He defines what it is to be called: "Friend"

I am proud beyond proud to share with everyone something that a friend of mine is doing in honor of those of us living with MS... He will be participating in the

The 22nd Annual
Great Mass Getaway MS 150 Bike Tour Boston to P'Town, and a boat ride home! Sat. June 24 - Sun. June 25, 2006

to help raise money for MS research... If you think it looks good on paper, listen to this FNX Radio Spot describing the two day event in detail! Man is he going to have fun! (did that guy from the radio mention BEER??) Cycling & Beer, TWO of Jim's 3 FAVORITE THINGS EVER! hee hee Clearly Little Miss Ruby Cate is 'Uncle Jim's' 3rd favorite thing, that goes without SAYING! ;)
When he told me he was doing this, I started to cry, because A. I was completely BEYOND touched, and B. I KNOW he can do this... he races mountain bikes at a professional competitive level- so a road race? PIECE-O-CAKE for ole' Jim! I know he's going to help in such a monumental way, I don't even think HE knows how much this means to me! So I figure I'd share this with all of you, my faithful daily readers... the amazing goodness & love & dedication in just 'one' of my many friends who I love so much... I just don't have any words for this, I am so, so beyond proud of you Jim, I love you for doing this & hope that you & everyone else riding will raise lots of money so that a cure can be found in my lifetime!
*getting the tissue box...*

If anyone would like to either Sponsor Jim, or perhaps Join Him & Register to Ride yourself, I would be TICKLED PINK! Thank you to ANYONE & EVERYONE who helps in the fight & search for a CURE for a disease that hit so close to home I believe it bit me smack in the ass! ;) hehehe (just cuz I have MS doesn't mean that I've lost my sense of humor people!) HEHEHE

Thank you Uncle Jim, WE LOVE YOU!!!

Did someone say 'Crazy'... hehehe ;)

This little number is the newest pick for my Book Club...
What Comes After Crazy... by: Sandi Kahn Shelton was a random choice by yours truly, as it was my turn to pick the next book. It looks lighthearted & fun with a little touch of INSANE mixed in for good measure. If anyone else would like to read along... feel free. The book is available on Amazon.com... =) HAPPY READING EVERYONE!

Ching Ming Festival... April 5th.

Today is the Ching Ming Festival in China.
Ching means 'clear' and Ming means 'bright'... it is a day that the Chinese people honor their ancestors by visiting their graves to clear away weeds, touch up the gravestone inscriptions and make offerings of wine & fruit. It sounds like a lovely tradition and makes me think fondly of my relatives who have passed... although, for me, I don't have to visit a gravesite... my Nonna (father's mother) is still in this apartment every day. Yes, she's truly here & No, I'm not kidding, nor am I crazy. I love her to pieces & LOVE knowing that she's here looking over Ruby and Me... it makes me feel safe.
So, to all of you who have lost a loved one, be they human or animal, today Ruby & I will celebrate Ching Ming in honor of everyone you've ever loved who has gone to the other side... may they truly rest in peace.

A girl can dream...

If I EVER win the lottery, I'm getting THIS for little miss RUBY CATE!

Man, I took ONE LOOK at this beauty & was A FIVE YEAR OLD KID AGAIN JUST DYING TO GO DISSAPPEAR INSIDE IT FOR WEEKS ON END!!!
What I wouldn't give to be able to surprise my daughter with this... *sigh* ...someday.

DOUBLE TROUBLE!!

Picker #1: Little Miss Ruby Cate

Picker #2: Little Miss Gwen

Funny how BOTH GIRLS favor their LEFT HAND INDEX FINGERS!

*grin*

Hee hee, I think Gwen's Mommy said it best when she said Gwen looked like a ROCK STAR!
Ruby & I BOTH WHOLEHEARTEDLY AGREE!

hee hee

Ruby's Booster Seat!

I never was a fan of actual high chairs... this having been said, it made much more sense for this single girl with the very SMALL kitchen to take up as LITTLE SPACE as possible.
So, if there's already a chair across from me (I only have a table for 2) then buying this fun EASY TO CLEAN UP & USE & TRAVEL WITH, booster chair was KEY!
It's not just for toddlers, littler kids can use it too since it works JUST LIKE a HIGH CHAIR, only difference is, it sits ON TOP of an existing chair in your kitchen rather than being this large monstrosity that needs to have a place of it's own, NO THANK YOU!
No offense to those of you who love your high chairs, they're ok for some but just wasn't my cup of tea. =)

So, for those of you facing the same issue I had/have, a smaller than average kitchen, THIS badboy is AMAZING and I COMPLETELY RECCOMMEND IT!
Just a little public service announcement from us here at 'Ruby In Her Own Time...'
*grin*

P.S. Once your child outgrows the tray, you can just store it behind the chair & use the chair as a booster for them to sit right up to the actual table, which is how miss Ruby uses it now, she's SO GROWN UP!!! =)

Is it just me...

