Birth 1 of my two post-dates mamas took place this morning, a lovely (semi-quick) unmedicated VBAC that took place in a local hospital.  The mama was a rockstar, and the baby....  cute as a button.  A nice way to start the weekend!

In totally unrelated news, I think I've decided it's time to write my book.  Not because I have oodles of spare time, because I assure you it's especially untrue this month.  Those of you who know me well are aware that I have penned all manner of nonsense from practically the time I could hold a crayon in my meaty little paws.  Most recently, my love of writing culminated in the formation of "The Writing Group", where a few friends would pick a topic and submit a small piece every week or two.

It's true, this could be work-related exhaustion speaking, but whatever the impetus....  It's time.

I'm in a holding pattern, waiting for two babies whose "guess dates" have come and gone... with another one not due yet on my radar because she's already made an appearance at L&D.  In the meantime, I've been filling in my days with a mixture of helping at the horse rescue and floating in the pool with da boyz.  

Not much at all to say, but I did want to say hi.  What are you all up to? 

Spent the late evening/early morning with Minnie and Mouse, Sand Stone Farm's newest inhabitants. 

They are looking better every day, but still need round-the-clock care.  The smaller one, Minnie, usually needs a hand getting up on her feet after she lays down (a two-person job).  The bad news is that her skin is very sensitive to even gentle brushing, but the good news is that she is feeling better enough to protest.

Please consider how you may help the rescue in the care of their horses by ordering from my Arbonne site--I will donate all of the proceeds from SSFRE supporters and you will get amazing natural health and beauty products--or by visiting their Chip-In site. 

Thank you for your kindness and consideration.

This weekend, I had the opportunity to help in the care of two starving fillies that were brought in over the weekend by Carolyn Sanders and volunteers at Sand Stone Farm Rescue Efforts.

In all of my years with horses, I've never seen, first-hand, anything like the condition that these horses are in.  There is nothing but hollows and jutting bones where there should be muscle and padding, sores and bald patches where there should be soft skin and glossy hair.  I sat next to the head of the worse of the two fillies for about half an hour while I waited for an extra pair of hands who would be able to help me stand her up gently so she could stretch her legs and get some much-needed nourishment.

Minnie and Mouse, the two starved fillies, are just two of the 10-or-so horses currently in care of SSFRE.  They are receiving excellent, round-the-clock care by Carolyn and volunteers, but they are in constant need of financial and physical help.

If you are interested in helping, there is a Chip-In site set up for donations.

Also, I am donating all proceeds (35%) from orders made directly through my Arbonne website from SSFRE supporters.   You can treat yourself and your loved ones to premium natural, vegan skincare, make-up, and nutritional products and know you'll be making a difference in the lives of these fillies and the othes who depend on SSFRE.

Please consider how you can help, whether financially or giving of your time.  Thank you.

I was at a friend's birthday party last night (happy birthday, Maria!), and my blog came up--ever-so-briefly--in conversation I was having with the birthday girl.  Pretty sure I blushed.  It's not that I'm embarassed about my blog.  Really.  Sometimes I even enjoy reading the random things I think about, even though I've decided that I don't love making sure my verb tenses are correct.  Ever.

This blog was never really intended to inform anyone on anything of monumental significance.  If you are looking for me to list pros and cons of different birth interventions, etc. ad nauseum,  it's probably not going to happen in the near future.  That's not because I think you guys don't care about those things, because obviously you do or you wouldn't be looking at doula websites.  However, I simply don't see the need to re-invent the wheel.  Five minutes on the Internet will likely net you (yes, "net" you) oodles of sources for the information you're looking for--written waaaaay better than I could. 

I write to sometimes to let you know of things happening in my business, but mostly I write to write.  The things I talk about don't always encompass birth or doula issues, obviously, though I make a concerted effort to do that here as much as possible.  Mostly, this is my outlet and a way to let you get to know me a little bit better if you haven't already met me.

Do I always say the right thing?  Ha.  Absolutely not.  But I hope you'll take what I (or anyone) say with a grain of salt, knowing that I mean well even if my tone of voice says otherwise. 

As you were.