The Thankful Project: 28-30 + WILD GINGER IS HERE!

Day 28: The Anti-Decorator a.k.a. Nathan

On this day, the Friday after Thanksgiving, all those who side with me and choose to give Thanksgiving it's rightful glory, put their Christmas decorations up today (I will not pretend and hide my bitterness for the commercial world that tries to overlook the greatness that is Thanksgiving...boo hisss!)  I am so thankful for my dear sweet, wonderful husband, a.k.a. the Anti-Decorator.  This means that anything remotely seasonal is HUGE.  The downfall, is that any small tree besides the actual Christmas tree decoratively placed around the house is TOOOO much.  I bet if I asked now, he would whip out some bag/box/large container and be ready to take any other decor resembling the shape of a Christmas tree straight to the nearest Salvation Army (He knows I would be so angry if he burned it b/c someone else wouldn't be able to enjoy the Christmas Cheer!)  I love him for this quality though, because I will never disappoint him with my decoration skills...and I love to see how irritated he gets when there's another mini Christmas tree each year.  He's so cute when he's irritated.

Day 29: Austin & Madison

These two wonderful, dear sweet children deleted all the data on my phone Friday night before bed. This taught be a few great lessons.

1. Don't leave my phone in their reach.
2. Back up pictures and music on your phone to your computer...especially when you have a newborn and you primarily take most of your pictures with your phone.
3. DON'T PUT SO MUCH HEART AND SOUL INTO THAT THING THAT IS YOUR PHONE.  It can disappear at any point. Humbling really...

Day 30: WILD GINGER

It's happening!  I'm doing it!  I'm going Blog-stal....Postal + Blogger! (or should it be Pogger...) Yeah, I just made that up, but still!  Check it out!  I am combining my blog and my business, and I'm making it bigger.  I've decided that if I really want to take steps toward being a stay-at-home mom, I have to take this HUGE step!

So, this will be my last post here.
Now, click here and enter into the new world that is WILD GINGER.

No worries.  I will keep this blog here until the end of the year so you can click through, but make
www.wildgingerblog.com one of you favorites!  Make the switch!  It will be so much easier!  Well, and way more entertaining since I wont be posting here anymore... duh.

The Thankful Project: Days 10-21

This is about the point we people start thinking in their head..."Well,maybe she is ungreatful!"  

This was about the time I stopped last year...BUT  I'M PUSHING THROUGH!  

Day 10: My Job!  

Not only do I get to work around some awesome people and some stellar kids, I get the summers off!  LOVE IT!

Day 11: Small Town Life

We do football and Caseys and muddin' and stuff.  We drive tractors to school and take off work and school for the first day of *insert animal that you plan to kill here* season.  Everyone knows everyone and, like 'em or not, still is there when you need help.  Yup, we're staying.  

Day 12: Diet Pepsi... nuff said.

Day 13:  Hairbands

I'm at that point in life where I can count on one hand the day withing the last month that my hair as stayed down all day.  It's a mom thing I think...Tess has some grabby hands. 

Day 14: Bacon...again nuff said. 

Day 15: eMeals  

I'll blog more about this one later with LOTS of details, but on the night of the 15th, I sat down at the kitchen table with my meal plans from emails and my thanksgiving plans, wrote out my shopping list for the rest of the month, and now, I know exactly what food is and that we have what we need for every night until Dec. 1!

Day 16: Bedtimes

Within these last few weeks, I have gotten sooo much done after 8:30p and it's crazy!  I forgot what it was like to have an evening to myself.  It's been a long time!

Day 17: Photoshop...it makes dreams reality. (At least on paper :)

Day 18: Chocolate

Dove Chocolate particularly, and if there's caramel in it, extra points!

Day 19: Guatemala

It has been decided!  This summer, I am headed to Guatemala City for a mission trip!  There will be twelve of us going.  I'm pumped!

Day 20: Red hair

I'm of the 2%!  If I didn't think I was special, I do now! And I'm even luckier that I past it on to my sweet peas. 

Day 21: IT'S FRIDAY!  

Some weeks it's like, "Oh yeah! It's friday! I forgot."  But today it was, "Praise the good and sweet Heavenly Father Above, IT'S FRIDAY!!"

BOOM! Caught up!

