14 Years Ago This Morning...

We received a phone call. It went something like this:

Cindy: Hello

Caller: Cindy, this is Kay, your Social Worker from Holy Family Adoption.

Cindy: Hi Kay. How are you?

Kay: Well, I'm fine. I'm calling to tell you that we have a four week old baby boy for you. When would you like to pick him up?

Well, I can' t remember what I said after that. It's all a blur.

This was truly the most exciting phone call of my life. Needless to say, the next two days were filled with preparations, a lot of phone calls, and an enormous amount of shopping. We had nothing prepared before that phone call. We hadn't even realized that a Birth Mother was considering us as prospective parents.

We are so grateful to John's Birth Mom. She gave us the greatest gift, and we thank God every day for him, and for her decision.

Monday, March 2nd, is "Adoption Day". I will post pictures of the day we brought our beautiful boy home and of our annual Adoption Day dinner. The three of us go out to dinner every year on March 2nd to celebrate the day that we became a family.

Color Me....

GREEN!


My friend Laura and her sister Stephanie leave for my beautiful New Orleans in just a few short hours. I helped them plan part of their trip... and I'm so envious that they will be there for five days while I sit at home in remodeling "hell".

Have a great trip girls! Happy birthday to Miss Stephanie. I hope you have a FANTASTIC time in the Big Easy. Enjoy!

Mardi Gras Day

It's Ruby Tuesday - and it's Mardi Gras too! My favorite city - New Orleans - is celebrating Fat Tuesday. I sure wish we were there. This picture was taken during our trip to NOLA last October. I thought it was the perfect photo for THIS particular Ruby Tuesday! Laissez les bons temp roller! (That means, let the good times roll!)

To see others participating in Ruby Tuesday, click here. The rules are simple, post a picture that contains red - a little or alot! Enjoy!

Academy Award Day...

... is one of my MOST favorite days of the year. I am a movie buff, and I love the awards. I enjoy going to see all of the nominated films and voting for what I think will win in the contest that we participate in with friends each year.

This year it seems that "Slumdog Millionaire" is going to win Best Picture, along with several other awards.

photo courtesy examiner.com

It really is a wonderful film, and both Richard and I thoroughly enjoyed it. But, for me, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is the best film of the year.

photo courtesy screenbest.com

Although I voted in our contest that Slumdog would win, I would be absolutely thrilled to hear Benjamin Button's name called when the winner is announced tonight. But, either way, it's going to be a fun day.

I will be firmly planted in front of the television at 3pm to watch the Red Carpet arrivals on "E"... and then on to the BIG SHOW! Can't wait!

Long Weekend

I'm so happy. Although this is Thursday - it's Friday for me. Short week. Holiday on Monday and I'm taking Friday off. Having the carpets cleaned and some other work done around the house. Getting ready for our Mardi Gras party on Saturday night - and of course the Academy Awards on Sunday. We've got $$$ riding on the winners this year. Keep your fingers crossed for us!

Enjoy the weekend everyone!

Competition Begins

Tonight, on American Idol. The first set of 12 contestants will sing for survival.

Do you have any favorites yet?

This Old House...

We've been talking for years about replacing the upstairs bathtub. I've always wanted a claw foot tub, and Richard loves them too. So, today we signed the contract to have a minor remodel done on our bathroom. Here's a picture of a similar tub to the one we are purchasing.

photo courtesy signaturehardware.com

I still have some choices to make... tile, hardware, etc. This is a picture of the type of hardware that I would like to purchase for the tub. It is very similar to the fixture in the current basin.

photo courtesy signaturehardware.com

What do you think?

The Promise of Spring

It's a beautiful day in Salem! The sun is shining, and I find myself squinting and asking "what IS that bright orb in the sky?" We don't often see it at this time of year.

Yesterday was Oregon's 150th birthday as a state. Happy Birthday Oregon! I've been told that around Valentine's Day is the time that the rose bushes should be pruned. So, that is what I am doing this afternoon. Hopefully my roses will be as beautiful this year as last, but right now they are just sticks in the ground with dead leaves on them.

My chives are beginning to sprout up through the winters dead remains. Spring is on the way. I can't wait!

Happy Valentine's Day

Have a beautiful day!

poster by Kim Anderson

Friday the 13th Frivoloity

I saw this challenge on several of my friends Facebook pages – "list 25 songs you can’t live without. "

I decided this was a fun idea, but being the “trailblazer” that I am – I am making a slight change…. In honor of Friday the 13th, I will list 13 songs and 13 movies I can’t live without. Hmmm… This might be more difficult than I first imagined.

