Time for tea!

Tea.

Not just for sipping anymore.

I recently used it to clean my wood floors.

Per a pin I saw on Pinterest.

After brewing a fresh pot of iced tea for us to drink this afternoon, I poured some into a bowl.

I added some more water to dilute it even further, and got to work.

I hand scrubbed the floor with a washcloth. The whole kitchen.

On my hands and knees.

And it was totally worth it.

 No streaks.

And clean.

Without harsh chemicals.

"I don't always hand scrub my wood floors...

but when I do, I use tea."

You know it's been a while...

When you have a scheduled "date night", and you are wracking your brain for ideas of what to do.

Dinner is expected. 

I suppose.

But then what?

{Especially when you have a set block of time to do something in}

When we were dating it wasn't this hard.

We would just frolic along and do things without trying.

It was almost as if we were on a first date last night.

Didn't know what to say. Or even go do.

Like we were trying too hard to figure the other person out.

Instead of just being. And going. And doing.

I get it.

Kids have the ability to change you.

And then they just kind of take over. Every. Aspect. Of. Your. Life.

And rightfully so.

Your interests change. Your day to day routine changes.

Your sleep changes. Your adult time changes.

It all changes.

It is just who we are now. A unit.

So it is no wonder then, that when the opportunity presents, and my Sweet and I get a little one on one time to do whatever we want... we are left with blank responses.

I don't think it is okay to pay someone to watch your children, just so you can go out and go to the grocery store by yourselves... so we went to Marshalls instead. 

To walk around. 

And make fun of weird kitchen gadgets.

And scoff at the price of a French made cast iron pot. {139.99!!!} While a Cuisinart right next to it was 69.99.

And daydream about redoing the house decor.

And laugh at the thought of my Sweet wearing red pants at work. {I actually wanted him to buy them, but he refused}

Oh and we went to dinner too. 

Trolley Bar. One of our faves of long ago.

And had delicious walleye fingers {with jalapeno tartar!! YUM!}and a filet topped with mushrooms in a marsala sauce. It was also very good. 

And then my Sweet had a Hopslam.

Holy goodness, Batman.

Those are real good.

 

So anyways, I am thinking I should probably look into those pins I have on my Husband board on Pinterest with the comments: date night ideas.

Since apparently it has been long enough to forget what they are. {Oops!}

Food Finds

We have officially been an Organic family since the start of the year.

And we have not looked back in anguish.

Surprisingly.

I really thought it would be a great trial to eat better food.

For money and taste.

But, I can honestly report that the food we are eating has never tasted better, and while it costs slightly more, we are happy to put money towards something we are fond of spending money on anyways.

We have always been foodies.

Since I can remember My Sweet and I have dined together as opposed to gambling our money away, smoking it away, spending it on clothes, shoes, handbags, watches, TV's.... 

Whether it be at a restaurant, or at home we love to eat food. Good food.

And have always spent a great deal of money doing so.

I can remember a trip to Miami in 2007 when we plopped a hefty $450 down to enjoy a Kobe beef steak, asparagus, and potato for dinner. With pears, and grapes, and brie cheese for dessert. Aside from a few drinks, we spent that ridiculous amount on a dinner. Sick.

Those were the days before kids of course. Nolan didn't join our family until 2008 :)

Anyways, back to the food.

So the beginning of January I literally purged our pantry, cabinets and fridge of all processed, GMO riddled foods and put them into big black trash bags to be donated. I ended up with four. Full bags.

Made My Sweet's stomach turn seeing all that money being "thrown away". But I couldn't possibly keep it knowing it was slowly killing our kids. And us.

I was set to donate the food to our local Seminary, since people still have to eat, and given the times, if I can't use it, I know someone else still can.

But by way of our Lord, we were lead to give the food to a gentleman at My Sweet's work. He has two children, one of which is sick, and needs a brain surgery to remove a tumor, and a wife. They live in a trailer, which they own, along with both their cars, but are struggling to meet their needs at the grocery store because of medical bills and the small paychecks that the husband and wife bring home every month.

