Mt. Dora Getaway

June 8 - retired 4 days, although today was the official beginning of this new chapter in my life.

Tomorrow is Be's birthday along with a get together with friends & future parents of a daughter from China, Alyson & Ford.

This could be one of the last times Be & I can get away before Joanna arrives, so ......

we ventured to Mt Dora, a beautiful town about 1 hour away -

citrus trees, turn of the century architecture, beautiful Lake Dora, old town ambiance and several good restaurants.

We decided to stay at the Lakeside Inn, a Mt Dora landmark since 1883. Our room was definately a 'one night room' as it overlooked a maintenance area, but if you looked out the window, closed one eye and pressed your face against the glass, it became a 'lake view room'.

Didn't matter (although we were now 170 bucks poorer) - we were out on the town after a swim.

Be (looking so fine) on the porch of the Lakeside Inn

Street scenes in Mt Dora (with the help of PhotoShop)

A sightseeing train runs through Mt Dora.

Lunch at the Goblin Market Restaurant

Dinner at The Frosty Mug - we enjoyed having a streetside table where we benefited from the air conditioning inside while feeling like we were dining on the sidewalk.

The space shuttle took to the skies from Kennedy Space Center, 40 or so miles away.

About 75 minutes later, the winds aloft had carried the vapor trails west to Mt Dora

leaving eerie designs in the evening sky.

Too bad we didn't have the camera for the launch.

As the sun went down, we sat in rocking chairs on the porch of the Lakeside Inn

with a glass of wine while listening to a live jazz trio.

Although it was quite hot, the porch was cool with the help of fans and a good breeze from the lake.

6 AM Saturday, June 9 (Be's Birthday) - we left our hotel for a brisk walk to Palm Island Park about 1/2 mile away to find the gate locked and sign posted indicating that the park opened at 9 AM. Bummer - maybe not - breakfast seemed like a reasonable 2nd choice. We soon discovered that the laid back town of Mt Dora had a sort of 'manana' attitude on the weekends. All of the eateries opened for lunch at about 11 AM - except for one which posted a 7:30 AM opening time. OK - a speed walk was the 3rd choice, so for the next hour, we zigzagged around the streets of this quaint town, taking many of the above pics along the way. When our breakfast eatery opened, the owner was both the cook and waiter - the wait staff showed up about 7:55 to find the place already bustling with diners - manana.

Speed walk back to the hotel, a quick run to the drug store and it was 9 AM - time for the walk to Palm Island. By 9:15, the place was still locked up - we found a not-quite-official entrance around the front gate and disappeared along the walkway into the park. The pictures below reflect our morning walk - a beautiful place!

At 9:45, as we left the park, the park personnel still had not arroved to open the gate - manana.

A boardwalk leads you over the water for access to Palm Island Park.
Alligators, egrets, herons, racoons & turtles inhabit the island & surrounding waters.

Another view of the walkway through Palm Island Park @ Mt Dora

Bald Cypress mostly inhabit the zone between the land and the deeper lake water.

Palm Island Park is an urban park that provides benefits for both the urban population and the environment. A stroll down the board walk is a relaxing and healthy way to explore this forest ecosystem. Many of the trees are identified and interpertive information is available, so it's an educational experience as well. This park provides homes and food for a diverse range of animals - birds, mamals & reptiles.

Don, Be, Alyson & Ford

We 're from Central Florida, Alyson & Ford from NE Florida.

Mt Dora was a great meeting place.

After a quick morning swim (no pictures - you'll think you're on the Greenpeace site) it was off to visit with Alyson & Ford. We had pre-arranged Mt. Dora as our meeting place a few weeks back. Take a look at our post from several months ago when we met this great couple for the first time ........

http://donandbe1.blogspot.com/2007/03/bloggers-in-paradise-or-is-there-aarp.html

By 11:00 AM, it was hotter than fish grease, so we searched out a cyber cafe with air conditioning - we had our own private room where we were able to talk about the adoption highway we've been on for what seems like forever. For a quick recap: Ford and I met through the blogging process about 2 years ago and discovered that we were the same age and both would retire and be stay at home dads. And our wives are the same age and would continue to work to boot. Our LIDs are 2 months apart, so considering our unique circumstances in the adoption arena, it was only right that we should get together and discuss our journeys in person. We did it in March and this was our second meet up. Some points: when both families began the adoption process, the CCAA was at 6-9 months between LID and referral. Neither of our families have reached that point yet - Ford & Alyson are now at 16+ months and Be & myself are at 14+. All of our fingerprints & INS applications have expired so that process is on the horizon for both families as well.

We discussed some of the correct terminology and gentle ways to steer people in the right direction when speaking of our adoptions, especially in the presence of our daughters. Considering our unique life timelines, we also talked of the reactions of friends with the whole process and getting around the inevitable question "So, what's the latest with the adoption?" Our common Christian faith came up often as well.

Lunch followed and the conversation continued. We were lifted up by our 4 1/2 hours together with this wonderful couple. We knew that they were brought into our lives as traveling partners on the adoption highway not by chance, and that our daughters will become fast friends like their parents.

Support in the adoption process is an essential and we wish all on the journey a

Ford & Alyson in their lives.

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Alyson & Ford's Blog "Imagine Alyzabeth An"

http://alyzabethan.blogspot.com

The Lakeside Inn

www.lakeside-inn.com

Wikipedia "Mount Dora" Information

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Dora,_Florida

Call Me Retired

21 years with US Airways have come to an end .... no more overbooked flights .... weather or maintenance delays .... personnel shortages .... whining/crying/shouting customers ........... life is good. I don't know how I did it that long!

