7 Quick Takes Friday – Soak Up the Sun

1. No updates on Larisa yet!  Please keep praying for her.

2. Soaking up the sun is what I’ve been doing a lot of lately!  After last week’s snow (first time I can ever recall snow in May), we’ve had gorgeous weather where I live and I’ve been enjoying the heck out of it.  (And as a result, not blogging.  Sorry, folks!)  Luckily, I saved my tomatoes from the snow.  The night before it snowed, DH and I went to the hardware store and picked up a few glass quart jars and used them to cover the tomatoes.  It looked goofy, but it worked like a charm!

3. I got nothin’ else, so let’s talk orphans for awhile.  First up is Shaina, an adorable little girl who needs to be adopted by JUNE 2013 or she will age out!

Shaina already has over $5000 raised for her adoption – wow!  Won’t somebody please take her home?

4. This one is a three-fer: Trudy, Tristan, and Tatiana!  These three are siblings who live in the same region but in different orphanages.  All three have HIV.  Tatiana has FAS, and Tristan has unspecified mental delays.  Reece’s Rainbow is hoping to find a way for them to be adopted together.  Do you know their family?  Maybe you do and you don’t know it!

Trudy, age 15

 

Tristan, age 10

 

Tatiana, age 7

 

5.  Next up is Cate!  Cate is ten years old and has the following heart issues:  discordant atrioventricular junction, corrigent transposition of magistral vessels, coronary-left ventricle fistula, complete atrioventricular heart block.  If she had the proper medical care, she could probably thrive.  She may also have FAS – the records aren’t clear.

6.  Finally, we have Matthew John, who needs a family by September 2013!  He has an absence of skull and congenital dyskinesia of his limbs.  However, he’s described as an extroverted boy who gets along with the other kids in his institution and likes to play football.  (I’m guessing they mean soccer.)  And he has zero dollars in his account – what a travesty!

 

7. It’s Friday, so it’s time for a song!  As you might have guessed, this week’s song is “Soak Up the Sun” by Sheryl Crow.

For more Quick Takes from Jen and others, visit Conversion Diary!

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, pray for orphans!

7 Quick Takes Friday – Spring At Last!

1. Spring has finally sprung, but first an update on Larisa!  Kate commented on my Larisa page that she and her husband had tried to claim Larisa, but the paper trail on her had been lost!  Please storm heaven for her!

2. As the title of this posts suggests, danger of frost has FINALLY passed where I live!  I spent my day off this week getting my tomatoes, peppers, and herbs planted.  Salsa will be a little late this year, but better late than never, right?

3.  Aside from eating whatever I grew, my favorite part of gardening season is going to the garden center and buying new plants.  I love looking at all the little tags and learning about new varieties.  I also love finding the stuff I intended to plant – when I see Jet Star tomatoes or Blushing Beauty peppers, it’s like running into an old friend.

4.  I’m not quite organized enough to have a garden plan.  Scratch that.  I am organized enough to have a garden plan… but I always throw it out once I get to the garden center.  ”Plans?  Where we’re going we don’t need plans!”

5.  I’ve been very active in a statewide professional organization for the last few years.  A few months ago, I became a committee chair for the organization.  I haven’t talked about this on the blog because, well, this blog isn’t about my professional life.  I haven’t talked about it at work either, partly because it never seemed like the right time, and partly because I didn’t think anybody actually cared.  I was proven wrong on that score at staff meeting, when Boss Man gave me a shout-out at staff meeting.

6.  I guess the moral of take #5 is: quietly doing the right thing is more persuasive than you realize.

7. It’s Friday, so it’s time for a song!  This Friday’s song is “Pon de Replay” by Rihanna.

For more Quick Takes from Jen and others, visit Conversion Diary!

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, pray for Larisa!

7 Quick Takes Friday – New Year!

1. It’s the first Quick Takes of 2013, so of course I have to feature Larisa!  I’m her guardian angel, so she has to come first.  Miss Larisa has over $1200 available for her adoption – that’s a head start for any prospective family!

