The Only Thing Cuter...
2 hours ago
Monday, July 13, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Another week slips by...
Today is 43 weeks. As crazy as that sounds, I'm finding that it really isn't as unusual as it may seem. Nor as dangerous as you may have heard. I've discovered a website with a whole section devoted to "Ten Month Mamas". It has been very encouraging and helpful to read, especially in my more emotional moments.
Today is my Grandma's birthday and she has put in her vote that today be the day. Hey, I'm all for that. But, something tells me I have a bit more to wait. The good news, of course, is that baby is healthy and happy in there (he or she lets me know MANY times a day!) and I'm just waiting on baby to be ready to make that momentous journey out of my womb and into Daddy's arms.
Keep us in your prayers, if you will!
Today is my Grandma's birthday and she has put in her vote that today be the day. Hey, I'm all for that. But, something tells me I have a bit more to wait. The good news, of course, is that baby is healthy and happy in there (he or she lets me know MANY times a day!) and I'm just waiting on baby to be ready to make that momentous journey out of my womb and into Daddy's arms.
Keep us in your prayers, if you will!
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Perhaps this will help?
I went to see a chiropractor today. It was my first time, but I had been reading much about how misalignment can hinder the descent of the baby. So, I asked for referrals from friends and went on in. I, amazingly, have had no pain shooting down my leg, as I have had for the last several weeks, since my appointment. Obviously, she fixed something! She also showed Don a pressure point on my foot that might help contractions to start. If nothing else, at least I get my feet rubbed!
Perhaps I'll have some news soon???
Perhaps I'll have some news soon???
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
No news
In this case, no news isn't necessarily good news. I haven't been quiet because I'm having a baby. I've been quiet because in the absence of a baby, there isn't anything else going on worth mentioning! I am just totally consumed with waiting. I'm now 17 days over due...but you know what? My mom went 20 days over with me. What goes around, comes around, I guess. I have taken to bring a newborn diaper, a blanket, my herbal remedies, and a couple of waterproof pads with me whenever we go anywhere farther than about 15 minutes away. The amount of contractions I've been having could amount to a quick labor, so I want to be ready to birth in the car if need be, if we're away from home. And Don doesn't even go up to do pig chores without taking his phone with so I can call him if my water breaks or something. But, for now, we just wait. And wait.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
A porch demolished and burned
In anticipation of the digging that would be going on this week, we ripped our porch off last week. I came out to find the windows covered (for protection), one pillar off, supports up to help it fall out rather than against the house, and Don and my dad about to knock the other pillar off.
We all expected that without the pillars (and most of the supporting nails between the porch and the house) that it would come down with a spectacular crash. Instead, nothing happened!
It took a big heavy chain attached to the roof of the porch being drug by a pickup truck to get the thing away from the house. Unfortunately, right about that time, my camera battery died. The good news was that it decided to die then and not in the middle of the birth.
Once it was down, they again used the chain to drag it to the front of the house to burn. We thought that would be a good spot because it will all be dug up anyway when they go to add on to the basement. This is what is left of the porch...
Don got the fire going and within what seemed like just a few minutes, the fire was raging and we had to douse it. We didn't count on the flames reaching quite so high and so fast. A tree nearby was in danger of catching fire (a tree that would need to come down for the addition, but nonetheless didn't need to be burned!), and so Don threw his buckets of water on the fire and got it back under control. Even after we thought it was completely out, though, it was not. We definitely learned why firefighters need to practically tear a place apart to ensure that a fire is completely out. I think I'll call it "fire safety lessons" for school. Anyway, after that initial flare up, we managed to keep it under control and it burned throughout the entire day. It was, in fact, still burning 12 hours later.
We put it out completely before bed and now have a huge pile of ash and metal in front of our house. The kids are going to earn a few bucks by gathering all the nails they can find. And now, on to the digging for the addition. Things are happening fast around here. All, that is, except the producing of a baby!
