Restless

Our elusive LOI is still MIA.

Maybe the MOE has PMS and needs some TLC. Or maybe a BLT. Perhaps even an EKG. I won't call them an SOB or they will just LOL and send our LOI off to RIP with the KGB. Then OMG, we would be SOL!

This Friday is Victory Day in Kazakhstan, and we all know by now that a Kaz holiday never lasts for just one day. So I think we are going to definitely be on the longer side of the “3 to 4 weeks” time estimate. We’ve been on the long side of every time estimate at every stage of this process so far, so I guess this wouldn’t be any different. (Do I sound whiny? I don’t mean to. I’m not the whiny type, but ….. Waaahhh! There, it’s out of my system and we can proceed with today’s regularly scheduled blog.)

Have you seen those advertisements for Restless Leg Syndrome? Well, I think I have Restless Mind Syndrome. Or maybe it’s Restless Heart Syndrome. I’m usually a champion sleeper (seriously, I could win awards) but not so much the last few nights. I guess my mind is just doing the best it can to manage the flurry of thoughts whirling around in it lately. I’ll be alright, but I wish we could just plug ourselves into a charger to refresh. That could be a good use of that residual belly button of ours.

Despite being short on sleep, we had a great weekend. A highlight was attending an awards ceremony for our 9-year old niece, Gabrielle, whose artwork was selected to adorn the halls of MUSC Children’s Hospital for a year! It’s part of their “Happy Halls” program. The ceremony was upstairs at the MUSC Storm Eye Institute, where she and the other winners received a blue ribbon and a gift card. Then we went to the lobby for a reception and viewing of all the winning art. This is such a neat program and we were so proud of her. Gabby’s piece was a really cool, abstract drawing of birds, which was created with markers.


Another highlight of our weekend was taking a day trip to two of our favorite, best kept secret places: Old Santee Canal Park and Mepkin Abbey (a former plantation.) Both places are so tranquil and full of marvelous views. It really does the spirit good to connect with the natural world. Frank and I love taking nature walks, canoeing, camping, swimming, exploring, etc. South Carolina is an excellent state for being outdoors. There is such amazing bio-diversity, from the mountains in the upstate all the way down here at the coast. There are many rivers, lakes, streams, swamps, estuaries, islands, beaches and a huge variety of wildlife. We are especially looking forward to many fun family adventures al fresco. It will be exciting to help Habibi discover the fascinating world we live in.


On another note, my employer has finalized their adoption benefit package. It is a reimbursement program that is pretty fair and well thought out. I am very pleased and thankful that they instituted a formal policy. I don't think I ever really mentioned my day job in the blog. Our jazz band is just for fun and extra money, but my full time job is actually something I enjoy very much as well. I work for one of the largest decorative home lighting companies in the US (advertising copywriter, newsletter editor, media relations, public relations, design trend research, corporate communications, script writing, product naming, etc.) It's enjoyable, creative, and the people are great.

For those who asked about the nursery walls from the last post, they have a handpainted faux finish. I started with an orange base and dabbed on a glaze of brown using cotton fabric. I let it dry 90%, and then lightly swept the surface with a soft, wide brush to blur it a bit. (New blog readers can see more nursery photos from my "The Room" post in back September.)

I have lots more ramblings, but I'm going to try to get some z's now, before another strange acronym storm moves into this restless head of mine. Goodnight and sweet dreams.