2. One of the books I got for Christmas was “How to Die in the Outdoors” by Buck Tilton.  As the title suggests, it has all kinds of stupid things NOT to do if you want to survive in the wilderness.  And from this book I learned the following fact which I couldn’t resist sharing with all of you:

In Southeast Asia, there are foot-long centipedes that eat mice and birds.

AAAAUUGHHH!!!

3. So, the next time you have a bad day, just remember – at least I didn’t see any foot-long centipedes!

4.  It’s January, which means it’s time to start planning the garden!  I don’t start seeds indoors (cats would eat them) but this is usually when I start planning ahead to determine whether or not to expand the garden, what I’m going to plant, etc.  So that brings me to my question: fellow gardeners, any recommendations on tomato varieties?  (I’m in Zone 5.)

5.  On January 1, I mentioned to DH it was the Feast of Mary, the Mother of God, and he asked if that meant we could have pizza every time there was a saint’s feast day.  I replied that while I could think of worse reasons to eat pizza, if we did that we’d get sick of pizza pretty quickly, since there’s a saint’s feast day almost every day.

6. New Year’s Resolutions: Making them: Did you?  I didn’t.  I’m signed up for 101 Things to Do in 1001 Days, so those are my resolutions.

7. It’s Friday, so it’s time for a song!  This Friday’s song is “Ordinary World” by Duran Duran.

For more Quick Takes from Jen and others, visit Conversion Diary!

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, pray for us!

7 Quick Takes Friday – Light and Darkness

1. There is little I can say on the Newtown tragedy that hasn’t already been said.  (I didn’t blog about it the day of because DH and I were traveling cross-country that day.)  Pray that our lawmakers find the wisdom to prevent things like this from happening again.

2.  Have you seen Minor Revisions yet?  If you haven’t, go check it out! It’s good TV!  I might even be able to get DH to watch the next episode… we’ll see.

3.  It’s the Friday before Christmas and I really should be more excited.  Right now, the only thing I’m excited about is having today off and spending most of it finishing up all the errands that piled up while I was out of town.  I suppose I’d be more festive if I didn’t have to work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  Well, this is what I get for A) taking a job in a 24/7 industry and B) asking for Thanksgiving off.  The work needs to be done and I don’t mind going to do it – DH and I don’t have family nearby, so it’s not as if I’m missing much at home – but, ugh, right now all I want is a nap.

4.  OK enough whining.  Here’s Larisa!  I’m her Guardian Angel and wouldn’t it be lovely if she could find a family for Christmas?  If you’re interested in adopting her, contact me and I can assist in fundraising.

 

5.  Maybe someday I can talk DH into having a Nativity Set.  Right now the closest we get is an Advent calendar with a picture of the Holy Family.

6.  Incidentally, what’s this I keep hearing about Advent calendars with chocolate in them?  I never had such a wondrous thing!  I feel gypped.

7.  It’s Friday, so we need a song!  Here’s one of my favorite Christmas carols: “Carol of the Bells” as performed by the Boston Pops Orchestra.

For more Quick Takes from Jen and others, visit Conversion Diary!

7 Quick Takes Friday – Orphans and Choir

1. I’m low on content for this Quick Takes, so let’s talk about orphans!  Leading off is, of course, sweet Larisa!  I’m her guardian angel, so she has to come first.  Miss Larisa has over $1200 available for her adoption – that’s a head start for any prospective family!

2. Adeye has a great post about 3 lovely children recently listed for adoption!  Do you know somebody who could adopt them?  Maybe you do and you don’t know it yet!  Share this post!

3. Reece’s Rainbow is having their annual Angel Tree Fundraiser!  The goal is to raise a grant of $1000 for every child listed on this page.  Can you help?

4. As if singing in the choir on Sunday wasn’t enough, I somehow got myself into joining in on my church’s annual concert of Christmas music.  As always, I dithered about it for awhile – mainly because I have an odd work schedule and wasn’t sure if I’d be able to participate.  Finally I just told myself that if God wanted me to participate, He’d make it possible for me to do so.  And despite that I have to miss one rehearsal due to work, I’m in it.

5. And now, the $64,000 question: will DH attend?  He hasn’t decided yet but he’s very supportive of my singing.  I’d appreciate it if he came, but if he doesn’t I won’t be offended; after all, it’s not really his thing.  Regardless, he has a few weeks to make up his mind.

