Currently 3 green peppers, 10 tomatoes and 10 cucumbers in progress. Time to ask Kathy Berry for her pickle recipe. I tried them last Sunday and really liked them.
Thoughts for next year: Probably could do with only 2 cucumber vines, but we'll see how well the pickles turn out. I might be changing my tune. They definitely need a long vine growing space. Or their own box with mesh walls.
I'd like to try a different kind of tomato. These are a bit tough for my liking. I'm thinking I might want to just go Roma or even Grape since those are my favorites and would grow faster since they are smaller.
I'd like to add zucchini and summer squash. They grow really well around here and we love them on the grill. Also Onion, potatoes and try again with carrots. Might be a good idea to try some leafy greens since I'm still stuck buying them. Stawberries for something early and how about a raspberry bush for the back back? Why not!
Monday, August 24, 2015
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Weird
 |
| Getting things clean and in place |
It's a little funny knowing the exact day that I'm going to have this baby. I feel like I'm cheating. Granted, I get three weeks less to get ready than I originally thought, and I really only found out with one week's notice. It has been fun to think "this time next week I'll be able to bend over...eat a bologna sandwich, hold my urine for more than 15 minutes..." etc. And of course, to picture her here. And know that the next time I fold laundry on our bed she'll be lying there. Or the next time our milk expires I'll be breastfeeding. Or that Sunday was my last church meeting ever without having any kids. I know it, but we haven't shared it with too many people, so I'm keeping it in my heart, just like Mary. And, because I can, I'm taking a picture every day this week of my belly. This is as big as it's going to get!
 |
| St. Patrick's Day Belly |
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Speaking of Sick Days...
After the cold turned into a sinus infection, the other symptoms I developed finally started to uncover themselves as the antibiotic cleared up my nose.
I was tired and groggy. Didn't think anything of it. My body fluids changed, but I blamed it on having an infection.
I got itchy all over. Well, it's cold and dry, and I haven't been on an antibiotic in years so maybe it's just a little reaction.
Saw my OB as scheduled and left feeling like all was well.
And then it wasn't. I got sicker. I got WAY itchier. I got labs done. I got anxious because the labs took forever to come back. I got educated on what I thought might be going on. I got validation on Friday when I finally went in to see my OB again, my labs were off and he made the call to send me to the hospital for observation.
We have a diagnosis, treatment, and a plan for delivery. All is well. Uh, except for the part where I want to rip my own flesh off at night because it itches so bad.
But what I REALLY sat down to say is that this whole situation, though uncomfortable and at times frustrating, has never once been scary.
I have had a feeling all along that something was going to go "wrong" during this pregnancy. I wasn't paranoid. I believed the doctors and nurses when they measured, weighed, observed, and documented my progress as "exactly right on track" and "perfect for where you are." I never felt nervous- just certain that there would be some kind of obstacle to overcome.
I made it to 35 weeks. All was cozy and I wasn't quite to the point where I felt I had earned the right to want it to be OVER...At that point there was very little risk even if I were to go into labor prematurely.
The 36th week was when it all went down. And even still, the treatment plan includes delivery at 37 weeks at which point she is considered "term" and will not need any interventions unless she presents any signs of distress. No testing or medication is necessary for her to be perfectly healthy at delivery.
Aside from the emotional and logistical aspects of having a complication at the end of pregnancy, there's always the financial side to deal with.
And here we come to the point that ties it all together. IF I had not had to resign early from my position where I had commercial health insurance, and IF I had not previously lost my job and applied for coverage through Medicaid, we'd be paying for all of this. But as it is, everything was in place and active. All of my uncommon prescriptions, my multiple trips to the hospital for monitoring, my rare blood tests, and ultimately the delivery are covered in full.
The Lord knew what He was doing. And I had a feeling this was going to happen. I'm also grateful for the example of my older brother who, while he was in college had the faith along with his wife to start their family despite not having an income. They also had help with medical coverage and when his firstborn had to be delivered at 24 weeks and receive months of medical treatment, it was all covered. That experience taught me not to be ashamed of getting help. It taught me that when we do what is right, and we do what we can, and we do our best, the Lord will guide us to be in the best situation we can be.
I know He did that with us, and it is that trust in Him that has carried me through the last week without fear or worry or stress. We are in good hands.
