Vintage Lilliput

What's in a name...

2010-05-07T05:12:00.000-07:00

For the first time, ever, I'm participating in what I like to call a "Blog Party." I have read Kelly's Korner for some time and her Show Us Your Life for today is about names.

For as long as I can remember, I knew I wanted a daughter. However, I married a man I shouldn't have married and then divorced. All of a sudden, I was 37 years old and single. How did I get to be this old?

Then I met the man I would spend the rest of days with. We wanted at least one child but didn't want to waste a lot of time. All of a sudden, I was bombarded with articles of adopting from China. I would share these with David and each time he would be moved to tears. We moved forward knowing that we were meant to adopt. Adoption runs deep in both our families. We (and our siblings) were all adopted. My father was adopted.

The name I had given my daughter in my mind was Lillian. I had a great-aunt Lilian...one less "l" but pronounced differently. By some spectacular coincidence, Lillian was David's paternal grandmother's name. What are the odds? The middle name was a given. It would be Hope after my younger sister who died in 1990 after a kidney transplant. We also wanted to use part of her given chinese name and we just hoped that it was easily translated. We also felt it was important to know WHO named her.

Yue Tao Jia (Yue being an orphanage name that all the kids share, is actually her "last name." Tao is peach, and Jia is beautiful.) While in China, we learned that the head nanny named her and she chose Tao Jia because it was April and the peach trees were blooming.

Lillian Hope TaoJia

It's a strong name that honors the memories of loved ones gone and her Chinese heritage. It gives her options. When asked what her name is she replies, "Lillian, but you can call me Lilly."

Happy Birthday!

2010-03-16T01:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was another birthday for me. I dread them. I turned 45 and I feel so old! I remember when I was in my teen years, 45 seemed impossible. I just never thought I'd be this old!

In our family, we celebrate birthdays by having "birthday weekends." The birthday person gets to choose what we will do and eat. We went out Friday and Saturday nights and I was terribly disappointed in the food. I sent it back. I was determined that my actual birthday dinner would be different. We went for hot wings. I've been craving them and they were delicious!

However, all day yesterday I was bothered by a nagging kidney stone. I've had about 23 in my life, and of course a good size stone decided to start making its way down. It was painful at times. I was dreading a visit to the ER, but managed to spend the evening on a heating pad that helped. Happy Birthday to me!

We've finalized plans for my "art studio" and I think I've got David on board to start moving things this weekend. I'm excited because I've got so much "stuff" to organize and so many projects planned!

I'll take pictures of the before, during, and after. I just need David to show me how to download photos on my new laptop.

The snow is just about gone, but we're still cold. No signs of spring yet. Lilly is so excited to see grass instead of snow. I can't blame her!

Enough rambling. Time for action!

We're alive...we're alive!!

2010-03-09T13:53:00.000-08:00

It's been a long time since I posted. We have survived a major snowstorm and I feel Spring is not far away! Work on the art room was stalled, but I'm hoping to motivate the hubs to help me this weekend. That depends on if my back cooperates, because it's not too great right now.

Lilliput is doing great in school and is growing like a weed! I can't believe she will be 8 in April! I need to schedule her appointment for pictures. She was able to celebrate Valentines Day and Chinese New Year on the same day this year. She took fortune cookies and red envelopes with a dollar in them for all her classmates. She even wore her silk Chinese dress to school.

David is back to work and is working hard. I've been applying for jobs but there are just not enough jobs for all the unemployed in NW Pennsylvania.

That's about it. I'm exciting to be included in a special art group where we will follow a new book, The Artistic Mother. So I better get that art room set up! I'm going to be late with our first project.

Blessings,
Tracee

Peeping out from under the covers...

2009-08-20T07:25:00.000-07:00

Wow. It's been a long time. Surgery was difficult and the recovery is still ongoing. My wish that no mesh would be used didn't come to fruition. I'm told that I have to give my recovery a full year. A full year full of chronic pain. Sucks. I'm not on pain meds but once Lilliput returns to school next week, I might reconsider taking them.

Speaking of Lilliput, our summer has been very low key. Unfortunately, I was not physically able to do much with her and she spent too much time in front of the tv. I did set her up with some art projects which she enjoyed. She's grown about an inch and a half over the summer and a veteran mother thought she was 9 or 10 years old. Oh my! We've been slowly getting ready for school with the purchase of supplies and clothes.

