40!

40 weeks! It's my due date! I'm blogging on my phone in the doctor's waiting room. Here's what I look like now & my countdown jar looks...empty. Because it is.

the "official" shirt

getting distracted by the dog barking at who knows what, but look, color coordination!

no more M&Ms

So far, there have been no signs that Freckle is thinking of heading to the exit, but thanks to my Internet ladies I a) was prepared for her to be late (once we got past the "possibly going to induce you @ 39 weeks" thing), 2) have heard lots of stories of "there were no signs of progress & then surprise! Labor!" and D) that should I have to be induced, it doesn't have to be horrible, even with a first-timer. That makes this little glitter hippie happy. (UPDATE: after my appointment there are slight signs that Freckle is heading towards the exit. Hooray! Keep praying she keeps moving that way in a timely manner. I still have hopes for putting this baby in an Easter basket. If I don't, those of you with wee babes must do it for me so I can live vicariously through you!)

Speaking of glitter hippieness, here's an update on some of my current projects.

Oil Cleansing Method: I love it. At first, I just liked it. It seemed like more work than I was used too and I was still having some dry patches on my cheeks & nose. That kinda boggled my mind. I'm rubbing oil on my face & my skin is dry? But then I actually took a leap of faith, trusted Erica & rubbed some oil in AND LEFT IT THERE. It was like a miracle! No more dry spots. No flaky nose! I could powder my nose again without looking like a leper. And here's my favorite part of the whole thing: it feels good! I love rubbing the oil in. I love the hot towel part. Someday, I want to find a spa that does full oil baths. I'm picturing a giant vat of oil with a slide. Not a twisty/splashing type slide, but I can imagine trying to walk down steps or something in a giant vat of oil. Anyway, there would be oil, and then someone could scrape it (and all my dead skin) off.

I did finally make my own laundry detergent. I went with the liquid soap recipe my sister-in-law uses because I'm used to liquid soap and didn't want to have to worry about melting the powder stuff in hot water first, since right now we wash everything in cold water and I've heard that can be a problem sometimes.

from Duggar Recipes 

4  Cups - hot tap water
1  Fels-Naptha soap bar - I used Ivory, because that's what we had at the house
1 Cup - Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda*
½ Cup Borax

- Grate bar of soap and add to saucepan with water. Stir continually over medium-low heat until soap dissolves and is melted.

-Fill a 5 gallon bucket half full of hot tap water. Add melted soap, washing soda and Borax. Stir well until all powder is dissolved. Fill bucket to top with more hot water. Stir, cover and let sit overnight to thicken.

-Stir and fill a used, clean, laundry soap dispenser half full with soap and then fill rest of way with water. Shake before each use. (will gel)

-Optional: You can add 10-15 drops of essential oil per 2 gallons. Add once soap has cooled. Ideas: lavender, rosemary, tea tree oil.

-Yield: Liquid soap recipe makes 10 gallons.

-Top Load Machine- 5/8 Cup per load (Approx. 180 loads)

-Front Load Machines- ¼ Cup per load (Approx. 640 loads)

Anyway, I made it. It was super easy, except for the part where I sacrificed some knuckle skin to the grater because we don't have a food processor to do that part for me. I've only used it on a load of linens so far, so I don't have much to report other than that it is super fun to stick my arms into the 5 gallon bucket to stir things up (it settles into goo & water when it sits). Once I can fill an empty laundry detergent bottle, I can just shake the bottle, but for the trial run, I used it out of the bucket. Anyway, the texture is fun.

I'm almost out of shampoo, so I'll hopefully be starting the it's-not-a-volcano method of hair cleaning soon.

I have 2 bread recipes I want to try out too. Because baking bread just sounds wholesome and wonderful. Plus, I love bread!