... or does my daughter resemble a sweet jewish grandmother in her fabulous hat & sunglasses?

Perhaps she's feeling a bit vecclempt... ?
Shhh, don't point it out to her, let's just talk amongst ourselves,
shall we?
hehehehehe
LOL!

Things we take for granted...

... most of us try not to be the type to take things for granted, but I think try is the operative word here...

Eventually, there comes a time when we all deem the daily chores/errands as mundane, boring, passe'...
Things like showering, laundry, dishes, sleeping, grocery shopping, vacuuming,
cooking meals from scratch etc...
It's funny how your world is literally flipped on it's ASS when you find a little person in your life 24/7.
I thought I knew, "I've been a Professional Nanny for over 15 years... " blah blah blah,
CRAP! It's crap.
Until that kid is in your care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, DON'T TALK TO ME ABOUT WHAT YOU KNOW & DON'T KNOW!
LOL
Sure I may know little things that only Nanny's know but hey, accountants know things that only accountants know
(thank GAWD for that cuz I am AWFUL at numbers!) but GAWD DID I WISH I KNEW AHEAD OF TIME HOW MUCH MY LIFE WOULD CHANGE!
What I wouldn't give for a long uninterrupted shower, or the casual leisure time to curl up with a good book, (now all I read are kid's board books...) my thoughts, (thoughts? what are those...) and some tea. (thankfully that's a routine I REFUSE to give up, every morning with breakfast, thank you very much!)
So... keeping all this in mind, I'd like to share with you all that, today, I realized one of the things that I used to take for granted, and I'll go even one further, I used to BITCH about having to GO DO IT, was GROCERY SHOPPING!
Insane... I was truly spoiled & INSANE!
Today, because of what is quite possibly the
WORLDS MOST GENEROUS, MOST AMAZING GROUP OF BLOGGER FRIENDS EVER,
I was able to go grocery shopping.
That's right, grocery shopping... today, for me, it was a LUXURY!
My fridge is PACKED with healthy nutricious food, my pantry is packed with lots of things that last a LONG TIME, (i.e: soups, pastas, canned foods etc...)
my freezer is packed with lots of dinners just waiting to be made for Miss Ruby and myself, and I am just thankful BEYOND thankful to each & every one of you who helped this single mom in probably one of the most terrifying periods in my life.
It's not over yet, but knowing that I have friends like you all, makes it easier to bear & with you all to help me and Ruby at my side, and now food for us for like the next month or more, this single mom is smiling & can perhaps see a light at the end of this tunnel.
Thank. You. All. From. The. Bottom. Of. Our. Hearts.
Ruby. And. I. Love. You. All. SO! MUCH!

*HUGE GROUP HUG*

-Us

ps. To all you families still 'waiting', TAKE THIS TIME TO SLEEP LATE, TAKE EXTRA LONG SHOWERS, TAKE YOUR TIME GROCERY SHOPPING, DO LAUNDRY JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN WITHOUT ANY INTERRUPTIONS, SWEEP THE FLOOR OF YOUR KITCHEN & PUT SOME GROOVY MUSIC ON WHILE YOU DO IT & MAKE THE MOST OUT OF THIS TIME YOU HAVE BECAUSE ALL TOO SOON, YOU WILL BE AT THE MERCY OF A VERY SHORT, VERY BEAUTIFUL, VERY DEMANDING, VERY CHARMING, AND VERY PRECIOUS LITTLE PERSON WHO WILL RUN EVERY FACET OF YOUR LIVES!
*grin*
(...and although it's tough, you'll love EVERY SECOND OF IT!)

=)

An APRIL FOOL & his DAUGHTER!!

