New pot

We are happy/scared/excited (did I mention scared) about our new journey of stopping the infertility meds or rather not starting repronex and start the journey of adoption or Foster-adoption. Repronex and doctors visits were going to reach $1,000+ a cycle - OUCH...... with no guarantee. From the beginning of our relationship, Duane and I have always talked about adoption - even before knowing about our infertility struggle. As Duane said - "They will be ours, because they will be loved by us".

We have experienced mix emotions from family members and all positive ones from close friends. No time to worry about those who are not quite on the bandwagon. They can choose to climb aboard or be driven over. Either way, we are motivated to find a child to love.

Anyone out there who knows anything about adoption or foster adopting - please share with us. We are really excited.

The house that Duane built

When counting my blessings, my husband is always at the top of the list. Knowing that our pooches were in need of some shelter, super handy Duane decided to build them a home of their very own. I call it the doggy condo, he calls it not close to being finished. Here is a photo and my first attempt at uploading a photo onto my blog.

BTW - The face originally had one door but a certain someone who shall remain nameless would not let her big brother doggie in and thought it was her very own. You could almost see the disappointment on her face and there was an audible moan when Duane placed the new front with the two "windows". You mean I have to share this - WITH HIM????

Promises, promises....

I can recall this time last year, making a mental list of the goals, resolutions and promises I made to myself. Achieving most of the goals included completing my degree (I graduated last May), buying a home (we closed escrow October 31st, made Halloween- EXTRA SCARY) and continuing with our infertility treatments (we were successful for a brief period of time and have much hope for our future treatments).

We also has some events that occurred unexpectedly and are part of life's curve balls - a miscarriage, a long (and onetime really good) friendship ended, watching a marriage of two really good friends end and watching a family member lose their home and worldly possessions. These events were rough, emotional and somehow made me into a stronger person with a changed perspective.

For 2008, the list includes (as usual) focusing on my diet and being more committed to an exercise routine, furthering my education and making a career change -I'll start school in February for the Master's program and hope to be teaching by next September. I will make more of an effort to visit and spend time with my Grandparents. Our biggie - to become parents.

As I reflect upon this past year, I feel really lucky that we were able to accomplish so much. I couldn't have done it with the support of my great husband, amazing parents and really good friends.

Hope the new year brings you much love, happiness and great health.

A beautiful gift

The doorbell rang, this wet and rainy night. An older gentlemen (maybe 80+) was standing there with a sly grin and a partially opened box from another team of brilliant men who love food - Harry and David. Our neighbor, whose name escapes me at this time, admitted he and his wife opened the box and realized they had'nt looked at the card....... anyway, they were nice enough to bring it to the correct address with the plastic still intact.

This basket was a gift full of the de-lish pears and other snacks as a gift from my first teacher at R.C.C.- Robin Emrich and her family(currently residing on the East coast). Knowing the foodies that Duane and I happen to be, there could not be a more perfect gift. This is a congratulations gift for the new house and my graduation, last May. As a teacher, Robin was patient, kind and helped me understand both Macro and Micro- Econ. As a friend, Robin would listen intently to what plans were in place for the SEA club, listen to my boy problems and encourage, mentor and support me to always push myself to be better, all with grace and humor. This gift was such a beautiful and unexpected present- a reflection of love and friendship.

People who inspire

This week, my moment of inspiration came from Julieta, the person who is the only one posting on my blog at this point. Hopefully not the only one reading it.

Apart from being a good buddy and BFF, she has also been my loudest cheerleader for our quest to become parents. While we are currently on a break from treatment, the plan to resume treatment haunts me DAILY (along with a variety of questions - will I completely quit coffee this time, how will I manage new house, Master's program, husband and commitments to family - while still maintaining inner peace, will we get and STAY pregnant this time....). While ranting about specifics of the next cycle, Julieta did a very kind thing and offered to give me my injections.

Busy would be an understatement to Jules' current state of mind. Mother of two, business owner, devoted wife and daughter......The fact that she wants to squeeze me into her hectic day because she believes and shares in our dream of having a baby - Now that is love and I'm inspired.

Kara

Thank you Dean and Deluca

Two people to thank today - Mr. Joel Dean and Mr. Giorgio DeLuca, two of the worlds biggest "Foodies" whose artisan cheeses and seasonal snacks are well known amongst those who love really good food aka "foodies". Those unfamiliar with Dean and Deluca should check out http://www.deananddeluca.com/ they operate a website for those of us not able to make it to the famed gourmet shop, of the same name, in New York City.

