I'm about as ready as I can be.
I've got the cloth diapers, the wipes, the baby wrap, the receiving blankets, washcloths, and the swaddling blanket.
I've got the cradle all set up next to my bed, waiting for a baby to lay in it.
I've got the onesies, nighties, jammies, socks and other tiny little newborn things cleaned, folded and waiting to be worn.
I've got the pantry, refrigerator, both freezers and all the cabinets stocked full of food.
I've got all the laundry caught up. Even the bedding and the towels.
I've got four children anxious to meet their little brother or sister.
I've got one husband with two hands ready to help ease his son or daughter into this world and our family.
I've got two arms empty and aching to hold this precious gift.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Friday, July 24, 2009
Pregnant Forever
Seems like it's been a long time between then...
...and now.
Beyond the obvious meaning, Merriam-Webster also defines "pregnant" as: 1) abounding in fancy, wit, or resourcefulness, 2) rich in significance or implication, or 3) having possibilities of development or consequence.
Well, I don't know that I've been abounding in fancy or wit, but life here on the farm has taught me a new level of resourcefulness.
Rich in significance or implication? Well, I'm giving birth in this home that was built in 1856 and hasn't had a homebirth in it since the previous owner's great-grandmother was born here. The daughter of the previous owner (the executor of the estate) and I became fast friends when we met because I apparently remind her so much of her own mother. Does an overwhelming sense of coming full-circle have significance? For me, I'd have to say "yes".
But it's that last definition that rings the truest. Having possibilities of development or consequence. Not just for the baby, but for me. I like the way that sounds...possibilities of development. With every new child, I've discovered the possibility of development within myself. From the scared, timid, insecure 19-year-old first-time mom I once was, to the empowered, self-confident and wiser 40-year-old sixth-time mom I am now. What a long, amazing journey it's been.
Having possibilities of development. If that's the case, I hope my life is pregnant forever.
...and now.
Beyond the obvious meaning, Merriam-Webster also defines "pregnant" as: 1) abounding in fancy, wit, or resourcefulness, 2) rich in significance or implication, or 3) having possibilities of development or consequence.
Well, I don't know that I've been abounding in fancy or wit, but life here on the farm has taught me a new level of resourcefulness.
Rich in significance or implication? Well, I'm giving birth in this home that was built in 1856 and hasn't had a homebirth in it since the previous owner's great-grandmother was born here. The daughter of the previous owner (the executor of the estate) and I became fast friends when we met because I apparently remind her so much of her own mother. Does an overwhelming sense of coming full-circle have significance? For me, I'd have to say "yes".
But it's that last definition that rings the truest. Having possibilities of development or consequence. Not just for the baby, but for me. I like the way that sounds...possibilities of development. With every new child, I've discovered the possibility of development within myself. From the scared, timid, insecure 19-year-old first-time mom I once was, to the empowered, self-confident and wiser 40-year-old sixth-time mom I am now. What a long, amazing journey it's been.
Having possibilities of development. If that's the case, I hope my life is pregnant forever.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Little Things Mean So Much
For the last couple of weeks, I haven't exactly been the most cheerful person to be around. I could make excuses and say it's because of the heat, or the lack of being able to sleep comfortably, or the isolation of living way out here in the country with only the company of my children day in, day out.
But really, those are all just excuses.
Yesterday, I resolved to end the pity-party and get back to my real self. Time to put away the gloom and bring the glow back out.
The first thing I did was revamp my daily to-do list. Nesting urges aside, there's no way I've been able to accomplish the long list of chores I've laid out for myself every day. The only thing that managed to do was make me feel like a failure. I've talked so many times to my big girls about setting priorities to get the most out of your day...it's about time I took some of my own advice. Here's what I came up with.
I broke it down into three categories: Most Important Things To Do, Things I Should Do, and Things I'd Like To Do. Then, I gave myself room for only three things in each category. After putting some real thought into it, I decided on the following:
Most Important Things: Read my Bible, schoolwork with the big girls, play outside with the kids.
