The Cottage on the Hill

Hubby bought me a DVD collection of Cary Grant films for Christmas.  The best part was the set contained one of my favorites, The Bachelor and the Bobby Soxer , and it had other Cary Grant movies I've never seen.  One of them was Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House . I was busy attempting post-Christmas clean up around the house when hubby popped the movie in after a long morning of snow removal.  He started laughing soon after the movie started and asked me to come in and watch it with him.  Soon enough I was laughing right along with him. "Honey, it's like watching us," I exclaimed! The beginning of the movie shows Mr. and Mrs. Blandings in their cramped NYC apartment and how they go about their morning routine from sharing oddly organized drawer and closet space to a complete lack of privacy in the bathroom to shimmying around people and furniture just trying to move about.  We recognized the same thing with us and our little cottage and laughed rig...

In anticipation of the Christmas Haul that the kiddos are going to receive, I've started organizing early.  I purchased a bunch of plastic totes and labeled them to store the toys  I know they are going to get.  Hubby and I went easy this year and didn't get them very many gifts, but who knows what they may receive from relatives.  Last year, we could barely fit their haul from the inlaws in the back of hubby's truck! Thankfully, I unloaded a LOT of stuff this past year.

With the usual theme of the season coupled with the horrible tragedy in Newton, CT, I can't help but think about a haven of peace being so desperately needed for people.  The famous song, "Let There Be Peace on Earth, and Let it Begin with Me" by Sy Miller and Jill Jackson runs through my head.  Let it begin with me. Let it begin in the home. I am brain storming how I can make my home a haven the best I can.  What ways can I create a peaceful environment, a safe environment?  How can I give my children freedom from unneeded stress and fears? How have you created a haven for your family in your home?

For weeks I was planning to do a big ol' birthday celebration for myself.  The day came and I changed my mind.  Into my yoga pants I went after a long soak in the tub.  I then took advantage of a napping baby to tackle my basement.  Happily I went throwing away years of accumulated junk, reorganizing and sweeping.  It actually felt good to haul so much out of there! In the middle of my basement project, a friend and her sons stopped by to sing me "Happy Birthday" and present me with a gift.  What a blessed treat!  My oldest presented me with a lovely homemade necklace that I've been proudly wearing all day.  The baby loves it, too.  Something to play with while breast feeding! After a popcorn, fruit, cheese, and trail mix luncheon while watching "Beauty and the Beast," my toddler and baby went down for their naps and I returned to my basement clean out.  Did I mention how good it feels to get rid of so much accumulated junk!? Toni...

Christmas is in full swing at Taigh Beag.  The children indulge in those old holiday tv specials nearly daily.  Rudolph and The Heat Miser and Frosty tickle their fancy.  It is a nice diversion from many weeks of strange illnesses and mysteries. It started with my daughter having digestive upsets and quitting using the potty.  She is now on a strict dairy-free diet until just after Christmas to see if she improves.  If she does not improve, she may be tested for Celiac since it runs in the family.  I am so proud of her.  She's only had two small meltdowns about not being able to have dairy.  Otherwise, she takes the initiative to ask if it contains dairy and readily accepts the dietary changes. Then, the baby developed croup and pneumonia at the same time!  He remained happy-go-lucky, sleeping well, eating well, never a fever.  He had a little cold with a chesty cough, but nothing alarming at all.  I've been through colds with...

She likes to be alone sometimes.  She likes to go into her own little world and play quietly without distraction.  She likes little dens and nooks, corners and crevices; just a little place to make her own.  Unfortunately, in our little cottage such a place is hard to find.  With only two bedrooms, she has to share with 3 brothers!  Her area of the playroom gets overrun with toy tools, trains, farm toys and brothers.  I had to shoo brothers away just so she could swing peacefully in my laundry area! I am hoping as I clean, purge and reorganize the rest of the basement that I will be able to carve out a little place just for her.  I have so many ideas from the practically free to elaborately pricey.  Someday, I pray she will be able to have her own room.  She's going to need one soon, that's for sure!

This picture made me feel better.  Moms the entire world over need breaks sometimes.  We give so much and often so little is put back into us. I've come to realize that I am the kind of person who truly does need more down time than others.  I am not the kind of woman who can cheerfully give give give give and give some more, falling into bed exhausted and content.  I'm an introvert and I'm easily over stimulated and I'm still recovering from having my 4th baby, 7th pregnancy in 7 years.  My hormones are still trying to shuffle themselves back into proper order.  Add to that the outside stimuli and circumstances I cannot control and "mommy needs some time to herself" comes more quickly than it used to. I felt badly about this.  How was I able to do so much and be so cheerful before?  My house stayed clean.  I kept up the yard and garden.  I could experiment in the kitchen.  Little things didn't drive me bonkers.  I could f...

Photo from HERE . Two days ago the frost was on the pumpkins.  Today, we can wear t-shirts.  It is quite common this time of year to turn the furnace on in the morning and throw open the windows in the afternoon.  The house could use some airing out, so I shall take advantage of this Indian Summer day and do just that.