6.  Meanwhile, I’m getting excited about Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving is probably my favorite holiday; I don’t have to stress about finding a costume, I don’t have to worry about being blown up by fireworks, I don’t have to buy anybody presents, DH and I don’t have to put on a romantic show, and if I do go to church, I don’t have to worry about some dork who only goes twice a year taking my seat.  All I have to do is eat and hang out with my family.  It doesn’t get much better than that.

7. It’s Friday, so it’s time for a song! This week’s song is “Return of the Mack” by Mark Morrison.

For more Quick Takes from Jen and others, visit Conversion Diary!

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, pray for us!

7 Quick Takes Friday – Orphans, Orphans, Orphans!

Yes, it’s another all-orphan Quick Takes!  It’s been so hot where I live that I’ve not done much worth blogging about; until that changes, my Quick Takes will be about orphans and people trying to adopt them.

1. RED ALERT!  The McCaslins are trying to adopt two teenage girls from China and they need your help! They have until August 31st to raise $34,000!  If you’re able to chip in, please, please do!

2. Number two is, of course, sweet Larisa!  I’m her guardian angel, so she has to be near the top.  Miss Larisa has over $1200 available for her adoption – that’s a head start for any prospective family!

 

3. Next up is Daniel! (He’s the blonde one.)  He’s 11 years old and described as the “darling of the orphanage.”  He’s affectionate and loves attention – imagine how much he’d love parents and siblings to fuss over him!

4. Sweet Dawn is 11 years old and has been living in an institution since she was three! She recently learned to walk and while she doesn’t speak, she understands what is said to her.  She responds well to attention, and it sounds like a lot of her problems stem from having been institutionalized so long.

5. Estelle is 14 years old and has HIV. Like Larisa, she’s in danger of aging out of the system.  Maybe you know a family who could adopt her and you don’t realize it yet! 

6.  Last but not least, we have Alyssa and Yates!  These two are siblings, and man, are they adorable!  Alyssa is 9 and Yates will turn 8 in September.  Wouldn’t it be great if they could be adopted by the same family?

7. It’s Friday, so it’s time for a song!  This week’s song is “P.S. I Love You” by Bette Midler.

For more Quick Takes from Jen and others, visit Conversion Diary!

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, pray for us!

7 Quick Takes Friday – OrphanStock!

1. Yet another all-orphan Quick Takes!  Leading off is, of course, sweet Larisa!  I’m her guardian angel, so she has to come first.  Miss Larisa has over $1200 available for her adoption – that’s a head start for any prospective family!

2. Next up is sweet Frankie!  Frankie has Down Syndrome and is described as being self-sufficient, independent and having initiative.  She’s also a bit stubborn and impulsive.  (Um… yeah, she’s a kid.)  She’s “approximately” 12 years old… I wonder if she even knows when her birthday is?  Maybe if she gets a family they can make a huge deal out of her adoption day.

3.  Dylan turns 11 next month!  Wouldn’t it be great if he got a family for his birthday?  He has Down Syndrome, FAS and some significant delays – big families, older parents and single moms welcome.

4. RED ALERT!  Dawn is 13, which means she ages out of the program on her next birthday!  (February 2013)  She has spina bifida and is in a wheelchair but she can get in and out of the wheelchair and go up and down stairs by herself.  She’s described as a “confident, articulate, and happy” girl who does well in school.  She’d thrive in a family!

5. Justine turned 10 last month.  She’s described as having congenital microcephaly, autism, and possibly FAS. A girl with a sweet smile like this needs a  daddy!   

6. Finally, we have Nadine, Kane, and Mitch!  These three are siblings – Nadine is 10, Kane is 9, and Mitch is 8.  They lived with their birth parents until 2005 and have been in a group home style orphanage since then.  They all attend school and have no behavior problems, but they do have mild delays that one would expect from kids in an orphanage.

7. It’s Friday, so it’s time for a song!  This Friday’s song is “A Little Bit of Riddim” by Michael Franti & Spearhead, featuring Cherine Anderson.

For more Quick Takes from Jen and others, visit Conversion Diary!

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, pray for us!

