December is here

I will post photos soon. The camera happens to be outside in the frigid weather and I'm so sick of the cold that it doesn't seem worth it.
As soon as the birth story is composed it will be posted to this blog. I'm having Jeff write it because his cronology is much better than mine. The ending is a happy one, though:
Terra Sage Bousquet was born November 29th, 2009.
8 pounds 1 ounce
21 inches long

She's healthy as an ox and growing like a... thing that grows really fast. She has auburn hair, too.
We're on our way to Florida where we will have in-home internet access. Can't wait to write/edit the birth story. Good times.

A month later...

I'm spending so much of my communication energy on educating family members about our lives and values that the blog has taken sideline. I can combine the two! Here's a communication from me to Harry and Dee that summarizes our current happenings for the most part...
Hey Harry and Dee,
You make a good point. Being a parent means inviting new life that has its own perfect path. I know she will find the path of least resistance just as soon as the conditions are ideal. I have this new theory that my pelvis was uncomfortable for her while she was head-down. Several years of waiting tables, gymnastics, and soccer on hard ground have done a number on my all my bones.
We're seeing a chiropractor that I really trust. It's covered by Medicaid, too :). He has been adjusting all kinds of joints and ligaments that are all ready dramatically more loose and comfortable. It's weird having the body become sore due to its parts finding the right place instead of soreness resulting from the same old worn-out positions of bones and cartilage. I can't wait until we can get Jeff to a bone doctor. I know his body could benefit, too.
Also, we're trying moxibustion which is an acupressure technique used to turn babies. A lighted incense is placed to the outside of the pinky toe to stimulate a channel that encourages things to "move down."
Our midwife was at no shortage of ideas to try to flip the baby, which is great, but we intuit there's something more complex when a baby chooses her belly dance. I was scheduled this morning to have another ultrasound to determine the level of amniotic fluid that would determine eligibility for ECV (external cephalic version). The out-patient hospital procedure requires hep-block, intense relaxation (which obviously has to be synthetically induced using drugs, sic), and the doctor manually moves encourages a forward somersault by pressing on the outside of the belly. The negative sides of that procedure: Terra might not be comfortable turning yet, we would have to enter the icky aura of the hospital (an hour away), medicaid won't cover another ultrasound, we don't really like the doctor, there's a risk of fetal distress that would result in immediate cesarean (which is what we're trying to avoid all-together!).
This Wednesday we will have the midwife take pelvic measurements (pelvimetry). It's not all too informative because of the movable nature of the pelvis, but we can estimate how much room is there now or see if any bones are being awkward. We're going to try ECV with the midwife if we think Terra needs some help at her size.
Jeff and I think she will turn just before she wants to be born. We're much more level-headed now that we have explored our options for the birth and given the best consideration for the reasons she has chosen to find the positions she has. We can only respect that she is wise in her own rite. Her middle name is Sage, after all.

The latest in technological advances

Wow! So much has changed at the cabin and inside the womb, but, alas, my words are not yet met with too much picture proof. We finally broke down and bought a mattress (probably the last major purchase for the cabin), and we got a phone (but opted for only 100 long distance min. a month...)! Having a land line seems so spectacularly out of date, but we can sure use it.
Speaking of dates... I had a nice encounter with some Berea moms last night at BC & T. We had a lovely talk about how some people think they're Nostradamus when they approach pregnant women with their predictions about the sex and temperament of babies (among other enjoyable talks).
Jeff has had a chance to install beautiful pine heart wood flooring, random tile in spots, a hearth, wood stove, claw foot tub, and other stuff I'm surely forgetting. Having an hourly job would be a break for him. He's working super hard to button up the space for our family.
We've had our first Natural Childbirth class! I loved it. The teacher is someone we met at the festival who works for Peacecraft (a local free-trade shop). My favorite part was the "birth art" we did at the end of class. We all took time to color a picture of "the journey" of our pregnancy and got to share our results at the end. Next week will be awesome. While we're in Lex-Vegas I hope to visit some baby consignment shops along with our midwife's shop which sells organic, free-trade yarns and lots of other cool crafting stuff. You know, stuff nobody has the money for anymore :P.
Next week we see Sarah and hopefully get to meet Karen (the back-up midwife). I'll be 34/35 weeks... I think.
As for other random news, it escapes me. Check ya later

ummm...

