preparation August 27, 2009

It really is so good not to have to worry about market! We did go and pick another gallon of blueberries for ourselves though. We have LOTS now, so there will be lots of pies this winter. I hope Sam’s sells crusts in bulk.

I am wrapping up projects and my nesting is causing me to want to start some major ones too.  I am in the process of ripping some special sleep music to my MP3 player as I am never able to sleep well at the hospital. Even after Emme, after 25 hrs of labor, I was too keyed up to sleep. I am hoping this will help.

Packing my bag, and his is packed already too, although I don’t feel like anything exciting is imminent.  I am not going to get antsy for another couple of weeks yet unless I just get too uncomfortable.  So far, with a few small exceptions, I feel really good as long as I get some rest in the afternoon. I don’t even have a backache!  Still, I am concentrating on getting all my ducks in a row so things are ready.

I keep thinking of little things that I need and I forgot about. Like a baby bathtub and at least one or two bottles and milk storage bags (for when I have my surgery on 10/2) and infant clippers.  Nothing urgent or can’t do without, but stuff that would just be handier to have then not.  Hopefully, I won’t go before the 3rd and we can get these things when we do our monthly shopping.  A new friend offered to throw me a shower just last night, but I told her not only did I not need much, but that I don’t have enough friends to come anyway.   It was awfully sweet of her to offer, particularly since she’s leaving Friday for Fla and won’t be back until the 11th–and there’s a decent chance I’ll have delivered by then!

Another trip to the OB tomorrow. I don’t expect any big news or changes.  Don’t be surprised if I don’t update again until after baby arrives–you know how I am about updating!

Reclamation August 17, 2009

Sometimes, it takes a string of hits to get a clue in life.  Friday, we lost a laying hen, our whole bean crop and a few other problems with our crops. Keith spent the evening before unable to move his right arm at all without nearly passing out from pain. The writing was on the wall that maybe it was time to take a break from marketing.  We’ve felt like we’ve been barely keeping our heads above water now for a few weeks.  Our house and property are in terrible shape and we were not getting as much done with schooling as we would like. The babies room was not done, and Keith’s shoulder is in dire need of some rest. Really, something had to give.

But we didn’t want to go out like that…on a negative.  As much as we enjoyed going to market, we wanted to play out the entire season.  I felt terrible about it for a while, like I was just giving up, but then I realized, God was telling me something, and that if we didn’t listen, we might be putting ourselves out there for what we call “the Cosmic Stop”.

The Cosmic Stop is when you are so busy burning the candle at both ends you forget to listen to God’s plan, you ignore the signals you get from your body and your family and then something major happens to really give you perspective again.  We have referred to K’s last accident as such for years, based upon the circumstances that caused it, and the clarity that has come since then.

We don’t want a Cosmic Stop. That is not good.

And so, a change in perspective, and also a change in attitude. Not going to market for a while is a good thing.  WE have a few weeks to get things in order around here again. Time to do the summer fun activities with the kids we haven’t had time to do. Time to spend with them-esp Emme-before life is turned upside down again with a newborn.  Already we have gotten a handle on some things that were languishing and it sure feels good!

We do still have a few things growing cropwise. If our watermelons ever ripen, Keith may have to set up on the side of the road or drop into market one saturday with them. We have some cantalopes and well over 200 lbs of potatoes in the ground to be dug. (Digging them up is the problem with his shoulder!)  Our tomatoes and peppers are only just starting, but I am sure that something will come up. Our friends will buy them or something! (Please don’t tell me to make salsa. I don’t like tomatos or peppers!! Nor do I have the time/inclination to be doing that sort of stuff)

Well, I suppose that’s the biggest news around here.  I am going to do my best to breathe, but it feels like little Mowgli is swinging from my ribcage so it makes it difficult at times!