Cleaning Schedule

I love to organize.  Do you?  Do you ever get butterflies in your stomach while walking through office supply stores or container stores?  I sure do!  The problem?  Money!

Have you heard of FlyLady?  FlyLady is a great system to get chaos at home under control.  I have used many of her ideas to keep my home clean and organized. 

I am in need of some fresh ideas - creative ideas - inexpensive ideas to get some clutter under control before Baby arrives.  I'm happy to share the ideas I have already borrowed from others over the next few weeks!

How do you keep your home clean and orderly?  Do you use a weekly cleaning schedule?  Do you have any ingenious methods? 

Please share!

Breastfeeding Myth: I'm Pregnant and Not Leaking Milk so I Won't Be Able to Breastfeed

 

I spend a lot of time on Babycenter.com reading various forums.  I am currently part of three different birth boards.  On the May and June 2010 birth boards, I have been reading a lot of myths about breastfeeding.  One common one that keeps coming back up is the myth that if your breasts do not leak during pregnancy, you will not be able to breastfeed.

Thankfully, this myth is completely FALSE!

Here is a link about leaking during pregnancy.

It is normal if you do leak, it is normal if you don't!  Take heart, leaking has no bearing on ability to breastfeed.  If you leak, make sure you stock up on nursing pads to save yourself some potentially embarrassing moments!

Good Links - Homemade Dairy Product, Ideas for Kids, Becoming a Better Wife

I hope to get a meatier post up and running today.  It has been quite busy here!  Hubby presented a recital at the university last night which was fantastic!   Buggy did a great job as well.  He only shouted "daddy!  daddy!" when Hubby was NOT playing.  He danced quite a jig in the entrance way to burn off energy.  I must say that I am really thankful for his monkey leash because otherwise he would have ended up onstage WITH daddy!  We lasted about an hour out of the 90 minute recital - not bad for a 16 month old!

Today, we have yet another snow day.  16 in total since Jan 1 for our area.  Hubby's classes were all canceled as well.  I am happy to spend this extra time with him!  We hope to spend some family time out in the snow.  I hope to have Hubby help with some nesting that needs to be done!  Even better (for us) we just learned that the university's audition day tomorrow is canceled, so yet another day with the hubs!

Here are some great posts that are definitely worth the read.  Hope you enjoy!  Oh, by the way, does anyone have a good recipe for Groundhog Stew?  If Punxatawny Phil has another prediction like this year, I think we'll need that recipe!

• Crock Pot Cream Cheese
• Becoming a Better Help Meet
• Crafting Rich Experiences for our Children on a Frugal Budget

Have you ever had one of THOSE DAYS?  The ones that make you feel like you've been battered around, chewed up, and spit out?  Yeah.  Today felt like one of those days!

Nothing major happened.  Buggy was fantastic during a long day of shopping.  We left the house around 10am and returned at nearly 3pm.  I think the fatigue from shopping and frustration of coupons not working right and the realization that a toddler on a leash isn't good when paired with Kroger's self checkout lane with the scales for the bags (the scale is fun to hang on which causes mommy to need to have the scale reset over and over again) paired with crazy traffic as the high school let out (with really stupid teenage drivers trying to fishtail on major roads) added in with the hormones of pregnancy just were a little too much to take today.

I am wiped out!  Buggy learned a new trick during his afternoon nap time.  He learned how to unscrew his bottle with ice water and dump it down his pants.  Fun times!  We also spent a long time working on the fact that "no" really does mean "no" and that dumping the dog's water dish is definitely a "no" every single time, no matter if it is 17 times in one evening.

I am thankful that we do not need to be slaves to our emotions.  Boy, I am tempted to just be grouchy and blame it on the pregnancy or on being tired with a very active toddler.  I am thankful that God's mercies are new every morning.  I am so thankful that He can change my view of my situations instantly when I think to ask Him.  I love the sweet moments with my family that come after getting out of my grumpies - out of my sin.

I am amazed that God sent His only Son to die in our places.   How amazing is this truth?  When was the last time you really chewed on these words?

