Saturday, February 13, 2016

Plunging into oils!!

Well, I did it....I joined the oil revOILution.  I've been thinking about it, researching it, wanting to try it and finally dove in.  I bought my Young Living oil kit just over a month ago and I have been diffusing oils daily both at home and at work, and rolling on the stress away blend with all these snowy hour long commutes to and from work.

There are so many ways to use them out there on the web but since I am still breastfeeding, I am quite cautious yet.  I love the pleasant fragrance in my home when diffusing and I enjoy the fact that the diffuser shuts off automatically if I forget because that doesn't happen with candles.  The other great thing is that I do not have to worry about hot wax and half empty jars.  The oil diffusing also has calming, and health benefits.

I'm looking to live a healthier, cleaner life.  It was part of our decision to land out here on the farm.  The next few projects on my plate include more cleaning products using the various essential oils with anti bacterial/ disinfectant properties, making re-usable dryer sheets, and organic garden sprays for my vegetable gardening.

If you are curious about the oils, you are welcome to ask me questions.  I'm still learning daily, but I am super excited about them.  Think you want to try them yourself, you can check out the kits that are on sale for 10% off this month.  It's a really great deal!

If you are interested in checking them out, signing up as a retail or wholesale individual, Click here !
The link will open a new window to the Young Living oils site where you can browse the kits that are on sale for Februray 2016.  View their full line of products including beauty care, kids, pets, cooking, diet, energy....they've got a plethora of items available!


          
Organic gardening with essential oils...here I come!

Sunday, November 15, 2015

A Whole Year!


Well, Well where has a year gone!?  And my, oh my, what this year has brought us!  It’s opening morning, the hubby has set out for the woods.  The dog is nervously watching out the window into the darkness because she is still scared about going outdoors after hearing the coyotes having a field day last night.  And I am sitting here typing while simultaneously snuggling the new love of my life!  Life is good, and I pray that my husband is not being hunted by the pack of coyotes right now. 

Well last year we left off on opening day, I was cooking, and the weather was blustery as we had snow!  Yes, snow!! This year it will be 60 for opening day and I hope to get out with my 2 sidekicks to catch a few fall rays.  Since last year, we have completed another house project and gleefully added a new member, two little feet, to our household.  She is the love of my life, and daddy would second that! So to prepare for her arrival, we made some changes, and renovated the upstairs.  Actually, gutted would be a better word.  The boys started in April and carpet was done July/August.  We are still decorating, adding furniture, hanging pictures, what have you…..but it is gorgeous, the transformation.

I have just a few more weeks off of work, and am dreading the return, as I love being a mom.  This is by far the best ‘job’ of my life and I don’t want to miss a second of her growth and beautiful face.  Some may say that I hold her too much, but quite frankly, I don’t feel that’s possible.  I’ve waited soo many years for this moment! The surgeries, the endless Dr visits, the fertility treatments with drugs and shots (horrible!), the miscarriage……the aching broken heart…..it is impossible after all of that to over love this child.  While I reeled in pain over the past several years, I can say now, while I do not wish to re-live any of it, all of it was worth the wait as I lovingly look down on the angel that I hold sleeping on my chest right now.  She is such a miracle, my our little miracle.  There is not a day so far where I have not looked at her in awe and said ‘Can you believe she’s ours! Can you believe that she grew inside me!?’ What an amazing world we are a part of.  She is perfect…..absolutely perfect and I am utterly in love!
 
Here are a few pictures.....
my lil angel
 
gutting the place!!
laying out new walls

Finished products

 
A big shout out to my husband for all his hard work, great ideas, and dedication to this project!


 

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Walking in a winter wonderland?!

11/15/14:  Opening day of deer season and we have 6+ inches of snow on the ground!

 Seriously?

I feel as though it should be January!  It is currently a blizzard outside and there is no sign of stopping.  The next 2 days forecast a high of  20's and a low in the teens!   Nuts! Just plain nuts!
So while the hubby sits outside looking for deers, I'm cooking....take a look!
Roasted these pumpkins and....

Made this puree
Then....
 
I cooked this organic free range chicken with a few treats from the garden! 
Delicious!

