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Whew! Catching my breath. I had an amazing weekend in Greenville, SC with my cute travel buddies at Allume (basically a Christian women’s blogging conference). And we stayed with my darling auntie and got to see some sweet cousins as a bonus.
This little drool-monster was soooooo good. She slept through the night 3 nights in a row (!) and it was ah-mazing. Her raven tresses had many admirers in a room full of 450 women. Speaking of babies, Allume did a fantastic job making it easy for nursing mothers to have their little ones there. They had a room set up down the hall from the meeting rooms with pack n’ plays and rocking chairs and tables reserved in the back of the main room for mamas with babies so we could sneak out easily if our babies got chatty. Really helpful, thoughtful, and well-organized.
And Daniel was the bestest and took her on walks to Falls Park when she was fussy so I could actually, you know, ATTEND the conference. So helpful. But I think he had a good time, too, since I’m pretty sure he spent most of his time in the distillery a couple blocks from the hotel.
(photo courtesy of Kara)
And I got to hang out with some amazing and wonderful blog/instagram friends like Kara Fleck and Tsh Oxenreider, and I had the pleasure of meeting the lovely and sweet Jamie Martin. Five years ago when I was pregnant with Benjamin, i started reading Tsh’s blog, Simple Mom and Megan Teitz’s blog, SortaCrunchy, and I’ve been hooked on Kara’s Simple Kids and Jamie’s Simple Homeschool almost as long. Reading their blogs really made me fall in love with blogging, so it was dreamy to spend a weekend talking writing, blogging, homeschooling, and motherhood with them. Met the lovely Kamille and Jennifer and many more sweet ladies and got to go to sessions by Oh Amanda, Sarah Markley, and Amy Lynn Andrews and hear Ann Voskamp speak. All great.
It was delightful to spend a weekend learning from women who love Jesus and love writing. But it’s definitely a Protestant conference and I found myself wishing that we could have just one Catholic writer like Jennifer Fulwiler speaking or have Colleen Nixon stop in to lead worship. Made me yearn for either a more ecumenical conference (this one was very evangelical/charismatic leaning) where Christian sisters of all traditions could share their love for writing and love for their faith. Or, if not, a Catholic bloggers conference? Wouldn’t that be cool? I could handle big picture stuff and someone with organizational skills could handle details (ahem, Kaitlin, ahem). We have a retreat center in town and Colleen Nixon is a dear friend and we could wrangle her into leading worship for us? I don’t know. Maybe no one would want to come.
Unfortunately, while we were conferencing, Lucy had a cold that got worse yesterday and when I took her to the Dr. this morning she had double conjunctivitis, ear infection, sinus infection, and coughing/wheezing. ON TOP OF THAT (and here’s where it gets really gross) when she woke up I noticed something weird behind her ear. “IS THAT A TICK?!” Yes. When I took off her jammies they were ALL OVER HER. ALL OVER. At least 12-15. She did not have these when I tucked her in last night. So she MUST have gotten them IN HER BED? How this happened, I can’t understand. We don’t even have a pet. The whole thing is disgusting and I’m freaking out. The Dr. removed them all (she cried and I cried) and we’ve called Terminix to check out her bedroom (I couldn’t find a thing in there, but I’m bleaching all her bedding as we speak) but they can’t come till tomorrow.
So, I’ve got a sick little girl who was covered in ticks and can’t sleep in her crib until tomorrow when we figure out if our house is inexplicably tick-infested. WHAT?! She’s trying to nap in pack n’play in Benjamin’s room right this minute and (surprise) it’s not going great. He’s telling her “goodnight, Lucy!” and then she screams, “HE SAYIN’ GOODNIGHT TO ME!” (horrors.) Then, he says it again (because check out the reaction!) and the cycle repeats. All in all, not the best day for the Stewarts. I would like to crawl in bed, pull the covers over my head and sleep the rest of the day away (not going to happen.) Or move away from the possibly tick-infested house (probably not the best reason to buy a new one). Any other ideas? Daniel says he’s bringing me home a treat and let’s hope it’s some kind of alcohol.
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And check out this video of a brave cancer survivor, Heather Von St. James who battled mesothelioma. She and her husband are trying to raise awareness about this rare form of cancer.
No links today, I gotta get back to my poor sick little girl! Why don’t you leave ME a link to your favorite blog post from the past week in the comments?
