We got home late from a soccer game tonight and Caleb wanted to get online. He brought me the laptop so I could put the password in and I decided to quickly check my emails. Boy, I'm glad I did! This is what I found:
Dear Mr. and Mrs. ...,
Please be informed that the I-600 petition you filed at this office on behalf of "N" has been approved. Your case has been transferred to the Adoption Unit of the Consular Section for the visa process. This completes all action by this service on the petition. The Consular Section will soon contact you to follow up on your case.
Regards,
Department of Homeland Security/JF
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
American Embassy
Blvd 15 Octobre, Tabarre 41
Tabarre, Haiti
Tel: 509 2229-8000
Fax: 509 2229-8280
Our little girl is coming home soon!!!!!!!!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Snakes!
One of my nieces works in a large department store in our area. The building is relatively new -only about 5 years old. There is a major highway in front of it and a large neighborhood behind it. A few weeks back, a baby snake ( they did not i.d. what kind of snake) was found inside the building. Scary!
Last week, some children were playing in one of the men's dressing rooms when they discovered a baby rattlesnake! Really scary!!
A couple of days ago, one of the salesclerks, was in the middle of the busy store when she looked down at the floor in front of the register and saw a 2 foot long rattlesnake! Horror!!!
The clerk started screaming and barely prevented a woman, hurriedly walking toward the register, from stepping on it.
They had no idea on where these snakes were coming from. Upon investigation, they discovered that the exterminator had left a cover open from a pipe coming into the building. They watched on camera where this bigger snake came out from the pipe under this main register. It slithered around to the front of the register and lay there watching people. Ewwwwww!!!
The scary thought is - are there any more?
The poisonous snakes in our area are more commonly copperheads, and rarely cottonmouths and.... rattlesnakes. We do occassionally see copperheads - mostly killed in the road but only twice in our yard and that was many years ago. That was before we fenced in most of the property around the back of our house for our pygmy goats and cleared out the field to the side for our orchard. We also have several cats - who keep the rat/mouse population to a minimum so the snakes have no food to eat around our house.
Cottonmouths are found around water. We do have creeks, ponds and lakes near but you won't find me in them most of the time. Those bad boys are extremely aggressive. I get the heebie jeebies just looking at holes in the side of the banks.
Rattlesnakes - I don't think I've even heard anyone say they've seen one around here in many years. Fortunately, I've never seen one except at the zoo.
Maybe I just need to get out and shop more.
Last week, some children were playing in one of the men's dressing rooms when they discovered a baby rattlesnake! Really scary!!
A couple of days ago, one of the salesclerks, was in the middle of the busy store when she looked down at the floor in front of the register and saw a 2 foot long rattlesnake! Horror!!!
The clerk started screaming and barely prevented a woman, hurriedly walking toward the register, from stepping on it.
They had no idea on where these snakes were coming from. Upon investigation, they discovered that the exterminator had left a cover open from a pipe coming into the building. They watched on camera where this bigger snake came out from the pipe under this main register. It slithered around to the front of the register and lay there watching people. Ewwwwww!!!
The scary thought is - are there any more?
The poisonous snakes in our area are more commonly copperheads, and rarely cottonmouths and.... rattlesnakes. We do occassionally see copperheads - mostly killed in the road but only twice in our yard and that was many years ago. That was before we fenced in most of the property around the back of our house for our pygmy goats and cleared out the field to the side for our orchard. We also have several cats - who keep the rat/mouse population to a minimum so the snakes have no food to eat around our house.
Cottonmouths are found around water. We do have creeks, ponds and lakes near but you won't find me in them most of the time. Those bad boys are extremely aggressive. I get the heebie jeebies just looking at holes in the side of the banks.
Rattlesnakes - I don't think I've even heard anyone say they've seen one around here in many years. Fortunately, I've never seen one except at the zoo.
