Live from West Boylston!!!!!!

Sorry for my absence. It's been crazy around here!!!! Ping and I were around most of Wednesday, but so was Daddy. Bill stayed home to do schoolwork. On Thursday, we did errands all day. Around 5 pm it started to rain. As the night went on it got worse and worse. It turned into a terrible ice storm. At 10:20 pm the Fire Dept. asked for all available firefighters to show up at the station. So I woke Bill who had fallen asleep with Ping and told him about the call. He headed to the station. Shortly after his leaving, the lights went out. They came back on though. I knew it was a temporary situation because the ice was awful and it was crushing the lines and trees. So I turned off the computer. We lost power again, but it came back after minutes. Shortly after, we had the flickering and then it was out permanently! Life has been messy since.

Bill was at the station and Ping was asleep. I stayed up in a chair all night and watched in horror as power lines blew up into great fire balls. I could hear the branches crashing to the ground and the bigger trees losing 1/2 of their body. It was pretty scary. It was scary because I was concerned the house would be hit. I kept hearing things hit the house, so I would jump up with our one flashlight and I would survey the scene. I would check on Ping and the three fur babies! I would then go back to the chair. Finally around 5:30 or 6:00 am, Ping started yelling "Mommy, Daddy!!!!!" So I ran upstairs. She was wide awake and wanted to babble like a crazy bird. I was so tired. I couldn't even try to sleep because Bill wasn't home and I couldn't wear my darn CPAP anyway!!! Shortly after joining Ping, I heard more crashing. A few minutes later, Bill came up the stairs. I was relieved. He had to park at the bottom of our hill because there was no passage to the house due to trees being down and laying across the street!!!! Bill and I tried to sleep, but couldn't stop laughing because Ping was full of major energy and was dancing and singing and babbling in bed! We finally passed out. We were freezing by then. Bill stayed for an hour or so and then headed to work. There was no school, so no swimming for me. I couldn't have gotten there anyway since the roads were blocked. Plus it was dark and freezing inside! The only thing that worked was our cells! Meri called and told us that she and Joe were in the same situation. Bill called around noon and said he was heading home. He was exhausted! So he came home and slept while Ping played and I made out our Christmas cards with my coat on and a blanket around me. The temps were in the mid 40s! I could feel it in my bones. Meanwhile Ping insisted on wearing a dress!!!!! That kid!

Meri and Joe texted and called us all day and kept asking us to come over and sit by their fire. They were making potatoes and steak on the gas grill. We were so frozen and hungry, so we headed over there. We stayed till 10. We were warm for a little while which was great. It was nice to have some people to spend time with and the food was fantastic! They were much better equiped than we were!!!!! So we headed home for 10 pm because Bill was on call starting at 10. He was covering for another guy! When we got home, we went to bed. What was there to do? It was pitch black and colder then anything, so we just piled into bed with the comforter and 3 blankets.

Meri called in the morning, but I was too cold to pick up the phone! Then Sarah called at noon. As I was talking to her, the green light on my CPAP glowed. I was like "OMG, I think we have our power back!!!!!!" Sure enough we did. Bill jumped out of bed and yelled "wahoo, I am off to make coffee" as he ran down the hallway. I sped myself into the shower! It was divine!!!!! We then picked up and did a few things around the house. We were going to go out but the day got away from us. I was fine with that. Staying home and appreciating the warm room and light was fine with me. We watched the "Miser Brothers" on TV and then I watched a new movie on Hallmark. I love Christmas movies!!!!! Finally went to bed at 2am.