Hope your Monday is running more smoothly than mine ; )
Love,
Haley
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Usually when a human receives ticks it isn’t because of a pet. They’re not usually interested in humans anyway! Just like how human lice are only interested in humans, and not pets. My sister’s friend’s son had some a few years ago and it was because of some pajamas she got him from a Salvation Army type store. Obviously its a rare thing, and not worth avoid those shops, but its worth checking into if you’ve recently bought anything new for her or your family or house in general.
Hmmm, it must be something like that, right? I can’t think of anything like that that we’ve brought in the house recently…but now I want to wash EVERYTHING IN SIGHT. Overreaction?
Not at all! I wouldn’t blame you for calling an exterminator if you can’t figure out the cause soon! I’d definitely keep Gwen out of the surrounding area of Lucy’s room though. We all know babies always react differently and usually worse to some things :/ hopefully you get it solved!
We actually had the pest control guy come out this morning and he couldn’t find anything, but he sprayed in Lucy’s room and around the outside of the house just in case and we can call again if we see anymore ticks. SO WEIRD.
Hi Haley!
First of all, I have been thinking about a Catholic bloggers’ conference all morning and then I read your post. I agree that it would be very cool indeed. I know I’m the new kid on the block, but I actually have experience organizing conferences. It was my job for a few years at a major university and ours was the largest one of the year. I bet we could get a sizeable crowd. I bet I know about 100 women who would want to come to it. I’ll keep pondering this…
In the meantime, here’s a new post that I wrote in frantic ecstacy after I saw the movie “Gravity”. I hope you like it!
http://through-a-glass-brightly.blogspot.com/2013/10/mission-abort-way-of-interpreting.html
Cheers,
Kathryn
I read your post the other day and thought it was fascinating, Kathryn. I haven’t seen Gravity, yet, and I still enjoyed it. I organized a conference when I worked at a university and it went just fine but it was NOT my gifting, haha. I hated all the details and just knew that the weekend of the conference I would realize I’d forgotten something essential like CHAIRS. Terrifying. Details….someone do them for me!
Oh, man. I grew up in the south, but now we live in Lyme’s country, and I’m suddenly terrified of ticks. LOTS of sympathy here.
Here’s a link with a recipe to take your mind off it (I haven’t tried it yet, but. . .it’s so perfect for Autumn!): http://ourmothersdaughters.blogspot.com/2013/10/roasted-squash-salad-sortof-recipe.html
And here’s a link with food for thought and growth: http://www.feminagirls.com/2013/10/23/incomplete-answers/
And here’s hoping this week takes a turn for the better!
Thanks, Alicia! They are gross gross gross. And you can imagine how super fun it was to remove 15 from a 2-year-old who was SO cooperative….ahem
Thanks for the links
Oh my sweet goodness that is all kinds of horrifying!!!
But, lest you think you’re the only one with a case of the Mondays, I had the treat of taking all three kids to have Lily’s face and bum checked out. It seems she’s got a diaper rash that’s gone fungal (ack!!) and a fast spreading bacterial rash on her face (bonus!). Don’t worry, though, it really only spreads person to person through direct contact…like when giving sloppy kisses to the one month old, which happens 24/7 around here. So we’ve got that going for us…
Deep breaths and soldier on, right?
Completely unrelated, but I just finished all of Call the Midwife. SO good!! Thanks for the recommendation!
Ahh! Fungal rash! That sounds terrible. So sorry, Mary Susan! Solidarity, sister.
And Call the Midwife! Ahhh! I can’t wait for the next season. ; )
Here we go again . . .
I just wrote a post about Call the Midwife. I’m not sure when I’ll post it, next week or the next after that. But you may wish to prepare your response!
Haha! I love me some Call the Midwife. That isn’t to say that some of the episodes didn’t disgust me and make me furious. Also, I always want to emphasize to people that they’re ANGLICAN nuns, NOT CATHOLIC NUNS, because of some of their crazy statements. So, anyhow, I might agree with some of your criticisms.
You know Colleen?!? Her voice is just…oh…just so stunning. I was at the conference in Buffalo that she did and it was so beautiful.
A Catholic women’s blogging conference sounds awesome. Do it!!
Sorry bout the ticks. No advice just sympathies
Colleen is the BEST! We knew each other in high school (did musical theatre together) and then got reconnected when we moved back to FL post-college. She’s Lucy’s godmother and the sweetest gal you’ll ever meet. I’m trying to convince her to record some of the Catholic kids songs she writes for her boys because they are ah-mazing and we need something like that! Seriously, let’s do this.
