A Witch in the Tea Closet

The Tea Witch's Word of the Year (Pt. 2)

2012-02-13T11:27:00.000-06:00

Please refer to the post directly under this one for the actual word. Thank you.

Ok....so I've done some thinking on this over the past few days and here's what I've come up with. This word sucks giant monkey balls. Seriously. I demand a reshuffle *stares pointedly at the self-care cards that I used for this whole thing*. Ok...now that I've had my mini-tantrum, let's get on with the good stuff.

According to dictionary.com "Trust" is defined as: 1. reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc., of a person or thing; confidence; 2. confident expectation of something; hope.
**There are a billion and a half other directions under these two...but I am not spending the time messing with all of those**

But I did notice that the second definition has one of my two favorite words in it. "Hope". I love that word a lot. I believe (another one of my favorite words) that if you don't have hope....you have nothing. This makes me feel like this word...that weird T word...is my word of the year for a reason.

After putting up the Pt. 1 post...my good friend Hippy Jersey Devil posted a comment on it. And that got my wheels turning (random moment of a CCR song just popped up in my head...lol). She made a mention of how she doesn't trust herself anymore. I read that and my brain, soul, gut instinct, etc, etc, etc. perked up all their ears at once. Oh yes...it was like a mini electric pulse went shooting from my brain to my toes. I had a Eureka moment folks...and that is some scary stuff right there. LOL.

I have spent years living in self-doubt. I've gotten so used to the inner critic and her whiny, bitchy voice that it's almost like second nature. I do anything, anything at all and she's there. Cooking, cleaning, writing, speaking, buying things, meeting people, pick something...anything...and she's there. This constant little buzz in my brain that tells me I'm not good enough, can't do anything right, yadda, yadda, yadda. Yeah...that's a whole hell of a lot of fun to live with.

Until Now.

You see....a year ago today I found out my husband was cheating on me. He decided to take the cowards way out of our marriage and go shack up with someone else. I was devastated, hurt, betrayed, angry, pissed off....pick a "scorned woman" adjective and insert here. But most of all I was relieved. Yup...I was relieved that he had done it. I found out at 3am on Feb. 13th and less than 12 hours later, I was methodically going through my house taking inventory of what was his and how many boxes it would take to get rid of his stuff. Over the course of that first weekend, I packed up over 1/2 of his belongings and got them out of my home. Now...I'm not saying that I was just able to pick up and move on without batting an eyelash, that's not how it was at all. I was able to get rid of him in my house and in my head....but there was a part of my heart that was aching and decided to show itself in other ways.

As I often do....I turned to food...and the bad thing is, I didn't even know it. I ended up putting on almost 50 pounds in a very short amount of time with absolutely no recollection of how the hell it managed to creep up on me. A friend of mine snapped a picture of me while we were all together and showed it to me a few weeks later and it smacked me upside the head like a friggen 2x4. I looked at the woman in the picture and actually asked my friend who it was. I didn't even recognize myself. That day was a real eye opener for me. Since then I've managed to shrug off 40 of those 50 pounds and I've gotten rid of a lot of the other extra weight I've been carrying around as well. But not all of it......that little inner voice is still there. And she's really beginning to piss me off.

So...this year....this year will be different. This year I will duct tape the inner critic to a chair and toss her ass down into the basement, never to return.....at least that's the plan. LOL. I will learn to trust myself, believe in myself and know that my hopes are valid and legitimate. This year I will stop letting that inner critic tell me I'm not good enough, not pretty enough, not well-spoken enough. No longer will I allow her to tell me that I'm never going to amount to anything or matter to anyone. No more will she be allowed to swallow me in negativity. I am done allowing myself to be the sum of all of my so-called weak points. I will find the strong, talented, amazing, special woman that I truly am and will embrace her.

This year I will learn to Trust the most important being on the planet.....Myself.

Wish me luck....The inner critic says I'll need it. **Pulls out the duct tape**

The Tea Witch's Word of the Year (Pt. 1)

2012-02-09T21:23:00.000-06:00

Well...this one ought to be an adventure. I'll post more about this later

Changes....Again

2012-01-21T15:22:00.000-06:00

It's a new year, the start of a new life for me...so that means that things will be changing in the land of The Tea Witch.

I'm probably not going to be online much for the next 5 or 6 weeks.....but stay tuned my tea lovin friends. Updates will be posted when I get resettled.

Love and Tea Cozies!
xoxo

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!