Today we went to Old Sturbridge Village in Sturbridge, MA for Breakfast with Santa Clause. We had 1pm reservations. We arrived a little late. Had to move some branches from the street before we could pass. It's still quite messy around here. The place was a zoo. The food was great. At first I was pretty perturbed. Took forever for a waitress, all the tables were shoved together so you couldn't walk around easily and it was just way too crowded for my taste. I thought this was going to be a sweet and quaint event. Once people started to finish up, it was much more pleasant. Like I said, the food was good. Not a fan of brunch due to people who don't wash their hands properly, but I figured I needed to get over that! LOL. Bill took Ping immediately to see Santa at my urging. Didn't want her dirty before her picture was taken. Bill took her alone because I wasn't squeezing my butt through all the people and chairs. The pictures were awful. No smile. After they returned, I got up and got some food and then Bill did. Ping colored. When Daddy returned with sausages, bacon and eggs, well you could see her eyes twinkle! My chickadee loves meat!!!!! I don't touch that stuff at all or I would be thristy all day long and be miserable, so I have learned not to indulge!!!!! Then she asked for more sausages. I told her that I wanted to see her smile with Santa like she smiled when she talked about the sausages! It was hysterical because right after I said that, she jumped from her chair, walked right over to Santa, jumped on his lap and smiled. I had to run after her with the camera!!!!! I could not believe my eyes!!!!! So cute and bold!!!!! So I guess if I want a smiling Ping, I need to carry some sausages around! We met the manager of the tavern and talked about our adoption quite a bit with him. He is in the process. I told him to have his wife or himself email me or call me anytime. It's nice to talk to someone who has been there and done that already, so I hope they feel comfortable calling if they need anything.

After brunch, we ran a bunch of errands and came home. We were going to make a gingerbread house, but it was too late. I wanted Ping to have a bath since her hair smelled like smoke from Meri's house the other night. I am not complaining, just don't want people wondering what we are doing to her. Bill said "it's not a bad thing that she smells like smoke." Um thank hon, but I am not a firefighter and neither is Ping!! So a nice warm bath and off to bed they went. Bill was coming back to make dinner, but had a feeling I would never see him again and sure enough, he never returned. I wouldn't care so much, but he turns on every freaking Christmas light in the house plus all his village stuff. I get stuck shutting it off! I can't reach the village lights the way he has them, so it's a thorn in my side when he does this to me! Anyhoo, Ping doesn't have school tomorrow, so we have a few errands and Daddy has work! I best be off to sleep.

Mama Out!!!!!

Branch hanging over in the distance. Fuzzy photo. This was all after the storm when we had some sun.

You can see the stuff laying in the driveway.

Backyard.

Backyard.

Backyard.

Backyard.

Backyard.

Backyard showing power line down.

Waiting to be seated.

Tree at brunch.

Mantle at brunch.

Ping with Santa before brunch.

Ping looking for more sausages.

Ping after more sausages!

Sad night for me

First of all, thanks so much for commenting. At least I know someone reads my ramblings! It's okay to say "potty" and "poop" if you want to. It's all good. It just drives me personally insane. I sadly have to admit that even when I have to know Ping's status and Bill is with her, I have to ask him if she has "peed" or "pooped." I need to know so that I can adjust her diet. More fruit or less, you know? Okay, this conversation is sinking to an all time low!!!!!

I spent the day at home working on a big picture project. I have literally had so many pictures taken of Ping lately that I had to get rid of some old photos and put her pictures into the new frames. I ignored the phone and the computer so I could get it done. It's almost done. Now I want to wash the wall they hang on. Damn domino effect.

Tonight, the three of us were going to go to an event called the "Lights of Love." We went last year. Hospice took care of my mom for one day before she passed. So I am on their list for fundraising. So last year and this year, I got the letter inviting me to attend this event. I make a donation in my mom's name and it gets included in the program. So now I attend two of these events. One in Norwood for dad and one in Worcester for mom. Ping desperately wanted a bath and was crying for one. So Bill said he would give her a quick one. This is a plan we had from this morning when she told me she was "dirty!!!!" Anyhoo, she loves her bath time, so I went upstairs and said that they should stay home and have fun and I would go alone. My sweetest girls says "oh Mommy where are you going, it's dark outside?" So I said "Remember last week when I went to honor Grammy and Grampy at the tree lighting after that long drive?" She really didn't remember. I didn't espect her to. However, I explained that I really honored Grampy last week and this week it was time to honor Grammy. She doesn't really understand about these people who would have loved her, but aren't around anymore. She then said "Mommy don't be scared, it's dark out, okay?" God she makes my heart melt. I told her that if I got scared, I would think of her. She is so sweet and sensitive. I then headed out the door.