Ah, my cozy fireplace! I love it so much I've been sleeping on the sofa in the wee hours of the morning after baby's early morning feeding. It does a good job of keeping our house warm during these cool Autumn days.  I'm so glad the furnace isn't kicking on and burning oil! And before anyone gets concerned, the unit stays cool to the touch, so the baby gym close by isn't a concern.  Plus, that is just where it lives.  When baby plays and gets  more mobile, I will of course move it away from the heater even though the heater is kid-touch-safe. Now, that I've achieved the impossible dreams of a piano for the cottage and a fireplace, I'm looking into a dishwasher!  Thanks to the Tiny House Movement, small dishwashers are easily available and seem to have better reviews.

Lifesmart 1000 Two things I wanted for my cottage, but never thought I'd be able to get were a piano and a fireplace.  Last year, I got the piano - an old, beater of a spinet I bought on craigslist for $50.  This year, I am getting my fireplace!  I just had to wait for technology. I've had my eye on electric fireplaces for a few years now, but I couldn't justify the non-necessity and expense of them.  This year, though, we had a need for a heater for the school room.  I heard nothing but good about infrared heat.  Lo and behold, I see that they make infrared fireplaces that heat just as well as the less asthetic boxed heaters and cost around the same.  I found the Lifesmart on Walmart.com, and read the reviews...good reviews.  Even better, I found the same unit on Overstock.com for cheaper than Walmart and free shipping to my house!! It comes with casters so I can move it about the house where needed.  It heats up to 1000 squa...

Today's Character Study:  COMPASSION Definition: Feelings of sorrow and sympathy for someone who is hurting, and wanting to help them. Bible Verse:  But a certain Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, Luke 10:33

I am not usually a confident and openly opinionated woman, but once in a while I have a day when I feel very self confident and strong enough to voice an opinion.  Of course, I try to be respectful and not too open.  But there's something I've noticed: People who are normally or naturally confident and opinionated get a free pass.  People expect it of them and don't usually question or challenge their confidence or opinions.  However, when I express confidence or opinions, I feel as if people want to silence me....put me back in the place they are used to me being in. Then again, maybe normally confident and opinionated people do get questioned or challenged, but can handle that.  Maybe because I'm not normally confident and vocally opinionated, I have a hard time handling the challenge. I'm naturally quite introverted.  I'm also the typical middle child diplomat and peace-maker.  I hate challenge and confrontation, but I also hate being or feeli...

Today's Character Study:  CAUTIOUSNESS Definition: Being Careful Bible Verse:  After these things Jesus walked in Galilee:  for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.  John 7:1

If you are a cloth diapering mama, then please head on over to Lamb Babies and check out this Christian, Stay-at-home mama's shop.  (And for full disclosure, she is my awesome sister!)   And here's her etsy shop .

You insecurities can hurt your marriage, but God can heal you of them! We women live in such a hard world for us.  Our men are visually-driven, as God made them, and we know that.....so does every other woman in the world and the entertainment industry.  So, to draw their attention and make LOTS of money, women are exploited either forcefully, or willingly to show the world the world what they've got. And here the wives of the world are....called by God to be modest, often giving birth which alters our bodies from the world-accepted "barely legal" look to a more womanly form, and wondering if we haven't "got it" good enough for our husbands anymore.  Thankfully, my husband is not a porn addict, nor do his eyes wander.  But even so, I've always been plagued by insecurities about my appearance.  I am by no means the world's idea of "gorgeous" and have been told a few times that I'm ugly.  Top it off with the constant assault of beautif...

I saw this sweater skirt in the Junior's department at my local Target.  I loved it, wanted it, but couldn't justify the price, especially when I knew I could do this: I bought this unflattering-on-me sweater at Goodwill for $5.00. I cut it across the underbust, inserted some on-hand elastic, turned over the edge, straight stitched it and 5 minutes later: Voila!

(The recipe makes more than this, but we've already eaten a bunch by the time I just grabbed the jar and snapped a picture!) 1/4 cup organic unrefined sugar (I used Florida Crystals) Approx. 1/2 cup organic brown sugar 1/2 cup organic almond butter 1 egg 1 stick butter, melted 1 cup organic buckwheat flour 1/3 tsp aluminum free baking powder 1/3 tsp baking soda 1/3 tsp salt 1/4 - 1/2 cup unsweetened shredded coconut Enough coconut flour to make a good cookie dough...I think approx. 1/4 - 1/3 cup Cream almond butter, butter and sugars together.  Blend in egg well.  Mix together with buckwheat flour, powder, soda and salt.  Stir in shredded coconut, then blend in coconut flour until you have a good cookie dough.  You should be able to form balls without the dough being too sticky or too dry.  Form into balls and place on an ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for approx. 5-10 minutes. Keep in mind that I'm guessing a little on the...

