Happy Birthday Nic !!!!

Today is Nicole's birthday and I can't think of anyone else (but me of course) who deserves to have all her wishes come true. So Nic, close your eyes, think carefully, make a wish and tell no one. This day is yours with only good things to come in your future. See you in FIVE days chicky!

It's a Girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Welcome the newest member of my family. She was born on December 28th, 2006 at approximately 5:10pm. I've been waiting a long time for her and think she's a lovely addition to my family. I look forward to many happy times together and the creation of many goodies and memories.

A to Z with Froggy

Snagged off Nic's page A is for age: I am 36 years old B is for Beer: Never had one and thinks it smells like urine C is for Career: Hospital Admin,Adjunct Professor, Clinician, Consultant D is for my Dog's Name: Don't have one at present; last live-in dog was Q-TIP E is for Essential Item I Use Everyday: Soap F is for Favorite T.V. Show: Law & Order SVU G is for Favorite Game: Scrabble H is for Hometown: Born in NJ, reared in NYC I is for Instruments I Play: I played the violin poorly in the fourth grade J is for Favorite Juice: Tropicana apple juice in the glass bottle K is for Whose Butt I’d Like To Kick: MWB L is for the Last Place I Ate: Cafe at work M is for Marriage: Nope, not yet N is for my Name: Lisa O is for Overnight Hospital Stays: Several P is for People I was With Today: Mom, colleauges, boss, friend and trainees Q is for Quote: "I am going to be the old woman who lived in her shoes" R is for Biggest Regret: Staying so long S is for Sport: Skiing T is for Time I Woke Up Today: Which time? U is for Current Underwear: Black boyshorts with bright stripes V is for Vegetable You Love: Sugar snap peas W is for Worst Habit: Being naieve X is for X-rays I Have Had: Too many to count! Y is for Yummy Food You Ate Today: Piece of my chocolate pecan pie Z is for Zodiac: Gemini, both of us

Deck the Halls with Loaves of Challah

Last night was my 5th annual holiday party. I had a wonderful time with friends and it seemed a good time was had by all. The last of the partygoers left around 3am and boy was I tired! Food, drink and yummy desserts made for a great night with special thanks for all my holiday gifts. Here's to another round next year and a wonderful 2007 for everyone.

The Tale of the Secret Pal and Eight Crazy Nights

Well my Secret Pal, struck again! I was completely in awe when I opened my package to find eight Hanukkah gifts wrapped so beautifully with a card and a note telling me how she researched the holiday. I was so touched and I wanted to wait until Hanukkah and open one gift each night but like a child I couldn't wait. As always, Fortune Cookie got some wonderful gifts and somehow I am never forgotten. I got a great Frog Prince clock which I am taking to work with me as a daily reminder of how lucky I am to have such a thoughtful person in my life whom I don't even know. I truly hope one day I can meet this special person and thank her from the bottom of my heart.

Princesses on Ice

Last Sunday was Brianna's 6th birthday and since I had promised her a "girl's" day I thought she might want to go ice skating. Mind you it's been 15 or so years since I've been on the ice but I was looking foeward to the day. We went to the children's session to avoid some of the wildness at the rink but the rental kid wasn't the sharpest crayon in the box and after he gave me 12 pair of the wrong size, including men's hockey skates I had enough! I got my money back, went to the pro shop and bought myself a pair of comfort figure skates. I must say they are surely COMFORTABLE. I skated better than I did 20 years ago and BOY was I sore the next day. All in all it was a lovely day. Bri had so much fun we stayed for the next session before heading to lunch and Macy's to pick her out a birthday outfit. She chose an adorable winter sweater for herself and we found a matching one for her baby sister Tori. They were so excited to try them on, they insisted I take a picture.

Baking with Sophia

What better way than to spend a Sunday afternoon hanging out with my gal pal Carrie and her daughter Sophia baking cupcakes. We had a lot of fun and Sophia was defintely a HUGE help in the kitchen and decorator extraordinaire. Next time, I think we'll have to make cookies!

Ode to a Secret Pal

Oh Secret Pal O Mine How your gifts make me swoon Sometimes I sneak out of work to get them When they're expected; often around noon Your taste and style is just awesome And I love how you know me so well It's amazing to have you as my secret pal My friends all think you're just swell Each month is filled with anticipation To see what goodies you have in store I don't mean to seem so damn greedy But all I think is, please send me more I bet we're alike in many ways Hopefully one day we'll meet If not in the States, then perhaps In China, on some random street So I just wanted to say thank you friend For making this wait bearable and sweet I hope someone is as kind to you as you are Cause as secret pals go, you just can't be beat! (camera is charging....pics to follow of my awesome gifts received today)

Thanks and Giving

While I am frequently reminded that I am seriously lagging in my blog efforts (thanks Nic) thought it was only fitting that I post today. Aside from the usual things such as good health, a home, a great job, family and friends, this year I have so much more to be thankful for. 13 months ago I started this amazing journey and have now been waiting 7 1/2 months for referral. Who knew that I would reap so many rewards in the process. It's an arduous task to try to explain to someone on the outside what it's been like to have so many amazing experiences at this stage of my life. I have met some of the most amazing people that I am proud to call friends for they have not only invited me into their lives but their hearts as well. While I expected to meet a few people who might be able to shed light on their experiences and the process in general, I never expected to join a sorority of sorts at 36. In many ways it's a reminder of things I missed out on in earlier years which makes the gift that much more meaningful. From my wonderful friends (you know who you are), the ALTS, to my secret pal who I believe truly goes out of her way to pick things I like; I am eternally grateful. Your kindness and generosity truly humbles me. On this day when we are reminded of being thankful, I wanted to tell you how I thankful I am for each of you. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving; today and everyday. Love, Lisa

Six Months LID

Well it's been 6 months since my LID and just about a year since I started the process and here I am. When I began back in October 2005 it was a 6 month wait from LID to referral. In any case I really have little to report but someone (I'll just look at the guilty party and whistle) keeps reminding me that my blog is in need of serious updating so here I am. What's been going on? Well I'm working 5 jobs if I include a consulting project I'm currently working on, or at least should be. I don't have a lot of time to myself to do the things I enjoy like read, sleep or shop but such is life. One day I'll be glad I took the time to work my ass off, pay off some bills and save some money, right? I think the best thing that's happened in the last year or more specifically in the past six months are the friends I've made through this incredible process. I feel truly lucky to know such great people. I won't embarrass them by naming them but they know who they are and if they don't, we have a problem. A year ago I remember being home from work on Yom Kippur like a good Jewish girl and receiving the call from my agency. The southern belle on the other end was letting me know I was approved to begin the process and I was trying to explain to her the significance of getting this information on this day and more importantly this time of year. She didn't get it. After having "met" some of the people from around the same place as where the agency is located, I can now understand why. Nuff said. Til something exciting happens..........