Pics on picasa

Here are some pics on picasaweb of Jeff working on the floor of the cabin with all our junk shoved in one room plus the 3 latest baby hats I've knitted. I can only upload 5 pics at a time, and the library is closing :(. Be sure and check out the other blog entries from today! They list the "have's and the have-not's" of the baby world :)

Knits and floor repair

The "Have-not's" or baby items to be scavenged

1. highchair (hopefully wooden)
2. baby socks
3. slanted stool for breast-feeding in a chair
4. car seat/carrier (I think nowadays they're two-in-one? I'm unsure tho)
5. grade-a, top-of-the-line, super comfy baby sling (D thinks she would like to provide this)
6. jumperoo
7. baby swing
8. kid books! I live to read
9. biodegradable wipes
10. plastic mat-type-thing to protect mattress under baby during early phases of natural infant hygiene
11. foot-powered trike (no pedals)
12. stroller
13. bathing system for baby (need advice from moms on this one- is it unnecessary or way to convenient/safe to pass up)
14. video recording device (maybe I could borrow one?)
15. earth-friendly bath soaps
16. a dresser for baby clothes
17. diapers. WE DONT WANT ANY. We are practicing Natural Infant Hygiene- a process by which older family members are able to tune into the signs and signals from the baby that imply a need for evacuation. Humans are fully aware of their bodies from birth and are inclined to pee and poop in a place that is away from places of rest, other humans, and the body. Why spend 3 years denying this natural desire?

Please use the "comment" tool in blog to suggest other gear you think we need or express an interest in locating any of the items for us. Or maybe you just have comments. Regardless, we'd love to hear from you.

The "Have's" or baby-related things that have all ready been gifted

1. a midwife! Sarah Hood has taken us under her wings.
2. one monkey suit for 1st/2nd year (complete with pawed footies, Good looking out Jessa!)
3. probably too many baby blankets (mom has no sentiment for our old blankies)
4. 3 receiving blankets
5. baby's first hand-knit hat (I think it will be the upside-down buttercup in the picture)
6. newborn gowns and onesies up to 3 months (grandma says I have plenty which translates to: I'll only buy you a couple more because they're a quarter a piece at a yard sale)
7. one pair of baby's first overalls
8. size 6 all-stars found at Goodwill
9. probably 6 bibs
10. one pair of fully equipped boobs
11. a few outfits sized 3-6 months
12. organic baby lotion (dutch discount!)
13. couple rocking chairs
14. pregnancy pillow
15. one loving, supportive partner
16. a baby rocker for summer
17. the classic plastic keys
18. one stuffed duck

Baby Registry: prepare to meet Scavenger Hunt

I had several ideas on the way to Richmond today.
Idea 1: Have pumpkin carving contest with family when they visit for the weekend of October 24th.
Sub-idea: hay ride?
Idea 2: Invite Judy and Chuck (Jeff's mom and stepdad) to join us on this festive weekend to begin family meshing.
Idea 3: Arrange for a bike trek through the Redlick region whence these family members congregate.
Idea 4: Discard baby shower arrangements for weekend of 24th: too cliche. I can't picture both boys and girls in my social circle coming together for cheesy baby games and I don't want to disclude anyone's interests. Plus, I want my dad to come. Baby shower would scare him off.
Idea 5: Create an online document titled "9-month scavenger hunt" I was swayed to make a baby registry. So I did. Amazon.com was highly entertaining, but it rarely has used baby goods. Items are always shipped... it's just too commercially consumistic (this is a premium word derived from consumerism). I think the most environmentally friendly approach must be used goods and occasional support of new organic or free trade products.
Really, I would just like to invite those who are inclined and enthusiastic about helping Jeff and I raise a family through the purchase of material goods to check out a list of the things we don't have and are, to some extent, required to have for the addition of a newborn. Ace example: Car seat. Requirements: hopefully smells nice, not be produced by Costco, weighs less than 30 pounds, comfortable for very small human being.
So, my hope is that I can turn my running list of baby supplies both needed and already possessed into an online document that can be changed (by family and friends) as family and friends hopefully continue to scavenge needed items and place them in our lives through whatever means necessary. Jeff is the computer whiz. Hopefully he knows an easy way to do this.