He was beyond grateful. Obviously. 

Said his kids faces just lit up when they saw the cereal, and the cookie mixes.

Broke my heart, because we have been so fortunate to be "picky" about what we eat, and to even make the decision to go organic only. Always having plenty. An abundance in fact.

So many go without. I know we are blessed beyond measure. And I do not take it for granted.

The journey into Organic only has been a good one thus far. I think it is possible to find a substitute organically for nearly everything out there. It comes at a price right now. But I think the more that people get informed and refuse to eat the other crap, it will come down in price because it will be more accessible.

So get out there. And start transitioning and phasing out the bad stuff in your own pantry. Refuse to eat crap.

You don't have to be crazy like us, and purge your entire pantry and start over.

You can buy a little every time you go to the store instead of the other stuff and before you know it, you too will have an organic only cabinet/fridge/pantry.

A little bit of advice: 

While the health food store in town offers only natural/organic variety foods and vitamins/herbs, ect it does cost more than the same label brands that you can find in a grocery store such as Meijer or even Kroger. Unless they are having a sale, or it something you know you can't get at the regular grocery, I would stick to shopping at the big name stores. Unless money isn't an object. 

Cheers!

A look back, and a glimpse forward

Nolan started {pre}school this year.

And as exciting as it has been to bring his little book bag home after school, to see what things he learned and created, it has also brought with it... sickness.

Not the bag persay, but just him, in general. Coming home on a Monday and ending up with a cough {or watery eyes, sneezing, or a fever!} a couple days later. And then having it spread to the girls a day or so after that.

That is the extent of our last week in this house. 

Monday Nolan headed off to school and came home fine. Our usual day errands ensued

By Tuesday morning though, the poor boy had his sad little droopy eyes, and a groggy mood in full force.

He was still playing with his superheroes and fighting with Nev just as usual, so I didn't think much of it until we went to dinner with my mom for her birthday later that evening.

Normally, Nolan would have been very into Meemaw's "party". Climbing on her lap at dinner, and asking to get tickled. 

But instead he was quiet. Sat in his own chair nearly the entire dinner, and {almost} passed on having a slice of her birthday cake!

He had actually asked to leave the festivities about three times before we were finally in the car driving home.

He seemed to feel a bit warm at that point, and had rosy cheeks and sad droopy {watery even} eyes.  

Wednesday morning rolled around and he popped out of bed. Felt good he said. No sign of a fever. 

He had to bring "snack" all week at school, so I was glad he felt good to go.

After school he progressed back into the droopy watery eyes again. And was now coughing. Like all the time.

By Wednesday afternoon, Nev presented with the same symptoms. No fever. Just coughing. And extremely watery, sad looking eyes. Nadie was still lively at this point. Crawling around quickly and taking various items out of their respective "home". Namely the pans, bowls, and food in the pantry in the kitchen. 

Her faves.

Thursday. Nadie's birthday. 

Nev wakes up with her eyes crusted over. Both of them. Looks like boogers from her nose... except they are on her eyes. She freaks out. Screaming in fact because she can't open them. So I get her in a warm bath, and wash them off. Nolan has some crusted eyes too. Not as bad as Nev's though.

Nadie has watery eyes. UGH!!!

The timeline is just crazy. You can just see the virus creeping along to the next child. And there is nothing you can do except treat the symptoms.

So Nolan and Nev are mostly content throughout the day. While Nadie, is deteriorating. 

She is developing a slight fever. 

Getting overly irritable. 

Watery eyes. 

Sneezing. 

Coughing. 

Still eating but not wanting her usual full 8oz bottle of milk. 

So, I give her Ibuprofen. She is doing good enough to run an errand and get her formula and cupcakes at the store for birthday tonight.

I make dinner. And we celebrate Nadie with a little singing and a cupcake.

