Amber Waves of Grain

Hello, blog world! Just a completely random post! First, some of you might remember my " Latest Inventions " post from August ( LINK ). In this post, I clearly was the inventor of DESIGNER TRASHCANS . That's right, no more boring black trashcans. And, no more trashcan swap games with neighbors after a windy day. I thought they should sell cans in different colors or patterns (think paisley!). Well, at Meijer I recently noticed that they now sell garbage cans in your choice of PINK or RUST/ORANGE. That's right, folks. I believe Mr. Rubbermaid himself must have been reading my blog. So, when you see these cans, think of me. And, then wonder why on earth I didn't get a patent ! Secondly, I found a super comfy maternity shirt at the thrift store. Here I am in it with my family. Notice Kennedy and I are both in the same type of shirts..... light and dark purple stripes. Well, getting a new shirt is all fun & games until you realize it matches a cartoon...

As we approach Thanksgiving, there are so many things to be thankful for . Of course I'm thankful for my family, health, and the usual cliche answers ( not to minimize the importance of any of them ). However, I'm reflecting on a few outside-the box things that I'm also thankful for. Here are 25 things I am thankful for in 2010: 1. Not knowing KFC's secret eleven herbs and spices ( because then I'd always be the one stuck making fried chicken for potlucks) 2. Crockpot liners . Go ahead, pour on the bbq sauce-- it's not going to stick. 3. The excitement of turning left on red when you're on a one-way street turning left onto another one-way street. Simply thrilling. 4. Those little golf tee games on each table at Cracker Barrel 5. Drive through windows at the bank 6. Toys for the kids t hat don't require batteries 7. Maternity clothes that do NOT have a big bow on the stomach. 8. The beeping censor thingy that beeps during Hell'...

I had yet another ultrasound today for our little baby girl. I have ultrasounds monthly to keep tabs on my Placenta Previa (PP). PP is when the placenta covers (or is in front of) the cervix. There are different degrees of PP. It can be total, partial, or just marginal. Look at me getting this handy diagram out for you: Mine is almost entirely covered . PP can be common and often fixes itself before delivery. It can also be very dangerous if hemorrhaging were to occur, etc. If I still have this condition at time for delivery, a c-section would need to take place. The reason why mine has been bad is because of heavy bleeding that I've had along with it over the past couple of months (TMI?). Today's ultrasound showed little to no improvement. The good news, however, is that I stopped bleeding about 2 weeks ago. I'm still on "pelvic rest" which means limited bending, squatting, lifting, exercise, and so forth. And, I should be "taking it easy....

My seamstress (and friend) finished the curtains! I already showed you the kitchen ones. Here are the remaining curtains that are now complete! This is right inside our front door, at the bottom of the staircase: Matching fabric on the other side of the front door, in our piano room: The living room: I am loving my new curtains and glad to be done with that part of our project!

I know the elections are over, but I've been thinking about what my platform would be if I ran for office. If you vote for me, here are the TOP 15 things I'll fight for : 1. Those funky square milk jugs (like at Sam's Club) will be illegal. Let's face it, no one can pour from them without dribbling. Or is it just me? 2. All Post Offices will have drive-thru windows. 3. Everyone gets their birthday off work . If you are a stay-at-home mom, then childcare is provided. 4. Homeless people will be given foster homes. 5. Every weekend is a 3-day weekend . The work-week should only be Monday-Thursday. 6. Store cashiers will be required to say " Thank you! " to each customer. Phrases such as "There ya' go!" or even a kind "Have a nice day!" will not suffice. 7. If it's late at night and nobody is around, it will be OK to go straight on a red light . 8. Instead of paying taxes, we'll just have donation buckets available a...

I recently decided to look around my own blog design. I found a tab I never noticed called " Stats ." Little did I know, I have stats. I suddenly feel way more special than I should. When I think of stats, I think of famous athletes or someone important. But, now, I have stats too. My stats tell me that I had 1,001 hits on my blog last month. Really? Who are all these people?? That's a lot of lurkers. I was also amused by seeing where the traffic is coming from. Greetings to my reader in Vietnam and one in the Netherlands, among other fun places! If I ever win a trip to your country on Wheel of Fortune, I'll be sure to give you a heads up that I'm coming! Thanks to everyone, near or far, who reads my blog!

It was the perfect night for trick-or-treating last night. My parents and grandma came over for dinner and to help manage the door while we took the kids out. Keegan was a dragon and Kennedy a ladybug, thanks to some good finds at my thrift store. The first house we visited was quite interesting. I was glad we were there when it was still light outside. The second house is the kid's favorite. This couple goes all out with inflatables, decorations, music, a microphone they talk into, and they dress up. Here they are following the 'fireman' up the driveway for candy. Apparently I haven't taught my kids not to follow strangers for candy. I was surprised at how quickly Kennedy caught on. She also milked it and got innocent homeowners to give her way more candy than one child deserved. I suppose she was too cute to say no to as she dug deeper and deeper into their candy bowls. Kennedy didn't go very far; it was past her bedtime. Hence, some tantrums. Everyone ...