Things I Should Do: 1-2 loads of laundry, clean bedroom, balance checkbook/update budget
Things I'd Like To Do: Update chicken coop progress on Weksny Acres blog, organize my desk, write a letter to a friend
When I wrote it all down like that, I realized that I've been putting all my time and energy into chores that will always be there waiting for me, and neglecting the things that are far more important, especially reading my Bible. I know the benefits, to myself and my family, of taking even a little time out for myself to get into the Word every day. Doing that one small thing gave me the peace and perspective I've been seriously lacking.
The next two important things were simple. We decided months ago to do "light" school days through the summer and take off 4-6 weeks when the baby comes. The girls and I have both loved it. And playing outside with the kids? I've used "it's too hot" as an excuse too much. Summer is supposed to be hot, and children should be outside getting sweaty (within reason, of course). Even if I can't do much more than push them on the swing, at least we're all out there together.
We ended up having so much fun, even after we came back inside for snacks, I could've cared less about the rest of the list. I did get to a few of those other things, but knowing that the most important ones were done gave me a sense of accomplishment and the ability to cut myself some slack about everything else. I got to laugh myself silly with my children. How on earth could getting my bedroom clean compare to that?!
A footnote of irony to all this...
I've spent so much time moaning about being lonely that I'd forgotten one basic fact. The Lord is always with me. I humbly asked forgiveness for wallowing in my self-pity, and thanked God for the reminder that I'm never truly alone.
Way later in the afternoon, the phone rang (a truly rare occurence here). Of all the people in the world, it was the woman we bought the house from (she was the executor of the estate after her mother passed, and in charge of getting the house sold). It seems that I've been on her mind lately, and she was wondering whether or not I'd had the baby yet. I was so happy to hear from her, and we spent at least twenty minutes chatting, giggling with excitement about the baby, and getting caught up with each other. I promised she'd be among the first five people we'll call after the baby arrives, and she promised to come down and visit.
I'm always amazed at the way God works and moves in our lives. It seems such a little thing, a simple phone call. But it meant so much.
But really, those are all just excuses.
Yesterday, I resolved to end the pity-party and get back to my real self. Time to put away the gloom and bring the glow back out.
The first thing I did was revamp my daily to-do list. Nesting urges aside, there's no way I've been able to accomplish the long list of chores I've laid out for myself every day. The only thing that managed to do was make me feel like a failure. I've talked so many times to my big girls about setting priorities to get the most out of your day...it's about time I took some of my own advice. Here's what I came up with.
I broke it down into three categories: Most Important Things To Do, Things I Should Do, and Things I'd Like To Do. Then, I gave myself room for only three things in each category. After putting some real thought into it, I decided on the following:
Most Important Things: Read my Bible, schoolwork with the big girls, play outside with the kids.
Things I Should Do: 1-2 loads of laundry, clean bedroom, balance checkbook/update budget
Things I'd Like To Do: Update chicken coop progress on Weksny Acres blog, organize my desk, write a letter to a friend
When I wrote it all down like that, I realized that I've been putting all my time and energy into chores that will always be there waiting for me, and neglecting the things that are far more important, especially reading my Bible. I know the benefits, to myself and my family, of taking even a little time out for myself to get into the Word every day. Doing that one small thing gave me the peace and perspective I've been seriously lacking.
The next two important things were simple. We decided months ago to do "light" school days through the summer and take off 4-6 weeks when the baby comes. The girls and I have both loved it. And playing outside with the kids? I've used "it's too hot" as an excuse too much. Summer is supposed to be hot, and children should be outside getting sweaty (within reason, of course). Even if I can't do much more than push them on the swing, at least we're all out there together.
We ended up having so much fun, even after we came back inside for snacks, I could've cared less about the rest of the list. I did get to a few of those other things, but knowing that the most important ones were done gave me a sense of accomplishment and the ability to cut myself some slack about everything else. I got to laugh myself silly with my children. How on earth could getting my bedroom clean compare to that?!
A footnote of irony to all this...
I've spent so much time moaning about being lonely that I'd forgotten one basic fact. The Lord is always with me. I humbly asked forgiveness for wallowing in my self-pity, and thanked God for the reminder that I'm never truly alone.
