A Kidney Bean????

I visited a pregnancy website, typed in my vital information, and was promptly told, "Your baby is about the size of a kidney bean."

A Kidney Bean? Oh come on! I don't know about you, but I've certainly been having way more symptoms than a kidney bean warrants. But...what do others say of this time? "I'm sleeping all day" "Exhausted" "Feel so nauseous"...so it's all normal.

I still don't get it. I've had to retire my skinny jeans...which I'd only FINALLY gotten into a few months ago...already. Due to the size of a kidney bean?

Well, it's better to not focus on kidney beans. I'm not making soup here anyway. It's a baby. An utterly surprising, unexpected, change of plans, baby.

A miraculous baby....

Fun with Paints

This is one of my latest. Not exactly done, as I could go through an pencil in more detail, now that the oils are dry. This was done with the Shiva Paintstiks I've mentioned before, and some water color pencils, and water-soluble pastels. The background is nice and grainy, as I gessoed some masonite and then scrubbed a papertowel over it to show the nice gesso texture. I love these oils because you can get messy with them. Most of the skin texture was done with my fingers. (Oooh, hey--if you click on the picture, you get a BIG version with texture galore!).

Hmmm...this is a scanned pic and it's not as vibrant as the real deal, but I was going for sombre tones anyway. Even orange can be sombre at times.

I knitted a sock and have a cute pic of my son wearing it, but that will have to wait for when I'm on my laptop. For as amazing as Macs are, you'd think they'd make an SD slot. Go figure.

Well, today I'm feeling well enough to make a post, so that's progress. Let's see if I can even tackle a pile of laundry....

One Step at a Time...

So...last pregnancy, I was sentenced to bed-rest from 17 weeks on, due to my over-active uterus. (a.k.a. pre-term labor...though it's really more like my uterus likes to exercise like crazy, and that makes the doctors nervous). So then I was on lots of medications to stop the "exercising"...one turned my skin bright pink...and the mix of them, plus not much exercise, left my liver in bad shape. Plus, apparently that "relaxin" hormone that helps your hips be able to split apart...can also effect your feet. I was in a brace for the last few months as well, because my ankle was freaking out, due to the relaxin. (Not so relaxin' for the ankles). I actually rode the little cart around to do grocery shopping.

I'll cut this short...I could go on... but suffice it to say, it was not a fun pregnancy. In fact, I hear that those really do exist, but they have been a mystery to me.

I'd like a fun pregnancy. I'd like to enjoy this one.

So, here's the plan. Take it one step at a time. Morning sickness is already here...but, I get to rest a lot. I love naps. I've been go...go...go for so long, rest can be good.

Everything has slowed down. I guess that's because I get up for the day, and my body says, "Oh, no you don't". Where I used to have task lists plumb full of things to do, now, if I hit 2 or 3...that's success. If I hit 1, it's success!

Being pregnant at nearly 36, with 5 other kids....wow. I still hear my kids talk about it and I think they are talking about someone else.

My biggest joy this week was realizing...I won't have another 2 or 3 year old to handle as well. Only one baby in diapers. 5 other kids, yes, but 5 other kids that can get in and out of cars, fasten seatbelts, dress themselves, and almost feed themselves (Jasen & I need to bring him up to speed a bit, but he's excited to be a big brother, so here we go). Maybe, it won't be quite so exhausting.

Finding out you are unexpectedly pregnant, just as the kids were almost all in school takes a bit of ...flexibility. And it's a different flexibility than...say... you head out to your favorite restaurant for your favorite dish, only to find they are out it...and you need to choose something else.

18 more years of mothering. Well, 19 really. I'll be in my late 50's!

It's really about the exhaustion. I'm so tired already. Wow. I feel like this is an unexpected road, and the one I was heading for was a nice gentle slope, kids in school, being able to work full time, finances beginning to improve in a big way...but instead, I've got a big hill to climb.

But, I know, it will be a wonderful hill. Babies are blessings, expected or no. I know a lot more than I did 5 years ago. Now I have the opportunity to everyday, every hour, put the power of thought into action.

It's overwhelming. It's scary. But, it's also an exhilarating adventure. There we go. That fits. An adventure. A surprise. Excitement. Unexpected twists and turns.

Let the adventure begin!

Psychic Jenna....

I'm not quite sure how this happened. Well, logistically, I know how this happened. But it definitely beats the odds. You know that teeny, tiny fraction of a chance that you'll get pregnant, no matter what kind of measures you take? I do. In a big way.

I have 5 beautiful children, and the youngest is heading off to kindergarten this fall. Done! Made it. And for a whole week or two, quiet at home. And then, I'm starting all over again. Apparently!

Jenna, all I can suppose is that you are sending some strong baby-making mojo to our family, and it hit me! Maybe you and Lani will be preggers this year too. Wouldn't that be something for the folks to return home to!

Well, there you have it...and my blog readers are nearly the first to know.

The kids are super happy about it. I've never had a bunch of teenagers to help out with a new baby before. What an interesting year this will be.

Isn't that picture the cutest in the world. It helps me remember what all the nausea and future aches and pains are all about. New life.