2 Corinthians 5:17-19 (English Standard Version)
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

Run to God

1 Timothy 6:11,12 (New Living Translation)
11 But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run.... Pursue righteousness and a godly life.... 12 Fight the good fight for the true faith.

Do you RUN?  Lately, I have been meandering.  Wandering.  Moseying.  What a challenge - to RUN to pursue righteousness and a godly life.

I humbly ask - are you running?

Cute Pictures

Just a few cute pictures for you today!  I couldn't be more thankful for my two special men!

 

Snoozing on Daddy

  

He's getting so big!

 Brushing teeth - a new favorite

AND... how Mommy realized it's time to pack the size 3 diapers away for the new baby and move Buggy up to size 4.  Oops! 

This post is linked to Heavenly Homemakers for Gratituesday!

Another Award!

 I was  excited to receive a blog award  from All About the Savings!!  Thank you for thinking of me!

The rules for accepting this award:

1.Thank the person that gave you the award

2. Pass this award on to 13 bloggers you've recently discovered
and whom you think are fantastic!

3. Contact the Bloggers you pick to let them know they've won

4. State 7 Things about yourself!

How fun!
Here are the seven things about me:

1. I am loving that my Hubby works so hard that I am able to stay home to raise our children even if finances are super-tight.

2. I am amazed daily at God's love for us.  I look at my son and can't imagine sacrificing him for others, yet God sacrificed His only Son for us - vile sinners who didn't deserve anything better than Hell.

3. My baby boy (in my belly) currently has the hiccups and seems to be part octopus.

4. I am thrilled that my son (Buggy) is finally sleeping well both at night and for naps!

5. I still cannot get used to the idea that we won't be moving next year or anytime soon - we are in our "Forever Home" after moving around a TON for 8 years.

6. I love my church.  I love my MOPS group.  I am having so much fun building a new network of friends.

7. I hope to start a beginner guitar class in our area in the near future.  I am a musician and am itching for more outlets!

Now here are the 13 blogs that I have chosen to give this award to - make sure you check them out!

1.  Melissa's Bargain Blog
2. Together We Save
3. Growth Chart Moments
4. The Centsational Saver
5. Stewardship Diaries
6. Lifestyle Logic
7. "Deal"ightfully Frugal
8. Adventures of a Somewhat Crunchy Mama
9. Bargain is the New Black
10. Golden's Bargain Blog
11. Mama Loves to Save
12. Sew Blessed by Children
13. The Bargain Squad

Breastfeeding: J.'s Story

I found a lot of support and reassurance early on by hearing stories of other moms.  I will occasionally post those stories here for more encouragement.  It was helpful to see that things don't always go smoothly, but there are ways to cope and move forward.  The most important thing is that our babies are being fed!

Below is J.'s story.  I'll include her update from just about a week ago plus posts that she put on her blog regarding the early days of breastfeeding.  Thank you so much, J., for sharing your story with us!

 

A little backstory:

My daughter, A.,  was born at 35 weeks, 4 days, weighing 5 lbs, 11 oz.  She was discharged from the hospital at 2 days old, weighing 5 lbs, 7 oz.  She was back to birthweight by 5 days of age.  We struggled and struggled and struggled with breastfeeding.  It was so important to me, and I felt like the world’s biggest failure because I couldn’t do it.  Something *must* be wrong with me, right?  That’s certainly how I felt.  I had amazing support from my husband and my family, and that’s pretty much the only thing that kept me going!  As you can see by the following posts, I was able to successfully nurse.  I got mastitis once when my daughter was 3 weeks old, and again when she was 8 months old.  We soldiered through it, and I’m still nursing (pretty frequently…4-8 times/24 hours) at 17 months of age. 

 

I’ve dealt with pediatricians telling me that breastfeeding was causing the reflux in my daughter (her thought was that my daughter was overeating, causing the spitting up), I’ve dealt with lactation consultants whose method of helping was to give me a bottle of formula to feed the baby, I’ve dealt with mastitis and thrush.  Pretty much the only thing that didn’t go wrong with this nursing experience was my supply.  I have a fantastic supply. 

