Saying Good-Bye...

I'm a little bummed that I didn't plan a going away party. I did have three fun meals yesterday:

1. Breakfast - with Janet - one of my coworkers. Cracker Barrel in Ahwatuke. It was work related but we had a nice time!

2. Lunch with Jerry C. - the dentist I worked with at the health dept for >5 years. It was sooo great to catch up and I'm so glad we both made an effort to get together. I've missed Jerry. We haven't seen each other in a while.

We met at a newer restaurant in one of my old 'hoods - The Parlor. It's an old beauty parlor called Venus. The interior is really neat (I'd just love to photograph it). Great yummy salad. Good company. Neat history to the building. Good times. BTW - Those of you looking for a different place to eat or "go out" in the evenings - I'd recommend this one! Camelback and 20th St.

3. Dinner at Klud & Fiaz's. Klud has been telling me for years that she'd teach me to cook some of her yummy food. Well, yesterday was the day. Met at 4pm. Learned how to make 2 meals. Had a great time. Again, good people (her whole family and a friend as well as my kids).

There are so many people to see and so little time left. :(

I also had a nice "chat" with Don - the guy who hired me and the one who "brought me to AZ!" Then, I helped him as she transitioned to the dental school. I know we'll see each other again. Strange times.

Comments

Last night we enjoyed a WONDERFUL evening at the new Children's Museum of Phoenix. I'd been meaning to go there all year. I even planned one outing and then someone got sick. Last night was the night!

On the first Friday of each month, the museum opens free to the public - 6-10pm. We arrived at 620pm and had to wait for about 90 minutes to get in. Apparently, they only take in the first 600 at a time and then the rest get a ticket and get to come in by number.

It was difficult at first but then the kids got to see a magician, G got to try out shooting a rocket and they both played with sidewalk chalk in the outside ampitheater. Thankfully, it was not super hot last night! It was also nice to see such diversity in cultures, languages and economic groups. Well, once inside (and after retracing our steps to find Z's lost shoe) the kids had a blast!

The Museum is in the old Monroe School in downtown Phoenix. There are three floors of activities including a wee-ones room where Z had freedom!, an art room, a building room (building with PVC piping - both liked this), a flower garden area, a market and kitchen and so much more. It was a great evening. When we got to the car, I was shocked to see the time: 9:48pm! What?? Kids did well.

Comments - I sometimes wonder if people think I'm deaf. Seriously. If you stand right beside or behind me and speak out loud, I'm probably going to hear you. When standing in line, these two women and their combined four children appeared right behind us. They were nice women with nice children. There was a little one who I learned was born the same week as Z so of course I focused on her - size and development. I spoke a couple of times to the women but they weren't super receptive so I just watched the kids. I was pretty sure that they were Christians - at least one - based on her reaction to a situation.

Then came the words: "Do you think we'll ever be extinct?" one said to the other. I couldn't help but listen - they were right behind me! They were talking about my kids being mixed race. They assumed they were both biracial (a common assumption as the kids don't walk around with signs stating: Adopted/Siblings/Biologically Unrelated..........) After some pondering of the topic, they joked - "Nope, we still have all of those Africans in Africa." These two well educated, successful black Christian women didn't like it that I was the mother of G & Z.

While still standing in the line, I had an opportunity to comment on the two littlest kids (the little girl and Z). I made a point to tell them that he is Puerto Rican. "Oh!" they said. I made my point but come on.... As a fellow blogger and mother of 3 lovely girls from Haiti (Cate) recently pointed out on her blog, why is it always the black women? Seriously - I didn't believe it but now that my kids are getting older - those are the looks and comments. Not 100% of the time but seriously, many black women tick me off with their looks and comments.

What am I missing here? Are you threatened? Is it cultural? Do you perceive me to be doing something wrong in raising my kiddos? We are all people. I can't help it if this world has been unfair during the course of history. I respect it and acknowledge it. I'll definitely teach my kids about it. But, I can't change it. We are all people with the same basic needs and desires. Now, I'm off to raise a future black woman...Lord, help me!

The Purge & Flowers

So, I'm trying out templates for the blog. Today's attempt is: Brown & Beautiful
(kind of a theme for our family)

Preparing to Move:
Preparations are in full swing although completely disorganized! This weekend: Purge the house. Saturday: Yard Sale (note, in AZ we do NOT call these Lawn Sales - um, lawn?)

The house is a wreck! I mean, really. Sale will end at 815 this morning as I need to get over to the park and pick up our last :( food coop of fruits and veggies.

Sunday - church and hanging with Z's birthmother.

Between now and then I need to clean up the house a little or we might not survive the week.

Finally, the cat - the one who did not adjust well to our family - well, she/he has finally adjusted (now that she/he is headed back to the original owners in a week).

OK, going to try to go take a nap for an hour - before I need to be up for a yard sale.

BTW - If you know where we live, come on by Saturday morning. The crap in my driveway is NOT going back into the dwelling - it has to go! If you want free stuff - come later in the morning and just take what you want (free)!

PS - we are now in the "Moving Month" - it's August!