We all expected that without the pillars (and most of the supporting nails between the porch and the house) that it would come down with a spectacular crash. Instead, nothing happened!It took a big heavy chain attached to the roof of the porch being drug by a pickup truck to get the thing away from the house. Unfortunately, right about that time, my camera battery died. The good news was that it decided to die then and not in the middle of the birth.
Once it was down, they again used the chain to drag it to the front of the house to burn. We thought that would be a good spot because it will all be dug up anyway when they go to add on to the basement. This is what is left of the porch...
Don got the fire going and within what seemed like just a few minutes, the fire was raging and we had to douse it. We didn't count on the flames reaching quite so high and so fast. A tree nearby was in danger of catching fire (a tree that would need to come down for the addition, but nonetheless didn't need to be burned!), and so Don threw his buckets of water on the fire and got it back under control. Even after we thought it was completely out, though, it was not. We definitely learned why firefighters need to practically tear a place apart to ensure that a fire is completely out. I think I'll call it "fire safety lessons" for school. Anyway, after that initial flare up, we managed to keep it under control and it burned throughout the entire day. It was, in fact, still burning 12 hours later.
We put it out completely before bed and now have a huge pile of ash and metal in front of our house. The kids are going to earn a few bucks by gathering all the nails they can find. And now, on to the digging for the addition. Things are happening fast around here. All, that is, except the producing of a baby!
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Greenhouse progress
The foundation for the greenhouse is done and now the walls are beginning to be framed. Unfortunately, it won't get worked on for too many more days before we have to stop to change focus...no, not because of a baby but because the addition construction (so that Don's folks can move in) will begin next week!
Anyway, the foundation for the greenhouse was quite an undertaking. A trench about 2.5 feet down and 2.5 wide was dug in a square, along the 16x16' perimeter of the greenhouse. That's a lot of dirt to remove! We had a big pile of dirt in our yard that the kids nicknamed "Fort Sod", but that I quickly renamed "Fort Mud." Let's just say that I have had some very dirty kids over the last few weeks. Anyway, at the bottom of that big trench, another smaller trench was dug, this one another 9 inches down and about a foot wide. Concrete was to be poured into this smaller trench as the basis for the foundation, which would be below the frost line. Then, a cinder-block wall, 4 blocks tall, would be built on top of the concrete, placing it just inches above the soil line at the end of it all. Oh, and then a good majority of that dirt that had been removed would need to be put back, packed in on either side of the new block wall.
The cement truck brought quite a bit of excitement to Abby. I was a little surprised, as big machinery isn't exactly rare out here. But, then, that machinery isn't usually driving into our yard. She sat out on the porch and watched.
Don, Caleb, and my dad did the cement work.
The smaller trench was actually finished very quickly. They were all very worn out afterward, though, as the work was fast and furious.
After a few days of drying, the cement was ready for the block wall to be built on top. It took a couple days to finish the 160 blocks required, but my dad again helped with it.
The framing is now started and I'm starting to actually be able to visualize how wonderful that greenhouse will be for my garden next year.
Anyway, the foundation for the greenhouse was quite an undertaking. A trench about 2.5 feet down and 2.5 wide was dug in a square, along the 16x16' perimeter of the greenhouse. That's a lot of dirt to remove! We had a big pile of dirt in our yard that the kids nicknamed "Fort Sod", but that I quickly renamed "Fort Mud." Let's just say that I have had some very dirty kids over the last few weeks. Anyway, at the bottom of that big trench, another smaller trench was dug, this one another 9 inches down and about a foot wide. Concrete was to be poured into this smaller trench as the basis for the foundation, which would be below the frost line. Then, a cinder-block wall, 4 blocks tall, would be built on top of the concrete, placing it just inches above the soil line at the end of it all. Oh, and then a good majority of that dirt that had been removed would need to be put back, packed in on either side of the new block wall.