Lilliput's highlight was in late July when she swallowed one of the steel balls that goes with her magnet sets. She claims she put it in her mouth "to keep it warm." She ended up in the ER where they x-rayed her. We were told to check her p**p for the next 4 days and if it hadn't passed, bring her back in. On the 5th day I took her back to the ER where they repeated the x-ray and it hadn't even moved. Next thing I know they are transferring her to the Children's Hospital by ambulance thus requiring an IV. Such a waste of time. Pediatric Gastroentrologist said she was fine and it would eventually pass. We were instructed to have a monthly x-ray to check its progress. We had an x-ray yesterday and it has passed!

We've had a cool and wet summer and have only had about six days over 80 degrees. Our trip to Texas was rough. The days were anywhere from 100 to 104 degrees. We didn't get out much. We had a wonderful family dinner to celebrate my parents 50th anniversary. I'm so proud and fortunate that they've made it work so long. Marriage isn't easy but they set a wonderful example for their children. David's parents will celebrate their 60th anniversary next month. We feel so blessed to have the parents we do.

Even though I entertained Lilliput with art projects, my muse has been absent. I'm hoping when she goes back to school next week that I'll find time to finish putting my studio together and finding some inspiration.

David is doing great. Not only did he get a raise this year, but was placed on the "executive bonus plan" which is unprecedented after only 4 years with the company. I'm very proud of him and have tried hard not to burden him too much when he gets home. We've eaten out a lot and have consumed a lot of take-out because after a full day minding Lilliput, the pain and lack of motivation haven't allowed me to cook much.

We are attending two Steelers games this Fall and since we haven't been to Heinz Field yet...we are all looking forward to it. I'm really for college ball to start. Go Horns! They have a soft schedule but I'm anticipating they will have a stellar season.

That's about it for now. I promise to post more often and hopefully will have some new artwork to showcase.

Peace.

Trying times

2009-03-24T01:25:00.000-07:00

I've been MIA for some time. There are many reasons ranging from mental to medical. I don't care to discuss the mental right now, so we'll talk medical.

In the past year, I've had six, SIX surgeries. I don't blame my surgeon(s)...I blame my lame body. I don't heal well. For the past two months, I knew something was wrong but delayed seeking a medical opinion because I was 99% sure it would involve yet another surgical procedure. I started with my PCP who found "inflamation" and punted me to the plastic surgeon who operated and put me back on the wound vac. Fun. He insisted that there was no new hernia and suggested I see my bypass surgeon. Evil insurance took way too long to approve a CT scan so we ended up going to the ER this past Monday. This resulted in an overnight stay with lots of IV Dilaudid.

Results? Large ventral hernia...again. The good news is that it is "big enough to drive a truck through" which translates into it is unlikely any bowel will strangulate. Yeah. Pain? Hellish.

Punted to NEW plastic surgeon who gave me four options for repair: do nothing, repair with mesh, repair with pig mesh, or total abdominal rebuild. BTDT with mesh and have no desire to have any part of a pig placed in my belly. Doing nothing would mean pain control and I need to live my life wide open. So, we are opting for total abdominal rebuild. Not a tummy tuck, but a wide open procedure where they pull good muscle together to reinforce said belly. It will be an awful painful recovery...but I have to look ahead to summer...to working again.

Our appointment with the new plastics surgeon is today and hope to at least walk away with an approximate surgical date. They have to coordinate the surgery with my Bypass surgeon because he has to be present to make sure everything is A-ok in there.

Because the Gods didn't feel that I had been through enough, the CT showed a mass on one of my ovaries. Thanks for that. That will be addressed in six weeks with an ultrasound. Gyn Surgeon is aggressive and said if it is still there, she wants to remove it. Nope, can't do it in conjunction with my non-tummy tuck...so possibly another surgery is coming. Thanks again.

Lilliput is kicking butt in first grade. Math appears to be her favorite subject but she aces every spelling test and reads everything she can get her hands on. Her taste in TV has moved from Sprout and Nick to Tom and Jerry, Scooby Doo, The Jetsons...makes me feel a little better.

I keep busy looking for a job and reading. Our king-size bed has become my home within my home. David moved upstairs because he hates this mattress. This means my bed has become my desk, mail depot and cat bed. As long as Moe stays on one square inch in the top right, Mabel will allow him on the bed. If he moves anywhere close to her, she immediately wakes and gives him the old lady smack down. She's so cranky these days.