The Thankful Project: Weekend Edition 6-9

Day 1: End of Football
Day 2: Gilmore Girls
Day 3: Mascara
Day 4: The Smiles
Day 5: Coffee

The Thankful Project: Day 6-9

Day 6: Sleep
 ... no explanation required.

Day 7: Chalkboard Paint

Yes, i am thankful for chalkboard paint.  It's easy artwork for the walls that can change...and i love change...i thrive off of change...

I make this Thursday night.  Ruthie already is in the habit of taking her shoes off and hanging her coat up right when she walks in.  AWESOME!

Day 8: No pants Saturdays

Shortly after Nathan and I got married, I was introduced to this...and it's everything it's cracked up to be (no pun intended).  It is sometimes literal, yes...(if it's T.M.I. sorry), but it's more so the idea that we got nothin' to do and MAN am i thankful for THOSE Saturdays.  I don't believe one is in our future again for a very long time.

Day 9: Mom

It's Mom's birthday today!  She's turning.....drum roll please.....into an even younger looking person than she looked last year!  *psh...I'm no dumbie.*

10 Reason's I'm Thankful for my mom in just this Past Month

1. She came over and helped me clean up my house.
2. She helps watch the girls every Wednesday so I can be a part of the church Christmas Choir.
3. She offered to take the girls while Nathan and I go on vacation in December.
4. She made a valiant effort along with Dad to come to Nathan's football games.
5. She went on the Spoon River Drive with Brittany and I ...and Tes and Bells.
6. She encouraged me on my Apple week blog post.
7. She watched the girls last weekend and church while I had to be at a meeting and so Nathan could hunt. 
8. She's committed to helping paint my kitchen cabinets when I finally get the go ahead from my darling husband to do so.
9. She is letting me host Thanksgiving.
10. She still gives me hugs and kisses everything I see her!

Happy **muffle**th Birthday Mom!  Love you to the moon!

Ruthie put on a birthday hat and starting singing Happy Brif - day!  I'll see if I can snag a recording!

The Thankful Project: Days 3-5

Day 3: Mascara

I'm not sure if anyone really appreciates mascara more than a blond-eyelashes girl.  Yes, yes...this may seem silly to a brunette or one with dark features, but to a ginger or toe blonde, MAN the power of mascara is almost a crutch.

Wow, I didnt realize the creepy-ness of this photo until now, but it solidifies my point.  POP!

Day 4: The Smiles...

Oh, sweet cheese, the SMILES!  

Cue bad day...

"Ruthie, will you take your passie out and smile for mommy?  I'm having a bad day."

*muffled* "Otay, Mommy." *takes passie out...* "Cheeeeeeese."

"Oh, thank you, sweet girl.  That was wonderful."

"Yous we-come, mommy."  *puts passie back in*

With Tess, you just have to look at her with a side eye and she thinks that's funny.  

Sigh...I'm printing this picture out for my office.  It can really make and day better. 

Day 5: Coffee

The smell, the taste, the effects...COFFEE...

Favorite brand, you ask?  INTELLIGENTSIA

And, where might you find that?  Cyds!  (Hey cool kats!  Miss you!) You can drink and buy it there...they also sell it at Fresh Market here in town, but please try it!  

Thankful Project & InstaFunday Sunday

It's November which means..... TIME FOR THE "THANKFUL PROJECT!"  My theme this year is, "The Little Things."  

I want you to know that I purposefully didn't post yesterday, because I was waiting for the outcome of Nathan's football game.  So, now that I know they lost, I can say for November 1, I'm so thankful football is OVER!  I'm so grateful for football and we love the games and the coaches and families....BUT THANK YOU SWEET JESUS we are done!

November 2:  I am thankful for the Gilmore Girls.  With normal television shows you go comatose and just stare.  With GG, you have to concentrate sooo hard...they talk sooooo fast.  I've started Season One and Ashley has them all.  Trying to guess how long this will take me.  

Insta-Funday Sunday: My weekly review in pictures... here goes...

Cheap wall art...string, spray paint, and sharpies...love it.  

Nathan's birthday was Wednesday.  He's 27.  Look at how little him and Josh were!!!

At Nana's retirement party.  She snagged 5 cupcakes...

#tbt  Comparing Ruthie's Sushi costume to Tess's Deviled Egg Costume.

I'm pretty sure I wore the ears longer than Ruthie.  

