Cyrus Gets A New Nose, Sorta

So Thursday evening Cyrus fell out of a tree, (lilac bush really) and nearly took off the fleshy part of his nose. Some of the family has been asking for the updates. We took some pictures.

 The on call ENT Dr. had just gone into surgery when we got there. So they called up another guy who was resting at home with his family. He came in right away. We probably only waited about 20 minutes for his arrival.






When we were admitted Cyrus was banded with the hospital bracelet. Jason explained to Cyrus the reason for needing the bracelet and the meaning behind the information printed on the bracelet. After getting Cy good and numbed up (which was awful) the ENT surgeon started making small talk with Cyrus. He asked Cyrus when his birthday was. Cyrus started pulling at the drape and popped his arm out. He lifted his bracelet up for the surgeon to see. I thought it was interesting that he remembered his birthday was printed on the bracelet. Clever kid.


Dr. He Whose Identity Shall Be Protected did a fabulous job putting Cyrus' nose back together. We regret not having taken the picture of the surgeon stitching the inside of Cyrus' nose. We asked the Dr. if we could take a pic, he politely asked if we would wait. (Note to self: it is better to ask for forgiveness than permission). If you could have seen what that looked like...or maybe it's better that you don't get to. I have an iron stomach. I have eaten a plate full of tomales while delivering a placenta. I have seen many things that would make the faint of heart, well, faint. It was the sight of Dr. Does A Fabulous Job turning my son's nose inside out that damn near made me pass out.

All's well that ends well, so they say. About 20 stitches later, this night ended at 2am on Friday morning. Jason,Cyrus, and I came home, ate some pizza, watched Footloose and turned in. Cy woke up virtually pain free at around 8:30 Friday morning.  Thanks to my folks for watching Titus and Exodus so we didn't have to bring them to the hospital with us. Thanks to Richard. Thanks to Dr. Put Together My Son's Face for leaving the comfort of your home to come stitch my son back together.

                                                                                       

Chimney Rock: aka My First Primitive Camping Trip

                                                                     
We have slowly throughout the winter months been collecting gear. I think it was our way of coping with the Iowa winter, though it was very mild this year. We packed. By we I mostly mean Jason. Jason packed. I threw some things in my beautiful hiking backpack like a sweat shirt, a book, my sleep sack,  (which took up nearly ALL the space in my bag), and several waterproof bags. Other than my book I'm not sure what I was even going to put in the waterproof bags. We stopped at a local sporting goods store to pick out my hiking boots. My ankles have been sprained several times over so I felt a good pair of boots were important. I picked out a lovely pair of boots. We grabbed some salmon to throw in the fire once we got to camp.

Jason showing of the waterproofyness  of  his boots

 After a short drive we arrived at our destination. Indian Bluffs wildlife management area. Jason had a few camp locations scouted out. We decided to go for Chimney Rock. Jason discovered his pack was significantly heavier than it felt in the living room. I discovered that a pack waistbelt buckled midway though my belly is not a flattering look for me. Our hike in was just shy of a mile. I felt awed by the landscape. We made the trek down a rather large "hill". At the bottom of this hill was a beautiful shallow sand botttom stream. I was midway though the stream when I realized the boots I spent an hour picking out were NOT waterproof. Luckily our camp site was only a stone's throw away.

We had just enough time to get camp set up, clean some stream water, gather fire wood, and start the fire before night fell. I spent the rest of the evening wearing Jason's (two sizes too large for Jenni) watershoes. My boots were on sticks near the fire in hopes that they would be dry by morning. We wrapped the salmon in foil and threw it in the fire. I cut up a lime and some cilantro. Jason made some potato leek soup. Dinner was delicious. We read our books by the campfire until bed time.