Today's Character Study:  BOLDNESS Definition:  Exhibiting courage and bravery Bible Verse:  So be strong and courageous!  Do not be afraid and do not panic before them.  For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you.  He will neither fail you nor abandon you.  Deuteronomy 31:6

This morning I was feeling very selfish.  I was complaining to God about all that is on my plate and how I just want a break, something for me me me, a chance to run away.  While yes, we do need to have our batteries recharged at times, this verse popped into my head.  I'm quite sure it was the whisper of the Holy Spirit: Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required.... Luke 12:48 I realized anew the importance and significance my role here on earth for the Kingdom of Heaven is.  I have been given much, and much is required of me.  Instead of feeling overwhelmed, I felt honored that the Lord has entrusted me with so much!  The more the Lord blesses us with, the more He expects of us. There is also peace in the knowledge that when we truly do need respite, the Lord will grant it to us.

Today's character study is:  BENEVOLENCE Definition: Desire to do good to others Bible verse:  So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.  Galatians 6:10

I have a confession to make.  My husband doesn't buy me flowers and I would love him to.  I admit that my bottom lip sticks out a little every time I read a facebook status update from a friend who's husband surprised her with a bouquet at home or at work, in person or sent in.  It is something I would like.  It would warm the cockles of my heart to know that my beloved went out of his way and comfort zone and MO to actually go out and get me a "just because" bouquet.  But, I don't really expect or require it of him because its not his way. So, as those facebook status updates appear on my computer screen, I have a choice.  I can either let the bottom lip stick out, start to quiver and grow into some whiny bitterness about "if he truly loved me...." blah blah blah.  Or I can remember all those good little things he does for me besides: He did bring me flowers once.  I had just had a devastating miscarriage and he had to return to work.  ...

They don't just grow in Georgia! I picked these lovely, perfectly ripened beauties from my very own tree yesterday!

Today's Character Study: AVAILABILITY Definition:  Present and ready for use Bible Verse:  And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send and who will go for us?"  Then I said, "Here am I!  Send me!"  Isaiah 6:8

Thanks to my Pandora's "Loreena McKennitt" station, I am now a fan of Blackmore's Night .  Every song played I have loved.

Throughout the homeschool year, I will be teaching my children different character studies. Today's Character Study is: ALERTNESS Definition: Paying close and careful attention Bible verse:  Be on guard, keep awake, for you do not know when the time will come.  Mark 13:33 ESV

I decided it was high time to redo my kitchen.  The above picture is the before picture.  When we moved in, I painted it green, hoping we'd be able to change out the original 1950's countertops and cabinets.  Well, all these years later, and I still have the countertops and cabinets.  I decided that if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.  Besides, my love affair with vintage has really grown and I decided to take a fun little plunge and go all pin-up girl pretty with my kitchen. First, I painted the walls blue to match the blue swirl in the countertops.  Then, I bought new white switchplate covers and drew cherries on them! Then, I took the existing clock, which matched the green in earth tones and gave it a complete retro makeover: I'm not done yet.  I still have the white trim to do, more cherry red "pops of color" throughout, and perhaps even repainting the enamel metal cabinets.  The white has faded to dullness over the years.

Last year, hubby and I moved out of the larger bedroom in our two bedroom house and into the small one so the children could have more space.  Our current bedroom is only 7' x 9'.  While we don't mind our cozy little nook, I would like to redo the room.  It still has the paint scheme from when it was the nursery for our first born along with torn up remnants of the John Deere tractor wallpaper boarder.  That's not exactly conducive to a romantic atmosphere. Ideas haven't really been melding together very well, but there is a repeating theme of an exotic middle eastern flavor.  Then, this evening, it struck me.....Song of Solomon!  The bedroom can be themed around the verse above, which you can get as a vinyl wall decal.

Hubby has a friend who unwinds after long days of work by writing songs and singing them on youtube.  He's been hammering out nearly a song a day and they're good!  It inspired me to tackle poetry again as a way to unwind and let go of some "mommy angst." I wrote my first poem yesterday.  It tackles the feelings of worthlessness that haunt me, but I am not comfortable sharing it publicly.  The release of writing it out on paper and not having it bottled in me really helped and it was nice to dust off that creative corner of my brain. For a little bit of fun, though, here is a silly little poem I wrote in high school: Ode To A Dummy I love a little man Made of the best tree. This funny little man Named Charlie McCarthy. This Irish little man with lightening for his wit. This wooden little man Cracks jokes 'til our sides split. I love this little man From his monicle to top hat, This funny little man With the voice of a pussy-cat. This perfect little m...

Happy 2nd Birthday to my sweet little man. He was our surprise baby, thanks to mommy reading the ovulation chart a week off! I'm so glad I did!

