tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17276302350061745312012-02-16T03:32:20.383-06:00Tales of the Shepard FamilyKate Shepardnoreply@blogger.comBlogger431100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-87964377754407394402010-09-03T14:37:00.002-05:002010-09-03T14:48:31.676-05:00

I saw the writing on the wall, butterflies going south, a few yellow leaves falling, birds acting funny and the squirrels are busy, really busy. Last night the temperature was in the upper 40's. I'm going to have to start paying attention to this, the passion flower on my arbor probably won't like a whole lot of that. I hate to bring it in until it is absolutely needed. I'll have to cut most

austriakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351413160207605993noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-4105047015362253662009-04-01T11:14:00.003-05:002009-04-01T11:26:36.651-05:00

I'm not a very good blogger but I do try. Today I've started a sugarless, white flourless diet. Why? Because it's no good for you and it calls to me. Who's calling? Probably Candida in my system that makes me crave only sugar and have no interest in "real" food. So, I'm starving them out. Haha!Since I've craved sugar for as long as I can remember I suspect I am ridden with Candida and/or

austriakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351413160207605993noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-29593587876634216572009-01-13T11:05:00.004-06:002009-01-13T12:13:03.333-06:00

To prove that I am trying to follow my own advise I give you pictures of the 10 house plants I purchased at K&W Greenery. Yes, I know they won't do me much good hanging out in my new little greenhouse but hanging pots are hard to come by in sub-zero weather. If you have a favorite air cleaning house plant be sure to let me know! I'm always excited to procure a new plant. So far we have spider

austriakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351413160207605993noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-22256948084355276172009-01-06T11:01:00.004-06:002009-01-06T20:11:51.528-06:00

Since I have pretty much lost faith in mainstream medicine, I am determined to change my lifestyle to be the best advocate for my body and my family. I do not want them to have to go through again, what the last several months brought us. Watching out mother fade away over several months and really being helpless to stop it was/is very painful. Pancreatic cancer is a terrible disease. My mother

austriakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351413160207605993noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-46502266666880502192009-01-05T08:22:00.001-06:002009-01-05T08:24:37.968-06:00

To All,As some of you may have heard by now but our mother, Cynthia Thomas of Charletstown, RI, went to Heaven on Christmas Day, 25 December, 2008, after a short illness. She was surrounded by family and loved ones as we all celebrated Cindi's favorite day together.There will be a Memorial Celebration on Friday, January 2 at Wakefield Baptist Church, 236 Main Street, Wakefield, RI, 6-8pm. In lieu

austriakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351413160207605993noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-51862645952275450192008-10-09T19:38:00.005-05:002008-10-13T11:42:15.426-05:00

While staying with my parents to help out I have found some medical practice things that frustrate me. I'm going to try to respect my mom's privacy and stay about from specifics pertaining to her situation....think of this more of an overall frustration(s) with Mainstream thinking.Sam is 99.9% breastfed. Yes, I know he's nearly 11 months old but he seems to be doing just fine without "solid" food

austriakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351413160207605993noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-29885438052927863512008-09-18T15:52:00.004-05:002008-09-19T08:48:52.723-05:00

It's been weeks since I've posted last...hmmm let me think of some good reasons why. (Pictured left if my new little 2G MP3 player)I had been looking forward to September thinking things would slow down and we could catch up with life...but that doesn't seem to be the case. Morgan has meetings now and then, Awana on Wednesday night, I go to Curves 2-3 times a week, Pilates twice a week, Irish

austriakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351413160207605993noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-24429269810605324542008-08-27T18:00:00.002-05:002008-08-27T18:06:28.814-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT2fqQcEpF8I can't figure out how to Embed it... There are more on YouTube but none from the actual concert that I went to. I went to Louisville but she did concerts in Philly, Atlanta and Hollywood.

austriakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351413160207605993noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-70119396430450191432008-08-24T21:57:00.004-05:002008-08-24T22:00:49.805-05:00

Sam crawled across the couch, made it this far and crashed. He has taken to humming/singing himself to sleep. It's adorable.The other pictures are Sam "helping" me pack for a Pampered Chef show. I didn't get it done very fast...but it's ok.

austriakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351413160207605993noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-76401217476089852302008-08-19T15:55:00.004-05:002008-08-19T16:43:54.246-05:00

Recent news has gotten my dander up. As a disclaimer, I have nothing against these alternate lifestyles. I don't think it's the best, and certainly outside of God's design but I've have also known some very kind gay men back in my college days that treated women much better then some of the straight fellows out there.Some may know that we have been boycotting McDonald's since they paid $20,000 to

austriakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351413160207605993noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-18114984780607748992008-07-29T15:38:00.003-05:002008-07-29T15:56:43.071-05:00

