72-Hour Eviction Notice

Well, after battling a non-cooperative tenant for the last three years, I finally served her with a 72-Hour eviction notice. She's been my tenant for 35 years. The first 11 years, I never knew she was even there. Then for the next 21 years, I was only reminded of her presence monthly. Nothing major. Just a little pain, or a few little cramps to let me know she was there and doing her job. Then, three years ago, she started to become quite pesky. She was a rude tenant, making quite a ruckess whenever she darn well felt like it. She certainly wasn't successful at her most important job duty, and when she wasn't happy, she made it known. Now, don't think I haven't tried to make her happy. Twice I had a contractor go in there to get some remodeling done, and twice, she ignored the remodel and in fact, started to redo what the contractor had done. So, on Wednesday, October 1st, my very fabulous contractor will go in one final time (hopefully) and pretty much kick her out for me. Now, some people have asked me if I'm ready for such drastic measures? I mean, I won't be able to rent that space out to ANYONE EVER AGAIN.....and defintely no 9 month sublets. But alas, she wasn't doing her job, and beyond that, she was causing all sorts of medical problems for me, so yes, I'm more than ready for such drastic measures. I mourned the loss of my 9 month sublets long ago and I'm ok with never having the little renters in there. I have a beautiful daughter waiting for me in Ethiopia, and that is all I need.

So, I will be out of work for 2-3 weeks (like I said, I have a fabulous contractor, who can do these types of evictions without tearing out the siding), while recovering from the demise of said tenant. I'm all prepared with food, movies, books, puzzles, etc to keep me occupied. However, the one project I will be looking forward to the most is creating my christmas presents. They will be handmade by me this year, and here is an example of some of the things I will be making.

For the women on my list:


Some beautiful Heart earings

For the men:

A Super Cool Blow Gun

Let's not forget the kiddos....here are some fabulous Tampon Sky Rockets.....


For the infirm....
Some super cozy slippers

and for the musically inclined.....
A fabulous pan flute.

Hey, gotta use up this surplus of "products" somehow.

Rough Night?

I don't know what my cat does at night, but apparently he had a rough one yesterday. I found him this morning praying to the porcelain God. I'd better check my liquor cabinet and make sure he's not been skimin off the top (just kidding....I don't even have a liquor cabinet). What he is actually doing here is bracing himself with one hand (paw) and using his other paw to reach in, get it wet, and lick it. Yep, my cat prefers to drink his water this way rather than from his water dish. The goofball.

Oh Happy Day

I just got an updated photo of Sabah. I had just e-mailed Radu on Friday asking about updated photos that he had ordered two weeks ago. He said no photos yet because the people who take them are out of town??? So, today, I wasn't stalking my in box like I had the last two weeks. I went to a doctor's appointment and came back to the most precious picture of my baby. She has changed quite a bit since the referral photos. She has quite a bit more hair, and I even see some curls in there. Too too cute. The best thing of all though is that she looks very healthy. So my anxiety about her being sick has diminished quite a bit. Wow, every time I see her picture I want to just eat her up. The orphanage sent two pictures but they are exactly alike, so Radu is asking them to send me another one. Hopefully I will have another new picture to stare at soon.

In Memory of Lorene

Today was the Race for the Cure, and this was the first year that I participated in it. I signed up my sister, brother-in-law, and two nephews to walk with me. I walked in memory of Lorene N. who passed away in January of this year. Lorene is the wife of one of my managers at work, and I have known her for over seven years. She was diagnosed with breast cancer about 5 years ago and was treated at that time with a mastectomy, chemotherapy and radiation. She did well for quite a while after that, but in the summer of 2007, she found out that the cancer had spread to multiple places in her body, including liver, bones, spine, and brain. She fought the cancer through Christmas, but sadly it took her life in January, 2008. I remember Lorene fondly.....she was always so friendly, always had a smile on her face, and was usually the life of the party. She is dearly missed. She is survived by her husband Ray, son Peter, and daughter Madison. Today was for you Lorene. We miss you!

Whaaaa......my baby has been sick

I just received an updated medical report on Sabah. She has been diagnosed with sepsis and gastroenteritis, both of which are being treated with antibiotics. The report states that she is improving. It is so hard to hear something like this. So hard to be so far away from her and not knowing exactly how she is doing and exactly what kind of treatment she is receiving. So hard to not be able to be with her to comfort her and hold her. To rock her and whisper to her that she was going to be ok. It tears at my heart to be her mother and have absolutely no control in her care. It really amazes me how quickly your "mother" instincs kick in.....for a child I've never even met. For a child, who isn't really mine yet (paper wise anyway). I just hope that beyond the medicine she is receiving, she is receivng what every child needs.....love, hugs, compasion, kisses, comfort.

She also tested positive for salmonella, but a second round of testing was negative, so I will pray that she is over that as well.

So, please keep my little one in your prayers or think good thoughts, that she will heal completely.

I also received her updated measurements. My little one is almost 4 months old. She weighs just over 11 lbs and is 21.25 inches long. I just can't wait to get her home and in my arms. Now I just need to get some updated pictures!

"Update your blog already!"

I'm a blogger addict. I admit it. I stalk people's blogs. Especially those who have brought their children home already. I look at their beautiful children and just can't help but try and imagine what Sabah will be like. What her personality will be. When will she start walking. Start talking. How soon until I can start putting her hair in little braids. The funny thing is, if these people don't update their blog every day or so, I start to get impatient. I say to myself "come on people, update your blog already". THEN, I take a look at my blog, and see that I haven't posted anything in over 3 weeks. 3 WEEKS! It feels like I just posted Sabah's name yesterday, but it's been 3 WEEKS. Where oh where did the time go? I'm actually glad it is going quick since I'm not so patiently waiting for the courts to re-open.
So, for all my blog readers (and stalkers), I apologize for "not updating my blog already".

Not much has been happening (which is why no updates). I've been having fun spending time with my sister and nephews who moved back into town from Houston. A few weeks ago we went to the Oregon State Fair. And although we had a good time, Tina and I spent about 95% of the time crabbing about the cost!!! It was ridiculous. It cost $4.00 (per PERSON) to ride the merry-go-round. FOUR DOLLARS. We skipped that one. I did however want to take my nephews on the big slide, so for all four of us to ride it.....ONE TIME.....cost $12!!!!! TWELVE DOLLARS. EEEEGaaads. I tell you, it will be a long time before I go to the state fair again (oh, who am I kidding.....I'll be dragging Sabah there next year, and once again crab all day long about the prices).

We also went and spent the day at the Clackamas River. It was so fun. I love love love Oregon.....especially in the summer. It is just beautiful. The boys loved playing in the river, and I loved throwing rocks in and splashing them.


My agency director has "ordered" some updated pictures of Sabah, so I can't wait for those to come in. It is soooooo hard waiting to go pick her up, but these pictures should ease the anticipation a little bit (ok, not really, but I still want to see them).

I found a video on youtube about life at Toukoul orphanage. If you want to see where Sabah currently is and what life is like for the orphans at Toukoul, check out the video links on the right had side. It's absolutely amazing and fascinating to watch these (especially if you have children there, or your children came from there.