MURPHY'S LAW ... you remember ... some guy named Murphy postulated some time back (anyone know his/her first name ... or the date ... or whether Murphy even had anything to do with it?) that, among other things, "if something CAN go wrong, it WILL go wrong! Admittedly I am a pessimist by inborn nature, but in recent months I have been focusing on "the glass is half full" side of life's equation. Don't believe me? Just ask Father Monkey, or Hoppy, Turtle or Fish! Mother Bunny has been a whole lot more cheerful than is her norm, lately, and consequently a whole lot more fun to be around! After so many years, I finally realized a few months back that life could be a whole lot better ... even during down times ... if I would only look to the positive things in life, whether past, present, or to come.
All this month, and last month as well, Father Monkey and I have been anticipating the long awaited news of our little dragonfly from China (see prior post). We are adopting a little girl from China ... in process now for more than 3 years (longer than normal as we've had several unexpected events come up that delayed the process more with each event ... it is however, a long process in any event as it currently takes around 18 months minimum from start to finish ... i.e. picking up the baby). The Chinese send out their child/parent matches once a month, normally at the end of the month. And its a first come, first served policy ... when your paperwork arrives in China, it is logged in at the official government agency ... that date is your official "place in line" as it were. Our place was reserved July 26, 2005 ... since then our role has been largely one of waiting ... and waiting ... and waiting ... and wringing hands... and answering endless questions such as "Are you still adopting?" But, the pace began to pick up in late spring - early summer ... more and more matches each month. And so I allowed myself (Father Monkey was more rational) to hope against hope that they might come to our spot in line with the July group. Admittedly it would have taken a miracle ... but then, I believe in miracles, so why shouldn't it happen to us? It didn't happen.
So with the start of August we thought ... "Surely they will get to us this month! We are, after all, ONLY 12 days back in line." Not an unreasonable thought this month ... last month's matches equalled 15 days worth of line sitters! Well ... friday Father Monkey came home from work ... nothing SEEMED out of the ordinary. When I commented at some point later in the evening that "We should hear something next week ... its the end of the month. Surely they won't miss us this month!" Father Monkey looked a bit green (as in sick) and told me the news ... the Chinese had mailed their matches early ... and they had done only 8 days worth this time! Yup ... your math is correct ... we MISSED AGAIN ... by 4 days!!
When being optimistic is a task (i.e. doesnt come naturally), its extremely hard to keep it up in the face of such devastating news. And yes ... I sincerely and with much conscious effort strove all month to remember that it was POSSIBLE they might not come to our spot in line this month. I thought I had myself convinced, in fact, that we would not make it this month and that next month would be our time. Apparently I was not very successful ... the moment I heard the news, I started crying! I am normally fairly stoic and take negative news pretty well ... but not Friday. It's simply been too long a wait ... 3 years since we decided positively to adopt ... 5 years since I first broached the subject with Father Monkey ... my defenses crumbled at the touch, in a manner of speaking. And today, after reading one person's excited announcement of the referral (match with) of twins ... well I grudgingly wondered why she got 2 babies while I got none! I quickly regained a proper sense of perspective, of course, so if you happen to read this blog ... please please please dont be angry with me ... I dont really mean it as it sounds ... I AM HAPPY for you ... I follow your blog and thus consider this twist fabulous! We listed our willingness to accept twins on our application ... and now we have seen it happen ... so we are wondering what news awaits us! Again, as with the July match date, the probability outweighs us (of getting twins) ... but its possible!
Well foohy to you Mr./Ms. Murphy! You seem to get us on everything ... our entire married life, when something negative comes up as a potential event with say 1-5% probability of occurring (which is to say, it could happen theoretically, but probably won't) ... IT ALWAYS HAPPENS! And while its true I am currently hosting a pity party for myself ... I am not exaggerating! We seem to be the people Murphy had in mind when he/she penned the above quote!
Sigh!! If anyone happens to read this post and happens to be in the same or similar position ... I commiserate with you. If you have sage words of advice, I'd take those as well!
Thanks For Listening! Happier Trails the Next Time ... I promise!
Monday, August 28, 2006
Saturday, August 19, 2006
FROM THE BRIAR PATCH - A Miscellany of Thoughts About Life In General
You know ... it seems to me that Uncle Remus was on the mark when he described the adventures of Brer Rabbit and friends within the context of the Briar Patch. Life certainly can be thorny sometimes, and it takes a quick wit such as Brer Rabbit had, just to survive it! The past couple weeks in our Briar Patch have been particularly thorny ... as it is this time of year every year. Gee ... what, I imagine you ask, is so thorny about summertime in Florida? There's lots of sun, beach, shells to collect and so forth. What could be so thorny in that environment ...?
