Square peg, round hole

here is my suitcase

I need to fit all this into the above suitcase....

Hmm-could be a challenge.
What are my odds???




I have 12 days to figure out a solution.  I really don't want to hassle with
2 suitcases.  Will do my best  
more later!

Youngest granddaughter
Vera decided she needed to try nana's glasses.  i love her facial expressions!
She's a happy, fun loving character.  Her brother is pretty cute too.

My 1st post with a picture!  Yay me.
Ohio was wonderful.  Pat and I have been friends for over 40 plus
years-longer than i've been married.  We met in college and have never lost
touch.  We may not talk for months, but when when we do it's just like we were together yesterday.  I will miss our occasioal chats while I'm away.
Guess we'll have to get better at emailing.
I spent 8 glorious, relaxing days with my friend (and her 2 cats).  After the last couple months-the down time was sooo nice
We usually work on a jig saw puzzle during our visits.  I really didn't
like the one we chose.  This was the 1st time I left before the puzzle
was finished.  So sorry Pat.  Better luck next year?
But, home now and back to my usual routine.
Not quite in panic mode, but close.  I only have 1 month til i board a
plane for China.  Help!! I had hoped to take one suitcase...but I'm coming to the conclusion i
will need 2. Ugh!   Also have many "things" to do/finish.  So much to do, so little time.
Enough rambling. Til next time..adios.

Visa-as in travel document

Chinese have made it hard to get a visa.  I'm not applying for a tourist visa, so I needed a few more documents.  I'm such a shady person.  1st trip to NYC was last Monday.  We were lucky sister in law Susan checked hours for the chinese embassy-closed wed thru fri.  (Chinese holiday)  My application was rejected.  I didn't have a letter of invitation or a certified copy of marriage certificate.  Wedding ring and same last name made no impression.  ok.  Plan B-furiously emailing hubby in China-I need
one of the 2 items (see above).  Can you please fax to ister in law's office fax by tonite.  9PM-susan and I are at her office printing out marriage cert-5 pages!  We only needed 1 page in 1971!
Back to the embassy tues morning.  application accepted.  Come back next wed-uh...could i get it
tues? $20 additional $$'s, pick up mon or tues.  I now have an official visa in my passport. seems
like a lot of trouble for an index size page.  oh well.
I'm off to Ohio tomorrow-visiting dear college friend (we met 46?? yrs ago) Can't wait

Countdown to China....Oct 2, 2014.  45 days-so much still to do!

Spent the last 3 days at my sister in law Susan's place in Nutley, NJ.  (hop, skip, and a jump
via bus to NYC).  NYC-wonderful city.  Just avoid Chinese embassy if possible.  Needed to apply
for my visa to travel/reside in Nanjing, China. Kathy and I took the bus into the city on Monday. Application rejected!  Oh ****.  On to plan B.
Email Roger in China-i need copy of our wedding certificate or letter of invite from the Chinese
??something/someone or other.  Let's try Rog first.  Can u fax a copy of.....to Susan's office
before tomorrow?.  9PM-Susan and I are at her office copying out said document.  Tues morning, back on the bus to the city again.  Success.  Won't be ready til next Mon or Tues.  Another trip
back to NYC.  I'm tiring of NYC rapidly.

Jumbled thoughts of sleep deprived person

Yay!! House is sold.  Closing was yesterday.  Many thanks to Susan (sister in law). For coming
With me.  Condo is still very cluttered-probably will be even when I leave for China in mid Nov.
Oh well ,it's only me.
Next on the agenda is applying for visa so I can travel to China.  Fingers crossed that goes well.
I've been up since 3:30am.  No idea why.  Tired but can't sleep. Hate when that happens
As usual I'm bad about taking pics.  Darn-I used to be so good.  Scrap booking bug has
Disappeared.  Will try harder when in china.

Terrie (Theresa) and 2 of her girls.  Phenomenal lady.  I married her oldest son 43 years ago.
So happy I did!  She treated me as a daughter, shared many laughs and stories.  I will miss her laughter, her stories, her mere presence.  Our family has lost a great woman, loved by all, never forgotten.   RIP.