Moments before we were kicked out of the park by this horribly terrifying Garter Snake …*

*So the story goes …

Jackson had the wonderful idea to visit the local park that is full of enormous trees and tons of grassy areas to run in. So, we packed up Ruby, some poop bags, a bottle of water, the camera, and ourselves. When we got there, Ruby sprinted across the grass, while Jackson, Archer, and I had a look around. We had a chance to walk around for maybe ten minutes, when something awful happened! A snake was 6 inches from Archer’s foot! A normal person, I’m guessing, wouldn’t have reacted in the way that I did. My first reaction was to run! But, wait! The baby! So, I grabbed Archer by the arm, picked him up, and began a swift walk away from this horrid snake. Each step I took I was looking down at my feet to avoid any other sneaky snakes that may have been lurking in the tall grass. 10 steps into the swift pace, I am startled by a toad in the grass! I scream, Jackson starts running, and so do I! While I’m sprinting Archer is in my arms being bounced around and is laughing. Finally, we reach the car where I strap everyone in and start driving. My heart is racing, my hands are shaking, and I am SO glad to be out of there! You might be thinking, ‘Wow. What a loser. It was just a little snake.’ Yeah, well, in my head I see a snake and the instantaneous picture that then comes to mind is a snake raising up with mouth open wide ready to attack! I don’t know the difference between a harmless snake and one that could really do some damage. So, unfortunately, they all get grouped together into the “Stay the Heck Away From Me, Because I May or May Not Bite You And/Or Wrap Myself Around Your Neck and Choke You” kind of snake. Sorry, snakes, I don’t really like you. No offense.

So, the business thing didn’t happen. I almost posted this extensive thing about how we were trying to buy a business with tons of juicy details. I had visions for this place. We were trying to purchase a local re-sale children’s clothing store. I had ideas to give this little shop an entire makeover. I wanted to paint. I wanted to knock down walls. I wanted to expand the inventory to offer cloth diapers, slings, organic clothes and toys, and breastfeeding apparel. I had such a vision for this place. But, the plan is a no go as is that entire post that wasn’t published. We couldn’t get a loan. So, on to new things! Well, actually, back to old things. Selling used clothing was not on my list of life plans, anyway. Having a career or odd “jobs” that keep me closely connected to the birthing community has been on that list, though.

A few months ago, I contacted a girl that was offering Placenta Encapsulation services for the Indianapolis area. After having my own Placenta Encapsulated, I became pretty interested in the whole thing. It tremendously helped me through the early postpartum days. After I gave birth, the birth attendants boiled my (or Archer’s) Placenta down and put it in our refrigerator. I had expressed my interest in encapsulation, so they got it prepared for that. A week and a half later–after the initial high from a baby coming out of me in my own home with no intervention wore off–I was feeling quite down, and decided that we really needed to put this organ in our fridge to good use. John took care of the whole process, and when the Placenta was all ground up, my friend and I got to put it all in capsules. After taking them I really noticed a difference. They became my natural happy pills. So, after first hand experience with using my Placenta, I thought about offering this service to other moms. After a training session in Indy with a very special client of Anna’s (The Placenta Girl), I am now going to offer Placenta Encapsulation services to our area! I would also like to pursue getting certified as a Postpartum Doula, eventually. My Placenta service would mesh well with those of a Postpartum Doula. I’m really excited about all of this because it allows me to keep a tie to the childbirth community while following my career dreams. I have no set in stone plan for my career, but I do know that these services will definitely get me off to a good start in the right direction. These services also will work out great since I’m staying home. I am also getting a bit antsy to get out of the house and start working. Slowly stepping back into working will be better for all of us, though. I’m hoping for a few clients a month for my Encapsulation Services and of course the continued sales of my slings. Then, as the boys get a bit older I can start on my Postpartum Doula training. After Archer is in school, I still plan to become a Birth Assistant to a Midwife. With a more open schedule, I’m hoping that career choice will work well for our family. But, who knows where we will be in a few years. Plans always change.

Things I am totally pumped about:

Jackson and Archer have bunk beds (Thanks Annie!)
My house is clean
The yard is mowed
I just grabbed a bag full of things that were ready in the garden (the basil is gorgeous)
Coffee
I bought a dehydrator
John and Jackson’s hair cuts
Laundry is almost done
We might be business owners in a month (!)*
John is off of work for a week
Family is coming to visit
The weather is gorgeous
Tonight we are leaving for the lake
AND … we are officially on vacay! Yep, that’s right, vacay.

*More about the business soon. All I can say is if you read this, PLEASE cross your fingers for us!

Also, something is really wrong with something or other because all this extra space in my posts shouldn’t be there. Grrrr.

I’ll be at the Farmers Market this Saturday slingin’ slings. *laugh* You should come downtown to visit and check out all the other great stuff at the market! Hope to see you there!

It’s coming up soon! I’m really excited to vend at this show, again. It was the coolest arts/crafts show I’ve ever seen, and I was lucky enough to be apart of it. This year should be even better! I’m actually prepared for this show fairly early this year. I could use a few more days for sewing and getting everything tagged and ironed, but that should be easy with 3 weeks left. Here is a peak at a few things you’ll see at the show that may or may not have made it into my Etsy shop yet.

I love my friends.

Exhibit A.

I got an email from a local Doula yesterday about an upcoming Postpartum Doula Training Workshop. I initially jumped to the invitation and added the dates to the calendar that John and I share, but then saw the price. So, I think I’ll be waiting on any training of that sort. It’s not a grand amount of money, but it’s not something we can afford right now. Plus, I’m not sure if being a Postpartum Doula is something I would want to do. Right now my focus is on my family and making my slings. When Archer is approaching school age, then I’ll consider my career route. I know I want to pursue something that has to do with helping mothers. I am very passionate about women knowing their choices when it comes to pregnancy and birth so that they can have a special experience. So, there are a wide variety of things I could do to work with my passion. I really think that becoming a birth attendant to a Midwife would be wonderful. I would love working with the families and getting to know the moms. And, being there for the mother for labor and childbirth sounds like an amazing thing to be apart of. But, these are all just ideas. When the time gets closer, then I’ll decide where I should go.

Tonight was a sewing night for me. John and the boys are at his parents’ house and I am at home alone with just me and my sewing machine. Well, I’ve also got my dog and 2 kitties here keeping me company. So, let’s get to the point of this blog post, shall we? I have a new fabric that I found for my slings! I really love the way it looks on the Natural Linen. If I had any Ginger Linen left, I would definitely pair this fabric with it, but I’ll just have to wait for my next order for that. Anyway, here is the link to the listing, and below are some photos. Enjoy!

(My Mom had the idea for the clothes line. Thanks Mom!)

My mom brought this piece of paper over the other day for me to look at. It’s a note written by my Grandma right before she passed away. I thought it was pretty cool to leave something like this for our family. She was a wise woman.
***
Hello from the 20th Century!
Letter to the Future
From: Genevieve Robinson
Date: February 29, 2000

Do not open until Feb. 29, 2004

The best things in my life are: My children and grandchildren, family reunions, good friends, the beauty I see each day.
My personal goals for the future are: Keep body, mind, and spirit in good health. Keep homes in good repair for offspring.
My wishes for the future of the world are: Everyone please use the good sense God teaches. Think before you leap into action.

Signed: G Robinson
Date: 2.29.2000