NARM EXAM

I am currently trying to get into the mood to study for the upcoming NARM exam. I have procrastinated for years. When I finally got into the "mood", I was befuddled with many comedies of errors. I was also audited....That was stressfully sweet experience. I missed out on taking the exam in August and in October (MANA conference). I am offically registered to take the exam on Febuary 18th of 09.
I just can not get into the mood to study. I know that I must review, but I am not in the mood. Maybe I need to manufacture a reward for myself when I do study. Hummmmm????

Woes of a military widow

Lee (my husband) is gone again to be the warrior he was designed to be. This time he is in Afghanistan. He has been gone since the 1st of July., will not be back until October 09. I miss him terribly!
Many non-military peoples have NO understanding of the life of career military families. Yes, I understand this is what my husband and signed up. I am well informed of the fact that he took an oath to defend the constitution of the United States. With that oath, comes risk. The biggie... separation due to conflict threatening the quality of life of U.S. citizens. I am very proud that Lee is willing to die for his family and for strangers of the U.S.
Lee and I are a team. We are "mutually submissive" to each other. He funds my humanitarian midwifery work.... I let him be what every little boy pretends to be an "Army man fighting the bad guys".

This year our team is going to experience things alone.

1. Recovery from major abdominal surgery (I had a head of lettuce sized tumor removed.)
2. Home-Birth of "Fish", our 1st grandchild
3. Claire's (daughter #2) graduation from HS
4. Lee turns 46
5. Our 25th anniversary
6. My 45th birthday

Did I mention tax season? These are a few of the monuments that we will share via voice delayed phone conversations and web cam.

Easy to make dog treats

I have made these dog treats in the past. (Recipe will follow.) Let me worn you.... your house will smell like cooked liver. Have candles ready or air fresher! I was rummaging through the chip/cracker/snack cabinet. I found some soon to be stale Chicken biscuits, Triscuits and Graham crackers. I thought...hmmmm, Cletus loves these! So I came up with a concoction for his treats from left overs he loves. (The recipe will follow.) I cut them up and small squares, put them in snack bags and froze them for the future. He likes them.

Original recipe:
3/4 cup of ground graham crackers
1/2 cup honey
1 lb raw liver
garlic powder

Blend together. Spread into a shallow baking dish. Microwave for 10 minutes. (Will like a cookie) Let cool. Cut up and store in fridge or freeze.

Concoction treats (what I could find in the house):
1 lb raw liver
1/2 c yogurt
2 whole eggs including shell
1/4 c maple syrup
3 gloves of garlic
1/2 apple

Blend in Vita-mix until liquid!

Add to ground dry mixture of:
1/2c graham crackers
1/2c chicken biscuit crackers
1/2c triscuits
roaster peanuts

The mixture should look like chunky cake batter.

pour into shallow. Nuke for 10 minutes. Remove allow to cool. Then cut up into desired size and store.

Frozen Peri Pads

Peri pads frozen with Witch hazel, infusion or tincture are great for those days right after your birth. The are a cost effective alternative to Hemorrhoid pads. With a little preplanning you can make this a better experience.

Ingredients:
1 pkg Thick maxi pads (not the thin maxi's they do not work)
1 bottle of witch hazel (found most anywhere for about $1)
Tincture- Arnica or another with ready made combination with Arnica as a main ingredient
Flat bowl

Directions:
Combine witch hazel, arnica tincture. Dip pads quickly to saturate then freeze. You don't want the pad to be to soaked. Don't soak them, you will end up with a fat ice cube (not very comfortable).

To use:
After birth, place a frozen pad on your perineum for sooth soreness and reduce swelling. Witch hazel sooths and is mildly astringent to ward off bacteria.

Peri-Rinse recipe

Peri Rinses are a must after giving birth. Not only are they hygienic, but they are soothing. They reduce swelling and soreness. If few you had any tears or repairs, squirting a rinse over you perineum when you urinate will help with stinging. After a BM the rinse is hygienic.

There are many options here are a few:

Our favorite is the BabyMama Afterbirth Bath Tea (infusion) we have our moms and babies soak in right after birth and the days following the birth. BabyMama contains wonderful herbs that are soothing, healing, antibacterial and relaxing.
To make:
1/2-1 cup herb bath in a cheesecloth, clean soak or panty hose. Simmer in 2-3 qt water until water is dark. Your house smells so GOOD! The longer you allow the herbs to steep the more concentrated & medicinal the tea is. Pour tea into peri bottle. Squirt over bottom after each time you toilet yourself. The remain tea can be put into a bath for you and baby or you can store in a jar refrigerated for future use.
3 parts BabyMama tea to 1 part witch hazel in a peri bottle
Herbal Tea (infusion) you may have on hand with water or witch hazel.
Herbal Teas you may have on hand: Chamomile, Echinacea, comfrey, or Pau D’Arco are some suggestions. If you have a Herbal teas mix look at the herbs, they may very well be considering for a wonderful rinse.
Your own herbal tea (infusion) mixed with witch hazel.
Witch hazel in a peri bottle
Witch hazel with arnica tincture in a peri bottle
Water in a peri bottle

Outreach Midwifery

I have been given such an opportunity to work women in need. The needs are on various levels. Emotionally, physically and spiritually. I am currently gathering supplies to better serve these gals.

I have a very gracious husband who financially indulges my teaching humanitarian heart. The needs are many and the funds are limited.

The current needs are:
nursing bras
cloth diapers and diaper covers
disposable diapers
powder gatoraide
long sleeve snap shirts
newborn hats
baby wipes

Disposable birth supplies:
gloves
Chux
overnight menstrual pads
germacide
hepacleanse & peri bottles
olive oil, arnica oil
arnica
Toilet paper

Prenatal:
prenatal vitamins
folic acid
vit c
Grapefruit seed extract
olive leaf extract
echinachea
Calcium/Magnesium

Office supplies:
printer paper for handouts
cartridges 68 & 69 for Epson printer
pens
labels

If you are interested in donating go to my website for info! http://bellywater.com/OutreachWork.html