Wintertime Bullets

Bullet Time because I've got too much to talk about but nothing substantial to say:

• Early spring...or six more weeks of winter? The little rodents are all in disagreement. Either way, spring is still a good six weeks away. Which brings me to say Happy Groundhog Day! Are you doing anything to celebrate? Do we even celebrate Groundhog day?
• You've all heard about the wintery weather that has been harrassing China? It's a disaster over there. What you probably haven't heard on the news is the conditions of the orphanages. Thumbelina's orphanage isn't doing very well at the moment...this report was sent out from Jenny Bowen at Half the Sky:

Chenzhou, Hunan - still facing the most difficulties of the orphanages we've reached. They've had no electricity or running water for 8 days and there is almost no possibility that power will be restored before New Year's Eve(the 6th of February.) Because of the blackout, the hospital is closed. 20 children are ill and being cared for by institution staff as well as they can. The banks are closed so staff is contributing personal funds to buy food, coal and diapers. Prices are skyrocketing as all roads to Chenzhou remain impassable.

• What can we do to help? Half the Sky has set up a special fund - the Little Mouse Emergency Fund - where you can send donations of money. If you are not able to help out in this way, please keep them all in your prayers. It breaks my heart to think of Thumbelina's Chinese brothers and sisters suffering in any way.
• I haven't given you a Hailey Update in quite some time. Her last report was a good one - the leukemia is in remission and she has about 3 months left of her in-hospital chemo treatments. If all goes well, after these 3 months, she will be able to go home and continue with her treatments as an out-patient for 18 months.
• Tomorrow is our local FCC Chinese New Year dinner but we might not be able to go. Our Pal, who is the barn manager, fell and broke a bone in his foot on Thursday night and had surgery yesterday to put in a metal plate and some screws. So now Mr. Happy is working extra extra hours at the barn to cover for Our Pal. Mr. Happy was already working extra hours at the barn because one of the fellows has left us for a factory job in town...and now the pregnant chick is off work for a couple of weeks with a note from her doctor.
• I'm still trying to work out different scenarios of how I can go without Mr. Happy. We'll have to see.
• My butt is doing better, thank you for asking. Happy pills are my friend.
• The boys have had 2 snow days and 1 PD day this week, leaving 2 days of school.
• I like PD days.
• I like snow days better.