I am tempted to think that folks outside of Florida or California or similar locales just could not possibly figure out where the briars come from in a local that in most ways is as serene and pleasant as a pasture. But, I am not a condescending bunny (and that thought would certainly be condescending). And besides, I have been a student of human nature all of my life, and it seems that the briar patch extends just about everywhere, for everyone, at one time or another in their lifetimes. So maybe your thorns are not mine and vice versa, but, you know what I am talking about!
In this instance, the thorns in my life the past couple weeks have been due to that annual event celebrated by many (though by no means all) parents, known as "Back To School." While I do admittedly fall into the "celebrate the first day of school" crowd of parents, I also fear and dread it at the same time! Why? Because the start of school heralds a virtual mountain of repetitive paperwork to be filled out in duplicate for each kid! And to top this off, there are legions of teachers, no doubt pressured by their principals, snapping and biting to get that paper done and sent back to school with the kid ... no later than 3 DAYS BEFORE HE RECEIVES IT! Geez ... its enough to drive a sane parent insane, and the already insane parent, such as myself (ask my kids ... they will verify it!) ... well ... the picture isn't a pretty one! I have no hair (no pun intended) left at the end of 2 weeks and have to spend the rest of the year attempting to grow it back for the following year's onslaught!
Okay ... I exaggerate ... just a little ... well, maybe a lot ... but no kidding ... teachers start hollaring for their paperwork if your child fails to return it signed and notarized by the very next day! Never mind that you don't even get it until 4 PM when the kids get home from school and finally remember to give you the papers! That's assuming they remember to give it to you at all!
Now ... I have a number of friends who are nice concientous moms (NO CRITICISM HERE GIRLS ... I ENVY YOUR ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS!) who manage to comply with the rules, to the letter, and indeed return their paperwork the second day of school. But ... I am not one of them I must admit. Most days I am lucky to remember my name, much less to fill out these forms and return them "on-time." I imagine that I am at the top of many school teachers and administrative staff "most irksome parent" list. I always do the paperwork eventually, and turn it in ... generally within a week. But ya know ... I figure feeding the family, and reading bedtime stories, and such is more important than stupid government paperwork! My philosophy is, and always has been "I will do it as soon as I can, but not a minute sooner!" Lets face it, if hoppy, turtle or fish have a problem ... I'm in the phone book ... and being a small town ... there is virtually someone in each of the schools who knows me personally! And with gasoline at over $3 a gallon ... I don't get around much anymore ... most of the time, I am home!
Here again however, in the midst of the thickest part of the briar patch, the sun managed to peak through! If you have not read the previous entry, by Hoppy toad, please do so, and take a look at the photos he included. The boys have recently indulged in a new interest ... one that involves all three of them in largely cooperative play (a rare event!). I can't remember the company name (but there are at least a couple who manufacture similar toys) specifically, but the boys have been collecting toy figures similar in concept to miniature soldiers, except that they represent both historical and fictional people (kings, queens, knights, egyptians, chinese warriors and on and on) and mythical and real beasts. They are a great learning tool for the homeschooling parent (thats another issue ... Hoppy is staying home for the first time this year, to be home schooled) and others. But perhaps most important to kids ... you can also play with them! And as you can see, the kids are enjoying these figurines immensely! Some days it sounds almost as if a real war is going on in our house, not just the pretend one happening in the back room of the warren. But sometimes the noise is acceptable ... especially when multiple siblings in a single family are cooperating at some VERY IMAGINATIVE play. Hoppy, Turtle and Fish are not content to just put the figures out on the train table and move them a little here or there. Their battles typically involve imagination as they plan out their battles, stage them, and then and only then, fight the battle. It is fabulous to watch as these three very bright creative minds put their talents together in their games. The kids are, in short a burst of sunshine, even in the midst of the deep dark Briar Patch.
The story and photos are, by the way, an assignment for his creative writing class I am teaching!
And so my parting thought for the day ... always remember to look for the sun ... even if you are in the midst of the Briar Patch!! Have a great day everyone!
Mother Bunny - August 19, 2006
I am tempted to think that folks outside of Florida or California or similar locales just could not possibly figure out where the briars come from in a local that in most ways is as serene and pleasant as a pasture. But, I am not a condescending bunny (and that thought would certainly be condescending). And besides, I have been a student of human nature all of my life, and it seems that the briar patch extends just about everywhere, for everyone, at one time or another in their lifetimes. So maybe your thorns are not mine and vice versa, but, you know what I am talking about!