2011-12-31T17:56:00.001-06:00

Wishing you a Blessed Yule

2011-12-22T10:27:00.002-06:00

It's out there somewhere right??

2011-12-07T06:35:00.000-06:00

Meditation Monday: Overcoming

2011-12-04T22:31:00.000-06:00

With gentleness overcome anger.

With generosity overcome meanness,

With truth overcome deceit.

~The Dhammapada of Gautama the Buddha. CA. 500BC~

Anger contains energy. You cannot simply throw it away. It is your energy. Throwing it away will make you weak. Energies are not to be thrown away, but to be transformed. Let your anger be transformed into gentleness. It is an alchemical process -- it is not morality, it is alchemy. It is the science of the soul. Through meditation, anger slowly disappears, and its energy becomes available and becomes gentleness.

You will be surprised to know that if you suffer from great anger you have great potentiial for gentleness. Anger simply shows that you have great energy. A man without anger is impotent, he has no energy. A man who cannot be angry cannot be gentl either. Don't repress meanness, don't destroy meanness, but with generosity transform it into a generous consciousness, into sharing.

The Dr. is in?

2011-12-02T06:43:00.000-06:00

Hi there!! Did you miss me? I missed me...lol. Let's see...what's been going on since I posted last (and no, I'm not talking about that post on Monday). October was ended with me dealing with a random stomach virus and then a cold...literally one right after the other. The last two weeks of Oct. sucked for me. Although I did have a pretty awesome Halloween with my kidlet and the godson. Got some wicked trick or treating done and had a great time with some awesome friends.

November....November is NaNoWriMo and I spent most of my time with characters running around in my brain trying to tell me what to do. And while I didn't "win" this year by finishing with 50k words, I wrote. And that, my lovelies, is what's important to me. I used to write all the damn time...and then my grandfather passed away and I lost the heart for it. I'm writing again now though and that's what's important. My story is far from finished....gives me something to work on when I'm bored or the characters bang on my brain and say "Hey, you, human....write this for us!!" And yes, they totally do that.

So what brings me here today? Besides the fact that I really miss my blog and my bloggy world friends?

It seems, as of late, that I may have to start charging for my services. *giggle* Ok...that just sounded dirty. ;)

But seriously....I have a lot of friends that use me as a sounding board and as a free counseling service. Not that I mind...most of the time, because I don't. Granted...there was this one girl who used to take liberties with my shoulder and ear....I put a stop to that real damn quick. She now only calls me when she absolutely has to. Of course, our friendship had a lot more ups and downs so now we're more acquantinces than anything else. Which is fine with me.

I love my friends and honestly don't mind them coming to me with their issues, problems, concerns, rants, what-have-you. What I do have a problem with is someone coming to me, using me as said sounding board, apologizing for "dragging me into" something **Newsflash folks...I don't consider it being dragged into anything...you are venting your emotions to someone willing to listen. That's all**, insulting me, and then hanging up on me while on the phone. This happened twice...not once, but twice. Yeah...this witch was pissed fer sure.

Note to all people everywhere....I don't give a damn if your drunk, stoned, sober, heartbroken, feel at your wit's end, pick a euphamism. When you call someone to vent, to unload, and to free your spirit from the heavy feelings that you are holding onto; do yourselves a favor. Don't ever, ever hang up on them. And for the love of all that's sacred...don't ever insult someone. Watch your words, focus on you instead of attempting to put your negative emotions onto someone else by bringing up their shortcomings (or what you think are their shortcomings). And if you absolutely insist on being a ~~douche~~ negative person then make sure you have all the facts before attempting to call someone out. Damage control in situations like this can be long and drawn out. With one person feeling bad for spewing their ~~douchery~~ negative conotations onto someone else and the other person feeling ~~righteously pissed~~ angry for being made to feel "insufficient". Yes, that word was actually used in direct relation to me. Trust me folks...it ain't pretty at all.

So yeah...other than that life has been frackin awesome!! We're just tootin along over here on my crazy train called Life. Livin it up when we can and just chillin when we don't want to be awesome. The holidays are right around the corner....oh no, I'm sorry, that season is already here isn't it? Damnit...I knew I forgot something. *sigh* Oh well.....we'll figure it out eventually. I suppose I should go get a tree and pull out the deco stuff sometime soon. I wanna tree so bad it hurts! Hopefully, I'll have the money this weekend to go buy one.