 A two man tent is an interesting thing. It does technically fit two people. If they lie on their backs with their arms at their sides. Conveniently, sleeping bags too are made for people who lie on their backs with their arms at their sides. The sleeping bag making people are surely in cahouts with the tent making people. I find that turning from one side to another in a sleeping bag is an admirable feat that only the ninja ( and a select few master campers) has accomplished. The sleeping mat I used was great. I did however still have to change sides every hour or so due to numbness and pain at pressure spots. I think I punched Jason in the face several times whilst turning over.What do people with bad backs do if they also love camping? I didn't sleep much. Neither did Jason.  I expected there to be a plethora of  night time wilderness noises. The only noises I heard were the owls.  I heard those owls make some sounds I have never heard an owl make before. Several times the noises sounded like laughter followed by a rather intense argument.

Nettles, mmm

New Bug

Chimney Rock view from the bottom

 By morning a few coals were burning in the fire. We picked some nettles to go into our scrambled eggs and bacon. Over coffee and breakfast we talked about our plan for the short time we had left in the woods. After breakfast (the nettles were a wonderful addition!) we got dressed and packed up camp. I want to note that it feels great to stand naked in the woods. Really great. In fact that may have been one of my favorite parts of the whole experience.  After finally putting clothes back on we hiked over to Chimney Rock. This required that I wear the water shoes to the other side of the stream and then get into my hiking boots. Chimney rock was neat to see up close. I found a bug that I have never seem before. Back to camp to get water for our hike out. Off with the hiking boots, on with the water shoes. Jason and I spent some time trying to trouble shoot the hand pump for the water. Turns out it was an easy fix and we shortly had enough water to get us out of the woods. Back on with the hiking boots. I should point out that here is where I sat down and cried. I had a really steep hill to climb ahead of me. My back was hurting. I had a cut on my foot that hiking through water was not helping. I also probably needed some chocolate.

one cedar log over a 50 drop enables people to get  to "the  other side"

 I made it up the hill with no more tears but a fair amount of complaining ( mostly thoughts in my head since I was too winded to speak ). We decided to drop our packs for a bit and walk the top of Chimney Rock cliffside. It was very beautiful. However, I get sicky being up that high. I can't help but think of the drop down and how easy it would be to fall. I loose my stomach like other people do when on a roller coaster and I have to just sit down. Sometimes I kinda have to crawl. Jason had a good time up there though. Aside from the part where I bitched at him the whole time to be careful. The hike out was lovely since we had the hard part behind us. The land was beautiful and quiet.

  My number one priority was to get back to the sporting goods store and see if they would take my boots back in exchange for an actually waterproof pair. To my surprise and relief they accepted. I found a very similar pair of boots that came in waterproof, or so says the tag anyway. I need to put them on and stand in the tub for awhile. After I got my boots picked out we decided to check out the camping section. While looking through their water filtration systems and water bottles Jason made an interesting find. He pulled a bottle off the shelf that already had liquid in it. I bet him that it was piss. Upon removing the lid Jason made the discovery that is was in fact a piss filled water bottle. He notified the store folks and they came in droves to the water bottle aisle to check it out. They were really shocked and appalled. I wonder if the perp flopped his junk on every bottle, but only peed in one. So, as my public service announcement for the day, wash your brand new things that you buy from the store. Someone may have stuck their bits in it, on it, or around it.

Titus' Birth

I am in a place in my life that I need power. I need reminders that I am power. I happened to stumble on this while going through my mail basket. Not sure why it was in there, other than for me to find it today. Shortly after Titus was born, my midwife asked my to write the story of his birth. I couldn't do it. It was too much to write down the details of his birth. I had a very painful difficult labor with him, he was a shoulder dystocia,and  he was born not breathing with a black head and a white limp body. All is well with him now of course, but those moments were too intense for me to be able to write it down moment by moment. I found out later that after we let Titus cry for awhile, my midwife left the birth room to wretch. It was that intense. Anyway, I was able to write down some thoughts, which I am going to share today. This memoir was originally titled " If the Camper's a Rockin' Don't Come a Knockin' and Other Thoughts About My Labor and Birth." I am since divorced from the fella I was rocking the camper with, so I have renamed this piece.