I was tired and groggy. Didn't think anything of it. My body fluids changed, but I blamed it on having an infection.
I got itchy all over. Well, it's cold and dry, and I haven't been on an antibiotic in years so maybe it's just a little reaction.
Saw my OB as scheduled and left feeling like all was well.
And then it wasn't. I got sicker. I got WAY itchier. I got labs done. I got anxious because the labs took forever to come back. I got educated on what I thought might be going on. I got validation on Friday when I finally went in to see my OB again, my labs were off and he made the call to send me to the hospital for observation.
We have a diagnosis, treatment, and a plan for delivery. All is well. Uh, except for the part where I want to rip my own flesh off at night because it itches so bad.
But what I REALLY sat down to say is that this whole situation, though uncomfortable and at times frustrating, has never once been scary.
I have had a feeling all along that something was going to go "wrong" during this pregnancy. I wasn't paranoid. I believed the doctors and nurses when they measured, weighed, observed, and documented my progress as "exactly right on track" and "perfect for where you are." I never felt nervous- just certain that there would be some kind of obstacle to overcome.
I made it to 35 weeks. All was cozy and I wasn't quite to the point where I felt I had earned the right to want it to be OVER...At that point there was very little risk even if I were to go into labor prematurely.
The 36th week was when it all went down. And even still, the treatment plan includes delivery at 37 weeks at which point she is considered "term" and will not need any interventions unless she presents any signs of distress. No testing or medication is necessary for her to be perfectly healthy at delivery.
Aside from the emotional and logistical aspects of having a complication at the end of pregnancy, there's always the financial side to deal with.
And here we come to the point that ties it all together. IF I had not had to resign early from my position where I had commercial health insurance, and IF I had not previously lost my job and applied for coverage through Medicaid, we'd be paying for all of this. But as it is, everything was in place and active. All of my uncommon prescriptions, my multiple trips to the hospital for monitoring, my rare blood tests, and ultimately the delivery are covered in full.
The Lord knew what He was doing. And I had a feeling this was going to happen. I'm also grateful for the example of my older brother who, while he was in college had the faith along with his wife to start their family despite not having an income. They also had help with medical coverage and when his firstborn had to be delivered at 24 weeks and receive months of medical treatment, it was all covered. That experience taught me not to be ashamed of getting help. It taught me that when we do what is right, and we do what we can, and we do our best, the Lord will guide us to be in the best situation we can be.
I know He did that with us, and it is that trust in Him that has carried me through the last week without fear or worry or stress. We are in good hands.
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Use what you have
My sister in law is a talented quilter. It's something she enjoys, and has ended up being a successful business. She has a tradition of making crib size blankets for babies born to our family.
She also makes gorgeous quilts for family members who get married. She and I got together the last time I was in town visiting and picked out the pattern and some fabric selections. Her diligent efforts over the last year were interrupted many times by other works in progress and professional obligations. It was never a problem for us- we knew we'd get it eventually and it would be stunning.
The time came for the quilt to be completed and shipped to us in our new home- just before I am due to have a baby. I have seen many baby quilts displayed on her professional blog in recent months and thought to myself, you know if those aren't already spoken for, I'd be perfectly happy with one of them so she doesn't have to start another new project.
She read my mind and emailed me to ask if I would mind choosing from her completed works stash, including pictures of the options to choose from. I was so proud of her for being wise and using what she already had available!
Is it even the slightest bit surprising that among her selections there was a beautiful, classic, but not boring looking quilt in the exact colors I have been gravitating towards as I select things for the baby? Nope.
And now that we have it in the house, it is so perfectly suited that it just makes me smile. Being resourceful is such a blessing! We don't even have to expend any effort on this particular "make it do" because it just DOES all on its own. :)
She also makes gorgeous quilts for family members who get married. She and I got together the last time I was in town visiting and picked out the pattern and some fabric selections. Her diligent efforts over the last year were interrupted many times by other works in progress and professional obligations. It was never a problem for us- we knew we'd get it eventually and it would be stunning.
The time came for the quilt to be completed and shipped to us in our new home- just before I am due to have a baby. I have seen many baby quilts displayed on her professional blog in recent months and thought to myself, you know if those aren't already spoken for, I'd be perfectly happy with one of them so she doesn't have to start another new project.