Ok, so it's been a while since I blogged on here. Kirstie has said I should post at least once a week so I'll try to do better. Let's see.I have come down from the high of meeting Ms. Andrews. Although, I have been quietly contemplating when I could meet her again. Perhaps a book signing. My dream would be to have a proper English tea with her. I've been told that's not a crazy dream...I just

austriakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351413160207605993noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-44563138516670949622008-07-15T15:55:00.002-05:002008-07-15T15:58:56.843-05:00

Yes, that is Morgan and I standing with Julie Andrews, the one and only. This is however the only picture since we were too enthralled with the concert to think of taking pictures during it (without the flash of course.) At the post-concert party, picture taking was only allowed by the photographer...this is her offering.

austriakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351413160207605993noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-50937413016884569962008-07-15T11:25:00.005-05:002008-07-15T14:46:51.335-05:00

This is why you want to get a really good water filter...and I'm not talking those silly fridge filters or worse...Brita pitchers. One of these filters is new, the other was after a year of use. We use an E-Spring water filter (well, an older version of E-Spring)...mmm much tastier water!

austriakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351413160207605993noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-36808589748215905112008-07-13T20:10:00.005-05:002008-07-13T21:02:35.441-05:00

The concert was fabulous! The first time she walked on stage, dressed in a beautiful silver ball gown the entire audience sprang to their feet, applauded, cheered and made a lot of noise for quite some time. To this she responded "I haven't done anything yet!" The first half was a tribute to Rogers and Hammerstein. SHE SANG! Several times including "Funny Valentine." Most of the time it was in a

austriakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351413160207605993noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-63557504700361119752008-07-10T13:06:00.000-05:002008-07-10T13:09:11.013-05:00

Cloesest Morgan will ever get to being pregnant...

austriakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351413160207605993noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-8139714279440390202008-07-10T11:38:00.005-05:002008-07-10T11:51:17.476-05:00

Kate's folks visited us over the July 4th weekend and we took in a Milwaukee Brewers game. If you've been to a Brewers game you now about the sausage races (Polish Sausage won on the night we were there) and the Chicken Dance. Well sometime in the 5th or 6th inning the Brewers played the Chicken Dance for the 39,000 + in attendance.Here is Kate's offering . . . By the way . . . she did not

Morgan Shepardnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-86963238534356238172008-07-01T10:06:00.003-05:002008-07-01T10:44:30.177-05:00

Well almost! It's Tuesday! Why do I like Tuesdays? Because that is the day we get our new weekly dinner menus by email! So today we get to find out what sort of new yummy things we are going to be fixing for dinner!We have subscribed to Saving Dinner. They have several different "diets" to choose from and for around $30 a year they email you weekly (on TUESDAY!) 6 days of menus complete with

austriakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351413160207605993noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-45150209383419044402008-06-27T08:52:00.003-05:002008-06-27T09:07:58.891-05:00

Wednesday I had little sugar all day. I had my morning medicinal honey and a tiny bit of white Godiva chocolate with lunch...and by tiny I mean I've split the squares into fourths and had 1 of the divided pieces. Then in the evening we all went up to Madison for my Irish Step class. Afterwards Ben asked for ice cream because that is what we did last week. I agreed if we all split a small ice

austriakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351413160207605993noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-87060064795830857032008-06-26T13:51:00.002-05:002008-06-26T14:11:53.540-05:00

austriakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351413160207605993noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-53415382138360369622008-06-24T09:33:00.002-05:002008-06-24T09:39:18.660-05:00

The waters are supposed to have crested this weekend and should be going down now. I can't wait because the road closings have made it tricky to get to places in a speedy manner. I'll post more pictures later as Sam is a little handy at the moment.

austriakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351413160207605993noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-65365600083721048482008-06-19T14:13:00.003-05:002008-06-19T14:16:25.119-05:00

I bought a dress at Boston Store yesterday. It wasn't the one I went there to try on...that one cost a lot more and the fabric seemed to be prone to pulling. I found this one on the clearance rack. I have not been able to find the actual dress on the Internet...but I found the same brand and style in a different color. The one pictured is Black/nude and the one I bought is black/lavender...but it

austriakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351413160207605993noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-49007115802216422382008-06-12T08:41:00.013-05:002008-06-12T09:05:31.237-05:00