In this instance, the thorns in my life the past couple weeks have been due to that annual event celebrated by many (though by no means all) parents, known as "Back To School." While I do admittedly fall into the "celebrate the first day of school" crowd of parents, I also fear and dread it at the same time! Why? Because the start of school heralds a virtual mountain of repetitive paperwork to be filled out in duplicate for each kid! And to top this off, there are legions of teachers, no doubt pressured by their principals, snapping and biting to get that paper done and sent back to school with the kid ... no later than 3 DAYS BEFORE HE RECEIVES IT! Geez ... its enough to drive a sane parent insane, and the already insane parent, such as myself (ask my kids ... they will verify it!) ... well ... the picture isn't a pretty one! I have no hair (no pun intended) left at the end of 2 weeks and have to spend the rest of the year attempting to grow it back for the following year's onslaught!
Okay ... I exaggerate ... just a little ... well, maybe a lot ... but no kidding ... teachers start hollaring for their paperwork if your child fails to return it signed and notarized by the very next day! Never mind that you don't even get it until 4 PM when the kids get home from school and finally remember to give you the papers! That's assuming they remember to give it to you at all!
Now ... I have a number of friends who are nice concientous moms (NO CRITICISM HERE GIRLS ... I ENVY YOUR ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS!) who manage to comply with the rules, to the letter, and indeed return their paperwork the second day of school. But ... I am not one of them I must admit. Most days I am lucky to remember my name, much less to fill out these forms and return them "on-time." I imagine that I am at the top of many school teachers and administrative staff "most irksome parent" list. I always do the paperwork eventually, and turn it in ... generally within a week. But ya know ... I figure feeding the family, and reading bedtime stories, and such is more important than stupid government paperwork! My philosophy is, and always has been "I will do it as soon as I can, but not a minute sooner!" Lets face it, if hoppy, turtle or fish have a problem ... I'm in the phone book ... and being a small town ... there is virtually someone in each of the schools who knows me personally! And with gasoline at over $3 a gallon ... I don't get around much anymore ... most of the time, I am home!
Here again however, in the midst of the thickest part of the briar patch, the sun managed to peak through! If you have not read the previous entry, by Hoppy toad, please do so, and take a look at the photos he included. The boys have recently indulged in a new interest ... one that involves all three of them in largely cooperative play (a rare event!). I can't remember the company name (but there are at least a couple who manufacture similar toys) specifically, but the boys have been collecting toy figures similar in concept to miniature soldiers, except that they represent both historical and fictional people (kings, queens, knights, egyptians, chinese warriors and on and on) and mythical and real beasts. They are a great learning tool for the homeschooling parent (thats another issue ... Hoppy is staying home for the first time this year, to be home schooled) and others. But perhaps most important to kids ... you can also play with them! And as you can see, the kids are enjoying these figurines immensely! Some days it sounds almost as if a real war is going on in our house, not just the pretend one happening in the back room of the warren. But sometimes the noise is acceptable ... especially when multiple siblings in a single family are cooperating at some VERY IMAGINATIVE play. Hoppy, Turtle and Fish are not content to just put the figures out on the train table and move them a little here or there. Their battles typically involve imagination as they plan out their battles, stage them, and then and only then, fight the battle. It is fabulous to watch as these three very bright creative minds put their talents together in their games. The kids are, in short a burst of sunshine, even in the midst of the deep dark Briar Patch.
The story and photos are, by the way, an assignment for his creative writing class I am teaching!
And so my parting thought for the day ... always remember to look for the sun ... even if you are in the midst of the Briar Patch!! Have a great day everyone!
Mother Bunny - August 19, 2006
Friday, August 18, 2006
TO WAR, SOLDIERS! TO WAR!
Turtle, Fish and I have a bunch of collectable toy figurines obtained from the local toy store. We have knights, wizards, faeries, etc. Most of them were given to us by the owner, a friend, because they were broken during shipping and could not be sold. Yesterday I took out the bag of broken figurines and repaired them. Some did not have the necessary parts to repair them as they were before they broke. For these, I made custom figurines that you will not find elsewhere. We set all of them up in a war scene in which nobody has yet been defeated. On one side or the other there is a musketeer, who bears a striking resemblance to Will Turner in the second “Pirates of The Caribbean” movie, fighting a king, whom we named King Bob. There also is a dwarf king fighting a wizard, a demonic knight fighting against a hero, and a wraith on a horse fighting a Viking on a horse. On each side, there is a firing squad of pirates armed with muskets. There are also various other warriors fighting each other.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Hmm.....Your humans, girlie-girl? I think not!
let's get things straight, kay? who is it who adopted you from a place that smelled like..... dog. Us. Who is it that gives you food (which you almost never eat)? Us.who is it who let you wander the house instead of being chained to a stake outside? Us. We take care of you, we bathe you (you hate it, but it is good for you. It is better than having fish scream "FLEAS!!" so loud that everybody goes deaf.) You are our dog. Get used to it. There are five of us and one of you. when it come to your running away games, you cheat. you know we are not allowed to go in the pond, so you head on into it. two words. MAJOR CHEATING!!! Anyway, just make sure you get it straight, okay? You are our dog, not vice versa. O.K.? Good.
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