Kisses and Tea Cozies folks...I'm going back to bed for a bit.

Meditation Monday: Beyond Sorrow

2011-11-28T01:00:00.014-06:00

The wise harm no one,

They are masters of their bodies

And they go to the boundless country,

They go beyond sorrow.

~The Dhammapada of Gautama the Buddha. CA. 500BC~

As you become a witness, as you become aware, you simply come to know that you are not the body, not the mind, not even the heart. You are simply a watcher, different from all that surrounds you. The body is your outermost boundary, the mind a little more inner, the heart still more inner, but at the innermost core you are just a consciousness.

Knowing this you become detached from your own body, your mind, your heart; and that detachment brings mastery. Not that you become destructive to the body -- you take every care of it, it is a beautiful instrument, it is a great gift of existence. But now you know that it is only the house you live in. Just as you take care of your house, you take care of your body; it is the temple.

Blah and stuff

2011-10-14T20:25:00.000-05:00

Today's post can be found on my other blog......A Witch's Journey to Wellness. I'm not feelin all that great and don't have the mental capacity to think of something awesomely witty to say.

Here's to feelin better tomorrow

Love and Tea Cozies...
T.W.

Wordless Wednesday: Halloween Edition 1

2011-10-12T21:11:00.002-05:00

Tea Time Tuesday: Pumpkin Tea

2011-10-11T22:22:00.000-05:00

So...on a whim I decided to look up pumpkin tea, just to see if there was such a thing. Lo and behold...there is! Huzzah :) But...because I'm lazy today I will post a pretty tea picture and a link to a recipie for pumpkin tea. If any of you, dear readers, feel froggy....please try it and let me know what you think. I'm thinking I might have to try some at some point just to see what it's like.

Picture and Recipie both found here: Pumpkin Tea

Enjoy!!!

Did anyone else have a.....

2011-10-10T22:24:00.000-05:00

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Weekend Recap

2011-10-09T22:41:00.000-05:00

Friday evening: Had every intention of coming home from work and cleaning out the closets in preperation for the washer and dryer being brought over. For some reason....it never got done. Not too sure what exactly....I honestly can't remember. LOL

Saturday: Woke up about 10ish, had coffee, showered, put on music and spent about three hours or so cleaning house. Cleaned out the closet, moved stuff around (my bedroom looks awful right now), dusted and vacuumed the living room area. Visited with a friend while I cleaned. Kidlet went to a friends house for a sleepover. Roomie and I went to a friends house where we spent the next six hours gaming. Ok...I gamed and she watched and laughed at us. Had an awesome time. Came home and fell into bed at 2am-ish.

Sunday: Didn't crack my eyes open until almost 1130am. Immediately freaked out, jumped out of bed, made coffee, did my email thing. Got a call from the wonderful guy who helped us move afore-mentioned washer and dryer. Set up time to get machines from the chicks house who sold them to us. Jumped in shower, waited for guy friend to get here. Got machines. Men brought them upstairs, there was water, dirt, mud on my carpet. Had to go to Lowe's to get hoses for washer and dryer. Had to turn around and go back to Lowe's before we got halfway home because girls don't read the packaging on the dryer hose thing. LOL. Bought a late lunch for awesome guy friend and the kids, roomie and myself. Washer and dryer were hooked up successfully.....after much moving, measuring, hooking stuff up and unhooking it again. Much football was watched in the process of all this. Awesome guy friend went home...he's a rockstar :) Three loads of laundry have been done and the house smells awesome!! I adore the smell of clean laundry :) Now....to watch a tv show and then go die for the night.

Back to the grind tomorrow....I hope you all had a fantastic weekend!!!

Yay Weekend!!!

2011-10-08T14:24:00.000-05:00

I don't think I've ever appreciated these two days called the weekend as I've learned to in the past month. It's something to look forward to at the end of the week. Something to give me the "get up and go" to make it till Friday. It's been a long time since I've enjoyed the weekends as they are supposed to be. Last week I slept until 11am both days. Today I was going to go out shopping with a dear friend of mine but woke at 730 with a massive headache. Texted her and said...nope, not happening. So....10am I woke a second time, feeling slightly better and decided to get up. That and the kidlet kept attempting to poke me awake and my roomies cat was sprawled across my legs to where I couldn't move. *sigh*

So after coffee, a shower, and a quick lunch I've launched into cleaning mode. My house is a horrible sight and I'm having to empty out the room that's supposed to house a washer and dryer...we've used it as storage for almost two years. Tomorrow I will be getting a washer and dryer from a co-worker!!! I'm very excited :) Of course the two gentlemen that will be helping me are not too happy that they have to haul the damn things up a set of stairs...but one of them will do anything for me and when I asked him if he would help, he didn't hesitate a bit. He's awesome like that :)

So...here's my laundry room right now (after cleaning it out) and I'll post pics tomorrow after I get the machines put in. The roomies cat insisted in investigating and I found out that I had a bread maker in there that I completely forgot about. Woot.....bonus!!!! Have an awesome Saturday my friends!!