 

I ended up going and seeing a craniosacral therapist.  To be honest, I’m not a big believer in natural treatment.  I just don’t understand how it can work.  However, I was desperate and willing to try anything to get my daughter to nurse successfully.  I don’t know that the therapist made a difference, but I’m sure she didn’t hurt anything either.

 

I think there are a lot of misconceptions about breastfeeding.  The main one is that it is “natural”, so it must be easy.  Ha!  Ha! Ha!  It can be easy, I know.  It just wasn’t for me.  It took a lot of struggling and fighting and tears to make it work.  I felt like a huge failure because I couldn’t nourish my child.  I mean, it is such a basic thing, and so many people can do it, that it should just be easy with no problems.  I didn’t realize until much later that there is a huge learning curve, for mama and for baby.

 

Breastfeeding is something that is so important to me.  If you want to share my story, you are free to do so.  Maybe it would help other people who just want to throw in the towel (Of course, it might also frighten them.  My story isn’t that pretty!). 

 

--J.

 

 

I wanted to love on my daughter (A) immediately after she was born. That's when they are most receptive to learning to breastfeed. Well, I wasn't able to, since she was having a little bit of respiratory distress (minor retractions and nasal flaring). After about 30 minutes in the nursery, the nurse came in and asked me if I wanted to see her or if I wanted them to go ahead and clean her up. I told them to bring her to me, since I wanted to breastfeed as quickly as I could. She immediately latched on and did fantastic. We were able to feed twice before the nursery came to take her away for the doctor's rounds.

After the doctor saw A, the nursery brought her back to me. She refused to feed at the breast. Wasn't going to happen, no way, no how. I requested that a lactation consultant come talk to me, and she did. She talked to me a bit, then told me that it was normal for her not to nurse because she was a preemie and that she had to eat. She brought me formula and told me to give her that. That was the extent of my help with the lactation consultant at the hospital. I would pump and only get just a bit, then give her formula. My recovery nurse suggested that I put the pumped milk (colostrum) into a medicine cup and give her that. So, when we went home after she was born, she was taking formula. My milk came in on Sunday, so I was able to pump and give her breastmilk and stop the formula. I continued to offer the breast at every feeding, and A would scream and cry and not feed from me. More often than not, it ended up with A crying, me crying, and occasionally my husband crying. It was totally miserable for all of us. After calling my mom crying for the 3rd or 4th day in a row, she contacted a friend of hers that has a friend who is a lactation consultant in the area. R (the lactation consultant) and I exchanged e-mails, and she came over on Sunday (10 days after A was born). In a 3 hour afternoon, she was able to get A to latch on and successfully nurse. Wow.

It has been a learning process...A and I were just getting the hang of it when, on the following Friday, I woke up in the middle of the night with severe chills and a 102 degree fever. I had incredible malaise and a very sore, red breast. So starts mastitis. I called the doc when they opened and got a script for dicloxicillin. Just for the record, nursing with mastits hurts. A lot. Like, vomitting because the pain was so much and crying hysterically every time I had to nurse kind of hurt. It was not good at all. Then, it started getting a little better, and my nipples decided to start burning all the time, even when I wasn't feeding. I also noticed cracks and bleeding on both nipples. It was thrush, brought on by the antibiotics for the mastitis.

So, here's we are now. I can feed without crying. However, A is not latching on properly still, so the initial latch-on part is pretty tense. Once we get past the first 30 seconds or so, we are fine. It is a little uncomfortable, but I can deal with uncomfortable. I will probably try to see R again once I'm sure the mastitis and thrush are gone. I just feel like I have to get rid of a myriad of problems to be all better.

On a positive note, A is doing very well with her feeding. She is having very good output (lots of poops and pees) and her weight gain is great. I went into her pediatrician's office today (where I work...one of the perks) and weighed her. She weighed 7lbs, 5.5 oz. Holy cow! She has gained almost 2 full pounds since my husband and I brought her home 3 weeks ago! So, even though it has been really hard for me, it is worth it to make sure she is healthy.