I actually have a summer reading list this year!  I haven't sat down and read books in a long time, except children's books.  Having a nursing baby affords me some time to just curl up while he's eating and easily read off of the Kindle on my smart phone!  It's easier than holding a book, which I haven't quite mastered while nursing. Here's what I have so far: Grade Leads Me Home by Marlene C. Miller is a true story about a woman who was a cheerleader and head majorette, but became Amish after she gave her life over to Christ. Married Mom, Solo Parent by Carla Anne Coroy is a great book helping women who find themselves married, but parenting alone.  Thankfully, my husband is an involved father, but his job does take him away from home frequently, hence why I got this book. Oogy: The Dog Only a Family Could Love  by Larry Levin is a book I'm eager to read.  I did wind up buying it in actual book form since I could get it cheaper tha...

Life has been a whirlwind of baby care, child care and rearranging the house to accommodate our new little one.  I'm still not satisfied with the arrangement, but am working on it as much as I can without sacrificing time with my new baby and my older children.  It'll fall into place, I'm sure. Thanks to hubby, my garden is in.  Thanks to crummy weather and critters, half the garden is destroyed.  I hope to replant what I can.  What I can't, oh well.  I'm happy to have ANY garden this year.

I have to say that this has been the BEST post partum week I've ever had!  What an amazing testimony of God's grace! First of all, hubby took the week off of work and it has been a tremendous blessing to have him here loving on his family and treating me like a queen.  He worked hard with small children by his side and got my garden prepared for planting!  I thought for sure I'd have to skip out on a garden this year, yet as I type, little plants are dancing in the breeze.  As an added blessing, in perfect timing, our neighbor had to lime the field next door.  He saw our garden tilled and sent over a dump load of manure! Personally, I feel great!  I feel AMAZING!  I have so much energy and focus!  I cannot believe the night and day difference from how I felt during, and even before the pregnancy!  I'm healing very well and very quickly.  There are a few "kinks" in my system, such as my left hip keeps acting up on me.  Thankfully...

A little after 6 am on Friday, May 18, 2012, I was dosing in bed when I felt the tell-tale gush.  I looked at the clock, and realized that hubby wasn't all the way to work yet and said, "You've got to be kidding me!"  All the same, I was excited.....and a little apprehensive. Would it all work out with hubby's long commute?  Would the baby be ok being my 2nd earliest baby? The excitement won out while I called my husband and told him to turn around the come home.  I called my parents to arrange for my father to take me to the Woman's Center where I was to give birth.  I called the Center and they said to come right in.  I texted friends and my sister, took a shower, got all my stuff together, and once my father arrived, we went on down to the Center. Contractions hadn't started yet, and deep down I knew I should have stayed home until they did, but with the baby being a bit early, and my having a very faster labor with my daughter, it was recommende...

Lots of pain and pressure, but hardly any contractions! I'm waiting for labor to kick in and in the meantime, I'm just sitting around doing nothing because I can't concentrate on anything BUT going into labor!  I was always able to just get on with life with my other pending labors, but this time I can't seem to think straight or doing much of anything productive.  Then again, I've been pretty much like this this entire pregnancy!  Very unfocused.

I was sitting on the exam table in my OB's office today when she walked in, hand me lay down and started measuring my belly.  She said that I looked like I had dropped and she wanted to do an internal exam to check my progress.  After I was prepped, she did the exam and I nearly started laughing out loud as her eyes got wider and wider.  "You are 4 cm dilated and your cervix is really, really soft.  How far do you live from here?"  I told her it was about 20 minutes.  She replied, "As soon as your contractions are regular and painful or your water breaks, come to the hospital.  I will see you in a week if you're still pregnant by then." So, here we go!  It's happening!.  I'm just sitting around the house waiting for labor to start!  So far today I've had a little cramping, some strange pressure/pushy-ness, and Braxton-Hicks belly tightening.  I pray my water breaks first as it always has with my babies.  That's an easy, sure ...

Mama Chocolate is hosting a giveaway of a $200 Amazon.com gift card generously offered by OverHead Doors!  

I think I will actually make it to term this pregnancy, though I am hoping to go into labor Saturday evening.

I am selling my collection of vintage Holly Hobbie items.  If you are interested, please e-mail me at seamstresslady at yahoo dot com.

The baby is still in me! Good for baby, not so good for a mommy who's so ready to see her new little man and resume function as a normal human being. At this point, I think I will make it to 37 weeks. I have been having feet, ankles and hand swelling. I can feel my hips loosening. I feel like my very low abdomen is stretching. Baby has dropped more and sometimes I have that "sitting on his head" feeling. I am sleeping a bit better. I have more overall energy and I am nesting.

Strong but irregular contractions last night. Today, I feel very weak and very tired. I wonder how much longer I can go on like this. The days are dragging. But, I remember that I made it through weeks upon weeks of horrible morning sickness and that is well in my past. Time keeps marching on. I do look forward to next Monday. I won't be so restricted and can start doing things to promote a positive labor and delivery.

It's funny how one day I can feel really well and get a lot done.  And then there are days like today where I've already spent most of it in bed trying to nap and it is only 1 pm.  I'm cold today, too, craving cookies and cake, and feeling like a cold bug is coming on. In less than a week, I will be at our original projected goal of 35 weeks!  I think I'll go longer (*sigh*) since things don't seem to be progressing at all at this point.