Way later in the afternoon, the phone rang (a truly rare occurence here). Of all the people in the world, it was the woman we bought the house from (she was the executor of the estate after her mother passed, and in charge of getting the house sold). It seems that I've been on her mind lately, and she was wondering whether or not I'd had the baby yet. I was so happy to hear from her, and we spent at least twenty minutes chatting, giggling with excitement about the baby, and getting caught up with each other. I promised she'd be among the first five people we'll call after the baby arrives, and she promised to come down and visit.
I'm always amazed at the way God works and moves in our lives. It seems such a little thing, a simple phone call. But it meant so much.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Scatterbrain
My mind is wandering around in a million different directions. Perhaps if I put some of it down here, I'll be able to clear up my thinking enough to get a few things done. Read ahead at your own risk...there's no telling what's going to pop out. You've been warned.
Wait...I need to get a cup of decaf first.
Okay, here we go....
Did you ever have one of those anxiety dreams where you realize you're hours late to work? It's like the grown-ups version of the high school dream where it's the first day of school and you have no idea where to go. Anyway, I had that dream last night (the work dream, not the high school one.) Except it wasn't me that was late to work, it was hubby. It ended with his boss trying to explain to me why half of hubby's paycheck was being converted into a single chocolate bar and what a good thing this was supposed to be. I kept saying, "Ummm, NO that's NOT a good thing...how am I supposed to feed an entire family for a month on THAT?!?"
Speaking of hubby's work...I hate complaining. I hate sounding like all I do is complain. I do not embrace a whiner's mentality. I believe in being thankful for everything and being peaceful and joyful in all situations. However....I find it hard to be joyful about how many hours my husband is gone from home for the following reasons:
1) His boss schedules him for 60+ hours every week.
2) His boss schedules himself for quite a bit less than that.
3) They're both salaried, so getting paid overtime is not part of the equation.
4) His boss has had an excuse every week since hubby transferred to this store as to why he needs hubs to work six days a week instead of five.
5) But it doesn't stop boss from leaving early, taking vacation, or getting his own two days off per week.
6) Adding together the number of hours hubby spends at work, plus an hour every day to get back and forth, he's gone the equivalent of two full-time jobs.
Oh, and the added insult to all this injury? His boss has scheduled himself for another week's vacation the week I'm due to give birth!
I have to pray for forgiveness every day, because I really hate that man.
Next thought...my children.
My children are perfect just the way they are. They are not perfect in that they can do no wrong. They are not perfect according to some other mother's criteria. I don't care that:
My 2 year-old daughter refuses to give up her bottle completely.
My 3 year-old son hasn't quite got the whole "going #2 on the potty" thing down yet.
My 11-almost-12 year old daughter is into Sonic the Hedgehog.
My 14-almost-15 year old daughter is into WordGirl on PBSKids.
Neither of my big girls cares about girly-things or being fashionable.
I say that my children are perfect because they are perfect to me. I want them to grow and learn and mature, but I never want them to change. I love each of them for the amazingly unique person each of them are.
Do NOT criticize my children in front of me.
'Nuff said. Next topic.
I can never take a decent picture of myself. I get cute pictures of the children, but I can't make the camera work right when pointing back at myself. One of my daughters is a good photographer (she has a real artist's eye), but she doesn't get very good shots of me either. Hubby, however, seems to be the only one that can do it. I wonder if it's because he sees me like no one else in the world does, and somehow that translates into the photo he takes?
Moving on...I like to use italics a lot. If I were speaking to you, you'd hear it in my voice. It's because I really want to emphasize what I'm saying so you'll understand. Unfortunately, most people don't get that about me. When I first met my in-laws, they repeatedly told me to calm down and not get so worked up. I wasn't worked up, it's just the way I talk. So, I stopped talking in front of them. It just seemed easier that way.
Speaking of in-laws...sorry, but it's another rant.
On second thought, no. I don't really want to get started on all that. Let's just say that I wish I could like them. I've tried, but I just don't. I get hung up on little things like lack of respect and consideration for others, snobbery, rudeness, and not being able to take no for an answer, just to name a few. I really should be more understanding, shouldn't I.
Switching tracks...
