Redecorating project complete

My living room/ dining room redecorating project is finished. I'm really pleased with how much better the couch looks with the new pillows- some that match the curtains and the ivory ones I found at Pier 1.

The picture frames have been left empty for now. The plan is to add black and white photos from my trip to China.
I recovered the dining room chairs to match the new valances. Still need to find a nice runner for the table. Big thanks goes out to Mom for all her help and also to Dad for putting together the framework for the valances.

Debi's Baby Shower

the highs and the lows

Early last week, the world was a happy place: the referral rumors were positive with the feeling that the CCAA could do all of July's LIDs and I was still 39. Life was good.

By last Thursday, rumors started flying that the cutoff will only go to July 13 (not good). By Friday, the CCAA's long awaited office move began, essentially closing the CCAA for an undisclosed period of time and delaying the next batch of referrals. As everything CCAA goes, there was no warning and it took days just to get a confirmation that this was indeed happening because, of course, an office move is top secret?? By Saturday, a number of international agencies told their clients that the wait is still anticipated to hit 18 to 24 months. And then there was Sunday, my 40th birthday and a fitting end to a crappy week.

Still not sure exactly when to expect this month's referrals. If everything was on schedule, they would come out by Monday. With the move, it's hard to say. It's rumored that they might not send referrals until the beginning of August which further mucks up my timeline. aauugghh!!

All American Baby

My August Secret Pal sent Ava this adorable red, white and blue outfit with matching hair clips. I love it! Sammy, the cat, also received a toy. Thank you secret pal!

Bowling fun

My nieces, Paige and Bianca, slept over last night and we went bowling today. I haven't been bowling in years- we had lots of fun.

Birthday gift

What a great way to start out my day. My friend Donna stopped by my office first thing this morning with a birthday present for me. How fun! Love the scrapbook and all the embellishments. Can't wait to have Ava home to start her scrapbook.
Donna also made me this beautiful handmade card. It's so pretty.
Thank you Donna for being such a great friend and a truly lovely person!

A few photos from the 4th

The girls busy drawing at Aunti Shells.

Another new Tote

I've added another fabric to Ava Totes.

Need 90 days of referrals!

With the last batch of referrals going through June 28, there are now 90 days of referrals left to get to my September 26 LID. Keeping in mind that the referrals have been coming out on the 21st to 25th of the month, here are the possibilities:

July referral = 90 days of referrals in one batch- will never happen.

August referral = 45 day average over two months, although the CCAA has referred more days worth of LIDs than this at one time while trying to catch up in 2003, this is highly unlikely.

September referral = 30 day average over three months, doable.

October referral = 22.5 day average over four months, most likely.

November referral = 18 day average over five months, I consider this my worst case scenerio.