Sunday, February 26, 2006

 

Sunday Afternoon Photos




This is one of my favorite places. It is beautiful Lake Vermilion. It is one of the best walleye lakes in the state.

My grandparents built their house on the lake back in the mid 50s. I have been going to this location ever since I was born. When my grandparents passed away, my dad and brothers bought the house so we can continue to build memories with our children. When I was young I hated having to go to the lake. It wasn't until I moved to Texas did I really start appreciating the view and location.

This is the view from the patio and it is a wonderful place to sit back and enjoy on those wonderful summer days, reading a good book, having a nice cook drink and soaking up the sun.



My grandpa use to say that he has seen the sunset in Hawaii and that Lake Vermilion's sunsets were the best in the world. I haven't seen the sunset in Hawaii but I do so enjoy it here.

Happy Sunday all....

Thursday, February 23, 2006

 

Daddies

This evening I called my daycare provider to tell her that Kiran would be late and my SIL would be dropping her off in the morning. She then told me that she has something to show me. It is a book that Kiran was writing this morning and in it she wrote that she missed and loved her daddy in India. This freaked Dana out a little but I told her that I thought it was normal and that I wanted to keep the book. Tben part of me feels so sad for her that she is growing up without a daddy. Now the kid has my three brothers who step into that role nicely but none of them live with us. I don't know if this is coming from the fact that I am dating, it is age appropriate, or if it stems from being the only one at preschool without a daddy. Perhaps it is a combination of all three. The one thing I am happy about is that when I asked her about her book tonight she said it was about her feelings. I told her that is a great way to express her feelings through writing. She liked that answer and I don't EVER want her to feel that she cannot discuss her feeling because I will understand just about everything or try to anyway. I guess it is time to pull out the development books and read up.

At times I do feel so guilty that I adopted without a daddy around but I do believe that we will survive and even if there was daddy, she would be feeling the same way about her dad in India.

It is almost the weekend.

Mary and kiran

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

 

Kiran



Here is Kiran's new do. I bet she had three inches or more cut off. I am so in trouble with this child. She is the most strong willed kid I have ever known and one of the most beautiful and did I mention smart. That is going to prove to be an interesting combination in life. Lord help me get through this childhood.

Tonight, she was playing with my niece and they were playing house. I heard Kiran say, "Let's pretend it is my adoption day because that is the most special day." I hope when she is older she still feels the same way.

Tomorrow is Wednesday already!!!

Mary

Monday, February 20, 2006

 

President's Day



Today we laid in bed snuggling and reading books. It was a wonderful way to start the day. Once we got up it was time to go and get a foil and cut. This is a new look for me. My hair is usually much shorter but in October I decided to let it grow out. So, my hairdresser decided this look would be great to let it grow out more. I love the color but not so sure about the look. Kiran has mixed reviews. My nephew asked me what I did to my hair and when the other look would be back. My 15 year old niece thought it was wonderful and finally I am leaving the 80s. Kiran also had about 2 inches taken off hers and she looks adorable. BTW-I took the picture myself....

That was the fun part of the day. I then needed to bring my car in to have new brakes put on. OUCH!! I killed a rotor, which will take a good portion of my tax refund, and they were having trouble finding one to fit. Why is it just when you think you have a handle on your finances something big comes up? So, I spent a good portion of my day hanging at my brother's waiting for the car to be done. At 3:40 they called and said it wouldn't be ready until tomorrow. Ok, how in the hell am I suppose to get to work tomorrow??? After I told them I would call them back because I might need them to put the old parts back on, my SIL and I came up with a plan that would work. As I was leaving their house in the mini-van they call me back and said they would have it done tonight. Why couldn't they have just done that in the first place. They found one a dealership and were on the over to pick up as he was speaking with me. I HATE CARS AND PROBLEMS WITH THEM!!

It was very nice having the day off though. I just love three day weekends. Why cannot they all be that way?

Happy President's Day!!

Mary

Sunday, February 19, 2006

 

Roma




In these two photos is a view of St Peter's Square from the view of Kiran in a stroller. When I had the film developed it really made me think that these tiny people, sitting in stollers really do have a different view of the world.



Two years ago we hopped on plane and went to Rome to meet friends from the internet. I had spoken with her on the phone once, chatted up a storm with her on the internet and their daughter was from the orphanage in Kolkata that Kiran is from, and they were crib mates, and it was so much fun to have them together. I have to admit that they also sent me a wonderful video of the orphanage that they took when they went to pick up their daughter. They focused many minutes of just Kiran for me.

We were treated like royality. We spent two nights in Tuscany, they took us to Florence, Pisa, and many wonderful restaurants. We drank wine everynight, talked families and politics, watched the kids play, went to mass with the "Poke". The memories are wonderful but next time I go back I want it to be an adult trip.

One of my favorite memories of the trip happened on the day Kiran took these photos. It was the day after we went to mass with Pope John Paul. In reality we only lasted about 45 minutes at mass when Kiran had enough. So, Dominick, took us into the Sistine Chapel. What an amazing place!! That is a future post....