I still have garden chores to complete. Potatoes are still in the ground, strawberries needed trimming(and weeding), some carrots are still in as well as green onions.  I also left a few cool weather things like kale and brussel sprouts!  Tomatoe cages were pulled but not put up, and we still have to Till the ground to mulch everything into the soil.  They call this an artic blast....of course....it certainly doesn't qualify as a Caribbean blast! (Why can't we get one of those!?!). I'm still hoping that this will stop, warm up, chores will get completed and everyone will work great!

Well, well, well, I suppose this is the reason that the farmers almanac began.   It did predict this early weather. How....I am unsure.....but... if you're old school and listened, you're in good shape.  I may be a believer this year!

11/18/14:  Well, today was a first!  First snow day before Thanksgiving that I ever remember.  The weather continues to be insane!  A good day to stay indoors and hunker down!  I made chili, banana bread and cleaned/ re-organized the closet.  Whoo-hoo!

I was able to get some of the garden chores completed on Sunday.  It was cold, and snow was on the ground, but it had stopped snowing at least....for a second, don't blink!  I picked the last of the Brussels and Kale, took care of those tomato cages, and we put up more wood.   The veggies later made it to the freezer after a bath and blanch.  I'm really looking forward to enjoying that food later! ;)

The deck at 6am
 
Can you find the driveway?
 
And just for your viewing pleasure....a 'selfie' with my partner in crime!
 
What?! Did you really expect it to be a decent shot?
haa! We don't get out much!

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Miscarriage & thankfulness ...that there is good in this world!

Is it possible to put these two words together?
I can answer yes, and here's why...  This has been by far the most difficult thing in life thus far, and the pain seems to linger.  However I have been busy seeking the silver lining instead of allowing this situation to own me.  I feel that I can look back on this time with thankfulness and clarity that I did not previously have.  I have found that I am much more thankful for many things that I was taking for granted.

 I am beyond grateful for my wonderful husband and everything that he has done for me.  He has been there every step of the way, supporting me, hugging me, cheering me on and cheering me up, waking up in the middle of the night to take care of me, make me a snack, and just plain being a huge help!  He puts a smile on my face daily and I am forever grateful for the opportunity to see him step up in a whole new way.  I love him in ways that I never knew existed, and I can honestly say he will be there for me regardless.  He completes me in ways I didn't think was possible.

 I am also grateful for the family, and the friends who have been there for me in various ways.  Acquaintances that I have found to be more of a friend than those I considered friends. You have made me rethink my life and how I go about my days. Thank you!

I recently went to a gathering with co-workers.  One of them greeted me and shared that she had something for me.  She previously had been through 2 miscarriages and offered me some great advice as I began on my path through this miscarriage.  I was thankful to know someone who had been there recently and could tell me what to expect because something you do not realize is how scary this process actually is.  Especially when you have never been there and have no idea what to expect.  Well, on this particular day, several months after my miscarriage and a week after the D&C I eventually had, she stood there with a gift for me.  She shared that it was something that was given to her after her 2nd miscarriage.  As I opened the box, I saw a pin that said 'Believe' and she continued to explain that it was her reminder to believe that something good is to come.  "Just have faith because it will happen" she said.  She is proof of that, as she just had an adorable little guy that I was able to hold and cuddle that night. 

I stood there with tears in my eyes for several reasons that night.  Thankful to have proof that it does get better, thankful that someone is still thinking about my pain long after I feel everyone has forgotten, thankful to know that there is good in this world!  That people step up in ways you never maybe imagined they would.  I have always known her as just a co-worker, someone that I see daily, but never outside of work related things.  However, she showed me that sometimes the people you least expect to be there for you in rough times do the exact opposite.  Then you find that the ones you expect to be there are no where to be found....silent....missing....and you feel alone.  So I am thankful to those who step up when it matters the most.  The ones that love you when you are up or when you are down...those are the ones that make you thankful. 

I know that everything happens for a reason. 

 Life moves forward. 

When my 'believe' happens, I plan to be that angel to someone else, because that is what she was that day....an angel that made me thankful.


Tuesday, November 4, 2014

This is your life...you've made it this far.....