For the first time in my life, I wish I were younger. Not that being forty bothers me, but the odds that I'll have any more children after this one are pretty slim. Which is really sad, now that I'm finally learning about cloth diapers and baby wraps and such. We've got 18 cloth diapers now, and they are soooo cute! I'm excited about seeing the baby in them, just as I'm excited about wearing the baby. I wish I'd been doing this all along.
This is my third child with hubby since we married five years ago. I've been pregnant or nursing for half our marriage. I wonder sometimes...if we'd first met and married when I was twenty, how many children would we have by now?
I wish more people would embrace homebirth. I've been listening to the health care debate, and I keep thinking...do you have any idea how much money would be saved if more insurance companies would cover the cost of midwifery care and homebirth? The hospital and doctor costs of pregnancy and delivery in this country are huge, we're among the worst of the industrialized nations in terms of infant and maternal mortality rates and outcomes, the C-section rate in this country is outrageous (and getting worse...have you heard about doctors purposely upping the usage of Pitocin on laboring mothers to the point of putting the baby in distress so they can go straight to Cesarean? How disgusting is that?!??!) But people think that homebirthing mothers are putting their babies at risk? I wish more people would wake up.
Speaking of waking up...all of my children are up, done with breakfast, and looking to me for today's agenda. I'm thinking about turning this into a baking day.
Blueberry muffins anyone?
Wait...I need to get a cup of decaf first.
Okay, here we go....
Did you ever have one of those anxiety dreams where you realize you're hours late to work? It's like the grown-ups version of the high school dream where it's the first day of school and you have no idea where to go. Anyway, I had that dream last night (the work dream, not the high school one.) Except it wasn't me that was late to work, it was hubby. It ended with his boss trying to explain to me why half of hubby's paycheck was being converted into a single chocolate bar and what a good thing this was supposed to be. I kept saying, "Ummm, NO that's NOT a good thing...how am I supposed to feed an entire family for a month on THAT?!?"
Speaking of hubby's work...I hate complaining. I hate sounding like all I do is complain. I do not embrace a whiner's mentality. I believe in being thankful for everything and being peaceful and joyful in all situations. However....I find it hard to be joyful about how many hours my husband is gone from home for the following reasons:
1) His boss schedules him for 60+ hours every week.
2) His boss schedules himself for quite a bit less than that.
3) They're both salaried, so getting paid overtime is not part of the equation.
4) His boss has had an excuse every week since hubby transferred to this store as to why he needs hubs to work six days a week instead of five.
5) But it doesn't stop boss from leaving early, taking vacation, or getting his own two days off per week.
6) Adding together the number of hours hubby spends at work, plus an hour every day to get back and forth, he's gone the equivalent of two full-time jobs.
Oh, and the added insult to all this injury? His boss has scheduled himself for another week's vacation the week I'm due to give birth!
I have to pray for forgiveness every day, because I really hate that man.
Next thought...my children.
My children are perfect just the way they are. They are not perfect in that they can do no wrong. They are not perfect according to some other mother's criteria. I don't care that:
My 2 year-old daughter refuses to give up her bottle completely.
My 3 year-old son hasn't quite got the whole "going #2 on the potty" thing down yet.
My 11-almost-12 year old daughter is into Sonic the Hedgehog.
My 14-almost-15 year old daughter is into WordGirl on PBSKids.
Neither of my big girls cares about girly-things or being fashionable.
I say that my children are perfect because they are perfect to me. I want them to grow and learn and mature, but I never want them to change. I love each of them for the amazingly unique person each of them are.
Do NOT criticize my children in front of me.
'Nuff said. Next topic.
I can never take a decent picture of myself. I get cute pictures of the children, but I can't make the camera work right when pointing back at myself. One of my daughters is a good photographer (she has a real artist's eye), but she doesn't get very good shots of me either. Hubby, however, seems to be the only one that can do it. I wonder if it's because he sees me like no one else in the world does, and somehow that translates into the photo he takes?
Moving on...I like to use italics a lot. If I were speaking to you, you'd hear it in my voice. It's because I really want to emphasize what I'm saying so you'll understand. Unfortunately, most people don't get that about me. When I first met my in-laws, they repeatedly told me to calm down and not get so worked up. I wasn't worked up, it's just the way I talk. So, I stopped talking in front of them. It just seemed easier that way.