Last night, while Nathan was at his play off game, I made dinner with all things he doesn't like...
Three Cheese Leek & Potato Pizza  soooooo tasty.

EVERYONE HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEK!  

InstaFunday Sunday

Nothin' too crazy this week...

InstaFunday Sunday is just a way I post my past week at a glance...and to motivate myself to take more pictures.

A new fav picture of Ruthie...sooo happy.

Tessa Faces...She's a talking fool.  

APPLESAUCE!  So yummy...yummy in my belly.

Mommy's quiet time yesterday afternoon.  

Wecipe Wednesday: Apple Week Edition

Part One:  "I Declare this APPLE WEEK!"

So I've been feeling realllly discourages...like boarder line depressed.  (Yeah, I'll be transparent.) Ruthie is all in on the "terrible twos."  There's nothing stopping her.  Tess is officially out of the newborn "sleep all the time" stage and is in the coo-ing and "look how cute I am/talk to me" stage.

Those two stages mixed together + dirty house + football coach husband + LOTS o' laundry + work + *enter whatever else you want here* = the guilty failure feeling of a mother that I have become.

Now I know I'm not a failure, but the guilt that I was feeling of being a working mom and not taking care of my own children (Julie, I love you...I couldn't ask for a better sitter) was laid on thick.  AND, I was getting anxious and upset about my dirty house, so I hired a cleaning lady (Heather, you're my hero).  Those combined have been tearing me apart.  Like I was incapable of being a mom/wife.  And icing on the cake was that Nathan hasn't really been home at all with football practices and games.  We agreed to it, so I'm not upset with him, but it adds, ya know...

So, Ashley (aka Ashes aka Sister in Law) asked if we wanted to go to Tanners Apple Orchard here near us and I thought it was perfect.  Ruthie is at the perfect age where she will enjoy the animals and Tess is still at the "take me anywhere as long as I'm strapped into the Moby and warm" stage...(wow, I didn't know until I starting typing how many stages there are:).

So here are some of our favoritest pictures from the festivities.

She liked the llamas the best, but she only wanted to feed them one pellet at a time, and they weren't too happy about that.

I see one of these in her near future.  She would have done this 10 more times. 

Slides...if there was a swing set with 4 different slides on it, that would be Ruthie's.

APPLE PICKING!  I love this one, because of Tess looking at the apple.  

This was a slight issue, but we were pretty leanent.  Every time Rue would pick an apple, she would want to take a bite of out it.  I brought one or two home like that.  

She made my heart so happy with how much fun she had.  

It was the perfect antitdote for my aching heart.  Ruthie was happy...Tess was content and I got to spend quality time with my girls. 

Part Two: Wecipie Wednesday, Apple Pies

In continuation of Apple Week, I made apple pies.  We are having a potluck at school tomorrow, and I just happen to have a TON of apples from this weekend. 

I ended up making two different apple pies.  Via Facebook, I went with the peoples' choice and made a crunch top apple pie.  Then, when Nathan heard that I was making apple pie and not keeping any here at home, I decided to cut up a few extra apples and make the Pioneer Woman's Flat Apple Pie (Thanks, Ree!)

*Attempting food blogging again…

I would have to say that apple pie is one of my favorite pies to make, because of this...

God Bless this WONDERFUL tool!  I can peel and core 8 apples in 5 minutes!  I used 8 golden delicious apples, but it's recomended that you use Granny Smiths and Fujis for their tartness.  My pies will definitely not be short on sweetness.  

And it makes the PERFECT size apples!  I then added 4 T of flour, 3/4 c. brown sugar, 2 T lemon juice, 1/2 tsp of cinnamon and about 1/8 tsp of salt.  

NOTE:  Don't throw these away immediately.  You will need something to snack on after you're famished from putting the pies together, and something to feed your daughter when she comes in a million times asking, "What you do-een, Mommy?"

Yes, I cheated and used frozen pie crust.  Maybe when I have a four year old, I'll make my own again, but not happening tonight.  I dished 2/3 of the apples into the pie crust making the middle a little taller.  I cut up 3 T of real butter and randomly placed them over the apples.  Then, in another bowl, I cut together, 1/4 c. brown sugar, 1/8 c. white sugar, 1/4 c. flour, about 1/8 c. rolled oats, 1/8 c. chopped pecans and 1/4 tsp of cinnamon with 3 T of butter. 

