Update to the power surge.

The house is on its way to normal. The oven is fried but the stove top works. We BBQ most of the time so that really hasn’t hampered our cooking. The treadmill tech is coming tomorrow to determine if repairs are necessary or that it’s totaled. We lost the fan to the refrigerator (the freezer still worked) which got fixed on the spot. Cleaned out the fridge like nobody’s business. We need to be more vigilant in throwing out expired food items. There were some mustards, sauces, and salad dressings in the with a date of 2005! All computers are functioning. YAY! The 7 surge protectors in the house did their job by protecting the equipment but died as a result. Kamikaze surge protectors? A few other miscellaneous items bit the dust. Luckily the weather is fabulous that the windows are open and I haven’t caught the smell of the burning plastic in awhile.

Min Sisters

At last the Min sisters meet. When we received the referral for adopting Roma, I joined the yahoo group of her orphanage, QinZhou. All children at this Social Welfare Institute are given the surname "Min". We soon found out that we would have a nearby neighbor (relatively speaking) adopting from the same orphanage. This family traveled in March of 2007 to meet their daughter, Narissa and we traveled in April 2007. We've emailed a few times but this was the first time that we made plans to have a playdate. We met at Boston's Children's Museum.

I could've talked with Ruthie all day long. We pushed Roma's nap by 2 hours. We'll definitely make plans to meet up again.

Can you tell that Roma needs lunch pronto?

Said lunch is delivered.

Holy Electricity, Batman!

With the start of this rain and wind this week, we noticed that our electricity in the house was acting weird. Like, if the refrigerator turned on, the other lights would dim. Monday evening, we were watching a movie on cable. It conked out periodically and then just wouldn't work. I got on the phone with Comcast the next day to determine what was happening. The technician on the phone thought we needed a new box and scheduled a house call for the next day.
So, the next day, Comcast discovered that we needed a new line from the pole to our house. He said squirrels like to chew on the cables and that there was water damage from the recent rain. While he was restringing the line, the electricity popped, went out, then came back on in only a couple of zones in the house.
Now, it's only me, Roma and the 2 dogs at home while the Comcast guys are working on their stuff outside. Roma and I go into the garage where the electric panel is located. I noticed there were some fuses that were tripped. The only thing I know about tripped fuses is to click them back on, which I did. The Comcast guys were saying they were getting wonky circuit readings on their lines. The light bulb in the garage burned way too bright. The fire alarms in the house go off, the fan on the treadmill was running (go figure), upstairs there was stinky black smoke. I quickly ushered Roma outside on the front stairs and told her to stay there. I herded the dogs to the back yard. I grabbed my purse, camera and dog leashes. I wish I had enough arms to grab my laptop too.
I carried Roma to the car and put her in there, told the Comcast guys that there was fire/smoke. I didn't see any flames. Called 911. I think this happened in all of 3 seconds but it felt like an eternity because my heart was racing a few thousand miles a minute.
Three fire trucks arrive, cops redirect traffic, neighbor comes by and offers for us to come to her house. Nothing like having an emergency to meet your neighbor. We've been on waving across the street basis for the past few months that I've been home and seen them more often.
The firefighters searched the whole house, opened all windows and doors to clear out the smoke. They told me it was the surge protector that my laptop plugs into in the kitchen. They told me that we were very lucky that it was on tile and not behind curtains and carpet. I'm guessing there were no flames because they didn't end up using the hose they brought into the house. Boy, that is one scary scene seeing a big giant firehouse snake into your home.
The firefighters called the power company because they said that the wire from the pole to the house was compromised with that dang tree. The power company came by within the next 15 minutes. John got home about this time too. They cut many of the branches of the tree and restrung their line. We left to go for pizza down the street. We got home and turned on the main power. John was worried that some of the circuits were not turning on and that if we left the power on during the night that something might happen. Plus, he wouldn't be able to sleep. So, off we go to spend the night at a local hotel and here I am posting on my laptop in the morning.
You all know that I'm a visual person so I won't disappoint you without a photo of the devastation.


If you look closely, you can see soot all over everything on top of the table. My laptop was there but removed by a very nice firefighter after asking him to retrieve it for me. It still got sooted up too. It still smells.
Today will be filled with calling electricians and insurance company. I am thankful that it wasn't worse. I have a renewed urgency to get a good back up system going for our digital data and photos.

Sunday at the coast

Sunday we went to Boston and walked around Faneuil Hall and the Boston common. We forgot to take out the camera. It was such a nice day to be outside. Roma and daddy fell asleep in the car on the way back north, so I kept on driving to let them get a full nap in. We ended up at Odiorne Point in Rye, NH

Easter 2009

We woke up to this scene of half floating balloons.

Roma found her basket quite easily and immediately enjoyed all its contents.

Sometimes, people ask how well she gets along with the dogs. I think this photo shows how well they tolerate her shenanigans.

We arrive at Mommom and Pepere's house for Easter dinner.

Kids table.

The egg hunt begins!

I don't know who was in charge of buttoning her coat.

Family birthday celebration.

Now it's time to eat all those hard boiled Easter eggs and be silly with your cousins.

Happy 3rd Birthday Roma!

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Please note. This post is chronological by scrolling from the bottom first.

Time to wind down.

Jenn says she was yawning here.

Noise starts yet again. No, Crystal is not sleeping with a serenade here.

Happy Birthday to you!

I made the mess with the soil. The paint instructions said to let dry for 72 hours, so the plants went home in a plastic cup.

I don't claim to be a cake decorator or a cook. But I am proud I cooked this carrot cake with Roma's "help". We got rave reviews from carrot cake fans.

As soon as the craft came out. Peace and tranquility set in.

Please insert noise here.



It rained! The one and only thing I wished wouldn't happen on her party day. The two days ahead of her party were fabulous and on the warmish side. And the day after turned out wonderful and sunny. Why, oh why, did it have to rain???!!!!
There was mayhem, I tell ya. Complete insanity hit me as soon as everyone arrived. Noise makers were found and being used copiously. Then, John decides it's time for him to leave to pick up the pizzas. I'm sure he enjoyed his respite for a few minutes.

Happy Family Day 2009

We planned on going to a toy store to get Roma her birthday present. Usually, stores are open later on a Thursday night. Once we arrived, there was a sign on the door stating their new hours that didn't include late hours. So, we went off to eat and enjoy our family day together. As you can see chocolate was the choice of dessert. Note her outfit is the same as last year.

Planning for Roma's third birthday party.

First of all. John and I would like to state we're both at a precipice of what to get Roma for her birthday party next weekend. You would think that the parents of the child would instinctively know what would bring joy to our 3 year old child. She is such an easy going child when it comes to toys. I think both John and I agree that educational toys would be great. I am currently an addict for Melissa and Doug http://www.melissaanddoug.com/toys. If any of you have any suggestions, I'm all open to hearing them.
OK, now onto the planning of the event. We will have pizza and carrot cake. Roma's favorite is carrot cake. I got a few great recipes from my friend Kim. I can't wait to try them out.
We will have a craft of decorating your own clay pot to plant your own flowers. Back in the winter, Roma would ask when her birthday was. I answered; "When the snow melts and the flowers pop up." Somehow, I didn't think the snow melting part was going to happen this year. Boy it was a long winter! Anyway, that's the reason for the party craft.
I so hope for good outdoor weather for this craft. If it's raining, I'm sure I could figure out a way to keep the mess contained. Please let the sunshine rain on us.
Please post a comment to let me know if there is something I'm missing or if you have great idea to add. I would love your input.