Happy Birthday to Me!

Every year I buy myself a little something (okay a big something) but this year decided to keep it small. I had been admiring this bracelet from Lenox and decided it would be a perfect token to keep me company during the wait. The symbols are love, wealth, longevity, double happiness and good fortune. Sounds good to me!

The Perfect Scrapbook

I've been searching for the perfect scrapbook for my quilt wishes for weeks to no avail and then I finally found exactly what I wanted. It is PERFECT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Mandarin character on the cover means "LUCK". How perfect for the wishes, right? Tell me what you think (and no I won't tell you where I got it) Love, Lisa

Quilt Progress

Secret Pal Strikes Again!

My secret pal strikes again and boy does she have me figured out already. I received such a beautiful package of gifts including a sterling pendant/chain of the character for year of the dog (my year of birth), a cucumber-melon candle (my favorite scent), an Asian picture frame, a pink brocade album (my favorite color), chopsticks, a satin, pearl adorned box (for the necklace) and a book of poetry for a Chinese daughter. The book is really beautiful and I've already worn the necklace and gotten many compliments on it. Thanks again, secret pal, you rock!!!! Love, Lisa PS. Make sure when snooping, you keep that anonymous posting. I don't want to know who you are yet :-)

Tagged AGAIN

Nicole is at it again so here goes. 1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME (first pet and current street name): Lambchop Avenue 2. YOUR MOVIE STAR NAME (grandfather/grandmother on your mom's side, your favorite candy): June Reeses 3. YOUR "FLY GIRL/GUY" NAME (first initial of first name, first two or three letters of your middle name): L ELL 4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME (father's mother's name, street where you grew up): Mildred Bennington 5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME (best friends name, city where you were born): Gary New Brunswick 6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME (first 3 letters of your last name, last 3 letters of mother's maiden name): Eis Bro 7. JEDI NAME (middle name spelled backwards, your mom's maiden name spelled backwards): Nelle Nworb 8. SUPERHERO NAME ("The", your favorite color, favorite drink): The The Pink Ghetto Fruit Punch

I've Been Tagged!

Well I've been cyber tagged By Nicole so here goes...my A-Z list Accent: Definitely a Nu Yawka Booze: Not a major drinker but do like a fruity concoction now and then. Think malibu bay breeze, pina colada, apple, watermelon or chocolate martini or strawberry daquiri. Chore I Hate: Doing dishes Dog or Cat: Dog all the way Essential Electronics: PC, Ipod and Stereo Favorite Cologne: Issay Miyake (alcohol free) Gold or Silver: White gold or platinum Hometown: Born in New Jersey but NYC girl at heart Insomnia: Yep Job Title: Program Coordinator, MR/DD Services, Adjunct Professor, Consultant Kids: Waiting for my China Babe Living Arrangements: Apartment in NYC Most Admirable Traits: Success story, ambitious, lots of integrity and a great friend Number of Sexual Partners: none at present unless BOB counts Overnight Hospital Stays: several Phobias: bugs, thunder and lightening Quote: "the best way to get over someone is to get under someone else" Religion: Jewish by birth and by soul Siblings: 19 year-old 1/2 brother Time I Wake Up: as late as possible Unusual Talent or Skill: Unusual? No, just obscene Vegetable I Love: String beans Worst Habit: I think I can save the world X-Rays: Sure Yummy Foods I Make: Asian stir fry Zodiac: Gemini....definitely a twin..there are two distinct side to me. The one that most see and the side that only those closest to me get the opportunity to see.

More Quilt Squares and Wishes

A few more squares and wishes received yesterday.

Quilt Progress

How awesome are my quilt pieces? All of the ones received so far are from members of my DTC (dossier to China group) group. They have come from all over the US and as far as Canada and Norway so far. Each one is more beautiful than the next and I am so touched by each and every piece. It's hard to capture the beauty of them here but trust me....they're wonderful. You'll notice that on each wish is a small piece of the fabric they sent so that some day we'll be able to match the wish with the piece that will be in the quilt. Pretty cool, huh? I have to get moving on sending out mine. I've bought all the fabrics which was so much fun and now I must get creative with the wishes. Anyone wanting to participate can refer back to my post about how you can contribute to my 100 Good Wishes Quilt for my daughter to be. If you need my address, let me know. Keep em coming!!!! Love, Lisa

Secret Pal, May 2006

One of the highlights on the process has been joining my DTC group which is April 2006. The people are really nice and we are affectionately known as the "Flying Tigers" I voted for Sweet Peas but you can't always get what you want, right? In any case I decided to get involved with the various activities to keep busy and I am part of the 100 Good Wishes Quilt Swap, the Secret Pal Gift and the Book Swap. I'll post on each seperatately but for the moment, last night I received my May Secret Pal gift for May. The theme was Bath Time and enclosed was my gift along with a lovely note from my pal. She obviously put thought into my gift and it is so very appreciated. Thanks again SP. You ROCK!

Red Threads

It's been awhile since I posted. I've had some time to think about "read threads" and I realized they've been running through my life for as long as I can remember. It's funny how you don't realize it at the time but as you age and grow a little wiser you realize that you don't have to love the people connected by blood and you are free to love those you meet regardless of how they enter your life. From my earliest memories I recall my stepfather who I met when I was only 5. He completely loved me as his own and treated me no different than his own two children (who happened to be adopted). While he left our lives too quickly three short years later, the impact he had on my life was positive and I never forgot his love, kindness and fatherly ways. Not being from a particularly large family, I learned you build your own and surround yourself with people who you love and those who love you the most. Eileen and Shannon both who lost their lives way too early in 2002 and 2004 respectively are surely looking down and nodding their heads in approval of my impending adopting. Shannon was like a brother to me and would have been an awesome father. Eileen was a long time friend who was a good mother but always fell short of meeting her family's approval. Sadly her son will never know how much she loved him and wanted him. Her untimely death was felt by many and her laughter, kookyness and sense of humor lives on in those who knew her best. For the record, guns really do kill..they killed her at 34. I could go on and on about the people in my life who have left their mark but the truth is they know who they are because I tell them as often as I can remember. They are people who have supported me as my friends, my bosses (she knows who she is), my mom and even the occassional person who has tried to tear my down. When mother's day was approaching I wanted something to mark this journey but the truth is I'm not a mother yet. So I bought this bracelet; one for me, one for my mom and we will wear them until referral time. It's a reminder of the committment I've made and a reminder of what is my life; the past, the present and the future.