My coworkers gave me a send off complete with "Miss You" cake, cold cuts, veggies, fried chicken and mylar "Happy Retirement" balloon. I will miss them at work. About 10 of us met for a performance of Cirque du Soleil's "La Nouba" later that evening at Disney's West End.

My first 2 days of retirement included work on prepping our privacy fence for painting, attending to some of the needs of my 94 year old dad and first attempts at cooking real meals. Amazingly, they came out rather well. I just may post the recipes as there was much experimentation with great results.

For Friday ...... a monthly brunch with Orlando US Airways retirees and a trip to Mt Dora for a night at the Lakeside Inn and lunch with friends on Saturday.

More time for blogging .......

.......and so we skip merrily on our way to adoption ......

CCAA Celebrates "The Year of the Snail"

Crawling along at the pace of a purple wartyback, the CCAA announced the following today to the many prospcetive parents with their eyes glued to the little gray box on their web page......

The CCAA has finished the review of the adoption application documents registered with our office before March 31, 2006.
The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose adoption application documents were registered with our office before November 7, 2005.

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We congratulate all our blogsters who made the cut ........ especially our new blogger friends Lisa & Doug. They received the referral items for their daughter, Briana. Congratulations! You must be walking on sunshine.

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http://waitingforbriana.blogspot.com/

The Painted Veil

For the first time in quite a while, we were able to sit down for an evening and watch a film in it's entirety. Don has the TV on Mondays for "24" and Tues & Wed for "American Idol" - both series had their finalies last week. Tonight's selection ..... "The Painted Veil". A love story set in the 1920s about a young English couple (a doctor and a society girl) who marry hastily, relocate to Hong Kong where they betray each other easily, and find an unexpected chance at redemption and happiness while on a deadly journey into the heart of ancient China.

For a synopsis of the film ......

http://wip.warnerbros.com/paintedveil/site/site.html

This film did not do particularly well in the theatrers, probably due to the fact that it offers salvation in the midst of horrific circumstances and deals with some disturbing themes not readily accepted in our comfortable culture. We both gave it a 4 out of 5 - for the brief glimpses of the spectacular scenery as well as the story line which gives hope and deliverance.

Rated PG-13, probably should not be watched with kids due to gratuitous sex scene (nothing you can't see after 7 PM on TV), as well as graphic depiction of cholera.

14 Months

May 24

It's been 14 months since our LID .....

The Gospel According to Diva

This pic was taken on our vacation in the Smoky Mountains last summer.

Can you find Be? Click on the pic to enlarge.....

This post was in my "drafts" folder from a few months back and I decided the time was right to use it. It has been expanded upon from it's original text.

I was recovering from 2 broken ribs . During that period, I feel like all I did was age - my mind was numbed from the pain killers causing me to wander in my thoughts - I could not focus - not on prayer, not on reading & not on any movie with the hint of a storyline.This past week, I felt that I could begin to wean myself off the mind bending pills, as the pain had subsided quite a bit - I told the dog that it was time to take a walk together - we have a park in our area with primative, unpaved trails through acres of native Florida plants - as we walked, I noticed that Diva (my dog) would stop & tilt her head as her ears stood up - as the drug induced fog in my mind began to clear, I realized that there was much to be heard in my pristine surroundings - she had heard a native black snake (non-poisonous) rustling through the dry underbrush - it was sunning itself and was apparently startled at our approach - the sounds of the wind through the brush, dried leaves and trees as well as the chirp of cardinals and scrub jays became a part of God's orchestration and the walk took on a whole new character for me. It reminded me of the Gospel of Luke ....... Jesus was being praised by His followers and the Pharisees became indignant that they would do such a thing and called for Jesus to rebuke them. Jesus replied to them saying "I tell you if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." My heart which had been quite silent for the past 6 weeks or so did not wait for the rocks to sound the call to worship and I praised Him for His creation and Who He is .... and to think my dog snapped me out of my pity party.

Camelot (Where Does an Arab Buy His Wheels?)

Mom loved Robert Goulet and as we were growing up, she frequently played the old 33 rpm disc from the Broadway show "Camelot" on our Victrola to hear him, as Lancelot, sing "If Ever I Would Leave You". I also remembered songs such as "I Wonder What the King Is Doing Tonight?" as well as the title tune "Camelot". Those tunes ran through my head when I received an e-mail from Ticketmaster informing me of a 2 for 1 deal for the upcoming engagement of the show in Orlando.

"Camelot" opened in New York in 1960, but that was a few years before I was able to hop a bus on my own and take in whatever show I wanted to see (we lived in New Jersey, about 10 miles outside NYC). In high school and college, I'd write away for tickets to the Ed Sullivan Show and sat in the audience for quite a few of the live broadcasts and would frequent the Broadway shows, buying the half-price tickets at the booth in Times Square.

Be had done the show in high school, and aside from the 3 or 4 songs which were familiar to me, I really did not know that much about it. Our friends, Jeff & Kathy, wanted to see it, so we all did the dinner thing and walked to the theater from the restaurant.

Well, it should have occured to me that this was going to be quite a stretch - after all, Michael York (age 65), playing King Arthur courting the very young and beautiful Guenivere? Dang - this could be a real snore! It was. After an 8 hour day at the old grind and a very satisfying meal under our belts, I woke up several times during the first act with morning mouth. But, it was not necessarily the talent on stage which lulled me to sleep (the cast members who played Guenivere & Lancelot had outstanding voices) - I believe it was the story, a tale of fantasy which was flimsy at best, combined with lackluster staging incorporating a cast of people who strutted around the stage in fancy costumes. The guy in front of me was probably 6'5" tall and had a hairdo that looked like brocolli and as the 'action' moved around the stage, I grew tired of avoiding the visual impairment blocking my view.