Ever listen to those lyrics?
Here they are.....the song is called Welcome to wherever you are by Bon Jovi

Maybe we're different, but we're still the same
We all got the blood of Eden, running through our veins
I know sometimes it's hard for you to see
You come between just who you are and who you wanna be

If you feel alone, and lost and need a friend
Remember every new beginning, is some beginning's end


[Chorus]

Welcome to wherever you are
This is your life, you made it this far
Welcome, you gotta believe
That right here right now, you're exactly where you're supposed to be
Welcome, to wherever you are

When everybody's in, and you're left out
And you feel your drowning, in a shadow of a doubt
Everyones a miracle in their own way
Just listen to yourself, not what other people say

When it seems you're lost, alone and feeling down
Remember everybody's different
Just take a look around


[Chorus]


Be who you want to, be who you are
Everyones a hero, everyones a star

When you wanna give up, and your hearts about to break
Remember that you're perfect, God makes no mistakes


[Chorus]
 
This is one of those songs that is fitting for many points in life, but right now it helps me get through this part of my journey.  I have not been on here in quite some time.  There is a reason behind it, and not just being busy.  I had planned to just keep this blog about this house, but somehow this house is also a part of this life and what happens along the way.  We've been working on expanding our family for the past 3 yrs, with many difficulties.  We finally found out that our family would be expanding by 2 feet, one little rascal, the end of June.  We kept it a secret until the end of July before we shared with our parents/families about the excitement.  Our chances of miscarriage at this point dropped to 5% .....or so we were told.  One week after telling everyone, the heart of our little miracle stopped beating.  My(our) life stopped, dead in its tracks.  It did the same thing just a week prior, but for a good reason.  When you hear the heartbeat of your future child for the first time, your world stands still.  Completely still.  It cannot be explained, but only felt.  I don't know if it feels any different when you've been waiting 3 yrs to hear that moment or not, but my world stood still and I'd give anything to go back to that moment.  I was happy beyond all belief......and little did I know, one week later I would be watching the screen and being told that, that same heartbeat was no longer present.  Again my world stopped but in a dark, numbing, how do I move forward kind of way.  I had dreams for that baby, we waited so long, and we've been through so much.....this was not possible.  

While I knew that it was all over, I somehow hoped that if I went home and laid still that maybe the heartbeat would come back miraculously(even though I am not that naïve and knew there wasn't a chance in the world....when you are numb like that, you do weird things).  We had a follow up appt. a  few days later to make sure nothing changed and discuss the next steps of this horrible process.  The Dr. suggested that having a natural miscarriage was the best because it is not invasive.  Due to the struggles we had had, the least invasive was best.  A D&C was said to possibly cause scaring that would prevent implantation in future pregnancies. So we embarked on the natural process.....3wks went by and not much had taken place.  It was hard knowing that the baby was still there, because it meant I could not fully move forward.  It was time to do something more.  To prevent infection and further issues, the Dr provided us a drug for me to take that would cause my body to go into labor to deliver our 'lost' dream.  That was a terribly painful week in every kind of way.  The process began on Monday, and finally wrapped up on Friday(I'll spare you the details, but horrible...would explain that).  Nothing anyone tells you, or explains to you compares to what you feel/experience. NOTHING!  There are no words, no description.

The weeks that follow are painful physically for the first few days/week and then it is mostly emotionally healing.  I was not seen again by the Dr which is still perplexing to me but they had me get blood work to follow my pregnancy numbers down.  Then things started to get interesting.  It's the part I was least prepared for, the part you least expect.  People start telling you how to feel, how to 'get better' or 'get over' things.  Really?!  Think before you speak.  I was even told at one point that I was not sad enough. Again, Really?! Do you know how many shattered pieces of my heart lay in this floor as you look at me?  No.  Absolutely not.  You do not know or feel the pain I carry each day.  Friends had begun to disappear, or not respond to my contact.  I understand, that sometimes it's hard and you don't have words for a situation, but to ignore, not respond....that's the worst thing to do.  Especially when you need the support the most.  If I don't want to talk, I will tell you.  Do not assume.  Sometimes the best person says nothing at all besides, I'm here.  I started to learn a lot about life during this time.  What I could handle(which was more than I previously thought) and who was there for me regardless.  It was at this point that I decided that maybe it was time to rethink how I was living my life.  Certain individuals stepped forward to care/show concern for my situation that I never thought of.  People I expected to be there went MIA and that said a lot too.  It made me think about how I invest my time with the people in my life, and who I hold close.  Maybe this happened for a reason.  Then I saw this quote.....
"The best thing about the worst part of your life, is that you get to see the true colors of everyone."