It was a nice memorial. They have a few speakers from Hospice. They then have a family that has used Hospice. That is a tearjerker. Then they shut off all the lights and turn on the Christmas tree that is covered in white lights and porcelain dove ornaments. Then the Wesley Ringers performed. They are group of women who play bells. I love listening to the bells. Tonight I just lost it. I didn't expect to. If Ping was there, she would have distracted me. However, I was there alone. Most people were there with others. There were some like me though, alone. I was grateful for the darkness. Nobody could see me cry in the dark. I found that I was holding my breath so I wouldn't make a sound. It wasn't fun. I was surprised it hit me like that. Never know when it's going to. It hit me the other day after swimming too. People were asking me who I buy for and they were telling me they were one in a family of ten or one in a family of eight and they had to get gift certificates for the grandchildren, etc. I told them that my husband wants eggnog. That is what he told Ping the other day. That Santa wants eggnog. I was joking to the other women that I was Santa since I was the one ordering the gifts. So one woman says to me "well your husband works right?" I said "yes, he does." She proceeded to tell me that his working is his contribution. I know she meant no offense, but I am hardly living life on one income. I do make money too. It was just a statement made by an older woman, but the conversation went on and I ended up walking out of there sad after explaining who I can't buy for and why. I guess it's just one of those weeks. The holidays are so emotionally charged. You tend to notice all the happiness around you and wonder why you don't share the same happiness as others. Mind you, this year is going to be wonderful because we have my saving grace, my Ping!

I found myself staring at the wall tonight while crying. I am so glad I went, but didn't like the burning eyes after the fact. I just kept saying "this is so not fair!!!!" However, I am not a victim! There are tons of people who have lost their parents young. There are tons of people who have lost their children. I hardly own the corner of pain. However, I just couldn't help my being sad when I kept thinking over and over that I attend two services every year now to honor my parents. I shouldn't be attending these services, I should be home and wrapping gifts while they keep the Pingster entertained. If only life could be arranged like you want it! On the other hand, I would have picked a young baby a long time ago. I wouldn't have waited for the CCAA in China to make a mistake and let one of the best little girls out of China. Their mistake is our gain.

I don't think it's unusual or selfish to want it all. So many people have it all. They may be missing a lot of things that we can't see, but if they have their parents, siblings and children, they have it all in my book!

Here is a YouTube clip of bell ringing if you have never heard it. This is Christmas music and fast. The music tonight was much more dramatic and fitting for the event.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmfk36qG_sw&feature=related

Well I should head off to bed. Don't want to drown in the pool in the morning.

Hope you are well.

Mama Out!!!!!

Manners

Are they important to you? They aren't to roughly 1/2 of America if you want my humble opinion. I know plenty of people who can barely mumble a thank you. That is why I have done my best to teach Ping manners and will continue to do so. Today she really impressed me with them. Mind you, she does often, but I have never discussed this here.

Whenever I get her a drink, snack or meal, she says "Thank you Mama." My favorite is when I say "Ping, do you have to use the bathroom?" Her response is always "No thank you Mama." It cracks me up. Bill was laughing over the weekend every time she said it. I find it to be rather adorable. For those that know me, I don't say "pee" or "potty." I hate the word potty. "Do you have to go potty?" has never left my lips. It's fine if you want to say it, but I personally hate it! After all, if you have a "potty" mouth, it's considered a "dirty" mouth. Well my potty isn't often dirty. I always say "Ladies Room or bathroom." Women's room or Girls room is fine. I don't use "Girls room because I am not a girl." I may not even be a lady, but I say "Ladies room" anyway:)

I also don't say the word "pee." I hate it. Why do I need to know what you are doing in the bathroom? You don't hear people saying that they need to take a "mean shit" unless they are a bunch of uneducated people, no? A few years back, my friend Anita and I were walking around the Wrentham Outlets and she said "I have to pee." So I responded with "Really, good to know because I have to take a major dump!" I thought she was going to die right there in the parking lot. We were both rolling. She could not believe that I said what I said. So I told her about the issue I have with the word "pee." She got the point. We still laugh to this day when we remember that day.