The cement truck brought quite a bit of excitement to Abby. I was a little surprised, as big machinery isn't exactly rare out here. But, then, that machinery isn't usually driving into our yard. She sat out on the porch and watched.
Don, Caleb, and my dad did the cement work.
The smaller trench was actually finished very quickly. They were all very worn out afterward, though, as the work was fast and furious.After a few days of drying, the cement was ready for the block wall to be built on top. It took a couple days to finish the 160 blocks required, but my dad again helped with it.
The framing is now started and I'm starting to actually be able to visualize how wonderful that greenhouse will be for my garden next year.
Friday, July 3, 2009
It's a....zucchini!
Nothing may be happening with me (at 13 days overdue!), but yesterday, my garden gave birth to a beautiful, bouncing baby zucchini. The sucker weighed in at a whopping 3 lbs, 4 oz! I check the zucchini daily, but I must've missed this one...or else I have some sort of super-growing soil. Now, to dig out the zucchini recipes!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
So, a July baby it is, then...
I seriously never thought I'd get to this point. Long ago, people used to say, "Hey, maybe it'll be a 4th of July baby!" and I'd just respond with a glare. I was not going into July. And yet, here I am.
We canceled the induction. We decided to wait and see.
Patience...it's a virtue, right?
We canceled the induction. We decided to wait and see.
Patience...it's a virtue, right?
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
June 2009 Farm Production
We have egg-eaters once again. It is so frustrating. Don thinks we should just start knocking the hens off one-by-one until it stops. You know, "the beatings will continue until morale improves!" Anyway, something must be done because it sure doesn't pay to feed them if they won't return the favor.
Eggs gathered: 123 (10.25 dozen), or about 4/day
Eggs sold: none
In addition to the produce we ate fresh straight from the garden, I also put up the following:
Eggs gathered: 123 (10.25 dozen), or about 4/day
Eggs sold: none
In addition to the produce we ate fresh straight from the garden, I also put up the following:
- 21 half-pint jars of strawberry jam
- 10 lbs frozen strawberries
- 4 lbs spinach
- 4.5 pints pickled beets
- 10 pints peas
- 1 cup dehydrated zucchini
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Big Book Review, Vol. 3
In the continued absence of baby, another quick recap of the books I've read over the last several months. When I put it down in print, I'm always amazed at how few books I actually get read because in actuality, I read every day. But, as I've said before, we subscribe to quite a few relevant (to us) publications that I do read cover to cover as well. It really bites into my time for actual book-reading. And then there is always the fact that sometimes I only make it a page or two before my eyelids are crying out to just let them close. I must obey them, you know. But, regardless, here is the list:
Unassisted Childbirth, by Laura Shanley
Wow. This book made me so sad. There were some helpful (factual) parts to it, citing research and stats. But, the vast majority of the book consisted of her beliefs in all manner of "new age"-type powers of the human mind. For instance, she holds firm to the belief that there was an "energy personality essence" named Seth who spoke through a woman named Jane Roberts. She goes on to say that Seth teaches that "consciousness is independent of the physical body and we all travel out of our bodies every night [through our dreams]."(p.78) This, she accepts as fact, though she continually dismisses out-of-hand any Christian belief as pure myth for the uneducated. She concludes the book with her story, meant to inspire and encourage as a woman who faced adversity and overcame by her sheer willpower, but which left me so profoundly sorrowful for her. Pray for this woman. As far as information goes, there are other books with more in them.
Playing for Pizza, by John Grisham
A light-hearted story about a down-and-out professional football player given a second chance. He is offered the opportunity to play for Italy's little-known football league and in the process, he really finds new meaning in life. The story is enjoyable. But, the descriptions of the food were divine. My mouth was watering. And, I was ready to pack my bags for a trip to Parma. I wonder who could take care of the animals and the garden while I'm gone...