7 Quick Takes Friday – Orphan-A-Palooza!

1.Yet another all-orphan Quick Takes!  Leading off is, of course, sweet Larisa!  I’m her guardian angel, so she has to come first.  Miss Larisa has over $1200 available for her adoption – that’s a head start for any prospective family!

2. Next up is Gerard!  Like Larisa, he’s HIV+, and he’s the same age as she is – Larisa was born in December 1998, Gerard in August 1998.  This handsome little gentleman needs a family so that he can flourish.

3.  Here is lovely Francesca!  She’s 13 and ages out of the system at 16.  She has hip dysplasia, mental delays, and myopia (nearsightedness).  Sounds like a lot… but with God all things are possible.

4. Sweet Alexander is 10 years old and already living on borrowed time! This brave little man has a brain tumor and treatment options are limited in his country – but he has much better odds if he can get to the US!  Can somebody come for him?

5. Joel is a good looking little fellow!  According to his Reece’s Rainbow bio, he has minor delays due to what sounds like ADHD.  He likes to play sports and he craves praise and attention from adults.  (Sounds like a regular kid to me, but what do I know?)   His bio also said that he “likes to dress stylishly” – how many mothers of boys would love that?

6. Finally, we have Samantha and Kristina!  These sweethearts are sisters, and they’ve already been transferred to the mental institution!  :(  Samantha (1st picture) has microcephaly and mental retardation but is “friendly and affectionate and would do well in a family.”  Kristina (2nd picture) is cognitively delayed but physically fine, and friendly like her sister.

7. It’s Friday, so it’s time for a song! This Friday’s song is  “Give Me One Reason” by Tracy Chapman.

For more Quick Takes from Jen and others, visit Conversion Diary!

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, pray for us!

7 Quick Takes Friday – Orphan-O-Rama!

1. Once again, I’m doing an all-orphan Quick Takes!  Leading off is, of course, sweet Larisa!  I’m her guardian angel, so she has to come first.  Miss Larisa has over $1200 available for her adoption – that’s a head start for any prospective family!

2. Next up is cutie pie Lance, who, like Larisa, is HIV+.   Lance is a sweet little man with a big smile.  I bet he’d smile a lot bigger if he had a mom and dad to take him home…

3.  From the same orphanage, we have Violetta!  Violetta is four years old, which means she will be transferred to the adult mental institution soon.  (At four years of age… dear Lord!)  Positively adorable, and she has a pretty big grant too – over $2000 is a available for her adoption.

4. Next is Tim, another precious soul who is more than 10 years old and has HIV.  According to Reece’s Rainbow, he’s “communicative, inquisitive, sociable and kind” and good about taking his medicine.  (Maybe he could teach my DH a thing or two about taking medicine when you’re sick…)  Like Violetta, he has a large grant – almost $5000 – so the family who adopts him has a lot of help already!

5. Ana lives in the same orphanage as Tim, and they are both the orphanage favorites.  What I don’t get is why Ana’s grant is so much smaller than Tim’s!   Let’s show Ana some love!  She’s described as “calm, obedient, and likes to learn” – sounds like a great kid who’d do well with a family!

6. Finally, Lorenzo and Salvador.  Oh my word.  These poor little guys are twins and they’ve been separated!  Lorenzo has developmental delays and can walk but doesn’t speak (yet). According to Reece’s Rainbow, he’s a happy child who likes to play hide and seek.  Salvador is also delayed but has improved a lot with therapy and is trying to learn to speak.  Like his twin, he’s a happy child and interacts well with adults he knows.

7. It’s Friday, so it’s time for a song! This Friday’s song is “Wish You Were Here” by Wyclef Jean.  (Yes, it’s a cover of the Pink Floyd song, and while the original is one of my all-time favorites, I really like Wyclef’s version too.)

For more Quick Takes from Jen and others, visit Conversion Diary!

St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, pray for us!

Matching Fund Drive Results!

May is over, which means it’s time to post the results of Larisa’s matching fund drive! On May 1st, Larisa had $200 in her fund.  Today she has….

[drumroll please]

$719!

After I send the check, she’ll be up over $1200, which will make it that much easier for a family to take her home!

“The mountains melt like wax before the Lord.” – Psalm 97:5