{these pictures are from the 12th}

 

By her bedtime she is wheezing on expiration.

Congested.

And just looks sad.

So I make her the bedtime "baba" and put a vaporizer in our room with menthol.

She begrudgingly fell asleep. From pure exhaustion.

I felt terrible.

She just looked miserable. But I wasn't yet ready to make a trip to the ER. 

I am momma. I can manage her symptoms {they are not life threatening}. At least until tomorrow if need be.

She woke up at intervals of 1am, 2am, 4am, 5am, and 6am.

By 6am she sounded horrible.

Rapid, shallow breathing.

Wheezing.

And having retractions.

So after the Hub left to take Nolan to school, I immediately called the doctor and made an appointment.

I pick up Nolan from school and talk to his teacher briefly to find out her husband currently has RSV... 

um, great.

Wonder where we got the virus from.

 

That afternoon, we sat in the doctor's office and proceeded to get TWO breathing treatments for little Miss, and a quick look over to find that Nadie had an ear infection, and was indeed having retractions that were caused by a virus that ended up turning into a bronchial virus for her, as opposed to Nolan and Nev that just ended up getting sick with basically a common cold.

I left that office, two hours later, after her O2 sats came up to 95 from 88, with FIVE prescriptions people!

Not a happy momma. Or poppa {who was so worried about his little girl}.

I am a naturalist when it comes to remedies. I do not visit the doctor unless the kids or myself are dying {or there is the threat of death if left untreated, which in this case I had suspicions of RSV...}. And then to have to treat with antibiotics... yuck. But I sucked it up for the sake of my little sugar beet feeling better.

And she did. After about 12 hours. Breathing normally. 

And just turning back into the Nadie we all know.

She has since progressed into full force Nadie since.

Smiling. 

Fake laughing. 

Throwing toys like a MLB player. {no joke, this girl has got an arm on her}

Climbing the stairs. 

And taking a couple steps between her daddy and I back and forth!!!

This girl will be walking on her own within a couple weeks time I just know it. She tries standing on her own in the middle of the room right now. And has gained the confidence to take a couple steps without the help of her sissy's baby stroller in front of her, or even my hand.

So this post is long.

Sorry.

I was just ready to recount the last week/weekend in case anyone cared.

My birthday is this week. Thursday actually. 

My sweet and I are going out Friday BY OURSELVES, for a {birthday} date.  

We have a babysitter and everything! Wootie woot!

Anyways, I'll be 31. In the year 2013. Something special about that. I think.

And, this year I am looking forward to doing something that 1}Serves a purpose 2}Can generate a little extra income 3} and is something I enjoy.

I have already created a new Etsy shop. Her name is Nella Eulalia. 

Look me up on Facebook and "like" my page. 

{Please!}

It is going to be more focused on high end whimsical hair musings and brooches. 

I adore felt. And vintage style embellishments. And ribbon. Ostrich and marabou puffs.

You know fancy little findings.

We'll see how much time I actually get to devote to it. Since at this very moment Nadie is reaching for me, and screeching because her organic bananas are all gone and she is ready for her afternoon nap.

 

Almost A Year

Nutty Bumpkins is turning one in ten days.

It has certainly gone by fast.

She is a delight.

A one of a kind.

And we couldn't imagine life without her.

She wakes us up all night long. Sometimes just to roll around in her crib and whine.

She leaves a trail of discovery wherever she goes.

She loves to climb the stairs.

Her favorite foods include bananas, apples, crackers, and macaroni. But will try anything. Even beets.

Drinks from a straw.

She goes to bed without issue.

She loves her brother. And her sister.

Usually content. But has been known to just follow me around the house and loudly whine. Until I pick her up. And just hold her while continuing to clean, cook, go pee...

Loves to help load or unload the dishwasher.

Explores everything through her mouth.

Loves to play with water. Bath or shower. Or water park. Doesn't matter.