I've become addicted to Discovery ID. I'm sick of the news. I still watch it because I have to know what's going on...but I discovered that I was becoming increasingly angry when I watched too much news.

I will end here. I will try to share a few books I'm reading right now. They are helping me cope with all the crappy things going on in my life...and making me look at the good and precious things and people that surround me.

Peace.

"The best Christmas EVER!"

2008-12-26T23:04:00.000-08:00

That's exactly what Lilliput told me today. I felt so proud. We had a self-imposed lean Christmas since I had lost my job and our income took a drastic nosedive. We didn't buy for each other although we did end up getting something small. I got him an I*tunes gift card and I picked out some Ru**ermaid storage containers.

Once we wrapped Lilliputs gifts, I panicked because there wasn't much under the tree. However, we bought smartly getting only two items she asked for (accordion and guitar). The other gifts were games, mosaic travel unit, mosaic designs to color and HUGE set of markers, Cr*cs were 50% off so I got her two pair, one outfit for school, and a few games that will be challenging for her. All things she enjoys. As you see, it wasn't much...so when she told me it was the best Christmas ever, I was truly proud. Of her, and of us.

We are going on a 7-day cruise with my whole family in February. We've been trying to scrape together the spending money for this trip. Our trip is paid for. My parents are taking the whole family as a celebration of their 50th anniversary. We are really excited and know that Lilliput will have so much fun with her cousin and will get to go to the beach!

Thus, our Christmas was lean. We spent the second half of the day with his family and it was unusually enjoyable. Lilliput was lavished with gifts from aunts, uncles, and cousins. We had made everyone aware that we would not be buying for anyone but Lilliput and asked them to please honor our request for no gifts this year. We just couldn't afford it. We were blessed despite our request. Instead of feeling angry or embarrassed that our request was not observed...I accepted their generosity with graciousness and appreciation. That's what family is for.

We've had quality family time with Lilliput and we still have two days to go! I hope to do some more baking with Lilliput on Sunday. I'm catching up on laundry and digging out summer clothes to get ready for the cruise.

We have found childcare so that He and I can go out alone for our 9th anniversary on the 30th. I'm hoping for a dinner and a movie...but we'll see. He still has to work next week as does the family that Lilliput will be staying with. We'll see...I'm all about being lean right now.

I hope everyone has had a blessed Christmas!

Christmas Card Pictures...

2008-12-18T01:14:00.001-08:00

I FINALLY felt good enough to get these taken.

Nifty find...

2008-12-18T01:07:00.000-08:00

I thought these were adorable. I was lucky to find the pair! They are approximately 5" high and through research, I found out they were made in the early- to mid-60's.

They would be ideal for an altered art shadow box project.

If anyone is interested, email me. If not, I'll list them in my Etsy Store over the weekend.

I'm hoping to get a little sunshine today so I can take additional pictures outside.

Time slips away...

2008-12-13T03:14:00.000-08:00

Bad mama.

10 December marked our sixth anniversary of meeting Lilliput for the first time in China. Bad mama. Time flies! In my defense, we've all had a virus. Mr. Trixie and Lilliput only lasted a few days...but mama? I'm going on TWO weeks.

Happy GOTCHA Day Lilliput!

Our flight over wasn't too bad. However, we were late leaving LA thus our layover Guangzhou was depleted. Fortunately, we made the connection and arrived at The Dolton in Changsha, Hunan with only 45 minutes to spare. I managed to hop in the shower to freshen up and we made it down to the conference room with time to spare. The room was hot and packed with other families. When we heard those babies screeching when the elevator doors opened, it was so difficult to stay seated and wait. We had waited 14 months and Lilliput was within earshot.

We were the 5th family called and we proceeded to the front of the room. Lilliput was as calm as can be. She was 6 1/2 months old (the youngest of our group) and was just taking in the surroundings. When they handed her to me...she just looked at me. I had brought just one item (a small brightly colored elephant that "rattled") and showed it to her. She would glance at it, then at me. We had to clear the front of the room for the remaining families so we took our seats again. I just wanted to look at her, make eye contact, and let her daddy hold her. However, Lilliput promptly stuck two fingers in her mouth and laid her head on my shoulder. She was my baby. I could not have possibly loved another human being so much.