Maybe I just need to get out and shop more.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Grapefruit Seed Extract
I have been interested in herbal or natural products for many years. I researched Grapefruit Seed Extract several years ago after finding it in a health food store and then found this article online. I recently ran across this again through another blog and decided to share it here on mine. Very interesting product and worth trying:
Grapefruit Seed Extract and It's Many Uses
by Debi Hopkins
Grapefruit Seed Extract is a product my family has been using for about 20 years now. I wouldn't be without it in my home because it is so versatile and easy to use, and has been a real blessing to my family's overall health and well-being.
Here are some of the things GSE is helpful for:
Skin fungi or bacterial diseases of the skin: Mix 30 to 50 drops of GSE liquid extract in a quart of water, and spray on the infected area at least 2 times a day.
This same dilution can be used as a general antiseptic for cages, stalls, or any other contact areas where a commercial antiseptic or disinfectant would be applied. There is no need to rinse or try to remove any residue left by GSE. It can also be mixed into virtually any topical preparation,like shampoo, flea-dip, cat litter, bedding, etc.
You can make your own organic Kitchen & Bath Spray by adding one or two drops per ounce of distilled water.
It makes a wonderful rinse for fruits and vegetables as well, or for a more thorough treatment, soak them for fifteen minutes and then rinse thoroughly under cold water.
Adding GSE to your carpet or floor cleaning machine will help to remove odors caused by bacteria left from pet, food , mold or mildew.
It is reported that ten to fifteen drops per gallon in the reservoir is effective in killing staph, strep, aspergillus, salmonella and many other pathogenic organisms that are present in some carpets.
Gargling with GSE and water will most times handle even the most resistant Strep germs. Naturopathic doctors recommend gargling with two or three drops in five ounces of water three or four times daily, you can't do it too often.
Grapefruit seed extract can be used to clean fungus and mildew off of shower stalls, tile, swimming pools, hummingbird feeders and birdbaths. It is user-friendly, and environmentally safe.
GSE can be used in the garden to control aphids, snails, fungus, mildew, and algae.
Use it in hot-tubs or Jacuzzis (one to two ounces per hundred gallons) or less if you are also treating with ozone, to keep the water clean and disinfected.
Drinking Water can be made safe by ten drops for each gallon of clear water. Agitate or mix vigorously and let it rest for a few minutes. It may be used as a prophylactic agent for those who travel abroad. A very small amount of Nutribiotic GSE will keep a covered bottle of clean distilled water safe for a very long time.
You can add it to home- made products like medicinal or cosmetics, to lengthen their shelf life.
All by itself GSE is an extremely stable product and has an indefinite shelf life.
For sore throats or tonsillitis, put 10 drops of grapefruit seed extract intoa glass of lukewarm water and gargle extensively with the solution 5-6 times a day.
In addition, the extract should be used internally. Those in my family find the small tablets very easy to swallow, even with a sore throat, but the drops can be mixed with a small amount of real fruit juice or warm tea.
As an antiseptic mouthwash: Gargle thoroughly three times daily with 5drops of extract in a glass of water.
For mouth ulcers: Rinse your mouth several times daily with 10 drops of grapefruit seed extract in a glass of water. In addition, dab the mouth ulcer with 2 drops in a Tbs. of water using a cotton swab.
(Don't use GSE straight, it is very potent stuff!)
For cracked lips, dilute a few drops of GSE with a Tbs. of light olive oil and apply several times a day. For cold sores, apply a mixture of several drops of GSE with one tablespoon of light olive oil 2-3 times daily to the affected spots using a swab. Let the preparation remain on the sore overnight. Use again as soon as possible if there are any signs of the blisters forming again.
For sinus problems, either purchase the Nutribiotic nasal spray, or do a nasal rinse several times a day. In addition, the extract should be used internally (as in, a few drops taken in water 1-3 times a day). To do a nasal rinse: put about 3 drops of GSE in an egg-cup of lukewarm water and mix well. Using a pipette, drip a few drops of the mixture into both nostrils while leaning your head back for a minute or two. Move your head from side to side and back and forth, sniff in several times and then gently blow your nose. (Always use in a diluted form, NEVER drip undiluted extract into the nose!!!)
