Random things

Just a few random pics to give something new to look at. Life is moving right along for Tom and I. We have much to be thankful for and we're enjoying this phase of life.
I MUST get better organized so I can fit everything into life! Doesn't life have a way of getting away from you?? One minute at a time. Wow! I will be working on simplifying and getting organized. Too much STUFF truely makes life more difficult. Hopefully, I'll be able to fit blogging into the schedule a bit better. I do enjoy reading them and I know it gets rather boring not to keep mine updated so, that's one thing I'll work on!
Till next time--hope you enjoy.

We think Chastity is adorable!




Just enjoying Baby




Grammy's little dolly




Notice Miss Chastity's purse--she carried it around like a little lady.




The new puppies-1 boy, 2 girls


One of the best looking Marines there is!!!! Aaron and Tom




Tom's family-all together for the first time in about 20 years!


Sleeping Beauties!




Grotto Falls in the Smokey Mtns.





Not very clear but, these are the pups

Do we need yet another reason to breastfeed???

New Study Finds Infant Formula Contaminated With Rocket Fuel Chemical

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has found that 15 brands of infant formula are contaminated with perchlorate, an environmental toxin found in rocket and missile propellants. Two of the brands account for 87% of milk-based infant formula sales in the U.S. Perchlorate is a potent thyroid toxin that may interfere with fetal and infant brain development. The study found that reconstituting the formula with water that has levels as low as 4ppb of perchlorate would cause 54% of infants to exceed "safe" dosage levels of the toxin.

To read more on this go to Organic Consumers Association this is organic byte #168

Yes, I am still blogging!

Sorry it's been so very boring here for soooo long! As a catch up I'll give some tidbits of recent days.
After I got back from "school" in TN. it was busy and then Tom and I went back to TN the 21st to spend a week in Gatlinburg with Hannah and Chastity. Andy could only come the last Friday because of work. We had a good time and as always, it went by quickly. One of the highlights was going to Dixie Stampede and watching Chastity enjoy the horses! It was absolutely adorable. She got so excited!
Back at home we have increased our household by 3 very cute puppies, born Thurs. afternoon. While not human--I did have to help her with a breech. I'm glad I hadn't left like I was planning to do.
Last night, Friday, Tom's family came for supper. Aaron and his girlfriend were here, too so that made it supper for 12. It all turned out real well and Tom said I did a good job so---well---I guess I did a good job! His 2 sisters and niece and nephew flew in from FL. and it was his dad's 80th b-day so that was the occassion. All 4 of the children had not been together for about 18 years! Aaron was 2 when we left FL. and that was the last time they were all in the same place. Pictures were a must!
Hope you enjoy the few I've posted here and I'll certainly try to keep up better.

Information!

Ina May Gaskin and I

Yes, I am back from a week full of information and learning in TN. I have a lot to share but, not a lot of time to do it right now. However, there is one project I would like to bring to your attention.
It's called the Quilt. This is a project started by Ina May Gaskin, renowned midwife and educator, to bring awareness to the maternal deaths of women. It is a startling fact when you find out how many of our women in the U.S. die from some sort of maternal complications--going up to a year or more after the actual birth--yet it is not reported as such. These deaths could be from a variety of reasons yet connected to the birth of a baby. We tend not to watch over our mother's very well after birth when compared to some other countries.
I have included a link to Ina May's site so you can read about this project. She is trying to bring awareness and get something going in WA. So far, no one has cared enough to listen.
For some reason I can't get the link to take but, go to Ina May's site and check it out.

www.inamay.com click on the Safe Motherhood Quilt project on the left to read about the project.

Tennessee

This week has been busy getting things ready for Tom while I'm gone. Can't have him going hungry!
I leave early Sun. morning for Summertown , TN for a week of midwife assistant training. I'm looking forward to learning the skills and being able to assist some midwives in our area.
I'll be driving the beetle so I should fit in pretty well-at least that's our joke. The place I'm going to is actually --or should I say, was--a "hippie colony" from the 60's. They have since reformed some of their ways . One of the premier midwives in the country is there and women come from all over the world, literally, to birth their babies there. So, I feel I'm getting some of the best knowledge and training out there.
As a side, I have recently gotten a job working with elderly folks. I enjoy this , too. I find elderly people interesting and a lot of times, in need of someone to pay attention to them. So---I am working on both ends of the spectrum of life. That will prove to have a lot of emotion, I think.
Have a great day/week and I'll look forward to catching up when I get back!

Special Valentines

Following Sharonda's lead--here is My Valentine and our sweetheart Chastity. I think she stole Papaw's heart!

Kitchen

As I've said before, Tom and I have enjoyed decorating the new place and finding things at low prices. These are just a couple pics of the kitchen so far. I'm leaving the walls white--I like the openness--and accenting with blue and yellow, mainly.
Lowe's had border marked down to $1/roll . I found 2 rolls that really caught my eye--not enough! Enter, Hannah! She was able to pick up 8 more rolls in FL. and brought them home on their vacation. Thanks to her and Andy, the border was up in no time! Hannah also helped with decorating ideas but, had to leave before we could finish anything. So--- here is what we/I have come up with so far. I'm taking my time and trying to find tings I LIKE! Not just things to fill space! I don't want a cluttered look any how.
Maybe I'll post some other pics as I go along. At least Hannah will enjoy seeing them! hee-hee

Thrift stores

Okay, so anyone that knows me well knows my favorite stores are thrift stores. I mean--why would I pay top dollar for something I can get at half price or much less!It's a lot of fun to find an item you're looking for at a great price. I'm really thankful for those people who pay those high prices, gently use it for a while and then donate it!
Well, while Hannah was home we stumbled on a Goodwill outlet. All adult clothes are just 1.49 and childrens are cheaper yet--99 I think. While browsing the other day, I pulled out this very cute nightie and wouldn't you know!--it was Christian Dior from Saks Fifth Ave.! It looks new and feels oh, so soft! I would never think of spending what it would cost to purchase this new, but at 1.49 I think it was a nice deal.
How about you? Do you enjoy the challenge of shopping for what you need/want at thrift stores? I know it requires patience sometimes but, it feels better to spend less--at least I think so! Tom and I had a lot of fun decorating on the frugal.(not cheap)
If there's something coming up that you're going to need or just something you've been wanting, I'd suggest your local thrift shop--and have fun!