Life by Raelynn

Wow Wow Wubzy

2011-12-19T16:30:00.000-08:00

Ever watch with amazement at the joy and wonderment of a toddler? We are at that awesome stage where she thinks that everything is so cool! It's a good reminder to cherish every moment. They are fleeting. Enjoy my amazing little miss!

Sewing fun

2011-12-17T11:15:00.000-08:00

I've been spending a lot of time on pinterest. I find so much inspiration there. I've also been clocking my points over at dailyfeats.com , which you should so head over and do if you are not already. I recently earned a $10 Starbucks gift card. I'm halfway to another gift card and I'm going to make it Staples so that I don't have to pay for new inserts for my planner. Anyhow, today I want to share my awesome coin purse that I made last night.

It was lots of fun and a little trying at times. The red line is my bakcstitching. I'm still learning to sew and my hand sewing is very atrocious but I figure I will only get better with practice. You should run over and check out this amazing tute! Talk about step by step instructions to help you create a unique and cute little goodie for you or someone who is special to you. All of my younger littles have requested one, which I knew would happen and planned accordingly. I'm also thinking that I could whip out a few for Christmas.

Maybe I'll do a little step-by-step with the next one I make. You know, so those of us with a LOT less sewing skills than the goddess who originally made this might have a more fighting shot.

Organizing My Coupons

2011-11-11T06:13:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been more than a few days, but life is what it is. So, I promised a post on my couponing obsession. I should state that I used to coupon with great regularity but got out of it due to location and all that. (read also:laziness) Anyhow, so in a way I'm a little new to the idea. Plus when I used to coupon I did it on a small scale. It's important to know the coupon policies of all the stores where you plan to use your coupons. For instance, Walmart will only let you use forty without manager permission and I have a store near me (Woods) that will not take internet coupons. This is important to know when you are on a mission and have a handful of coupons and a long list. Better to know before you get in line with a full cart.

I start by buying between four and ten papers a Sunday. I get a preview of the inserts in my email box so I usually know how many I'm going to want. It also depends on how many they have at the store and if I remembered to pick up quarters. Meh. I put like insert pages together and cut them all at once, usually. If I buy a bunch, this doesn't work as well because the pages get wonky during cutting and you can cut off the bar codes. Ask me how I know. Anyhow, it doesn't take that much more time to break them up and do three or four pages at a time.

I spend a lot of time over at MoneySavingMom (and you can follow her on Facebook. Very useful) and looked through all of her coupony goodness. She uses the coupon box. It's cheaper and only costs five dollars to start, so that's where I started. The coupons are kept in alphabetical envelopes with an index cart to state the category. This is fine, but a bit of a pain if you are in the store and you see an unplanned deal and you think you have that coupon, but have to look. Now, do it with a toddler, a five year old and whatever else kid (or husband) that you had to lug out with you. No fun and easy to make a mess. I used this method for about a month. Last week, I changed it.

So now I'm doing the ever popular binder method. I use a zippy trapper-keeper-thingy (although they aren't called that anymore and if you say it within ear distance of anyone in public they look at you like you have eight heads) and those sheets that kids use when collecting baseball cards. Sometimes I have to skim down the sides of my coupons to get them to fit, but it works. Just yesterday I had the perfect chance to use my binder to its full capacity. I was in the store and had to thumb through it, easy peasy. I think I'm in love!

I also bought those stick on label tabs. I love, love, love those deals. Post It is amazing. lol This also feeds my Queen of the Organized side. I'm not a hundred percent done putting my binder together, but here you can see my tabs. The yellow tabs are non-food items, in alphabetical order. Food will be blue and red, although I haven't exactly decided if it will be mix and match or a method to the madness. It's easy to thumb through, easy to carry and very easy to use. I was also using dry erase markers to write the expiration date on the front of the pocket for that coupon, but I'm not a hundred percent on that either.

Well, this is what I have, for now. Later we can talk about using the coupons and other such goodness. For today, there is lots to do here at home so I must go.

Do you......Pin?

2011-10-26T07:13:00.001-07:00

Pinterest. Isn't it everyone's new addiction? It is for me. I could spend(waste) hours rummaging through boards. It's great. Full of the most wonderful ideas. I like to think of myself as the creative type, but honestly, I could not have dreamed up half of the wonderfulness I have found on this site. I recommend everyone get an account right.a.way. If you need an invite, let me know.

I found these gems on there. Monkey pizza bread. Oh the yum! Just press pepperoni and a cube of mozzarella into pizza dough ball, close and bake the bunch. Oh.My.Gosh! Wonderful and filling. I didn't have the pizza dough laying around so I had to whip some up, but they were fast and yummy. Try them, today!! lol

I wasn't able to get a pic fresh out of the oven, mostly because they were awesome and everyone dug and and also because I forgot. That is my life. lol

Pinterest has also helped me find my knitting mojo again. Well, that and we are FINALLY having fall weather. It's all yucky and rainy today and I feel like doing a happy dance for it. Bring on the cold!! And the yummy, fibery goodness that is bound to come with it. I have been making cowls for the littles. One for Jay (not pictured, but red) and one for Miss M. She won't wear it, but wouldn't leave Jay's alone. Kids!! I'm working on a hat for Log right now and then on to the Monsteen.

We've moved. Again. It's totally a live altering move. I've had big plans and they have been....rearranged. I'm still me, though, so a lot of it will stay the same with a different location. You should keep your eyes open for what will be happening. So very much going on!

Have you seen that TLC show Extreme Couponing? Well, it has brought back a part of my life that I used to do many years ago. Couponing when you live in the middle of nowhere and you have exactly two stores to choose from and neither one are "down the street" makes it tiring and ridiculous. And not very productive. However, living here we have seven stores to choose from. Seven. This is really helping me to get hubby on board. I'm also learning how to do it right. Lots of work involved. It is important that I mention that how they do it on the show is not impossible, but really, really hard. And rare. And a lot of what happens there is regional based and done for the cameras. Anyone wanting to do this should keep realistic standards which is to save as much as possible and get as much for your money as you can. Don't cry or feel a failure if you don't get your whole cart for free. Here I go: ranting on when I had planned to just mention it. Well, that's enough for today. Within the next day or two I will post more on my methods and where I get my info. Stay tuned because that post will be PACKED with all sorts of goodness. Until then......

New Breakfast Ideas

2011-09-17T08:53:00.000-07:00

Well, not my idea, but a Pinterest enabled idea. lol From Health-Bent, I did this wonderful bacon and eggs in the oven deal. In the oven?!? Yes, in the oven. I didn't have Canadian bacon, which is what was called for, but I did have regular bacon. First, I lined my muffin tins with aluminum foil. This was less for mess control and more for the yuck that is my very old muffin tin.

Although, this would be great for easy clean up; maybe even using those tin muffin cups would be good. Next, I cut the bacon slices in half because there

was just TOO much bacon in each with a full slice. Too much? That's right I said it, but don't tell hubby. : ) Now, since in the original recipe she used Canadian bacon, which is fully cooked, I had to add my own bit at this point. I cooked the bacon for about ten minutes first. Then I added the eggs and put it back in for another 8 to 10 minutes.

*What I Learned: Bacon is not round. Duh , right? Next time I'm going to cut the strips into fourths or even thirds. Then layer them in a pattern that makes a little cup. Cook for perhaps fifteen minutes (due to thickness of the bottom) then continue as before. Oh and I did add another five minutes, which made the egg yolks soft but not runny. I wanted them runny, but I get a little wigged out over runny whites so I cooked it longer.

Oh and sorry about the pics. They were so GOOD that no one let me (also read as I forgot to) take a picture before they were gobbled up. Maybe next time.

How did I forget this?!?

2011-08-16T19:55:00.001-07:00

Somehow, in all the crazy, I missed put up one of the squares. I just needed to share this gem. It's so lovely. The deep red is really impressive. Enjoy!

And the first one is DONE!

2011-08-16T14:27:00.001-07:00

I finally got the first blanket done for our Ravelmama who is having baby #2 on Thursday. I wish I wasn't cutting things so close, but such is life. This one is a 9 square blanket and I think it's lovely. The perfect crib size blanket and sooooooo soft. Miss Miranda has been carrying on about trying to get me to give it to her. I think I might need to make one for her.

Here's another one. I'm hoping that later I can get someone to hold it up for a pic for me. You really MUST see all of the beauty in this blanket. So much love from so many talented hands went into this special blanket. I am so proud to be a part of such a wonderful group of gals.

Here's another pic of one of the squares I received earlier. I just couldn't get a good pic of the beautiful red color of the yarn. It turns out I just needed some good light.
Here's a pic of a square I just received this week. Such a wonderful camel color. I joined the squares with a single crochet. It makes the front of the blanket have a raised edge around each square. It adds a bit of contrast and some nice texture. I finished it with a scalloped edge. I think it looks nice.

We have a lot going on around here and some days I feel like I'm just barely keeping up. This blanket really was such a joy to put together. I felt so honored that these women were sending me these beautiful squares. It was such a joy to open each and every one. I have one more blanket left to make and six squares to do it with. I may receive more. I may make more. We'll see what happens. I'll definitely be posting the finished project and sharing all the love and beauty that comes from being part of such an amazing group of ladies.

Trying to get back to it.......

2011-07-25T08:21:00.000-07:00

...and sharing more squares......

..........and trying learn more! I have a very ambitious personality, but very little time to follow through with most of it. lol I'm working on it. I have wanted to learn to sew clothes for YEARS now. I mean that. Why? Well, because. I get a lot of, "it's cheaper to buy" and all the other jazz that other well-meaners have to say to me. However, have you seen what the big box stores (and some little box stores) want us to dress our young daughters in?!? I have and I not only disagree but I strongly disapprove. I have two daughters. Not to mention that they do not make clothes for moms. Have you noticed this? You either have to be itty bitty or a bigger gal. I fall somewhere in the middle, right now, and cannot find a thing that fits me. It makes me want to cry. Also the lack of maternity (which I no longer need, lol) and nursing (which I DO still need) at a reasonable price makes me want to scream. I am NOT paying fifty bucks for something just because it's easy to nurse in AND is cute. I'll just make it myself. So, without further ado, here are the girls' matching skirts.

I know, the house is a mess. And the white stuff is soap. She's an odd one, lol. This skirt is just SO cute on her. It goes below her knees....SHOCK!! Huh? lol

This one is a little fuzzy, but I really wanted to show the length.