--new post from a few weeks later

 

Things are starting to look up with breastfeeding. I saw a lactation consultant with the hospital, and she was unable to see any obvious reason for the pain. There were no signs of a yeast infection, either with me or with A. She sent me home with a nipple shield, in the hopes that maybe if we could keep A off the breast a bit, it would allow them to heal and not hurt so much. It sounds great in theory, but A wouldn't nurse if I was wearing it. So, back to square one.

We were out of town this weekend, and it was pretty miserable. My husband and I talked it over, and we decided to start the switch to a bottle, and, eventually, formula. It wasn't a choice I was crazy about making, but I was too miserable and was really starting to resent what I was going through.

We got home Sunday night and I started thawing some of the frozen breast milk that I had previously expressed. My husband gave her a bottle in the evening, but I nursed during the night. She did great with that! There was hope! Since then, we have had really good nursing times. I am having almost no pain with the right breast, and just a little bit on the left. Wes is still giving her a bottle in the evenings, since she will have to get used to taking one when I go back to work, but overall, I'm ready to give nursing another chance. I'm not sure what made things better...I know that sometimes it just takes time for the babies and mamas to get on the same page. Maybe it was giving myself permission to do something else. Whatever the reason, I'm very grateful.

I did take A to the doctor for excessive spitting up. However, she weighed 8 pounds, 14 oz, which was a gain of 18 ounces in 10 days. So, I don't think the spitting up is too terribly excessive! The doctor gave me some medicine for her, with the thought that she might be having some issues with reflux. It's fairly common in babies, and most of them grow out of it. Hopefully, that will happen soon.

Car Seat Failure

I am pretty hard-nosed about car seat safety.  We are having Buggy sit rear facing until at least age 2.  He will be in a 5 point harness as long as possible.  I have been doing a lot of research on car seat safety and have been learning a lot.  Car seats today are generally very safe when used properly.  A good, secure install is the most important factor (seatbelt install and latch install show no difference in safety when done correctly - latch installs are a bit easier than seatbelt installs).  The biggest problem with car seats today is failure in specific parts.

I watched this video and it shocked me.  I don't have one of the brands listed, but I will be checking our Graco SafeSeat before driving anywhere with Buggy.  I will be checking each seat before purchasing his convertible seat in the near future.  Just a warning!  Check those seats!  Keep your kids safe!

Breastfeeding and Pregnancy Update

I am 25 weeks pregnant now.  Buggy is 16 months old.  I am slightly sad to say that we are pretty much weaned, at least for now.  It is nice to somewhat have my body back to myself, but I miss the snuggles.  About every 3-4 days, he will latch on and nurse a bit but that's it.  Other times he just isn't too interested. 

I had a few days of being really sad that his "baby phase" is ending, but it is amazing to watch him grow.  He is definitely an independent little boy.  He learned how to "walk" on his knees yesterday and thought it was the FUNNIEST thing ever!

As for the pregnancy, my thyroid has been perfect.  I actually occasionally forget that I am pregnant.  This pregnancy is soooo different than with Buggy.  I have only been sick a handful of times total versus a handful of times each day for four months.  I have had energy enough to keep up with a running and climbing toddler.  I guess part of it is that this isn't new.  Part is that I am so busy that I don't have time to think about every ache and pain. 

We're excited to meet our new bundle!  I must confess that I do find myself worrying about if he will stay inside long enough.  I feel better now that we are past the critical 24 week milestone.  Now, with Buggy, I had the feeling that he would come early pretty much all through pregnancy.  With this little one, I haven't had that feeling.  We'll see!  It's all in God's hands and my worrying won't do a single thing to alter the situation.

Thyroid and Vitamin D

Many of you know that I have had thyroid disease since I was 10.  I've been well-controlled until my postpartum with Buggy.  I have been checked VERY often this pregnancy and things have been smooth sailing.

I came across a fantastic article that I wanted to share with you.  Thyroid issues are more common that many people think.  I encourage others to get their thyroid tested regularly - at least every 5 years at a physical exam. 

Osteoporosis is also a very common condition.  Doctors have known that there is a connection between thyroid disease and osteoporosis, but the exact correlation hasn't always been clear.  Before I turned 30, my OB/GYN tested me with a bone scan and saw that I am considered as having osteopenia (pre-osteoporosis).  She suggested just starting on osteoporosis medication which I would need to wean from before becoming pregnant.  Instead, I went to my endocrinologist who diagnosed me as having low vitamin D levels.