She read my mind and emailed me to ask if I would mind choosing from her completed works stash, including pictures of the options to choose from. I was so proud of her for being wise and using what she already had available!
 |
| I just can't get over how well it all goes together. Her pack and play (crib) has the same design as the car seat canopy pictured here. Iphone pics add a lot of blue. In real life, all of the colors are much softer and share the same rich tones. |
And now that we have it in the house, it is so perfectly suited that it just makes me smile. Being resourceful is such a blessing! We don't even have to expend any effort on this particular "make it do" because it just DOES all on its own. :)
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Sick Days
Taking a sick day when your work is your home is very frustrating. You have to sit/lay and look at everything you wish you could be doing all day long.
This morning I was half asleep on the couch, having been up in the wee hours unable to sleep, as my husband prepared to leave for work. I couldn't even get out words to help him pack a lunch. It's the one thing he hates most in the world and we have a deal that if I do it, he'll eat anything I make for him. It was killing me. Especially since this is yet another in a string of quite a few days that I haven't been able to keep up my end of the deal.
So what's the flip side? I guess being grateful for all the days you can do the things that need to be done, for health and ability and everything we otherwise take for granted.
I had a good afternoon yesterday and was able to get the pantry cupboards cleaned and organized and put away a lot of junk that was sitting around in the back hall. Even put all the cloth diapers on the shelf where they are going to live. A little bit of breakthrough nesting in an otherwise ongoing sick/uncomfortable haze.
The pregnancy induced impaired immune system battle to recover to any semblance of my former self has been going on for almost three weeks at this point so no wonder I'm getting frustrated! I think the best thing is to pick one or two things that you think you can do that you want to do, rest on either side and do them and then tell yourself it's enough for today.
And then it'll just have to do.
This morning I was half asleep on the couch, having been up in the wee hours unable to sleep, as my husband prepared to leave for work. I couldn't even get out words to help him pack a lunch. It's the one thing he hates most in the world and we have a deal that if I do it, he'll eat anything I make for him. It was killing me. Especially since this is yet another in a string of quite a few days that I haven't been able to keep up my end of the deal.
So what's the flip side? I guess being grateful for all the days you can do the things that need to be done, for health and ability and everything we otherwise take for granted.
I had a good afternoon yesterday and was able to get the pantry cupboards cleaned and organized and put away a lot of junk that was sitting around in the back hall. Even put all the cloth diapers on the shelf where they are going to live. A little bit of breakthrough nesting in an otherwise ongoing sick/uncomfortable haze.
The pregnancy induced impaired immune system battle to recover to any semblance of my former self has been going on for almost three weeks at this point so no wonder I'm getting frustrated! I think the best thing is to pick one or two things that you think you can do that you want to do, rest on either side and do them and then tell yourself it's enough for today.
And then it'll just have to do.
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
DIY Parenting
This is our first child, so any "parenting" I have done up to this point has been on other people's children and anything I've learned has either been academic, or due to the example and advice of others.
One of things that stands out to me most is that in order to be successful as a parent, you must be true to yourself. It is absolutely crucial to "do it yourself" when it comes to parenting. Do it your way, what's right for your family. This involves lots of smiling and nodding because so many people like to be helpful and make suggestions. Some will even go so far as to lend you materials, or provide the equipment that they are sure will make you happy and better off.
I'm working on setting healthy boundaries with the family we have close by. My intention is to provide clear and fair expectations, but I realize that A) it probably just comes off as me sounding like a know-it-all that doesn't have kids and B) They're going to do what they want anyway. So we'll have to just go with the disclaimer that family, especially grandparents, kind of get a free pass on this one.
When I start to analyze what that looks like, I find myself shrinking back a bit from the rest of the world. It's not that I lack confidence and don't want to be looked down on for my decisions as a parent, but rather that I'd just rather not have 90,000 people's opinions swarming around in my head or being shoved at me. I am definitely a keep-it-simple person.
And yet, I read mommy blogs. Heck, I think I might technically be writing one right now. So again, I give myself the warning: Do it yourself. Be deliberate. Make choices. Weigh the options and pick one you want for your family. Counsel with your husband regularly and follow up on the goals you've set. Be flexible, but be consistent. And don't let other people make you feel bad about your choices. It's ok to learn from mistakes, but not ok to get weighed down by them.
