Project 365

This year I have decided to take part in Project 365.  Each day I will need to take a picture and I will try to post them daily (if not, I will try for the weekly update).  I really enjoyed this blog's 365 last year.  I know my pictures will not look as good as hers (due to the equipment and operator differences), but I am always inspired by her pictures and would like to try and capture some inspiration of my own.  I am excited and nervous about this - will I be able to keep it up? - will my pictures be any good?  

Homemade

Well, I did it. A friend and I made some homemade laundry detergent and I liked it, so I did some research and decided to try some homemade dishwasher detergent. This is super simple and I already had two of the products from the laundry detergent. And I must say, it works! Not that my Cascade didn't . . . it just felt very costly every time I bought some . . . which seemed like every trip to the store!

The Borax and Arm & Hammer I purchased at Meijer, the Kosher Salt my mom picked up for me at Kroger and the citric acid from Grandma's Pantry in Wakarusa. You use a 1/2 cup of the first two and 1/4 cup of the last. Add 1 tbsp. to your dishwasher and wash! Oh, yeah, a rinse agent. I had always bought Cascade complete (I couldn't make my self buy the Jet-Dri) and didn't need one. I read that vinegar is suggested and I haven't had any problems using it, except some complaints from the boys when they empty the dishwasher and smell vinegar! (Really, it's not that bad). I just am not sure how often to add the vinegar? My dishwasher does not tell me when my rinse aid receptacle is empty.

What I've Been Doing . . .

This is it! We've canned bread and butter pickles, spagetti sauce, diced tomatos, squash, green beans, dill pickles and salsa! We - meaning my mother, my friend Rachael and I. I could not and probably would not have been able to do it without them! I have also made and froze applesauce with Emily. I think we are ready for winter! My only regret would be that I didn't get around to making strawberry jam. I think I was way pregnant, so I guess I'll cut myself some slack!

Leadership and Self-Deception

I am currently reading this book at the suggestion of my brother.

I checked it out for my mother, but have not given it to her yet.

It is geared for a business, but is very helpful for any relationship.

It is very interesting and not nearly as intimidating as it sounds and looks!

New Name, New Look

Well . . . here it is! The new name and look for my blog! I've been reading a book called Home Grown Kids and it came to me one night while I was not sleeping. Home Grown - it works on so many levels, in reference to my kids, homeschooling, gardening, being a stay-at-home mom . . .anyway, I think it will work! And it is non gender specific! I got the background and edited the banner (a new and learning experience for me). This was the closest to a gardening design, but it does incorporate some Irish designs/themes which work because we are part Irish.

For Cecilia . . .

I know your not feeling your best and I don't like not being nearby to help out - maybe this will give you a good laugh!

From top to bottom: 27 weeks, 31 weeks, and 36 weeks.
Micah says of the last one "That is hilarious!" I'm apt to agree!

My Pink Shower

Aunt Jackie and Aunt Terri did such a great job! Thanks so much! Everything was beautiful, the game (wear a baby in a sling, talk to a real person on the phone and hang clothes on the line) was hilarious and of course, the gifts! This one says "I love daddy" - thanks Aunt Jennifer!

Rainy Day

I am sitting here on the couch knowing I should be doing something more productive, but it's a rainy day. Need I say more.

I have wanted to take some pictures the last few days: Micah walking the dog with rain boots on and holding a Spiderman umbrella, the mounds of dirty snow still here, rain against the window the valentine decor is hanging on, Micah in his new (Luke's old - I love hand-me-downs) karate uniform.

But alas, I need a new camera battery. I have been selectively using the camera knowing the battery was low, but now it is completely dead. :(

Maybe I'll get up and make that granola I've been planning to make the last two days . . . or maybe I'll take a nap with the dog.

Interesting Article

Since we will now officially be a "large" family, the following article was forwarded to me by my lovely sister Cecilia. I found it humorous and interesting.
I might use some of the end comments! Let me know what you think!

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/08/fashion/08bigfam.html?_r=1&ref=style>

Why can I not figure out how to make this a link??!! Ugh!

Pregnancy Comments

So far I've gotten a few comments regarding this pregnancy which I just don't
know what to say in reply (or maybe I do, but I probably shouldn't!):

"Was this planned?" First, it's really no one's business; second, at this point does it really matter; third, you mean someone might WANT more kids?!

"Since this will be your last one . . ." Not entirely up to me, let alone the person asking!!! Again, you mean someone might WANT more kids?!

Any favorite comments you've received when expecting? Please share!!

Update on Neti-Pot

Ok, for anyone who was curious, disgusted, intrigued, repulsed, etc. by the Neti-pot idea - it works! Yes, it was a little awkward at first and definitely not the funnest thing I have ever done, but . . . I feel so much better! I am sitting here with no headache, no stuffy head, no cough and breathing easy! I am not sure how often I will need to keep it up (I started 2x a day for 3 days), but I guess I wait and see when I start feeling all stuffy again! Who knew?!