And here is Miss A's. I know, her swimsuit is yucky. It needs to be scrubbed. She seems to think it is everyday, all day attire right now, ugh.

So there we have it. They were easy and turned out too cute. They have given me a little more confidence and a lot more motivation! I'm going to get this down. I mean it. ; )

Baby Squares

2011-07-15T09:13:00.001-07:00

Well, me and the gals from one of my Ravelry groups are getting together to make a baby present for one of the other gals who is having her second baby in August. We decided on 12 inch squares. When all is said and done, I am thinking that we will have made enough squares for two baby blankets! See, knitters/crocheters are amazing and giving people!!

I'll post more as they come. And of course the finished product! It's so nice to be able to do things like this for people who are important to you, with people who are important to you.

the swing of things?

2011-07-03T11:12:00.000-07:00

Is there really such a thing? Maybe. I seem to be a bit wishy washy (which is what I accuse hubby of, ahem). I pick things up and just as I get good at them and really happy, I just stop. Really? Why? Who knows. Well, I've done it with our budget and my grocery shopping and my house and and and and...... Well, we'll start with the budget and my grocery shopping. I'm using The Budget Kit because it has lots of great "forms" and lists and all that jazz.

I've also started a price book. I've meant to do this for years, but am just now getting to it. So I'm keeping track of the prices of things we normally buy at the stores we normally shop at. This way I know where the best prices are. I'm also tracking our spending on absolutely everything. Now, I know that there are lots of websites or software programs that do all this for you. Just enter and go. However, I like the old fashioned way of writing it all down. Plus it's all right there at arm's reach and easy for us all to understand. Wish me luck! lol

I've got more planted. I've got more started. I've just got more. lol And more to come in a couple of days.

Around the farm

2011-06-30T22:28:00.000-07:00

Joining in again with Sara over at Farmama for a trip around our little farm to see what's going on.

The transplants are finally done. I'm not sure how many will make it, but they are in the ground. I really just need to do as I go instead of taking an all-or-nothing approach to this thing.

Perfect example is my cucumbers. They were doing GREAT, but since I was waiting until all the beds were ready (which may be never) they got all wilty and sad. Now they may die, ugh.

The sweet corn is going like a champ!! Some of the stalks got broken in our most recent storm, but for the most part it's going good. I managed to plant a few more seeds today and while I still have time, I may plant a few more.

We've also been doing some swimming lately (isn't she cute in her new bathing suit?). We've been indulging a bit too. And we are happy about it.

Around the farm

2011-06-09T14:47:00.001-07:00

Joining in with Farmama for a trip around our little farm.....

Today on the farm, we had a birthday! My sweet little girl is eight years old today. Her birth and the preceding pregnancy were very scary and every day I am grateful that she is as happy and healthy as she is. (sorry about the lighting)

Flowers are blooming like crazy. I love to look around and see all of the color we have popping up around here.

My strawberry plants have their first runners!! I was a little worried after babyzilla stomped on them while I was weeding. It seems, however, that all is well.

The babies are finding their legs and their place in our little homestead.

The popcorn has come up! I am super excited about this. I can't wait to be snuggled up this winter, popping our own popcorn to munch on.

Well, that's about it. Nothing too exciting to report. I'm hoping that next week will bring something more. The heat is supposed to be letting up a little and that should help. Hope you all had a great week!

Thursday: Around the "Farm"

2011-06-02T20:57:00.000-07:00

I'm joining in with Sarah at Farmama and sharing photos of our goings on around our little farm. So, here you have it.

Today was a serious day....

Kids were kids and did the things that kids do on beautiful, sunny and warm days.

The potatoes are going good and strong, if only I could keep the cats and kids out of them.

The corn is growing good, although it's in desperate need of some weeding. Any volunteers?

This is supposed to be a really big garden spot. It's still in the works, unfortunately. We plan to get it completely tilled and planted tomorrow. I hope....

Today, men folk were men folk and talked of manly things......ok and Miranda listened.

Mom, that's me, sat and weeded the strawberry patch, that was also in desperate need. Do you see what happens when it rains and is really sunny and really warm for two weeks straight? Oh well.

The chickens ran like their lives depended on it. It didn't, but they sure did do a convincing job of making us think so. (see? I got lots of weeding done.)

We also put our teen chickens in with our big girl chickens tonight. I'm a little nervous, but hubby says they will be just fine. Tomorrow morning, the babies go out to the now empty coop. Every thing's moving forward.

sewing kids clothes, day 1

2011-05-10T20:07:00.000-07:00

I know I should have started yesterday, but I was just so darned busy. Oh well, I made up yesterday's hour today. I put in at least two hours today on one diaper. I'm sure they will go faster now that I know how to do them. Thank goodness for tutorials and the wonderful women who make them!! So, she was wiggly, but here it is.

Don't mind the mess. That's what happens when mom sits and does ANYTHING for more than five minutes. lol In other news, we have corn! We also have popcorn starts. I am so excited. Now the weather needs to cool just a bit so I can get out there and do some planting. This 90+ degree weather is wreaking havoc on my system. Ok, I'm off to start another one! Yay!!

playing with yarn and sticks

2011-04-27T20:00:00.000-07:00

I have been really humming right along with all of my fiber related projects. Really, I have. I think I went through a spurt, just after Christmas, of not really wanting to do any of it. I was pretty burnt out. I have my mojo back and I'm super happy about it!!

I'm testing the most awesome soaker/longie pattern right now. I LOVE it so far! It's truly ingenious. The designer made an excel workbook with formulas so the pattern is written just for YOU and YOUR baby. I just so love it. I'd say that I'm about halfway done with the body.

We walked around the property today to marvel at our work. We have potatoes coming up! The gladiolas are about six inches long already! The strawberry plants look sad, but I'm holding out hope and we are hoping that the corn makes an appearance soon. It's good that we are getting rain, but bad that we are getting SO much rain. I worry that things are not going to take out there. Oh, I'll just keep praying and waiting. The rain is also making it hard to get more planted. I do, however, have LOTS of starts on my kitchen counter. I'm getting ready to transplant a few of them. I'll have to post pics of those soon. I still feel behind and some days I feel like we are falling more behind by the minute. I guess this year is our learning curve. I hope.

sewing kids clothes

2011-04-26T13:55:00.000-07:00

It's really the whole reason I got a sewing machine. I mean, have you seen what Walmart wants me to dress my little girls in? No thanks. No Bratz dolls in this house!! So I'm going to participate in the Sewing Kids Clothes week which is May 9-15. I need to get in gear on this or it will become just something else that I wanted to do. Here's the link to the blog where it all comes together. I'll share with you what I get done, and you can share with me, if you like.

On other news; there isn't much going on on the homefront these days. Just tired and rainy. I've been knitting and crocheting up a storm. Making goodies for friends with babies and squares for swaps and charity blankets. I'm also testing a pattern for longies. It's going good so far and I'll let you see it when it's done. That's all for now. Maybe I'll come back later with some pics. Maybe. lol

Rainy days

2011-04-19T21:46:00.001-07:00

There hasn't been much going on around here as far as the outdoors go. Lots of rain. However, I will be out there tomorrow putting in spinach and doing a little weeding. I've been doing some knitting and crocheting for a swap or two and for a package going to a pregnant friend.

I started more seeds inside today. I washed wool soakers. I did schoolwork with the kiddos. Dishes, baking, cooking, preparing. The piano guy comes in the morning. I've got one more bookshelf to put together, an outlet to replace and some furniture to rearrange. I have to paint the bathroom wall and put new flooring in there. So much to do!!

It's been cold these last few days and as I am a wimp and have small kiddos, we turned the heat back on. It's almost enough to make you want to scream! lol But we don't. We are moving ahead.

Well, I'm tired and it's late. There are a lot of projects in the works tomorrow and I should have a few pics to share. Until then, here's us enjoying the chilly weather.

corn and babies

2011-04-14T17:40:00.000-07:00

Today we busted our rears trying to beat the storms and get the corn in.....it still hasn't hit yet. lol It wasn't all for not. We got our first planting of corn put in. It was crazy and I am tired. I also put together a new bookshelf and had piano practice. (On top of regular stuff like, ya know, school and housework.) So, since it's late and I'm tired, just a few pics to capture our day.

First, the finished strawberry patch, as promised. I had to put little sticks next to each plant because they looked so weird out of the package and really blended with the dirt. There are 21.

Hubby hard at work in what is now our corn field. The dirt area where he is standing was identical to the surrounding overgrowth just a few days ago. Lots of hard work.

Here I am making a go at the rototiller. I got it done, but boy do those things have a mind of their own. It was not nearly as easy as you would have thought a self propelled yard machine might be. Between the two of us, we tilled this area a total of 3 times with more than 4 go arounds each time.

And my favorite picture of the day. Miss Miranda wanted to be held while we were doing the actual planting of the corn and since I didn't want to abandon hubby during this process, we found a solution. This is her Boba. It's a backpack carrier. She loves to hug me when she's in it. It really makes her happy and that makes me happy. So here we are. I am pulling dirt over the seeds and baby Miranda is giving me a hug. What a wonderful life.

new babies

2011-04-12T20:51:00.000-07:00

Today our new chicks arrived!! This totally made every one's day. This was our first time buying from a hatchery. We got the call from the Post Office this morning and I rushed down to get them. We ordered 15 pullets (females) and 1 cockerel (male). One of the little girls didn't make it. It was very sad, but considering that they are two days old and just came to us via USPS it's really not too bad.

I got the strawberry patch finished today!! Unfortunately no pics since it was just too dark by the time I was ready. Oh well, there's always tomorrow. Tomorrow we will hopefully till for the corn. Hubby is resisting since it is supposed to rain/snow on Friday. I'm working on him though. Lots and lots to do.

the watering can

2011-04-12T08:06:00.000-07:00

It was beautiful outside yesterday and I got a lot accomplished, although not all outside. I took four of the kids to the dentist and only ONE of them had cavities. I guess it's inevitable at every visit. *sigh* We went to the craft store for some pattern paper for the jammies of which little miss Miranda is in dire need. I came home and had the craziest misunderstanding with the piano guy who I maintain was lost and never made it to my house. We had to reschedule. I went to the church and practiced for about 45minutes on the piano. And Miranda and Daddy found the moon. I came home and started my strawberry patch! This is the site before I started.