Now, I just need to try extra hard to get plenty of vitamin D and to do weight bearing exercise.  At some point, when we are certain we are done having children, I may look into the osteoporosis medications.

This article has shed a new light on the importance of checking our vitamin D levels as well as thyroid levels.  Vitamin D helps with mood and helps boost our immune system as well - quite important!
Check it out and let me know what you think.

Who is Who?!?!

I have been quite busy revamping my Penny Pinching Penguin blog and am sad to say that I have slipped on keeping posts coming on this blog!  Don't worry - a facelift is on the dockets for this blog in just a week or so!

Hubby was wonderful and put all sorts of old photos on my computer from our old computer.  One picture caught me off-guard and I needed to share!  Which picture is Hubby and which picture is Buggy?  The resemblance is amazing!

 

  

 

All This Cuteness with a Cherry on Top

So, Buggy (Little Man) likes to do his hair just like Daddy.  Daddy puts gel in each morning.  If Buggy is awake, Daddy helps him do his hair complete with gel and comb.

Well, gel isn't the only thing Buggy does his hair with.  The dog's water dish is a great source of "gel."  Bananas - another one.  The most recent (and cutest to boot) was his fruit cup.  Somehow, one lone cherry found itself stuck on the little bits of hair up on top. 

And so we have - "All This Cuteness with a Cherry on Top!"

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope you had a great Valentines Day!

I am sharing a song about One who loves us all more than we can ever imagine:

What's Your Love Story?

I haven't always been a fan of Valentines Day.  I'm still not a huge fan.  I don't like the pressure for men to purchase specific items that supposedly show their undying love.  Now, to be fair, my love language is NOT gifts.  Flowers, jewelry, candy, stuffed animals - none of those say, "I love you forever" to me.  I'd rather have a date and just spend time with Hubby.  In fact, our Valentines Day celebration is coming a day early.  We're going window shopping and out to lunch and later to a dinner and jazz concert.

How did you fall in love?  How long have you and your spouse been together?  What was your wedding like?  I love love stories!  Please share yours!  Here is a brief overview of ours.

Hubby and I met in college.  I was a sophomore, he was a freshman.  I hated him.  Loathed him.  I was immature and too good to deal with freshmen. He was just a little bit arrogant and full of himself musically speaking.  Fast forward a year.  I had matured a bit.  Hubby had become a Christian.  We were forced to sit next to each other in Symphony Band.  He stole my French horn mouthpiece almost daily.  One day, he was sitting on the wood bench in Cogswell hall.  He winked at me.  That was it!  We've been together ever since.  Shortly after that wink, we had our first date.

I remember our first Valentines Day weekend.  Hubby came over to visit at my apartment.  We snuggled on the couch and watched a random tv show.  I remember it was about relationships and the science behind long-term, monogamous relationships.  I remember hubby saying to me, "This gives me ideas for the future."  That same weekend, he locked me in my bedroom and cooked for me - a 5 course dinner made up of different parts of a cookie bar cake.

Two years later, Hubby proposed.  He took me to a fancy dinner on the Jersey shore followed by a walk along the inlet by the lighthouse.  We sat in the lighthouse gazebo.  He played worship songs on the guitar and we sang together.  Next, he played me a song that he wrote for me and then he asked me to marry him!

A year later, we were married.  On my college graduation day.  I don't recommend that.  It's a LITTLE stressful!  I went to the small departmental graduation in the morning and got married in the afternoon.  Hubby was supposed to be there - he was graduating with his first degree in August but could walk in May - but opted to not go.  The professor who was officiating had to ask, in front of everyone, where he was since we were getting married that day.  He agreed that it was best for us to not see each other until the wedding!

We have been together for about 13 years and have been married for 10 years this May.  We have had our ups and our downs.  It always amazes me to think back to our dating years.  I didn't think I could love him any more.  Now, all these years later, I am amazed that I continue to love him more, day after day.

What is your love story?

