June 15, 2005 - 09:47 PM
I know it's been four days since I last wrote, but it's been quite a busy week thus far.
Sunday was Amelia's graduation party held at the clubhouse here in our park. It was a wonderful afternoon. We had over 50 people come by for some or all of the party, Amelia got lots of presents (mostly money), and Geneva was very well behaved. My sister had taken on the decorating, so she was there early on getting the room looking pink and festive. She had run off to the store just before everyone's arriving and Geneva and I were down there to be there to greet people. I had Geneva lay down between a chair and the hearth and told her to stay while I got the coffee going. I was dinking around the room when people started arriving, a couple even with guide dogs. Geneva never budged from her spot. In fact, she didn't get up until I called her over to me with "Geneva, come!" And she came right to me, bypassing people and dogs, focused on me. I was so proud. She received lots of attention from people here and there throughout the afternoon but stayed calm the whole while. My mom had made deviled eggs, a veggie tray and chicken caesar salad & my sister, Carolyn brought a big fruit bowl. Lyle bought 10 large pizzas from Papa Murphy's, and fortunately one of our friend's volunteered to take pizza baking duty and kept them coming out and all got eaten. Oh yes, Amelia also had her Snickers Cake that she wanted, and I think there was one piece for her to bring home for later. After everyone left, a few of us stayed behind to get the room back to its original state while a few kids swam in the pool. All and all, it was a pretty nice day.
My work week has been mellow and antsy. Tomorrow's our last day for the school year, and I think the staff is as ready for it to be over as the kids are. This week though, Geneva got to go to the elementary school and meet one of my students there. They hit it off!
Last night we attended Geneva's first Rainbow Girl meeting, but this one was a casual meeting held downstairs and so she had to lie on a cold concrete floor. I don't think she liked that much, but the meeting didn't last much more than an hour. So she survived.
This morning, my daughter Amanda was performing in her school talent show and so Amelia and I went to hear her. Thank goodness she was the third act. When we got there though, a band was practicing playing very loud with an electric guitar and who knows what else. All I know is it was very loud and obnoxious. I don't think Geneva liked the noise much, but it didn't seem to upset her or stress her. She just sat up with her ears standing tall looking around. Amanda sang Traveling Soldier acapela, and sang it beautifully.
Life at home is as though Geneva has been here for much longer than 2 weeks. Geneva romps around with a bone in her mouth, plays with Madison or Arabelle, lies down on her bed or rug, sometimes casually steps onto our bed and plops down, and just seems to fit right in. She's eating now in the 5:00pm hour, 3 cups a day and seems to be doing well with this. Her relieving pattern has never been a problem, and in fact we've gotten into a nice routine with me taking Geneva out first and then Arabelle, the 2 girls passing each other at the door. And the best part of all is Geneva genuinely seems happy!
It's amazing to me that I can feel this confident and comfortable with my new partner after only 2 weeks, but I really do! Geneva is a special girl!
Hugs,
Cindy & Geneva
