Early September Update

It seems like it's been all Katrina, all the time. But while that consumes my work and my thoughts and sometimes my dreams (one memorable one the night after watching the Meth 'Clock News --channel 10-- which involved me, some sort of shelter and what appeared to be a meth addict) life does exist outside of the Red Cross office again. Finally.

Cameron's new Castle is again on indefinate hold. Sigh. After receiving advice from our excavator, it was suggested and decided that we "mirror" the floorplan on the new house and put the driveway at a higher, more level section of the lot than was previously drawn and submitted for plan approval. It's the same house, same engineering, same everything... but the city of Redmond has decided that the permit process must start all over because of this seemingly harmless rationalization. At the end of his rope, Jeromy pointed out to the brain donor at the City of Redmond that Bend's process is much more streamlined. This, evidently, was the wrong thing to say, as she reminded him that the name on the door through which he just entered said "CITY OF REDMOND." Whatever. We just hope we get the damn thing going before 1. Winter and B. They start to rebuild the entire Gulf Coast.

"Mommy, I have fun at school" was my son's declaration to me on the way home from Crawmer's today. Yes, Cameron has completed his first week at Crawmer's Critterz and all signs point to a successful transition. Aside from a couple dramatic mornings which involved peeling his clinging body from mine at the appointed moment, he has done great assimilating into the group, the routine and the fold at Crawmer's. Russ commented to me today that Cameorn fits in very well with their dynamic and that they're really happy to have him. I'm just so glad that he's in a more learning-oriented environment. He actually brings stuff and crafts home pretty much every day. Heck, he had show and tell today! It doesn't get more "school" than show and tell! Just in this past week alone we have seen him forming more and more sentences with his words and he seems more happier and (as my mom would say) less contrary than in weeks past. Coincidence? Probably not. Kudos to Crawmer's! I think Cameron can hardly wait 'till Monday.

Our friends, the Mawdsleys, welcomed baby Katelyn Grace to the world yesterday. Born September 8 at nearly midnight, she's the baby sister Ethan had told me he wanted just hours before she arrived. Ethan and Cameron go to school together; Ethan is part time and we are indebted to him and Mike and Kerrie for the recommendation and familiarization with Crawmer's.

The Beaver game this weekend is at home tomorrow; Mark and Jeromy will be travelling, tailgating and watching the game together while Charlotte attends Courtney's first meet of her new Level Six season in Eugene and Cameron and I stay home. Some of the Haima ladies came over from the valley for Blakley's wedding shower that was held tonight, so the plan is that we all go out for breakfast at the West Side Cafe tomorrow morning before they leave. I'm glad to join them and even more glad that we'll be spending the weekend together at the Haima Family Reunion September 17 and 18 in Newport. We are very much looking forward to it.