Another Picture Post....

2011-10-07T08:16:00.000-05:00

Ya'll are gonna get damn sick of me posting nothing but pictures....but I had to. I found some awesome looking carved pumpkins and just had to share :) And...in my defense...it's hard to come up with a well written blog post when you're half awake. No amount of coffee can possibly make today better. Unless someone brings me a pumpkin spice latte...then it might be ok. So, without further ado....

I absolutely love the last one. The Predator is a kick ass critter, and quite possibly one of my favorite movie villans/heros (not quite sure which category I'd stick him in). The possibilities on what you can do with this amazing orange gourd never cease to amaze me. Are you planning on carving pumpkins this year?? What are you gonna make yours look like? Do tell....

Make up for Wednesday.....

2011-10-06T07:10:00.000-05:00

Ok...it's before noon so this still counts as a Wednesday post for me. That's my story and I'm stickin to it. Today I want to share some beautiful pictures of Autumn scenery that I have found all across the internet and have hijacked for my own viewing pleasure. Enjoy....

A Yummy Treat.....

2011-10-04T21:32:00.001-05:00

So...I totally flaked yesterday and forgot to do a post for NaBloWriMo and the Halloween countdown. But then I didn't get on my computer at all last night....at least I don't think I did. I don't really remember. LOL....sad isn't it??? So, without further ado...here is a pretty picture and a recipie featuring said picture. I found it today trolling on Facebook and just had to share :) Enjoy!!

Prep Time: 3 hours

Total Time: 3 hours

Ingredients:

2 cups (12 oz) white chocolate chips
1 can (16 ounces) vanilla frosting
yellow and orange (or red) food coloring

Preparation:

1. Prepare an 8x8 pan by lining it with aluminum foil and spraying the foil with nonstick cooking spray.
2. Place 4 ounces (about 2/3 cup) white chocolate chips in a large microwave-safe bowl. Microwave until melted, about 1-1/2 minutes, stirring halfway through the cooking time.
3. Stir until the chocolate is a smooth paste. Once the chocolate is smooth, add approximately 1/3 of the frosting and a few drops of yellow food coloring. Stir to combine, and adjust the coloring amount until you get a yellow you are satisfied with.
4. Pour the yellow fudge into the prepared pan and refrigerate until mostly set, about 30 minutes. The fudge does not have to be rock hard, but should be set enough so that it doesn’t move when the pan is tilted.
5. Repeat steps 2 and 3, but use orange food coloring instead. If you don’t have orange coloring, use yellow and red color in a 2:1 ratio. Pour the orange-colored fudge over the yellow fudge, smooth it in an even layer, and return to the refrigerator to allow the new layer to set.
6. Repeat steps 2 and 3 once more, this time omitting any food coloring, so that the top layer is white. Pour the white fudge over the orange layer and return to the refrigerator once more. After it has set for about 10 minutes, lightly score it into 1-inch squares, and press a candy corn into the center of each square. Return the fudge to the refrigerator and allow it to set fully, about 2 hours.
7. To serve, cut the fudge into 1-inch squares. Be sure to use a large knife with a smooth blade, and wipe the blade frequently to ensure that the sides of the fudge squares do not get smeared with other colors. Stored in an airtight refrigerated container this fudge will last for up to a week.

Find the recipie Here.

Hallowe'en

2011-10-02T13:02:00.000-05:00

The ghosts of all things past parade,
Emerging from the mist and shade
That hid them from our gaze,
And, full of song and ringing mirth,
In one glad moment of rebirth,
And again they walk the ways of earth
As in the ancient days.

The beacon light shines on the hill,
The will-o'-wisps the forests fill
With flashes filched from noon;
And witches on their broomsticks spry
Speed here and yonder in the sky,
And lift their strident voices high
Unto the Hunter's Moon.