Then I evenly distributed it across the top of the pie and placed in a preheated oven at 425 degrees for 10 min.  Then, I knocked the temp down to 350 and finished it out for another 35 minutes.  If you notice the crust getting too brown, take it out and lightly cover it with foil.  Works like a champ.

Then, I had one extra dough roll and about 3 c. of apples.  Easy solution...Ree makes these Flat Apple Pies that are soooo easy and very portable if you need them on the go.  I opened up the dough on my pizza stone (i use it for WAY more than just pizza) and rolled it out so I could get an extra few inches on each side.  

Then i put the rest of the apples in the center, put 4-5 one inch cubes of butter over the apples and starting folding up the sides over the apples.  It doesnt have to look pretty, It looks so rustic and yummy and home made looking!  

Then, I just put it in the oven.  It cooked at 375 for about 30 minutes.  Basically, you just cook it to the doneness of the color of the crust you like.  

HERE ARE MY FINAL PRODUCTS!

Um...I'm eating this right now, and beside having a burnt tongue because I cant stop, it's AMAZING.

My yummy apple pie...If I work with you, I hope you enjoy during lunch tomorrow.  If I could send you the smell in my house right now, I totally would.

Oh, how I love cooking...especially extremely yummy things.  

Enjoy,

Burnt Tongue

Insta-Funday Sunday (is back!! )

I know...I know...  It's been a long time!  But I'm coming back with a vingence! 

We went out to help Nathan check his deer cameras and got an absolutely fabulous sunset in the process.  Country life at it's finest...that and praying he didn't pop one of my tires by driving through the corn field. 

Us doing our very best to stay warm (and entertained) at Daddy's football game.

Our trip to Tanners for the year!  We loved the llamas & slides...lots more pictures to be posted soon. 

At a Miss Rodeo Illinois trap shoot for the one and only Katie Perry! Got all the shotgun shells I could ever dream of.  My Pinterest brain is going crazy! 

(if you saw my Pinterest board you might see my obsession)

Be watching facebook... More pictures to be posted of this weekend festivities! 

One Month & Two Years

Yes…yes…I know…I’m sorry for the delay.  Let me give you a preview of my last month and hopefully you’ll understand (If you don’t, you’re heartless!).

Tessa Lee Wineinger

Yes!  That’s right!  She’s 1 month old.  Already.  I know.  

I’m sorry I made no formal introduction for her.  So here’s a bulleted list of all her wonderfulness:

• She was born July 13, 2014 – planned C-section
• She arrived at 2:12pm; 6 lb 13 oz. and 19 inches long.
• The day was surreal.  I got up took a shower, got ready, took the dogs for a walk, we left for the hospital, made a few errands, and arrived and sat down in a room.  I changed my clothes, talked to a few people, they put an IV in my hand & then I headed into the operating room for the C-Section.We stayed in the hospital 3 days.  She slept in the room next to my bed every night AND I LOVED IT!  
• Ruthie calls her “Baby Bessa.”  She gives her kisses and really awkward hugs and makes it her purpose to make sure Tess’s passie is always in.  
• We call her our little piggy.  She was below her birth weight for only 3 days.  I’m almost positive she’s above 8 pounds already.  Maybe I'm just used to small babies, but I still think she's eating LOTS.
• She has the most active hands and generally doesn't enjoy being swaddled or confined.  Her hands are usually up by her eyes or face.
• She’s just about as laid back as Ruthie.  We are already up to a 6-hour stretch of sleep at night.  For a month old, I’m stoked! 

Ruthie May Wineinger

She’s growing like a weed!  She turned 2 on 8/9!  

We were at the doctor yesterday and she is perfectly healthy.  We weighs a whopping 23 lbs.  I know a hand-full of kids under the age of 1 that weigh more than her, so I giggle when I hear her weight.  She’s loving this “big sister” thing.  Her bulleted list (seems only fair):

• She watches Frozen AT LEAST once a day. 
• If you want to be her BEST FRIEND, all you have to do is blow bubbles with her. 
• We were sitting in the drs office yesterday, and she was talking about everyone she knew, and Mickey & Pluto, and how the bubbles tickled Daisy (don’t worry…Mickey Mouse Club House) and the dr looked at me, “Does she always talk like this??”  I replied, “All day long…”  She laughed and commented that she is the most independent yet competent 2-year old she’s seen in a while.  I took it as a compliment.  
• She’s just now getting into 18 mo clothing.  I’m pretty much loving this!  Her wardrobe is lasting twice as long.
• She slept in her big girl bed for her nap today for the first time!  AWESOME!

