My new niece, N, adopted by my sister L. :)

Lots of things going on.

First, about the emigration. J is making me dizzy. Now he also wants to consider Canada. I said it had to be limited to Vancouver (warm) or Toronto (bearable, and a fantastic city). J has butt-loads more points than he needs for Canada. Plus, I meet their criteria for being mentally ill, but not putting an undo burden on the system, because I have never been hospitalized, and even if I had, the exception was for up to something like 90 days, within the last two or three years. So in theory, easy-peasy, right? But, there is a several year queue.

I just wanted to note right here that as an American, I have never used the word queue so much in my life. It seems immigration is all about queues.

We are going to apply to Canada and Australia, and see how things shake out. Jason knows I would rather go to Australia. I know he would rather go to Canada. So in that respect, we are equal. But of course, moving to Australia is *much* more complex than to Canada.

The Australian quarantine for Violet is a minimum of 30 days, and they can lengthen it because the sun rises in the East, or for any minute reason. It blows, but it is still better than it used to be, 6 months!

It is ridiculous. It should be a month max. If they haven't found a problem by then, it isn't there.

So today, I talked to L AT LENGTH. I got to hear lots of squeals, burps, burbles, and a few hungry cries from N. She sounds adorable, I know that is a weird thing to say. L said she has been taking pictures, but she is going to post them probably tomorrow.

I was relieved that I was not the only one who really hated the headband N came home with. Her foster mother made it for her, and I am sure she just was making a pretty hair piece in her mind. But it definitely had an Aunt Jemima flavor, if you know what I am saying. I was afraid L would get really pissed at me for mentioning that, but she had had the exact same reaction.

The baby can't come out for the weekend of R's 40th birthday celebration in Sonoma, she is too early in her vaccination series to fly on a plane. L is not sure whether or not she is going to leave her with my mom or stay home. Um. I think she is not coming.


Let's see. Rescheduled my OB-GYN appt. The woman I was supposed to see yesterday retired today! Probably better that I establish a relationship with someone who will actually be practicing there. As it was, the earliest I could get in was September 18th! I will have to miss work, but I haven't had a pap smear in 6 years.

Sent off the form to UC, Hastings for my transcripts. I bought my transcripts from Harvard online yesterday, and faxed them my signature. Good thing they don't actually care about the grades, or I would be screwed.

Cleaned and cleaned today. The siblings are coming soon. The place doesn't look bad, actually, but we have a few things to donate to good will. I we also thought we were going to the dump before they came, and that is now not happening. I also want to wash the floor for sure before they get here. And maybe J can steam clean the carpet in the hallway that Violet uses as her personal vomitorium. We need to figure out what the hell we are going to do about the office, because now that we both have laptops we never are in it, and it is getting kind of stale and cluttered looking.

Tried to call AAA about our renters insurance, which I accidentally let lapse. I mean, the policy was paid off, but I forgot to renew it in time. I wanted to add earthquake insurance, and ask about scheduling a few things, and how to get them appraised. I feel pretty certain that one or two of things I have been told are very valuable, are not. But if they are, they should be insured. I going to feel like an idiot, though, when the appraiser tells me my "valuable" is worthless.

I realized that we would mostly move our "art" and personal items if we moved to Australia. None of our electronics will work there but the computers. Most of the big pieces of furniture are cheaper to replace than transport. I want to send the antique child's roll top desk to Leah, I am *really* happy to pass that down to her. I know my sisters were always jealous of my desk.

D called to gush over Australia with me. She is the only one in my family who knows what we are thinking about. She figured she would use the time my parents were in Italy to get all the details. I pointed her towards this blog, which works out well, because she will let me know if I accidentally type out names.

I got a lot of stuff done today. I should be more tired than I am.