From Live Oak, finally.

Due to bad weather and delays at the Newark, N.J. airport, I never made my Saturday flight out. Instead, my original airline arranged for me to fly a different airline and itinerary the following morning. And when I called for seat assignments, I had the most unbelievable conversation with the airline rep. Not only did he tell me NOT to tell the airline of my special needs/back injury, he threatened that the airline could deny me boarding because they had not been given 48 hours to review my doctor's note. And then he also suggested I should request an emergency exit seat in order to be more comfortable, despite my reminder that I was injured (he told me not to mention it)! And then he proceeded to ask me if I had been taken off the original flight because I was too big. I so hope they taped that call, because when I get back home I will be writing a letter!

Sunday at 4 AM I gave it a second try, and this time made it to Orlando. My dear friend Tia showed up soon afterwards to pick me up, and we headed to Downtown Disney. We had a wonderful lunch there, and picked up some goodies for hubby and Kerri. And then we went to get Sadie, Tia's beautiful red headed doberman. Sadie, Tia, and I had a great trip North to my Dad's house, where I was so busy talking that I passed the rural street we were supposed to turn on. It did not help that it was pitch dark and that someone had cut down all the trees, which were my landmark. After quick hugs, Tia headed home and I came back to the house I have been to so many times before, but for the first time, without my Mom waiting for me.

The next morning came the hard part, starting my duties as Mom's personal representative. Dad seems to be doing OK, but it just seems so weird to be here without Mom. I keep looking for her, or waiting for her to call out to me.

Kerri seems to be handling the separation well. She is busy playing with the new Wii I bought as a surprise right before I left. Daddy and Nana have taken her out to eat her favorite french fries, and even gifted her with a new Disney movie. And when I call to tuck her in at night, she tells me that she loves me "from the South Pole all the way to Canada and back". How can I make my beautiful daughter understand that the universe is not big enough to describe our love for her?

Life with Kerri is just not the same without her nearby.

Updates!

• Nana has been visiting, and will be helping out quite a bit while I am in Florida. Kerri is really enjoying her company, and there have been dress up and tea parties galore! Thank you Nana.
• Hubby has been a bit overwhelmed with deliverables this week, but it looks like everything is going smoothly and he will be working from home this next week. Nana and Carol are at the ready to provide Kerri-coverage.
• Paris did not come through, so we celebrated! It was very close, and we are very proud of just how far hubby got in the interview process. I am very relieved, however, that I do not have a huge move to handle. He has an interview coming up for a government position, so we are crossing our fingers.
• I am leaving today for Orlando, Florida, where I will meet up with Tia, who will drive me to my Dad's house tomorrow. I hope I don't miss my connecting flight!
• Yesterday Nana, Kerri and I watched our wedding video (about half of it was all we could get through). Kerri swooned when she saw Daddy in his tuxedo, and exclaimed that I looked like a real princess in my gown and tiara. Then she got bored and wanted attention. As for Nana and I, we cried as we saw Grandma Donna, my Mom, my Aunt Dora and Uncle Rene (all who are no longer with us) in the video. It was wonderful to see them looking so beautiful and happy, and so sad at the same time.
• Hubby, Kerri and I are coming down with colds. So far no fever, thank goodness!

I am going to miss hubby and Kerri and Pookie very much. If anything happens, remember that Mommy always has, and always will love you, big to the sky.

Life with Kerri keeps my heart soaring.

Leaving on a jet plane...

Kerri and I went to the doctor yesterday about my back injury. The doctor confirmed that I have a herniated (slipped) disc with a a pinched nerve that has caused nerve damage. He is not sure if the damage is permanent yet, and it looks like treatment will take a long time. I will begin physiotherapy when I return from my trip to Florida, since he (with many precautions) gave me a doctor's note so that I could travel to Florida to file my Mom's will and begin my duties as her personal representative.