As King Arthur, Michael York set about writing the creed for his Knights of the Roundtable preceding each item with a giant step to the front of the stage, punctuating the move with an index finger pointed toward the sky and making his decree - "Proposition - no knight shall sit at the head of the table! Make our table round!" "Proposition - this and that...."

And as the curtain went down after the first act, I turned to the rest of our party - "Proposition - a swift ride home at the intermission!" All raised their hands and voted "Aye". And so ...... off we went. "Anyone for Spamalot ?" "We got our money's worth. It was a 2 for 1 anyway." "Gosh! I wonder how we'd all do at an opera?" "Do you think Don can be in the LazyBoy before the curtain goes up for Act 2?"

...and so we merrily skip through the adoption waiting room ...

Happy Mothers Day

This is our 3rd Mother's day since we started our adoption paperwork. Joanna, we are praying that God sends you to us quickly. Until then we will pray and keep the faith knowing that He has the appointed time in His plan.

In anticipation of Joanna's arrival, Don had this beautiful oriental name painting of our family created and framed. It is rich in symbolism and oriental heritage. This type of art has been handed down from generation to generation for over 1000 years. There is a legend that an Angel descended from heaven riding on a rainbow. The Angel painted her name using the colors of the rainbow before she vanished through the clouds. The Angel's name has been used over the years to convey love and feeling to family and loved ones. Each letter is hand fashioned using symbols that convey meaning. The bamboo tree conveys intelligence and integrity. The artist used the bamboo tree in the letters B and J. The rainbow which you see in the O and E represent promise, love, hope and peace. Each symbol has meaning. I can't wait until Joanna is old enough to understand the rich heritage of her lineage.

Thank you Don for a gift that is not only beautiful but will be precious to our family over the years.

Back to the Old $%#@!

This pic taken Feb 14, 2007 - the day of some of the worst weather in the Northeast


A sad day - Thursday, May 10 - after 9 weeks of recovery from 2 broken ribs, it's back to the old grind at the US Airways ticket counter at Orlando International Airport. I have been spared bad weather and the start-up of a new (perhaps primative would be more appropriate) computer system while absent from work. If I had a desk job, I most probably wold have been back a little over a month after the accident, however slinging bags and lifting heavy non-ambulatory passengers could have damaged them further - so alas, the time has come - poor, poor Don.

Flower Power - Part 2

Peter & Gordon

It was apparent from the first bars of their opening song "Nobody I Know" that Peter and Gordon" had lost their singing chops over the years. What were once light and fluid vocals are now husky sounding pub singing voices. We stayed for the whole show, and I even bought a CD to enjoy their music as it was originally intended. I believe their singing gigs are for the benefit of fattening the purse of Gordon Waller as Peter Asher is a fat cat producer in L.A. and is most probably a gajillionaire. A nice trip down memory lane just the same ......

The Tokens

So we thought ..... We gotta hear "The Tokens" for their tune "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" ...... and we discovered that the group puts on a high energy show that borders on vaudeville - only with 50s rock. And they made the combination work, bouncing comebacks off each other and including the audience in zany sing-alongs. Be had to work, but I went back for a second night to enjoy the fun again.

Jose Feliciano

Jose Feliciano was quite remarkable as he performed for the fans at EPCOT. Seated throughout the entire 30 minute shows, JF made his way through his own tunes as well as those of others from the 60s & 70s with his own unique style. The man nailed every note and still plays a hot guitar.

Petula Clark

Petula Clark is the only female headliner on the Flower Power concert lineup for 2007 and she proved that she could stand firm against the big boys. The overture was a trippy pastiche of themes from her big hits accentuated with offstage vocal inserts from her very familiar pipes. The themes eventually melded together as one and formed the basis for the melody of "Who Am I" which led to her entrance. The substantial breeze blowing it's way across the lagoon added lift to her flowing gown and cape (good thing the wind was in her favor) and the songstress had the audience in her hands.
Making her way through "This Is My Song", "My Love", Don't Sleep In the Subway" and of course "Downtown" she tried her best as she belted with the best of them, sustaining several song endings a considerable length of time. Her mid range and lower register were weak on the more delicate passages and she spoke some of the lyrics as it appeared she had some vocal fatigue. But this was a legend - a 74 year old legend - and we were there for the event ....... and so, we skip merrily through the adoption waiting room.

Congrats!

Although I was in denial that they only made it through November 1, 2005, congratulations are in order for those who have seen the face of their child for the first time as referrals are out. We wish to congratulate Lynda & Roy Korbert from our Orlando Waiting Parents Support Group who received their referral package!

Also, our friends, Todd & Jaci Romer received their Traveling Authorization and head out to China tomorrow to be united with their daughter.

Our agency indicated to us that the CCAA received an unusually heavy load of dossiers last October which may explain the unusually small numbers of calendar days referred. Pray that they get over the hump - I'm aging rapidly and Joanna will be running to get a magic marker to play Connect the Liverspots on homedaddy's hand.

Sunrise

Not much to report these days - waiting on the referral numbers. Rumor on the internet is cutoff Nov 1, 2005 - only 4 (5 depending on how you count it) more days - hope they get a move on - I could pass away at any moment -
I have a few items in my 'drafts' folder awaiting tweaking & fine tuning - so, in the meantime, enjoy the photography of JoAnn, a wonderful gal from our church choir. These images were taken at our Easter Sunrise Service at Lake Down in Windermere, Florida. We sang in the choir, but it was dark as pitch out when the choir did it's thing, so ..... no pics.

As the Light of Springtime Emerges Gradually .....

......It's time for

The EPCOT Flower & Garden Festival.

Although gardening is not really our thing, we are aware that we may have to develop some green thumbs for the benefit of Joanna, whenever she arrives at our home.