Unexpected

Isn't it strange how one day can change the rest of your life? You can be cruising along, planning things out, thinking you are going in "this" direction, only to find another one falls in your path. That Unexpected Road.

And what can you do but learn to fall in love with the new path? And trust that it is a good one. Life is full of irony...and unexpected turns, apparently.

But, life is FULL. And that is what counts.

Things that inspire & Energetic imprints

My first official vlog. The last one didn't count because I was hiding behind the painting. I was a wet ragamuffin fresh out of the shower. So, if you film at night, the words are a bit off. Who knew? Is anyone else missing the sun and warm weather?

Shiva Artist's PaintStiks video...

Just some tips about my new toys.

Solving the world's problems....

The difference between what we do and what we are capable of doing would suffice to solve most of the world's problems.

(A random thought off of an email I received. Nice thought, eh?)

Why I like my Mac...

Because it understands women--that with every request we make is implied the word "now". It gets me. =)

I'll bet I've spent days of my life--maybe even weeks--waiting for my computer to get in gear. Waiting for downloads, waiting for reboots, waiting for it to turn ON. Waiting, waiting...

Mac is NOW.

About beliefs and foundations

It seems to me that the only true foundation we have is what we hold to inside ourselves. It is the beliefs we choose to embrace and make part of us.

I've spent much of life thinking and rethinking, making a decision, and then deciding something different later. I like to be flexible. Yet, there are some beliefs, some ideas that serve us greatly. These are our foundations.

If you find a belief that brings you joy and comfort, hold to that belief. Find others to add to it. Create your own foundation for what "life's all about" with the thoughts you think and the beliefs you embrace.

How firm our foundation is entirely up to us. We can choose to make it sturdy, or.. let it be blown away, like sand in the wind. Choose beliefs that serve you and support increased life for all. Each day we are building. What do you want to create?

Some beliefs I hold to:

The Universe is a kind, loving and supportive place, and even the challenges are for our growth and learning.

Life is about learning and discovery.

Help and guidance is always available.

Expression in all forms (art, writing, song, etc) makes the heart sing.

People are good, especially as they clear away limiting beliefs.

There is only abundance.

Connection is bliss.

and...with some input from the Beatles...

Love is all you need:

There's nothing you can do that can't be done.
Nothing you can sing that can't be sung.
Nothing you can say but you can learn how
to play the game. It's easy.
Nothing you can make that can't be made.
No one you can save that can't be saved.
Nothing you can do but you can learn how
to be you in time. It's easy.

All you need is love. All you need is love.
Love is all you need.

Nothing you can know that isn't known.
Nothing you can see that isn't shown.
Nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be.

It's easy.


My favorite line:

Nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be.

Wherever we are, wherever this day finds us, is right for us.

I know, I have my own things I am resisting about this day. But there is wisdom to be found in asking, Why? What creates this resistance in me? Things aren't always as we prefer in the moment, but later, they seem perfected orchestrated, as we open to the lesson.

Here's to a New Year of healthy foundations.

Adios and Letting Go

Adios
It is a good word, rolling off the tongue
no matter what language you were born with,
Use it. Learn where it begins,
the small alphabet of departure,
how long it takes to think of it,
then say, then be heard.

Marry it. More than any golden ring,
it shines, it shines.
Wear it on every finger
till your hands dance,
touching everything easily,
letting everything, easily, go.

Strap it to your back like wings.
Or a kite-tail. The stream of air behind a jet.
If you are known for anything,
let it be the way you rise out of sight
when your work is finished.

Think of things that linger: leaves,
cartons and napkins, the damp smell of mold.

Think of things that disappear.

Think of what you love best,
what brings tears into your eyes.

Something that said adios to you
before you knew what it meant
or how long it was for.

Explain little, the word explains itself.
Later perhaps. Lessons following lessons,
like silence following sound.

~Naomi Shihab Nye

It's getting better...

Yep, it's a scarf.  I officially knitted my first scarf.  I'm as surprised as you are.

Knit Pics--a washcloth scarf???

Sometimes things don't go as planned.  Especially when you are beginning a new hobby...like, oh, I don't know...let's say, Knitting, for instance.  This is what happens if you cast on 72 stitches (or loops?  whatever...) and then run out of yarn.  Apparently, the knitting expands in width--to almost double.  Well-noted!

But who doesn't like a nice wash-cloth scarf you can where when it's breezy in the tub.  You are naked, afterall...gotta warm up somehow!

Happy to report, Washcloth #2 was a success. Size 10 needles, 40 stitches on, and 32 bumpy row thingy's--my sister Lani taught me that technical term.  Thanks, Lan.

It's still not very loose looking, and I don't know how I can knit any looser...so I'm guessing my needles are too small?  Hmmm....   The cool part is that this one only took two days, and I only knitted when I was driving (well, riding as my HUSBAND drove...I really should clarify), watching movies, or any other time I was just sitting on my duff.  Like when I was watching the How to videos about my dear, sweet iMac.... or even while waiting for our table at Carabba's.  Knitting really fits in well!  AND you get washcloth scarves.  How cool is that?