Call it hormones.  Call it discomfort, but I've discovered that I'm starting to say some odd things like: 1. Get this baby out of me! 2. I don't want to do this anymore! 3. Stop trying to punch my sides out, baby! 4. URGH! (usually the sound I utter whenever I have to get up) 5. I can't wait to stop peeing so often! 6. Can't I just be put in a coma until I go into labor? 7. Wahhhhhhh....I can't get comfortable in any position! 8. (singing) "We're having a heat wave....." (in regards to my never-ending, rarely satiated heart-burn) 9. I just want to be human again!!! 10. I miss my little waistline! 11.  I hate my maternity clothes! 12. Nothing covers my belly anymore!

Veteran Homeschoolers, please advise.  If you see anything redundant or wasteful in my list, please let me know! Here is what I have planned so far: 1. PHONICS: -Phonics Pathways with Word Works, -Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons, -Bob Books 2. GRAMMAR: -First English Grammar 3. SPELLING: -Spectrum Spelling Grade 1, -Modern Curriculum Press Spelling Workout 4. HAND WRITING: -Handwriting Without Tears, -Memoria Press Copywork Book 1 + 2, -Copywork for Little Boys 5. LANGUAGE ARTS: -Spectrum Language Arts Grade 1, -First Language Lessons for the Well-Trained Mind, -Writing With Ease 6. MATH: -Saxon Math 1 with K-3 Manipulatives 7. SCIENCE: -Backyard Science, -Answers in Genesis 8. HISTORY/SOCIAL STUDIES: -Community and Local History, -Reading Ancient History and Stories, -Civics 9. ART/MUSIC: -piano lessons, -Watch Me Draw, -Drawing is Basic 10. BIBLE/CHARACTER: -Reviewing Sunday School Lessons, -Character Lessons, -Proverbs

Today, I acted on impulse and bought the latest issue of Vogue magazine at the checkout line in the grocery store.  My reason?  Scarlett Johansson was on the cover and looking very vintage and lovely.  That's it.  I bought it for several lovely photographs done in vintage style....a waste of $4.00.  I probably could have found the photographs somewhere online. I got to thinking how much better things were in my youth when the impulse to buy magazines wasn't there because the money wasn't burning a hole in my wallet.  I grew up in a near poverty level home, but if it wasn't for the daily comparison of my peers at public school, I probably wouldn't have really noticed.  Looking back, I'm glad I grew up in that lifestyle. Instead of buying magazines, we were given used ones or my mother would paw through the free box at the local library.  I was introduced to Country Living and Victoria magazines as well as the Reiman Publications (Country, Remin...

My OB is setting the goal for 4 more weeks of pregnancy for me!  I will refuse an induction unless it is necessary for the baby's health, but he thinks if I continue to take it easy and not stress out, I can make it to 37 weeks.  I'm glad for this news.  Now, to just make those 4 weeks fly by!

My family is helping me out by taking care of my children until Friday so I can rest up and prepare for the arrival of the baby.  This afternoon I tackled the kids' room.  We live in a small cottage, so all 3 children share the same room.  Thus, it becomes cluttered and messy quickly.  I have come to the conclusion that children are garbage magnets!  All the little bits of paper, cheap toys, fuzzy-backed stickers, broken crayons, etc etc etc that they manage to hold on to amazes me. Children are cute and cute children tend to get gifts and hand-outs no matter where they go.  It seems well-meaning and kindly people, whether family, friends, clerks or strangers see adorable children and feel compelled to give them some little treat that winds up in my house.  Of course, I teach my children to accept the little blessing graciously, and they usually do, and then they may keep it for a time.  If I see it forgotten under the bed, it gets tossed. Unf...

Saturday morning, I woke up in such pain and discomfort, but no contractions.  I waddled around the house as little as possible and wondered how in the world I'd last the rest of this pregnancy like this.  Then, before lunchtime, I felt the baby shift and I felt so much better.  Sunday was better, too.  Today, good!  I checked myself out in the mirror and noticed that my belly has shifted UPWARD! Yes, that's right.  It seems as if the baby has moved up out of the pelvis!  Other signs that this may have happened include frequent heartburn, pressure on the lungs, and less pressure on the cervix and bladder.  I no longer have to use the bathroom every 1/2 hour to an hour! So, this little guy may just stay in a bit longer than originally expected!  Granted, I am SO READY to give birth.  Of course, it is too early and my little guy needs to stay in for at the very least 2 more weeks.

It seems nearly every day now I experience false labor.  Of course, last time I went to the maternity center due to false labor, I got the paperwork to help me know the difference between false labor and true labor.  Ummm...my false labor is so convincing that it pretty much covers all the bases on that check list!  They usually say "call if nothing changes after an hour," but my false labor can last for HOURS and then suddenly subside.  I spend the whole time praying for the Lord to show me whether or not I'm in labor because I do NOT want to go back to the maternity center only to be sent home.  It's an inconvenience, an expense, and requires a lot of planning since I have 3 children who need childcare on top of finding someone to drive me.  It's not like hubby can just pop on home whenever.  He's making ends meet! One thing for sure is that the false labor is coming more frequently and stronger each time.  Yesterday, I was actually bent over ...

