Okay, I'll admit it. I'm becoming obsessed with craigslist. Actually, I'm obsessed with transforming old lame inexpensive furniture into slightly more stylish furniture. Since I have finished refinishing the stuff I already own (dresser and dining room table), I'm turning to craig and his magical list.
Yesterday I picked up a breakfast sized table and two stools for $40. It's a tallish table that I am going to saw down to kid size, paint the legs, and call it a craft/puzzle table for our kid.
Tomorrow, I have a date at 3:30 to pick up a pair of night stands for $25. He needs to put his lamp and water cup on something, right?
Not killing trees to create new furniture or packaging, that's my green...photos eventually.
Wednesday, October 27
Tuesday, October 26
politics
I don't know a lot about local Kansas politics. I just moved here, that's the excuse I'll use for now. This is what I do know, Senator Sam Brownback is my favorite. I don't know anything about him. I don't know if he is a Republican, a Democrat, or if he likes having Tea Parties. None of that matters in this case. All I know is that when my husband called and asked his office for help, he helped!!!
We have been waiting to receive our I-171H. It's the form, from the US government, that says we are approved to adopt a child. We received one for Lincoln, and it took about 7 months. We resubmitted everything to get another one on October 6, 2010. I call the USCIS office daily, as instructed by my adoption caseworker. I leave a kind enough message for our USCIS caseworker explaining that the Russians are ready to see us and that our silly government is currently the only think holding us back. I don't know that anyone cares, I do know that she never answers or responds. I have been told that the backlog is 25,000 cases and that no cases are being expedited. I also know that I am not willing to wait months on end for them to get around to us.
So, I've heard of others contacting their local senator to get things done. I figured I give that duty to Jim. Jim calls the senator's office and explains the story. Someone at the senator's office calls our USCIS caseworker then they tell Jim to call her. Jim then calls the caseworker and amazingly she answers the phone. She says she will order our paperwork to her desk, which should take 3-5 days. She says if there are any issues with it or she has any questions she will e-mail us or call us to get the information. WoW! I-171H I can't wait to see you in my mailbox, maybe next week!
While writing this I did a little research on the senator. He has two adopted children.
We have been waiting to receive our I-171H. It's the form, from the US government, that says we are approved to adopt a child. We received one for Lincoln, and it took about 7 months. We resubmitted everything to get another one on October 6, 2010. I call the USCIS office daily, as instructed by my adoption caseworker. I leave a kind enough message for our USCIS caseworker explaining that the Russians are ready to see us and that our silly government is currently the only think holding us back. I don't know that anyone cares, I do know that she never answers or responds. I have been told that the backlog is 25,000 cases and that no cases are being expedited. I also know that I am not willing to wait months on end for them to get around to us.
So, I've heard of others contacting their local senator to get things done. I figured I give that duty to Jim. Jim calls the senator's office and explains the story. Someone at the senator's office calls our USCIS caseworker then they tell Jim to call her. Jim then calls the caseworker and amazingly she answers the phone. She says she will order our paperwork to her desk, which should take 3-5 days. She says if there are any issues with it or she has any questions she will e-mail us or call us to get the information. WoW! I-171H I can't wait to see you in my mailbox, maybe next week!
While writing this I did a little research on the senator. He has two adopted children.
Monday, October 25
adventures in baking, you should join the club
Our cookie-of-the-month club is off to a promising start. Six delicious orders were filled and delivered this month, with two left to go (just received payment). Comments have been positive and from what I can tell people are thrilled to receive yummy treats at their doorstep...come on who wouldn't?
A few, brilliant, people have signed up for a subscription for themselves to start now and another for a friend or family member to start after the holidays. They will receive a gift card with a menu so their friend/family member can choose just what they want.
If you're interested in receiving a tasty treat on your doorstep each month just check out the details on the right side of the page and send me an email at trisha.tylick@gmail.com
In the oven tomorrow....Mint Brownies
A few, brilliant, people have signed up for a subscription for themselves to start now and another for a friend or family member to start after the holidays. They will receive a gift card with a menu so their friend/family member can choose just what they want.
If you're interested in receiving a tasty treat on your doorstep each month just check out the details on the right side of the page and send me an email at trisha.tylick@gmail.com
In the oven tomorrow....Mint Brownies
Sunday, October 24
have a question, just ask
I have a pair of black high top converse. I found them at my favorite used clothing store in Boston. They were unused and only $16. I would say that these are an extremely common pair of shoes. Many people have them and they are all over the place, nothing too special. Right?