Finer Things Friday - Snowed-in Family Time

This has been a hard winter.  We live in a very mountainous region and have gotten a good bit of snow and ice.  You can see some pictures of our hill in this previous post about blessing others while being snowed in.  Hubby teaches at a university up in the mountains.  Today is the first day they have had classes in a WEEK! 

I am very thankful for our time being snowed in.  Buggy (little man) got to see Daddy a ton and they had a lot of great bonding time.  Buggy has been sleeping better at night and has been receptive to someone other than MOMMY doing soothing after a bump or bruise.   Buggy also got to help mommy vacuum a lot and even better, help Daddy shovel snow!

I had two favorite times during our seclusion.  One was when we had no power.  We got to have a candlelit dinner around the table as a family.  I got to learn how to cook hamburgers by FEEL rather than sight!  I was even happier when power came back on shortly after so we had heat that night when temps dropped to the single digits.  The second favorite was a family walk.  We opted to leave the dog at home.  Hubby didn't want to risk Buggy's safety by being pulled over on the icy sidewalks by a crazy pooch plus we decided that being pregnant, I certainly shouldn't take the dog or the toddler on my back.

While I am thankful for the time at home as a family without the normal hectic schedule, I am CERTAINLY looking forward to spring.  I am also looking forward to the day we replace our beater car with something that has four wheel drive!

Want to read about more finer things?  Head on over to Amy's Finer Things for some fantastic stories!

When Life Seems too Hard

God is God in the good times AND in the bad.  As Christians, we are never promised an easy life, a comfortable life, a life without pain and suffering.  Many people look to Jesus as the gift-giver.  Yes, He showers us with gifts and blessings, however, not all gifts and blessings SEEM to be good. 

As a child, I remember being disciplined.  I didn't like discipline.  I would rather just do what I want and do it my way because, you know, I know it all!  Thankfully, my parents were wise and realized that I did NOT know it all and that I needed discipline and guidance.

God is the same way.  He loves us and wants what is best for us even if it doesn't seem like it at the time.

I encourage you to read this story.  It contains the amazing account of a family who has been through struggles much like Job.  Hubby and I knew them years ago, when Steve was one of our pastors (the pastor who married us, actually), and when Ian was just a child.  We have not had the privilege of meeting Larissa yet.

Here is the link to the story.  Here is the link to the PrayforIan blog.  What a testimony and challenge to all of us.

Blessing Others while Snowed In

Well, we are snowed in again.  This winter is not-so-gently nudging us to replace the ole "viper" with 4wd at some point.  Our hill is just too steep to navigate when snowy (with a sharp turn at the bottom to boot).  We watched several vehicles, including 4wd, get stuck right about where the white van is parked.  Our driveway is between the two vans.  This picture above doesn't show the sharp turn at the bottom that prevents any inertia to get up the hill.

 

This picture shows that turn a little better.

Anyway, I know many people have had it much worse than we have with this storm.  There are still people in town that have no power nearly a week later.  We were without power for just one day.  Just an hour away, the news is capturing video footage of the National Guard helping people in my parents area get around and get supplies they need.

I know my inclination is to hunker down and stay warm.  I was able to restock basic supplies Monday night before this second wave came.  A good friend of mine pointed out something very important.  There are many people, often elderly, that have NOT been able to restock the basics.  

How can you be the blessing in a snow storm?  Talk with your neighbors.  See what they need and give what you can.  If you are able to get out safely, offer to take a neighbor to a doctors appointment or to refill medications and get groceries.  Look out for others.  Shovel someone else's walkway without being asked.  Take someone a loaf of bread or a pot of soup.

It's time to rekindle the concept of "neighborhood" where neighbors looked out for each other.  We watched a demonstration yesterday by that white van.  A woman got stuck just about 3 houses down from her driveway.  Pretty quickly, a bunch of high school boys were out helping.  They shoveled the road all the way up to her house and then gathered around the car to push it up the hill and into her driveway (it was a small car - a Yaris).  Neighbors are taking turns clearing each others' walkways.

How can you be the blessing today?

What in the World is He Saying?