Speaking of in-laws...sorry, but it's another rant.
On second thought, no. I don't really want to get started on all that. Let's just say that I wish I could like them. I've tried, but I just don't. I get hung up on little things like lack of respect and consideration for others, snobbery, rudeness, and not being able to take no for an answer, just to name a few. I really should be more understanding, shouldn't I.
Switching tracks...
For the first time in my life, I wish I were younger. Not that being forty bothers me, but the odds that I'll have any more children after this one are pretty slim. Which is really sad, now that I'm finally learning about cloth diapers and baby wraps and such. We've got 18 cloth diapers now, and they are soooo cute! I'm excited about seeing the baby in them, just as I'm excited about wearing the baby. I wish I'd been doing this all along.
This is my third child with hubby since we married five years ago. I've been pregnant or nursing for half our marriage. I wonder sometimes...if we'd first met and married when I was twenty, how many children would we have by now?
I wish more people would embrace homebirth. I've been listening to the health care debate, and I keep thinking...do you have any idea how much money would be saved if more insurance companies would cover the cost of midwifery care and homebirth? The hospital and doctor costs of pregnancy and delivery in this country are huge, we're among the worst of the industrialized nations in terms of infant and maternal mortality rates and outcomes, the C-section rate in this country is outrageous (and getting worse...have you heard about doctors purposely upping the usage of Pitocin on laboring mothers to the point of putting the baby in distress so they can go straight to Cesarean? How disgusting is that?!??!) But people think that homebirthing mothers are putting their babies at risk? I wish more people would wake up.
Speaking of waking up...all of my children are up, done with breakfast, and looking to me for today's agenda. I'm thinking about turning this into a baking day.
Blueberry muffins anyone?
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
What Are You In It For?
When I first started blogging over five years ago, I had just started my second marriage. Chronicling my feelings and observations about life in general seemed like a good way to help me cope with the massive change I and my children were undergoing. Sort of like therapy, without the massive fees, the oversized couch, or a strange man with a German accent. Besides, it was fun.
Interestingly, it didn't even take a week before I connected with a whole host of other bloggers that felt the same way. What really fascinated me was the wide range of lifestyles and backgrounds they came from. Married, single, men, women, all of varying ages and professions. I read, and was sometimes even read by, graphic designers, artists, undercover narcotics officers, stock brokers, bouncers, park rangers, Hollywood hopefuls, office peons, IT consultants, college students, and yes, a couple of moms. They came from across the country, and around the world, from Great Britain to Australia, Canada to Mexico, New York, California, Texas, Rhode Island, Montana, Colorado and more.
For over a year, I could spend almost every day being emotionally gripped by the stories they shared. I might laugh till my sides hurt one moment, be brought to tears the next, or feel my heart pounding in excitement and suspense. Even a seemingly mundane post captured my attention, because it was so genuine and real. I loved reading every word.
Inevitably, it seems, most of those blogs slowly died away, and I found myself filling the gap in a whole new corner of the virtual world...the "Mommy Blogger Community". It was great, at first. Everywhere I looked, women were talking about a wide variety of every day life issues that I could relate to, commiserate with and even learn from. Sometimes there were contests and giveaways. It all seemed like good fun.
But over the past year, I've become increasingly aware of just how many blogs are doing more and more giveaways, more and more reviews, and talking more and more about increasing traffic and attracting sponsors. Lately, I'm hard-pressed to find even one blog that doesn't have some kind of advertising on it, or a post that isn't promoting one company or another. And that, to me, is extremely sad.
Maybe it's just me, but something feels very wrong about opening up my Google reader and wading through one ad promotion after another. If you want to talk about getting your children to drink more milk, does it have to be only because you've been asked to write it in connection with a company campaign? If you're sharing a tender moment about snuggling with your baby, did you have to include the name-brand of the sling you're wearing, complete with a link to their website? If your tagline says something like "A look into the crazy life of Mommy X", I'd think one would expect to actually read about things going on in that mom's life. Instead, it's 5 percent personal, and 95 percent commercial. Talk about a lack of truth in advertising!