These links will connect you to some great photos of the festival
http://www.wdwmagic.com/epcot_flowerandgarden_festival.htm
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http://irrecenvhort.ifas.ufl.edu/A&P/Pictures/EpcotPics.htm

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The yearly event is one of our favorite activities with the Flower Power Concert Series. Personalities, from major stars to one hit wonders, from the 60s & 70s perform their ‘geeser rock’ to the best of their abilities and make light of their AARP statuses. Over the past 2 weeks, we rocked out – well Be did, Don is STILL mending the broken ribs – to several groups. Don’t think we have even one of their albums, but the event was a hoot all the same.

The Flower Power Concert Series

Paul Revere & The Raiders

Paul Revere & the Raiders has to be the zaniest group out there. Keyboardist, Paul Revere (many claim that original lead singer Mark Lindsey is the Paul Revere figure in the band but it’s actually the legal name of the keyboardist –---- and in the end ------ it just doesn’t matter) just celebrated his 69th birthday with surgery on his right rotator cuff (my life was enriched with that knowledge) and was quite subdued compared to last year’s performance. Still, he and bandmates had a great time with their corny banter, wild props and hits like “Indian Reservation”, "Good Thing" & “Kicks Just Keep Gettin’ Harder to Find” complete with their standard kick line. At their ages, it looked more like “Kicks Just Keep Getting’ Harder to Do”. PR&R is one of our favorite entries in the Flower Power lineup.

Tony Orlando
Brooklyn boy, Tony Orlando, was a man on a mission. He just wanted his audience to enjoy themselves. He was apparently aware that his own material was not particularly exciting. At one of his shows (we saw 3) he came out on stage, without fanfare, and announced “Alright. We’re going to do 3 of my songs first ….. and then we’ll do some good stuff.” Orlando featured his kickin’ band for the most part and played ‘party meister’ for most of the 30 minute shows doing sing alongs, background vocals and encouraging dancing in the aisles. Beatles, Led Zeppelin and Earth Wind & Fire were all a part of the song menu accompanied by a hot, energetic and musically tight backup band.

Carl Giammarse - Lead singer for The Buckinghams

The Buckinghams surprised me – I had forgotten that they recorded “Susan” and “Don't You Care” in addition to “Kind of A Drag” (a song which reminds Be of taking the cat for a walk). Their show was a bit more reserved than the 2 previous groups with the exception of a rendition of “Mercy, Mercy” by their wild looking ponytailed, body builder bass player (an original member) who took the song and made it his own.

Flo & Eddie of "The Turtles"
The Turtles (Flo & Eddie) were the princes of Bubblegum Rock in the 60s, and performed all 6 or so of their hits during their set when we saw them last week. The group, arch-rivals to The Archies, performed "Eleanor", "She'd Rather Be With Me", "Let Me Be", "You Showed Me" and of course "Happy Together"? The 2 front men for The Turtles did their best to duplicate the sound on their original recordings ("You Showed Me" sounded as sweet as 40 years ago) and a nostalgic time was had by all.

Future shows include The Guess Who (blew us away last year), BJ Thomas, Davy Jones, Peter & Gordon, Herman's Hermits,The Tokens, Petula Clark & Jose Feliciano ...... more later as we merrily skip through the adoption waiting room .......

Pets on Planes

I receive dog tips periodically from Purina - with summer vacation around the corner, the following info should be useful when for planning ahead .......

Pets on Planes

Thinking about taking your dog on your next vacation, but feeling anxious about flying to your destination? Here are a few pointers that may make the journey easier on both of you:
•
Pack well. Choose a travel crate that's well ventilated and the right size for your dog. She should be able to sit, stand, and move around comfortably. And give her a chance to get used to the crate before the flight; it may help reduce in-flight anxiety.
•
Minimize travel time. Book the most direct flight possible. If nonstop simply isn't an option, avoid layovers in cities with extreme temperatures that could endanger your dog.
•
Do your homework. Check with the airline ahead of time to get the current pet regulations, and ask your veterinarian for specific advice on traveling with your dog.

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And now, for some advice from a 21 year airline cunstomer service veteran:

Don't get to the airport with your pet -----

-----to be informed that your airline doesn't carry pets.

-----to be shocked that it costs $100.00 one-way to carry your pet.

-----to find out that your pet is too big to fit under the seat in front of you.

Carry-on pets include dogs, cats and domestic birds. (Ferrets,oscelots, sand crabs, spiders, weasles, snakes, frogs, and chickens do not fall into any of those categories.)

-----without having made a reservation in advance for your pet - there are limitations on

the number of pets permitted per cabin.

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And the best advice is ........

..... if you must bring your pet with you ....... drive

...... if you must fly ..... leave your pet with a pet friendly friend and enjoy your vacation.

Surprize! Surprize! I Liked It!

One of Daddy-O's favorites is Andre Rieu. The violinist/orchestra leader is kind of a cross between Lawrence Welk & Yanni only instead of polkas or trippy new age music, Rieu's specialties include Strauss waltzes & light classics.

So I ordered tickets for the 3 of us and you would have thought it was the most important event in the life of my 94 year old father! He reminded me daily to remember to pick him up.

So, I best not forget ...... the ribs are still healing and since I still cannot transfer Daddy-O from the wheelchair to the car, I rented a van configured for wheelchair accessability for the evneing. When we arrived at about 6:30 PM (8 PM show), he was sitting there in his jockey shorts. "Daddy-O, this outfit may be OK for a Brittany Spears concert, but Andre Rieu?......." At least it wasn't me who forgot. Two of his caregivers at his assisted living residence had him dressed and ready for action in no time. The evening went flawlessly from that time on ..... leaving 75 minutes before curtain (venue is about 5 miles away) to allow for all the festivities associated with transporting a wheelchair & it's occupant, we arrived in plenty of time to purchase a $6.00 latte, a plastic cup of Inglenook @ $7.50, and a $20.00 souvenir program for Daddy-O.