The air resounds with tuneful notes
From myriads of straining throats,
All hailing Folly Queen;
So join the swelling choral throng,
Forget your sorrow and your wrong,
In one glad hour of joyous song
To honor Hallowe'en!

-John Kendrick Bangs

Happy Birthday....

2011-10-01T16:34:00.002-05:00

Today is my sister's 20th Birthday. Send her love and well wishes for the best possible future would you??? She's fantastic and I love her so.....

Wordless Wednesday: Anticipation

2011-09-28T06:29:00.000-05:00

Get off your broom!!!

2011-09-25T10:13:00.000-05:00

Ok folks.....Serenity over at The Domestic Pagan is having a Fitness Challenge for the colder months of the season. You know....that awesome time of year that everyone eats way too much while moving too little. And who can blame us really?? The food is awesome and it's way too cold outside (for most of us) to actually get up off the couch and do something productive and healthy for our waistlines. But not this year!!!! This year.....we're gonna get off our brooms!!!

Won't you join us????

Oh yes....by the way...I linked the address for this blog for the Challenge...but I will actually be using my other blog: A Witch's Journey to Wellness for the event. That's what I get for joining stuff before I've had an adequate amount of coffee :) You'll find the picture link for the event in that blogs sidebar. I hope you come and play with us.

Meditation Monday: Straighten Yourself

2011-09-19T06:03:00.000-05:00

Sutra: To straighten the crooked, You must first do a harder thing. Straighten yourself. ~The Dhammapada of Gautama the Buddha. C.A. 500BC~

One has to learn to look at oneself with closed eyes, to watch silently. And don't carry any a priori prejudices. Many people have told you, "These are your faults." Don't carry those ideas with you, otherwise you will find them -- because thought is very inventive. Put aside all that has been told about you. Remember only one thing: Unless you know it on your own authority, it has no value, no meaning. So go without any prejudice -- for or against. Just go in total openness and see.

And if you love and if you know how to watch you will come across the most mysterious phenomenon: Seeing a fault is dissolving it. That is Buddha's great secret: Knowing that you are doing something wrong is enough; you can't do it anymore.

Crawling Out of the Dark (Part 1)

2011-09-18T11:07:00.000-05:00

Well hello there all you happy shiny people!! I am alive....at least I think I am :) I quit my job at the pet store that I was working at about a week ago and traded it in for an office setting job with better hours and better pay. I'm pretty excited. Of course right now, my brain is complete mush for trying to cram in all the information I'm going to need when I hit the floor (it's an account management position of sorts) and get on the phones. That will happen after this next week.

Fall is officially here!! I'm so happy. Last night the kidlet and I played in one of the rain showers that so graciously kissed our corner of the earth. We splased in puddles (she layed down in them too) and we had a great time. Came back inside and had nice warm mugs of tea and a couple of Vitamin C chewables to keep our immune systems up to part. It was well worth it.

Summer was kinda stressful and a little bit crazy with trying to get all adjusted to having a child here full time again. But we've managed to find a balance, for the most part, although getting her to clean her room is like....well, pick a euphamism. LOL

I will be picking up my weekly posts, slowly but surely. And I've seen the start of some awesome blog parties going on for the Fall season already. I hope to make it to a few....but I make no promises. I seem to be having issues with leaving comments on some of your blogs.....I have a wordpress account that I'm going to try to leave comments with so if some of you see "GreenJeans09" on your comment roll...it's me :) Of course, I have no idea if that's going to work either.

To my followers: Thanks for sticking around over the last month while I went off the grid. To the new people that have joined me here....welcome. Pull up a chair/cushion/piece of rug, grab a mug and enjoy.

I like the shiny things

2011-08-06T15:32:00.000-05:00

Judith over at Merlin's Magickal Mistress is having an uber-cool giveaway for gaining over 100 followers on her blog. There are some really pretty things to find there. Garnets *drool* and witchy bracelets, and "diamonds"....oh my.

Go check it out....shoo....go :)

Just remember that the Tea Witch loves her garnets ;)

xoxo

Wordless Wednesday: Music Edition

2011-07-20T23:28:00.000-05:00

Nothing Else Matters by Apocalyptica

Tea Time Tuesday: Chai Iced Tea

2011-07-19T10:37:00.000-05:00

It's hot out there guys. Way too hot to even be contemplating drinking hot tea (although I've done it often with this tooth issue of mine lately (chamomile is a godsend...just sayin). So, for the next few weeks I will be posting different iced tea recipies. Because what' the fun in regular unsweet (or sweet) tea? Granted...it's what I keep stocked in my fridge...but then again I've totally embraced that whole lazy summer attitude that my daughter is a pro at. Without further ado.....Chai (you know I love it) Iced Tea!!!