Putting Food By, by Janet Greene, Ruth Hertzberg, and Beatrice Vaughan
Whew. That was a book chock-full of information. While it doesn't exactly read like a novel, I did actually read it all the way through. Well, I skipped the fish parts...because we aren't big fans anyway & it's not like there is ample opportunity to catch huge amounts of fish around here. Anyway, for the most part, I found it very helpful. I was a little put off by the fact that they include nitrates in their curing instructions...I know that it can be done without because I've purchased cured meat with none in it. They also rely heavily on white sugar, though they do acknowledge that people want alternatives and do try to give those. I appreciated the fact that they not only gave instructions, but explained the "whys" as well...it makes it obvious, then, what must be adhered to and what can be altered. For instance, in recipes that include salt, she specifically states whether the salt is for preservation or just for flavor. Good book for the beginner, which I am!
Angela's Ashes, by Frank McCourt
I have not seen the movie, but did enjoy the book. Well, "enjoy" may not be the right word. It's hard to say that you "enjoy" a book about extreme poverty and alcoholism. Told from Frank's viewpoint as a young boy growing up, you get such a sense of the hopelessness that his family faced. The empty stomach with no food in sight. The knowledge that, once again, dad is out drinking what little pay he is given. And the sheer sense that it won't, can't, get any better. It really has given me a better sense of how much I have been blessed. For starters, I have more than weak tea for my lunch.
Reimagining Church: Pursuing the Dream of Organic Christianity, by Frank Viola
This is a sequel, of sorts, to his book Pagan Christianity. It picks up where the other leaves off, giving us a "where do we go from here" look at the Church. It deals heavily with the concepts of leadership, covering, hierarchy, and decision-making. One of the more interesting points, dealing with covering is this: If one must be covered by another Christian, then who will cover the top person? If Christ does, then why can't Christ cover all of us? If His sacrifice removed the barrier, then why doesn't the Church seem to put into practice the idea that every believer actually has equal access to God? Interesting questions. Again, as with Pagan Christianity, it isn't for the average church-goer. It is for those who are questioning the way we "do" church and who wish to "reimagine" the Church as the actual body of Christ.
For school (Sonlight's picks plus a few of my own), I read the following:
Unassisted Childbirth, by Laura ShanleyWow. This book made me so sad. There were some helpful (factual) parts to it, citing research and stats. But, the vast majority of the book consisted of her beliefs in all manner of "new age"-type powers of the human mind. For instance, she holds firm to the belief that there was an "energy personality essence" named Seth who spoke through a woman named Jane Roberts. She goes on to say that Seth teaches that "consciousness is independent of the physical body and we all travel out of our bodies every night [through our dreams]."(p.78) This, she accepts as fact, though she continually dismisses out-of-hand any Christian belief as pure myth for the uneducated. She concludes the book with her story, meant to inspire and encourage as a woman who faced adversity and overcame by her sheer willpower, but which left me so profoundly sorrowful for her. Pray for this woman. As far as information goes, there are other books with more in them.
Playing for Pizza, by John GrishamA light-hearted story about a down-and-out professional football player given a second chance. He is offered the opportunity to play for Italy's little-known football league and in the process, he really finds new meaning in life. The story is enjoyable. But, the descriptions of the food were divine. My mouth was watering. And, I was ready to pack my bags for a trip to Parma. I wonder who could take care of the animals and the garden while I'm gone...
Putting Food By, by Janet Greene, Ruth Hertzberg, and Beatrice VaughanWhew. That was a book chock-full of information. While it doesn't exactly read like a novel, I did actually read it all the way through. Well, I skipped the fish parts...because we aren't big fans anyway & it's not like there is ample opportunity to catch huge amounts of fish around here. Anyway, for the most part, I found it very helpful. I was a little put off by the fact that they include nitrates in their curing instructions...I know that it can be done without because I've purchased cured meat with none in it. They also rely heavily on white sugar, though they do acknowledge that people want alternatives and do try to give those. I appreciated the fact that they not only gave instructions, but explained the "whys" as well...it makes it obvious, then, what must be adhered to and what can be altered. For instance, in recipes that include salt, she specifically states whether the salt is for preservation or just for flavor. Good book for the beginner, which I am!