Poor Lucy! I can’t begin to guess how she got so many ticks. But tick season will be over soon, thanks be to God! I’m glad you had a refreshing weekend before jumping into today.
Thanks, Mary
pouring you the most epic of cocktails, m’dear.
oof.
So enjoying my imaginary drink
Making it a reality just after the kids’ bedtime.
Yes women’s catholic conference!! Wonder if we could bribe Jen Fulwiler with baby sitting and alcohol?
Well, there’s the Behold Catholic Women’s Conference that I really want to go to in March….don’t think I can swing the plane ticket but MAYBE. But there’s not a Catholic Women’s Blogging Conference!
Yes.
Catholic bloggers conference… can this please happen? Tell me the when/where and I will be sure to come.
Hmmm, maybe there’s more interest than I thought there would be! I wonder how far people would be willing to travel and if I could draw them in with the allure of Florida in the winter or something?
Catholic lady blogging conference sounds like one of the happiest of weekends there could be. I’m definitely interested.
I hope your tick situation is resolved quickly; I’ve never heard of such a thing! Poor Luc.
Seriously! I mean, I’m not a perfect housekeeper but a tick infestation is really a bit much, haha. Hopeuflly we’ll figure it all out tomorrow when the pest people come. So weird!
Can we pleeeease hang out!? <3
Only my deepest sympathies on the tick front.
poor baby girl!
I am so new to the blogging world, but I would LOVE a Catholic Women’s blogging conference! Any chance to get away and meet other like minded women :: I’m game!
We should do it
Ewwwwwww! You poor Momma! I hope your Monday gets better! The conference sounds wonderful
Thanks, Rachel!
What a day for you! I inexplicably have some extra energy today so, thought the power of the internet, I send you some of my mommy powers! Seriously though, keeping you (and especially little Lucy) in prayer. Hang in there!
I’ll take ’em! Thanks, Lilla
Count me in for a Catholic blogging conference ! Will help in any way! But don’t you just love Ann?!
Ann seems like the dearest soul. I haven’t read her books, yet.
Oh nooo, that sounds awful! Poor little girl and poor mama! Hope she feels better soon!
Thanks
Catholic blogging conference: YES.
Away from western PA winter: double YES.
Ticks: NO!
Last year the hubz woke up and was scratching his leg. He said, “Huh, look at that. I have a tick.” My least favorite four letter word. God bless you girl I’m 100% certain you handled it better than I did…. I RAN. I think he said something about me getting it out, couldn’t reach, must have been in the sheets. Who knows, I yelled “call your mother!” and ran down the stairs in full blown panic mode. Not my proudest moment. But I mean, TICKS. Prayers for you (strong mama!) and your sweet one.
hahaha!
Heya Haley,
Let’s get a conference in the works, for realz! Think of all the amazing speakers we could have! Simcha gave a talk at our recent Catholic Women Rejoice conference up here in WA, and she’s fantastic. Sr. Miriam Heidland had us all in tears… Catholic women have some powerful messages to spread! Nuff said.
I just read this article on being a Christian single, and while it doesn’t apply to me at this point, it’s poignant for some of my closest female friends (and sisters):
http://convergemagazine.com/single-waiting-9283/
Sorry about the ticks… As the mom of littles, that sounds absolutely terrifying, and bugs don’t usually bug (hardy har har) me!
Hey, let’s do it! Would you fly all the way to FL?
Um, HECK YES! Especially if it’s during our “winter” aka the wettest, greyest, grossest 6 months ever! The vitamin D would absolutely be worth it! And the awesome Catholic women…of course *said while dreaming of sunshine*
Oh my goodness: I know a couple Canadian Catholic bloggers who would definitely try to find a way to go to Florida for a conference!
Oh no on the tick front! I have a cat flea infestation once… it was so horrid that I did move!! :S
Prayers for a better Tuesday!
Thanks, Melody
Omigoshomigoshomigosh. That poor baby! I have no idea how this happened to you guys, but y’all have my prayers.
Thank you!
I will start a blog so I can go. I would love to meet all the people I stalk on the internet.
Do it, friend! I’d read it.
That’s an awfully weighty task you’re volunteering me for…..but man it sounds fun. You dream big Haley and I love that about you. I’ll do it IF you can get Simcha
I believe in you, Kaitlin. I know your mad skills.
I’m DYING over these pics. I mean, Kara already posted that gorgeous one at her blog and I swooned over it there, but seriously. (I would attend an ecumenical conference like you’re dreaming of in a heartbeat.)
