I really did try to post a couple times but...

Blogger wouldn't let me log on! It's working now so I'll catch anyone up who's interested: Aiden and I started Music Together classes. They're awesome and we're having lots of fun every Wednesday night.
My diaper service business plan will be completed this week. I go for funding next week. Wish me luck!
The Western Maine Mother's Center was founded. I am one of the 4 founding members, and the treasurer. That venture is very exciting! I'll post links once they are ready!
My website revamp is nearly finished. I'm working with Jeff from Snowfyre, and highly recommend him for anyone looking for a designer!
Aiden and I got haircuts today. Aiden's had his hair trimmed a couple times, but this is his first real cut. He's so big now! My hair's a lot shorter, and I like it!

Opinions Please!

I'm working on an ad for BOLD events taking place in Maine this September. What do you think of this?

I'm also thinking about redoing my website in olive greens and orange. Maybe some purple mixed in.Please be brutally honest, but only if you have suggestions on making them better.

I'll give you details about the photo, the wonderful daddy & beautiful baby later. They deserve a post of their own :)

*deep breath* Ah, I'm Back

After a very long time away, we are finally back (note that it has been nearly a month, not 2 weeks as expected). I'll try to get into the story of the lead paint "removal" fiasco later on. Just wanted to drop by with a quick update. Got lots of work to catch up on with a Festival coming up in a couple weeks.

As an aside, I have finally taken the plunge and hired a friend to watch Aiden for 4 hours a couple days per week so I can work straight through. It may seem counter productive to some, however I really can not go any longer without more help. Until I figure out how to hire a contractor to help with the sewing (and trust someone else to put as much time and positive energy into my products), this is a luxury of sorts that I must indulge in. I've got more work than time, and so many opportunities for more sales. The spare room has been set up as a make shift studio, and tomorrow I will be plugging away. Woo hoo!

We've been skunked!

Most nights I watch part of a movie or tv show while Aiden nurses to sleep, then go to sleep myself, or get up and work. Tonight I watched a movie all the way through, then just as I curled up next to Aiden and cuddled him most lovingly, I started gagging on the worst smell ever, SKUNK! I don't know if it got one of the cats, or just sprayed the house, but the smell is awful! I have found some tips online to get rid of the smell such as apple cider vinegar, baking soda and coffee grounds. If you could see Aiden right now, you'd probably laugh (unless you could smell him too) as he is sleeping surrounded by bowls of the last of our vinegar (no apple cider though), the last of Jon's coffee grounds and baking soda. It does smell slightly less nasty, or at least more like coffee, near him. At least I know what the morning will bring, an early trip to the store for more anti-skunk supplies. Hopefully the smell will subside enough for me to sleep soon! This is ridiculous!

South Portlander's, Olivia Needs Your Help

For any readers in South Portland, Maine, please support Olivia Collins in her quest to raise a few hens as pets and for fresh organic eggs. South Portland's (hereafter called SoPo) zoning ordinance does not allow it. The following is from an email sent by Olivia's mother:

Here's Olivia's list of reasons why SoPo should amend the ordinance:

Why?

~Hens (no roosters!!) are quieter than dogs or parrots and as clean and non-smelly as any other pet when well-cared-for as urban pets, not barnyard animals.
~Fresh organic eggs are healthier than store-bought and better for the environment because fuel is not used trucking them to stores.
~My chickens will lead happy, healthy lives. They will be in an enclosed pen, though, and not roam onto anyone else's yard (like some dogs and cats do!)
~I will compost the droppings and use them in my vegetable garden: Reduce/Reuse/ Recycle!
~Pet chickens are fun and educational and bring the neighborhood together!
~Cities all over America encourage backyard chickens. Even Cape Elizabeth (Maine) allows them!

In the last few years, as the Green living, Eat Local, sustainable living, organic, recycle, etc movement has gained popularity, cities and towns all over America have been relaxing their chicken laws to allow 4-6 carefully tended, PET backyard hens for eggs. (Many cities offer classes in chicken care and organized coop tours, like garden tours!) We're talking about hens only, no roosters (no noise!) kept in a pretty, carefully-maintained enclosed coop; raised by hand as pets and for eggs. Chicken droppings make amazing compost for the garden and the hens recycle kitchen scraps! Heritage breed chickens are calm, docile, and when hand-raised they become affectionate pets that come then they are called. This "City Chicken" trend is primarily in upscale neighborhoods, where residents design lovely coops that look like nice garden sheds, certainly not "downscale". Kept as urban pets, and cleaned regularly, city chickens don't smell. In all, they make less noise and smell than many dogs kept in South Portland.