Well, just a few days ago, our little "Buggy" (Little Man) had his 16-month birthday.  He goes later this week for a well-baby checkup.  I've been trying to write down all that he is saying so I can take the doctor a list.  She loves having this information in his file.

So, what is he saying?  I am amazed at his ability to communicate so young!

• woof (first word!)
• uh-oh
• dada
• mama
• baba (bottle)
• nana (banana)
• pa-pa/pap-pap
• up
• this
• that
• see
• teeth
• see this
• see that
• no-no
• ok
• yes
• car
• truck
• duck
• night-night
• berta (our dog)
• dog
• kitty

Going Back in Time

So, this snowstorm has been beautiful.   Adding this storm in with storms and occurrences of the past year, we have learned a lot about how much we take for granted the comfort of life here in America. 

What in the world am I talking about?  Well, in the past year, we have had times without power (yesterday being one of those), heat, water, or air conditioning.  Thankfully, we have not lost all of these services at once.

Our last snowstorm, right after New Years, caused us to be without water for over a day.  Our water meter had completely frozen and we needed a new one.  Thankfully we had stockpiled some water in the basement so we had water to drink/cook/brush teeth with.  We had breakfast out so that we could use the bathroom and brush our teeth before my big ultrasound.  We were even melting snow so that we could flush the toilet. 

Earlier in the year, we lost heat due to an ignition problem.  Our wonderful neighbors let us borrow some space heaters so we could be comfortable in a few rooms.  We also had problems with the blower on the air conditioner during a hot spell this summer. 

Yesterday we lost all power.  No tv.  No internet (even with fully charged laptops). No lights.  No ignition for the furnace.  No ignition for the gas stove.  No matches or anything in the house.  Thankfully it warmed to above freezing and Hubby cleared the driveway and went out to get us an "aimer-flamer." 

I was struck by how much we rely on these basics:  clean, running water IN THE HOUSE; heat on demand; lights to read and cook by (I'll just say cooking burgers by TOUCH isn't very easy, although they did turn out well); cool air on demand....  the list could go on.

We are so blessed in this country.  Most people enjoy clean water and electricity.  In so many places in the world, clean water is a luxury.  Running water is incomprehensible.

I'd like to make a plea for you to consider all we take for granted.   Consider giving just a few dollars to help people less fortunate.  Give locally.  Give internationally.  It doesn't matter.  Just bless someone else.  World Vision has some fantastic and creative ways to give including farm animals, clean water, education, medical care - both internationally and domestically.  They have been key in the relief efforts in Haiti as well.

As you are consider giving, give thanks to God for all you have.  We are blessed abundantly.  Try sitting down and listing each way God has blessed you.  Set a timer and see how many you can list in two minutes.  I bet the timer will run out and you will still be able to fill pages.  Be the Blessing.

Nasty Foot - And We're Off!

Today is day one of the Great Foot Experiment!  Today began the great Duct Taping of the Nasty Foot.

Here are my supplies.  I had already washed my foot - I just wanted to get it extra clean.  I also had already done a little work with the pumice stone before hand.  Notice the tiny hand of my "helper."

What a good helper!  I can't believe Little Man will be 16 months on Saturday!  Where did that time go?!?

Little Man had to make sure that Mommy had indeed cleaned her foot well.  And that her foot was still ticklish.

Now for the finished product.  All areas are well-taped.  Now I am supposed to keep these on for 3 days.  Let's see how duct tape and showers mix.  I may have to get creative.  After 3 days, I am to file/pumice the warts, wash, and reapply the tape.  Rinse and repeat for several months.

Nasty Foot - The Before!

Well, I haven't tried the duct tape method yet.  I will be taping my foot tomorrow and let you all know how it is going! 

First of all, if you are completely lost, check out my post from yesterday that will shed a little light on what in the world I am talking about.  Now, here is the BEFORE picture.  I'll warn you, it's gross.

There's one on the big toe, one on the ball of my foot below my big toe, several on my heel, and about 30 below my little toe.