Angela's Ashes, by Frank McCourtI have not seen the movie, but did enjoy the book. Well, "enjoy" may not be the right word. It's hard to say that you "enjoy" a book about extreme poverty and alcoholism. Told from Frank's viewpoint as a young boy growing up, you get such a sense of the hopelessness that his family faced. The empty stomach with no food in sight. The knowledge that, once again, dad is out drinking what little pay he is given. And the sheer sense that it won't, can't, get any better. It really has given me a better sense of how much I have been blessed. For starters, I have more than weak tea for my lunch.
Reimagining Church: Pursuing the Dream of Organic Christianity, by Frank ViolaThis is a sequel, of sorts, to his book Pagan Christianity. It picks up where the other leaves off, giving us a "where do we go from here" look at the Church. It deals heavily with the concepts of leadership, covering, hierarchy, and decision-making. One of the more interesting points, dealing with covering is this: If one must be covered by another Christian, then who will cover the top person? If Christ does, then why can't Christ cover all of us? If His sacrifice removed the barrier, then why doesn't the Church seem to put into practice the idea that every believer actually has equal access to God? Interesting questions. Again, as with Pagan Christianity, it isn't for the average church-goer. It is for those who are questioning the way we "do" church and who wish to "reimagine" the Church as the actual body of Christ.
For school (Sonlight's picks plus a few of my own), I read the following:
- Anne of Green Gables, by L.M. Montgomery
- James Herriot's Treasury for Children, by James Herriot
- Listening to Crickets: A Story About Rachel Carson, by Candice F. Ransom
- Kildee House, by Rutherford G. Montgomery
- Gladys Aylward: The Adventure of a Lifetime, by Geoff & Janet Benge
- Little Riders, by Margaretha Shemin
- Big Red, by Jim Kjelgaard
- And the Word Came With Power, by Joanne Shetler
- Magic School Bus: Inside the Human Body, by Joanna Cole
- Catching Their Talk in a Box, by Betty M. Hockett
- Granny Han's Breakfast, by Sheila Groves
- A Grain of Rice, by Helena Clare Pittman
- Huckleberry Finn, by Mark Twain
- Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe
- Pilgrim's Progress, by John Bunyan
Friday, June 26, 2009
Deadline
Please pray...
I have an induction scheduled for July 1st. The doctors are getting antsy, especially as I'm a VBAC and they feel like they are already "allowing" me to do something special. By July 1st, if I haven't gone into labor on my own, I will be forced to decide whether to walk away completely or let them proceed with the induction.
I feel strongly that one intervention leads to another. If I allow an induction, I put myself at risk for a cascading stream of interventions. And, pitocin is the major cause of post-cesarean scar rupture.
So, please pray, if you would, that I would go into labor, the sooner the better, on my own!
I have an induction scheduled for July 1st. The doctors are getting antsy, especially as I'm a VBAC and they feel like they are already "allowing" me to do something special. By July 1st, if I haven't gone into labor on my own, I will be forced to decide whether to walk away completely or let them proceed with the induction.
I feel strongly that one intervention leads to another. If I allow an induction, I put myself at risk for a cascading stream of interventions. And, pitocin is the major cause of post-cesarean scar rupture.
So, please pray, if you would, that I would go into labor, the sooner the better, on my own!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Due date
Well, my due date is here...and in just a few hours, it will be left behind.
I am almost to the point where I've stopped paying any attention at all to the contractions because they feel so serious, only to leave me hanging. I'll know they are real when the baby comes out, I guess. Until then, I'm not believing they are real any more!