The Many Hands House: Bed, Breakfast, and Birthin' Suites

I don't need things, and I don't need them to be perfect, and I don't need them to be in perfect condition...because I am resourceful.

Another case FOR homebirth.

When the worst is at hand, people hand out their best.

Don't wait until contractions are 3-4 minutes apart to start the belly cast.

Peanut butter and jelly sandwich...my new favorite dish.

An orgasm during labor sure sounds nice.

Every once in awhile you get a rose with a red stem.

How awesome to watch the breath of life go into my child through my midwife's mouth.

Brutus the Barber Beefcake!

I have never been offended by anything my midwife has said.

The Many Hands House: Bed, Breakfast, and Birthin' Suite.

I know some women that I can trust and I can trust myself to be vulnerable with.

Everyone was thanking God(s)

My body, after all, did know what was going on.

Where are the gloves?

I have the best midwife in the world.

The asshole things that assholes say does not make me the asshole.

I know my reality.

A lady could start a war over that smell.

His name is Titus, it means power.

I have an owl baby.

I someday would like to learn to bellydance.

I have witnessed a miracle.

A crown of flesh and a crown of stars.

Born on election day (which is a holiday at the Many Hands House!)

I know another who can mother me. Thank you Lyric.

T.V. is like magik when it's not on everyday.

There is power in me, and all around me, and on my tongue.

What reminds you of your power?

New Things

I have done a few new things in the last couple weeks that I would like to document. These are in no particular order as is the theme of my day thus far.

snow Buddha

snow crowning

This is the only proof that we have had a winter here in Iowa. We have had one day so far that the snow was of snowman building quality. 

cured clay yoni/no paint

I was very inspired by VulvaLoveLovely and decided I wanted to make my own yoni pendant. Clay is not my preferred medium and I enlisted Jason's help. He made the first yoni and gave me some pointers. I have since made a handful of yoni's. I am making a few for my midwife tonight. My son Cyrus wears one on a necklace.

yoni with paint

Last summer I purchased a clay baking dish at Goodwill store for about 3$. I just now used it for the first time. I soaked the clay dish (top and bottom) in cold water for about 30 minutes. I quartered potatoes and onions and placed them in the bottom of the dish. I put a whole chicken (stuffed with cilantro) on top of the potatoes and onions. I then sealed the dish with a flour and water mixture. The oven was on 250 and the bird stayed in there a good 4-6 hours. It was the best chicken I have ever made. I love clay pot cooking!

before super green paste

This last one I hijacked from Trenches Of Mommyhood. The recipe is simple and I tend to have these items in the house at all times. Dump a bit of baking soda in a bowl. Dump some salt on the baking soda. Pour a bit of dish soap on top of the baking soda and salt. Mix until pasty. Now here is the tricky part (at least for myself) use it to clean stuff ! 

after super green paste

I have since used this paste on every bit of my stovetop, countertop, sink, and  faucet. I think I may try my shoes next, or maybe the bathtub.












Any new things in store for you?

Sprouting

  I heard about sprouting years ago. I remember thinking back then that it seemed like too much work, too tedious. Well I have internet again, and that means information!!! So, I read up on some basic sprouting techniques and got myself started. I right away crafted a sprouting bag made from scraps at my home. I did not have to spend any money on this part at all. Here are the links I used to help me along the way. I made my own adjustments as I went. I wanted a double drawstring bag and neither of those links had information on that, so I had to improvise.