I'm having more subtle signs of a labor that is soon to come.  Can anyone say boo to hormone-induced acne?! Yep, it is obvious I'm having a hormone change and my skin is showing it! There's another sign in the bathroom department, but I'll spare you, LOL! I should probably get packing a bag for the hospital.  It could be any day or weeks away.

I feel like it is getting so close. I'm so glad my parents have been taking at least 2 of my kiddos every week. I have to spend the majority of my day with my feet up or in bed now. Just getting myself ready, one child ready, us fed, and taking care of the ducks has me spent. Add feeding and caring for two more children and I just want to curl up on the floor and cry it exhausts me and hurts so much. Thankfully, we'll be moving the ducks outside soon. That means my oldest will be able to take care of them. 2 1/2 more weeks, little man. That's all I'm asking!

The contractions are getting more frequent, even with resting. I'm wanting to nest! It is driving me nuts that I have to rest so much and the house is in such disarray. I'm tired a lot with little bursts of energy. My belly is incredibly low. I'm sick of my maternity wardrobe! Backaches! I'm aiming for 35 weeks.

My helping hand resources are pretty much tapped out. They are either tired, sick, busy or working. Needless to say, that makes for an impossible bedrest. It is nearing noon and I only just put my feet up today. My belly and back are killing me, but thankfully no contractions.

My OB has put me on moderate bed rest. If you've been on bed rest, please share what you did to occupy yourself and pass the time. :)

The end of my pregnancy may be near. I went in to the hospital last night to be checked for preterm labor. I had been cramping all week. I lost my mucus plug Sunday and last night the cramping and contractions got worse. I checked my cervix and it was noticeably thinner. While the contractions stopped on their own at the hospital, the on call OB said that she could feel the baby's head, but he was still high enough. I am 50% effaced and 1 cm dilated. This morning, I woke up early with really bad cramps. I took a shower and they abated, but I've been keeping my feet up most of today. The cramps and contractions have continued off and on throughout the day. Tomorrow, I see my regular OB. I wonder what he is going to say.

I rounded off last week's purging by cleaning the playroom. I only got rid of a small box full of stuff, but it did amount to over 25 things. I'm debating whether or not to be rid of the Mr. Potato Head stuff. The children rarely play with it (unless I mention getting rid of it). I also tackled the closet in the school room and I definitely got rid of a lot more than 25 things, mostly magazines. I have two shelves stacked two deep with magazines. I had many of the magazines in those cardboard magazine holders. My goal was to have all magazines in holders. I was thrilled when I was done sorting to have some holders empty! That is until I realized I have a stack of magazines in my bedroom! I may need to purge more. Today, I tackled the children's room. That was an easy goal-maker.

Do you do Easter Baskets for your children? What do you put in them? I really don't have the space to store Easter baskets year after year, so my mom came up with the idea of getting each child a plastic bucket with shovel. The way my children play in that sand pile, any bucket only lasts a season anyway. I'm not keen on filling the buckets with candy. It is also disheartening to see that Easter is becoming another commercial Christmas. So, each child got a few use-up-able or practical toys inside their buckets. Oldest: Legos, bubbles, sidewalk chalk, small puzzle, Skittles-filled egg. Middle: Magnetic fold up playhouse (clearance at Target!), bubbles, sidewalk chalk, jump rope, chocolate bunnies Youngest: Play-doh toy, toddler snacks, bubbles, Skittles-filled egg. Most of these items were $1.00 or less!

I am not feeling well today, so I've only done a light purge. I pulled out a junk drawer and purged it of most of its contents. I was able to add a few things to the yard sale heap that has taken over an entire corner of my basement. The rest was either recycled or thrown away. In the basement, a simple purge yielded me two empty economy sized diaper boxes! Yesterday, people came to pick up the tent we sold so now there is room in the shed! Unfortunately, rearranging the shed isn't going to happen through me at this time, so it'll have to wait. I'm really looking forward to the yard sale, not only getting rid of all that stuff, but making a little money off of it. I've been praying that it is a success.

I am feeling very pregnant today, so I've only done a little purging. I've definitely purged more than 25 things again, though. I have a box set aside for things I plan on posting online for sale, including my vintage Holly Hobbie collection and an original Cabbage Patch doll in very good condition. Anyone interested?

Again, I made it well over 25 things today. Here's what I tackled: Stuff laying around the floor of the basement The refrigerator door The filing cabinet Recent junk mail The bedroom closet (I remembered I had some nice blankets that haven't been used in years. They're going in the yard sale.)