After sitting in the hot room for another 45 minutes, we were excused to our room. We promptly took her out of her warm clothes to let her cool off. At this point, she had made no noises. When we laid her down to put a diaper on, she wailed! Everything was so surreal. We had plans to meet up with another couple downstairs for dinner...so we dressed her, put her in a snuggly and headed down. Dinner was very short as nothing on the menu was recognizable. We paid for our D*et Cokes and went back to the room.

Lilliput could not sit up or roll over on her own. We had so much fun with her despite the fact that she was pretty much shut down. The ride from her Orphanage had taken six hours. We fed her and changed her into her PJ's and put her to bed.

The next morning...totally different baby. Happy. Smiling. Cooing. Chanting "mamamama" which Mr. Trixie took offense at. We were in love!

While we were prepared (and educated) for some issues we might encounter, Lilliput was nothing but perfect! By the time we left Changsha, she was both sitting up unassisted AND rolling over.

People often talk about no adoption story is all rainbows and unicorns...but ours couldn't be more perfect. Lilliput was such an easy, happy baby and is an easy, happy little girl. Dreams do come true. God knew that I needed an easy baby and he sure delivered!

Later today, I'll post some pictures of our referral and some from our China trip.

Lilliput, you are an amazing little girl. I am so proud to be your mama. I wish I could take credit for how you turned out, but the fact is God made you and delivered you to us. We love you so much!!

Food Experiment

2008-12-03T02:45:00.001-08:00

I'm one of those cooks who hates following a recipe when cooking. Baking? I ALWAYS following the recipe. Cooking? Not so much.

Because I'm trying to pinch pennies since I'm no longer working...I was able to pick up two huge london broils yesterday. I've never done anything with them in the kitchen as we always grill them. However, hubs refuses to grill when there is snow on the ground. Whatever.

I've looking through some online recipes to put one said (very lean) hunk-o-meat in the slow cooker today. It involves cream of mushroom soup, tomato soup, onions, and onion soup mix. I'll fake it and let you know how it turns out.

Turkey Day Menu

2008-11-26T07:35:00.000-08:00

Ha!

We're heading over to Mr. Trixie's brother's house for the big day. Because of my recent run-in with a knife to my mid-section, I'm only required to bring one dish. Trixie's Famous Corn. I hear the cream cheese and jalapenos beckoning from upstairs.

However, because of my narcotics and muscle relaxers, I'm feeling generous. To this, I'm taking TWO Tollhouse Pies and one sinful Carrot Cake with CREAM CHEESE frosting. Okay, we're giving one of the pies to some dear friends.

Hope everyone enjoys their turkey day!!

Trixie & family

Yet another pity party...

2008-11-14T00:11:00.000-08:00

One of my rules for my blog is that I stay positive and focused on all that is good in my life. I'll complain and bitch elsewhere about how life seems unfair and how unexpected events really thrust me into a complete tailspin.

However, (isn't there always a however?) I'm offering up this explanation as to where I will be in the coming weeks.

Yesterday, I saw the plastic/wound care surgeon. He took measurements and pictures of my lovely wound. He compared it to the same from the last month. It's a rather stubborn wound and seems to like hanging out and the required nursing care visits. Blah.

He completely stunned me with the pronouncement that he would be operating. "Would Monday work for you?" Whoa. What just happened here? Really? I'm no doctor although I like to pretend I am, but the solution to this nonhealing would is to open it up again? Really? The potential length of the incision could approach 6-8 inches. He will completely close the wound this time after cleaning it up and roughing up the fascia (or perhaps replacing my abdominal muscle with better abdominal muscle.) Really? I opted for this procedure instead of leaving it open and having to cart around that damn wound vac again and yet MORE nurses tromping through my messy house and keeping me from napping.

Let's just hope I made the right decision...instead of the convienent one. I won't be driving for a few weeks and will miss my daily stops after I drop Lilliput at school. Those ladies at G**dwill, S*lvation A**y, and St. V*ncent DePau* will think I died or something. Perhaps I'll pay them one last visit today and ask them to hold all the good junque for me!

Oh! I picked up some stunning mens wool sweaters with the intention to felt them...but I just may love them too much to turn them into some crafty goodness. I'll try them on today to make a final decision. I'll post pics (if I can learn how to download from my camera...D is the nerd, not me) and perhaps I'll set up a vote.

Anyhow, talk amoungst yourselves. I'll have the laptop in my bed with me (Thank you in advance D for having the foresight to set up a wireless system whereby I can search the web AND print all from the comfort of my bed!)