Don has everything planned out and the next available time for the baby to be born is Tuesday. I've put the baby on alert, but I'm not counting on his/her cooperation. Tomorrow, we are having a guest come from Phoenix on his way through, moving to D.C. He was a single guy that came over quite often for dinner and board games when we lived in Arizona. I don't even know how many games of Settlers of Catan we played with him. And then, Monday, Don's mom comes in. Don is hoping to go look at a Jersey cow on Wednesday. Oh, and on Thursday, Don's sister and family will visit on their way out of the country for their next assignment (army) in Germany! We like to cram in a lot of activities around the birth, apparently! So, baby, it's either now or Tuesday, you decide.
Yeah, that will work.
I am almost to the point where I've stopped paying any attention at all to the contractions because they feel so serious, only to leave me hanging. I'll know they are real when the baby comes out, I guess. Until then, I'm not believing they are real any more!
Don has everything planned out and the next available time for the baby to be born is Tuesday. I've put the baby on alert, but I'm not counting on his/her cooperation. Tomorrow, we are having a guest come from Phoenix on his way through, moving to D.C. He was a single guy that came over quite often for dinner and board games when we lived in Arizona. I don't even know how many games of Settlers of Catan we played with him. And then, Monday, Don's mom comes in. Don is hoping to go look at a Jersey cow on Wednesday. Oh, and on Thursday, Don's sister and family will visit on their way out of the country for their next assignment (army) in Germany! We like to cram in a lot of activities around the birth, apparently! So, baby, it's either now or Tuesday, you decide.
Yeah, that will work.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Infestation
Just so you don't think that life on our farm is all sunshine and roses (or knee-high corn, as the case may be), I thought I'd share a horrible little secret of mine.
Ready?
We have mites.
Oh, do we have mites. Grain mites. Here is the back story: We brood our chickens in the basement, as I've mentioned before. After the last batch went out, we didn't get around to cleaning out the brooding trough. You see, it didn't stink...they weren't there too long since the weather was nice and warm. So, it just didn't get done. Well, apparently grain mites came in with the chick's feed and lived quite comfortably on the grain waste in the bottom of the trough. But then, they multiplied to where they needed more space...and more food. And so, off they went, out of the trough, to seek their fortune. And cover my basement.
Two days ago, Caleb was downstairs vacuuming up some broken glass (Don't ask! Pregnant women are clumsy!) and hollered that the (black) cord was covered with moving white specks. I ran down to see what he was talking about and with dread in my heart, began to look around elsewhere. Sure enough, everywhere in the basement, wherever the color was contrasted enough to see them, there were moving white specks. EVERYWHERE.
We quickly realized that the bulk of the infestation was coming from the trough and pulled that thing outside in a jiffy. We were concerned that it was chicken (feather) mites, but soon realized that they would've needed a host. Grain mites were the intruders. Out seeking more grain, but covering every square inch in the process.
I tried just vacuuming them up, but quickly realized how futile that was. They just crawled up anew to replace their vacuumed brothers. They were going to need to die. And quick. Before they took over the whole house and the only solution left would be to burn it down!
Diatomaceous Earth. Or DE, for short. That was the answer. That, and 2 kids with energy to burn, armed with squirt bottles to make it airborne. Three bucketfuls of DE later, the basement and all its contents were covered with a fine white powder. That's ALL its contents, including a couch, an entertainment center, all the food storage shelves, rugs, jackets, shoes, freezers...everything. Including the kids. (They were wearing dust and eye protection!!)
And now, the clean-up begins. It will take a sweet forever, I'm afraid. It took a good hour and a half just to vacuum it up from the couch and the entertainment center.
Wait...it gets even better! Don's mom will be here in 5 days and she usually sleeps on the pull-out couch in the basement. So, I either have 5 days to completely clean every square inch of the basement, or, she'll have to sleep upstairs in one of the kid's rooms. And given the likelihood that I could have a baby any minute, I don't see getting the basement all done.