People have been asking me where I find 25 things to purge every day. Yesterday I purged well over 100 things. This morning, I purged 52 things as seen in that pile in the picture above. So, here are some places I'm purging and some ideas for you: 1. Children's clothing. I am given SO much that I am able to be selective. My 6 year old does NOT need 35 pairs of size 5 jeans. 2. Catalogs and Magazines. 3. Junk Mail. 4. Junk Drawers (yes, little things count, too.) 5. Paperwork 6. Medicine Cabinet. 7. Pantry 8. Garage/Shed 9. Books 10. Hobby supplies 11. Unfinished projects 12. Household cleaners 13. DVD's, CD's, Video Games 14. TOYS!! 15. Your refrigerator/freezer

Oh the stuff that I am letting go of! In just a few spare minutes, I filled to overflowing a large tote with stuff for a yard sale! Earlier today I emptied two boxes of papers and I continue to list certain things on the internet to sell. I still have to whittle down toys. I am not sure how that will fly. I am also conveniently avoiding my kitchen, though I know I have some sellable goodies stashed in there. I keep imagining that we are selling our house and moving into an RV. We can only take so much and are only allowed a small storage space at my brother's house. Imagining that has me really reevaluating all the stuff we have.

I want to have a yard sale now! I won't be able to for a while, though, but there's so much to get rid of! I've even begun tackling my fabric stash and turning it into cash! I tackled our storage shed, too. I've got some postings on craigslist. I dove into my vintage clothing collection. I've got some things on ebay and other stuff lined up to be shown to the local antique store for considerations. A friend of mine called me today so excited about my purging. Her enthusiasm really was contagious. She really encouraged me in this. The children have become a bit protective of their toys, though.

I have quite the goal set out before me. I've decided that every weekday this Spring (for as long as I am physically able) I will get rid of 25 things out of this house. This is going to be tough.

For some reason I cannot post pictures today. I cannot get over this weather! It was up to 80 degrees today! March! We should be buried under at least 3 feet of snow. Instead, my children ran around outside in t-shirts and bare feet. We had our first cook-out of the year. Hubby did a ton of yard work. I had to change into a sleeveless maternity shirt to keep cool. A part of me is thoroughly enjoying this. Another part of me wonders what sort of weather is to come.

I can thank God it is nothing serious. I just have a triple whammy of seasonal allergies, sinus infection, and a little bacterial infection. However, all 3 together coupled with pregnancy, exhaustion, and antibiotics (which I sometimes react to) has left me one sick mama for the time being.

I never guessed it, but the signs are there. After all, I sleep at night. Not always through the night, but I sleep. I nap. I sit around most of the day. But, apparently, I may be suffering from exhaustion. No matter how much or little I sleep, there is little to no improvement. I'm constantly fatigued. Bone fatigued. My muscles ache all over. They feel very weak, too. Getting up is a great effort. Moving is slow. I feel short of breath and sometimes need to take a breath during a small sentence. My digestion is extremely sluggish and if I eat something that's not as simple as applesauce or yogurt, I feel worse. A smoothie and a small infant-size bowl of oatmeal yesterday had me so stuffed, I was sick most of the night waiting for it to digest. My blood pressure is normal. Baby is active and growing normally. I feel like I need a lot of fluids, some oxygen, and I need to just sleep. I wish I could spend just one night in a hospital getting these things, but I was ...

Is your home a patchwork home like mine? A patchwork home is a house where nothing really matches. My rooms are painted different colors. I do not have one complete set of furniture. For example, in my living room my sofa came from Big Lots when we got married. My chair was in my grandma's bedroom. Hubby's chair came from a local furniture store as a birthday gift several years ago. The side table was my great grandmothers. The piano I got on craigslist for $50.00. The media cabinet is from the closet organizing section in Target. My desk was my mothers. There is also a footstool from a local antique's shop, a homemade rocking horse given to us by friends, a wicker hamper from Target, and an old stool from a vintage sewing machine cabinet set. Things are a bit topsy-turvy, too. My children occupy the master bedroom while hubby and I squeeze into the 7' by 9' 2nd bedroom. The dining room serves as the library, too. The sun porch is our homeschool room....

I guess there is a little bit of a rebellious streak in me. Or, am I just being realistic about my situation? I don't know. All I know is what the doctor told me and how everyone else around me keeps telling me to pretty much do nothing. And Momma don't like that! Funny, though, it got me out of my funk of pretty much sitting around doing nothing. I'm now doing some highly modified yoga, getting light housework done and feeling more human. Oh, I have to take it easy a lot. I can tell when I'm pushing my limits. Mornings are good. Afternoons are rough. I'm not doing anything crazy. I'm not doing anything that'll harm this pregnancy. Thankfully, I am getting a lot of help. I appreciate that so much! But, unless the doctor tells me I'm on bedrest, I'm not going to be sitting still, feeling my muscles atrophy and my blood coagulate. Yes, I need to take it easy and not do certain things, but it isn't healthy for baby and I to be bedridd...