With letter and nerve test results in hand, we headed home and I had to explain to Kerri (who packed for this trip days ago) that she was not coming along. She is so very disappointed, since she wants to fly on a plane too. I told her that Daddy would be working from home so she would not miss any school, and that we had asked Nana and Carol to help out while I was away. I am sure as the date gets closer, there will be tears, but for now she is dealing pretty well with the news.

I made my travel arrangements last night and will be flying out this Saturday to Orlando. Jacksonville airport would have been closer, but on short notice ticket prices are outrageously expensive, so that's why I picked Orlando airport. Since my flight arrives late at night, I will stay overnight at a hotel close by, and my dear friend "Tia" will meet me there and drive me to my Dad's house - 3.5 hours North! - the following day. It will be so nice to see Tia again! And I am so very grateful to her for her kindness, since she really is going out of her way and will be putting a lot of miles on her car. And yes, we will be sneaking in a trip to Downtown Disney, to pick up Ghiradelli chocolate for my two chocoholics back home.

I will post while I am gone, but not pictures, since those of you that have followed me on these trips to my parents' home in the past know how crappy their Internet dial up service is in the boonies! (I will post the pictures upon my return home). And although this is not a pleasure trip by any means, I will try to spend some quality time with my family, and that includes Tia. :o)

Life with(out) Kerri will be hard that week, I am going to miss her (and Daddy) so much!

Pookie vs. the Canadian Moose

Kerri bought Pookie some stuffed dog toys at Costco. She kept one for herself, and the remaining three toys went to Pookie. He quickly picked out his favorite: the Canadian Moose.

And in the span of a few minutes, this is what ensued:

He pushed the Moose off the bed and then whined for it...

until Mommy got it back for him.

How could you say no to this face?!

And once Moose was back, Pookie wasted no time:

until...

Moose received a life threatening injury and was taken to the stuffed animal hospital for Mommy to sew him back up.

Life with Kerri keeps Pookie amused!

Pretty in pink!

Today Kerri and I went to the nail salon. And came out looking like this!

We also went to buy a new microwave; and are freecycling our retired one, in the hopes someone can fix it and use it.

And we ended the night enjoying home made chocolate Ghiradelli fudge, prepared by Daddy (our chocoholic expert).

Life with Kerri is pretty in pink!

Updates!

• Today I picked up Kerri from school and informed her that tomorrow was Saturday, and since it was the weekend there was no school for two days. My daughter was upset and said she liked school and wanted to go to school tomorrow. Oh please let me remember this conversation in future years!
• Kerri also prefers books on bones, anatomy and science over fairy tales and princess stories. And in the mall, she heads straight for the bookstore, not the toy store, or the clothing store. But yesterday she wore two tiaras and all her jewelry at the same time.
• Kerri also is very disappointed with me for hurting my back. This inconvenience in her life is taking away her ability to go outside and play, since I cannot sit/stand for too long to watch her. I am the "worsest mother in the world". Sigh.
• Speaking of my back, I had the nerve test done yesterday. It appears I have a pinched nerve and nerve damage at the root which is why my left hip/leg muscles are numb and not responding too well.
• Today Kerri packed to go to Florida. I am not sure she is going yet. But she is ready. She packed her Harry Potter robe and magic wand, three stuffed animals and her lunchbox full of snacks.
• Kerri is also very helpful in the kitchen. She is our official "taste tester", a title she gave herself. No dish can be prepared without her sampling the contents and telling me how many more minutes I need to cook the dish. So far, (according to Kerri), soup is done in ten minutes, and steaks take ten hours to cook. Good thing I started the sabbath dinner early.
• Yesterday we went to Costco, and among the groceries, I picked up a few holiday gifts for her teachers. Today she pointed to them on the table and chastised me for forgetting to put them in her backpack so she could give them out. I reminded her that the holiday is still far away. She still has no concept of time. Neither does Pookie. And neither do I!
• We received the proofs for her school pictures. I can't get over how grown up she looks. Of course, we forgot it was picture day and Daddy dressed her, ugh. And her hair was a mess. But I decided to keep them and not have them redone.
• Oh, my microwave has decided to retire early and become a glorified clock/timer.