I had the surprize of my concert going life at this show. It was great! The orchestra had every note nailed (there was no sequential enhancement of instrumentation), the singers had each word and pitch prepared long before the tones ever came out of their mouths and the video production heightened the excitement for those of us seated in the nose bleed seats, the only handicapped seating offered at the Amway Arena in Orlando.

Daddy-O didn't fall asleep once, a testimony to the incredible talent on the stage of this fine touring ensemble. When "The Blue Danube" waltz was introduced, the audience was invited to dance along, and Be & myself did our best amongst the 25 or so daring couples (of the 5,000+ audience) to approximate waltz steps....... We probably would not have the opportunity to dance to the "Blue Danube" with live music of quality this extraordinary again --- so we took advantage of the next 3 minutes in time ..... Made us think ......... do we still have time for ballroom dancing lessons before Joanna arrives? ........ and so we skip merrily through the adoption waiting room ........

Looking Her Sunday Best - Skitt Gets a Buzz Job

Diva, Misty, Brownie, Be & Max (does not like cameras)

Well, we had planned on giving Skitt, our cat, her summer haircut this past Saturday, but our friends, Scott & Jean, were headed out of town, so we got their dogs, Max & Misty for the day. No sooner had they arrived - Brownie came by for a visit, so we ended up with 4 really big dogs in the house. We envisioned a totally freaked out cat with all the canine company, so we thought not a good day to give the cat a buzz job. So, after church, Skitt got her new doo on Sunday.

Skitt's Story

Shortly after we adopted Diva from the humane society, we observed a beautiful charcoal gray domestic longhair cat hanging around our house. She was quite wild and would not let us get near her when we approached. We discovered that she was living in the storm drains in our neighborhood, existing on scraps from trash cans and whatever small creatures she could catch. We bought some cans of cat food and started leaving portions in the pipe closest our home. We began moving the food closer to the house and after months of this procedure, she would come up onto our open side porch and eat. Winter was here and she still would not come in the house, so we left a heating pad inside a cardboard box and she was content to spend the night there, but would always retreat back to the drain pipes during the day and still would run away at our approach. Eventually, she began eating on our back porch, so we would close the door, not allowing her outside at night (still sleeping in the box with the heating pad) and open it in the morning, allowing her to come and go as she pleased during the day.

After months of feedings outside, she finally ventured inside, but still would not warm up to us. We would remark at how skittish she was, so she became known as 'Skitt". Then, after several more months of staying in the house (we really took our chances here, not knowing anything about her toileting - she adapted to a litter box easily) she allowed us to pick her up - it took her more than a year before we were granted permission to touch her - and we got a tremendous surprize - she was declawed! She had fended for herself for many months developing quite th survival instinct and sense of independence - no wonder she had no interest in us! We later heard that some woman in the neighborhood had moved out and left 5 or so cats behind and Skitt was one of them.

Now, 3 years later, Skitt is an official house cat. She is still deficient in the area of social graces and looks at cat toys like they're entirely offensive, spends the whole day under our bed and comes out at night and jumps up on one of our laps for her evening scratch & pet. She will stay there and purr and when she's done, she's done - she takes up her post at the front window on the back of the couch and stays there for the night. Although it is not easy to bond with Skitt, we're happy she's off the streets and we're glad that we exercised the patience needed to bring her to this point.

We are exercising the same patience for the arrival of Joanna, now about 5 months overdue according to the wait times in place when we began our adoption journey.

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In the pics below.....

Skitt seems to know what's comin'. We do the 'lion cut' on her - her head, legs and tail remain uncut. The rest of the body gets buzzed - it's really the same color as her head, it just has not fully grown in since her last cut.

.....and here she is after the buzz job. Her undercoat is almost white and we left a line of her charcoal gray fur down her back for the reverse skunk look, a popular style among felines.

We remarked that it looks like Leno's hair, somewhat and

we have invented a new cat breed - Mohawkus Domesticata.

Next event ------ the bath.

White Swan WIll Close from December 2007 - October 2008 - or - Can We Still Get a Red Couch Picture?

White Swan Hotel Will Close For Renovation

The White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou will embark upon a 10-month renovation this December, after recent approval from the Guangdong Provincial Government.
The five-star hotel plans to close its business entirely during the large-scale renovation, which will cost RMB530 million. The facade, rooms, lobby, air-conditioning systems, power supplies and parking lots will all be renovated. A new 1,000-square-meter convention center and a multi-floor underground parking lot will be built. Following the re-development, rooms will be larger, but somewhat fewer than the present 843.
The hotel is the fourth five-star hotel in the city to undergo significant renovations in recent years, following the Dong Fang, Garden and China hotels and increasingly severe competition in the top-end hotel business.
The White Swan Hotel opened to the public and began operation on February 6, 1983. Three years later, it was accepted as the member of the "Leading Hotels of the World" for its excellent management and service. The hotel was awarded one of the first five-star hotels in China in 1990 and was selected as one of "A Hundred First-Class and Fifty Best Star Hotels of China" by National Tourism Administration of China in 1996. It has received over 40 heads of states and governments including Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and President Bush of the United States.

Everyone Prays!!! - Prayer for Adoption

I received an invite from the America World Agency to join them & their families in praying for adoption - anyone else?

