This Reminds Me

Our sainted social-worker-from-Dallas - Jennifer – has visited Julia monthly since shortly after we arrived home. Soon we go to annual visits for four years.  The girls were out of school today, so I took a day off work and we met Jennifer for lunch in Round Rock.

I’d never had contact with a social worker before Jennifer, so, even after plenty of online reading and talking to other adoptive parents, I didn’t really know what to expect during our 2004 day-long home study.  Would she run a white glove over our shelves?  Would she notice that many of Keith’s shirts are not….ummm…pristine?   What would she think of our Barry Goldwater memorabilia?  Our autographed-by-the-pilot photos of Bock’s Car?  The emulates-a-central-office towering (and often teetering) collection of hardware, boxes and unidentifiable metal objects by the front door?  Or the pond-in-progress?!

What would she think, omigosh, what would she think?!

Turns out….nothing.  If she even noticed, no mention went in our 12-page home study   I never detected a raised eyebrow or heard shocked gasp.  She asked all five of us lots of questions, but none about our housekeeping or decorating.  She didn’t peek under the beds to pet the dust bunnies, nor did she check the expiration dates on pantry items.  Whew!

Jennifer will be (formally) checking on Julia’s progress for four years.  We hope to stay in contact a lot longer than that.

Today Jennifer watched Julia reject the macaroni & cheese she’d ordered in favor of a buttered biscuit, plus clown around with her sisters.  Jennifer asked Julia questions about school; Julia was more interested in showing her the Fiesta Texas label on her new T-shirt.

So if you buy anything to wear at the Cracker Barrel in Round Rock, let me suggest you wash it before wearing.

The girls and I decided to rummage the outlet mall in San Marcos on the way home.  Rachel’s ever-ready camera documented our venture.

Lois and Rachel were such bright shoppers at Old Navy, they had to wear shades.  We picked up $.69 flip-flops for Hannah and half-price T-shirts for all.

Put your personal shopper to work directly in the Eddie Bauer clearance bin!  My prize find of the day:  $12 mesh tennies to replace my current pair that is literally falling apart.

A k*ss under handheld mistletoe at Crate & Barrel.  I loved Crate & Barrel in Houston, and the outlet I once visited in Dallas.  But on today’s visit, we got nothing more than pictures.

‘Ears to Christmas tree ornaments…sleigh bells ring, are you listening?

“Bad Mommy, bad - dragging us into this overpriced and snooty Calphalon store.  Why is that dude with the name badge following us around?”

(clockwise from left) Hannah, Lois and Rachel purchased identical pairs of greatly reduced Vans Off the Wall™ for school wear at Hot Topic.  Don’t be impressed by Lois’ oh-so-fashionable Halloween socks – she wears them year-round.

Thanks, Jennifer, for giving us an excuse to hit the outlet mall!

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