My lovely sewing machine is well equipped. It has all the basic stitches, and a whole bunch of fancy stitches that it will automatically do for me at the push of a button. One of these fancy stitches it is capable of is the dreaded button hole stitch. I of course do not still have the instruction manual for my machine, as it has been through at least 7 moves. So again I went to the glowing box of information to figure this out. I found several instruction manuals on how to use the button stitch. I was still unsuccessful in this operation. I eventually opted for applying a Jenni job to this illusive button hole stitch. It all worked out in the end and I have a wonderful sprouting bag!

see sprout people for detailed instructions and helpful hints

So far I have made two different recipes out of sprouted garbonzos that i typically make out of canned garbonzos. I have made garbonzo bean chocolate cake and hummus( because hummus is yummus).  My base recipe for hummus comes from PBS Kids and I love it. I tweak it here and there of course to our own taste. I think the sprouted version of each recipe taste very similar to my regular version, but nuttier.

My chocolate garbonzo bean cake recipe comes from a friend. This cake is of course delicious as is, but here is the cream cheese frosting recipe I use.

1 1/2 C choc. chips (melted)
2C garbonzo beans
4 eggs
1 cup sugar (you can also sub in honey)

blend beans, eggs, and sugar. add to chocolate chops and mix. pour into greased pan. bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. cake is done when a knife in the middle comes out clean.


Go sprout something, and tell us how it worked out for you!

"Believies"

Crisis: A time when a difficult or important decision must be made.

  I am in the throes of a faith crisis. It has been a long time coming. I just keep putting it off. Do I 

have it in me to speak honestly and vulnerably about this issue? I fear the backlash. I know that 

religion is one of those topics you just are not supposed to talk about. I wonder if the fear I feel is 

because of the religion i studied. Fuck fear.

I was not raised in any particular religion. For that I am grateful. We went to church for weddings, 

funerals, and baptisms. I talked to god as a child. That consisted mostly of asking god to keep 

my family, my pets, and the earth safe from harm.  In college I got "saved" Let the fundy Christian 

life commence. I married a Christian man. My honeymoon was spent at an Oral Roberts s

seminar,complete with Benny Hinn and the worlds largest praying hands statue. I studied my 

bible. I went to a Christian church. Several of them actually. Throughout my churchgoing years I 

attended a baptist church, assembly of god church, catholic church, church of god, several non-

denominational churches, and some churches that did not have names yet. I have even been to 

temple on several occasions. I was a youth pastor for awhile.I was on the worship team. I met 

monthly with an interfaith women's group. I took my turn in the nursery. I scrubbed stains out of 

the carpet in the meeting room. I layed hands on people, and spoke in tongues. I was there for 

Sunday morning service and Sunday afternoon service. I went on Wednesday for the midweek 

service, Friday for youth group, and Saturday for worship team practice. 

I no longer go to church and have not attended for several years. What drove me from church?  

The shortest answer is going to church is what drove me from church. The list is really long in my 

mind. I will try to make it concise for your reading pleasure.

  Now for the long answer. I am a what you see is what you get kind of person. That is not really 

encouraged in most churches, especially if one is in a leadership position. HIDE IT! Hide 

whatever thing you are guilty of, because if the higher ups get wind of it you will be removed from 

your position of helping people and replaced. I am sure some of you are cringing at the phrase 

helping people, there where some people we actually did help. We did feed the hungry on 

occasion.  It is interesting to me the "sins" that get overlooked. I had a parent come to me crying 

after I got my tongue pierced. She was terribly distraught over the ordeal.She was very worried 

about my soul and about me being a co-pastor with my husband leading her children.  This is the

same woman with a gossip problem the size of Texas. The bible has nothing negative to say 

about piercings. The bible is very clear regarding the position of being a judgmental gossip 

monger.  I was spoken to several times regarding my piercing. She was never spoken to 

regarding her gossip problem, or her generally shitty attitude.

  I studied the bible a lot.I am no expert. I do not know everything there is to know about it by any 

means. Nor do I have every bit of it memorized. However, the more I study the bible, the more I 

agree with it and the more I disagree with it. I think I had previously took a lot of things out of 

context, or maybe ignored the context altogether due to being indoctrinated by the church. Why 

can't the church look at the book they call sacred as it is? 