What this meant was to drag out the tiller and till. and till. and till. and till. I think I went over it some five or six times. Seriously. I pulled up pens, hand shovels, pliers, broken plates, small plastic toys and the fiber fill that apparently someone buried over every square inch of the yard. It was definitely a lot of work. I then made some steaks to help me with the trim I am putting around it. I didn't get it all done, but I did as much as I could. Don't laugh. This is two and a half hours of work!

Then, it didn't rain the day before as it was supposed. No rain= mom has to water the goodies. We have no outdoor spicket. Yes, you read that right. Ugh. So, I have a run of the mill watering can from Walmart. It's not huge, but it's not one of the small indoor ones. Here is what I determined yesterday. It takes 1.5 cans to water the onions. (The onions are the middle box.)

It takes 3.5 cans to water the gladiolas.

It takes 6 cans to water the potatoes!!

I'm going to get hubby and FIL to go to the farm and home store today to pick up the necessities for putting a split faucet into the basement so we can run a hose (or more like three strung together) to make my life 100% easier!!

That's it for now. Work is a callin'!

Getting Started

2011-04-10T20:20:00.001-07:00

So, it's spring and in full swing around here!! It's been in the 80s and this prompts us to get our rears in gear as I already feel we are falling behind. We are embarking on yet another new area of life. We have decided to give our hand at small scale farming. We are feeling like now is the time to try it and if not now, when? We have roughly an acre to work with. It sounds like a lot, and it is, and it's overgrown and in a horrible state. And there are hills. Lots and lots of hills. We are working on it. We keep reminding ourselves that next year won't be nearly as hard since everything will be cleared and ready, mostly.

Hubby and FIL have been doing a lot of tree and shrub clearing. It seems that over the last decade or so that wherever the trees have decided to drop seeds, they have grown uninhibited and completely untamed or cared for. If they fall through the garage (which is apparently what happened to the garage a few years ago) then so be it and it stays where it lays. We have found trash and all other types of nonsense in the yard since we started. It's very disheartening but we are forging ahead. There is a lot of weeding and planning happening right now.

We did get the first round of potatoes in the ground, and that was an amazing feat in itself. lol It was my first go at our huge rototiller. It worked out and I felt it for a few days. I also weeded one of the garden boxes that was already here and planted a whole bag of gladiolas. They will be in bloom just below an adorable birdhouse. I can't wait! I also got the onions in and some of them appear to be going pretty well and we are thinking of replacing the ones that aren't. I have another garden box cleared that is awaiting planting. It will either be filled with garlic or spinach seeds. I also have plans of a strawberry patch, but that will have to wait for another day. We have seeds to start indoors and lots more work to do. It's a hard life filled with work and long days, but it's the best life I could ask for.

well hello there stranger

2011-02-25T06:52:00.000-08:00

Geesh, it's been a while. I've been busy as we all have been. We've had birthdays and snowstorms and holidays and milestones. It's been crazy! We now have a walking toddler!! That's right. How crazy is that?!?

It's time to revive this blog, though. Time is slipping away from us and slowing down all at the same time. lol We are planning small renovations for our home and big renovations for our lifestyle. We are anxiously awaiting our seeds to arrive and dreaming about baby chicks. The warmer months are almost upon us (I say as I view the fresh 5" outside my windows). It's a good existence and we have plenty to be thankful for and it's time we share that here.

Until next time.....

Why we homeschool

2010-08-18T21:13:00.000-07:00

I know it's been longer than I keep saying, but such is life. Today was the first day of public school. To me, this means one kid gone all day and two and a half to get on some sort of a normal schedule. We are homeschooling. Gasp!! lol It's going good and was really the only time I didn't have to get after the children today. I think it's going to work out. lol We made homemade laundry soap, played piano as well as worked on our R's. Miranda worked on being cute, nope, wait she's got that one mastered. lol

Keeping going

2010-06-16T20:41:00.000-07:00

The chickens are in the basement now, at least until the new coop gets done. And I actually got a bit of the dining room cleaned (you know, the bit that ISN'T my craft area). I felt great getting up at a decent time this morning and getting things cleaned. I might even start a trend, lol.
I'm dealing with a little bit of an issue right now. We have recently had a kitten wander up onto our porch. She is grey and long haired and oh so cute! Hubby says no. And he's being firm about it; I swear, I really did try. She's sick and I'm treating her with Amox. I also had to treat her fleas. I'm waiting to hear if my old boss will take her to be adopted out. It really pulls at my heart strings. Oh well, it'll pass.
We finally had a beautiful day. We went out and I started pulling big staples out of the pallet wood I snagged. I was thinking it would be a quick......oh, what was I thinking!! I worked, in the heat, for an hour and a half and have one pallet pulled apart and the staples out. That. Is. It. Ugh, oh well. I just keep repeating, "free wood, free wood, free wood". lol It started to pour shortly after we finished up outside. I'm hoping for another good day, or at least another good couple of hours tomorrow, to get some more work done. I'm hoping that by Saturday I will have enough wood prepped to start putting the posts in the ground.
Well, I promised Matt I would sew up his ripped pj's before bed, so off I go!

Finally!!

2010-06-11T20:03:00.001-07:00

It's done! The new chicken tractor that I've been working on for a week is done! I could not be more excited. I have so much that needs to be done around here and I'm finally getting it done. Learning to work with a new baby, again, is proving to be difficult. I just can't seem to accept that I can't work on something for hours and get it done. She's getting better at letting me work now, at least.

Here's what we started with......

Here's what we had after day one.......you know, when I figured out that I had not bought enough wood to finish it, ugh. This is where it stayed for about 4-5days.

So, I had the kids take the old run apart. It was falling over anyways. And here we have it!!! Full of chickens even. Not too shabby. The tarp is to protect from the rain we are expecting. In a few days I will put the big girls in there so they can get usd to each other so I can start integrating the babies into the big coop.

We have started homeschooling these last few weeks. It's going.....slow. I'm doing a more laid back method so that maybe the kids won't notice that it's schoolwork. They just seem to be so opposed to learning. After watching us one day, hubby said that we should just homeschool them all permanently. I'm sure that's because he thought it looked so easy for me. It wasn't bad, but I feel like I need to become more organized to make it work better. We've been spuratic at best, but I want to start scheduling a M-W-F deal to help them get used to it. That way we can run our errands on T-Th or not at all. lol That's the problem that we are having: errands. That and I have been sleeping too late and other things need to be done. We have been concentrating mostly on reading. EX: Matt and I are reading the third book in the "A Series of Unfortunate Events" series. He reads X amount of pages to me. We write down the words that he doesn't understand and he then defines them using his dictionary. He is good about the reading part, not so good about the independent work part. Which means that we don't move on from there. We will keep trying. I also want to buy a book I've heard rave reviews about to help teach Ashlynn and Jay to read. I'll let you know when I get it. Logan is ahead of the curve in his class, but he still has to read out loud to me, from a chapter book. Then he has to summarize what we just read so that I can be sure that he's retaining it. I also found an online math program for k- 6 that is free. We will start that next week. Hubby and I will work on the history/social studies curriculum this weekend. It's still a work in progress.

oh the pain...

2010-05-06T21:28:00.000-07:00

Headaches. Seriously? When did I get old? I remember being able to live on three hours of sleep for like two days with no repercussions. Yuck. Now nine hours is about my minimum and with less I walk around with a killer headache all day. Yikes. Ok, I'm done, lol.

Well, it's been a while but I feel like life is starting to gain some sort of routine and it's time to start getting things done again. I am really wanting to get into my homesteading stuff head first. I got more chickies!! Now we have eleven babies and three adults. I love em! lol This means we need a new coop. I bought a design set and am getting ready to get going. Info and pics to come!

Also, it's time to get the garden going......late. I started to turn the soil in the first bed and the cats decided that it was a great, big outdoor litter box! What?!? Yep, that's right. They won't use the one in the house, but the one outside, surrounded by grass and woods and big open space, yep. That's the one. Yuck. I'm working on bed number two. I'm going to clear it and plant seeds and then cover it with chicken wire. I'm hoping that will keep them out of it until I get a fencing solution done. I really just need to get out there and get it done. I'm thinking that I'm going to follow a simple garden design I found in Mother Earth News magazine. I love that magazine, lol. I'm also thinking that I'm going to bag garden, I hope I got that right, with the bags of garden soil I have in the basement. Also, I'm going to get some tires from dad's house and plant my potatoes!! We WILL have food. I WILL grow it. I WILL expand my horizons and knowledge.

I'm sewing.....sort of. I've made two dresses so far for Miranda. One was a pillowcase dress and the other I made for her christening. I want to do more. I really need to do more, or I fear that I will never fully realize the potential of my crowded dining room, lol. I will persevere. lol I plan to make jammie pants out of old sheets for all. I will document.

Knitting. Yep, that's all I have to say. My mojo is gone. I still oogle and drool over patterns. Make plans. Store in my que. Think of what yarn I have or need for what projects. I just am not wanting to finish what I have going. However, I have promised myself that I will finish at least one of them before I start anything else. I'm working on my maternity sweater, I know, I know, I'm not pregnant. I was when I started it, lol. I'm gonna finish it. I also am working on a pair of leggies for Miranda. I will finish the first one before I cast on anything else. I will. Enough said.

The house is better than it was, although far from perfect. I have instituted a chore chart. It seems to be working. The kids are a little resistant, but oh well. The house is no longer trashed and there is plenty for them to do when they are "bored". I just had to accept that they would never do the chore perfect, or how I wanted it done exactly, and all was well to delve out the chores.

Homeschooling. I will do it. I am starting it. I am planning for summer since school will be out in less than two weeks. More to come on this.

We are busy and I am staying up too late. lol It's bedtime. Life is getting on course and there will be lots to report. See ya then!

Aaaaahhhhh, so tired

2010-03-10T21:36:00.000-08:00

I wish I had more to say, but that's pretty much it. I am beat; and apparently, they know it, lol. Getting back to real life has proven to be exhausting to say the least. There's just so much to do and a newborn who has no desire to let me do it. I'm trying to get everything at the house taken care of, but it is slow going. However, it is going. I am trying to get on top of things a little at a time. If I get the kitchen cleaned every day, then it is clean and gives me something to look at. If I get the laundry done every time it needs it, well then it doesn't pile up and get out of control. I know it's a simple concept and it's not like I'm saying something that everyone doesn't already know. However, how many of us are diligent. LOL Probably more than I know. I'm usually not very diligent as life has a way of getting away from me. It helps that I have diapers to wash. What a weird comment, huh? They have to be done every 2-3days and so it forces me to get down there and do them, which usually leads to me doing at least one more load.