You are going to have to update us about these ticks and soon. {shudder} Poor girl. (Poor mama!)
Wish you had been there, Anne! Wouldn’t that kind of conference be cool, Anne? Sometimes it feels like there are separate circles of Christian bloggers and it would be awesome to join forces.
And Terminix came and couldn’t find ticks! They sprayed around the outside and just in that room, but the mystery is still unsolved. No more on anybody, though, so that’s good news.
A Catholic blogging conference sounds like an awesome idea!!
Ticks … ugh, oh my gosh. Your poor little girl … and poor mama! I can’t even imagine. Were they deer ticks or just regular ones?
I think just little seed ticks? They were teensy tiny.
Ew ew ew TWELVE to FIFTEEN ticks???? What the WHAT???? The only time I’ve ever seen them is on people or dogs who have been outside. But from her crib???? No. Does not compute.
If you’re going to do a Catholic women’s blogging conference, you have to invite my daughters.
Meg: http://www.piercedhands.com/100-ways-missionary/ (pretty good one)
Rosie: http://rosie-ablogformymom.blogspot.com/2013/10/quotes-from-kiddos-volume-million.html (one of her very funniest)
Seriously, you have to ask Meg to do a session. Read her blog and all. I know, I know, I’m her mom so I must be biased—but she really is good. Ask anybody who has heard her present/teach/speak. She sings, too. Well, Rosie sings better (which Meg will readily admit), but they can do a duet. The three of us did a trio once at a funeral that people liked, but I don’t blog. Much. That anybody knows about.
The tick thing is still a mystery! Terminix couldn’t find anything which at least relieves my mind that ticks aren’t crawling through our house ready to attack at any second. I love Meg’s blog!
I’ve been following your blog for several months (love it!), but I think this is my first time to comment. I just have to say–yay Colleen! I was a student at Vanderbilt when she lead worship for Sunday Masses. Tell her Charles and Erica say hi next time you see her.
Oh, small world! She is the bestest! I’ll pass on the message
Love the idea of a Catholic bloggers conference! How scary about the ticks!! I cracked up about your story of Lucy and Benjamin trying to sleep together. Hope your week improves…
Aw, thanks, Jennifer. Today was much better. They are having a ball in there right now. I’m trying to decide if the noise level is preferable to them not getting out of bed a million times to ask us for stuff because they’re happily occupied being together
I love love love the idea of a Catholic bloggers conference! And so sorry about the sickness and ticks. I hope they are gone already!!
No ticks today! Thanks, Francine ; )
I’d be in for a Catholic bloggers’ conference!!
Yay!
Advice you didn’t want to have to hear:
Sleep in clothing with elastic around the waist, leg holes, and arm holes, and with a crew neck (so… sweat suit would be good). The ticks will stop at the elastic waist and settle there, so you will be able to control their movement a bit. Sleep with your hair pulled back in a pony. Again, they’ll stop at the hairline and wont go any further.
And, also, ticks can survive the washing machine, so put them through a proper dryer (possibly twice).
Source: I used to work in forestry and I had anywhere from 2-8 ticks on me every day as I came home.
Well, thankfully we didn’t have any on anyone today, so maybe it was a fluke? Terminix couldn’t find one anywhere in the house so….crossing my fingers. Thanks for the good advice, though!
Poor Lucy (and you too, Mama!) Hope you get it all resolved quickly!
And YES for a Catholic woman’s blogging conference!!
Are you sure the ticks aren’t bedbugs? Especially if you’ve been traveling you might have brought them home from somewhere else. Have someone look at the critter under a microscope.
Pretty sure! The pediatrician looked at them under a microscope.
I read this post a few days ago but couldn’t respond so I’m back now to basically say I know Colleen Nixon! Okay, I don’t really know her, but she’s good friends with two of MY good friends (and sang at both their weddings). And her brother in law Fr. Nixon is pretty awesome. The Pcola-T diocese is my home diocese. I miss it.
Okay, that’s all!
The idea of a Catholic women’s blogger conference is BRILLIANT!
I felt the same way at Allume a lot of the stuff was really elementary like all the service stuff..I teach confirmation and understand catholic social justice like the back of my hand. There is the Catholic New Media conference but that covers a lot of mediums besides blogs like podcasting, radio and vlogs. I’ve always wondered why there wasn’t a catholic bloggers conference. That would be cool. I’d help since I’m in Florida too