The good news, however, is that the DE seems to have worked like a charm. There doesn't seem to be any more mites. Of course, grain mites don't bite people, so it could've been worse, but still it was completely disgusting. Talk about feeling like a horrible housekeeper!
So, there you have it. Our dirty little secret, laid bare for the whole world to know about. Don't ever say that I don't keep it real, okay? Mite infestation...it's about as real as it gets.
Ready?
We have mites.
Oh, do we have mites. Grain mites. Here is the back story: We brood our chickens in the basement, as I've mentioned before. After the last batch went out, we didn't get around to cleaning out the brooding trough. You see, it didn't stink...they weren't there too long since the weather was nice and warm. So, it just didn't get done. Well, apparently grain mites came in with the chick's feed and lived quite comfortably on the grain waste in the bottom of the trough. But then, they multiplied to where they needed more space...and more food. And so, off they went, out of the trough, to seek their fortune. And cover my basement.
Two days ago, Caleb was downstairs vacuuming up some broken glass (Don't ask! Pregnant women are clumsy!) and hollered that the (black) cord was covered with moving white specks. I ran down to see what he was talking about and with dread in my heart, began to look around elsewhere. Sure enough, everywhere in the basement, wherever the color was contrasted enough to see them, there were moving white specks. EVERYWHERE.
We quickly realized that the bulk of the infestation was coming from the trough and pulled that thing outside in a jiffy. We were concerned that it was chicken (feather) mites, but soon realized that they would've needed a host. Grain mites were the intruders. Out seeking more grain, but covering every square inch in the process.
I tried just vacuuming them up, but quickly realized how futile that was. They just crawled up anew to replace their vacuumed brothers. They were going to need to die. And quick. Before they took over the whole house and the only solution left would be to burn it down!
Diatomaceous Earth. Or DE, for short. That was the answer. That, and 2 kids with energy to burn, armed with squirt bottles to make it airborne. Three bucketfuls of DE later, the basement and all its contents were covered with a fine white powder. That's ALL its contents, including a couch, an entertainment center, all the food storage shelves, rugs, jackets, shoes, freezers...everything. Including the kids. (They were wearing dust and eye protection!!)
And now, the clean-up begins. It will take a sweet forever, I'm afraid. It took a good hour and a half just to vacuum it up from the couch and the entertainment center.
Wait...it gets even better! Don's mom will be here in 5 days and she usually sleeps on the pull-out couch in the basement. So, I either have 5 days to completely clean every square inch of the basement, or, she'll have to sleep upstairs in one of the kid's rooms. And given the likelihood that I could have a baby any minute, I don't see getting the basement all done.
The good news, however, is that the DE seems to have worked like a charm. There doesn't seem to be any more mites. Of course, grain mites don't bite people, so it could've been worse, but still it was completely disgusting. Talk about feeling like a horrible housekeeper!
So, there you have it. Our dirty little secret, laid bare for the whole world to know about. Don't ever say that I don't keep it real, okay? Mite infestation...it's about as real as it gets.
Monday, June 15, 2009
How my garden grows
In the absence of any significant baby news, I thought I'd entertain you with pictures from my garden.
A whole mess of garden peas, climbing up both the sunflowers and the sunflowers' stakes. Every once in a while, I have to detangle the top of the sunflower so it can continue to grow. It isn't working quite like I planned, but I think that is because the sunflowers were planted much later than the peas. Had they had a chance to get bigger before the peas went crazy, it probably would've gone better.
This happens to be the flour corn, but all the corn is doing fabulously. It is taller than our knees so far.
This is one of the beds of tomatoes that I did inside tires. They seem to be doing great, but the beds without are doing great as well.
Here is a picture of tomato blossoms. Can't wait!
A little spider, ready to take on any insects that decide to crawl on my tomatoes.
Cabbage! It has gotten huge. Way bigger than I expected from my Square Foot Gardening book. It's completely shaded out the next-door celery. Rather than 1-sqft of space, it's taking a good 4-sqft.
