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Maria's Narrative

[My friend, Maria, is pursuing adoption of special needs kids (preferably a large sibling group of Hispanic heritage). The Narrative grew out of her posts around the Internet where she was asked to "tell us a little about yourself."]

I am a single, non dieting, Hispanic woman living in the panhandle of Florida. I own and operate a successful business from my 39-acre farm. I have lots of animals on the farm, dogs, a cat, goats, horses, fishes and an odd assortment of other mammals that drift in and out, dog food seems to be the food of choice for everything, including the fish.

I live in a very large modern farmhouse with 4-5 bedrooms and 3 full baths. Although most of the rooms are well stocked with (good) junk, I would like to clear them out and put in beds, dressers and children, not necessary in that order. I have a daughter who is 26 yo, thus making me "older than dirt" (her words, not mine), and a lively granddaughter who is 2 and calls everybody "grandma" but me, I am "gammy". Neither lives with me. I also have gazillion members of my immediate and extended family that also do not live with me, although living in Florida they do seem to visit a lot.

I have acquired a new vocabulary during this adoption process, including "Bunkie boards", "sippy cups" and of course, "Dora". I know all the names of the teletubbies and which Pokeman cards are worth "something". I can outguess Harry Potter but Scooby still frazzles me. The X-Men are not MUTANTS but "GIFTED" and Superman is "a geek in tights". Mickey Mouse is also out, unless you live near Disney World, in which case Mickey is "fabulous". Backpacks are out, messenger bags are in. I am "in sync" with the "backstreet boys" and Mark Anthony is not Roman. Tiffany is out; Brittany is in (maybe). Frizzy hair is out unless you live in Florida, then it is IN all the time. The beach is still "awesome" and chores are a "drag".

Washington is out, Hamilton is in (what ever happened to 50 cents?). The pool is cool until it needs to be cleaned, then it's too HOT to go out. I am "a PIP" (no relation to Gladys), which better be a good thing; then again, I hate to ask. Kissing kids in public will "embarrass" them "for life", not kissing kids in public will make them think you hate them, can't win on that one!!

Little notes in lunch bags are a no-no, but an extra cupcake will get you a hug when they get home. Bunk beds are great, but imagine getting up on that little bitty ladder to make the bed. NOT a pretty sight. If you want to save your carpet, don't sit kids on newspapers when having Pizza and watching a video, they will insist that they are toilet trained, then promptly wipe their tomato little hands on the carpet. Humm, I will try towels next time. Never, never, sit next to a preteen at the movies. "Mama" is good for something, hugs, kisses good stuff. "Mom" is when they want to go to the mall, buy something with YOUR money. "Mother" is when you said or did something that embarrassed them, like kissing, hugging or NOT letting them go to the mall.

Continued... >

© 2001 Maria

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