Library windows: where all the ideas happen!

25 weeks along

Distant side view

Attempted side view

Belly from the front

I cut my hair short again!

So far, so swell. Pregnancy has been mastered, naturally, and the baby is becoming more predictable in his/her movements. I can't wait until the 31st of August when we learn the sex. Mom's coming for what seems to be an afternoon visit this Sunday (tomorrow). She will get to see all the glorious progress being made on the cabin... RIght now, Jeff is working on John's earthbag house at Egret's Cove. I'm sweating bullets in the community house trying to accomplish all the online research needed in my life. I'm thinking of organizing a baby shower in October when the rest of my family visits.
We've just signed up for natural birthing classes starting in September at an awesome place called Baby Moon. I'm considering yoga classes, too, that are designed around the pregnant body, but the closest place is Lexington. Quite the distance for a once-a-week class. Probably totally worth it.
Festival next weekend! Jessa and Nathan have done an awesome job of arranging a huge party by the name of "Holler in the Holler." All the details are on Facebook, of course. I look forward to a weekend of new music, new people, hopefully some old friends, Berea college breakfast, yoga, and a host of other goodies...

Some more cabin pics

Latest Cabin stuffs

Cabin pictures at picasa web

The following link will take you to the Picasa Web slideshow of the cabin photos.

Cabin

Quick update

Things have been so busy lately! I don't have time to play with pictures, but will have hard copy pictures for the family reunion this Saturday. Had a visit with the ER for a kidney infection and met some mountain people. I'm excited to post pictures next chance I get. My car is now legal so transportation is much easier to the library :)

Some affirmations

We're not going back to South Dakota! It took a lot of consideration to reach this decision. First and foremost: it's a huge commute. hahaha. We could have made it there on vegetable oil, but we would have likely left with diesel. Second: the pay did not seem to cover the psychological cost of an unorganized build. Third: it's time to build a nest. Oh, and a fourth reason might be that our truck has to be disassembled... All clear reasons to stay right where we're at in the happy hills of Berea, Kentucky. We do regret not being able to see our new friend Mahesh in action, but I trust everything will go well. Besides, he only lives in Iowa.
Soooo, I left out some cool details about the place we are currently setting up. The cabin is on Jessa, Nathan, and Mary Ellen's property. Instead of listing their names all the time, I will call the place Homegrown Hideaways. This is the name of Jessa's idea for a sort-of school that gathers people to learn about natural building and sustainable living. The concept is really exciting! They finally have enough land to let students and instructors camp-out and get hands-on experience building wonderful structures out of straw-bale, cob, earth-bag, or whatever element is appropriate for the workshops. Jessa and Nathan have had the long-standing dream of creating this non-profit organization, but there is still uncertainty about how it will all come together. It will happen, though! Jeff, Jessa, Nathan, and Mary Ellen have all worked together on builds before and they are chock-full of knowledge just waiting to be re-applied on-site.
Back to the details of our new nest... Homegrown Hideaways is 100 acres of mostly tree-filled hills and wildlife. It used to be at the bottom of an ancient ocean, so there are plenty of rocks and fossils strewn about. The driveway slopes down a hill to a bridge that crosses a creek (I'll take pictures when I get home). The long driveway curves around and passes a stage, pavillion, concession stand and firepit until you reach the garage and main house. The main house is where Jessa, Nathan, and Mary Ellen currently reside, but it will hopefully become a community house once some dreams have come to fruition.
One of the cabins on the property is at the start of the hill about 100 feet down from the start of the driveway. It has been abandoned for a few years, but it has huge potential. Jeff has been busy ripping out old flooring, and we just started screening in the porch. We're adopted a wild kitten, too! Without pictures, this is tough to explain. I'll get right on it...