I have a good friend who is a christian. I have a good friend who is a pagan. I am dating a 

Buddhist. I do not know if I have a religious affiliation right now. I know what I want. Idon't know if 

there is a religion that fits that. I think Christ was a nice man. I think Buddha was probably really 

cool. I like some of the Jewish traditions.  I love how pagans mark the year. I do not know if I 

need a religion, but I am not an atheist. I have seen things that make me think there is a god,

 or gods, or godess, or goddesses.  So, I have made the decision that I am done holding on to 

my cute little believies and I will wait for knowledge to present itself.

I contemplated just writing this in my own personal journal. However, I am curious about your 

experiences. What is the path that got you where you are today, religiously/spiritually 

speaking. Surely there is someone out there like me who is undecided. 

The Octopus

 I am in my 4th day of being nicotine free after being a nicotine/tobacco user for over half my life. My partner and I quit our habits together. We talked a bit last night (through tears, anger, and laughter) about how the experience has been for us so far. I found myself wondering if there is any part of my life that the invisible tentacles of nicotine have left untouched. It's almost funny how the brain plays wicked trickery on us to get nicotine back on line again. It feels like there is this invisible octopus with its tentacles pushing my mind into nicotine thoughts. Fellow quitters know about those thoughts.

 The Octopus Tentacled Brain: "Hey"

Me:  "Hey. How are you today Brain?"

The Octopus Tentacled Brain: "I was just thinking about that time when you were hanging out with your best friends in the whole world. All your children were playing together. The weather was beautiful. The food was delicious. The wine was great. That was such a beautiful moment in your life."

Me: *reminiscing* "Wow, yes, that was a real great time. Everything was perfect for a moment."

The Octopus Tentacled Brain:  "You do remember that you were a smoker then, and that the only reason any of it was fun, rewarding, enriching, or delightful in any way is because you had nicotine? Right, you do remember that don't you?!?!?!? HEY! I'M TALKING TO YOU!!!"

Me: *scratching head*  "Hmm, maybe you are right nicotine infected Brain. Maybe I can only be happy with nicotine, and the universe wants me to be happy, right?"

The Octopus Tentacled Brain: "FEED ME NICOTINE!!!"

I have 70 pieces of nicotine gum free to a good home!

Then you find this in the freezer and in random stashes throughout the house. The cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and snus went directly to the trash after this photo was taken. I was literally drooling as I threw them away. I did however keep the gum. If any of you out there are quitting and this gum would help you let me know. I will send it to you. FREE to a good home.

I spent some time looking into how long it takes nicotine to get out of the bloodstream of a user. It seems most say 48 hours. That was pretty accurate for me. I woke up in the middle of the night (hour 51 to be exact) sweating out toxins. I went through 3 (gallon) pitchers a green tea and water yesterday. I took a hot ginger bath to aid in further detoxification. I really liked the ginger bath, not just for the detox process but for the appealing scent. The aroma of the ginger provided a bit of a cover scent for the strange detox smell lingering on me all day. I looked up some good foods to aid in the detox process. I found this list to be helpful.
About halfway through the day I had such a euphoric feeling. It was so amazing that I actually started to get a little worried. It was way more than "high on life" due to being excited about quitting smoking. I'm sure it was some awful toxin making its way out of my body. I remember thinking " I'm going to just enjoy this ride, because I have no intention of ever having to do this again. This is once in a lifetime"  My detox high lasted about 4 hours. It sure was a nice little surprise.

So, today I am thinking about all the people out there who want to quit. I will send good juju their way. (and nicotine gum by request). I am going to find out how long the detoxification process takes when evicting nicotine from the body. I have some green tea brewing as I have had several nic fits whilst typing this. The tea really does help. I wonder what new thoughts will replace those of The Octopus Tentacled Brain.