The second morning we arrived at St Peter's, we were walking into the square when Kiran looked at me and asked, "We aren't going to see that Poke again are we? I really don't like him!" I guess she told me.... Saying this to her mother who has grown up catholic and for a long time thought it was the only religion...(That was when I was in grade school.)

Hope you enjoyed the little view of St Peter's Square from the eyes of a three and half year old.

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

 

The flowers.....



The flowers, I had to bring them home tonight before the temperature hit zero or below. Today it was a balmy 16. I lost many but you can still see they are beautiful.....

I love that boy....(Man).....

Mary

PS...For those of you who don't really know me, it has been at least 10 years since some one has sent me flowers much less for Valentine's Day. I personally have never figured out why but I think I may be to independent for most MN men. Gill on the other hand is very cool with it all and understands me better then I think I do...

Monday, February 13, 2006

 

Random thoughts

Last night, I was playing on the computer and Kiran was in the bathroom. She yells out, "Mommy, I am the only one in preschool who doesn't have a daddy." I told her that I knew that. She asked me how and I told her I looked at her list of kids in her room and all the parents' names are on there. I asked her if it bothered her and for the first time she said sort of. My heart almost broke. She then went on to tell me that one day at preschool one of the teacher's said that anyone who has a daddy please stand up. Of course, Kiran is the only one who is sitting down. She said that she felt bad that she didn't get to stand up. I am so pissed off. Why aren't people more sensitive. It is obvisious that she is the only brown child in class but then they had to make her look different in another way.... Am I justified in being mad???

Why did it take the Cheney's office over 24 hours to let the public know that he shot someone??? Just what were they trying to cover up?

I watched some of the funeral for Corretta Scott King on Saturday night and boy did I think that Daddy Bush was a little uncomfortable being the presences of so many people who don't really like is son....

I just love my new principal. She is wonderful, kind, caring, and totally the opposite of the jerk I use to work for.

Let me tell you guys about the best part of my day.... It was the end of the day, I still had my coat on from dismissing my students and was talking to the secretary with my back turned to the door. There were so many people in there and the noise level was high, that is when I heard my name. I turned around and saw that someone had delivered flowers and they were sitting on the counter. When someone said that they were for me. So I walked around some people and standing there was Gill. Not only did he get me flowers, he delivered them himself. My friends are having a great time with this, one of them made an annoucement on the intercom that I just got flowers and my boyfriend was still there. He didn't have the time to deliver tomorrow so he brought them today. I am more in love everyday......

Hope you all have a great week.....

M

Saturday, February 11, 2006

 

My Dad




This is my dad. He is the one responsible for my love of politics, teaching, and sports. He was born in 1938 on a cold October day in Tower, MN. He was the middle child of three with a sister older and younger. His loves today are his grandchild, children, gardening, fishing on Lake Vermilion, and keeping up with my brother's high school basketball team.

My father met my mom in the seventh grade and she couldn't stand him, he was always pulling her pigtails. It must of been love at first site. They started officially dating in tenth grade. The married the summer he graduated from the teacher's college in Duluth, which is now the University of MN, Duluth. On their honeymoon, he took her to Milwaukee to catch a Braves double header. My mom, tired and needing sleep, walked back to the car during the 3rd inning of the second game. My dad found her an hour after the game was over wondering around the parking lot still looking for the car. Milwaukee was the first big city my mom had ever been. It seems that their marriage started out on a great note they were married for 33 years and together for over 40.

They did love each other, raised 4 college educated good kids. He use to tell my mom how proud he was of his kids, whenever he run into someone, they always commented on what great adults his children where. My parents did their job right....

One year after my mom passed away, my dad started acting strangely. I would tell my brothers something wasn't right. Their answer was that he was just getting over mom's death. WRONG!!! It turned out that my dad is bipolar and from what the doctors tell us, my mom kept it under control. When he was down she would pick him up and so on... We are thankful daily that he found his new wife Norma about six years ago. Together they tend his garden in the summer, can his produce in the fall, and hang out in the cold winter months. BTW-He has planted his tomatoes for this coming spring already.

My first campaigns that I remember is McGovern VS Nixon and Jim Oberstar Vs. George Perpich. We have always been proud democrats and members of the DFL party. Paul Wellstone gave my dad credit for winning his first senate seat with a program my dad ran statewide, for middle and high school kids, to get people out to vote. The only time I was excused from school was to meet to Hubert Humphrey at the local union hall. He loved kids and came up with very creative projects for his students. One spring his Iron Range history class tapped the maple trees, made the syrup from the sap and sold it. One year he took 22 kids to Washington DC with the Close-up program and they raised every dime ($22,000) to go. Not to mention planting trees for the baseball team and coaching basketball.

We have all taken away his many loves into our families and those that we touch around. My dad is great!!

Have a great week all.....

Thursday, February 09, 2006

 

What kind of Soul are You??

I recently found this over at the Cozy Shack.... It seems to reveal many things about me that are true......