We're two lost souls in this giant fish bowl

Jeff and I spent some quality time with family recently. His dad, stepmom, and their twin boys (age 3) were living in England and decided to move back to Daytona, Florida. But, they had time to travel between locations. They took a mini-van loaded to the brim all the way out to the west coast up to Oregon, Washington, Montana, and visited family of all sorts. After their visit to Yellowstone National Park they traveled to Greenfield, Indiana and scooped up Jeff and I. This was my first chance to meet this part of his family. What a ride! We went to Versailles State Park and Clifty Falls in Southern Indiana (which are great places to visit) and camped out before Memorial weekend was in full force. For the weekend we stayed with my dad's side of the family in Vevay, Indiana right on the Ohio River (where I grew up). The river was chilly with just enough beach to expose some sand, tons of driftwood, treeforts, beautiful rocks and shells... The scene was refreshing. I stayed at the river for about a week with my grandparents while Jeff and his family drove off to Florida.
At this point, the plan was for Jeff to travel north from Florida to Indiana, pick me up, and head back out to Iowa then South Dakota for the earth-bag project on Pine Ridge reservation. Buuut, we were sucked into the vortex of Berea, Kentucky where we currently remain.
We wanted to spend some of the down-time between late May and early June in Kentucky so that Jeff could continue working for a wonderful character named John who was one of Jeff's first project employers. John's near-done earth bag structure is near the top of a hill in a sustainable community called Egrets Cove in Berea, Kentucky. The other houses on the property are made of wood, straw-bale, and natural plasters.
The community catches rainwater for drinking (post-filtration of course), composts humanure, and uses the sun's rays for most of their power year-round. I started to take pictures, but my face seems to have broken the camera on my lap top.
For the past week, Jeff and I have been living out of the back of the Isuzu P'up (Jeff's truck that runs on vegetable oil). We discovered some problems with the truck, and currently it won't run. It's not exactly in the shop either. The people we are staying with, Jessa, Nathan and Jessa's mom Mary Ellen, are incredibly hospitable. They are the new owners of a 100-acre plot of land with camping, a stage, a concession stand, a couple abandoned cabins, occasional livestock visitors (some recent storms blew some cattle and horses our way), and other random creatures.
Nathan has a truck that runs on "grease" too, so he knows a lot of the mechanical jargon and maneuvers to get our P'up back running.
In the case of the broken truck, we've decided not to travel back out to South Dakota. We're taking it as a sign and making due with where we're at. Conveniently enough, one of the cabins on our friends' property is the perfect size for a temporary home. It needs lots of work, but Jeff has been pulling some things apart and working to make the cabin livable. We think we'll stay here for a while to possibly start a nest.
In other news, I am one third of the way through my pregnancy. I'm almost to my 14th week, and development seems to be happening at an excellent rate. I think the baby will ask to come out one of the first two weeks of December (40-41 weeks). We're looking into midwives around Berea since we are likely to stick around.

Jeff and his arch he's oh-so proud of. Hard work!

Alternative Graduation Agenda: Bring 7th Generation Prophecy to Life

Jeff and I were recently beckoned to help a family live more sustainably in South Dakota. We had plans to assess the circumstance and aid the build of an earth-bag structure for the descendants of American Horse, ancestor of the Lakota family we visited in Pine Ridge, South Dakota.

Pine Ridge is a Native American Reservation (“the Rez”) with an interesting history. I’m told I need to watch the movie “Thunderheart” in order to better understand the history of discrimination that affects the Lakota Indians of Pine Ridge.