Bestowed upon our office today was a beautiful package from D & D, the "Seasonal snack on the run" Tin group filled with chocolate covered cherries, chocolate caramels, fruit sours and much, much more. Now, I'm not one to balk at the grocery store level chocolate. Don't get me started on frozen Reese's peanut butter cups, the world is just a better place with one in your hand and peeling back the wrapper awaiting the chocolate - oh yeah, it's a religious experience. Today, I'm quite sure I ate more sweets than recommended by the Food and Drug Administration.

The tin was delivered to the department next to ours, but we all share. I waited patiently like an animal tracking it's prey. I heard the unravel of the plastic around the tin and a really loud "Oh my Gosh". It was on, I had walked by the tins and not opened any - swore to myself that I would wait until someone else dove in ( it took a whopping 5 minutes after they were delivered) . Calm yet brisk footsteps around the corner and I approached the tins, ahhhh the beautiful world of Dean and Deluca winked their flirtatious eyes of enticement, the perfect short cylinder tins with clear lids teasing you with a glimmer of their goods all fitting snugly in a perfect red square box. I won't even talk about the paper it was wrapped in - that was a whole other experience.

Thanks to Dean and Deluca (and whoever ordered/sent the gift from the foodie Gods) an unbearable Monday at the office turned out to be a "sweet"day.

I love the holidays!
Kara

People who inspire

I will try to post daily and have decided on Sunday's I will choose a person or event that was inspiring.


Most of you know that my Aunt Mary and her partner Mike lost their home + all belongings in the horrible fires, here in Southern California, this last October. A bit about my beautiful Aunt Mary, her daughter Nichole and I call her Mary Martha because she is the closest thing to Martha Stewart we know. Point being, Aunt Mary can cook ANYTHING (she is in the process of writing a cookbook) and is constantly overflowing with creativity in her garden, kitchen and really all aspects, home related.


Aunt Mary is also a breast cancer survivor and a successful, strong woman. I try to call her about once a week and check in to see how she is doing. She told me a story this week that was so very touching. Her neighbors (whom also lost EVERYTHING) were able to safely transport their several dogs when the mandatory evacuations occurred and returned to find their belongings as well as the dog beds and food had burned as well. So she was at the humane society, where they are giving out free items to the fire victims and my aunt was there to pick up cat food for her babies. She thought about her neighbors and their dogs and decided to pick up some beds, water and food dishes and dog food. Her neighbors were stunned and really quite speechless at her act of generosity. She commented that it felt so good to give especially since so many have given in a variety of ways to her recently. She stated that it was a great reminder that it is better to give than to receive. That is just the kind of person Aunt Mary is, thinking about others before herself.

My Aunt Mary is a walking inspiration to all of us and we love her. I wish her a peaceful journey to rebuilding their home and a New Year filled with excellent health and much happiness.

Congrats to Mike, who has come in first place in all of his races!!! YAY Mike, you are a Star!

Please continue to keep all individuals who lost thier homes in your thoughts, prayers and send many good vibes their way, many are being evacuated again because the combination of heavy rain (which is much needed ) and loss of vegetation is now causing these areas to flood.

Kara

First Entry

I have to admit, when Julieta (check out pancakesandfrenchfries) told me about blogging I was immediately drawn to the concept. The more I've read her blog, the more I wanted a blog of my own. My blog hopes to grow up one day and be just like hers. That is a way of telling you that my blog is still very raw and being formed and will be a work in progress.

So what is in the pots which rest on my stove? The largest pot right now is the home we just purchased. Our life is all about laying tile, finishing baseboards, unpacking boxes and trying to find the meaning of the word - organization combined with the over-commercialized holiday that is quickly approaching. I can't even bring myself to say it's name, which is kind of sad really. Typically, our fake tree goes up the day after Thanksgiving and takes residence until the second week of January. Saying that we are behind is an understatement. My husband owns a home improvement business so when he arrives home he immediately goes to work on whatever is screaming at him - last night it was finishing the baseboards in the living room. We ( I take more of the supervisory role, by the way) finished 1/2 the room last night so today when I arrive home from work I expect to hear the blaring sound of the air compressor and see him measuring and securing our really cool base boards.

Other pots... school starting in February which will lead to a career change, Fertility treatments and preparing the new house are three of the biggest pots. Fertility treatments, have literally, been pushed to the back burner.

Why pots on stove ? I love to cook and thought it was a great metaphor for the things going on in my life. Credit for the name must be given to Julieta as well as many, many thanks for so many years of great friendship and patience.

More to post later......