I'm feeling really invigorated by the wonderful weather that we have been having. It makes me want to get outside and see my girls and start planning my garden. I still have a lot of research to do, but I am itching to get my feet in the dirt so the planning will get done. Hubby hate this time of year cause it means yard work. I, on the other hand, love it because it means gardening and beauty. There will be lots to report!! I'm going to buy my potato starts this week/weekend so they can go in on St Patty's day. I guess that means that I need to plan where to plant them, lol. I've got a few ideas in the works.

I've been trying to use my bread maker so that it doesn't become another appliance that just sits around. To be honest, we really don't have appliances that sit around these days. My new coffee maker is REALLY going the extra miles these days. lol I made some pizza dough in it tonight. It looked pretty, but I'm not sure how thrilled I was with it yet. However, it really seems to have been a pretty big hit. This is what is left of two large pizzas. At least I'm making dinner every night now. I haven't done that in months!! Usually we have cereal night at least once a week. lol

And.... a pic of my beautiful princess, just for good measure. lol

Baking Bread and my Moby

2010-03-03T15:26:00.000-08:00

Well, life is officially in full swing now and I'm trying to re adapt. Hubby got me a bread maker, which I am very excited about. I am in the process of making my very first loaf in it!! I had one years and years ago but as a younger much stupider adult I let it go to pot and had to throw it out. I didn't know what I had, obviously. lol I'm excited to get to my whole housewife deal and get going on the things I couldn't handle when I was pregnant. Here's my beautiful new Oster!!

I have a cranky, pukey, gassy little fuss for a daughter today. I've noticed that this is our trend when we have to run all day. She's used to being able to take her time to eat and burp and hang out with mom and I don't think she handles being rushed too well. So, I have a solution. I bought a Moby wrap about three days before she was born and I darned well intend to use it!! I gave it a whirl about a week ago but have baby brain and sleep deprivation and couldn't figure it out looking at the instruction book. Good thing for Ravelry!!! It has been my saving grace for many things not to mention a great place to meet and talk to others interested in the things you are interested in. So, one of the girls in one of my groups posted some YouTube links for tutes on the Moby. Now, why didn't I think to look there?!? Oh well, once I got looking, I literally spent like an HOUR looking at a bunch of tutes since I want this thing to be an alternative to sitting on my butt all day with babe in arms. I'm digging it so far. She is napping in it right now and it has made it so that I can post here and play with my new bread machine, lol. I'm going to go start dinner and do dishes here in just a few minutes........MAN!!! This thing is great!!

Look at what happened to me! I grew up in the city and now I'm a baby wearing, cloth diapering, breastfeeding, homeschooling, gardening, chicken keeping, baking from scratch, crazy lady. LOL It's funny how life works out.

Miranda Rose Francis

2010-03-03T15:21:00.001-08:00

I know I should have done this earlier, but I have been recovering from surgery and enjoying letting someone else take care of me for a change, lol. It's been nice and I while I am trying to enjoy getting back to my real life, it sort of sucks. I'm so tired, lol. Anyhow, here's here stats!!

Miss Miranda Rose Francis came into the world via csection on Monday, February 15th, 2010 at 8:29am. She was a whopping 9lbs 7oz and 19 inches long. She's short and chubby and totally adorable. Her head and chest were both 14.5inches around making for an interesting delivery even for a csection. She's a trooper eating and she's fairly easy although a gassy little fuss at times. We love her and she is definitely a part of this very interesting family!!

No Poo: Week 2

2010-01-29T10:46:00.000-08:00

Well, here it is. Week two and a couple of days, lol. My hair tends to feel kind of greasy on the second day, but I'm hoping that's just a phase. I'm thinking of doubling my baking soda and water. However, I'm also thinking of cutting my hair, again, lol. I've still got some damaged parts that need to go. I think I'll ask hubby his opinion. We shall see.

Here's another pic. My cat likes to lay like roadkill over my bump. I wonder what she'll think when she can't do that anymore, lol.

"Homeschooling" the Youngest

2010-01-28T19:55:00.000-08:00

It amazes me that homeschooling is such a taboo topic, especially when we are supposed to be doing this if we don't put our children in preschools. Aren't we supposed to work on ABC's very young? Counting? Learning colors? Even beginning reading? These are things they are supposed to be able to do, or at least somewhat grasp, before entering kindergarten. I'm sure I'm not the only one who has been subjected to kindergarten 'testing'; where they decide what class to put our kiddos into based on their abilities. I have been really getting into the idea of homeschooling my oldest for numerous reasons and wanted to start with my youngest. He is a sponge, after all, and easier to teach as he is only 3years old. I used to stay home with my oldest two boys when they were little. However, between the situation, work and never sleeping, I never really learned how to be a stay home mom and teach my kids. I'm learning that now, although it seems like it should be something that I would know by now. I am very greatful for my situation and that I'm able to stay home with the kiddos and try to give them the individual education that they need. That said..... Jay loves to learn. We got him this wonderful leapfrog 'scribble pad'. It is awesome!! lol Jay pushes the letters and then traces them on the pad and it erases as well. He enjoys it so much. It really makes me feel like there is hope for teaching the kids. I have to be honest; I have lost a lot of my gumshoe for homeschooling lately as it has been replaced with the anticipation of this baby being born. I'm sure I will pick it up again, very soon. This is just the beginning.

In other news, I am still pregnant. While I am not waiting to go into labor since we are having another section, I am seriously beginning to feel like I will always be pregnant. lol I know this phase will end, with a beautiful delight. I am knitting for her. I am working on a coming home outfit for her. She has a hat and socks now, and I am working on a dress for her to match. She is going to look adorable!! We contemplate what she might look like, you know hair, eyes and such. I can't wait to meet her. More news tomorrow as it will be the end of week 2 of No Poo. I'm going through the greasy part they warn you about. Two more weeks until it should subside, I hope. lol See ya tomorrow!!

A Brand New World!

2010-01-22T21:20:00.000-08:00

It happened! My baby sister gave birth to her baby boy on January 20th at 8:30AM PST. Brennan was 8lbs 1oz and the most beautiful baby boy. It's all I can do to keep from plastering his face all over the internet. Thank goodness I believe in the privacy of others. lol The good news is that it finally got me off my rump to mail Brennan's goodies. I'd been putting it off because I wanted a pic for all you lovely folks. lol Here it is; a crocheted blanket, knitted wool hat, newborn size socks, and my very first baby sweater. I'm pretty impressed with myself and hope that the new mama understands how much time, dedication and love that went into those goodies. It's something I always worry about when I give a gift like this to anyone who does not craft. Although I'm sure she'll understand because our mom taught me to crochet and was quite the addict as well, lol.

I also finally got going on Miranda's goodies. Hubby's been teasing me for months about how if I keep knitting for everyone else that our little girl will be freezing when she gets here, lol. He's a silly man, but good point. I am working on her going home outfit. I finished her hat today and started her socks. I plan to make her a matching dress. I'm not sure if I'll have enough time or energy between the baby stuff, house stuff, family stuff and homework. I'm hoping to have the dryer fixed this weekend, please lord, so that I can get a better grip on the laundry situation. Not to mention washing baby clothes and prepping my diapers. We'll see what happens. I think that's all for now. Although my little girl went to her first sleep over tonight so I may have more to report soon. I have not gotten a call, yet. lol

No Poo: Week 1

2010-01-19T08:36:00.000-08:00

So, today I embarked on yet another new idea. I think that perhaps I'm the kind of person who is open to new ideas, but more so if they are not mainstream thinking. I figure in my 31yrs on this planet I have tried pretty much most conventional means of most things, within my financial abilities of course. If they aren't within my financial abilities, then what is the point since I certainly would not be able to continue them. Anyhow, back to my original train of thought. I've been looking into this No Shampoo idea for about a year now. The last time I bought shampoo and conditioner, and of course they were pretty much industrial sized, I decided that when they ran out I would give this new idea a try. My hair has become fried over the years. It feels like straw and is frizzy whether I blow dry it or not. Although, it does look better when I don't blow dry. So, I am using the information off http://babyslime.livejournal.com/174054.html#why ,a blog with lots of No Poo info. Anyhow the idea is to use baking soda and apple cider vinegar to clean your hair. I have heard many great things about this like how manageable, untangley, soft and natural your hair ends of being. I know that pregnancy hormones is not necessarily the best time to give this a go, but I figure if I start now that I can figure out what method and all that jazz that works for me instead of trying to figure it all out sleep deprived (or more sleep deprived than normal, lol). So that's the new thing. I'll keep track of my trials and results here. This is day one, week one. I used the method of mixing 1.5Tbsp baking soda with 1.5C warm water. It seemed to go ok. They have another method, which is to mix 1Tbsp of bs with just a smidgen of water to make a paste and rub it in. I thought I would try that next time. They recommend only washing your hair 2-3x a week as that is all you should need. That's pretty much all I do anyhow, even though hubby thinks it's weird and all, because otherwise I dry my hair out even more and who needs that.

And here I am, day one, air dried. LOTS of curls. More than normal. When I blow dry it, it is straight and looks dry and straw like. When I let it air dry, it usually has a bit of body but not much curl. Excuse the look on my face; I just woke up from a too short nap, lol. When I went in the bathroom I had tons of curls. I've got lots of hope for this experiment. I combed my hair when I got out of the shower and before I put it up in a towel. I think it looks cute, although a little haywire, lol. Keep in mind, though, that I slept on it out of the towel before taking this pic. Also, it's a little fuzzy because the batteries in my camera are dying. I'll have to get hubby to grab me some more tonight. That's all for now, folks!!

Getting bigger!!

2010-01-17T19:25:00.000-08:00

...and bigger and bigger, lol. Here's me at 35wks, today. I keep thinking that I can't get much bigger, but I'm pretty sure I always feel that way at the end. The good news is that she dropped and I can eat again!! I was beginning to think that Rolaids had become a new food group and no one had told me. The heartburn isn't gone completely, but it has dissipated quite a bit. Although now I am waddling much, much more. We have a Dr's appointment tomorrow and I'm kind of excited to see what will happen. Not that I haven't been here before, but I also have not had any baby other than this one and Matt drop. It's funny. My mom used to always tell me that every woman and every pregnancy is different. Boy!! Did she ever hit that one on the head. I also carry this one and Logan very high and all three of the others very low. To each their own, I suppose. lol Well, I'm beat and can't justify being here when I am SO behind on my homework, lol. I'll have crafty pics and what not tomorrow.