The Stuffs You Need to Make It:

8 chai tea bags

4 cups hot water

1 tablespoon vanilla

1/4 to 1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup orange-flavored cream soda

1/2 cup vanilla-flavored cream soda

1/2 cup milk

Cinnamon sticks, if desired

How You Make It:

Chill glasses in freezer several hours before serving.

Steep tea bags in hot water 3 to 5 minutes. Remove bags. Stir vanilla and brown sugar into tea until sugar is dissolved. Stir in all remaining ingredients except cinnamon sticks. Refrigerate at least 1 to 2 hours to blend flavors.

Serve over ice. Garnish with a cinnamon stick (or two).

Drink and Say "Aaahhhhh".

Meditation Monday: Swift as a Race Horse

2011-07-18T23:20:00.000-05:00

Sutra: Mindful among the mindless, Awake while others dream, Swift as the race horse He outstrips the field. ~The Dhammapada of Gautama the Buddha, CA. 500BC~

That is the difference between a buddha and others. Others are only dreaming, not really living, hoping to live some day, preparing to live, but not living. And that day never comes -- before that day comes, death.

A buddha is awake. Even while he is asleep he does not dream. When desires disappear, dreams disappear too. Dreams are desires translated into the language of sleep. A buddha sleeps with absolute alertness. The light goes on burning within him. The body needs rest, hence the body sleeps, but he needs no rest -- the energy is inexhaustible.

There at the center of his being, a small light goes on burning. The whole circumference is fast asleep but that light is alert, awake. We are asleep even while we are awake; he is awake even when he is asleep.

Thoughts???

It Can't Rain All The Time.....

2011-07-15T22:27:00.000-05:00

But I sure wish to hell it would. Things have been slow here in the Tea Closet. I just completely lack any and all motivation for posting, cleaning, getting out of bed in the morning. It's just been too darn hot. And of course....because I require the best (Pretty Woman reference)....we live in an upstairs apartment where it's super warm during the day. A witch can't win. *sigh* Oh well...I'm counting down the days till Fall. There are too many. LOL.

In other news...it's the Full Moon. Yay!!! This month is the Blessing Moon and falls under the sign of Capricorn. My handy-dandy witches datebook says this is the moon to consider the polarities of leadership and service. Ummm....nah...I'm just gonna go plug in my MP3 player and attempt to get some writing done. Maybe sit under the light of the moon later and let it soak out all my troubles. I'm hoping to get out of this funk I've been in for the past....oh....month or so. I've just been lacking...in everything. Time to get it together!!!! Yes...that's what I'll concentrate on during my Moon Bath later. Getting the fires of motivation lit again. :)

So....there's a quick update from me. I hope everyone enjoys the Full Moon. Hopefully I'll be back to my full bloggy goodness before the next one.

xoxo

Giveaway Goodies

2011-06-30T11:36:00.000-05:00

I got goodies!!!! Look at em....aren't they pretty??? Many, many thanks to Ms. Lilypads for sponsering this awesome giveaway on her blog. Everyone who entered was fortuanate to get a "Thanks for participating" gift. My candle smells delicious...although I'm still trying to figure out the scent. There is a slight citrus smell....which I'm totally diggin right now.

Thanks so much for the plethora of awesomeness :)

Wordless Wednesday: Breakfast this morning

2011-06-30T01:36:00.000-05:00

Meditation Monday: Giddy and Distracted

2011-06-28T01:09:00.000-05:00

Sutra: Death overtakes the man who, giddy and distracted by the world, cares only for his flock and his children. Death fetches him away as a flood carries off a sleeping village. ~The Dhammapada of Gautama the Buddha. CA 500 B.C.~

Remember death. Remember death always. Never forget death for a single moment. Why? Why is Buddha so much interested in death? -- for the simple reason that it is only death that can keep you aware. If you forget death you will become immediately unconscious. It is because of death that only man can become enlightened and no other animal, because no other animal is aware of death. It is only man who is aware of death.