Has been to Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio, and different areas of Indiana.

Enjoys spitting and making noises with her mouth.

Fights getting in her car seat. Every. Time.

But enjoys riding along in the car. 

Will try and snatch the hair bow in her hair, if the opportunity presents.

Doesn't like socks on her piggies. At all.

Has split teeth just like her siblings, that have taken a good two months to come through.

She growls. Often.

Likes to be carried. A lot.
Has toddled around furniture since she was 9.5 months old, but won't take a step on her own yet.

She started crawling at 8 months.

Likes to play with toys that are not hers.

Will fake laugh.

Likes to play with shoes.

And taste everyone's toothbrushes from the drawer.

She is a creature of habit, and knows the flaws of our house. Like how the front den has a register that isn't screwed in and she will go and pull it off a hundred times a day.

She is very smart. And has the memory of an elephant. Already.

Says baba, dada, mama, ball, baby, no.

She is our January.

And someone so special to our family.

We are celebrating her on Saturday with family.

In classic Nadie style.

XO Nutty. Your momma loves you to the ends of the earth!

The beginning... a very good place to start!

2013.

It's another new year!

Blessed beyond measure in 2012,

 I am wondering exactly what I will be saying at the end of 2013.

I honestly believe the WORLD as a whole is crumbling.

 

 

Death

Destruction

Murder

Rape

Pillaging

Robbery

GMO's

Radical Weather Patterns

Deceit, Lies

ABORTION

Famine

Disease

Cancer

Nuclear Warfare at the hands of Criminal Minds

Country against Country

Religion Gone from Schools/Public Buildings

Rage

Overloaded Pharmaceutical Society

Legalized marijuana

I can go on and on...

It's just terrible out there.

This country is not the only reason why we need our Savior's return to be imminent.

But, at this point, it's still a pretty good one.

 

{I have probably sat and read way too many articles today to be sane still... which is the reason for the rant post, I presume... but oh well!}

 

Anyways, I have been dreaming up grandiose ideas while stripping our house of all the Christmas decorations today.

Dreams of an organic homestead, a chicken farm. With a beautiful flock of fifty ladies in the spring!

Making my own soap.

Homeschooling my kids.

Growing and canning heirloom vegetables.

Buying only organic.

Making my own cleaning products.

Eliminating gluten, dairy, rice, corn, sugar and fast food from our diet.

Using cloth diapers...

 

2013.

It is just the beginning.

But, I think it is a very good place to start {something new}.

We still plan to have as much fun as possible.

We are not building bomb shelters, we don't belong to any new group or church and we aren't drinking strange Jesus juice, we are simply changing the things we put in and on our body.

Nothing outward will really change.

Actually we will probably present with more energy and look more alive!

But I know our bodies in particular are going to thank us for these changes.

Something I think everyone should really consider.

 

I know that eliminating some items such as Doritos are going to be deadly for me. I actually made the Hub go and buy me some last week before we got the plague, because I had such a craving for their disgusting cheesy orange triangular crunch. 

But honestly, if there is anything, it will be candy.

I read that sugar beets and sugar cane are on the list to be planted as a GMO this year. YUCK.

I can get used to organic sweeties like cookies, cake ect... because I have had them before.

But, hey, maybe the less you have something, the less you will think about it, and eventually even want it.

That is the hope anyhow.

Transition starting.

Purging our cabinets of food. Donating it to the Seminary this weekend!

And in related news... we are all starving!! Just kidding. 

But seriously, I'll keep you posted on the transition.

We buy a lot of fruit and veggies organic right now.

Natural meats and cheeses.

But most of our snacking items include the processed boxed/bagged variety. So that is going to be hard.

I am just going to have to try new organic varieties.

Anyways, I blogged this because I want to be accountable for it. 

I want to change it. 

Now.

Off to finish sweeping the house of fake pine needles from dragging the tree back downstairs into the basement today!

P.S. So looking forward to getting some of these gals soon!