This afternoon we go back to church for an all church meeting to vote on hiring a worship pastor. I come in from yard work throw on a less smelly shirt, some jeans, and the shoes described above. The meeting goes well and the church votes to hire this guy, excellent. After the church lets out people are milling around and chatting. I notice this lady I don't know (I don't know many people, we just moved here) looking at my feet. I turn to say hi but she turns around the other way. I turn back to chat with Jim and she spins back, bends over, and lifts up my pant leg to check out my shoes. Or is she shaming me for wearing black shoes and brown socks? Come on, they are high tops I didn't plan on anyone seeing the socks. I quickly turn back and she has disappeared into the crowd. Hmmm.
This afternoon we go back to church for an all church meeting to vote on hiring a worship pastor. I come in from yard work throw on a less smelly shirt, some jeans, and the shoes described above. The meeting goes well and the church votes to hire this guy, excellent. After the church lets out people are milling around and chatting. I notice this lady I don't know (I don't know many people, we just moved here) looking at my feet. I turn to say hi but she turns around the other way. I turn back to chat with Jim and she spins back, bends over, and lifts up my pant leg to check out my shoes. Or is she shaming me for wearing black shoes and brown socks? Come on, they are high tops I didn't plan on anyone seeing the socks. I quickly turn back and she has disappeared into the crowd. Hmmm.
Thursday, October 21
cash back
Before we actually made it to Russia, in August, we had purchased and canceled two previous trips..April and May. Many thanks to the crazy in Tennessee. Our travel agency, who we loved at first, helped up book all these flights with Delta. The whole thing was crazy. Change fees, credits, charges, it was all too much for me to keep track of. When we arrived back home from Russia and were going through all the charges we noticed that we were significantly not refunded. Our travel agency, who we have broken up with, denied these over charges. Delta was confused. We got our credit card company involved and they too were a bit lost at the whole crazy story.
Finally, our estranged travel agency decided we were indeed over charged about $2,000 and decided that they would finally pay us back. That should cover a good portion of our next trip!
Anyone able to get a good deal on their flights to Russia? Who did you use? We were with Russian Connections, but that relationship has ended. Our trip isn't scheduled yet, but I am hopeful that it will be sometime in the next couple months.
Finally, our estranged travel agency decided we were indeed over charged about $2,000 and decided that they would finally pay us back. That should cover a good portion of our next trip!
Anyone able to get a good deal on their flights to Russia? Who did you use? We were with Russian Connections, but that relationship has ended. Our trip isn't scheduled yet, but I am hopeful that it will be sometime in the next couple months.
Monday, October 18
how did this even start?
I never thought much about adoption and, as far as I know, Jim hadn't either. Last September Jim & I and our neighbors went to see a Tenth Avenue North concert. They are an awesome band with a lead singer that is also a very gifted speaker. This concert was a compassion concert, meaning they were looking for people to support children in need. You know "a dollar a day can help her have the food and education she needs"
I've been to a number of Christian concerts that are asking for this kind of support. It never really struck me before. We didn't sign up to support a child, but it sparked a conversation. Jim and I got to talking that maybe we should adopt. I can't really remember the train of thought. I don't know exactly how it happened. Something like "there are lots of kids without a home and we have a home without a kid" We were just starting to try and have a biological child and suddenly adoption sounded so much better, so much more like what we were supposed to be doing. I found myself begin so much more excited about adoption, and figured that must be a sign...right?
I'm a very fast decision maker. Jim is not. As soon as adoption was mentioned as a possibility I was all over it. Jim thought we needed to think about it. September-November of last year were spent "thinking." Well I guess Jim was thinking. I was too busy researching. What was there to think about?
This time last year we had the joy to travel back home to Boston and tell all our friends that we were thinking of adoption. Everyone seemed excited, supportive, and interested in the details. Minus the couple that questioned if we could love them like we could love our biological child. I never thought of that until they mentioned it. I couldn't find the words to say that didn't matter all I knew was that, in my mind, it didn't.
Tomorrow, I'm going to pick up some Tenth Avenue North tickets for a concert at the end of October. We invited our neighbors down to Kansas to come to the concert with us. Should be a wonderful time.
I've been to a number of Christian concerts that are asking for this kind of support. It never really struck me before. We didn't sign up to support a child, but it sparked a conversation. Jim and I got to talking that maybe we should adopt. I can't really remember the train of thought. I don't know exactly how it happened. Something like "there are lots of kids without a home and we have a home without a kid" We were just starting to try and have a biological child and suddenly adoption sounded so much better, so much more like what we were supposed to be doing. I found myself begin so much more excited about adoption, and figured that must be a sign...right?