I've been changed forever.  My life will never be the same.  I fear that the next pregnancy will be scary, and will lack that carefree excitement I had this time.  However I've seen those who have done it and they provide me with courage to move forward.  I'm thankful to and for every woman who has walked this same path, was willing to share their heartaches and struggles with me, and provided me a glimmer of hope. You are amazing women because many of you have been through this more than once.  You all deserve a cape!  Thank you for the hugs, thank you for the advice, thank you for the hope, thank you for being there, and helping me even in the littlest ways.  And for those of you who have not walked this path but were just there to listen, sent me a text to say you were thinking of me, or just whisked me away to do something fun.....thank you.  Thank you for not assuming, and treating me like a real human.   Those who have ignored, disappeared, or tried to tell me what to do to 'get over things' I'm sorry for you.  The worst thing you can do is to assume you know how I feel.  No matter how hard you try, you will never know, so instead of making assumptions, ask.

So, after several weeks, I thought this whole process was wrapping up and would be over.  However, the exact opposite happened.  I started having crazy bleeding.  The first couple times happened at home thankfully but the next 2 happened while at work.   I ended up in the ER one day because it just wouldn't stop and I started to get very shaky/dizzy.  Of course the ER was the last place I wanted to be!  After 6.5 hrs, we left with no real answers beyond, nothing being seriously wrong.  Maybe just some left over products of conception and a need for a D&C.  I was directed to follow up with the Drs that week.   Well by mid week, I had what felt like a 2nd miscarriage at work (spare you the gory details) and the Dr finally scheduled that surgery.  So here I sit, home from work today.  This journey is something I could not have ever imagined embarking on, surviving, or even talking about in this way...but my hope is that I can help someone else.  Just the same as all the women who have helped me.  So this is my life...I have made it this far. And, I  intend on going even further.


The lessons learned, the strength of our marriage that continues to emerge each and every day, the hope that is instilled for a better outcome next time, and the smile I put on my face despite the pain I harbor in my heart are all things that make me grateful for this life.....wherever I am in my journey.  I've made it this far.  And with that, I will leave you with one more quote that I found recently....

"Your miracle may be taking a long time, but God didn't bring you this far to leave you."

I hope in some way that this helps someone else to talk about their 'journey' or may this serve as a reminder that you are not alone, and others have walked this same path.  You can do it, no matter how hard each day may feel.



Monday, July 21, 2014

Let the Bounty Begin.....

Lettuce




What the Kale!?! Can you see the size of this behemoth??



 

Well, I slowly started to get things out of the garden.  First it was just lettuce and an early cucumber and zucchini but now things are really starting to kick in gear!  See for yourself!
More Kale


A bowl of goodies


 
beans, beans...and in the background are zucchinis and a cucumber
 
Kale, radishes, zucchini, cucumber...

Before I know it, I will be canning up a storm!  I look forward to having some fresh, homemade, chemical free foods to consume.  I will be purchasing my first pressure canner so I am able to can my own beans.  It is going to be fun!
 

 

Another update

Well I promised some updates....hope these pics from this week do justice!
Could the sky look more amazing?!
My trusty sidekick is modeling so you can see the corn!


This is looking to the West....Those are potatoes next to the corn
Left: Onions
Center: Potatoes
Right: Cucumbers
 
 
Watermelon and squash/pumpkin area
 
one of the watermelons is starting nicely!
 

Another variety
 

Green Beans
 
Tomatillos
Zucchini
I have no clue what this is...lol!  Thanks to my greenhouse tipping over 2x's!

cantaloupe/muskmelon
butternut squash waiting to be fertilized by pollination!

Again, I'm not sure...sad, I know!
 
See the first tomato to be ready!
Another butternut squash

Sweet banana Peppers