A new start, again...

Here I sit. Trying to get the motivation to go full force on this world of blogging. It's been a bumpy road but I figure as long as I keep trying, I may actually get somewhere with this.

There's a lot to be blogged about, that's for sure! So much, in fact, that I don't want to lose the magic by posting it all at once so I'm going to try and post a few times over the next week or so until I get caught up.

Let's start with the smaller things in life...

Those of you who have known me for a long time know that I'm a bit of a hippie deep down. I am deeply concerned with the health and well being of animals and our planet. In an attempt to cut down on what I throw in the landfills and pour into our water system, I'm giving it a go at home made laundry soap. I recently found a recipe on a blog that I follow (http://www.raisingolives.com/) that allows me to do just that.

I scored some pickle buckets at a local burger joint for a mere $2.50 each and got to work!

The recpie is quite simple really.

1 bar of soap (grated)

2 cups baking soda

2 gallons HOT water

Start by melting your grated soap in a pan with a touch of water, once melted add to bucket containing 2 gallons of hot water. Mix well. Once mixed, stir in baking soda. Allow to cool and use! 1/2 cup for 'normal' loads, 1 cup for 'heavily soiled' loads.

From what I read on the blog, the solution should gel up to the consistancy of liquid laundry soap. However, I have also read that sometimes it seems to separate and stays pretty thin. (This happened to me this first time) But as I understand you stir it well and use the regular measures. This is what I'm doing and it seems to be working great! I've used it on clothes, towels and even dog bedding.

I also had my girls help me with it. They like the idea of keeping multiple plastic bottles out of our landfills and had fun stirring the solution!

Try it out and let me know what you think!

I've failed...

So- my whole attempt at staying active on my blog has failed, miserably. I'm going to give it another shot after reading my cousin's blog, ( www.csquaredindenver.blogspot.com ). I really feel like this could be a great place for me to breathe...let's hope there's someone around to read it... ;) I'll try to post tonight and catch you up on a day in the life of me!

Long Lost Blogger

I have returned.
From the dark side of the moon.
I will continue to post- or die trying. (Ok-not really)
But seriously
I am not sure why I fell off of my blogger wagon but there really is no excuse for it. As far as I am concerned I got lazy and decided that no one was reading my ramblings anyways. No matter what the truth is~I like myself better when I am writing. At first my posts will be short and sweet - I am posting via my blackberry- but I will try-just for you!

Some Facts and Pictures

In my earlier post, I explained the situation with regards to why we were holding a raffle and I would like to clarify a couple of things.

As stated before, we were unsure if the insurance was going to pick up the tab for the ultrasound. I made it very clear that the cost could very well be covered, no big deal. And in that event, where the raffle money would go. Since my post I have been bombarded (personally and through email or blog comments) about how the military insurance works and questions as to why it may not be covered. Instead of answering everyone with the same answers, I'm going to post it here.


I do not know the specifics of their private insurance and don't feel that it is any of my business, so I don't ask. I was simply told by Kelly that she was considering using her birthday money to pay for the ultrasound if insurance didn't cover it. As with many different insurances, there are many different types of the TriCare (<--click that word for a better explanation than I can give) options that can cover them. Being that Josh does what he does and in the branch of the military that he is, and the type of insurance that they chose, this situation is not unusual and is just one of the confusing conundrums that is medical coverage. I simply thought that holding a raffle would be fun as well as pay for the testing. Plain and simple. I would have held a raffle anyways to purchase the cloth diapers ( as also previously stated ) but I didn't feel that not disclosing the full use possibilities of the funds was right or fair to those who contributed. Never was the intention to acquire funds through "shady" means or methods. This is for good fun, nothing more.


I also feel very strongly that no matter what the insurance or financial situations are, it's none of my business. I'm doing this for a friend, to have fun and have a "different" way to celebrate the coming of their child. No one said that they couldn't afford these things, but I am doing this as a gift to someone that I care deeply for and, due to distance and circumstance, haven't seen in roughly 4 years. Please do not take offence to this, it's simply a broad spectrum answer to many questions that I have been asked.


ON A LIGHTER NOTE!!!!


I've been crafting...yes, the cards are made. (Well the first batch anyways!) I made more than ten, so I'm not exactly sure which ones will be in the lot but I wanted to post some pictures of them. We really need to get on the ball with raising money (we're at $2). So, here's your potential prize!

UPDATE!

IT'S OFFICIAL!

I hold, in my hand, the first contribution (at least to me) to the raffle! A generous donation made by Miss Keri O and her son Toby! Thanks guys! And so it begins, who wants the cards? And how bad do you want them.......?

One for all, and all for KELLY!

I know it's been awhile since my last post and I do apologize for my absent tendencies. But now that I'm back we have a serious topic to discuss, and you have the opportunity to win a prize!

Some of you may know (through my blabbing or you've been directed here by a letter/email you have recieved) about my good friend Kelly D. Kelly and her hubby Josh found out a few months ago that they are expecting a new member of their family. Baby D is due to arrive July 23, 2009 .

