Busy Times

Published on: by catballou24 Category:Family, Farm Life, Life, Photos 1 Comment

The kids have been extra active lately so it’s not easy to update these days. But things are going okay. Jason is working hard on a couple projects, the girls are growing and learning daily, the animals are all healthy and happy – we are really hoping Kubra is with child(ren). We’ll know for sure in another couple weeks or so. Exciting!

The weather has been so strange. We’ll have a day of 36 degrees all day, then 75 the next. In light of it all, we’ve all suffered from colds and allergies as pollen is floating around that really shouldn’t be right now. Crazy!

I’ve been knitting and getting ready to plan our spring veggie garden. We are probably going to start seeds in a couple weeks for the early things. I can’t believe it’s getting to be that time again! Life just keeps moving forward.

I’ve also been getting excited about new music again. In a previous life I was heavily involved in the music scene and miss it terribly. So have been seeking out new sounds. As I discover more, I’ll try to remember to share here. For starters I suggest checking out The Limes. From their site:

“The Limes draw inspiration from foreign film directors, 70’s porn music, and the great musical couples of yester-year: Joao/Astrud, John/Exene, Paul/Linda (whose “Bluebird” is covered on the Limes’ eponymous debut), resulting in groovy, off-kilter pop tunes separated by the odd instrumental track. Lovers of early Pizzicato Five and all things Jobim, take note.”

If you like lounge music, check them out!

Here are some pics to keep you company. Peace!





Michelle’s Giveaway

Published on: by catballou24 Category:Friends 1 Comment

My dear dear friend is having a birthday…and for her birthday she is actually giving someone else a gift through a wonderful give-away! Just go to her blog, You Just Gotta Keep Knittin’ and check out the details. Jewelry, yarn, pattern…it’s a good one people!! And while you are there, check out the rest of her musings.

Happy Birthday my dear dear friend!

I’ll have an updated post about the farm soon…been busy busy busy…but thinking about you all! 🙂

Peace!

Happy New Year!

Published on: by catballou24 Category:Holiday 3 Comments

It’s been awhile but we’ve been busy too…so I apologize for the delay in posting! All is going forward here. We had the most amazing, most magical Christmas ever I think. The girls received so many wonderful gifts from perfect strangers! A dear friend here put together a Holiday Helper for us and believe me, the girls were set up! New clothes, much needed coats and winter clothes…socks…shoes…toys…books…art supplies, you name it! Mothering dot com also did a number on us and we received gift cards, books for the girls, clothes and more toys. Nothing was over the top and everything is being loved, worn and played with. People even paid our electric bill and insurance! It is a true testament to the power of the human spirit and all that can be done when working together as a community. It is humbling being in the financial situation we are in. My only wish is we do better this year so we can give back because we received so much this year and are extremely grateful for it all. I can’t think everyone enough for what they’ve done. The biggest gift I received however was seeing J’s transformation. He had all but lost his faith in humanity, especially after getting laid off and not finding another position still… and when he saw this, what perfect strangers wanted to do for his girls, it changed him. So the gift I received was getting my husband back and nothing can top that! Thank you to everyone from the bottom of my heart. Much love and peace to everyone for a happy 2009.

And Santa has arrived, the before shots:


during:


and after:

new holiday dresses from a mystery gifter:

and 3 of the most beautiful sacks of rocks from J for each of us:

There is a story behind the rocks. J went hunting the 3 days before Christmas (I am mastering the art of deer sausage…that’s another post though), and while he was out in the woods alone, he started seeing some of the most beautiful agates. Large and intense colors. He was inspired and got each of us gals a rock for our hearts, our minds, a tool, a helper and our souls. They are the most beautiful sack of rocks anyone could ever have and a testament to receiving my man back.

Peace in the New Year!

The Sun Egg

Published on: by catballou24 Category:Friends 4 Comments


The Sun Egg: We’ve been wanting this book for quite awhile now. The synopsis of this story is:

“A large orange egg has fallen into the wood. “It’s a sun egg!” declares the elf. Soon, she and her friends find out what it really is; but not before the sun egg is lost and the elf begins one of the best adventures she has ever had. This is one of Elsa Beskow’s delightful picture books for children that have been known and loved for almost a century.”

As we move further into our Waldorf adventures, we are finding more and more books that we are longing for. Simple, wonderful stories to entice my girls’ imaginations. This particular book has been a wish for my little Xi.

Well, today, another MDC mama let me know that Xiola will be receiving this book for Christmas. I am, once again completely floored by the generosity of people. We have been so completely blessed by people this holiday. It is amazing the generous spirits that are out there. I have to say a huge thank you to the Kirby family as well. They sent books for the girls and a gift card for Jason. Again, just out of the kindness of their hearts. So thank you so much Kirby family!

