No, it's not a new necklace...

... it's my effing keloid scar. I honestly can't remember if I've briefed all of you on this albatross around my neck. You all know about the thyroidectomy but did you know that the scar didn't heal properly and I developed a keloid scar ( a raised scar that has a tight, burning sensation that can continue to grow into something incredibly unsightly?).

Anyway, I had the keloid removed and now I have several months of cortizone injections to supress the overacting scar tissue. This is not fun for several reasons. The doctor is notorious for long wait times in the waiting room. I waited for 3 hours today. Also, needles in the neck are never fun, especially when the freezing doesn't take. I kid you not. I had a needle to freeze the site today, waited 15 minutes for it to take and it killed when he adminstered the first injection. He then applied a topical anesthetic cream that took half an hour to numb me up. On top of this, the tissue is so hard, his arm actually shakes when he's pushing the needle in.

When I signed on to have this thyroidectomy, I had no idea this is what I'd be in for. I honestly don't know if I would have done it, if I'd known what I know now.

And did I mention, it's been a bit of an emotional adjustment? The neck I've known for 34 years is different---forever. I hate looking at this thing. It's a blemish I could definitely live without.

Sorry for the selfish rant.

Onto happier subjects---like the fact that I've grown to LOVE the Leslieville area of Toronto. This pocket of the T-dot really floats my boat. Even though I've never been to the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, I have a feeling the two might be sisters. Bristling with creativity and a laid back, anti-scenester vibe, L-ville seems to know the recipe for smart local business development that supports independents and manages to keep its ego in check. One can only hope that it fends off the fate of places like West Queen West and 48 Abell Street...

I'm going to do my part as a Leslieville fan and attend the First Annual Holiday Wanderlust this Thursday... can't wait.

Extra! Extra! Tell all your friends about it.

In roughly 2 months time, Don and I will be engaged in some serious self promotion in our efforts to find a match with a birthmother. We've taken on the design services of a girl I work with named Andrea and we plan to put together a real whiz bang booklet to distribute to anyone who might know someone who would be in a position to offer us a baby to call our own.

Last week, I sat down and drafted the "More about Sarah" page and it was the ultimate exercise in self reflection. In the space of one page, I wrote about my childhood, my teens, my professional life and my dreams of being a mom.

This past weekend was full of family fun. Mom, Dad and sister Mary visited and we got in some nice quality time. I even helped Mare with some homework from her advertising class. In a lovely twist of genetic symbiosis, it appears as though Mary is following in her sister's footsteps and has knack for the ol' marketing writing. Good on ya, Mare.

On the pop culture front---a couple of things---Tom Cruise---you're eff-ed up. Katie---you're dick-whipped and brainwashed. Suri---you're adorable and free to be adopted by Don and I any time---preferably before you can pronounce "Scientology."

*Note: Photo above taken this past weekend. One of the perks of not being pregnant? Mindless consumption of red wine.

Baby wants a day off

So gang---what has happened in the last few weeks that's worth noting? Well, the second homestudy meeting has come and gone and we can rest easy knowing that our respective upbringings were loving and healthy and perfect training ground for our future as parents. The references from family and friends are rolling in (Thanks, guys!) and our only snafu was that we didn't send a money order along with our police check, so it got mailed back. That's now taken care of and all we really have to worry about is putting together our "promo booklet".

This coming Wednesday, my co-worker and friend Andrea is coming over to help us brainstorm our booklet. Andrea is a gifted graphic designer and I know she'll give us a leg up when it comes time to "get our names out there".

Today, I am taking a much needed day off work to essentially do nothing. A little blogging, a little snoozing, a little cuppa tea, a little daydreaming.

What baby wants, baby gets.

I haven't mentioned my crafting bug lately but just so you all know, it's still there. The crafty mavens dotting the universe have not ceased to amaze me with their brilliance and I long to be one of them. The ideas are in swirling in my head---I just have to make them happen!

The one thing I would LOVE to master the art of is sewing a basic baby sundress, Crew neck, broad strap, A-line sundress. Maybe with a couple of pockets to store the odd jellybean in.

My buddy Sarah McCallum has graciously offered to loan me her sewing machine for a stretch so I can learn the basics and (hopefully) graduate to ownership of my own machine (specifically, this one).

One baby I'd love to make a sundress for is the darling one you see above. Sweet Charlotte Smith, daughter of my friends Kate and Sean. It took me 10 months to finally meet this little ball of cute and it was well worth the wait. Don was quite smitten with her too---particularly with her docile manner. I'm afraid she's set the bar high for the babe that ends up in our arms.

Ok, baby wants lunch. Baby's gonna get....