I'm a very fast decision maker. Jim is not. As soon as adoption was mentioned as a possibility I was all over it. Jim thought we needed to think about it. September-November of last year were spent "thinking." Well I guess Jim was thinking. I was too busy researching. What was there to think about?
This time last year we had the joy to travel back home to Boston and tell all our friends that we were thinking of adoption. Everyone seemed excited, supportive, and interested in the details. Minus the couple that questioned if we could love them like we could love our biological child. I never thought of that until they mentioned it. I couldn't find the words to say that didn't matter all I knew was that, in my mind, it didn't.
Tomorrow, I'm going to pick up some Tenth Avenue North tickets for a concert at the end of October. We invited our neighbors down to Kansas to come to the concert with us. Should be a wonderful time.
Tuesday, October 12
2072
Trips to the doctor are not my favorite. I like the eye doctor because, beside that puff of air, they don't poke or annoy and at the end I get to pick out new glasses...good times! The dentist might be my second favorite, some poking, extreme gaging during the x-ray, but usually no cavities (3 in my life) and a new toothbrush when you go! The general practitioner however...yuck. I only go when I am forced. Usually something like "you need a physical or you can't have this job" fine. This time it was, "you need a physical or you can't have a Russian" fine.
I get there at 9:30 and the place is already busy. I know I need blood taken so I'm a little nervous, I'm such a baby. However, I have to stay calm or my blood pressure will be through the roof which I'm sure makes you have to visit the doctor even more. Stayed calm enough to pull off 118/64. Oh and I grew a half inch since I was measured last year.
After height, weight, blood pressure girl leaves I get to sit alone on that annoying table in the examining room. I've grown a half inch but my feet still don't touch the foot rest. The walls in the room are thin and I can hear the people on either side of me being examined. I try to listen to the buzz of the light but it fails to drowned out these load aging ladies on either side of me. Since I had to experience this, now you shall too. "Well I feel that one of your ovaries is lower than the other, but don't worry it is not falling out yet" Falling out! Oh my. Closely fallowed by the woman on the side being reassured before her rectal exam "don't worry I have small fingers" Oh lord, this is my future. Shortly after that the doctor with the "small fingers" voice came to my room. Lucky for me everything seems to be in its proper location.
The doctor asks me what fertility problems led to us adopting. I guess that's what everyone thinks. Co-workers would say "oh I know what you are going though" or "my daughter has the same problem" I tell the doctor my fertility "problem" is we decided to adopt first. Biological kid, maybe later.
After my exam I give the doctor the form he needs to fill out for our adoption. He writes no or negative to all the diseases in the sheet. Then there is a spot for him to write my life expectancy. As if this doctor could possible tell from the 15 minutes he spent with me, but we do what Russia says. Anyway, yesterday he wrote on Jim's sheet that he was going to live to be 90 and he wrote the same for me..hello 2072!!
I get there at 9:30 and the place is already busy. I know I need blood taken so I'm a little nervous, I'm such a baby. However, I have to stay calm or my blood pressure will be through the roof which I'm sure makes you have to visit the doctor even more. Stayed calm enough to pull off 118/64. Oh and I grew a half inch since I was measured last year.
After height, weight, blood pressure girl leaves I get to sit alone on that annoying table in the examining room. I've grown a half inch but my feet still don't touch the foot rest. The walls in the room are thin and I can hear the people on either side of me being examined. I try to listen to the buzz of the light but it fails to drowned out these load aging ladies on either side of me. Since I had to experience this, now you shall too. "Well I feel that one of your ovaries is lower than the other, but don't worry it is not falling out yet" Falling out! Oh my. Closely fallowed by the woman on the side being reassured before her rectal exam "don't worry I have small fingers" Oh lord, this is my future. Shortly after that the doctor with the "small fingers" voice came to my room. Lucky for me everything seems to be in its proper location.
The doctor asks me what fertility problems led to us adopting. I guess that's what everyone thinks. Co-workers would say "oh I know what you are going though" or "my daughter has the same problem" I tell the doctor my fertility "problem" is we decided to adopt first. Biological kid, maybe later.
After my exam I give the doctor the form he needs to fill out for our adoption. He writes no or negative to all the diseases in the sheet. Then there is a spot for him to write my life expectancy. As if this doctor could possible tell from the 15 minutes he spent with me, but we do what Russia says. Anyway, yesterday he wrote on Jim's sheet that he was going to live to be 90 and he wrote the same for me..hello 2072!!
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