enjoying her wet tractor.