One of the first peppers. We also have a jalapeno growing already. Mmm...
Our lettuce bed. I planted a 4X8' bed. I probably needed 2X2'. We are overrun with lettuce. More than we could ever eat! But, it sure is yummy! Our May Queen is on the other half of the bed and has become these deliciously full head of butter lettuce. So incredibly tender. I love it.
Those are 4 zucchini plants across the front of the bed and some cucumbers along the back. I cannot get over the size of the zucchini leaves. They are bigger than my head!
We have 5 beds of potatoes and they are growing like crazy. In fact, between the beds of potatoes, it is impossible to get through on the path!
Baby's breath...just because. There are a few flowers tucked here and there in the garden, simply for our enjoyment. Of course, the marigolds have an insect-repellent job to do, but the others are just for looks. 
Don has been digging for the foundation of my greenhouse, with the help of Caleb, Meagan, and my dad. The trench is huge, 3 feet deep and about 3 feet across, in a square. We'll pour concrete footers in and then build up with concrete blocks. Tonight, though, we are supposed to get a couple inches of rain, so it is covered with a tarp. Pictures of the actual ditch will have to wait.
But, today, we had the supplies for building the greenhouse delivered. It was quite a heavy load, with all the concrete blocks, sand for the floor (it'll be an insulated floor, covered with sand and pavers), and mortar mix.
I love to see it all coming together!
A whole mess of garden peas, climbing up both the sunflowers and the sunflowers' stakes. Every once in a while, I have to detangle the top of the sunflower so it can continue to grow. It isn't working quite like I planned, but I think that is because the sunflowers were planted much later than the peas. Had they had a chance to get bigger before the peas went crazy, it probably would've gone better.
This happens to be the flour corn, but all the corn is doing fabulously. It is taller than our knees so far.
This is one of the beds of tomatoes that I did inside tires. They seem to be doing great, but the beds without are doing great as well.
Here is a picture of tomato blossoms. Can't wait!
A little spider, ready to take on any insects that decide to crawl on my tomatoes.
Cabbage! It has gotten huge. Way bigger than I expected from my Square Foot Gardening book. It's completely shaded out the next-door celery. Rather than 1-sqft of space, it's taking a good 4-sqft.
One of the first peppers. We also have a jalapeno growing already. Mmm...
Our lettuce bed. I planted a 4X8' bed. I probably needed 2X2'. We are overrun with lettuce. More than we could ever eat! But, it sure is yummy! Our May Queen is on the other half of the bed and has become these deliciously full head of butter lettuce. So incredibly tender. I love it.
Those are 4 zucchini plants across the front of the bed and some cucumbers along the back. I cannot get over the size of the zucchini leaves. They are bigger than my head!
We have 5 beds of potatoes and they are growing like crazy. In fact, between the beds of potatoes, it is impossible to get through on the path!
Baby's breath...just because. There are a few flowers tucked here and there in the garden, simply for our enjoyment. Of course, the marigolds have an insect-repellent job to do, but the others are just for looks. 
Don has been digging for the foundation of my greenhouse, with the help of Caleb, Meagan, and my dad. The trench is huge, 3 feet deep and about 3 feet across, in a square. We'll pour concrete footers in and then build up with concrete blocks. Tonight, though, we are supposed to get a couple inches of rain, so it is covered with a tarp. Pictures of the actual ditch will have to wait.
But, today, we had the supplies for building the greenhouse delivered. It was quite a heavy load, with all the concrete blocks, sand for the floor (it'll be an insulated floor, covered with sand and pavers), and mortar mix.I love to see it all coming together!
Friday, June 12, 2009
Cruelty
Cruelty is exactly the word for "false labor". It's really not nice to mess with the mind of a woman so pregnant. I'm already at the point where all I can think about is getting this baby OUT and then I go and have 4-5 hours of regular intense contractions that fizzle out to nothing.
Not nice at all.
Not nice at all.
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