Shabbat Shalom, everyone. And remember to tell all the important people in your lives that you love them.

Life with Kerri is why I look forward to every day.

Leviosa!

And with the flick of her wand, Kerri's dreams came true!

I found this today at the pharmacy, and just could not resist. I wore the big round glasses, and Kerri put on her Harry Potter Gryffindor robe and waved her magic wand around the house saying "Leviosa!". She wore the costume all day, right up until bedtime.

Life with Kerri is magical!

Choo-choo!

These pictures are from Kerri's brief visit to the Via Rail station yesterday when she went with Daddy to pick up Nana.

Life with Kerri is right on track!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today we celebrated Thanksgiving with Nana, Carol and Andre. Here is a picture of the buffet table decorations: I fell in love with this scarecrow at the store, and at $2.99 it was a bargain!
And nature decorated the trees for Fall... which is short lived, since we are getting our first snowfall tonight!

Hubby and Kerri picked up Nana at the train station, and I snapped this picture when they arrived:

The Thanksgiving spread:

In case you wanted a different view:

The appetizer was a brandy and brown sugar coated macadamia and pecan nut brie with pears and crackers:

The Maple basted, Sage butter turkey:

My favorite cranberry, mandarin orange and pecan side dish:

The ham:

The stuffing with sausage, onions, celery, mushrooms, pecans and cranberries:

Sour cream and nutmeg mashed sweet potatoes:

Green beans with lemon and toasted almonds:

Followed by berries with whipped cream, and pumpkin pie with whipped cream, and Tim Horton's coffee.

Everyone at the table took a turn saying something they were thankful for (and we could not repeat anything that was previously said, just to make it interesting). The best was the first thankful message, given by Kerri: "I am thankful for all the good food and the people I am sharing it with." It was an "awww" moment!

Everyone was full and sleepy after the meal, so we sat at the table and played Uno until it was way past everyone's bedtime. And now while Nana soaks in the tub, and Pookie lays on Nana's bed, I am going to finish this post with my own thanks for all the blessings in my life.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Let it snow....

...let is snow, YES it SNOWED!!! Today we got our first snowfall. Well, it was more like little tiny hail. And it melted as soon as it touched the ground, since it is only in the 40's here.

I predict an early winter...a long, cold season with lots of snow, and snow by Halloween.

Woohoo!!!!

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, and I am cooking for our Canadian family (Carol, Andre and Nana).

Here is the menu:

brown sugar, brandy, pecan and macadamia nut glazed brie (and crackers)
maple roasted turkey with sage butter
country sausage/mushroom stuffing
mushroom giblet gravy
Dijon mustard and brown sugar ham (for the goys, lol)
cranberry/mandarin orange/pecan side
sour creamed with nutmeg smashed sweet potatoes
green beans with lemon and toasted almonds
flaky country biscuits
pumpkin pie with fresh whipped cream
fresh berries with chocolate whipped cream
Tim Hortons coffee, and assortment of flavored exotic teas

And we bought a huge pumpkin, beautiful Autumn flowers, a mini scarecrow and assorted squash to decorate with.

Happy Thanksgiving to our Canadian family and friends.

Life with Kerri always makes me thankful.

No pictures, but...

...I just had to fill you in. This morning Kerri woke me dressed in her finest. She had on long striped Pipi Longstocking-type stockings, a vintage poodle dress, and makeup. She found body paint and preceded to paint the entire top half of her face in vivid pink. "Aren't I bootyfull Mommy?", she asked. I tried hard not to laugh, and told her she was so pretty she did not need makeup.

Which, by the way, won't come off.

Kerri, brushing her teeth after her bath. (If you look closely, you can still see the pink makeup around her eyes).

Life with Kerri is bootyfull.

