China - Day 85, Wednesday

We have been here 12 weeks!

Sorry that I have not been writing everyday, I can't believe how busy I have gotten! Let me catch you up!

Sunday after soccer, we had an orthodontist appointment with Daniel. Yes, Sunday. Everything is open here on Sundays. The place was packed! We went to the orthodontist for a consultation and he explained what he wants to do with Daniel's teeth. Very similar to what they did to Amy's teeth - expander on the top jaw. After that they will have to work on his lower teeth. One of his adult teeth grew in behind the front ones - that needs to be fixed. As soon as we get approval from the insurance company then we can start that.

After the appointment we headed over to Decathlon, which is a sports store. We bought Daniel a bike and a scooter for his birthday. He was very excited. Storing it is different from home. He has to bring it upstairs and we put it on the balcony. We might move it to the inside storage room though, just to keep it clean.

Yesterday, Veronica, Marilyn and I went to the Coat Fabric Market. At this Market you can have anything made. They specialize in coats, but there are also shirts, dresses, suits, etc. You can bring in a picture of something, bring in a favorite item you want in another pattern, etc., and a week later they will have it made for you. They also have samples of things you can choose from.

Marilyn and Veronica went last week and described a sweater Marilyn wanted made. Marilyn picked the material and described each detail of the sweater. It came out like she described. She tried it on and asked them to take it in a little more on the sides. They told us to come back in one hour and it would be ready. It turned out really nice. The dress and wool coat she had made needed additional alterations, so they won't be ready until next week.

One row at the Fabric Market. Every shop had samples hanging outside, and
lots of bolts of fabric so you could pick what you liked.

Marilyn and Veronica looking at a jacket

I was overwhelmed with everything. I did find a pretty royal blue blazer that I liked. I just need to decide If I am going to get it. Since Marilyn has to go back next week, I could go order it. I have a week to think about it. Veronica is thinking about a cashmere winter coat, she just can't decide whether she wants to spend $90 for it.

Today I spent time mutilating the Chinese language - in other words, I had Chinese lessons! Actually I don't think I did that bad. I can now count to 100 - very slowly, but I can do it. I can also understand them when I hear them, for the most part. Lily went over about 6-8 new sentences for me to practice. I hope to have them mastered by next week when we meet again.

The weather has turned cooler. It is in the 60s right now. I hope it doesn't get any colder because all our warm clothes are in the shipment. I wasn't thinking about cold weather when I packed in July, because I expected the shipment while it was still warm. Daniel has 3 pairs of long pants, and a few long sleeve shirts, plus a couple sweat jackets. I have long pants, but no long sleeve shirts. At least I have a couple sweaters. Randy is still wearing short sleeves without a jackets, but that's typical for him.