Living in a postcard

2010-01-13T18:00:00.000-08:00

We are finally expecting to warm up in the next week or so. It will be greatly appreciated but the pretty winterland we've been living in will be gone (probably not for too long though).

I have decided to put my foot down with myself; no more knitting for anyone else until my daughter has some fibery wonderfulness too! LOL I have been getting out of control with knitting for other people and I have not made one single thing for our baby. Ugh. Well, I have four weeks left and I intend to get my butt in gear! Other than that, the only other thing to report is how tired and burnt out I am on school. I also have four weeks of that left and cannot bring myself to be very productive at all. Oh well, tomorrow's another day....

Life in Isolation

2010-01-08T12:39:00.001-08:00

We continued to be snowed in. It's not so bad, really, except that the kids have cabin fever and are starting to drive me a wee bit crazy. lol Hubby says he's going to go dig out the van so he can go to work tonight......we SHALL see. lol I know how thrilled he is in going out into negative temperatures with a snow shovel. Oh well, we know too well that I am not able to do it. We'll be wishing for some of this cold weather in August, I am sure. Human nature, we always want what we don't have.

Today I have been knitting. My little angel has either a knee or elbow poking out and causing a horrid bruising/stabbing type feeling. Yuck. It really makes me not want to do anything (although I need to get up and make lunch soon). The nice thing about feeling ucky All. The. Time. is that I am getting some knitting done. I did my very first rounded hat with dpn's and it only took two days, not constant for two days but ya know. I'm working on another set of newborn socks to match the hat. It's for a swap. I then have to finish the goodies I've been working on for Brennan (my sister's baby that should be here this month) and get those off. I have not made one single thing for my little one. I want to be done with everyone else's baby stuff by next week. That gives me four weeks to finish Miranda's goodies before she gets here. I really, really wish I had more time sometimes. Others I wish I was done. Soon enough. We have the cradle now, although it needs a sheet for the mattress, and we are going to pick up the car seat this weekend. I also went ahead and ordered a few maternity shirts. I know, I know, I said I wouldn't but even hubby's long shirts don't cover the belly anymore. Besides, I paid six bucks for one and seven bucks for the other and they will work for nursing as well. Besides, they are beautiful, lol. Anyhow, here's my finished baby hat.

Snowed In!!

2010-01-06T22:41:00.000-08:00

So I know that the whole world is having crazy winter weather and we are no exception. Hubby was supposed to work tonight, but I could not be more thankful that the schools are closed tomorrow. How did I make that jump? Well, hubby's employer is a big box company and the employees are supposed to be able to call in for weather that is unsafe to drive in, ie. tornadoes, blizzards and the such. Well, apparently his store does not honor this policy as we have learned in the past. However, if the schools are closed then their absence can be excused for weather. I have been looking outside all night since the snow started coming down really hard at around two ish. It's hard to tell if it's still snowing or if the wind is blowing so hard that it looks like it's snowing. Yikes.

The kids had a good time playing in it when they got home today.

I started on my first hat knitted in the round. I'm pretty excited about it as it's going well and fast. I am prepping for another swap and this hat goes in the box (along with a pair of socks, if I can squeeze them out of the skein. That's the limitations for the round: one skein.). I've been feeling especially yucky and out of control today, so I've mostly knitted. It makes me feel calm, or more calm than the crazy that seems to be my norm lately. Here's the work in progress.

The Goings On

2010-01-03T20:10:00.000-08:00

It has been crazy lately. I am trying to buy a cradle off of craigslist.com that I think is just beautiful at a reasonable price. We have been trying to hook up since Thursday. It's been crazy. We keep missing each other and what not. We are going to try again. Here's a link http://kansascity.craigslist.org/bab/1527239843.html , isn't it beautiful? Anyhow, I'll post some pics after I get it set up and adorned.
It's been snowing here lately, A LOT. I don't have any new pics, but it's happening every couple of days, at least an inch or two. It's keeping us busy. We are also having negative temps. It's not so bad as long as you don't have to, oh I don't know, stand outside with the world's dimmest dog who is chasing the cat across the street even though she's on a leash and not going pottty. lol So there's that.
We came home from an outing the other day to find that the dryer had gone ca put. Yikes! Seriously, we have six people and a baby on the way to do laundry for and I do not foresee it being fixed anytime really soon. Hopefully my FIL will be coming over to look at it for us soon (I'm going to try to talk him into it tomorrow). He says it sounds like a belt. How nice would that be?!? If it's not, it won't be getting fixed/replaced until the end of January/beginning of February. I guess it's not too bad, but I have infant clothes to wash and cloth diapers to prep. We hung a clothesline in the basement this evening. It should be warm down there because it's where the furnace is, but there's two broken windows down there and it's freezing down there!! lol We are going to look into a dry rack or two tomorrow. I know that if I set it up in the shower and close the bathroom door that things will get dry pretty quick. I've never had a bathroom heat up so nicely before...... it makes me smile. lol Anyhow, that is what we are up to these days. Hopefully I'll have some knitting progress to report on soon.

Merry Christmas!!

2009-12-28T15:32:00.000-08:00

It was a pretty good one at our house, and I hope it was good for yours too!! The kids made out like bandits, with a lot of help from our families! They seemed happy enough, even though they got all clothes from us. They needed it though. Santa brought the toys and our families, as I said. We are enjoying the snow that started to blanket us on Christmas eve. I should say that Jay is enjoying the snow, it makes me want to curl up with a blanket and my knitting and his dad doesn't want to leave the house (alas, he is the breadwinner, poor guy, lol). The chickens seem pretty unhappy too. Although the dog and cats seem to think it's pretty neat. Jay went out and played in it this afternoon and just had a dandy time!!

We are on winter break from school, even me! This means the older kids are with their dad and I have extra time to work on my project for school. It also means house cleaning and knitting. I went a week without and was not a happy camper. I have found the inspiration again to get going on it, especially with only 7weeks until our little one gets here and less than two weeks until my sister's baby shower. I've got lots to get going on. I really want to finish my sweater before Miranda makes her arrival. In other news, I finished Brennan's newborn socks tonight. I got so far and then put them down for too long, lol. I think I'm only going to make one pair of newborn size and then a couple of the next size up. I really need to get his stuff done. Plus I have a swap or two to attend to! Yikes, I keep hoping I haven't taken up too much. That's all for now.

Laundry Soap Victory Dance!!

2009-12-21T19:36:00.000-08:00

So, today I made the homemade laundry soap. It took roughly 10minutes and I'm pretty happy with it. I already used powder, so stuck with that format. I used @2/3 bar of Fels Naptha, 1.5 C Borax and 1.5 C Washing Soda. I grated the FN and add it to the jar of powders. Mix well, sort of, lol. I had a scoop left over from formula (like three years ago) and it equals roughly a tablespoon. I am using two scoops per load. I really think this is more of a psychological issue, lol. I am just so used to using that full scoop of Tide that using such a small amount reeks havoc on how clean I THINK the clothes are getting. However, after the first load was washed, ahhhhh the smell of clean. lol There is no perfumey smell at all, just a faint scent of the FN and a very clean smell. The clothes are coming out looking great, too!! I have so far had no complaints from the wearers of the garments. I'm pretty darned excited about this! lol I've even noticed some old stains that are now gone. Woohoo! It's funny that if this works out for us it will save me more than a hundred dollars a year and it only requires 10minutes of my time every couple of months. PS, my first batch cost me $2.25!!!(of course, I'm not including the cost of the Borax because I already had it on hand, but I know it wasn't too spendy) I almost filled a good sized pickle jar with this recipe.

And I was doing so good.....

2009-12-20T18:08:00.000-08:00

Well, my blogging every day in December kinda hit a rough spot, lol. I've been a little busy and a lot of not feeling good and that's about my excuse for it. Let's see if I can catch you up.......shopping. Lots and lots of Christmas shopping. The kids have had a tough year as far as behavior goes and we've been telling them all year that they are only getting clothes for Christmas. We stuck to that. However, Santa is bringing them each two toy gifts and a book (plus stocking stuff, of course). We went shopping three days last week, but are finally done!! Now for the wrapping..... which ought to be interesting since they are home from school until Christmas day. I'll have to do it late at night, which is also not easy since my youngest is a night owl and my new medication makes me dopey.

Ahhhh, my new medication. Let's talk about that. I had a horribly, unbearably, itchy rash show up Monday evening. I tried every conventional, and not so conventional, method you could think of or that was suggested to help quell the itching. Yuck yuck. I mean to say that it itches so bad that it actually hurts. I was resulting to taking hot showers because the pain was so much more easy to tolerate than the itching. I saw the OB on Thursday for my normal appt and he took a look and said that it looked like contact dermatitis. I was prescribed a strong antihistamine, which did very little for me. I should clarify. When prescribing the meds, the Dr said I should take it only when I needed it since it was a strong med and nothing is safe during pregnancy. I was taking it once a night when the symptoms were the worst and getting ZERO relief. I called him again on Saturday. He said he was stumped as we talked about me and my families routines and hygiene care. I was then advised to take the meds every 6hrs. I'm pretty sure this is because we do not want to risk secondary infection from the itching (which is so bad I do it in my sleep). He said he would do some research and talk to some other OBs and see what he could come up with. He called me back and told me he was pretty sure I have PUPPS. After looking the info up (wikipedia.org had the most info), I agree. All the symptoms are there, except it started on my legs and is climbing up my body. I have a severe case of it. He also prescribed me a steroid pill but I'm a little hesitant to start it. I might give them a call in the morning (as I sit here squirming and itching even on my meds, ugh). Oh, did I mention that the cure for PUPPS is delivery? Not that it's life or death and I need to deliver now, it's that it won't stop until she is born. I knew she was stubborn, but come on! lol

On other news, we put up our tree!! I'd like to say it was a joyous occasion, but I'd like to say that every year and do not. It's normally very chaotic and frenzied and the kids are usually a little too hectic for the adults to enjoy the moment. Matt thinks it's a race, which is fun, and everyone else always gets ahead of their age limits, lol. However, we made it through and it doesn't look half bad. Here are a few pics of the kids doing their thing. I'm gonna clean up the living room and put down the tree skirt and what little presents are wrapped, then I'll take a better pic to post.