Now, why in the world am I talking about duct tape with plantar warts?  Well, after looking into my options (I really don't want to do a chemo shot and really don't want to wait several years to take care of this.  I did some reading after a friend mentioned that duct tape can work.  Here's what Prevention magazine has to say about it:

Home cure: Duct tape
Use it for: Warts
Yes, this really does work! Covering warts with duct tape eliminates them better than freezing them off, according to a study published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. In the study, the duct tape eliminated 85% of the warts after 2 months, compared with 60% with the freezing method.
To use duct tape safely, clean the area. Then cut a piece of duct tape to a size slightly bigger than the wart. Apply the duct tape to the site and rub into place. Every 3 days, remove the tape and file down dead skin with a pumice stone or nail file. Repeat until the wart disappears. Chemicals in the tape suffocate and kill the wart.

Since freezing didn't work, I figure it can't hurt to try this method!  Have any of you tried this?  Has it worked for you?

Nasty Wart Series - Just a Warning!

Ok.  I have been debating for days if this topic is blog-worthy or even blog-friendly.  After talking to a bunch of ladies, I realize that I am not alone, so I am forging ahead with my nasty series idea.

Why is it nasty?  Well, it's about my foot.  My NASTY foot.  And my Plantar's warts.  All bazillion of them.

I'll get into more detail tomorrow when I officially start this project, but the basics are:

• I had one teeny plantar wart for years.  WebMD said they go away on their own in 3 years.  Um, nope.  I'd do home treatments then forget about it.  Oops.
• Pregnancy with Little Man caused that one teeny wart to go CRAZY and nearly cover my foot with more.  Eeewww!
• After trying freeze treatments, my doctor said the best bet is to wait until I am no longer pregnant or nursing (which at this rate could be a decade from now!) and get a special chemo shot in my FOOT that will take care of this for good.
• I don't want to wait that long.  It's just gross.  
• I found a remedy I want to try and share with you!  Duct tape!

Now, I will keep the pictures to a minimum as nobody really needs to see my nasty foot.  I do want to have some before/after shots though. 

On that nasty note, have a great night!

Pray for All People: Continue Praying for Haiti

I have been astounded watching images from the Doctors TV show. The four doctors spent some time in Haiti helping where they are needed.  Watching Travis try to find one sterile syringe really touched my heart.  Images of people of all ages with amputations and broken bones are hard to see.  One story featured an elderly woman that had been found in the rubble.  She was in a lot of pain and needed xrays.  There is no morphine to be given because of controlled substance regulations.  After a 3 hour drive on bumpy roads, they came to one hospital.  That hospital didn't have the power to run their xray machines.  At another hospital, 3 more hours away, they found that this woman had a broken hip.  Due to her age, the surgery to repair the break would be more risky than just letting the break heal.  This woman would spend weeks in the hospital on morphine to control her pain until the break healed and hopefully would suffer no further complications.

1 Timothy 2:1-2, 8 (New Living Translation)
1 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.
...
8 In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger and controversy.

These stories remind me how we cannot forget.  Helping is the right thing to do.  We have so much more here in America - even the poorest of the poor - than most people in the world.  We can all give a little.  Check the right hand sidebar for past posts with many ideas on how to help.  I want to feature 4 ways in this post.



Free Wheelchair Mission
This ministry assembles and distributes wheelchairs for free around the world for those who need them.  They have been on the ground in Haiti, assembling wheelchairs since the beginning of this crisis.  The need is great.  So many people have crush injuries and will not be able to walk or get around.

For $59.29, you can change a life.  Click here to read the blog about the efforts in Haiti. Click here to read more about this ministry and to donate.

World Vision
This ministry is a first respondent in disasters all over the world.  They have just opened another aid distribution site in Haiti and continue to need aid to distribute supplies in the fastest manner possible.
Click here to donate to the relief and long-term support efforts.



Red Cross
The Red Cross has been crucial in the rescue and relief efforts.  They need continued support so that workers can provide the care and resources that are so desperately needed.  If you cannot give financially, try to donate blood.  You can save a life.

Doctors Without Borders
These amazing doctors and nurses give of their time to go where they are needed to provide critical care.  Without these doctors, so many more lives would have been lost.  Please consider supporting this fantastic cause.  Check out their website to read amazing accounts of the incredible work they are doing around the world.