And then of course, more fun on the Photobooth with my buddy, J.  Don't we look funky?  He's a riot.  Having kids to play with is a good thing.  =)

Mmm...banana bread

from Lindsey Brackeen:

My Favorite Banana Bread

4 mashed bananas
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup butter
1 1/3 cups natural cane sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Crumble Topping:

2 tablespoons butter

3 tablespoons brown sugar

1tablespoon flour

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts or pecans

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9x5 inch loaf pans.
Combine banana and sour cream. Set aside. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla and banana mixture. Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt; stir into the banana mixture. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan or pans. Mix all topping ingredients and crumble across the top of the batter.
Bake for 40 minutes in the preheated oven, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the bread comes out clean.

Enjoy!

Blast from the Past and Polaroid Tool

Remember this? It's still as awesome as it was in '84. Let's see...that's...24 years ago! (yipes--had to pull out the calculator on that one!) Oh me oh my, my life is flying by...



And then I came across this cool tool. I makes you photos look like Polaroids...but I think you need a Mac to use it...maybe not. But how's that for a blast from the past?

Polaroid Tool - oh, and I just noticed there is a PC version if you scroll down.

Have fun!

Lookie what I got!

from Christy's Creations

AND

From the way cool Bolsa Chica blog!

Must be my lucky day. I love snowmen and Brown and turquoise together. I just decorated my bathroom in those colors! THANK YOU!!

And the Winner is....

Congratulations, Ginny! This was just too fun! If you'd like to be notified when I have more give-aways, paintings, or soaps, just fill out this form below:

Freebie for you & Drawing Notice...

I realized this morning I didn't say what time I'd stop taking entries...so let's make it 12 pm Mountain time. Shortly after that, I'll be posting the winner...so watch for it. Now for the freebie.

A friend of mine is giving away these incredible booklets and audios called Philosopher's Notes. He's says, "They are kind of like Cliff Notes...only way cooler." They are certainly COOL! He has a goal to give away a million of them, so I'm getting the word out. I'm passionate about reading great books from conscious people, and Brian Johnson makes this easy by writing up a shorter version, filled with gems from the real books...but condensed into about 6 pages. He's also made audios of each one as well. How cool is that? You can find them here, for FREE, until December 31st.

Enjoy them, from Creating Consciously!

Philosopher's Notes

Blog Give-Away Day!

It's give-away day and I have something special for you. Up for grabs today (and for a couple more days, as suggested by the people at Sew, Mama, Sew) are these 3 handcrafted soaps. Two are lightly scented with "Endless Love" and the brown layered guy is "Hint of Mint Chocolate."

Handmade soap is truly an affordable luxury. It can transform your daily shower or bath into a fragrant, sudsy escape. Handmade soap gently cleans without stripping your skin's natural oils. The result is clean, soft, healthy-feeling skin. You can try some now for free, through this give-away day.



As well as a PRINT of one of my paintings, "Alice Contemplates Her Apple." 8" x 8"




TO ENTER: Simply leave a comment on this post and on Friday, December 5th, I will randomly draw one of the names to receive these gifts. Easy as Pie!

I will ship to the United States, Canada, Australia and the UK--or if you know your country has reasonable shipping prices, that's great too.

And, for all who visit today, I am giving away a great little PDF booklet on the high joy vibration of gratitude. Download here.


For more fabulous handmade giveaways visit sew, mama, sew for a list of bloggers participating in GiVeAwAy DAY!

Knit-picky or knot....

So, my friend Marie gave me a washcloth that I adore, and I've always wanted to know how people make them. And since that time I keep running into people with a pile of string and knitwork or crochet in their laps, so I've decided to try my hand at it, armed with nothing but the Internet. AND, I am super excited to start a hobby that I never want to sell. It's just for me, and just to relax me, and make movie time a bit more productive.

I've found some great videos to help me along, because when it comes to knitting, I have no clue. I think it's just a bunch of knots tied together, and it is, but it sure is clever. Marie can knit all sorts of fun things, and I was really impressed with some of her projects. For me, I'll be thrilled with a washcloth.

I gave it a go last night and....well...I started with the 100% cotton yarn for washcloths, and I'm thinking this might have been a bad idea. I did make a cute little square I might wrap around a bar of soap, but the cotton yarn seems to catch on itself. So I need to run to the store and try some more slippery yarn for practice. But, I can now officially cast on, and do the knit stitch. And even a little binding. But...the sample piece is not very pretty, and even has one hole, so I must have missed a stitch. Some of the rows are haywire. But I'm getting a kick out of it. What a funny thing to do with sticks and yarn!

Here's a great video I found that talks about Continental Knitting, which I am learning, rather than the "throwing" kind. Whatever that means. I learned it from this site, which I like because the person in the videos sounds like Maggie Gylenhaal. I loved her character in Stranger Than Fiction, so it's fun to pretend she's teaching me to knit. Didn't her character seem like she could knit?

Here are some great beginning knitting links as well:

Knitting Help - My Favorite

Hipster Knitting

Tips for the Beginner

Simple Dishcloth Pattern

CyberSeams: How to Knit Videos

Monkey See Videos