The above picture if of my 'little brother' Adam... today, April Fool's Day is his actual birthday.
Let me just share with you all that this was a GENIUS PLAN on mother nature's part!
Not a birthday came & went during my childhood that this poor boy didn't get a ROCK in a box, within a box, within a box, within a... (well, you get the picture.)
Every year my buddy Sean & I would play it up for all it was worth, "OMG ADAM, THE BEST GIFT EVER! IT'S SO BIG & HEAVY, MA HAD TO HELP US WRAP IT IT WAS SO HARD!" etc...
& bless his little soul, every year, he fell for it!
*snicker*
Now, my little brother is a grown man who is married with a daughter of his own. (pictured above with him is his little girl Isabella... she's schooling daddy on the art of feet grabbing...)
I have a hard time doing the same 'rock in a box' trick to a 31 year old as I did when we were kids!
(he actually smartened up somewhere in his early teens...)
So, Adam, here's to you my boy, I love you very much & Ruby is blessed to call you her Uncle!
*BIG BIRTHDAY HUGS*
Love,
-Your big sister & little miss 'Cheeks'

Your Birthdate: April 1

You are a natural born leader, even if those leadership talents haven't been developed yet. You have the power and self confidence to succeed in life, and your power grows daily. Besides power, you also have a great deal of creativity that enables you to innovate instead of fail. You are a visionary, seeing the big picture instead of all of the trivial little details. Your strength: Your supreme genius Your weakness: Your inappropriate sensitivity Your power color: Gold Your power symbol: Star Your power month: January

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Curious about YOURS?

Stumbled across this while reading Julie's blog...

I did my birthday, Ruby's birthday and Ebnezer's birthday...

... interesting to say the least.

Wanna see what YOUR BIRTHDAY means?

Just remember, to SHARE, even if some of it is a lil' sketchy... hehehe
(hell, it makes for more interesting BLOG READING PEOPLE!)
And you know I'm right!

*grin*

Ebenezer's Birthday: November 4th

Your Birthdate: November 4

You have an extraordinary character - moral, responsible, and disciplined. Your sincerely and honesty shine through in almost every situation. Driven and focused, you rarely let your emotions get the better of you. You're level headed and rational. People count on your to look at things objectively. Your strength: Your unwavering loyalty and ethics Your weakness: Your rock solid stubbornness Your power color: Navy blue Your power symbol: Shield Your power month: April

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Ruby's Birthday: September 7th

Your Birthdate: September 7

You are an island. You don't need anyone else to make you happy. And though you see yourself as a loner, people are drawn to you. Deep and sensitive, you tend to impress others with your insights. You also tend to be psychic - so listen to that inner voice! Your strength: Your self sufficiency Your weakness: You despise authority Your power color: Maroon Your power symbol: Hammer Your power month: July

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

My Birthday: August 12th

Your Birthdate: August 12

You're a dynamic, charismatic person who's possibly headed for fame. You tend to charm strangers easily. And you usually can get what you want from them. Verbally talented, you tend to persuade people with your speaking and writing. You are affectionate and loving, but it's hard for you to commit to any one relationship. Your strength: Your charm Your weakness: Your extreme manipulation tactics Your power color: Indigo Your power symbol: Four leaf clover Your power month: December

What Does Your Birth Date Mean?

Is it SUMMER yet???

Today we went to 'The Children's Place' with a return for store credit...
( a gift from the shower that didn't fit...)
so we traded it in for this really niffty fishie bathingsuit and kewl summer sunglasses!
(BOTH of which Ruby picked out ALL BY HERSELF!!!)

(this last one just kills me, LOL can we say BLACKMAIL?)
*evilgrin*
I mean let's face it, SOMEDAY there's gonna be a wedding, right?
LOL!
hehehehe

Humble Pie...

I am beyond humbled and touched in a way I've never been before...
I HATED putting that stupid paypal button up on the blog,
I hate having to leave it there until I'm over this mess but you all made me feel ok about it with your lovely emails full of amazing words...
each & every comment you left, left me with tears in my eyes...
and I honestly have no words for those who reached out to help Ruby & me.
Every time I log in & see that stupid thing I'm gonna feel like crap, cuz it's just a reminder of my failure to find a job, failure to provide for my daughter, failure to be the perfect 'single mom' I thought I could be...
It's why I haven't blogged in a few days, I didn't want to look at that freakin' button & probably still don't know how to articulate what I'm feeling over this whole thing, but I do know this...

This thing we call 'blogland'... these friends I've met because of this medium...

OH. MY. GOD.
You ALL are such AMAZING people, I consider myself TRULY BLESSED!
So, I'll do my best to ignore that button until such time that I can PROUDLY remove it,
and I know with friends like you all, Ruby and I will be just fine...

And speaking of Ruby, she thought that it would be nice to put a few pictures up this morning... So for everyone's viewing pleasure,
...a few Ruby originals:

Ruby: "BEEEEEAAAARRRRRRR, c'mon, hurry up!
Momma wants to take our picture..."

Ruby: "Awwww I love you pal..."
Bear: "Uh, Ruby I love you too but after this is over can I go back to setting up the tea set?
I was ALMOST DONE..."