So here's a little parenting quirk that I've already discovered in myself. I'm mostly sharing because I think it's funny, but also because it's a tiny way of standing up for myself right now...declaring to the interwebs that I AM SOMEBODY, blaring my very own Bon Jovi-esque homage to Frankie that I'm doing it my way.
We have a two bedroom house. That's it. There's a closet in the hall and a living room and a bathroom and a kitchen, but no other spaces. There are currently two of us. While the kitchen tends to be my main workshop, I have a sewing machine and a desk in the spare room. My husband keeps his school things and occupies half of the closet with suit coats and such. That's where the entertainment center (TV/DVD player) and most of our books are. It's basically a den.
So when people ask me if I have the baby's room "all ready" (because more than a month out I guess that's an important thing to do, even though we haven't even had a baby shower yet and don't have the things for her that are going in there) I cringe.
She's an infant. And technically will be for a YEAR, people! She does not need her own room! Sure, I understand the benefit of having a space to settle her to sleep and feed, away from noise and other people. And as she gets older, she'll need the cue of going into another room, getting in her bed and the door shutting. But it's not her room. There is no theme or decor. I have a couple of things I could hang on the wall, but I've had them for years and would likely put them up anyway. There will be a space for her pack n play and something soft to sit on for feeding/soothing. The bottom half of the closet has gifts we've received for her stored currently in it. But that's it. The changing table is going in the laundry room (it's really just a hall way where the water heater and furnace are but we like to pretend it's fancy) and my plan is to keep my current lazy boy recliner/tv tray and end table work station in the living room up and running, as I add a new line to my job description: Around the clock feeding.
Likely resulting from that drive to set expectations mentioned earlier, I find myself being very verbal about this to poor unsuspecting relatives who are just excited and want to share in our joy. "Is the baby's room all ready, Lynn?"
"No! The baby doesn't HAVE a room. How dare you suggest such a thing in my presence! {Humphrump}"
I think it stems from not wanting her to be spoiled. I grew up in a big family. We had to do work and learned not to ask for things most of the time. There wasn't any entitlement, but there was satisfaction and love and fun and memories, and that's what I want for our first born even before she learns the art of sharing her things, her parents, and her life with another sibling. I want her to appreciate simple things, to spend time outside and to play creatively. And I hate junk. So I'm finding ways to sneak into the conversation that, "No, we don't have space for anything else so PLEASE don't try to give it to us, no matter how cute, or popular, or educational it may seem." Well, that's where I am but I'm trying to be better.
First lesson of parenting learned: don't be a jerk about it! I have a goal this year to be more gracious, and I think this is the exact scenario I somehow knew my personality would clash against. So, how can I handle it better?
Acknowledge where it is coming from.
-Oh thanks for asking. I can tell you're getting excited.
Answer the question:
-We're not quite set up with everything yet, but after the shower we should be good to go.
Leave out the snotty attitude and lecture:
-Luckily there's not a lot to be done so we're feeling calm.
Change the subject back to them:
-So what are you looking forward to?
See, I know these things. I just need to DO them.
That just leaves me with one problem. What in the world does one do with gifts for a child that one has absolutely no intention of using and would rather not have to see ever again (besides thanking the person for their generosity in a sincere note in the mail)? How far is too far when it comes to defending or implementing your own style and preferences for raising children?
One of things that stands out to me most is that in order to be successful as a parent, you must be true to yourself. It is absolutely crucial to "do it yourself" when it comes to parenting. Do it your way, what's right for your family. This involves lots of smiling and nodding because so many people like to be helpful and make suggestions. Some will even go so far as to lend you materials, or provide the equipment that they are sure will make you happy and better off.
I'm working on setting healthy boundaries with the family we have close by. My intention is to provide clear and fair expectations, but I realize that A) it probably just comes off as me sounding like a know-it-all that doesn't have kids and B) They're going to do what they want anyway. So we'll have to just go with the disclaimer that family, especially grandparents, kind of get a free pass on this one.
When I start to analyze what that looks like, I find myself shrinking back a bit from the rest of the world. It's not that I lack confidence and don't want to be looked down on for my decisions as a parent, but rather that I'd just rather not have 90,000 people's opinions swarming around in my head or being shoved at me. I am definitely a keep-it-simple person.
