smorgasbord of me

I just smashed the hell out of my thumb between the chair and the table leg pulling my chair up to write this blog post. Now my index finger is also throbbing  how, I do not know. Ow. Just thought you all might like to know all the pain and suffering I am enduring to keep you all abreast on the most recent news of this here life.

I dunno, I guess I am working out some things with the bloggy blog. I went through a few weeks or longer where I just was pushing and pushing to get stuff out. Then I got into some fights with people about stuff. Then I decided I didn't need to be online so much. And I mentioned this before. I am just mentioning it again because I feel the need to. Anyway, I guess this month I feel kind of like I am on blog-vacation, since I was too broke - meaning, I didn't make hardly any Etsy sales last month (and what little I did I donated to Ron Paul's campaign)  - to sponsor any blogs this month. So unless you are already a reader I don't suppose very many new people will be reading my blog. And that's okay because the pressure is off, and I know that those of you that are here are here to stay, since I didn't scare any of you off with my political rants. I was sure I'd lose some of you actually, so for that I am grateful.

So, I just wanted to to share some photos from this week and tell you a little about what's been going on around here.

I've decided that I need more nature in my life to stay sane. I have always needed nature in my life, but I forget that is an essential element to my happiness. So I've been hitting the trails as much as possible this week - once up Kennesaw Mountain and down and once on the Cheatham Hill/Kolb Farm Loop (5.5 miles) which wore me out pretty good with my baby carrier not fitting quite right... but was a great workout. It was ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS that day (Thursday) and I truly felt like a million bucks. I've also decided that I need to be more intentional about preparing food that I can eat that is nourishing and not snacky food. When we're at the end of the food stamps it's really easy to eat cheaply and I feel awful for it. I am trying to lean as gluten free/raw/vegan as possible. Dakota is transitioning back onto his gluten free diet as well after being off of it for a few months. I love experimenting and making up my own recipes. I plan to share a modified "mama eats" post that requires a little prep... just a different take on eating well with little time on your hands. Anyway, I really love it when I am taking care of myself. I want to feel some sort of confidence about my body this Spring/Summer, now that my boobs have decided to completely disappear after weaning Noah, I am kinda struggling in that (confidence) department (thanks, kids).

Now - THE HOUSE!! Oh man, what a long, strange trip this has been. But I am very thankful to say that this long journey is now, though it is somewhat bittersweet, reaching the end. We have a confirmed closing date for MONDAY at 9AM! That means after all this, we are not losing our house. We are selling it, and leaving with some dignity left. Jason spent a good part of last week wrapping up all the lose ends and moving truck and trailer load after load of our stuff from the garage to various places. We managed to make enough room in the garage here where we're living now to store most of our stuff. So, it's done. It's sad... I think I will drive by after closing and say my final goodbye to the house and to my plants. I did save some bits of them and they're in pots out front. It's just a chapter of our life that is over. I am looking forward to the day we can buy land and build or find a home that we want to make our own and raise our little ones in, with lots of room for them to run around and room for a big garden... we're settling in here at the townhouse finally - there are still projects to be done - but they will just have to take a backburner for awhile.

And as far as financially, well things are holding steady... we are definitely better than we were a few months back. Jason hasn't been able to work for a couple weeks, so the strain increases every day that he doesn't get a call. He has some other opportunities opening up that seem promising and we are kinda hopeful that it will provide. I am also still waiting on a response on the interview I went on a few weeks ago... things are looking up, but it's still tough. Still hoping for great changes this year though!

We'll be heading back up to Chicago in a few weeks to work on the family home there in La Grange Park, going through the basement and getting items packed up and moved down here to Georgia. I love Chicago and love the home there. Should be a good trip, though very busy and full of work!

Finally I am thinking I'll be able to make it to the North Carolina Meetup that my friend Bekah over at my little loves is planning the 23rd and 24th! I haven't seen Bekah since we first met when Ocean was teeny tiny, and I would love to meet some of the other ladies out there that I've met through the web. So here's to hoping it all works out!

And tomorrow, Jason and I are up bright and early to to the Cherokee County GOP Convention, where we will work the political system as delegates who support Ron Paul, hoping for an eventual fight on the convention floor where we will eventually be free agents, able to nominate Dr. Paul. That is, if we make it to the national convention! Fingers crossed!

Without further ado, here are some photos from this week. I wanted to edit them and make them look all fancy, but honestly, I am too tired to do that. So here they are, untouched.

Much love to you all!

Noah smeared spaghetti saice all over himself - can you say Oompa Loompa? lol

see us in the reflection? me with Noah on my back...

flood plain I walked along... liked the way the grass lays down

Illinois monument

overwintered collards from my garden at the old house

dinner last night: quinoa/black bean/corn salad, red cabbage/kale salad, egg drop soup

tonight we made pizzas :)

I love this sweet girl so much.

Night!

Brooke