We have 100% support from our neighbors and support of our local councilor. There are one or two council members who we feel misunderstand what we're proposing and are envisioning a dirty,
noisy, barnyard scene. They are worried about property values. However, Cape Elizabeth allows chickens with NO restrictions, (even roosters!) and their Code Enforcement officer said he's had NO PROBLEMS. Residents keep their chickens in attractive coops and are conscientious neighbors, not having roosters in tight neighborhoods and keeping the pens clean. If Cape can do it (with no decrease in property values!) so can we.

Let's convince the city council that South Portland can be as progressive as cities all over America in allowing people to raise hens as pets and for fresh eggs in our backyards. It's fun, educational, healthy, and environmentally sound!

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP:

Please call or email your City Councilor and let them know you support this! You can find your contact by clicking here or by calling City Hall at 767-3201. You can also simply email or call Mayor Claude Morgan (contact info on the SoPo web site http://www.southportland.org/ . For maximum impact, a show of support at the City Council meeting of supportive citizens would surely tip the scales! Please email us if you'd like to know when the meeting is scheduled.

THANK YOU!!

5 Random Things About Me

I've been tagged by Linda Lu and Amber to post 5 random things about me. So here it goes:

1. Before Aiden, I used to kind of freak out whenever I 1. got sticky 2. got wet while wearing a sweater or fleece 3. got peed or pooped on (can you imagine that?) and 4. if I didn't use things in a certain order (I didn't really freak out but I did get a little twingey at times). It's amazing how much having a little person around changed all that for me. I guess that reality set in.?.

2. Jon thinks it's quite funny that I often make my own words. We tend to reference President Bush when I do this. The first paragraph includes one of my, not really a word but used often, words. I can't think of any other examples at this time, but I use them day to day. Which brings me to number...

3. I have the hardest time with articulation. I can sit here for minutes at a time trying to come up with the word or words I want to use to explain myself, to no avail. This seriously drives me nuts! I also have a hard time remembering words I intend to use. They are right there on the tip of my tongue but just won't come out. I sit there fighting myself internally because I know I have something great to say but just can't get it out. This is why I prefer to communicate over email. I have time to sit and think, write and rewrite, or use the thesaurus if needed. I've even forgotten words like cupboard. I have no idea why this happens. I hope no one takes me for an idiot. I'm not... Really.

4. It certainly doesn't come through in my writing as much, but I am very goofy. It mostly shows when I am around people who I am super close to. I make up songs, love to dance but have no talent for it!, and can come up with clever jokes.

5. I get totally into things, but have a hard time finishing anything without an impending deadline. I can sit and research a particular idea, and find the perfect way to follow through. Once I get started, if I can't finish in 1 or 2 sittings, I guess I just get over the excitement of it. I also go through phases in what I enjoy doing. Like with work, sometimes I like to get a whole bunch of slings done and other times I dread the idea of sewing.

Well, I really could go on but I am over the excitement of this little post already :) I'm not going to tag anyone else, but if anyone wants to tag themselves, please leave a comment for me. I'd love to read your 5 random things.

Toxic Plastics

Amber responded to my last post with a comment about dangerous plastics. Plastics in containers, bottles, disposable diapers and toys can all be very dangerous. To be sure they are not, look for products labeled "Phthalates free". I am certainly no expert, and I have a lot of work to do myself in the area of limiting plastic use in my home. This is a great article about PVC, the most harmful plastic.

On a side note, Aiden spilled juice on the keyboard the other day (just about 8 hours before he bent my glasses in ways that should have rendered them useless) so I am a day behind on responding to emails and conversations. I know I have been tagged, twice actually, and I do plan to respond! In the meantime, feel free to read a very old post, my first time being tagged.

Am I getting too spammy?