Then there's the fun stuff..... contractions! Not BH, but real contractions. People often make the mistake of thinking that I don't know what they feel like since I've had all csections. WRONG! I go into labor and experience some variation of real contractions with every child. I had some back contractions before 20wks, which was scary. The good news is that I know how to stop them and I was pretty much just stressed and not drinking enough water. It's easy to get caught up in life, ya know? lol Anyhow, these are contractions right up front. Not regular enough to cause too much concern, but every day since Sunday there is a period each day that I have at least 4-10 of them fairly close together. Makes for a cranky and uncomfortable me. I will have to mention this next time I go in.

And the best news.......drum roll, please........February 15th is Dday!! We are scheduled for surgery at 8am. So, I have put myself on restricted duty so that she doesn't come early. I went from wanting her to come early to really praying that she doesn't in a matter of a few days. Funny thing, now that we have the day planned, I really don't want to worry about it being any earlier. I suppose we will adapt whatever happens. lol
Anyhow, that's all for now. I will make sure to post tomorrow as it is laundry soap day!! I have all the supplies for making homemade laundry soap and am dying to try this (plus we are all out of clean clothes!). Also, tomorrow is our church Christmas pageant, so hopefully I will have some cute pics from that. Happy Holidays to all!!

Christmas Pageant

2009-12-15T20:26:00.000-08:00

The kids had their annual Christmas Pageant at school tonight. They were all so cute. Although Logan didn't smile; he said he was nervous. I feel his pain. I always suffered stage fright. Still, we got there early enough for a decent parking spot and a good seat. Those chairs were just horrible, though!! I swear, hubby and I left there in so much pain. I'll tell you, it wasn't easy dragging ourselves out there in 16degree weather, lol. Taking pics while having a 3yo crawl all over you and sitting behind a row of teenagers is NOT easy. lol

I think I've got it!!

2009-12-14T20:09:00.000-08:00

I did it! I did it! I finished the newborn sock I was working on. Thank you so much to the girls at Ravelry and a wonderful tutorial on how to make socks, I got the kinks worked out. It's not perfect, but I made it with my own two hands and I am very proud! Other than that, it's been a sick day for me. Contractions started yesterday and while they are irregular and unproductive, they are yucky and uncomfortable nonetheless. I have pretty much just hung out and knit and did homework. I did manage a load of dishes with dinner tonight, so that's something. The nice thing is that I am finally starting to feel better, although very worn out. I'm going to be calling it a night here very, very soon. However, here's a pic of my most recent triumph! Now, on to the next one, lol.

Contractions

2009-12-13T16:28:00.000-08:00

I've never thought it was fair that I have to suffer through contractions and have all csections. Today is one of those days. Just drinking lots of water and trying to take it easy. I felt fine and then I went out to the coup to lock it up and it started. Yuck. With every baby, I have had to deal with contractions and with many of them actual labor. It can be so frustrating. When you labor you get an end result. You get an end result with a csection but it's just not the same. I have been bitter and felt a bit cheated for the better part of the last 11yrs because of all this. I try to make peace with it all the time. All I manage to do is alleviate some of the guilt, which I guess is nice. I plan to just sit and do homework and knit for the rest of the night. Although I can't get out of putting the laundry in the dryer and doing some dishes, ugh. They aren't full blown contractions, nor is there a pattern to them. No need to worry. Just quite a bit of discomfort and a lot of irritation, lol. So, that's my gripe for now, lol.

I always think that my blog posts are boring without pics. I hope not a lot of people share my feelings on this, lol. On the up side, Jay is being super sweet today. He spent two days with Grandpa and I figured he'd be all mad when I went to pick him up for church this morning. Instead he was all huggy and lovey. He made me carry him into the church and up the stairs (huff, puff, huff). Then he wanted to go back downstairs for the children's church. However, he wanted me to go with him (at least he walked this time). Then, despite the teachers' best efforts, he only wanted to observe. He laid in my lap and rubbed my belly. Then he laid on my belly where his sister kicked him in the side of the head a few times. He didn't seem to mind. He's been a little more than rambunctious since we've been home but awfully attached to me. We are on our second round of Madagascar 2. One more time and I might actually be able to recite some of it, lol.

Not much...

2009-12-12T20:26:00.000-08:00

Not much going on today. Jay spent last night and Grandpa's house and that left me with the older three. While the morning was just as taxing as most time spent with the older kids is, they weren't too bad. They left in the early afternoon to go to their dad's house for the weekend (or what was left of it). That just left me with hubby sleeping. I knitted. That's it; no homework, minimal chores, just knitting. I have zero energy today and decided that with no kiddos I would spend the day relaxing. I finished up the back of my beautiful sweater, put in the other arm hole, and am now working on the left front side. My other conquest for the day is socks! Baby socks to be exact. I've been doing a lot of firsts with my crafts lately and this is no exception. I am learning that while you can learn to read a knit pattern, reading sock patterns is a whole other ballgame. I think I have successfully drove the designer nuts with my questions. lol Now, of course, I am stumped again. I am awaiting words of wisdom from my RTH girls on Ravelry. The designer suggested that I look up info on Google. I wish I could just type in what I needed and POP! there's the answer. It never works that way and as I said I am very exhausted and can barely make sense of anything. Hopefully tomorrow will be better. On the up side, I did get to take my first Vitamin E bath this pregnancy. I forgot how much I loved those and am thinking they need to become a permanent part of my life. lol I feel so soft and so much less itchy now.

Here's the progress on my ity bity sock. Hard to believe that I am going to have a little one that will fit into one of these in less than 10wks. Yikes!

They're here!!!!

2009-12-11T20:17:00.000-08:00

It seems like every afternoon I am struggling to think of something interesting to post here and before the night is over.....boom!! Something interesting comes up. lol Today I was so excited when I went to go see my FIL. I was backing out of the drive and noticed that over in our cluster of mailboxes was a package sticking out of someone's box. Oh how I hoped it was mine!! I have been on pins and needles since I ordered my very first batch of prefolds and covers from Baby Cotton Bottoms. There it was!! My diapers are here! I cannot believe how excited I have been about this.

I'm also getting ready to embark on another wonderful journey....... homemade laundry detergent! Borax is a main ingredient and readily available at your local grocer or WallyWorld. I already have it on hand, although I cannot recall why, lol. Washing soda is another main ingredient. CANNOT FIND IT ANYWHERE! I was going to purchase it online but wasn't thrilled with the shipping costs. So, I tried Ace Hardware online. They had it for less with free shipping to my local store (yes my local store is 65miles away, but it is down the street from my Dr office which I am now going to every two weeks, so). Now there was the detergent bar. Also, could not be found anywhere near me. I know that some people use Ivory soap, but I worry that it won't get the job done and we all have such sensitive skin that we couldn't use it for anything else. Which leads to the thought that if we are all too sensitive to wash with Ivory, how will it affect our clothing? So, Ivory is out! Since it is overwhelming to try to figure out what needs to be in a bar of soap to have it effective, I am sticking with the recommended brand of Fels Naptha. I know that a lot of people just use whatever soap they have on hand, but I worry that it won't get the job done. I have boys, lots of boys. They are filthy, not that their sister is any cleaner. I worry about stains and grime and all the other nonsense. So, the decision has been made to stick with Fels Naptha. That was also spendy online (either you had to buy in bulk, major bulk, or they got you with the shipping). The whole point of this detergent experiment is to save money, so having to fork out a bunch of money for shipping just isn't an option. Also, I'm not interested in buying in huge quantities since this is an experiment and I must be prepared for the unfortunate event that it should not work out for our family. I called my 'local' Ace Hardware and explained my dilemma. The woman explained to me that they were a small store, but that she would be more than happy to call some of the larger stores to locate the Fels Naptha for me. She said that she could probably have a couple of bars sent to their store if she could locate some. She is going to call me by 10am tomorrow morning! I was so taken by her customer service skills. I am so happy that she is willing to go the extra mile. They really are my go-to for hard to find household and hardware needs, so here's a plug for them! lol So, hopefully next weekend I will be making my first batch of detergent. I'm going to go with the powder version since it is less work and I already use powder form store bought detergent. I'll let you know how it ends up. PS, I will also be using these on my cloth dipes so here is to hoping that it works out for us.

Babies really ARE delivered by storks!!

2009-12-10T20:43:00.001-08:00

Today's drama has been an ongoing deal. There are no stores that carry maternity clothes within 1.5hrs of me (unless I speed, then it's more like an hour). This includes Walmart. Now, you can buy maternity clothes at Walmart.com, but I had significant changes in my weight within a year of becoming pregnant and am just never sure what size I wear. Plus, when you outgrow your pants, you sort of need some new ones......NOW (especially when it is in the single digits outside with a killer wind chill factor). So, we tried our fourth WallyWorld today. They told me that none of the Walmarts sell maternity clothes. I felt it pertinent to bring to their attention that they have a HUGE baby and kid section. Where do they think the babies come from? Is it more likely that they come from pregnant women (you know, the ones who are buying the massive diapers and baby products) or that they are falling from the sky? One of the associates there thought that was pretty funny. A woman at church told me it is because most pregnant women want to wear those tight shirts or let their bellies hang out. I thought, not if they are on their fifth kid and their bellies look like well worn road maps! C'est la vie, I suppose.

So, in utter defeat and desperation, I caved. I needed pants now!! Not in a week when I finally go to the larger town for my next Dr's appointment. I decided that comfy wasted sweats would work, thank you Hanes! Much to all of our surprise, I still fit into a medium!! I almost did a happy dance in the fitting room, but if you've ever seen a large pregnant woman dance you would know that I didn't to the benefit of those around me. They also had these soft, soft flannel shirts for women, um er girls I guess. I grabbed the biggest size I could find, XL, and brought her home. It is peasant fitting at the top and then ties at the bottom. I think I have a little room to grow, but not too much. The nice thing is that it feels wonderfully soft on my sensitive and stretched skin. Also, it has potential as a nursing top (you know, since no one sells those either).

I do love living in podunk, but there are definite some disadvantages. I had to include a pic of me and the youngest because he was having a really sweet moment. He came to have a pic with me for hubby and told me that I look perfect. Sometimes kids know just what to say.