Dear America World Families,

In recent years, our agency has asked our community to fast and pray on certain occasions - in hope and expectation that God would change the hearts of adoption officials for the best interest of orphans. We are writing to ask you to join us again as we fast and pray from April 23 - 25, 2007; if you cannot join us on these dates, please see if another time works with your schedule. In the past we have seen God work mightily as we have fasted, prayed, and sought His direction and guidance.

We greatly appreciate your prayers for our staff, prospective adoptive parents, adoption officials in the U.S. and abroad, and, most importantly, for the many waiting children in need of a family. Just as Esther and the Jewish people prayed and fasted and had a ruling overturned, our prayer is that the policies preventing orphans from entering families will be changed (Esther 8:5-8). Another passage that has been an encouragement to our agency is from the prophet Isaiah—showing us the hope that God can do new things—and providing a way through terrain that seems impossible:"This is what the LORD says—He who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters… See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." -Isaiah 43:16 & 19

Specific Issues in Need of Prayer:

*To decrease the wait time for referrals from China and El Salvador;

*To allow more orphans in China to be listed and available foradoption;

*For paper chasing China adoptive parents who need to reach theirMay 1st deadline;

*For adoption agencies to be accredited in Russia;

*For the hearts of leaders in the field of adoption to make decisions in the best interest of children - and not to be motivated by personal greed, ambition, or national pride.

We are praying boldly and in faith—as Jesus taught us in Mark Chapter 11: "Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." -Mark 11:22-24

This would also be a great time to ask your church community, fellowship groups and bible studies to pray together for orphans waiting to be adopted. For those who can join us in prayer and fasting from April 23 - 25, we appreciate your support, prayers and faithfulness.

Sincerely,

America World Staff

Family FotoFun Friday - Pets

I'm going to try participation in a photo blog called Family FotoFun Friday. It is for those who are in the China Adoption Comminity amd topics for photos vary. This week's topic is pets - so of course, here's Diva smiling big outside Madison House, the residence where Daddy-O lives.

Here's the link to "Double Happiness" ..... http://2happy.typepad.com/double_happiness/2007/04/pets.html

.......and for more pics (and bio) of Diva.......

http://donandbe1.blogspot.com/2007/02/diva-multi-ethnic-canine-love-sponge.html

Check the Passport Date

We recently met with our adoption case worker (to update our Home Study and renew our Orphan Petition & fingerprints) who reminded us of an important item re: passports. Passport validity period must include the 6 months following return from China.

With that in mind, we have sent off our old passports for renewal. Effective January, 2007, a passport is now required for entry back into the United States from both Mexico and Canada.

Agencies are now buried in passport applications due to the many requests since the more restrictive procedure.

Passport renewal applications are available online at

http://www.travel.state.gov/passport/forms/ds82/ds82_843.html

The Big 2

Wow! A big 2 days of referrals! Wowie-zowie!

I have to say that I have a rather odd way of expressing the pain I'm in at the news of the small number of placements. I needed a day or 2 after the announcement to process everything before posting (like one of those letters you write, leave in the desk drawer & then decide it's better off left unmailed.) It also allowed me to get over my initial disappointment at the news. Blogging is theraputic for me as we are our own cyber community in the China Adoption Waiting Room.

See my friend Ford's item titled "Smile Though Your Heart Is Breaking" at

http://alyzabethan.blogspot.com

Ford says it all.........

Now for my theory - I'm thinking that someone with a log-in date of October 27, 2005 requires further information for document updating prior to placement. The Agency does not clear specific dates until all dossiers for a particular time slot are current. In waiting for the info for the Oct 27 items, case workers could be working on individual referrals into November. OK - say it - "Just because you live in Orlando doesn't mean you live in Fantasyland!" I just figure that we gotta grab at whatever hope there is, real or imaginary, and carry on. When Joanna is with us, it will have been well worth the wait.

Any other theories out there in blogatopia?

.....Please congratulate Brian & Dawn, my blogger buddies from North Carolina, on the referral of their new daughter, Courtney Mei ........ http://www.courtneymei.blogspot.com/

Friday Date Night - "Grease" - In the Gardens

Friday night kicked off the monthly Date Night at Leu Gardens in Winter Park Florida with "Grease". We had a hoot getting together with our good friends, The Spackmans, having a picnic dinner on the lawn, and singin' along with the Bopbopshoobopayippydipboomdeeboom songs from the movie. During the showing, temps went down to the upper 50s, but just about everyone made it to the end.

It was the second time I saw the classic 50s movie - the other time was in 1978, the year of the release. I grew old in the meantime - I don't remember having a second thought as Travolta sang "You know that ain't no s#*t, I'll be getting lots of t!t" in the song "Greased Lightning" or raising an eyebrow as two teens in the back of a car bemoan the fact that the only condom available was broken. Smoking, drinking and the 'ya gotta put out if you're going to get the guy' mentality were portrayed as acceptable behaviors for teens. It was too dark to determine if the people around me with children gave the references any bother, but as a prospective first time parent, it raised a red flag for me.

Now ....... let's see if we can pull this one off ....... "Joanna, that thing that looks like a TV is a screen that only plays your videos." .........

-------------------------------------------

An hour before the screening, the movie goers began claiming their parcels of the lawn for "Grease"

Most were content to enjoy the company of good friends.

Kathy & Jeff Spackman, Be & Don Schafhauser

... but some went -all out-

Happy Easter

"So ... How's It Going With the Adoption?"

How often I hear "What's happening with the China doll?" from well intentioned acquaintances or co-workers. I can see it coming - forehead crinkled, wide eyes, big smile. When I respond "Still waiting." Of course the follow-up question (with total change of expression) is "Why is it taking so long?" Of course, they mean it as innocent conversation and I realize that.