I'm sorry my blog has turned into nothing more than advertising new products, however I have spent so much time adding them to my site and creating that it seems as though these products have taken over my life :) Once I figure out how to resize pictures without PhotoShop, or convince my husband to give up his game long enough to fix it for me, I will start actually blogging again.
Time to add a new product post :)

Operation Hokie Hope

Click on the banner to learn more about the greeting card drive Delaney Gates is organizing. All cards will be forwarded to Virginia Tech.

Mattress Wrapping - 100% Reduction in SIDS

Have you heard of mattress wrapping? I had not. Well, if you've got a little one, or you care about the health or you and your family, you certainly should read this. Since 1994, mattress wrapping has been 100% successful in the prevention of SIDS or crib death. Yeah, 100%. It's based on the toxic gas "theory". "The theory states that toxic nerve gases permeate from all used mattresses: crib, bassinet, adult mattresses and even sofa cushions. The gases are created when fungus grows inside the mattress (or foam) and eats certain elements in the mattress, including phosphorus, arsenic, and antimony. Babies, especially those sleeping on their stomachs, breathe in the toxic nerve gases, which results in crib death, or SIDS."
Although I disagree with them advising against co-sleeping, their site is very informational. Some other methods of prevention are to avoid fabric softeners and clean with natural cleaners (Itsa Greener Clean found here and here covers that), to become educated about vaccination, breastfeed, do not smoke, and expose baby to fresh air whenever possible. More information on SIDS can be found at Ask Dr Sears.
We are looking into a way to cover the old mattress Jon sleeps on and the couch Aiden and I share. (Yeah we sleep on the couch, if your mattress was as old and springy as ours, you would too!)
Thanks to All Natural Mommies for the original post.

Yeah Baby, I'm Gonna Win It!

Jenna's blog pointed out this awesome contest, which, as the title proves, I am going to win. Win what you ask? An awesome Dyson slim vacuum, that's what! You can enter yourself at 5 Minutes for Mom; it'll just add to how cool it is that I won :)

For your viewing pleasure

I'm still working diligently on my website. Since there's not much to look at here at this time, do check out some of the beautiful treasuries on Etsy! Here is a screenshot from one I found this evening. I love to see what people choose to fill their 12 highly sought after treasury spaces. Anyway, until I add more, check 'em out!

Updates!

Yeah, I'm still here. I haven't been posting lately because I am building a new website! It will offer my products but will also have natural mama and baby products! It's on a temp address so you can't peek yet, but the logos give a lot away :) I have wanted to post about so many things; I made a beautiful hemp/cotton pouch sling for someone on Etsy (pics below), I have pics of Mr. Fish (aka McFish) that I wanted to post, Aiden's been playing outside more and there are many pics of that as well, my b-day cake was so cute, my new logos are awesome (pics above), and so much more! I hope to get some more pics posted at some point, although we may end up with winter pics posted in the summer!
If you check this between now and Sundayish, check out my Nursling treasury on Etsy.

For the Love of Jossilyn Fund

Jossilyn Adams is a sweet 9 year old unschooler with leukemia. She had a bone marrow transplant in August 2005 and is having a relapse. She is in the hospital and has been undergoing chemotherapy. Jossilyn is one of 6 amazing unschooling children. Their mother, Marge is single parent and a wonderful woman. The family lives in Maine. Please go to countrymoosekids.com/huho to see all the wonderful products that have been donated for sale or to make a contribution.

Self Portrait Thursday

I don't plan on doing this every Thursday, and yeah, it's late, but technically it's still Thursday for another hour, so...
Yes, I am wearing a tank top and winter hat. I couldn't find an elastic and I love this alpaca hat.

We got over 2 feet of snow yesterday. You can't really tell from most of the (more aesthetically pleasing) pictures I took, but the snow is very deep now.

Aiden discovered how to put pasta on his fingers one handed today. This is not really a great pic, but look at those blue eyes!

It feels much better in here

My mom came over on Thursday and helped clean the house. We got this place in tip top shape, which didn't last long, but it still feels much better in here. We also moved furniture around. The hutch that was in the dining room, aka craft room, was moved to the living room. It suits that room, especially with the dark red against the brown walls. Now I am craving curtains dyed that color... Oh, and we moved our "new" computer desk into the dining room, thanks Jean! Aiden shook the old desk one too many times and it's keyboard shelf thingy gave out, so typing has been very uncomfortable lately. Add lots of entries to our general ledgers, and I am feeling somewhat better.

