Book 7

Along with the rest of the muggle world, I waited patiently (anxiously?) for my copy of "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows." It arrived at 1 pm Saturday, and I managed to read straight through to 3 am to finish it. I read in bed; I read at the table; I read outside; I read in the living room; I read in bed again. Now, I just need to absorb it and let it soak in. And to very soon re-read the last 150 pages again.

Cousins and Daughters...

My cousins Marsha and Debra, both with their beautiful daughters. I just found out that Marsha is also in the process of adopting from China! My LID is in Sept 06 and hers is Feb 07. So, eventually it looks like our girls from China will each have a cousin from China!

Work on the Baby's Room...

Yes indeed, most of the house 'work' has centered on the kitchen and the outdoors. However, last winter, my friend Tony spent some time here and did lots of work for me on the top two levels of my townhouse. One room was the Baby's room, so here are a few pictures of this 'work in progress' (the bones are now there: new paint (yellow and pink), remove the ugly closet doors, new floor (laminate from Lumber Liquidators), new furniture (found on craigslist), new rug (from C-Mart), new rocker chair (another great find on craigslist), new closet system (from the Container Store). Eventually, the theme will be 'realized.' The theme is DRAGONS. (and fairies, and princesses, and castles, etc.) There are already a few dragons in the room -- can you find them? The room just needs a finishing touch (window treatments, shelves, art -- all fit for a princess) -- which may not come for a while (will wait till closer to referral time...) The bunk bed is for me (so that I have somewhere to sleep when my folks visit and get 'my' room.) I do have a playpen from a consignment sale but am currently waiting before purchasing big ticket 'baby' stuff, like a crib, high chair, stroller, car seat...

Good photo of Pickles

Couldn't help but post this shot. I've been trying so hard to get a good shot of those lovely baby blue eyes, and I finally got one!

New cameras!

I waited a long time, but after dropping my cheapie Nikon Coolpix 2000 (and now it doesn't work anymore but it served me well for a few years), I decided to go all DIGITAL. So, I now have the Nikon D40 SLR (what a treat), and a new little wifi COOLPIX S50c. Took some shots of the lillies that I planted in container pots for my front patio.

Carol and Tipper

Carol becomes a new mommie today and decides to adopt TIPPER. How can you refuse that face??! He's a Jack-a-huahua.

Happy 4th of July!

MCTA Tournament in Olney

Had to pull out of the tournament this weekend and was not able to play with Carol in 3.5 Women's or with Rich in 7.0 Mixed. So, Carol subbed for me and played with Rich.