As for the 7^th Generation Prophecy: from what I understand, the Native Americans of old have passed down a prophecy that sees the 7^th generation (us) as the generation of people who will bring life full-circle by reconnecting the human race with mother earth or the Great Spirit. I heard that they predicted that people of all color would come together in a mission to help restore the balance between human life and this planet. This concept is still fuzzy because I have not heard it from anyone who knows the real history, but it is worth investigating.

The Fearless Facilitators for the Project

Some fellows in Fairfield Iowa, Temba and Mahesh, have an ongoing project at “the Rez”. The two afore mentioned characters are naturally concerned about the well-being of a combined family (3 adults and 7 kids) living in a 3-bedroom mobile home. Black mold and limited access to appropriate heating methods place this combined family in a world of trouble each winter. People on the reservation are freezing to death each year.

Temba and Mahesh have teamed up with a non-profit organization called Nature’s Compassion that hopes to serve the families living in poverty in Pine Ridge and beyond by building earth-bag dome homes with the families in need.

The Trip

For Mother’s Day weekend Jeff and I packed up our tent and the puppy and headed to Iowa to meet Temba. From there, Temba, Mahesh, Jeff, and I traveled the 12 hours to Pine Ridge for a whirl-wind 2-day stay in the “Badlands” of South Dakota (though, we have taken to the name “Goodlands” for the sake of our psyches). We were greeted by the friendly Lakota family and a habitat that was less than conducive to living in long-term.

The trailer inhabited by the large family had a small TV, a shabby couch, running refridgerator, electricity, no running water, no shower system, and a few small bedrooms that I did not look into. The family had one running, two-door car. There was a water source outside tapping into an aquifer. The water was cold and incredibly clean, but only accessible outside through a pump.

The land was open and fairly barren of any trees. Highly evolved prairie grass grows all over the rolling hills and smaller cactuses thrive amidst the grass. Lots of cattle and coyotes were around with the occasional domesticated cat. Down the road from the trailer is a westernized convenience store complete with cappuccino dispensers, overpriced junk food, water bottles, a tiny little produce fridge (in the far back corner of course), canned goods, and any type of candy you can dream of. The prices were usually double that of a usual convenience store, and healthy eating wasn’t really an option.

From what we saw while we were there, the whole family lives on processed foods like crackers, potato chips, candy and various other sources of sugar. One day when we were hanging out with the children outdoors, they had suckers in the morning, chips in the afternoon, lunchables for dinner, and ice cream cones covered in chocolate and nuts after dark. The kids were moody, whiny, crying and miserable as a result of this neglectful diet. At least one adult has been diagnosed as diabetic. I’m really concerned with the kids’ education about nutrition.

By the time we left the site, the group had built a composting toilet, planted some deciduous and coniferous trees, picked a spot to build the dome, and started filling up earthbags with rice hull. Rice hull is the shell of rice that is viewed as a waste product in the mass production of rice. It does not burn easily and is an excellent insulator for the type of build that will take place.

Continuation

About the second week of June we will head back up to South Dakota to start building the house. The design is based on the basic experimental design provided by CalEarth. There will be two larger domes and about 6 “niches” or smaller domes around the sides. Temba wants the walls to be extra-insulated, so he is proposing a double wall—one wall of earthbags (filled with sand and dirt found on-site) on the outside and one wall of rice hull bags on the inside. Both walls will be encased in earthen plaster.

Jeff and Mia testing the soil for clay content

Paper bags full of rice hulls—80,000 lbs. of ‘em.

Consuela is probably asking a question in this picture. She’s good at that.

Everyone is planting trees! Deciduous Black Locusts for the South side of the house. They lose their leaves in the winter to allow the most sunlight through to the house.

Mahesh meditates on the composting toilet’s dimensions.

Current residents entering their current residence. Lucy, Consuela, Martha, Cassy, and another girl whose name eludes me.

Temba chasing one of the younger ones in order to retrieve a sucker. We were strong advocates for better diets.

Temba and Mahesh cleaning up the last of the trash piles.

Complete composting toilet—Toothbrush and all… The sawdust is for sprinkling atop the pile after every use. It aids the decomposition.