Friday updates

• I have to admit that wearing black is flattering to the figure.
• Kerri, on the other hand, has been dressing herself in pretty dresses with creative belts.
• My nerve test is scheduled for October 15th.
• My MRI is still being scheduled. It's Canada, don't ask. They told me it might not happen until the Spring.
• Nana visited for a few days, to help distract Kerri. Thank you Nana!
• We finally told Kerri on Tuesday evening, and there was not a dry eye in the house. She is doing much better now, and is looking forward to visiting Grandpa.
• Monday is Thanksgiving here in Canada. I will be cooking, but with some help from hubby this time. We hope to be surrounded by our Canadian family again this year (Carol, Andre and Nana).
• We will all (Pookie included) hopefully be going to Florida at some point in October, probably towards the end of the month (for a short stay). I will be filing Mom's will and starting my duties as her personal representative.
• Kina hora, we are planning a trip to Argentina (G-d willing) for June of next year, and bringing my Dad with us. Our cousin Violeta is getting married, and it will be quite the affair. Hubby is pulling his tux out to make sure it still fits, and Kerri and I will need to go ball gown shopping next year!
• Kerri seems to have "grown up" so much this last month. She is a "big girl" now. She is finally fully potty trained. She picks her own clothes now. Her sleep issues keep improving. She is slowly confronting her phobias, and today went upstairs all by herself to get something from her room. She is also spending more time alone in her room. (I know this sounds silly, but Kerri has NEVER been alone, she gets panic attacks, so this is HUGE for us). My little girl is finally growing up. Sniff.
• Pookie is still sticking to me like glue, especially at night. I am not sure if he is still concerned for my health or taking advantage of sleeping on our big, soft bed.
• I am observing Shiva at home. Kerri's school has been wonderful and I am relieved they are prepared and ready for her return on Tuesday.
• We have received so many loving messages - here, on the phone, on Facebook and email - and we are so grateful for your kind words and condolences. Thank you.

Life with Kerri reminds me to be grateful, every day, for all the blessings in my life.

My two grandchildren!

Kerri has three sets of names: her Chinese names (appointed by the orphanage), her English names and her Hebrew names (after her grandmothers). Kerri knows she was once "Wan Zhen" (pronounced "Won Jen"), and that they called her Zhen-Zhen in the orphanage.

Today she proceeded to tell me that she will have two daughters. The first will be called "Jenny", after her nickname of Zhen-Zhen (pronounced "Jen-Jen"). And the second daughter will be called "Wan Zhen".

I asked her what if she had a boy, what would she call him? And Kerri said: "I am not going to have boys. Who wants boys? They are nothing but trouble!".

I have no idea where she gets these ideas.

Life with Kerri is very interesting, to say the least.

Kerri goes to the dentist!

Yesterday I was not thinking straight, and we took Kerri to the dentist, thinking she had an appointment. Kerri was very disappointed to find out she was not going to see the dentist and broke out in tears. I don't know that many kids that look forward to going to the dentist, or are devastated when they can't go!

So today, Daddy and Nana took her to her dental appointment. She is going back in November to deal with one small cavity in the back. And a very happy Kerri came home with her new toothbrush!

Life with Kerri reminds me to brush and floss.

Forever in our hearts...

This morning, at around 10 AM, my mother passed away. She was alone. My Dad arrived at 10:05 AM and found her, still warm to the touch. I lost my Mommy today, and Kerri lost her beloved Bobe.

Mom, you are forever in our thoughts and our hearts. We love you and always will. There are no words to express the grief and sorrow we feel. But we are grateful you are finally in peace and no longer suffering. I only wish I could have been there to hold your hand in the end. I will forever hold your memory in my heart. And so will Kerri, I will make sure of it.

Life lessons

I have always used the sayings "G-d works in mysterious ways", and "everything happens for a reason". And now I must remind myself of these words yet again.