I took my first Mom’s Morning out this AM.  Thanks to Kayli and her sisters, they watched the girls while I took a much needed break and ran errands by myself.  Generally, it was just nice to have conversations with someone older than 2.  I ran into my friend, Laura, at HyVee and she was saying how everything gets done so much quicker without the kids…I laughed and said, "You bet!”  Then I realized I was late, and I actually took longer, because I had a chance to look at everything and not forget anything on my list.

We’ve had a few scary moments.  On Tuesday, the dogs ran away for about an hour.  We were on a walk.  Note to self: Don’t text & walk.  Yeah…pretty bad.  Ruthie almost picked Tessa up the other day  to put her in her baby doll’s pack n play.  That was scary at the time, but humorous later.  I’m getting anxious about going back to work.  The mornings getting ready is going to be CRAZY!  But we’ll figure it out….we have to.  

Lastly, if I don't update for an extended period of time again I'm sorry.  As of Monday, I have become a football widow again. I'll do my best, but no promises.  I have TONS of great blog ideas...we'll just see if they make it on here. 

To Our Aunts and Uncles....

For 5 VERY important (and often talked about) people in my house...

To the aunt who has the best snacks...who takes great pictures...who's super creative...and who provides the best play buddies, Be-ya (Bella) & Yah-ya (Layla)

Aunt Nitny  

To the uncle who's name Rue got first...who gives the best hugs...who will probably be the giver of the girls' Nikes!  :)

Uncle "D"  

To the aunt who's name comes out as a cuss word...who will give sour candies one after the other solely for the funny faces...who will burp the snot out of anyone...who is by far the most chattered about around our house...

Aunt Asses *supposed to be Ashes*

To the uncle we know and talk about, but just met...who came home for both births...who helps with anything he can...and serves his country and family proud.

To the uncle who left again today to head back to CA for his second deployment...Rue asked about him all day today...who plays with his drink coasters with his pictures in them...

Uncle Dake 

*gonna miss you...proud of you...be safe...come home soon*

To the uncle who teaches bad things...who cuddles hands down the best....who may be the hardest on them besides mom and dad, but would give them the world...

Uncle Bubba

Getting ready for the family picture...Ruthie looks exasperated.  

D-DAY... or is it T-DAY

The day is here...We wake up at 8a, leave at 9a, arrive at 10a and she arrives around noon.

Am I ready?  Well...yes.  Not for the needles and the pain and all that stuff, but for Tessa's arrival I was ready 9 months ago.  It's that whole forget the pain for the purpose.

This is soooo polar opposite from last time!  I was so NOT prepared, but this time, I have the bags packed, the house is clean...for the most part...Ruthie's partying with Gigi & Papa Mark, I'm going to wake up and take a nice shower and get ready...It's crazy.  I think I love it.  The only downside is that I have all of tonight to anticipate (aka not sleep well) the surgery.

So, say a little prayer for us if you would tomorrow.

To Tessa, I can't stinkin' wait to meet you.  God has created you to by our daughter and I am so ready to find out why.  If something happens to me tomorrow, all these people will raise you right and teach you about a Savior that loves you more than me, and that's ALOT!  But it won't.  I'm going to be there to hold you (not first...that will be your dad) and kiss you and love on you like CRAZY!

Stay posted...we'll have pictures up soon...

To everyone else... thanks for your prayers.  We feel them already. *hug*

It's Rue's Day

It's a good thing that my child can't talk more than she does, because today if she would have asked for ANYTHING, i would have given it to her.  Today is Ruthie's last full day home with me as an only child.  She leaves in the morning with her Nana and Gampa Wineinger for the Church family mission trip, comes home late Friday afternoon and then goes with Gigi and Papa Mark Saturday to spend the night before Tess's delivery on Sunday.

This week will be so valuable getting TONS of stuff done around here, but HOLY MOMMY am I gonna miss her!  You know those annoying baby talk telephone conversations parents have with their toddlers?  I'm gonna be all over those this week.  I'm gonna make her sing me the the ABCs, Jesus Loves Me, Bushel & Peck, all those!