Let this awareness become more and more penetrating. Let it sink in your heart, so it remains there like a thorn, continuously reminding you that life is a shifting sand, that "Don't make your house here. Remember death is coming and whatsoever you do will be undone by death, so what is the point of becoming so much worried, becoming so much concerned, remaining in such anxiety when death is going to take everything away?"

So....here we are...another death card this week. A sign of a huge transformation on the horizon....I've got some plans for the New Moon to help release some of the mental, emotional and spiritual baggage that has massed up over the past few weeks. It should be an interesting process. I'm buckling myself in and preparing for the ride.....who wants to come with me??

Meditation Monday: The Yellow Leaf

2011-06-21T11:13:00.000-05:00

Sutra: You are as the yellow leaf. The messengers of death are at hand. You are to travel far away. What will you take with you? ~The Dhammapada of Gautama the Buddha. CA. 500 B.C.~

Dust unto dust, any moment and death is going to possess you. Tomorrow may never come, even the next moment is not certain. This is the only moment you can be certain of, next moment you may not be here. What are you doing to prepare for that great jouney into the unknown? Have you earned anything that you can take with you? If you have not earned anything, then your life has been a sheer waste. You may have accumulated much wealth, you may have become very famous, but all that is futile. You cannot take it with you. Your degrees, your titles, your awards, all will be left behind. You will be going utterly alone. Is there something which you can take with you? There is only one thing that you can take with you, and that is true wealth. Buddha calls it meditation, awareness, watchfulness, mindfulness, consciousness. If you become more and more conscious, you can take that consciousness with you.

On a personal note...I never see these kinds of cards foretelling of an actual death (although that's not to say that they can't). What I see in this, for me, is the fact that something major is about to happen. An inevitable shift in my own reality. Which is true....I've had a lot of upheavals lately. My financial situation, my job satisfaction level, my home life has changed a lot over the last four months. Things are about to put into motion which will make several of these huge changes a lot more permanent and to be completely honest...it scares the shit out of me. But this card has reminded me that I need to live in the now, be present in the now (while preparing for the future), live with no regrets and be more mindful. What does it say to you??

Wordless Wednesday: Farmers Markets

2011-06-15T14:26:00.000-05:00

Tea Time Tuesday: Dandelion Tea

2011-06-14T12:24:00.000-05:00

Pic found here.

Today we're going to start a little something different.....I have this collection of cards that I got from something called The Complete Guide to Natural Healing. I don't have all the cards that are supposed to go in the collection....but I've got quite a few to run on. So....during the weeks that I'm actually healthy (lol), I will pull a card from this collection and write about that specific tea. Eventually, I'm sure, I'll run out of cards and will have to come up with another approach (like actually doing some research...lol) but until then....I'm going to use what's available to me.

So this weeks tea is Dandelion. This humble little weed is actually quite useful to those of us that prefer to use natural ingredients to help with physical ailments. Dandelion can be used to assist in the treatment of kidney and bladder stones, reduction of bloating and fluid retention, lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It can be used to stimulate the appetite by promoting digestion, and to alleviate intestinal gas problems. Dandelion is also useful to use for skin cleansing and as a rejuvenating regimen for the body. People will sometimes use this to clean out the body after a long winter in preperation of the lighter foods/activities/etc. of the forecoming spring. I think the most interesting use for dandelion is the roasting of the roots in order to use them as a substitute for coffee. Yes folks....this Tea Witch does love herself a good cup of coffee :)

If you would like any of the recipies for the above issues that use dandelion, please let me know and I will be happy to either post them or send them to you directly.

Meditation Monday: Do Your Work

2011-06-13T10:54:00.000-05:00

Pic found here.

Sutra: Live in love. Do your work. Make an end of your sorrows. ~The Dhammapada of Gautama the Buddha. CA. 500 BC~

Unless you do the work that is close to your heart you will remain unfulfilled. And the meditator finds immediately what his work is. The meditator finds intrinsically that this is his work; he does not have to think about it. It is so clear and so loud that he knows that he has to be a musician or he has to be a poet or he has to be this or that. It comes so clear that there is no question of doubt. And then he starts working; that work is his meditation.

Do what you love people...do what you love. And if you're not doing what you love...why not? What stands between you and happiness in what you do?