OH! How I wish I were worthy enough (and rich enough) to attend Silver Bella. I am in awe of these ladies (and those fortunate souls attending) and their creations. I would really like to be there...if nothing else but to shop!

Be back soon...

Home

2008-11-13T00:49:00.000-08:00

Gracious...it's good to be HOME!

We had a wonderful trip to Austin. We had only one planned outing and the rest of the time we just spent with family. L and her cousin T had hours of fun. They are only 15 months apart in age and they miss each other terribly. We have got to get down there more often. It's been two years since our last visit.

As wonderful as it was, I was able to confirm what I suspected was going on with my dad. I had noticed when talking on the phone with him that something had changed in his physical/mental health. I was afraid to talk to my Mom about it over the phone. However, it was much more pronounced in person. My Mom and I had a chance to talk the morning of our last day in Austin and I encouraged her to get him in front of a few new specialists to see what exactly is going on.

It's just so hard to see someone who has always been such a pillar in my life to suddenly deteriorate so drastically. I don't think I've completely absorbed it all. It's heartbreaking. Not just for my Dad, but also my Mom. We're going on a cruise with them in February so it won't be so long between visits and I will be able to access how he changes in those three months.

While I didn't get to do some of the typical things I'd do while in Austin (live music and searching for treasures) it was a very good relaxing visit. L enjoyed playing with her Mamaw and Poppa. We enjoyed copious amounts of mexican food L got a rockin' new pair of N*w Balance shoes and I spent way too much at the Austin City Limits store at the airport.

Our trip home was complicated due to bad weather and airline delays. Our 4:40 arrival in Pittsburgh turned into a midnight arrival with an additional hour drive home. Our delay leaving Austin meant we missed our connection in Houston. Do you know how to entertain a six year old for five hours in an airport? People movers. If I close my eyes, I can still feel like I'm on one. Guess that is bound to happen when you spend about 4 1/2 hours on them! All things considered, L did very well enduring the long wait for our last leg home...and again during the 1 1/2 hours spent sitting on the plane waiting for 30 planes in front of us to take off. Fortunately, they permitted us to use our cell phones and L's portable DVD player.

I acquired some awesome vintage goodies just before I left town. I'm just waiting for a sunny day so I can take some good pictures. NW PA is not known for it's sunny days this time of year.

The next two days will be filled with appointments with surgeons so they can determine when my next surgery will be. Meanwhile, I'm still being seen by the visiting nurses for wound care. I'll be glad when they GO AWAY.

Hope everyone is well and looking forward to the holiday season. Even though our Christmas will be lean, I'm hoping we can focus on other things. I'm planning on us volunteering on Christmas Day to serve lunch to those less fortunate. It's an annual event in our small town and I just need to track down the phone number so I can get us on the Volunteer list.

What are your plans for the holidays?

Austin bound...

2008-10-31T06:58:00.000-07:00

Looking forward to some awesome mexican food and visiting family and friends!

Email me and we'll make plans!

Alive and kickin'

2008-10-03T03:17:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's been awhile since my last post.

Surgery went well and I came home 4 days after. I had a huge amount of motivation to keep moving in order to not have a recurrance of the DVT and 12 Pulmonary Embolisms I had after my surgery last October. That resulted in a 12-day hospital stay and my parents flying up from Texas to help with Lilliput and giving the hubs some support.

Unfortunately, approximately 3 weeks after surgery, my open incision got infected as it was closing and this resulted in a re-opening of the site. I've had wound care nurses coming in twice a day. Just yesterday I became the reluctant recipient of a Wound Vac. The machine is much larger that I anticipated and I will be "attached" 24/7 for several weeks.

Lilliput is doing great in 1st grade. She is reading like there is no tomorrow and has amazed us with her math abilities. We have always thought she was very smart and now, I feel so bad when she tells us she school is "boring." They will do assessement testing and IQ testing during the spring semester so we are looking forward to seeing how she scores. I have no doubt she will score high enough to be in the school's gifted program.

As a result of my medical issues, I have been relieved from my job. I am livid to say the least. However, I have chosen to embrace this time. I get to take Lilliput to school each day and pick her up resulting in being able to spend more time with her. In addition, I am using this time to heal and not feeling the guilt of not being at the office. The person that was responsible for me being let go was doing this behind my back. All along, he was telling me to take my time. People reap what they sow and I have no doubt he will get what's coming to him. I will probably not know when it happens, but that's okay.