Over Doing It

2009-12-09T16:41:00.000-08:00

I would say not much to report today, but the 'to report' is that I seriously over did it yesterday and had the worst pain in my back today. I did ignore it and clean house this morning to prepare to Jay's teacher. He had a great time, as usual. They did lots of Christmas crafts and read 'Brown Bear, Brown Bear'. He just loves learning and having all of that individual attention lavished on him. She said he is a teacher's dream because he seems to just soak up everything that he learns. I agree, but I am totally biased. lol

We went out today for lunch and did some shopping. Which made my back even worse and brought on the wonderful contractions. Oh, how I won't miss this. I wish it was all bliss, but pregnancy is rarely this beautiful thing that they display it as in Hollywood. I'm still very grateful for the kids and that they are healthy although not too often happy with me. I'm just saying that I think my body is more than telling me this is enough (and my dad would be the first one jumping up and down in agreeance, lol).

So, what have I done today? Well, it is currently 11 degrees and we are all hunkered down - although hubby has to go get Jay from Dad's house here in a minute; poor guy. We bought a new book for each one of the kiddos for Christmas today at Pamida. It was cool because we decided to do this after we found a wonderful book about Medieval battles that we thought would be perfect for Matt (and a great book to start our home school stash). He digs history which is super nice because Kevin does too and I'm not so into it. This means that I can give them time together and Kevin can teach that subject, giving me a little break. We are also discussing getting Matt an acoustic guitar and having Dad give him guitar lessons as part of his music studies. Ok, enough about homeschooling...... for now.

I have also sat around and knit and relaxed. Mainly because we are going to do some Christmas shopping tomorrow and I really needed to rest up for it. Kevin is trying to talk me into getting one of those buggies that you ride in while at the WallyWorld tomorrow. I know I should, but I just feel so silly. You know, like I am mocking someone who is really disabled (although I can't handle walking around for more than 15minutes before the pain starts). Thanks Dad! Now I'm overly respectful, lol. Anyhow, about the knitting. I am making myself a Rayne Wrap Sweater to use during maternity and nursing time, and well beyond I hope. I made it bigger than the pattern calls for to cover my ever expanding belly. I would say that I am roughly almost 2/5 of the way done. It knits up quick, but I feel like my time is limited. I'm using Vanna's Choice in a beautiful Sage Green. That's all for today. I leave you with this goodie!!

Chicken Coup and Other Nonsense

2009-12-08T15:47:00.000-08:00

Well, I finally got out there and started the winterizing of the coup. Took me long enough, I know, but we are expecting temps in the negative numbers with the wind chill tonight and a high of 19 degrees tomorrow; so really it's just in time. I have a few things to finish up on tomorrow. I did get it cleaned out really well and sealed with foam sealer. I also purchased a bale of straw and put that down and added a nesting box (here's to hoping they actually use it). I also put a heat lamp in there and am getting ready to plug it in here in a few. They seemed pretty happy with it. I also tried to nail some wood slats down so that they would have a harder time dumping their feed at every meal! lol I do love my girls and am hoping I did enough to protect them. The oldest kiddo recently broke one of the doors, but I haven't fixed it yet (it's on tomorrow's list). Here they are in their comfy new accommodations! It must be love because my pregnant body is making me pay dearly. lol

On another happy note, at least for me, I ordered two Thirstie's Duo Diaper Covers and 24 Prefolds today from Baby Cotton Bottoms!! I have never cloth diapered before so I am so very excited to give it a whirl with this kiddo. It's silly, but I dream about diapers. It's been an interesting day on the home front! Now, I must be off. The house looks like a tornado hit it and Jay's teacher will be here at 10:30am to play with him. It's going to be an extra long night!

Days Out

2009-12-07T15:59:00.001-08:00

Why is it that every time I have to go out for the day it requires hours of out time making me feel like I've wasted my day? Oh well, I guess it's a question for the ages. It's probably something I'll never understand; you know a time space continuum problem. lol Anyhow, I planned to tend to the coup today, but was out with dad for roughly 3.5hrs. I did get a heat bulb and straw for the coup. I plan to go out there nice and early tomorrow morning to get this done. Plan is the appropriate word. However, I did manage to get the dog bathed and her bedding washed. She loves being in with the kids. That's sort of a lot when you consider that I still managed to do quite a bit of homework, dinner and a few other chores. Nothing creative to report today, other than a little bit of knitting. There's always tomorrow, lol.

First Snow!!

2009-12-06T18:24:00.001-08:00

We had our first snow of the season tonight! The kids are pretty excited about it although, much to their dismay, I have explained that there will not be enough snow to cancel school tomorrow. It wasn't supposed to snow until Tuesday, which is how I could reason that the coup could be sealed tomorrow. Oh well, I guess we know what I will be doing in the morning. lol

I had another very tired day and wasn't able to do as much as I wanted. I really need to find a way to get more sleep. It's not the kids that keep me up, it's the anxiety. It's very unexplained as I'm not upset about anything in particular. Actually, things are moving a long pretty nicely. I have a lot to do, but it's been that way for most of my adult life! I also have this restless leg deal going on. Hubby says I watch too many commercials, lol, but it's true. I get this almost pain in my legs where I have to stretch them or move them and sometimes I have to get up and move around the house to feel better. Oh well, only ten more weeks to go!

In other news, I have been sewing, well sort of. I

am working on Christmas quilts for kiddos and hubby and a maternity jean skirt for me. I had taken the needle off of my sewing machine because it had broken. Stupidly I had put it in a jar with the package of needles until I figured out which size needle I needed to put on the machine. I went to reneedle it last night and low and behold, the deal to hold the needle on was gone!! And the kids strike again! We are working on personal space, but so far no one is grasping it. Here is a pick of my feeble attempt to hand sew the sides of the skirt. I guess it could be worse and I never really learned the proper way to hand sew so I'm a little impressed with myself. lol I'll keep working on it and let you know how it goes. Other than that, we had a fairly lazy Sunday with lots of TV, lol. I cut fabric, sewed and knitted. I also managed to squeeze in a load of dishes!! That's ok, tomorrow is Monday and I have plenty to do then. If only my life understood that I'm pregnant and I don't have the energy for everything. I'm just hoping to get everything organized and ready for winter and the baby in the next month or so. This way I can just sew and knit!! See ya tomorrow!!

On the Re Path to Frugality

2009-12-05T07:32:00.000-08:00

You know, I used to be very frugal and very good at it, well sort of. I have decided that our life needs to be on this route again. On the horizon: handmade christmas quilts for our family, handmade curtains for all the windows, cloth diapers that it looks like I will be making the majority of the stash, homemade baby food and embarking on the journey that is homemade laundry soap and hanging laundry to dry (again). We are also starting our long road into homeschooling. We will be starting with the youngest, 3yo, and next year will be doing the oldest as well, 11yo. We are waiting until next year to start on the oldest because we want plenty of time to research and plan and because with our impending surgery and birth, we want time to adjust.
Blogging is something I am trying to get. I wanted to be ambitious and do it every day, but it looks like that is just NEVER going to happen. Besides, I don't think I have enough positive things to say every day, lol. Instead, I would like to try this once a week. I'm going to be learning to do lots of new things and would like to share them, or at least document them for my own prosperity.
On to productivity!! OK, I wanted to have a good day with the kids but seeing how they only allowed me 4hrs of sleep and my very pregnant self needs more than that to feel human, it's off to a very rocky start. Other than regular chores, which don't even need to be mentioned, lol, we are going outside! Yes, I realize that it is 27 degrees out there, but I am hoping that it warms up just a bit. Then I figure if we do two spurts of 30-45minutes today that we can accomplish quite a bit. We are going to weed at least one of the garden boxes and clean and seal the coup. I've been talking about winterizing the coup for weeks now, but it's getting VERY cold now and it cannot be put off any longer. I do love my girls, after all. We will use the whatnot from the cleaning of the coup as fertilizer for the garden boxes (which is why we will be weeding). I also need to learn how to store chicken poo for fertilizer as we are wanting to put in at least four more small garden boxes this year; one for each kiddo. Other than that, it's homework for me and Matt, some knitting and more cutting of the fabric for quilts. I also want to make a maternity skirt out of a pair of Kevin's old jeans, but that's because I am getting SO big that none of the maternity clothes I just bought fit anymore. Ugh.
I think that's more than ambitious for today. Heck that's ambitious for the weekend. I'll check back later in the week.

How do they do it?

2009-09-28T11:27:00.000-07:00

I just don't see how people make time to blog every day! Seriously. LOL I am thinking, as I am sure I have said earlier, that this would help me to stay motivated and positive. I'm gonna give it a whirl, again.
Not much new, still unpacking but school has started back up and I am already behind!! Ugh, I am determined to catch up and then get ahead. I also want to finally get that sewing table moved today so that I can start cutting fabric for country style quilted curtains for the house. I am re purposing old clothes that I can't bare to part with (since they still have a use). I also need to get started on those darned Christmas quilts I've been babbling about for four months now, lol. That's all for now. Maybe I'll pics tomorrow........ the world may never know. lol

Inspiration

2009-09-18T09:02:00.000-07:00

I have been seriously suffering a mixture of a nesting need and serious short timers syndrome. lol I keep starting new projects then lacking the drive to keep them going. Ugh.... I have a few things cast on and on the hook, let's not even mention the millions of sewing projects I want to start but am eagerly awaiting my NOT putting my sewing table together. I think this is all due to a lack of energy from my little bean. On the fun side, the baby is moving a lot more now and it is only a matter of time before daddy can feel it.

All of this leads to the blog I just finished reading! As you may or may not be aware of, I am desperately wanting to get into quilting and sewing. I plan to start small with two quilts: one for our baby and one for my sister, Jaci's, baby. I was on the Reclaiming the Home blog where there was an amazingly inspiring interview with Weeks Ringle. She is a wonderfully inspiring woman, business owner, wife, mother and creative genious, lol. The 'experience' left me yearning for my sewing machine and to get this whole quilt thing going!! I urge you to read the interview and visit both blogs as they may inspire you to create something wonderful!!

http://reclaimingthehome.blogspot.com/2009/09/craft-nectars-weeks-ringle-and-big.html?showComment=1253289611224#c1887875730912935583

We've been moving

2009-08-29T18:26:00.000-07:00

Yep, just across town though. Not a huge deal, but you know how moving goes. Just no fun no matter how you slice it! It's been slow going and a little bit horrible. However, we like the place better and it has more rooms and LOTS more land. We have a ton, I mean I have, of purging to do now that we are here. It has more rooms, but smaller rooms with not as much space in them. We still like it.

The chickens are happier and so is the dog. I'd say the kids are but they are having issues with too many other things that are more important. School and getting used to being home again has caused the kinds of attitudes you hear of in horror stories. Oh well, we just keep trying and grinding our teeth.