Songs:
1. Claire du Lune by Debussy – This, for me, is truly the most beautiful piece of music ever written.
2. Amazing Grace – Always makes me cry. I think of my Mom and how much I love her and miss her.
3. Lady Madonna by the Beatles – I have always loved this song. Not sure why exactly. But one of my favorites.
4. Imagine – John Lennon. No words needed.
5. Rich Woman – Allison Krause & Robert Plant. They “cleaned up” at the Grammy’s the other night. Such beautiful music from such an unlikely pair.
6. Pride (In the Name of Love) – U2. One of my favorite songs, from my favorite band.
7. Dos Gardenias – Buena Vista Social Club. Oh my! I can almost taste the mojito’s and feel the cool Cuban breeze when I listen to this song. So beautiful and moving.
8. Somebody’s Baby – Jackson Browne. Ah, memories of high school!
9. Crush – Dave Matthews. Dave is fantastic. Richard and I both LOVE LOVE LOVE his music. This is just one of the many songs of his that I adore, but definitely my favorite.
10. All I Have To Do is Dream – The Everly Brothers. First song that Richard and I danced slow to. We had it played at our wedding too.
11. Volcano – Damien Rice. Haunting song. Love the harmony and the combination of guitar and cello.
12. Do You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans – Louis Armstrong. I can close my eyes and feel enveloped by the Crescent City when I listen to this song. I do know what it means to miss New Orleans, and I miss it every time I think of it.
13. Cochon de Lait – Beausoleil. Well, what would my list be if there weren’t at least one Cajun song on it? Here is a fun one to kick up your heels to at a Fais Do Do. (that means dance)

Movies:
1. Gone with the Wind – What can be said for this film. Clark Gable, Vivien Leigh – Perfection!
2. Giant – Have you seen this movie? Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, James Dean. I highly suggest it.
3. The Wizard of Oz – Memories of my childhood come flooding back every time I see this film. The wonderful transition from sepia to Technicolor. Amazing! My grandfather worked on this film at MGM.
4. The Godfather 1 & 2 – OK, I know this really counts as two movies… but I couldn’t choose between the two, and I realize picking my favorite movies turned out to be much easier than my favorite music.
5. Scarface – Al Pacino at his finest. Triple LOVE this movie.
6. White Christmas – Bing Crosby, Danny Thomas, Vera Ellen & Rosemary Clooney. I’ve seen this movie every Christmas for my entire life. It used to be played on Christmas Eve afternoon in Los Angeles on ABC, Channel 7. My mom would be in the kitchen making her delicious pecan pies, and I would be in the living room watching this movie. The perfect memory.
7. Snow White – Well, you just knew I had to get a Disney movie in here. I have such fond memories of my dad taking me to the movies. That was “our thing”. Out of all the Disney animated films, this one continues to be my favorite of all time. Even over Cinderella! Who’d a thunk it?
8. Turning Point – Shirley MacLain, Mikhail Baryshnikov. My mom and I were fortunate enough to attend the Hollywood premiere of this film. I met Baryshnikov, and saw Shirley from afar. If memory serves, Warren Beatty escorted his sister to the premiere that night.
9. The Birds – My first “scary” movie. It still freaks me out. And, I think my fear of “big birds” probably all began with this movie. Alfred Hitchcock was a master film maker.
10. Singing in the Rain – Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, Debbie Reynolds. ‘Nuff said!
11. African Queen – Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn. Oh, this movie is just the best.
12. West Side Story – Who cares if Natalie Wood didn’t actually sing in this movie! She tried, but it is not her voice that we hear in the soundtrack. Russ Tamblyn, George Chakiris…. The music, the dancing! Great movie.
13. Curious Case of Benjamin Button – Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett. Well here is a new one for our list! This is MY pick for the best film of 2008. I don’t know if the Academy Award voters will agree with me, or not. But this was a wonderful film, and touching story. And, as a bonus my beautiful New Orleans stars in it too!

Well, that was little more difficult than I first anticipated. It was hard getting started, but then once I got started, it was hard to only chose 13!

Happy Friday the 13th everyone!

The Name Game

I found this fun game at the Jason Show. Give it a try. It's good for a few chuckles....

Your Real Name: Cindy.

Witness Protection Name:(mother and fathers middle names) Maurine Allen.

Secret Spy Name: (your first name spelled backwards) Ydnic.

Nascar Name: first name of your mother's dad, father's dad) Roland John.

Detective Name:(favorite color, favorite animal) Black Tiger.

Soap Opera Name:(middle name, county where you were born) Lynn America.

Super Hero Name: (2nd fav color, fav drink, add "THE" to the beginning) The Purple Hurricane.

Fly Name:(first 2 letters of 1st name, last 2 letters of your last name) Cian.

Street Name:(fav ice cream flavor, fav cookie) Chocolate Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip.

Rock Star: (1st pet's name, street you grew up on) Daisy Girard.

Your Next Child's Name: (name of your fav perfume/cologne, fav candy) Shalimar Twix.

Look Who's 14 !

John celebrated his 14th birthday on January 31. It was a busy weekend, full of fun and constant celebration.

We began the weekend on Friday night with his party for his friends. In the photo above you see Mason, Justin, and Reid. They had a great night.... lots of guitar hero, nerf gun wars, computer games and staying up until 4am. Ah, to be young again.

The next morning was greeted with donuts and a day of paintball. They spent the day shooting each other and playing war. Boys will be boys.... On Saturday night we had the family over for a fiesta. Soft tacos, beans, and delicious lemon cake and vanilla ice cream was enjoyed by all.

Rowan enjoyed watching JJ open his presents, but wondered why there weren't any for him. Just look at that precious face.

Claire was all tuckered out from the festivities. She fell asleep in Auntie Cindy's arms for quite a while. That was a wonderful treat for Aunt Cindy!

It really was a great weekend. We heard that there was even a huge football game played on Sunday in honor of John's birthday! We are so thankful for our beautiful boy. He's turning into a young man right before our eyes. Too fast... growing too fast.