Still waiting on The Man With The Gun

I've had several inquiries from people wondering when the man with the (lead) gun is coming.  I don't know - I'm still waiting to hear back as to when our appointment will be.  I rather expect to hear something this week.  In the meantime, I'm continuing Solomon's lead detox.  Something new I've learned is that I need to give him extra snacks.  Apparently more food in the tummy can help with the detox too.

One of my Trisomy 18 mama's told me that a neighbor's son had high lead.  It turned out to be from the mini blinds next to his crib!  (There is lead in the pre-1997 blinds.)   Whenever the blind was raised or lowered the lead dust spread all around.

Solomon is still sick with a cough, even though he's running around acting normal.  He also has "goopy eyes."  (Keeps getting crusty stuff building up in his long eye lashes.)  I will probably have to take him to the doctor tomorrow as I remember whenever Lilly got the "goopy eyes" she needed some special eye drops to clear them up.

Solomon "blowing his nose" (He just blows air out his mouth into kleenex)

Earlier this week, I got a fresh bag of soap nuts.  (To read about how to use soap nuts to wash clothes cheaply and naturally, see my post here.)  Hunter loves playing with them for a bit before I put them in the laundry area.  Soap nuts are great for filling up the back of a toy dump truck with.  This time, Hunter set up a rather arty looking display:

yes that really is a washing machine Christmas ornament!

Ahhhh ... a fresh one-pound bag of soap nuts

By the way, my friend H. told me that she uses soap nuts to wash cloth diapers.  They are low sudsing and she says they work great!  I have not tried this myself.  I still have a jug of Allens Naturally that I am using for washing Solomon's diapers.  But I'll have to give the soap nuts a try soon.  (Don't forget - you can order soap nuts and get a 10% discount.  See the Olive Shoot Institute ad on the right side of this blog.)

modern cloth diapers: no pins required (photo credit: Hunter)

Early last week we had some very cold days along with rain.  We had a laugh when we looked out the window one morning and saw a bunch of the hens hanging out on the porch while Dixie snoozed in the chair.

Hmmm.  When my sister-in-law bought us that white wicker furniture, I bet she never thought it would be used by furry and feathered creatures trying to stay dry!  (I know I didn't.)

Speaking of feathered creatures, one of our hens has been acting odd lately.  Tabby thought she was just broody, but we're not so sure now.  We're afraid she's getting sick.  (That would be very disappointing as she's our last Buff and is a good layer.)  Tabby posted about the problem yesterday.  If you know about chickens, please read her post, and let us know if you have any suggestions.   

If you would, please say a prayer for Frank.  He's battling a kidney stone.  I've been dumping all sorts of remedies into him to try and dissolve the stone(s).  I've only seen him with a kidney stone once, and that was pretty scary.  (It was about the time of Lilly's first Thanksgiving with us.)  I feel blessed to never have had one.  (They are supposed to be more painful than giving birth.  I think giving birth is painful enough!)  If the remedies work, I will post about them in case they help others.

"Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise."  - Jeremiah 17:14

Well I'm off to make an "angel tin" for in memory of a sweet baby boy who's angelversary is later this week.  (Or "heaven birthday" as some friends call it!)

"For it is written: 'He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully;'" ... - Luke 4:10