Thankfully, the exit is still secured for my unborn baby! Preterm labor is not happening, but the contractions are. Therefore, the doctor has put me on limited mobility. I am not on bedrest, per se, but I cannot lift anything, including children. That includes them into their carseats, or into the tub, or into a crib..... No lugging groceries. No pushing my big ol' vacuum cleaner. I can do light housework. I can cook. I can wash dishes. I cannot load my outdoor furnace. I cannot carry laundry up and down the basement stairs. This is going to be quite an adjustment for the next 9 to 12 weeks. Already my children are understandably NOT happy with the changes, especially my youngest. Well, I have to go diffuse a fight between the kiddos.

I have been experiencing BH contractions since about 17 weeks. I've also had many episodes of cramping and pressure. They never really concerned me too much as a change in position or a little heat would stop them. However, I realized that they are coming more frequently in bouts. Longer, stronger bouts. Yesterday, they were less than 5 minutes apart with the need to breathe through them. It lasted about an hour that way. Walking about slowly and drinking water was the only way to calm them. They calmed, so I did not head to the hospital, but the evening still held off and on contractions. I have decided to call my doctor when his office opens today. These are far too many contractions to be having even if labor is not progressing or occuring. Has any of my readers dealt with this at 26 weeks?

www.robynobrien.com Why do so many kids have food allergies these days? What's up with the genetically modified crops? Why is organic food so expensive? Robyn answers these questions in this must-watch video. Watch and share....it must go viral.

This past weekend the entire family, plus a friend from church headed out for a mini-vaca. We stayed for two nights in a two bedroom suite with full kitchen in a favorite hotel. When we arrived home, I found that I missed that hotel suite. It was very relaxing there! I even told my mother on the phone that I wanted to go back to it! Why? I decided that it was the lack of clutter and only having what we needed with us. I didn't have extra gadgets, appliances, clothes, toys, etc etc etc. Sure, we were on vacation, so that is different from every day life, but it really made me think about all the stuff we have. Do we really need it? Really? It felt really good to be able to sit down and put my feet up because I didn't have a mess to clean up, something to organize, or stuff to put away! The dishwasher, extra bathroom, and maid service helped, too. ;b

My denomination in general does not observe Lent. Every year, though, Lent feels like something I should make a point of. This year, things are a bit discombobulated, so I'm settling for using the Lenten season to purge my home of excess STUFF. This past weekend, I went through my dressers and closet to purge and organize. I already feel better! I plan on repeating the purge with my children's clothing and toys, my kitchen cupboards, paperwork, catalogs and magazines, and excess baby gear. If I have time, I will tackle my sewing supplies.

Itchy belly, Braxton-Hicks contractions, navel pain....yep, baby and belly are going through a growth spurt! Only 16 (technically) weeks left to go! I can hardly believe it! I also found out today that my doctor has listed me as a high risk pregnancy. Now, I'm not sure what that means, as I don't really consider myself high risk. Someone stuck on bed rest with imminent preterm labor is high risk. Apparently, a placenta in a low location, 3 previous miscarriages, 3 previous preterm births, and some pretty nasty BH contractions qualifies me. I'm fairly confident things are ok and are going to be ok.

Upon the request of my lovely aunt, I started a blog for healthy living. If you are interested, check it out HERE .

My outdoor wood boiler after I filled it this morning before the sun rose.

Every Wednesday night when I can I set aside time to sit down, put my feet up, fire up my laptop and head on over to the Raising Homemakers Link Up . To me, it's like the best weekly women's magazine out there!

Wednesday, my children and I came down with a nasty 24 hour stomach bug. As soon as we recovered, I set to cleaning and disinfecting the house before hubby came home. He walked in the door Friday evening and wrinkled his face. He said that he could tell we've been sick. The house smells of sick. Now it is Sunday evening and hubby caught this illness. Once again, the house stinks of sick. If it wasn't 10 degrees outside, I'd sleep outside it's so stinky, or at least open the windows! How do you minimize or eliminate sick-smell odors in your house without resorting to dangerous chemicals and air fresheners. As a side note, don't even mention Febreeze to me. It gives hubby and I pounding headaches.

All 3 of my kiddos wear some form of diapering at night. My 5 year old still has accidents. He is the heaviest sleeper I know!! Thankfully, he's starting to grow out of it, so I've replaced his disposable pull ups with Antsy Pants. The Antsy Pants didn't work before. Even with the nighttime doubler for heavy wetters, he'd soak right through it all. He also complained that they hurt him. Now that he's older and wakes upon wetting them, it's not so bad, other than being summoned from bed and having to help him change. My 3 year old still wets at night, too. She's also a heavy wetter and I have yet to find a cloth solution for her, so she's in disposable pull ups. My 1 year old is also in disposable diapers at night. He, too is a heavy wetter, and sometimes soaks through his sposies. I have two problems with cloth diapering at night: 1. Not enough absorption for my heavy wetters. 2. They sleep for 12 hours. That's a long time to have urine-so...