Apparently, my idea of blogging is completely out of step with the rest of the world. I'm alternately amused and revolted by some of the things I read. People complaining about not receiving free trips in one post and self-righteously proclaiming that they're paying their own way to insert-name-of-conference-here because they're committed to blogging and want to get together with others, and then following it immediately with a post literally begging for sponsorship to said conference. Or, the one I'm seeing frequently of late, the complaints about not having time to write about family life because they're under so much pressure to meet PR deadlines. "I really enjoy getting the free stuff and all, but it's getting so hard..."
I don't want to be judgmental, but I suppose that's what I'm doing. I'll be the first to say that I have no idea what life is like for these people (which is part of the point), but I believe that, more often than not, you get what you ask for. If your idea of blogging is to have big numbers on your stat counter so you can attract companies into giving you stuff to review and giveaway, and to hold said giveaways so you can have big numbers in your stat counter, then you're getting what you asked for...a job.
I don't have a problem with "professional" bloggers. Times are hard enough as it is, and I would never begrudge someone doing what it takes to put food on the table and provide for their family. But don't try to make your blog sound like something it's not. And don't complain about what you have allowed it to become, should you choose to go down that path.
And please don't think I'm writing this out of jealousy. Believe me, I'm not. I write for myself, first and foremost. If anyone comes along and likes what I'm sharing, fabulous. If I make a friend or two along the way, even better. That's why I put the Twitter thing in my sidebar. I like the socializing. I could care less about the networking.
I got into blogging because I wanted to find and share my voice. Along the way I discovered who I really am and what I'm passionate about, and I love writing and sharing pictures about it.
What are you in it for?
Interestingly, it didn't even take a week before I connected with a whole host of other bloggers that felt the same way. What really fascinated me was the wide range of lifestyles and backgrounds they came from. Married, single, men, women, all of varying ages and professions. I read, and was sometimes even read by, graphic designers, artists, undercover narcotics officers, stock brokers, bouncers, park rangers, Hollywood hopefuls, office peons, IT consultants, college students, and yes, a couple of moms. They came from across the country, and around the world, from Great Britain to Australia, Canada to Mexico, New York, California, Texas, Rhode Island, Montana, Colorado and more.
For over a year, I could spend almost every day being emotionally gripped by the stories they shared. I might laugh till my sides hurt one moment, be brought to tears the next, or feel my heart pounding in excitement and suspense. Even a seemingly mundane post captured my attention, because it was so genuine and real. I loved reading every word.
Inevitably, it seems, most of those blogs slowly died away, and I found myself filling the gap in a whole new corner of the virtual world...the "Mommy Blogger Community". It was great, at first. Everywhere I looked, women were talking about a wide variety of every day life issues that I could relate to, commiserate with and even learn from. Sometimes there were contests and giveaways. It all seemed like good fun.
But over the past year, I've become increasingly aware of just how many blogs are doing more and more giveaways, more and more reviews, and talking more and more about increasing traffic and attracting sponsors. Lately, I'm hard-pressed to find even one blog that doesn't have some kind of advertising on it, or a post that isn't promoting one company or another. And that, to me, is extremely sad.
Maybe it's just me, but something feels very wrong about opening up my Google reader and wading through one ad promotion after another. If you want to talk about getting your children to drink more milk, does it have to be only because you've been asked to write it in connection with a company campaign? If you're sharing a tender moment about snuggling with your baby, did you have to include the name-brand of the sling you're wearing, complete with a link to their website? If your tagline says something like "A look into the crazy life of Mommy X", I'd think one would expect to actually read about things going on in that mom's life. Instead, it's 5 percent personal, and 95 percent commercial. Talk about a lack of truth in advertising!
Apparently, my idea of blogging is completely out of step with the rest of the world. I'm alternately amused and revolted by some of the things I read. People complaining about not receiving free trips in one post and self-righteously proclaiming that they're paying their own way to insert-name-of-conference-here because they're committed to blogging and want to get together with others, and then following it immediately with a post literally begging for sponsorship to said conference. Or, the one I'm seeing frequently of late, the complaints about not having time to write about family life because they're under so much pressure to meet PR deadlines. "I really enjoy getting the free stuff and all, but it's getting so hard..."