Now I need to get some more diapers made, although I am nearly out of fabric again, and don't have enough money to buy more. Uh oh! Hopefully I sell some slings! I will be adding some custom sized pouch slings this week.

I was going to end there, but I'm in the blogging mood (because I am avoiding anything resembling work) so I will continue.

Here is what I had for lunch. Yummy! I love Mexican food! Start with organic romaine lettuce, add tortilla chips (we were out of blue). The brown stuff there is Morning Star Farms recipe crumbles, known as grillerburg in this house. Warm that up in a skillet with taco seasoning and some red onions. Add some taco sauce, or my favorite, organic Pace salsa. Missing from the photo are the two best features, avocado and cheese.Now this picture may look like a yard stick and car shade, but if you use your imagination, you will see that they are actually the swords Aiden and I play with throughout the day. Sword fights are the coolest!

And here is my little one with a Stonyfield organic peach yogurt mustache! He loves their drinkable yogurt as well.
Thanks for putting up with my looonnngg post!

It's sooooo cold out!

Here is the weather report for tomorrow:

Flurries and a few snow showers throughout the day. Very cold. Dangerous wind chills as low as -25F. High around 5F. Winds NW at 15 to 25 mph.

I'm thinking it's a good day for Jon to stay home.

It's sooooo cold out!

6 Things You May Not Know About Me

1. I am very goofy. Aiden and I sing and dance throughout the day. Whether it be one of his toys making music, something on the radio or an original song by mommy. We have fun every single day!

2. I read a lot of articles, websites and books about unschooling and mindful/unconditional parenting. Being mindful does not come easy to me so I work on it daily. Scott Noelle's Daily Groove emails are often my daily inspiration.

3. I want to live on a huge farm with a bunch of kids, miniature horses, miniature goats, chickens, turkeys, chinchillas and a couple rats. Of course my dogs and cats can come too:) When my children get older, I would love to have them build houses on our land. Of course I would babysit/unschool all of my grandchildren.

4. I used to ride horses. You're reading a post written by a former Junior Gymkhana Champion. My poor Jupiter (I called him Poopa because he tooted every time he walked out of the barn) passed away last year. He was an old man.

5. I am messy. Always have been. What makes matters worse is that Jon makes me look like a neat freak. Add Aiden and all this toys to the mix, and our house is always wreaked! I've tried to keep up with everyone but find that it makes me more stressed than seeing a messy house does. I take the time every couple days to pick up and vacuum, but do this because I want to, not because I feel I have to. However, I do draw the line at stickiness. Ah, I hate being sticky!

6. I have a huge imagination and can picture incredibly beautiful things. Unfortunately my creativity ends there. I often cannot express my thoughts in words, pictures, etc.

So, if you read this, it's your turn to post 6 crazy things about yourself. Can't wait to read them all :)

You may not hear from me...

for a few days. I am taking a break to get the house organized and get some tax prep done. I had a bunch of paperwork entered for both SaS's and Jon's business, then the program crapped out. Damn technology! So I am starting over. Just wanted you all to know why I haven't posted, and may not again, for a couple days.
Just to catch everyone up, I am now the treasurer of Connections Ag Cooperative.
The website hasn't been updated with our current undertakings and the new name, but I am excited that the project is coming together. I have also been getting involved with Discovery Democratic School. We may be opening this fall! If you don't know what a Democratic school is, I like to think of it as unschooling in a group atmosphere. Look it up, they are all over the world.
Have a wonderful week!

Anyone want to help me sew?

I've been busy since my fleece arrived. I tried limiting my time on the computer (easier said than done) and I have worked diligently, but there is so much more to do. For some reason my serger is not cooperating. Anyone want to lend a hand? Maybe just keep Aiden off the table while I work?
Heading to Lewiston tomorrow so Jon's Aunt Evie can meet Aiden. Bad timing but we could both use a trip out of the house! Hopefully his family's negative energy will not bring me down. I did convince Jon to go grocery shopping while there. I love the plethora of organic and vegetarian foods I find outside the local grocery stores. When the Connections Co-op is up and running in Dixfield, I won't have to go far.
Alright, enough one handed typing for tonight. Going to lay down with my little, naked butt nursling :)
Here's some Aiden for ya.