Neti Pot

I've finally purchased my own Neti Pot at the suggestion of my brother, sister, mother and another karate mom. I will NOT put a demo of me using the Neti Pot, this lady looks so much more relaxed and natural than I am sure I look!

The reason behind this purchase is that I've had this nagging cough with sinus headache and sore throat that has never turned into anything worse (that would warrant a pregnant woman taking good medicine!), so I thought I'd try something different.

Luke's comment: "I will not be getting one of those!"

Lazy

I've finally changed the look of my blog - something I've wanted to do, but just haven't sat down to actually accomplish. I couldn't go too feminine because the title, but wanted something different. I can always change it again! It does kinda remind me of Emily's baby's room!

Yes, we've been lazy this week - it was Dan's second week off and we have not been out of the house very much. It has been nice not having a busy schedule. We did go back to school this week, the boys were not too thrilled, but hopefully it makes next week easier! Micah will go back to preschool and all our lessons, games, etc. will start back up. That includes getting up at a decent hour and no Dan to help out!

And now to pictures . . . I got a laptop (yeah!), which is not what our camera is hooked up to. Honestly, if I wanted to go into the (colder) computer room and work on our regular computer, you might see some pics, but why would I when I can sit on the couch with my laptop in the toasty living room with the rest of my family?!

On top of all that, I haven't felt the best. The last couple of days I have started to feel like I am rounding that 1st trimester corner and am feeling better. I am just tired most of the time and it seems like I've accomplished something if I got laundry done for the day! Maybe I should have labeled this Excuses instead of Lazy!

Time to Unfreeze

So, I've been procrastinating enough on my tag.

I like that I can cry at a movie, a sappy story, that I feel deeply. It does show on my face, and that I don't like!

I like that I usually think the best of people and situations.

I like that I am always willing to learn something new and want to be constantly growing and learning.

Sorry, not that exciting of a list! But now comes the fun part! I will tag:

Mori
Alana
Terri

Freeze Tag

So, I've been tagged.

Tell everyone three things you like about yourself.
Tag three people to play along.
Go on in peace.

I have to admit I never really enjoyed the game of tag. I was never fast enough to catch anyone, so once "it", it was pretty rough to get out of "it". In freeze tag however, you were frozen when tagged, until someone came along and unfroze you or there was only one person left. Translation - I've been tagged and will remain frozen while I think about this!

It's not easy being Green

Isn't it amazing how many different things can come to mind now with one word - Green

I have been busy over the last few days canning green beans. Luke loves homemade canned green beans, they are the only one's he will eat. So, this year I planted four rows of green beans so I could can them. This was the first time I have accomplished this by myself(with minimal phone calls to mom!). And I didn't blow anything up! The first step is picking the beans - here is just a small portion of what I have been able to pick - 1/2 bushel makes approx. 12-14 quarts.

After picking comes cleaning and clipping. I opted to use scissor, I think it is easier than snapping them all by hand.

After stuffing them into jars with 1 tsp. salt, adding bowling water and putting the lids on, they go into the pressure cooker. They needed to be maintained at 10 lbs. of pressure for 25 min. - No distractions!

Finished product!

Interesting Article

I have a blog I like to visit frequently for inspiration, ideas, curriculum, perspective. This was an article that was linked on her blog that I found interesting. Let me know your thoughts.

They'll Know We are Christians

I first sang this hymn at Bible Study Fellowship and it has stuck with me ever since. It has been going through my mind today . . . over and over and over. I thought I'd look it up for some more info and found out Jars of Clay has done this one. I love the chorus "they'll know we are christians by our love, by our love, yes they'll know we are christians by our love." Do they?!

From LYRICSMODE.COM lyrics archive

Song lyrics | They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love lyrics

Coincidence?

I have recenlty finished reading Tracy Kidder's Mountains Beyond Mountains about Dr. Paul Farmer. I was referred to this book by a friend who always challenges me to think differently than I am in the habit of thinking. I would recommend it for so many reasons, but I am not going to list them all. I was at work last night and got to watch my bi-monthly episode of 60 minutes. I was thrilled to see that they were airing a segment on Paul Farmer and the work he does all over the world. Take a look and if it interest you, read the book!

Ok, so the plan was to have the 60 minutes video, but that is not working, so here is a link to another blog that you can watch it on.

Self-Defense

Did you know that 90% of women attacked know their attackers?
Only about 10% of attacks come from someone they do not know or have ever met!

This last Saturday, I participated in a Rape prevention and Environmental Awareness Seminar put on by Life for Christ Karate and their Women of Dignity and Hope program.

I was able to learn about becoming aware of my surroundings, getting in touch with my "Mama Bear" side, and learn and practice some techniques to use if I am ever assaulted. I would explain some, but as they put it, that would be giving away my "bag of tricks".

I learned that above all, one nver wants to get in a situation where they need to use these techniques, to run away if possible, then use techniques until one can get away and the threat no longer exists. I also got a really neat tool called a kubotan

A great read for moms pertaining to this would be Protecting the Gift by Gavin DeBecker. I had read this book a few years back, and taking this class brought to mind many things I had read about and had learned from this book.