And Marina, thank you from the bottom of my heart. This little surprise will be well loved. Everyone else, go check out her wonderful adventures at her home away from home, A Small Tribe. She has a gorgeous home, gorgeous kids and a beautiful heart. Thanks again Marina…

Peace!

Winter

Published on: by catballou24 Category:Family, Life Comment

Yesterday, it was 75 degrees out. The girls were in their summer gear and outside all day. I couldn’t believe it was December.

Then, the wind picked up…the clouds rolled in…and the temperature dropped…and dropped…and dropped some more. By 9pm we were walking home from our neighbor’s across the street, X and I, and getting covered in sleet and snow. X was so excited, and I have to admit I was too. I love winter weather. I love howling winds, icy cold rain/sleet/snow. I love being bundled up warm in my house with a cup of hot chocolate and my girls snuggled close. I love getting into bed at night when the sheets are crisp and it taking my breath away with how cold it is. I love jackets, scarves, mittens and hats. I love seeing my breath when I’m outside and I love my new chiminea fire place that our darling neighbor down the street surprised us with. There is nothing more warming than the heat from a fire.

After tumbling into the house, X and I laughed at each other with all the ice and snow hanging from our hair and our jackets. We giggled at how exciting it is to have been a part of it. She watched from the doorway, laughing while I struggled to wrap up the lime tree out front – it’s a miniature tree. After hot showers and warm pj’s, she snuggled up against me and fell into a blissful sleep. She’s like me…she loves the cold.

J and L are much more alike. L loves winter, but would rather not be out in it. J can’t stand any semblance of snow, sleet, ice, or anything below 60 degrees. Haha! We make quite a pair. Good thing for him we don’t live in the north! I can dream though, can’t I?

So yes, this is our first “snow storm” of the year. Not much considering how deep in it some of you all are, but it’s mine and I love it!

Oh, and a side note, due to the fact that my tomatoes had finally decided to produce fruit right at the start of the cold weather, we now have a bowl full of green tomatoes and the goats are in heaven with the now fruitless plants. Silly tomatoes!

Peace!


Mothering Dot Com

Published on: by catballou24 Category:Friends 2 Comments

I belong to a couple online mom groups, one is a private forum full of dear dear friends who all had babies the same time I had Xi. The other is a much larger forum called Mothering Dot Com. This forum is made of of parents from all over the world really. All discussing their needs and sharing their experiences in natural parenting. I, like so many other parents, have found endless support, ideas, confirmation, suggestions, etc. on this forum and even met one of my dear friends there, Romy, along with the previous forum of women I mentioned.

One aspect of this forum that I never knew was possible anywhere on an anonymous board like this, or even in such a large group period, is the selfless acts of generosity I’ve seen exhibited. Everyone knows that Jason lost his job in August and while he’s picked up projects here and there, it’s been a major struggle with nothing extra to hold onto money wise. We are making our house payments, utilities and car, but that is really all we can do right now. I’m making the girls’ their holiday gifts this year, which even when we are on our feet again is a tradition we will be keeping. But we couldn’t buy a gift for them even if we wanted to. Last month I sent in a money order for our car insurance payment. A week ago I found out they never received it and were canceling our insurance if we didn’t pay both November AND December’s payments together by 11PM today. We just don’t have that extra money to pay twice with so were in a mode of panic. Our car is financed, so if we don’t have full coverage then we are defaulting on our loan and they could take the car if they wanted to.

With nowhere to turn, I got on the forum at MDC and asked the ladies in the Holiday Helpers thread what I should do. Alot of them know of organizations that can help. The organizer of the thread told me to let her see what she could do and in less than 12 hours they’d raised enough money from other members to pay that missing November payment for us! I was floored and still am. Tears came to my eyes when she sent me an email asking for our information and saying she was calling in the payment today. I have never known such generosity from strangers before. We are beyond grateful for the help. It is very humbling to have to reach out like that, but my goodness it gives me hope for humanity. It really is humanity at it’s best! These selfless souls have not only helped us, but they’ve helped so many others in similar situations and some in even worse situations. They do it, not because they want anything in return, but because they have huge hearts and the ability to help rather than horde. They truly think about what others are going through and how they can help. They are sending gifts to families who might be with less for the holidays as well. It’s just amazing really.

I am really hoping that we are in a better place financially next year so we can give back as well. If you have even just a little money to donate to their efforts, it would be so appreciated. Even just a dollar can help out others in need. Check out their Holiday Helpers blog and see what they are raffling off or just to donate. It really lifts the spirits of those who need it, believe me I know.

Thank you MDC mamas and dads who helped us. Thank you for all the help you give others this season and throughout the year. The world really needs to look at you as examples on how to live in truth and in peace. Our family is beyond grateful.

Thank you.

Peace!