And yet, I read mommy blogs. Heck, I think I might technically be writing one right now. So again, I give myself the warning: Do it yourself. Be deliberate. Make choices. Weigh the options and pick one you want for your family. Counsel with your husband regularly and follow up on the goals you've set. Be flexible, but be consistent. And don't let other people make you feel bad about your choices. It's ok to learn from mistakes, but not ok to get weighed down by them.
So here's a little parenting quirk that I've already discovered in myself. I'm mostly sharing because I think it's funny, but also because it's a tiny way of standing up for myself right now...declaring to the interwebs that I AM SOMEBODY, blaring my very own Bon Jovi-esque homage to Frankie that I'm doing it my way.
We have a two bedroom house. That's it. There's a closet in the hall and a living room and a bathroom and a kitchen, but no other spaces. There are currently two of us. While the kitchen tends to be my main workshop, I have a sewing machine and a desk in the spare room. My husband keeps his school things and occupies half of the closet with suit coats and such. That's where the entertainment center (TV/DVD player) and most of our books are. It's basically a den.
So when people ask me if I have the baby's room "all ready" (because more than a month out I guess that's an important thing to do, even though we haven't even had a baby shower yet and don't have the things for her that are going in there) I cringe.
She's an infant. And technically will be for a YEAR, people! She does not need her own room! Sure, I understand the benefit of having a space to settle her to sleep and feed, away from noise and other people. And as she gets older, she'll need the cue of going into another room, getting in her bed and the door shutting. But it's not her room. There is no theme or decor. I have a couple of things I could hang on the wall, but I've had them for years and would likely put them up anyway. There will be a space for her pack n play and something soft to sit on for feeding/soothing. The bottom half of the closet has gifts we've received for her stored currently in it. But that's it. The changing table is going in the laundry room (it's really just a hall way where the water heater and furnace are but we like to pretend it's fancy) and my plan is to keep my current lazy boy recliner/tv tray and end table work station in the living room up and running, as I add a new line to my job description: Around the clock feeding.
Likely resulting from that drive to set expectations mentioned earlier, I find myself being very verbal about this to poor unsuspecting relatives who are just excited and want to share in our joy. "Is the baby's room all ready, Lynn?"
"No! The baby doesn't HAVE a room. How dare you suggest such a thing in my presence! {Humphrump}"
I think it stems from not wanting her to be spoiled. I grew up in a big family. We had to do work and learned not to ask for things most of the time. There wasn't any entitlement, but there was satisfaction and love and fun and memories, and that's what I want for our first born even before she learns the art of sharing her things, her parents, and her life with another sibling. I want her to appreciate simple things, to spend time outside and to play creatively. And I hate junk. So I'm finding ways to sneak into the conversation that, "No, we don't have space for anything else so PLEASE don't try to give it to us, no matter how cute, or popular, or educational it may seem." Well, that's where I am but I'm trying to be better.
First lesson of parenting learned: don't be a jerk about it! I have a goal this year to be more gracious, and I think this is the exact scenario I somehow knew my personality would clash against. So, how can I handle it better?
Acknowledge where it is coming from.
-Oh thanks for asking. I can tell you're getting excited.
Answer the question:
-We're not quite set up with everything yet, but after the shower we should be good to go.
Leave out the snotty attitude and lecture:
-Luckily there's not a lot to be done so we're feeling calm.
Change the subject back to them:
-So what are you looking forward to?
See, I know these things. I just need to DO them.
That just leaves me with one problem. What in the world does one do with gifts for a child that one has absolutely no intention of using and would rather not have to see ever again (besides thanking the person for their generosity in a sincere note in the mail)? How far is too far when it comes to defending or implementing your own style and preferences for raising children?
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
A sneaky trick
I haven't been a condensed frozen juice person since college, but that's the way it comes if I want it for free through our assistance program, so I was willing to get back into it.Only we don't have a pitcher with a lid to mix it and store it in.
Once again, I thought, "Well, I'm sure they have them at the dollar store. I can use my spare change..." But I stopped myself because we're still trying not to spend money on THINGS.
So I got really inventive and figured out if you let it sit on the counter for a while and melt, you can pour it in a large measuring cup with a spout.
And then you can pour that into an empty apple juice bottle with a lid.
And then you can read the can and use the measuring cup to measure the exact amount of water to add (or do the "about 3 cans method" if you prefer) and then pour that in.
And then screw the lid on tight and shake it up.
No purchase necessary. :)
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