Nicky on January 30th, 2009

Well, it’s been a really crazy week.  Some real lows, with the girls’ stuff not getting through court - but also some real highs as well.  Here’s one of my favorite day(s) of the week - getting out snowshoeing in Mt. Revelstoke National Park, crossing the Arrow Lakes by ferry, and soaking it up in [...]

Continue reading about Out in the snow and water

Nicky on January 29th, 2009

On a lighter note, and jJust for your amusement…
I work at home a lot - so Laughlin and Maggie often get ignored while I’m typing on the computer. 
Laughlin has, in his own way, solved the problem of me not paying enough attention to him.  :-)  He climbs up in my lap, and goes to sleep [...]

Continue reading about Ergonomics Gone Wrong

Nicky on January 28th, 2009

…and no luck this time either.
Apparently the Ministry of Women’s Affairs in Ethiopia is moving offices and didn’t type up their letter.  So none of the families (to my knowledge) that had court dates today or yesterday passed - since none of us had the required letter of approval from MOWA.
Today is a bum day. 
Drat [...]

Continue reading about Second court date…

Nicky on January 27th, 2009

I was sent this video by a fellow member of my Rotary Club - it’s just great if you love music.  The video speaks to our commonalities and universalities - and how cooperation can bring us together.
Plus - it’s a total pick-me-up for your day.  Enjoy!

Continue reading about Lean on Me

Nicky on January 26th, 2009

Our Imagine Adoption caseworker was back in the office today.  Last week she and the other caseworkers went to Ethiopia, to see the facilities, to watch a court case, and to get a sense of the process and the operation on the other side of the pond.  She said over and over how hard all the [...]

Continue reading about Some news on the girls & blogging names poll

Nicky on January 22nd, 2009

A new shadow cabinet was just named by the Liberals.  So while you are at it, you can also send a copy of your letters about the citizenship process for adopted children (see my example below) to Liberal and NDP critics (especially in light of the recent political turmoil.)
Maurizio Bevilacqua, MP
Liberal Citizenship and Immigration Critic
20 Cranston [...]

Continue reading about And while you are at it…

Nicky on January 22nd, 2009

My MP Ron Cannan got back to me and followed up on the letter I wrote (copy below.)  I have to tip my hat to Ron - he’s been such a good advocate for this issue!  Anyway, he is talking to the Minister. 
How are your letters being received?
I thought I would post a few ideas [...]

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Nicky on January 21st, 2009

When Bill C-14 was passed by the 1st session of the 39th parliament and put into effect in December 2007, the government’s intent was to stop discriminating against children adopted by Canadian families, by granting the children citizenship before they entered the country, instead of entering as permanent residents and then applying for citizenship afterwards.
In [...]

Continue reading about Citizenship Promises Not Kept

Nicky on January 20th, 2009

Jrock’s mom volunteers a couple of days a week at the local thrift store (raising money for charity.)  She’s the one who sorts through the clothes donations - and gets to stock up at $2 a bag!
So the first parcel arrived while my sister was visiting  two weeks ago - here are a couple of [...]

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Nicky on January 18th, 2009

Yesterday we got together with several families from up and down the Okanagan valley for a family potluck in Lavington.  It was our winter gethering for Okanagan Families With Chidlren From Africa. It was really nice event - I love potlucks - they are so simple, and you get to try all these different foods…

Photo [...]

Continue reading about Great Get-together with OKFCA

Nicky on January 15th, 2009

We’ve been stabbed.
 
Right Arm: Meningococcal
Left Arm: Typhoid
Soft Spot (on me, anyway): Hep A and Hep B
 
And then some Dukoral and antibiotics to go.
Grand total? almost $800.  (for the two of us.) And we still have two more hits of Typhoid in the next 6 months.
Now, I have a BIG fear of needles… but, I have [...]

Continue reading about Ouch!

Nicky on January 12th, 2009

I had a couple of emails and a comment asking about the Ethiopian cookbook that my friend T gave me. 
I haven’t tried any recipes yet, but it LOOKS really good - there are tons of pictures, a section on stocking the pantry, and all the ingredients are stuff you can find in any Canadian grocery [...]

Continue reading about Recipe of Love

Nicky on January 11th, 2009

Silena had two extra sous-artists today:

Since it’s the weekend, I got to help a bit today with block colours, sponging and even doing a *little! bit of painting. I thought you would like to see how a porcupine grows quills - it’s pretty cool how it all comes from her head onto the wall.
 
This is [...]

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Nicky on January 10th, 2009

In the fall portion of the room, there are two little skunks playing hide and seek. There isn’t much to this wall, since the big headboards are on each side of the big window. Silena still is working on the fall leaves / tree.
 
If you are interested in having murals done in your kid’s room, [...]

Continue reading about Stinkers in the Fall

Nicky on January 8th, 2009

Silena finished the winter wall today -
Now, I can’t spoil the finished product for you, so I will just give you little glimpses and hints - tee hee:  a little badger, a little martin, and the family of bunnies.
The colouring is bad because I took the pictures at night when I came home (someone’s got to [...]

Continue reading about Winter is all finished