For internal use, the rule of thumb for gastrointestinal disorders, including bacterial, fungal, parasitic, or viral, is to use one drop of liquid concentrate per 10 pounds of body weight.
We have found it very helpful for bronchitis and sinus infections in our family.
Some other things that are benefited by the use of GSE are: bad breath, toothaches, gingivitis, runny nose, coughs, hoarseness, laryngitis, earaches, acne, shaving, head lice, rashes, dermatitis, psoriasis, shingles, eczema, insect bites and stings, warts, athlete's foot, corns, blisters, vaginitis, yeast infections, colds, gastrointestinal infections, candida albicans, parasitic diseases, and allergies.
Nutribiotic GSE is the brand I am most familiar with, though there are other brands out there. It is available in these forms: liquid concentrate, tablets, capsules, powdered concentrate, nasal spray, and ointment.
With all the concerns about H1N1 I found this link interesting:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5094639_make-extract-hand-sanitizer-gel.html
This is a recipe on making a simple natural hand sanitizer with GSE and aloe vera gel.
S is having some sinus issues so he's going to try GSE in a nasal spray - I'll let you know how it goes.
Grapefruit Seed Extract and It's Many Uses
by Debi Hopkins
Grapefruit Seed Extract is a product my family has been using for about 20 years now. I wouldn't be without it in my home because it is so versatile and easy to use, and has been a real blessing to my family's overall health and well-being.
Here are some of the things GSE is helpful for:
Skin fungi or bacterial diseases of the skin: Mix 30 to 50 drops of GSE liquid extract in a quart of water, and spray on the infected area at least 2 times a day.
This same dilution can be used as a general antiseptic for cages, stalls, or any other contact areas where a commercial antiseptic or disinfectant would be applied. There is no need to rinse or try to remove any residue left by GSE. It can also be mixed into virtually any topical preparation,like shampoo, flea-dip, cat litter, bedding, etc.
You can make your own organic Kitchen & Bath Spray by adding one or two drops per ounce of distilled water.
It makes a wonderful rinse for fruits and vegetables as well, or for a more thorough treatment, soak them for fifteen minutes and then rinse thoroughly under cold water.
Adding GSE to your carpet or floor cleaning machine will help to remove odors caused by bacteria left from pet, food , mold or mildew.
It is reported that ten to fifteen drops per gallon in the reservoir is effective in killing staph, strep, aspergillus, salmonella and many other pathogenic organisms that are present in some carpets.
Gargling with GSE and water will most times handle even the most resistant Strep germs. Naturopathic doctors recommend gargling with two or three drops in five ounces of water three or four times daily, you can't do it too often.
Grapefruit seed extract can be used to clean fungus and mildew off of shower stalls, tile, swimming pools, hummingbird feeders and birdbaths. It is user-friendly, and environmentally safe.
GSE can be used in the garden to control aphids, snails, fungus, mildew, and algae.
Use it in hot-tubs or Jacuzzis (one to two ounces per hundred gallons) or less if you are also treating with ozone, to keep the water clean and disinfected.
Drinking Water can be made safe by ten drops for each gallon of clear water. Agitate or mix vigorously and let it rest for a few minutes. It may be used as a prophylactic agent for those who travel abroad. A very small amount of Nutribiotic GSE will keep a covered bottle of clean distilled water safe for a very long time.
You can add it to home- made products like medicinal or cosmetics, to lengthen their shelf life.
All by itself GSE is an extremely stable product and has an indefinite shelf life.
For sore throats or tonsillitis, put 10 drops of grapefruit seed extract intoa glass of lukewarm water and gargle extensively with the solution 5-6 times a day.
In addition, the extract should be used internally. Those in my family find the small tablets very easy to swallow, even with a sore throat, but the drops can be mixed with a small amount of real fruit juice or warm tea.
As an antiseptic mouthwash: Gargle thoroughly three times daily with 5drops of extract in a glass of water.
For mouth ulcers: Rinse your mouth several times daily with 10 drops of grapefruit seed extract in a glass of water. In addition, dab the mouth ulcer with 2 drops in a Tbs. of water using a cotton swab.