Bear: "Finally! Now, let's get that humble pie your Momma was talking about
& have ourselves a tea party!"
Ruby: "I hope it's similar to blueberry pie, that's my favorite!"

Tail between my legs...

... you may have noticed the newest addition to 'Ruby In Her Own Time'... it's that little button over to your right. That little 'paypal donate' number that, despite much dismay from loved ones, I really felt I needed to add.
I have one week left of unemployment & then *poof* no more...
Scarey? That's an understatement...
I feel like a loser, I feel like I can't even provide for my daughter... but I know that when people want to help, it's foolish to turn them away. Because I know on more than one occasion I've been the one helping and I felt good to do it and felt happy knowing that my little gesture meant the world to the one on the receiving end.
Well, now I'm on that end and am scared to DEATH what I'm going to do, so... to those of you who emailed asking how you can help, wanting my home address to send money etc, and I turned you all down & said " no, I'll manage..", now I'm going to, with my tail between my legs, admit defeat, momentarially.
I guess it's silly to feel bad or like a failure about this because the truth of the matter is, when I was saving up for 'All things Adoption', I had friends & family saving change, and when I say change, I mean everything from just a pocket full all the way up to full out, hard core COFFEE CANS FULL of change. Trust me, it adds up.
I was amazed at the generosity I received, it made the whole process such a wonderful experience for me. As a single mother it was really the icing on my adoption cake because truth is, without that help and the help of my parents, I would NOT have made it to Ruby... I just wouldn't have.

I know that when I first blogged about being terrified about not finding a job, everyone in blogland emailed & those who knew my number, called & all of you wanted to help but I swallowed my pride & said thanks but I'll be fine.
I do believe I just felt something resurface... my pride again because I can't keep it swallowed forever.
So, for those of you who were so wonderful & generous & caring & sweet to want to help out, I now have a way for you to do so, should you still wish to.
I am humbled by this entire experience I'm going through, but I know that it will pass eventually because it can't last forever, nothing does.

But before I get in over my head, I figured I should at the very least, do this.
So, it's done.

And before even one person clicks on that button, I want to say an enormous;
THANK YOU
to anyone & everyone who finds it in their heart to help us out.

I know that when the day comes that Ruby and I are in a situation to be able to help someone else out, we will do so tenfold, as I'm a very generous woman by nature... just ask my family & friends.
Ok, now, my tail & I are going to go crawl under that rock...
...more later.

Shhh...

... time for our nap,

and sleeptime kisses...

To the Library & Back...

On our walk to the library, we saw some pretty flowers...
Momma said they're just babies cuz they're brand new at growing...

Then we get to the Children's Room at the Library and I found some Puzzles!

Watch this Momma...


I think THIS piece


goes HERE...

Now let's try this Circle piece, hmmm...

No, no... don't tell me, I'll find it...

Oh yeah, THAT'S RIGHT, I TOLD THAT CIRCLE WHERE TO GO!

Momma, I think I got this whole 'puzzle thing' LICKED!
But I'm pretty sure Bear is falling asleep over there in my carriage...
Maybe it's time to head home?

Hey kewl, check out these fun ELEPHANTS they have on display on the way out...

Wow, there must be a MILLION of them!
Momma, these elephants make me think of my friends,
Marisa and Isadora...
I miss them.

Oooh look Momma, more flowers!
Some pretty yellow ones...
Why can't we pick them?
*sigh*

Peg'O'The mornin' to ya...

That's right... I did them ALL!

*grin*

YIPPEE!!!

Ruby's Bracelet...

In answer to the questions I've been getting about Ruby's Bracelet... here's the scoop.
I found it on ebay LONG before I ever saw her little referral pictures... long before I was even a month into the process... but when I had just started & knew my daughter was in China.
It's a slide bangle type bracelet with two little 'bells' that hang off it.
The bracelet symbolizes good luck and long life in Chinese tradition and is usually worn by babies or toddlers.
Now although I don't remember exactly what seller I bought this from off ebay, I do know that you can find similar bracelets here at Sherry's Place in Guangzhou, China.
I frequented this place every day while in Guangzhou and really enjoyed her friendly spirit & her carefree attitude about selling. She wasn't pushy in the least and let me take my time. (probably cuz she knew I'd be back in less than 24 hours...) LOL

So although the bracelets she has aren't identical to the one I got for Miss Ruby, it's close enough & just as adorable if not MORE so since Sherry's bracelets come with chinese characters along the band!

Hope that helps... happy shopping!
(psst, Tell Sherry Ruby & I said Ni Hao!)