For those of you who don't know, (ie you aren't on Facebook or don't pay attention to status) Morgan and I have VIP tickets to meet Julie Andrews after a concert on July 11."Julie Andrews hosts a magical evening of musical gifts, old and new. Performed by five guest vocalists with Ms. Andrews narrating, the first half of the program takes audience members on a musical journey illuminating the

austriakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351413160207605993noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-6491396155877632602008-05-30T11:26:00.003-05:002008-05-30T11:48:59.788-05:00

Picture of Benjamin and I working in the white "Memorial" Garden this spring. This was before the bleeding heart took over and the peony had to be moved to saved it. So some of you may know I've gone on a sugar kick...or rather a lack there of. Before I went to AZ I had requested a book from the library; "Sugar Blues" by William Duffy. While in AZ my addiction to sugar became very real. Our

austriakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351413160207605993noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-22208751532271500292008-05-28T15:02:00.004-05:002008-05-28T15:30:30.609-05:00

Backyard looking towards the street just about a month ago... See? The snow melts...eventually. Feb 2008...one of the storms that brought about 100 inches of snow that season.November 2005

austriakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351413160207605993noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-88328328364240587012008-05-26T13:13:00.004-05:002008-05-26T13:24:20.703-05:00

We have a beautiful house for sale! Come on down and take a look!Anyway, perhaps someday we will get is sold but it's not looking too good with GM shutting down it's second shift. 500-600 workers are having to find employment elsewhere. In other news, Morgan and Josh went in together on a rototiller. Why you may ask? Because it is $80 a day to rent one and tilling is needed about twice a year.

austriakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351413160207605993noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-59762231059828757072008-04-25T13:59:00.003-05:002008-04-25T14:55:15.648-05:00

I really thought I had posted on here since mid-March. Some blog monster must have eaten it.Today we closed on a corner lot...so we are the proud owners of hunk of grass and weeds. 1114 Honeysuckle. Now we just need to get our house sold so we can start the building process. I'm going to drive over there and see if any spring flowers happen to be pre-planted there...a girl can dream.

austriakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351413160207605993noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-79122836704195519092008-03-12T11:09:00.001-05:002008-03-12T11:09:52.902-05:00

The snow might actually go away since we are expecting several days in the upper 40's. The heaps of snow will be around till May or so...In other news, we are considering selling the house and building new on the other side of town. SCARY! I am also mourning the potential loss of my beloved plants in my gardens. To mention them all by name.... 300+ tulips, two dozen asiatic lilies, star magnolia,

austriakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351413160207605993noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-21423282448317790242008-02-24T18:15:00.001-06:002008-02-24T18:15:14.590-06:00

Drumroll please! Today it hit a whopping 40 degrees! Yes, I was as shocked as you are. The 5 foot icicles fell off of the house (before we could get pictures of them) and we (well, Morgan and Ben to be exact) chipped the inches of ice off of the driveway. The biggest deal was it hit 70 in the house downstairs. We actually took our sweatshirts off! However as soon as the sun went down...the

austriakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351413160207605993noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-30784475105351221802008-01-04T11:52:00.000-06:002008-01-04T12:01:57.981-06:00

So in my quest to be healthier and provide optimal milk for Sam I have noticed something about the food in the USA. Unrefined foods which would be healthier because they have been messed with less, cost more. Refined foods which have gone though countless processes cost way less. For example whole milk costs more then skim. Refined white sugar costs way less then "raw" sugar which costs more

austriakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351413160207605993noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-81419075121117979002007-12-14T10:09:00.000-06:002007-12-14T15:50:53.116-06:00

Since last you tuned in I (Kate) have pondered a great many things. First, my belly button due to 2 little boy's pregnancies is no longer eligible for a belly piercing. I've always wanted to be "cute" or "cool" and have a little belly ring but it wouldn't be either to pierce the dimple that resides where the ring should go. Aww well. My husband will be glad to know I've given up on the idea as he

austriakatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16351413160207605993noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-42626296510594078202007-12-01T12:21:00.000-06:002007-12-01T12:31:38.461-06:00

So if you have not heard...Samuel Rodger Shepard arrived at 2:32 am on November 20th. He weighed 8lbs 6 ozs and was 20.25 in long. As of Nov 28th he was up to 9lbs and 22 in.He reminds us a lot of Ben in looks. Black hair and dark eyes. He has his dad's skin color. He is a quieter baby compared to what we remember about Ben's early days...This may to due to a calmer, second time

Kate Shepardnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-67281649493239776482007-11-16T08:16:00.001-06:002007-11-16T08:23:34.901-06:00

As of Tuesday, Baby Brother has turned into a good postion for birth, finally. Due to lack of space it isn't likely that he will be able to switch around again. He was hanging out a little left (left is better than right) at the appointment but now seems to be right in the center...which hopefully means he's about ready to be born.Due date (recently adjusted) was Wednesday...and we wait. My