(Don't use GSE straight, it is very potent stuff!)
For cracked lips, dilute a few drops of GSE with a Tbs. of light olive oil and apply several times a day. For cold sores, apply a mixture of several drops of GSE with one tablespoon of light olive oil 2-3 times daily to the affected spots using a swab. Let the preparation remain on the sore overnight. Use again as soon as possible if there are any signs of the blisters forming again.
For sinus problems, either purchase the Nutribiotic nasal spray, or do a nasal rinse several times a day. In addition, the extract should be used internally (as in, a few drops taken in water 1-3 times a day). To do a nasal rinse: put about 3 drops of GSE in an egg-cup of lukewarm water and mix well. Using a pipette, drip a few drops of the mixture into both nostrils while leaning your head back for a minute or two. Move your head from side to side and back and forth, sniff in several times and then gently blow your nose. (Always use in a diluted form, NEVER drip undiluted extract into the nose!!!)
For internal use, the rule of thumb for gastrointestinal disorders, including bacterial, fungal, parasitic, or viral, is to use one drop of liquid concentrate per 10 pounds of body weight.
We have found it very helpful for bronchitis and sinus infections in our family.
Some other things that are benefited by the use of GSE are: bad breath, toothaches, gingivitis, runny nose, coughs, hoarseness, laryngitis, earaches, acne, shaving, head lice, rashes, dermatitis, psoriasis, shingles, eczema, insect bites and stings, warts, athlete's foot, corns, blisters, vaginitis, yeast infections, colds, gastrointestinal infections, candida albicans, parasitic diseases, and allergies.
Nutribiotic GSE is the brand I am most familiar with, though there are other brands out there. It is available in these forms: liquid concentrate, tablets, capsules, powdered concentrate, nasal spray, and ointment.
With all the concerns about H1N1 I found this link interesting:
http://www.ehow.com/how_5094639_make-extract-hand-sanitizer-gel.html
This is a recipe on making a simple natural hand sanitizer with GSE and aloe vera gel.
S is having some sinus issues so he's going to try GSE in a nasal spray - I'll let you know how it goes.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Glamorous - Me?
My niece, Michelle, has just graduated from cosmetology school. She's worked really hard-- going to school full time plus working a full time job. She's excelled in this endeavor and already has several regulars that will be following her to the salon she joins.
When she started school, she was eager to cut everyone's hair. I held her off for a while until I felt she had enough experience before I let her at my hair.
I'm pretty easy going about my hair. It grows relatively fast so I get it cut shorter then I let it grow back out. I don't get regular cuts because I can't usually decide what I want and I like to try different styles. Mostly my hair just grows into various styles while deciding.
I'm also not one of these people who is faithful to one stylist. If they do good on my hair, I'll use them again but if they are too hard to get appointments with, don't do well with a cut or don't listen to what I want then I move on to someone else. That's not to say I won't use them again later.
For the last year, I have actually been getting regular haircuts. Free, of course, which makes them even more wonderful plus she's does a great job.
Michelle recently asked if she could cut and style my hair for her portfolio. Being the kind and generous aunt I am, I said sure.
Here I am:
When she started school, she was eager to cut everyone's hair. I held her off for a while until I felt she had enough experience before I let her at my hair.
I'm pretty easy going about my hair. It grows relatively fast so I get it cut shorter then I let it grow back out. I don't get regular cuts because I can't usually decide what I want and I like to try different styles. Mostly my hair just grows into various styles while deciding.
I'm also not one of these people who is faithful to one stylist. If they do good on my hair, I'll use them again but if they are too hard to get appointments with, don't do well with a cut or don't listen to what I want then I move on to someone else. That's not to say I won't use them again later.
For the last year, I have actually been getting regular haircuts. Free, of course, which makes them even more wonderful plus she's does a great job.
Michelle recently asked if she could cut and style my hair for her portfolio. Being the kind and generous aunt I am, I said sure.