There's no good way to explain that the extended wait is a painful item in the adoption process. Each time I have to explain it, I am brought down lower. Joanna was expected in our household last year according to the standard procedure in place at the time that we initiated the process. What was a 9 month wait at log-in is now an 18 month wait .... words escape me as I have to explain the process and I usually respond "God had the time of Joanna's arrival planned long before China knew that we wanted to adopt. We're just trying to stay on His time schedule." That can close the discussion, even if I'm speaking to an athiest. The soverignty of God in the whole scheme of things gives me peace. I lifts me from whatever funk in which I put myself and gives me focus.

I have printed out some business sized cards with our blog information. I keep a supply with me at all times and when someone pops the question, I follow up my mini-homily with "We have a blog with our entire story. Take a look at it and thank you for your interest. The blog tells you a lot more than I can now." I hand them a card and I've given them quite a bit of information without getting too technical about the process.

I am reminded that God has this eternity thing which doesn't necessarily mesh with my own self imposed calendar of events. I actually listened to what He was telling me this morning and He reminded me that He gives us patience for these times .... and people who care enough to inquire "So .... How's it going with the adoption?"

Brownie at the Door ( ... not the kind that sells Girl Scout Cookies) & The Wisdom of Dogs

Last Saturday ... 8 AM ... all is calm, all is bright ... I've just had a fine night's sleep (not too many of those with the ribs mending) and was relishing the still of the morning ... enter Diva - piercing the silence. She was barking up a stink about something so it looked like sleeping in 'til 9 was not going to work this day. I rolled my sorry self out of bed and lummoxed down the stairs, opened the front door to find Brownie, a doberman from the neighborhood, sitting there with what looked like a satallite dish around his neck. I closed my eyes and tried to process the vision. OK - it's a just 'no bite' collar - make yourself some strong coffee and let Brownie in. Upon closer inspection (after I got my glasses) it was revealed that Brownie also had a muzzle around his snout. Be came downstairs to the sight of our morning visitor running around and smashing his collar into whatever was in his way and whining as best as he could through his muzzle. I put on the coffee. Gotta be Starbucks. We took off the 2 pieces of 'traction' and he immediately began helping himself to Diva's food and water. He was not a particularly neat diner and it actually looked like he was having his own personal food fight.

Some Brownie background before we continue - Brownie's owners are at their wit's end as they have tried everything to keep him from biting his foot. They have to leave him alone a good deal of the time and he has developed this behavior out of boredom, thus the collar and muzzle. His foot is bandaged and since last week, the healing has improved and his limp is less severe. Brownie is a great dog and was just starving for attention.

I said in a commanding voice (which scared me) "Brownie! Come!" He responded without missing a beat and jumped up on his hind legs, put his front paws on my shoulders (I'm 6') and looked me in the eyes as if to say "Talk to me!" He followed me over to the couch and I took his head in my hands and just told him "Good boy! What a handsome doggie! Good Brownie!" He started settling down as I continued to rub his head and stroke his shiny coat. Before long, he was laying on the floor, asleep at my feet. Diva came over and laid down next to him. She wanted in on the act.

OK - it could get a bit weird here. You've got to understand - we're "First Time Prospective Parents with AARP Memberships" - I said to Be "Hey Be. Could these dogs be teaching us a lesson? I mean - we've never paid attention to Brownie because he always behaved like John Belushi in "Animal House" but look at him now - all we did was listen to him! There's one happy doggie! "

(2 actually - we had treated Brownie like we treated Diva)

It sparked a discussion on "Listening to Your Children". As prospective parents who are rapidly approaching "The Golden Years" we reflected on friends in our life's journey who avoided or did not have time to listen to their kids. We've observed parent's/children's behaviors over the last 25 years of our marriage and have stored up a vault of memories with the help of those around us. We have witnessed their parenting behaviors and the outcome. Hopefully, as we approach the next crossroads in our lives, we'll use those memories and, just as we should be listening to God .... do the right thing.

So, thanks, Brownie & Diva, for your input on our continuing story ..... and Brownie, stop by anytime......

So ...... How Do You Celebrate a 1 Year Log In Anniversary?

March 24 - Our 1 Year Log In - according to our agency, approx 18 mo from log in date 'till referral - it's a step - but no real biggie. Looks like we'll celebrate in our log cabin in Orlando.

Tomorrow, our unofficial adoption support group will meet and take on some conversational Mandarin taught by one of our members who has been learning from the internet.

Tag - I'm It

I've decided to take up the challenge on one of these blog questionaires - received this one from Ford and since I was home for so long with the rib thing, I was able to finish it up. I left it in the Drafts folder for a while until I could proof read it - the bulk of the questionaire was done under the influence of pain killers .......

Have you ever ......