I may have spoiled her a little today...I gave her a fruit by the foot after breakfast, we watch at least 10 episodes of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, we met Daddy for lunch and ate pizza and I'm weird about her and ice, but i watched her like a hawk and we ate ice nuggets which was a HUGE treat that she LOVED.  Then, we came home and I gave her like 4 cookies, then we napped and went out to dinner with family.  We came home, watched Caillou and then I let her sing me all her songs as she stood in her crib procrastinating bedtime as I shed a few tears and gave her tons of kisses.

But she's going to have tons more blessings having a sister than being an only child...I just have to remember that.  No offense to the only children out there...


It's also mind blowing to think Tess will be here in 8 days...like single digits...What?  At the doc yesterday, she is about what they expect her to be size-wise and weighs 6 lbs 2 oz.  She's moving like a crazy amazon woman.  Oh, I experienced my first contraction ever yesterday morning!  Praise God I got to bypass those the first time.  Shoot! And to think they only get more painful.  I chuckle inside thinking about that big sis picture where Tess will be laying on Rue's lap with one of us helping her, and Tess is going to be HUGE, like 1/2 her size.

They'll be in the same size clothes in a a year...I'm calling it!
Ok, off to go wallow in my "did we have enough fun today?" pool of pity.

over-emotional, very pregger, heartburn central, & VERY
winey wife

The Blog o' Lists

My To- DONE List

• All the old carpet is out of the house!  (I’m going to get some before/after pictures up soon)
• Laminate floors in the kitchen and the dining room
• Moved the washer & dryer down to the basement
• Created a pantry in the kitchen
• Sorted all of Ruthie’s clothes and organized them by size
• Set up Ruthie’s big girl bed
• Finished TONS of little projects around the house
• Threw a successful baby shower this last weekend
• Made some awesome animal hats for this year’s VBS
• Finished sewing/hanging curtains in the living room

The To- Do List (get done before TL arrives)

• Finish painting Ruthie’s dresser for her room (then Rue’s room will be READY!)
• Get another Baby Monitor
• Pay off Ruthie’s medical Bills (argh)
• Wire lights and fans in rooms upstairs
• Get AC officially working in the house (don’t worry…we aren’t HOT by any means!  But it would be nice if the central air was working)
• Finish Ruthie’s One Year Photo Book
• Deep Clean my car and the car seats
• Finish Banister at the top of the stairs
• Mount the baby gate at the top of the steps
• Sew throw pillows
• Hang pictures- pretty up the house
• Fix Dryer….yea. It broke last night. 
• Yeah…I still have some work to do at School.  Secretary how-tos for my sub and final bank statements for the fiscal year.

The Tessa Leigh Count Down

• 2 Days- Last weekend home by myself with Rue.  Nate’s on a fishing trip
• 4 Days- Last Public Outing.  Troy & Rachael’s wedding (Last time I have to look good J)
• 11 Days- Ruthie leaves for her first trip w/o her parents.  Nathan’s parents are taking her on the family mission trip to Alabama. 
• 19 Days- Tessa’s Due date…Now, Sunday, July 13 at 12noon.  I’ve learned my lesson to see that she’s going to arrive on that date.  She’ll prove me wrong. 

19 DAYS!! Holy Cow!  I look it though.  Nathan let me go get a pedicure the other day.  I haven’t been able to touch my feet in like…a week and a half, so it was much needed.  Ruthie and I have been enjoying our days off of school.  Lots of bubbles, and blueberries…we went to the pool, we watch thousands of episodes of Mickey Mouse Club House. 

Her new thing…singing.  All the time. To Mickey…Lots of Jesus Loves Me… ABCs…Caillou.  EVERYTHING!  We have also hit the stage where we are concerned about what things look like.  We have to have a particular juice glass.  She will bring me things to put in her hair…”Pretty,” she says and hands me a rubber band.  Food has to look good now or else she won’t eat it. 

I’m anxious/nervous for TL’s arrival and what Rue will do.  She will be excited with baby at the beginning, but then I think she’ll be like, “Ok mommy.  Take her back to where she came from so it’s just me again.” 

Oh the power of BUBBLES!

Playing with Uncle Jake's Helmet.  Those would be hands holding her up, b/c every time she moved, it was so heavy, she would fall over.