Here I am:
I love the cut and style. I felt so glamorous- not a feeling I get very often! Unfortunately, it was after 9:00 and no one was going to get to see me but my sleep glazed family. Oh well, it was free.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
New Pictures!
It's been 10 long months since I've seen N. There could be some changes. I've wondered how much she has grown. Has her hair thickened up and grown darker from the auburn it was in December? Does she seem happy still?
Unfortunately, our O does not provide monthly reports and pictures. Fortunately, there is a wonderful missionary lady - Granny Bin, who for a fee goes around to the orphanages/creches and will take pictures, measure and weigh your child for you. She compiles it into a lovely slide show with beautiful music.
It's not been in our budget to commit to a monthly report but last month I could stand it no longer. I contacted Granny Bin and requested a one time report. After all, we are believing she will be home for the holidays.
Here is our angel:
She looks great! She truly looks relaxed in her poses.
This close-up is my favorite.
Unfortunately, our O does not provide monthly reports and pictures. Fortunately, there is a wonderful missionary lady - Granny Bin, who for a fee goes around to the orphanages/creches and will take pictures, measure and weigh your child for you. She compiles it into a lovely slide show with beautiful music.
It's not been in our budget to commit to a monthly report but last month I could stand it no longer. I contacted Granny Bin and requested a one time report. After all, we are believing she will be home for the holidays.
Here is our angel:
She looks great! She truly looks relaxed in her poses.
This close-up is my favorite.Okay. Now it's time to come home!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
I had two AHA! moments that I just have to share:
About 2 years ago I started noticing that when I drove at night that I couldn't see very well. I don't wear glasses and, although I haven't had my eyes checked in a long time, I feel my vision is great. At that time I was turning 40 so I thought, " Oh, no, it's my age - my vision is declining."
I had to drive slowly to make sure I didn't miss turns. My kids started teasing me about it. I was really getting concerned to the point I started having nightmares that I was driving and everything was black like my eyes were closed. I would be driving too fast around curves and would fly out into nothingness. It was horrible.
One evening, my husband was with us so he was driving. We were in my minivan instead of his truck. He said, " Leanne, we need to get you some new headlights - these are too dim. I guess they need to be changed out."
I almost cried! It wasn't my vision - it was just old worn out headlights!
Well, I had another one of those moments this morning.
Let me preface this by saying I have been talking on the phone for almost 3 years to M, our O director. She is a very educated Haitian who speaks good english with a heavy accent. We've had long conversations about some serious stuff like when our first little girl was taken from the O by her birth mom. It was a sad and difficult situation.
I spoke at length with her about our baby girl #3 who after after many months of observation and several doctor appointments it was determined that the baby had Graves disease with probable mental retardation and the possibility of not ever walking.
I may not have caught every word but I understood enough that the conversations ran smoothly.
I went for many months after our accepting N's referral that I didn't speak to M in person. We received updates through whomever spoke with her so I never felt compelled to call. After my trip to Haiti in December '08 and finding out that we have a passport, I started needing to call more frequently.
After we worked through the big mess of lost paperwork at the beginning of this year with Atlanta USCIS, I have called Haiti on a fairly regular basis. It has been so hard. I feel as if I am only getting a word here or there that I can understand. Why? I have blamed myself - that I'm nervous about the unending situations that keep arising or excited about the fact that we are so close to the end.
At any rate, I have been so frustrated at this communication issue. I hate to keep saying "I don't understand. In the midst of our conversation, I can literaly feel my brain glazing over. Really. Several times I have hung up after talking for 5 minutes to report to my husband, " I'm not sure what all she said but the gist is this..., I think."
At moments like that I wish we had forked over the cash to an agency so they could help instead of going independent.
Ok. To the recent AHA moment. I was laying in bed lamenting this situation. Why was this happening now at the end when I need to be on top of things. What was wrong here?
Bam! It finally hit me. Until the last few months I had always called M on her HOME phone. Many times a child would answer or an adult who understood little to no english. M is so busy that it's hard to catch her at home so I started using her CELL phone.