We are finally taking the plunge!! Tomorrow we start our church life. It will be good for the kids and hopefully I can meet some good people to get to know. I really wish someone had told us when we were younger how hard it would be to make friends as adults. I might have made some better choices in friends, you know the keeping kind, lol. I'm excited to go and think it has plenty of possibilities and room for growth in our family.

My SIL offered to throw me a baby shower. I am great full and a little taken aback. I don't even know who to invite. People from work, family....... ok, that's it for the people I know and I'm not even sure if the people from work will come. Oh, and Becca. I'm hoping to develop more of a girlfriend thing with her. I think that I really need a girlfriend. Girls do you know....

I am finally knitting real objects!! I finished, almost, a hat for Jay (just waiting on my dpn's) for winter. I also completely finished a baby gnome for Ashlynn. I embellished it with an 'A' and am thinking that I'm gonna do the alphabet for learning activities (after each one of the kids get theirs, lol). Kevin told me to get some knitting needles. It was awesome!!! I got the size 11 circulars that I need for a baby blanket for the babies. I also got an entire SET of dpn's!!! I am sooooo stoked. I am eagerly awaiting the needles, knit books that I won in a contest and my diploma to come in the mail. Let me tell you, mail time is big in my house lately!! lol

Time to go..... lots of purging and unpacking to tend to. I'll leave with a pic of Ashlynn's gnome. I'm pretty proud of it even though there was way too much sewing for my liking (we'll speak of sewing next time......).

Chickens!!!

2009-08-15T13:34:00.001-07:00

Just wanted to add that the girls are doing well and the chicken coop is in place. Just in time for us to move!! lol That's ok, they really seem to like it there and once we move they will have more of a chance to free range (with supervision of course).

ok, so it's been a few days..

2009-08-15T13:25:00.000-07:00

Today I was surprised by a bounty from the garden I had all but given up on. I was so excited! I have a basket full of potatoes, two zucchini, a hand full of beans and three pickling cukes that evaded my attention and grew out of control (I am hoping the chickens will want them). It just made me feel so alive and refreshed. Silly, isn't it? lol

I know I said I'd write more, but believe it or not, I've been busy. We are unexpectedly moving into a wonderful little house with more room for our family. The yard is huge and opens us up to many more opportunities for livestock and gardening!! The kids are excited and so are we.

Today I am boring myself silly with a garage sale. Trying to purge the house before the move and make a little money. Not much to report: we've made $14.75 in about seven hours. ugh. Oh well, plenty is afoot. lol

Change of Plans

2009-08-11T18:05:00.001-07:00

Well, no new diet anymore. We are 12wks pregnant right now. That changes things a little though not a lot. I plan to start blogging more. Maybe that will help me actually get things done. I am very tired and sick lately, morning sickness, and having a hard time getting things done. I plan to post more pics and all that jazz.
I found a website today that is so cool. www.whitneysews.com and she does a lot of repurposing of old tshirts. I like the idea because tshirts are stretchy for a growing belly and cheap to buy, especially used. Plus the patterns would work for me and Ashlynn both.
We are having a garage sale this weekend and that will help me get my sewing table set up. I'm pretty excited about that. I'm hoping that having to get things ready for the garage sale will help force me to get into gear about getting some things done.
Tomorrow we start retraining the kids. Oh my gosh do they need it!! We are going to start with some basic routines to help them get into the swing of things. Then some basic chores.
I'm also needing to get some new knitting needles so that I can start this absolutely adorable blanket for my sister's baby. It's so cute that I'm thinking that I might make one for our baby too.
More to come tomorrow!!

somethings new

2009-06-19T10:13:00.000-07:00

lots of things are new!! New diet, new exercise, new hobbies, new perspective!! How nice. I have taught myself to knit, although I am still practicing uniformed stitches. I do have the basics down, though: cast on, knit, purl, lol. Also, I am planning to start my first quilt today. I am also planning on designing a tank and skirt for me.
I got up and exercised and wow can I feel it!! We are having a healthy lunch: lemon honey baked chicken, couscous and roasted zucchini. The house is starting to come along, although I am awfully tired today so am not too sure I will get as much done today as I had wanted. The chicken coup is almost done and after today the kids only have one more week of summer school!! Pictues will follow of the coup!!

2009-06-04T11:20:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been the longest day, and we are just getting started. Dad called this morning to say he was sick (he's doing chemo). Kevin went to check on him only to find that he needed an ambulance. So, once he was picked up, we packed up the kids and went to sit at the hospital to find out what was going on. I probably could have just stayed home with the kids (it would have been a little less irritating to everyone) but I really felt like I needed to be there for Kevin. He's handling this like a trooper, but I know he needs me to be there for him and dad. We were there only about three hours before they decided to keep him for a couple of days. White count is low, severe anemia and blood loss (although no one knows where it has bee lost to). I will call to check on him later.
I am feeling horribly guilty about the situation; like on the verge of tears. I just feel like I should have known, I mean I just talked to him yesterday. It's hard being the daughter in law. I don't want to be an annoying presence, but I know I need to check on him frequently. My solution was to call at least twice a day to check on him (after all he has me on speed dial if he needs anything at all). He sounded ok yesterday. He was admittedly tired and nauseous, which is definitely side effects, and cold. However, he was laughing a little and joking and we were talking about food. Kevin says I couldn't have known and it wasn't my fault; it just doesn't feel that way. I'm not sure where all this horrible guilt that I constantly suffer from stems, but it has been crippling more than a few times in my life. Oh well, I will be going over to dad's house today to clean things up from this morning and make sure it is presentable and smells nice. I also plan to make a few of his favorite soups and stock the freezer while he is gone. Kevin also said something about how he needed to clean the ramp to the porch up in case this happens again; I'm thinking I'll get the kids to help me with that, if I have enough time.
As for the rest of life, the kids are driving me nuts and so is summer school. Cost me nothing, my rear! Oh well, we are rolling with it all. I am just trying to gain some sort of control over everything. It's a slow process as I just let it go for too long.
Well, I am off to start my too big list of chores for the day. More to come later.

A Revelation

2009-05-30T08:18:00.000-07:00

I have been out of work for a little more than a week and seriously feel like I have accomplished nothing!! The good news is that I feel like I have come to realize my faults. I really bit off way more than I could chew. I had all of these projects that were just waiting for me to quit working, so I tried to tackle them...... ALL of them at once. Instead of accomplishing a lot, I accomplished nothing. However, I have decided to do a little of everything at a time. My FIL is helping me with my coup now, which is great because he used to build tractors for a living (if he could handle a tractor, a bird "house" should be no problem, lol).
We are going to barbecue tonight as a family affair, I am so excited. I am going to work in the garden while hubby is making the food. I feel good just to know that it might actually happen today. I have been saying it for a week. I'm going to get out there with the camera today and have me a good old time.
I have recently decided to never ever buy another purse from WalMart! The last bag I bought just broke, and I've only had it a few months. Both straps!! So, I am making one. It is turning out a little smaller than I had hoped for. I am thinking that I will rip it and start over. Pictures to follow.
Things with the kids are going. That is about it. They have severe attitude and behavior problems that we will probably spend the majority of the summer working on. I was hoping for more learning time, but discipline seems to be the only thing on the schedule. We'll see though. I keep hoping that I am seeing improvement. All I can say is I can hope......

Days off

2009-05-24T08:50:00.000-07:00

I have been trying to catch up on some sleep lately. I just feel like I haven't slept in years. In doing so, I have been starting the day late and neglecting my homework. I really need to get some done today.
I have been working on my chicken coup and run, which is also helping me to neglect things around the house. I always feel so overwhelmed by all that needs to be done inside that finding other things to do is just easier. Oh well, I'm gonna tackle the dishes and hang at least two loads of laundry on the line today (trying to be more energy efficient). The hardware store is closed today, but I am going to go to the farm store for a saw blade, or maybe wallyworld. Anyhow, I plan to get that coup done today and work in the garden.
These last couple of days with the kids have been eye opening. I'm still not sure how to tackle all of their behavior issues. The two oldest have been writing a lot of sentences, not that I feel like it's doing any good. I think I need to up the number having to be written. I'm considering instituting naps for the five year old as she thinks she needs to cry every couple of minutes over everything. Perhaps quiet time in her bed will help her to understand that it's not acceptable. As for the little man, he is developing a HUGE attitude. He has taken to hitting his siblings, growling and poking them with pencils. He is being sent to bed as well, which is harder because his bed is in our room where hubby sleeps during the day so he can work at night. I'm still working on punishment ideas. They stand on the wall, but I'm not even sure that helps.
Well, I'm off to another fun filled day with the kiddos. We have so much to do this coming week, but at least hubby is off starting tomorrow morning until Wednesday night. That will help.

The beginning..... well sort of.

2009-05-20T19:03:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow is my last day of my favorite paying job ever. I work as an office manager/veterinary assistant for a wonderfully dedicated and inspiring doctor. While I love my job, my family has been screaming from the sidelines for me to return home. I should start at the beginning. In a previous life, I was married and divorced with three children. After all that, I found the perfect job for me, which is my current position. I also found my husband, who is a wonderfully understanding and supportive man. We now have four children who keep us busy.

I have been pursuing an online education for two and a half years now and, with a little luck, will finally have a degree in July. During all of this busy life, my family has suffered. My children have become unruly and two of the three school aged children will be repeating their grades. Everyone has someone else to blame for this, but I chalk it up to my children needing me here (as does my husband). Their behavior is also lacking, very lacking. As if this was not enough drama, wink wink, my father in law was recently diagnosed with cancer, again. He starts his chemo on Tuesday. I am praying for the best, but scared to death. I will be taking a big role in his care.
Not that all of this is not enough to keep me busy, I also have a ton of hobbies to keep me busy. My hobbies benefit our family, so everyone is supportive. I have been crocheting since I was ten years old. My mom taught me as a way to spend off school days and summer. She was an amazing woman and I am grateful every day that I was blessed enough to have her in my life. I also enjoy gardening and plan to do much more of that. I also want to learn to can and freeze the bounty of our crops. I plan to learn to quilt, as the hubby bought me a sewing machine for my birthday last year. If there is time, I would love to learn to knit as well.
I have recently taken a huge interest in homeschooling, although we will see where that goes. I plan to reorganize my home and get it under some sort of control. I plan to take a more active role in my children's lives and education. I am planning many fun, family activities for the coming summer and getting pretty darned excited about it.
I suppose that is all for now, though I plan to post more as it comes to pass.