I don't want to be judgmental, but I suppose that's what I'm doing. I'll be the first to say that I have no idea what life is like for these people (which is part of the point), but I believe that, more often than not, you get what you ask for. If your idea of blogging is to have big numbers on your stat counter so you can attract companies into giving you stuff to review and giveaway, and to hold said giveaways so you can have big numbers in your stat counter, then you're getting what you asked for...a job.
I don't have a problem with "professional" bloggers. Times are hard enough as it is, and I would never begrudge someone doing what it takes to put food on the table and provide for their family. But don't try to make your blog sound like something it's not. And don't complain about what you have allowed it to become, should you choose to go down that path.
And please don't think I'm writing this out of jealousy. Believe me, I'm not. I write for myself, first and foremost. If anyone comes along and likes what I'm sharing, fabulous. If I make a friend or two along the way, even better. That's why I put the Twitter thing in my sidebar. I like the socializing. I could care less about the networking.
I got into blogging because I wanted to find and share my voice. Along the way I discovered who I really am and what I'm passionate about, and I love writing and sharing pictures about it.
What are you in it for?
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Over On the Farm
Women carry the stereotype of being shopaholics, but recent experience is showing me that men can get bit by the same bug just as easily. I'm on my husband's blog today, sharing my perspective on some of his recent purchases. How much does it cost to become self-sufficient? Come check it out!
Friday, July 10, 2009
My Husband Is...Blogging???
Yes, friends and family, it's true. After all these years of watching his wife's on-again/off-again relationship with the blogging world, my husband has finally caught the bug himself and started his own blog, Welcome to Weksny Acres, where he'll be chronicling our journey to become a self-sufficient homestead. (I'll even be dropping in a guest post occasionally, to share my trials and tribulations as I learn to be a farmer's wife.)
Right now, KountryDoc is pretty excited as he shares the news about our new chickens. If you have a minute, how about stopping by and giving him a congratulations?
And maybe say a prayer for me. The chicks are due to arrive the same time as the baby.
Right now, KountryDoc is pretty excited as he shares the news about our new chickens. If you have a minute, how about stopping by and giving him a congratulations?
And maybe say a prayer for me. The chicks are due to arrive the same time as the baby.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Getting The Nest Ready
July is finally here (woohoo!) I think it's safe to say that I am officially in full-blown nesting mode. I've been scrubbing, sweeping, mopping, dusting, wiping, spraying and wiping again like a woman possessed. Which I guess I am, when I stop and think about it.
Funny thing, though, is that I'm pretty sure the baby dropped in the last day or two. And, as of today, Tiny seems to be slowing down some. I mean, I'm still feeling some movement...I paid particular attention after dinner, when this little one typically likes to start dancing with delight. But I haven't had a single "Wow, what are you doing in there??" moment all day, like I have been.
I realize the accomodations are getting a bit cramped, but I can't help but wonder if maybe, just maybe, this baby isn't going to wait another four weeks. Maybe we're looking at something more like....two weeks?
I know, I've been so anxious about getting to finally see and hold this little one that I could just be psyching myself out. But I'm pretty sure this is what it felt like when I got close to the end with my last two.
Which means, I'd better get on the ball and really start getting things ready.
And have I mentioned that I'm having a homebirth?
So much to clean...so little time.
Funny thing, though, is that I'm pretty sure the baby dropped in the last day or two. And, as of today, Tiny seems to be slowing down some. I mean, I'm still feeling some movement...I paid particular attention after dinner, when this little one typically likes to start dancing with delight. But I haven't had a single "Wow, what are you doing in there??" moment all day, like I have been.
I realize the accomodations are getting a bit cramped, but I can't help but wonder if maybe, just maybe, this baby isn't going to wait another four weeks. Maybe we're looking at something more like....two weeks?
I know, I've been so anxious about getting to finally see and hold this little one that I could just be psyching myself out. But I'm pretty sure this is what it felt like when I got close to the end with my last two.
Which means, I'd better get on the ball and really start getting things ready.
And have I mentioned that I'm having a homebirth?
So much to clean...so little time.
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