For the last two years, Kerri and I have been driving down to Florida almost every other month to spend time with family (the drive from Canada takes us two 12 hour days of driving). The main reason for the frequent trips was so that Kerri could spend as much time with her Grandma as possible. And the real reason we drove (instead of flying), was to save money. Well my new life lesson is that sometimes being cheap costs you more in the end. On the last four trips, I was treated for a pinched nerve and/or sciatica pain upon my return home. No biggie, I took some anti-inflammatory pills and pain meds and was up and running in a few days. But each trip, the recovery took just a bit longer. And this last trip left me bed ridden for three weeks and landed me in the hospital.

I finally went to the specialist today, only to find out that the numbness that has been spreading from my waist to my ankle on my left side is nerve damage. And that it is possibly permanent. And it is now spreading upwards. My muscles sometimes do not react to commands and therefore I am a fall risk. And the doctor told me that I am at a high risk for developing possibly fatal blood clots, so he does not want me to travel at all. I am to be scheduled for a nerve test and an MRI as soon as possible.

The hardest part of all of this is that I cannot go down to Florida right now, right when I want to the most. I am not there for my Mom in her final days in Hospice. I am not there for my Dad. I am not there for my sisters. After all the trips, the most important one of all is the one I cannot make.

We finally had the conversation with Kerri to prepare her. She was her usual Vulcan, logical self. She said she was happy and sad. When I asked her why, she said she was happy that Grandma was not going to be sick anymore. And sad that she was not going to see her again. Kerri told us she wanted to go for the funeral, and that she wants to see Grandma's "box". And she also said she wanted to spend the end of the year holidays in Florida with Grandpa. And that was the extent of the conversation. There were no tears, at least not from her. And she held my hand.

~Vivian

Another birthday party!

After a very nice surprise visit from our friends Carol and Andre, we rushed back to PlayTime4Kids for yet another birthday party...this time it was Kerri's friend Maria!

This is Maria and Cinderella

Kerri swung from a rope,
climbed the highest tower,

and won yet another prize in the guessing game. Which she promptly gave to Maria.

And after all the food it was time for arcade games,

and sliding down the highest slide!

And of course, no party would be complete without whacking the pinata,

and coming home with more chocolate!

And this is how Kerri and her friend Maria spent their Sunday afternoon.

On the way home, we stopped for Shawarma for dinner. And when we arrived, we found that Pookie had jumped on our dining room table and consumed large amounts of chocolate that Kerri and Daddy had left there. Oh joy.

Tomorrow is my long awaited appointment with the specialist for my sciatica/nerve issue. I am hoping to get some answers and relief. And to find out how soon I can travel.

Life with Kerri eases the pain.

Japanese Dumpling Soup

Today I tried a new (and easy!) recipe I found for Japanese Dumpling Soup, and we all loved it so much I am posting the recipe here for all eternity (and so Kerri can make it herself some day!).

Prep 10 minutes / Cook time 10-12 minutes / Makes 6 cups (1.5L)
Ingredients:
1 inch (2.5cm) piece of ginger
1/2 oz (14g) package dried shitake or mixed mushrooms (I used fresh shitake mushrooms)
900 ml (1 carton) chicken broth
1 tablespoon (15ml) teriyaki sauce
1 teaspoon (5ml) dark sesame oil
1 baby bok choy or 1/2 small bok choy
2 green onions
300 g package or 1/2 600g package frozen Asian dumplings (I used chicken /mushroom ones)
1/4 cup (50ml) frozen peas or shelled edamame

Step 1:
Peel ginger, then thinly slice. If mushrooms are large, break/cut in half. Stir the ginger and mushrooms in a large saucepan with the broth, teriyaki and sesame oil. Bring to a boil over high heat.

Step 2:
Meanwhile, thinly slice the bok choy and onions. When broth is boiling, add dumplings. Bring back to a boil. Following the package directions, cook dumplings, uncovered, and stirring occasionally until done, from 8-12 minutes.

Step 3:
Stir in the bok choy, onions and peas for the last 2 minutes of cooking. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Nutrients per cup (250ml)
5 g protein
3 g fat
17 g carbs
2 g fibre
47 mg calcium
111 calories

Recipe from November 2009 Chatelaine magazine