So I am pleased to say that I am seeing Ping's manners and I love it. I love hearing her talk anyway and it's even sweeter when it's "Thank you Mama!"

Santa visit

We put out the rest of our Christmas decorations this morning. I swear we need a second home for them. How did we acquire so many ornaments and such over the years? I was glad that Bill was home so we could get the decorations in place and the boxes put away. We still have a few things to do, but we are in good shape. I said to Bill today that it's almost a waste because nobody but us sees them. We put out a lot of stuff and it takes forever to do and it's just for us! I wish I enjoyed decorating, but I don't. It's a pain in the butt!!!

After decorating, we took Ping to see Santa. Unfortunately, the little one was sleeping. So when we walked in the door, all she wanted to do was be held by Daddy. She did eventually warm up and we were able to introduce her to the big man. It was cute. I got pictures, but they aren't great. Hopefully we will get to see Santa again at another time.

This morning I asked Ping if I could take her outside for pictures. She said "no Mama, it is too cold for us." So what did I do? I took her out without a coat to get a few pictures. Bill thought it fell under "abuse" but I did get a few cute shots:)

We finished off the day with a trip to Walmart. Not my idea of fun, but necessary.

Mama Out!!!!

This fleece dress was an auction item for the organization "Love Without Boundaries." I won it. I knew Ping would love it and helping out LWB in a small way is something I try to do yearly. They help Chinese children medically and a myriad of other ways.

What you looking at? You aren't using this pumpkin anymore, it's past season, right? Me eat it.

In for the attack.

I am going, stop staring at me and taking my picture.

I did it, I did it. You can see my big butt now.

Mama, my feet are getting wet. SO?

Hurry, I am cold.

Smile Ping. Okay Mama, but I am not putting my hands down because it's cold and this is crazy.

Why am I under this wreath Mama?

Our little snow today.

When are we leaving to see Santa Mama?

Our children before Ping!!

Love this photo of them all. My three kids:)

We done yet?

Nice to meet you Santa.

Mama said if I sit on your lap and smile, she would give me a lollipop. I can't be bought that easily!

Thanks Santa for the hug.

Okay, I will try this one more time to appease my mother! Not really a smile here and there is watermellon candy in her mouth!

Silly in front of the tree.

Beautiful crisp New England day

Happy 9 months home baby!!!!

The three of us got up early and headed to Kennebunkport Maine. Every year they have an event called Christmas Prelude. We have never been. My friend Jenn that I have mentioned here before, told me about it. She talked about it last Christmas. So when she mentioned it a few months ago, I talked to Bill about going. He was gung ho! They have a website dedicated to what events they have during two different weekends. So we decided to go today. It was cold, but no wind. If there was wind, it would have been barely bearable! It was a typical New England by the water type of Christmas event. We first stopped at the Trolley Museaum. We took a warm 1/2 hour ride on the rails. It was a lot of fun. Ping had a blast. Shortly after that we went into town and parked. We got a great parking spot. Not an easy task!!!!! We walked all over the place. We went to various craft events and stores. At 3 pm we watched the Hat Parade. It was a parade of people wearing the kookiest Christmas related or sea related hats. It was great fun. Ping was in a tremendous mood all day long. It was nice to be out together as a family. We could have stayed for the late afternoon and evening to see some caroling and tree lighting, but we were cold, tired and very hungry. We headed home thinking we would find a place to eat, but we didn't. By the time we got home, we were starved so we stopped somewhere local. It was a fantastic day and we look forward to going again. Enjoy the photos.

Mama Out!!!!

Festive trolley car.

Trolley car we rode on.

Ping and Baba having fun.

Beautiful wreaths inside the car.

Old New York Trolley car wtih handles and ads.

Hubster.

Pingster.

Having hot chocolate with marshmellows and whip cream after the ride.

View of festivities.

Ping with crazy hat on.

Trying to get a water shot, but Ping wanted no part of it.

Another shot of the festivities.

Loving the candy cane. This is her second of the day.

Hat parade.