Half a song

Today, we held a ceremony for two reservists killed in action in Iraq. They died, as they lived, as Soldiers. My thoughts go out to their families who will feel the loss most acutely. I hope you will take time to think about the military men and women who have answered the call to duty and are serving their country in this effort. A reading from today's ceremony:

If you would know the reason why
But half a song I bring
I have -- alas, I must reply --
But half a song to sing
It was in battle that he fell
In pain I had to learn
The Soldier that I loved so well
My friend, will not return

Take a Number

Imagine that you arrive at the deli on a busy Saturday morning. The place is crowded because lots of people want some yummy corned beef or honey roasted turkey. This deli is very popular because they're known for offering wonderful food and for efficient service. You see the sign on the counter. It says, "take a number."

So you take one. Your number is 8/10/06. The signs says "now serving 9/27/05." What does that mean for me? You approach the person at the counter who's holding a ticket saying 9/27. "How long did you wait?" He says "Fifteen and a half minutes. But the person who held 9/1 only waited fourteen and a half minutes. So the wait is getting longer."

But you want corned beef. You have a taste for it, have been craving it, really want it. So you sit down to wait. You look around the room. It's very crowded. Some people are waiting patiently. Some are extremely agitated. Some are so annoyed by the wait that they leave for the deli accross the street. Maybe that will make the wait shorter. Who knows? At least you have a number and a place in line.

You decide to make the best of the wait. You introduce yourself to others who are waiting. There are lots of nice people to talk to while you wait. Before you know it, they're calling your number. And the corned beef is so worth it.

ABCs

ABC, a little 'bout me...

A - Available or taken: quite taken

B - Best Friend: Hunny B is my very best friend

C - Cake or Pie: Cake please, with extra frosting

D - Dog’s Name: Lady Byng

E - Essential Item I Use Everyday: Computer

F - Favorite T.V. Show: Grey's Anatomy, Criminal Minds

G - Favorite Game: Dominos

H - Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI

I - Instruments I Play: piano and violin

J - Favorite Juice: cranberry

K - Kid's Names: none yet!

L - Last Place I Ate: El Ranchero

M - Marriage: married to the most wonderful man for almost two years

N - Number of siblings: one

O - Oranges or Apples: Oranges

P - Phobias or Fears: claustrophobic

Q - Quote: "Age is not important. How old would you be if you didn't know how old you were?"

R - Reason to smile: God loves me

S - Sport: hockey

T - Time I Woke Up Today: 7:30 when Lady climbed on my chest

U - Current Underwear: Victoria's Secret

V - Vegetable You Love: steamed broccoli with lemon thyme

W - Worst Habit: Interrupting

X - X-rays I Have Had: knee, before surgery last year; ankle after skiing; face after being struck by a softball (BTW, it should be called bigger ball cuz it's not soft!)

Y - Yummy Food I love: Vegetarian Platter C at El Ranchero

Z - Zodiac: Capricorn

Ow - in a good way!

My self-improvement project for the next month is to take a Pilates class through the local parks and rec department. After completing my first class, I can feel muscles that I've haven't used in a while, even though I've been exercising regularly. As B likes to say, "Ow - in a good way!"

Five Month Anniversary

Another milestone. Today we celebrate five months since being logged in by China. Insert pointless rambling about the unknown wait time...

Stork Alert!

The stork is flying, bringing referrals to those who were logged in through September 27, 2005. They are 19 days closer to making referrals for our LID!

Congratulations to all who will be getting that precious picture this week. We continue to inch toward our own little one.

3-2-1.... Happy New Year!

It's a new year! A new calendar on the wall just waiting to be scribbled on. What will this year bring? Will we be parents before the stroke of midnight on December 31? Looking forward with great anticipation to whatever comes our way this year.

I was able to talk with B at the stroke of midnight - twice. Once when he rang in the New Year in Kuwait and again at midnight Eastern Standard Time. How cool is that?