Kate Shepardnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-92184376137922456202007-11-07T20:37:00.000-06:002007-11-07T21:03:50.210-06:00

On Saturday night some good friends came over and had a "Blessingway" for me. Basically its a time for an expectant mother to be honored by her friends as she waits for labor to begin. There are books and websites out there if your interested. Here's how this one went...Good friends brought over their idea of comfort food. The lights in the house were dimmed and many candles were lit for a soft

Kate Shepardnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-11009135523601376612007-11-04T22:33:00.000-06:002007-11-05T08:31:30.186-06:00

Five things your partner should never say (I borrowed this and also the earlier 5 things post)• "Mooooo!"• "Ouch — a paper cut. I wonder if this is what labor feels like."• "Is that a watermelon under your shirt or are you just glad to see me?"• "My father called again to ask about your cervix."• "Is that your underwear or did a parachute land on your butt?"Actual conversation between husband and

Kate Shepardnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-38288357680013582482007-11-02T13:12:00.001-05:002007-11-02T13:38:18.108-05:00

So I got a notice in the mail that I'm in a pool for possible jury duty. Such timing! I can't wait to explain to them our postpartum plans! Somehow I think the on-demand nursing schedule is going to conflict with their jury schedule. Pretty much the plan is for my to be in bed (or on the couch during the day) nursing baby brother for the first 2 weeks. That's it. Nurse, eat, sleep. After

Kate Shepardnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-10761483693135540112007-10-31T12:53:00.000-05:002007-10-31T13:03:46.215-05:00

As of yesterday around noon, baby brother was head down and transverse. To be exact he was ROT which means Right side, head down, Transverse. Mostly this means he's in between where we want him but right now still in a less ideal position. If your really interested in what this all means go to www.spinningbabies.com and look for the link of the left "Belly Mapping."We had pictures taken at

Kate Shepardnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-36501724965204630352007-10-26T15:46:00.000-05:002007-10-27T22:05:09.357-05:00

Baby brother is hanging out more posterior then I'd like. What does that mean? Means unless he turns (which I'm pretty sure he's done before and turned back) he'd be born "Sunny side up" or face up. What does that mean for labor? Could mean long back labor. So! We are praying that baby brother will turn...you are invited to join our prayers. :)In other news, I'd like to petition the clothing

Kate Shepardnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-36212439217359969242007-10-23T16:58:00.001-05:002007-10-24T09:28:30.788-05:00

Pictures of Benjamin and I on Saturday. I bought this dress to have something fallish to wear to church for the next several weeks. Be sure to check out the "Shepard Boys" blog (linked on the right) for updates on Benjamin and his brother when he arrives!

Kate Shepardnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-15512202849611111392007-10-19T15:40:00.000-05:002007-10-19T15:46:28.797-05:00

You know your late in pregnancy when someone at the grocery store walking by says "Whoa, she's gonna blow! Pop it out baby, pop it out!" Also I've noticed that people skip to asking me if it's a boy or girl...I guess the fact that I'm due soon is obvious. My friend tells me that this is the stage of pregnancy when women used to stay home in their house until after they had the baby. I'm

Kate Shepardnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-82101526372542685922007-10-11T17:11:00.000-05:002007-10-11T17:14:09.619-05:00

Not the cutest picture of the baby belly but oh well,it is what it is. I'll have to try for "better" pictures. hmmm..

Kate Shepardnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-31497134653285604502007-10-11T17:04:00.000-05:002007-10-19T19:25:08.236-05:00

Oh no! It's the yellow Monster! Nah its just Benjamin trying to get his shirt on. We've told him to put his head in his shirt before his arms...but he'll figure it out.

Kate Shepardnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-46451283387004740852007-10-05T14:54:00.000-05:002007-10-05T15:11:52.691-05:00

With the new movie coming out shortly and my fascination with royalty, queens in particular (even better if they are redheads) I find myself drawn to Elizabeth I movies. So far my source has been the library. I've watched one by Masterpiece theatre and another by HBO mini series. I'm giving consideration to refering to myself in the plural first person as all "princes" would have in those days.

Kate Shepardnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1727630235006174531.post-12602648653766052272007-10-02T17:02:00.000-05:002007-10-02T17:09:35.436-05:00

Its on! Benjamin was doing quite well with potty "learning" but the last several days have been...frustrating. Today he has only really gone in his clothing and I'm ready to throw the towel in. He now wants some pants to wear. (he's running around in a T-shirt and undies.) I've told him that when he can show me he will keep them clean, he can have some pants to wear.It has been suggested

Kate Shepardnoreply@blogger.com0