That's it for now. I plan to use this time to de-clutter the house and donate things to G**dwill. There will be no garage sale as I'm afraid the weather won't allow it. It's already cold here! I also plan to photograph all my "finds" that I will be selling on Et*y and E*ay so check back often!

Under the knife

2008-08-26T03:57:00.000-07:00

I was hoping to avoid it again. Alas, it was not meant to be.

Thursday morning, the most involved surgery in four years. Big incision with close to a week in the hospital.

After that, 3-4 weeks lounging at home trying to avoid blood clots like the ones I got last October.

Wish me luck.

So where is all this vintage goodness?

2008-07-26T04:18:00.001-07:00

Well, and here come the excuses.

Even though I was off work the past two days, I filled them by spending time with Lilliput and running errands that I don't have time to do during the week.

I have pictures, that is if my lame photographic knowledge and talent has them looking good enough to post here and in my Etsy shop. Problem is, I don't know how to download them to get a good look and haven't remembered to have David download them for me.

I'll get to it if not today, tomorrow.

New Blog Look...

2008-07-23T02:19:00.000-07:00

I cannot thank Tiffany enough! She created these so fast! This banner matches what is in my Etsy store. Although I haven't had enough time (or space) to photograph and list any items for sale, I hope to soon. Life and my job have gotten in the way. Back to back drills will do that to a lady!

Be sure to visit Tiffany's Etsy shop if you are looking for a banner or a blog makeover. I cannot recommend her enough!

A real kick in the gut...

2008-07-07T03:44:00.000-07:00

Our dossier for our 2nd China adoption was returned to us today by our agency. We let them know about a month ago, that due to my health issues we wouldn't be able to complete the adoption. At that point in June, we had been waiting 2 years.

To see our Dossier with all the written chinese translations on it really made it very real and very hard that we had to request that it be pulled.

Baby Sadie will not be coming home. Seeing our Dossier on the kitchen counter made it very real and it hurt a lot.

Studio plans

2008-07-01T01:20:00.000-07:00

Okay, to call it a "studio" brings to mind some grand space filled with tons of cool things. I suppose images of what a "studio" is different to everyone.

My "studio" will have to serve dual purposes. First and foremost, it will be a place for Lilliput and I to spend time together sans television or portable dvd players (unless L is in bed, then you might see a tv in use from time to time.) I have been creating art in my head for years and have much to my husbands chagrin, have been spending the last several months collecting materials I need. I've tried to use every coupon for the local craft stores to buy supplies for half price. I've visited the local flea market way too many times to count and have accumulated some of the coolest junk I've ever seen.

Second, the "studio" will serve as grand central station as far as managing our busy lives. Anyone who has had a child in the public school system knows that on any given day, their child will bring home a backpack with about 3 gazillion pounds of paper announcing this fundraiser, or that new reading contest. It's absolutely MADDENING! I've suggested that they use their website to distribute this information to no avail. Okay, then give me the option to view the information on the website or allow my child to sustain a back injury hauling home the tree you cut down.

So, we will use one wall that will host a fancy-schmancy cork/white magnetic board so we can effectively manage our lives! Daddy and PapPap are in charge of designing and building this HUGE fancy-schmancy organizational unit (HFSOU). I plan on finding the perfect table or bookcase to place underneath the HFSOU to manage the massive amount of mail that comes in. Maybe then we won't get late notices and allow checks to remain uncashed for months at a time.

We need help people! If you have any other organizational tips or must-try's...please send them my way! We need pictures please. I'll post links here and you will get all the credit.

She lost it...

2008-07-01T01:12:00.000-07:00

My baby girl has lost her first tooth. All her friends had reached this milestone some time ago and Lilliput was just angst as to "why" she had no loose tooth! Often, she would pretend one was loose. I'd do the obligatory test of the tooth and pronounce it "not yet loose."

It got to be too much for me. When L would announce she had a loose tooth, my response was always, "Not yet, but probably soon." Well...I was wrong. Dang it if she didn't INDEED have a loose tooth! She lost it last week while playing in the gym and here, I present, the now toothless Lilliput!

Oh how fast they grow...

2008-06-22T07:31:00.000-07:00

Just getting started...

2008-06-01T05:13:00.000-07:00

Step 1: Start blog

Step 2: Everything else

I'm hoping to find the time to post later today and provide some links to my Etsy shop for my latest vintage finds and artwork.

You might recognize us from a previous blog...but we're trying this again and hoping to avoid the stalkers.

Until then...