1. Bought everyone in the bar a drink.
02. Swam with wild dolphins. Manatees @ Crystal River (before the ban), dolphins – within 20 feet
03. Climbed a mountain. Half Dome in Yosemite & Mount Dora in Central Florida
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive.
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid.
06. Held a tarantula.
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone. Note to self: need more candles
08. Said “I love you’ and meant it. 25 years worth
09. Hugged a tree. Still recovering
10. Bungee jumped.
11. Visited Paris. Danced on the sidewalk to the music of street musicians outside the Louvre
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea. We live in Florida – Lightning capital of the world 13. Stayed up all night and watched the sunrise. Insomnia - oy! --- Sunrises - beautiful!
14. Seen the Northern Lights.
15. Gone to a huge sports game.
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa.
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables. Yes – yield: 7 tomatoes ----- Water bill: high enough to continue buying tomatoes at Winn-Dixie
18. Touched an iceberg.
19. Slept under the stars. But only because my tent mate snored
20. Changed a baby’s diaper Yep – and more to come
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon. What a hoot!
22. Watched a meteor shower. Wouldn’t call it a shower – observed 4 or 5
23. Gotten drunk on champagne. When I was young and much more foolish.
24. Given more than you can afford to charity. Always remember who "owns" what has been given to us in stewardship. (Answer borrowed from Ford & Alyson)
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope. I viewed a distant galaxy in a non-motorized telescope. As the earth rotated and the galaxy became out of range of the telescope, I realized my puniness
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment. The church giggles – always the church giggles
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse.
29. Asked out a stranger. I’m getting too old for this survey
30. Had a snowball fight. Lived in New Jersey for 17 years
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can. Just now …… had to cough ---- broken ribs
32. Held a lamb.
33. Seen a total eclipse. March 3, 2007
34. Ridden a roller coaster. We are roller coaster junkies – even though I need Dramamine
35. Hit a home run.
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking. Every time I ‘dance’. Wait till you see my famous “Chinese Dragon Dance”
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day.
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment. It’s not unusual
39. Had two hard drives for your computer.
40. Visited all 50 states
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk. …..and it was uglier than my dancing
42. Had amazing friends. We are richly blessed.
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country. On a cruise while touring the Greek islands
44. Watched wild whales.
45. Stolen a sign. While working in a power plant during college, I was on a catwalk above the acoustical ceiling in the generator room – a sign said “DO NOT STEP ON CEILING” --- I had to have it
46. Backpacked in Europe.
47. Taken a road-trip. Did a cross country road trip – 10 weeks – in 1973
48. Gone rock climbing. Sections of the Half Dome climb came close to it
49. Midnight walk on the beach. A common activity when I lived on the beach at Singer Island in the mid 70s
50. Gone sky diving.
51. Visited Ireland.
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love.
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger’s table and had a meal with them.
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow.
56. Alphabetized your CDs.
57. Pretended to be a superhero.
58. Sung karaoke. I'm a ham
59. Lounged around in bed all day.
60. Posed nude in front of strangers. I would not make many friends posing nude
61. Gone scuba diving. Many times
62. Kissed in the rain. And in the shower also
63. Played in the mud. During the rain in 62
64. Played in the rain. I'll play anywhere
65. Gone to a drive-in theater. Many times in the 60s
66. Visited the Great Wall of China. If all goes according to plan, during 2007
67. Started a business.
68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken. Presently
69. Toured ancient sites. Pyramids in Tical, Guatemala - Biblical sites in Israel & Lebanon - Athens & 6 Greek Islands - Pyramids of Guimar, Tenerife, Canary Islands - Indian excavations near Ridgecrest CA
70. Taken a martial arts class.
71. Played a game for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married. 9/12/81
73. Been in a movie. Cutting room floor Jaws 3
74. Crashed a party.
75. Gotten divorced.
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch. And won the men's dessert bake off at our church
78. Won first prize in a costume contest. As Tommy Lee Jones' character in "Men In Black"
79. Ridden a gondola in Venice.
80. Gotten a tattoo
81. Rafted the Snake River.
82. Been on television news programs as an “expert”.
83. Got flowers for no reason.
84. Performed on stage. If there's an audience .......
85. Been to Las Vegas. Several times
86. Recorded music. If there's an audience ......
87. Eaten shark. Tates like chicken
88. Had a one-night stand.
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house. Once ..... 22 years ago ..... still live in the same house
91. Been in a combat zone.
92. Buried one/both of your parents. Mom passed on in Dec 2000
93. Been on a cruise ship. Greek Islands, 1998 - Bahamas, 2002
94. Spoken more than one language fluently.
95. Performed in Rocky Horror.
96. Raised children (or…raising children). Better late than never - late 2007
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour. Moody Blues
98. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country.
100. Picked up and moved to another city to start over. Left home in 1968 for Florida
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge. In 2003
102. Sang loudly in the car, and did not stop when you knew someone was looking. Absolutely!
103. Had plastic surgery.
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn't have survived.
105. Wrote articles for a large publication.
106. Lost over 100 pounds. At least (lifetime total)
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback.
108. Piloted an airplane.
109. Petted a stingray. At Sea World
110. Broken someone’s heart.
111. Helped an animal give birth.
112. Won money on a T.V. game show.
113. Broken a bone. Ankle while skiing 1993, 2 ribs just recently pruning trees
114. Gone on an African photo safari.
115. Had a body part of yours below the neck pierced.
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol. At a police shooting range
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild. Picked them right out of the cow pies
118. Ridden a horse. Many times - not one of my favorite things, though
119. Had major surgery. Let's not go there
120. Had a snake as a pet.
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon.
122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours.
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states.
24. Visited all 7 continents.
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days.
126. Eaten kangaroo meat.
127. Eaten sushi. Only because I'm a real trendy guy - kangaroo is not trendy
128. Had your picture in the newspaper. A while back
129. Changed someone’s mind about something you care deeply about.
130. Gone back to school.
131. Parasailed. Ocean City NJ 2004
132. Petted a cockroach.
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes. Only because I'm a real trendy guy
134. Read The Iliad.
135. Selected one “important” author who you missed in school, and read.
136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.
137. Skipped all your school reunions. I gotta think ..... What high school did I go to?
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language. In France
139. Been elected to public office.
140. Written your own computer language.
141. Thought to yourself that you’re living your dream.
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care.
143. Built your own PC from parts.
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn’t know you. Sold our stained glass art in shows in Central Florida early on in our marriage
145. Had a booth at a street fair. That's where we sold the stained glass
146. Dyed your hair. Oy! Yes
147. Been a DJ.
148. Shaved your head.
149. Caused a car accident.
150. Saved someone’s life.