This in mind, family and friends are all very excited to find out if it's going to be a girl or boy. Some people like the element of surprise, others~ not so much. The second is the standings of Kelly and Josh. Unlike a lot of insurance carriers though, their insurance may not cover the 20 week ultra-sound where the sex of the baby is usually discovered.

Here's where you and prizes come into play!

After sleepless nights and late night telephone coversations, I offered up to Kelly to hold a raffle to raise money for the ultra-sound. After much back and forth-ing, here's what we've come up with.

Kelly, her mom, and I are each going to hand make blank stationary cards. You can use them for birthday wishes, get well soon, thanks or just because. It's your choice. These cards are going to be bundled in sets of 10. There will be three bundles and thus three chances to win. The raffle is starting immediately and will go through March 18th. It's a short time frame but I think we can do some real good here! Each entry will cost $1. So for each dollar you contribute, your name will go into the "hat" once. At the end of the time, Lily will draw 3 names out of the hat and those people will win one set of stationary.

Kelly and I both feel that it's VERY important that people know where their money is going in a situation like this. Here's the break down: As I mentioned before, the insurance coverage is still somewhat up in the air, depending on other routine tests and their results. I want to stress that any and all monies contributed to this fund will go to baby D, no matter what. If the ultra-sound is covered by insurance, OR we raise more money than necessary, additional funds will go to the CLOTH DIAPER FUND! That's right, sensitive bottoms and landfills everywhere unite in a single joyful noise, BABY D WON'T BE CONTRIBUTING TO THE MESS! (Well, not in disposable diapers anyways!) What many people don't realize is that for the immediate cost of roughly 30 adjustable diapers, baby D will never need a disposable pant. The up front cost of these "bootie barriers" however, is staggering. But long term, they pay for themselves in roughly three months and that includes the cleaning and sanitizing costs. So this option also assists in saving mom and dad as well!

In an attempt to keep this from getting too boring, I'm going to finish this post by inviting you to the contest and see what you can win! If you are interested, feel free to contact me about contributions and buy-ins for this project. If you are visiting my blog via Kelly and Josh, WELCOME, and feel free to contact me or the D's. Contributions are accepted to either party. You can reach me at: WhatWillBabyDBe@aol.com (that's right, I have set up a private email address just for this project!)

ALSO~ please follow the progress of this contest via blog post and photos here! Feel free to pass on this site, to friends and family. (even if you don't know Kelly and Josh, it's a great cause and cool prizes, even my friend who works at the local grocery store wants to buy in! She's my checker and a sweet heart!)

**REMEMBER, ALL IT TAKES IS A DOLLAR!**

The New Me....

This time of year everyone is determined to drop 20 pounds, move up in their career or learn to speak French. I have thought long and hard about a New Years Resolution for me. For weeks it's been a blank....no, really, my mind has been blank as to this "new me goal".

Then just yesterday I realized what it is that I have to do. And surprise, surprise...it's got nothing to do with the NEW YEAR. This time, it's a resolution for me. Not for tradition or for the world to accept but something that I've been wanting to do for a long time. I strongly feel that now that I can put it into words, I can strive for my goal. A somewhat mild and simple goal, but easily attainable and success would mean that I would finally come to a place where I finally like ME.
My Goals:

I want to become a better mother. I succeed at what I am now because I try to do what is best for my children. I feel like sometimes I do what needs to get done without enjoying the simplicity in it. My children are first in my world. I need to make sure that they know the joy they bring me on a daily basis. I need to show them this!
Secondly, I would like to focus on my marriage. Let me start by saying that my relationship and marriage to Rick is all I have ever dreamed of...and more! He's there for me in a way that I could never have understood before. I have learned what LOVE is from Rick. Never have I thought that God would present me with someone who is as devoted, true and loving and allow me to keep this person so close for the rest of my days. This focus falls into my goals in a bit of a different way, that I will explain in a bit. The last part of my goal is an aspiration of self acceptance. I want to like myself for who I am, how I look and whom I surround myself with. I am tired of letting myself become the housewife who lives in PJ's and doesn't appreciate the person she is inside. I have no one to blame but myself that this has become commonplace for me. This in mind, I am the only one who can change it. If I set a personal goal and schedule, perhaps the things that I enjoy, that I have let fall by the way side, I can continue in and find the person I sometimes feel I left behind. I don't need to be younger to be myself. I just need to give myself time to be me. In taking a closer look at myself (inside and out), I want to focus on my physical and emotional health. No, I'm not a nut case, but just general time that people need to give themselves before they loose who they are. In doing this and becoming satisfied and happy with who I am, I feel that my marriage can only grow stronger. Thus, this resolution can help my relationship...a relationship that is already blessed grow stronger and closer still. Call me crazy, but by the end of 2009 (hopefully sooner) ~ I'm going to like ME.