It's poor cell service or maybe a crappy Haitian cell phone not my hearing or brain function!
Now if I can only figure out this crazy weight gain I'm battling....
About 2 years ago I started noticing that when I drove at night that I couldn't see very well. I don't wear glasses and, although I haven't had my eyes checked in a long time, I feel my vision is great. At that time I was turning 40 so I thought, " Oh, no, it's my age - my vision is declining."
I had to drive slowly to make sure I didn't miss turns. My kids started teasing me about it. I was really getting concerned to the point I started having nightmares that I was driving and everything was black like my eyes were closed. I would be driving too fast around curves and would fly out into nothingness. It was horrible.
One evening, my husband was with us so he was driving. We were in my minivan instead of his truck. He said, " Leanne, we need to get you some new headlights - these are too dim. I guess they need to be changed out."
I almost cried! It wasn't my vision - it was just old worn out headlights!
Well, I had another one of those moments this morning.
Let me preface this by saying I have been talking on the phone for almost 3 years to M, our O director. She is a very educated Haitian who speaks good english with a heavy accent. We've had long conversations about some serious stuff like when our first little girl was taken from the O by her birth mom. It was a sad and difficult situation.
I spoke at length with her about our baby girl #3 who after after many months of observation and several doctor appointments it was determined that the baby had Graves disease with probable mental retardation and the possibility of not ever walking.
I may not have caught every word but I understood enough that the conversations ran smoothly.
I went for many months after our accepting N's referral that I didn't speak to M in person. We received updates through whomever spoke with her so I never felt compelled to call. After my trip to Haiti in December '08 and finding out that we have a passport, I started needing to call more frequently.
After we worked through the big mess of lost paperwork at the beginning of this year with Atlanta USCIS, I have called Haiti on a fairly regular basis. It has been so hard. I feel as if I am only getting a word here or there that I can understand. Why? I have blamed myself - that I'm nervous about the unending situations that keep arising or excited about the fact that we are so close to the end.
At any rate, I have been so frustrated at this communication issue. I hate to keep saying "I don't understand. In the midst of our conversation, I can literaly feel my brain glazing over. Really. Several times I have hung up after talking for 5 minutes to report to my husband, " I'm not sure what all she said but the gist is this..., I think."
At moments like that I wish we had forked over the cash to an agency so they could help instead of going independent.
Ok. To the recent AHA moment. I was laying in bed lamenting this situation. Why was this happening now at the end when I need to be on top of things. What was wrong here?
Bam! It finally hit me. Until the last few months I had always called M on her HOME phone. Many times a child would answer or an adult who understood little to no english. M is so busy that it's hard to catch her at home so I started using her CELL phone.
It's poor cell service or maybe a crappy Haitian cell phone not my hearing or brain function!
Now if I can only figure out this crazy weight gain I'm battling....
I know--I am soooo slow updating my blog.
This is the latest in our adoption drama: After our corrected paperwork was turned in for 8 weeks I finally received an update from USCIS. They said they are STILL waiting for our paperwork to be turned in. What?!!!!!!
I called our O director who was a little frustrated as she swears she turned it in a couple of months ago. At any rate, USCIS says they don't have it sooo she had to send to Les Cayes AGAIN for the corrected paperwork. That took almost 2 weeks AGAIN. When I spoke with her yesterday, she told me she would be turning it in on Thursday or Monday.
I truly believed N would be home by summer. Now my heart just cries - please let her be home by Christmas!
This is the latest in our adoption drama: After our corrected paperwork was turned in for 8 weeks I finally received an update from USCIS. They said they are STILL waiting for our paperwork to be turned in. What?!!!!!!
I called our O director who was a little frustrated as she swears she turned it in a couple of months ago. At any rate, USCIS says they don't have it sooo she had to send to Les Cayes AGAIN for the corrected paperwork. That took almost 2 weeks AGAIN. When I spoke with her yesterday, she told me she would be turning it in on Thursday or Monday.
I truly believed N would be home by summer. Now my heart just cries - please let her be home by Christmas!
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