Dossier Complete

DRUM ROLL.....Our dossier is completed!!!  I mailed it off just after 7pm at our local fed ex. We missed tomorrows delivery deadline, but at least it will get to Kate by Thursday morning. BTW, Kate is taking care of all our document authentication.  I decided to use this service because I couldn't take any more paper pushing. I'm over it.  I'd rather fork over a few more dollars to have it done for me. It is so worth it. She's already picked up errors on other documents.  

I'm hoping that we will be able to report that we are on waitlist very soon. I'm not sure if I will count down the weeks until referral on this blog.  I think that would drive me crazy. Kind of like watching grass grow. I'll just find a way to pass the time away, and hope to have been to Ethiopia and back by this time next year.

In the meantime, I will totally enjoy getting ready for the holidays, and attending the inauguration in January. (I'm trying to get tickets to something, heck anything. I'll let you know how it goes).  We are also in the process of some serious decluttering.  After that is done,  I'll start working on our Ethiopian babe's room.  I'll post pics when I start.

President Elect Obama!!!

WOW!!! Today is a great day! 200+ years in the making. Made possible by all those who risked and gave their lives on this road to true equality and freedom for all.  Too many to name..Medgar Evers, Emmitt Till, Fannie Lou Hammer, Ida Wells, Harriett Tubman, Booker T,  Martin and Malcolm to name a few... Those who have supported the cause of equality from Lyndon Johnson and the Voting Rights Act, John and Bobby Kennedy.  True tears of joy. To those who had no hope, no belief, and no faith in their own inherent ability to achieve.....Yes We Can !!!!

I can honestly say that I never believed that I would see this day. I am so proud of the American people. I feel proud to be an American,  and I have a renewed faith in the ability of Americans to judge others, not on the color of skin, but on the content of one's character.

I must also commend Senator McCain, who gave a very gracious concession speech last night.  I commend his service to this country. 

Can't wait for January 20. I will be there!!

Dossier

We are 1 document shy of a completed Dossier (waiting on our FBI clearance to return). Whopee!! Almost there. [Oh, Tami, I will be calling you this week to make sure you are working on yo' stuff. Aren't we supposed to be traveling together LOL]

Oui, On Peut!!

A couple weekends ago, a few friends and I canvassed for Barack Obama in Virginia. It was really a great experience. I have always loved politics, and spent plenty of times at election polls as a child because my late grandmother was a poll worker. Despite this, I'd never actually thought that I would ever donate money to any presidential campaign, or campaign for a candidate. Well, Barack Obama has done it for me. This man is brilliant! I can't share my excitement about his potential presidency enough. He really and truly is a once in a lifetime candidate. 

So as a tribute to my Louisiana roots, and my late grandma (who, I know would be loving Barack if she were here), I'm posting a little endorsement from the Bayou. "Oui, On Peut" or Yes We Can translated from Creole. It is a Zydeco tribute!! The link is below. Enjoy!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLvgwHGlpdQ

Daydreaming of Europe and Ethiopia

I love to travel!  My favorite trips include places where there are lots and lots of historical sites. I like stepping back in time, and seeing how folks lived. (I know that's rather corny, and not too sexy, but it's what I like)  In my free time, I daydream about my next world expedition. It helps to take my mind off of all the stresses in my life.  Since my son is glued to my hip, most of our trips include him. ( I think he would just die if we left him to go on a long trip out of the country). 

I hadn't planned on taking him to Ethiopia when we travel, but last week out of nowhere he asked me; [Mommie, when are we going to Ethiopia to pick up the baby? I was thinking we could stop in South Africa and see the elephants on a safari too.] Anyone who knows my son knows that he loves elephants! He loves Africa because it is where the elephants live. He's been this way since he was a baby. So I didn't want to bust his bubble, and tell him he couldn't go to Africa. So I guess we will be buying another ticket to Ethiopia in the near future (notice how optimistic I am).  I can't wait to get back there!

Anyhoo, I'm trying to take a family style Mediterranean cruise in 2010, and I recently learned that Disney will be sailing to Europe again in 2010. (FYI.. I love Disney cruises). Well that was before I learned that the price for a family of 4, before airfare would be over $13,000! More like $20,000 with airfare! (WT..insert your explicative here.) What's crazier is that I actually considered paying for it! I guess you could say that I had drunk the Disney kool-aid, and started hitting the pipe with Mickey Mouse! I actually convinced myself that this was reasonable, I mean it's Disney after all. Well that was until my travel agent shook me out of my haze, and explained that we could have just as much fun as a family, at half the price on another cruise line. Thank God for sane people.  So now needless to say, we are looking for cheaper options because I am determined to go to Europe before it's all said and done.  

Buried In Fingerprints

OK y'all. I'm gonna scream! Yesterday made our 3rd fingerprinting session. This time we were fingerprinted  for our Dossier FBI clearance. Too bad the FBI can't just look at the last set of prints we gave to them like 3 months ago. I guess the computers don't talk to one another. I feel like I should have some type of presidential clearance after all of this.  What's worse is that we will have to have a fourth set taken before our CIS prints expire in Feb 2009.  (Yikes)

But I'm not complaining. I'm just glad to be near the end of this paper chase. I'm still aiming to be placed on waitlist by November (Tami are you still with me?). I feel like the little engine that could. I'll keep you updated as our dossier nears completion. 

Midnight

This is how I feel tonight. Some nights I just can't sleep. This is really bad news because when I have insomnia, I usually end up buying some infommercial gimmick... "lose 10 lbs in 2 days", "find your fortunes in real estate", you name it, I've probably bought it.  I can't help myself.  My favorite thing to buy is work-out DVD's.....Tae-Bo, Tae Bo Amped, Turbo Jam, PX 90, Rockin Body. You name it, I probably have it.

iPhone

Since I have absolutely nothing new to report on the adoption front, I thought I'd vent about our cell phone service. You see I love my iphone. It's the best thing since sliced bread; but I must say I absolutely hate ATT. Ever since we switched over from Sprint, I get dropped phones calls at least 2 to 3 times per 15 minute conversation. This really sucks, because I catch up on all things in the car, on my phone. Needless to say, it's a pain when I get into a really good conversation, and suddenly...silence. By the time I call the person back, I can barely remember what we were talking about. Oh well. Such is life. I guess you can't have it all. 

CIS Approval

We are chugging right along!! Our CIS approval arrived yesterday to my surprise. It only took about 3 weeks after we resubmitted. It probably would have occurred even sooner if they had realized that we already had our fingerprints done. At any rate, it is in my hand now(whoppee)!

All we have left is submission of yet another set of fingerprints to the FBI for our dossier. After that arrives, we should be on waitlist. I hope in time for a late spring arrival, and travel in the early summer.

Gladney Approval

That's correct. We have finally gotten Gladney approval. (Hoot Hoot) Our dossier is nearly complete. So hopefully we will be on the waitlist very soon. My blog buddy Tami, and I have set November as the month we hope to complete all of these task and make waitlist.