***You Are a Peacemaker Soul***

You strive to please others and compromise anyway you can.
War or conflict bothers you, and you would do anything to keep the peace.
You are a good mediator and a true negotiator.
Sometimes you do too much, trying so hard to make people happy.

While you keep the peace, you tend to be secretly judgmental.
You lose respect for people who don't like to both give and take.
On the flip side, you've got a great sense of humor and wit.
You're always diplomatic and able to give good advice.

Souls you are most compatible with: Warrior Soul, Hunter Soul and Visionary Soul


What Kind of Soul Are You?
http://www.blogthings.com/whatkindofsoulareyouquiz/

Monday, February 06, 2006

 

Outrage and life

I was looking at the pictures on this link and am soooo angry.

http://djlphoto.com/lower9/l927.htm

These photos were taken of the lower 9th ward in New Orleans just a few weeks ago. At one time, my mom's sister and family lived in Chalmette. One would have to drive through the 9th ward to get to the French Quarter. It was a scary drive the first time but then I always found it such an interesting place. It is also the area that Fats Domino lived until the Katrina. BTW-My aunt passed away over 15 years ago and my uncle around 4. From what my cousins have learned is that the house they lived in was under 20 feet of water. Why the hell is the government sitting back at not cleaning this area up?????? Oh, could it be because the people who lived there were POOR!! In this country,k only money really speaks and that is so so so sad....

On a different note Kiran decided to change her name yesterday. She wants to be called Kiran Marlene BIBI .... and then our last name. Bibi is her birthmother's last name. I had a friend ask how I felt about that. I told her wonderful. Kiran understands the fact she has two moms and wants both of us to be a part of her. I only wish someday I could find her birthfamily for her......

I hope everyone had a great Monday....

M

Saturday, February 04, 2006

 

Photo Sunday, again a little early...The Homecoming.....Inger asked so you shall receive.


The day was August 10, 2001!!





The story begins with me deciding that I wasn't ready to take on a new country, pick up a child who was 8 1/2 months old, fly for 24 hours in air time back to MN, and then try to be a new mom. First mistake!!! Looking back I should have gone to India and picked up my baby by myself. My friend's mom, Joan, went into escorting for the agency I was using to bring Kiran home. She wanted to be the one to bring my baby to me. This woman lived in the same town my parents grew up in, knows all my relatives but through adoption we became friends. Not only that but she met Kiran 3 times before I did and brought home several special photos of my girl in the nursery. Guess what, the agency wouldn't let her go because they had a former employee who wanted her granddaughter to see India. Pissed me off big time and I yelled a lot. Her granddaughter was also escorting a baby to MPLS, she was only 17!! Our homecoming was delayed for 2 days because of that.

The morning of August 10, my dad and I left for the airport around 11:45 to wait for the 12:30 arrival of my daughter coming via Amsterdam on Northwest. Soon, I have around 30 people surrounding me anticipating the escorts and my daughter to walk through the international gate anytime. At 1:30 an employee with the airport comes down and tells us that all the people are through customs and there is no one left. OK, WHERE IS MY CHILD!!!

I proceed to a check in desk to ask someone what is going on and that my child was suppose to be on that plane. Due to privacy laws we cannot tell you that information. But IT IS MY CHILD!!! Sorry.

The first photo is me on the phone with the agency to find out if they knew anything. NOPE! My SIL finds someone who works for Northwest, tells him the situation and he comes through. Be back at the airport 7:30, they will be on a plane from Boston.

I am so damn mad but for some strange reason, I am the calmest one in the group. I start having thoughts that they were kidnapped or murdered in the streets of Kolkata or Delhi. I am relieved, a little when they tell me to be back at 7:30. We get back to my house, most of the people went home and won't be back for the next homecoming. My SIL gets on the computer and finds out that flight to MN is cancelled. I am a nervous wreck, where is my daughter, I have waited for this my entire life....... My cousin, calls a friend who works for Northwest, my adoption agency is working on it also but is having no luck tracking them down, she tells us that she has to make a few calls. In less then 15 minutes she calls me back with the seat assignment, flight number and all the details.

It is back to the airport at 6:30. Shortly after 6:40 an attendant from the customs office comes down to tell us that the two babies are almost done and should be out soon. I am about ready to jump out of my skin at that point. When she asked if anyone was waiting for a baby, I almost fainted....Our time had finally come.

The escort doesn't apologize she just says that she faxed the agency. Wait you had my home and cell phone number, why didn't you call ME! She didn't have an answer...... Anyway, my daughter made it home and was in my arms around 7:30. The other family is late getting there and by the time they arrive, the two escorts have taken their child to a hotel. They have no way of finding them. From what I understand it took them until 9:30 to track them down.

About a month later, I call Dillon and ask them to make sure that doesn't ever happen to another family again. They were so rude to me and then 9/11 happened and it didn't seem so important to fight with them anymore, my daughter was home and we were happy....

This story is becoming a great tale to tell Kiran. She doesn't really understand it at this point but some day we will laugh about it.

Until next time friends......


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