I currently work in a pet store...and while I like my job...it is in no way what I want to do for the rest of my life. I have become (especially lately) disenchanted with my job. There is actually a part of me that loathes it. Why haven't I left yet...well, a few reasons. I'm sure they will all ring a bell with you.....my husband decided that our marriage was over so I'm now living on less income (despite the fact that he's paying bills), I am a single mom again (despite that fact we have a "village" of people to help if needed....I don't ask unless desperate), I lack a college degree so I can't really get any higher than what I am until I get off my ass and do something and last, but certainly not least, I had no clear idea of what direction I wanted my life to go in for the longest time.

That is until a week or so ago....when I went to New Mexico to visit my family and pick up the kidlet. I was standing outside with my sister, chatting with her and looking at the stars. It hit me.....kinda like one of the stars just fell out and walloped me upside the head. I've decided that I want to be a Science Teacher. At first I thought maybe I was just bedazzled at all the stars in the night sky...you don't see that in the city ya'll....so I slept on it. Well....I didn't sleep well at all. Between a pain in my tooth (another story) and the prospect of finally doing something with my life; I was way too antsy to really get any sleep. I promptly told my mom in the morning and she is uber-excited. Although, I think she's more pleased with the fact that her oldest child has finally decided to be constructive with her life. LOL. Either way though.....this is what I want to do...it feels right :) Bonus...I get weekends, holidays and all sorts of time off throughout the year. Time to spend pursuing my passions...or grading papers or attending workshops...you know, whatever. LOL

What do you want to be when you grow up??

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

2011-06-11T13:59:00.000-05:00

I'm turning 31 today :) And I'm uber-excited about the whole thing :) I was actually giddy with anticipation starting about 9pm last night. I went to the mail box and checked the mail....anticipating birthday cards. Alas...there were none in sight but I did have a package. My giveaway goodies from Rue had finally arrived. I won the Self Care cards in a giveaway she held a few months back...and after some waiting and a pretty long delay (all due to someone breaking into my mailbox and scratching my name off the card in it)....I finally got the cards. As well as some unexpected treats.....a braid of sweet grass and some uber-yummy absinthe lip balm. Happy Birthday to me!!! Thanks so much Rue...you rock!!!!

Aren't they pretty???

My morning was awesome.....quiet time w/ my computer and coffee. Much love from friends on my Facebook wall, a few text messages and calls from two of my best friends. Last night was positively awesome though.....I, in a painkiller induced haze, decided to clean my desk (which took 2 hours) and bake some pumpkin bread to enjoy w/ this mornings coffee. K (the wonderful human she is) had some last night when it was done. She broke off one of the corners, stuck a toothpick in it, put flame to that little stick of wood and sang me "Happy Birthday". For two chicks on a budget....I applaud her inventive thinking :) Thanks K....it was an awesome B-day cake :)

Today will consist of lounging....I will have to do some laundry at some point. And then here in a few hours it's off to a friends house for a spaghetti dinner (to celebrate mine and another's birthdays) and watching the kiddos play on a slip and slide. It will be an aweome day :)

I hope you all have an awesome Saturday!!!!

Wordless Wednesday: Pudding

2011-06-08T17:44:00.002-05:00

Tea Time Tuesday: Licorice Tea

2011-06-07T23:27:00.003-05:00

I am fortunate that when I actually get around to doing a Tea Time Tuesday post that I'm suffering from one malady or another so that I can do a little research and share with the rest of you. Or is this really a good thing after all??? Currently....I'm suffering from a wisdom tooth that has broken off on the top and is now trying to come up. Causing the ragged edges of my tooth to press against the gum...causing swelling. Yay.....not.

So....today's tea is Licorice. You can also use Echinacea or a Tumeric and Calendula blend. Green teas have also been reported to have anti-inflammatory properties. I, personally, am going to find some Licorice tea and see how effective it will be. Wish me luck.

Meditation Monday: You Are The Source

2011-06-07T10:25:00.002-05:00

Sutra: Mischief is yours. Sorrow is yours. But virtue also is yours. And purity. You are the source of all purity and all impurity. ~The Dhammapada of Gautama the Buddha. CA 500BC~

The mistake, the greatest mistake

a man can commit,

is to think that the climate

is created by outside forces.

It is not created by outside forces;

it is your inner decision,

your inner will. It is your choice.

It happens on the outside,

but it arises from the deepest core

of your being. It needs very alert

watchfulness to see this point.

Once you have seen it you need not

live in hell at all. Why should you choose

hell once this is understood,

that it is your choice?

A completely transformed human being is born the moment you accept your responsibility for yourself, the moment you say, "Whatsoever I am is my choice -- not of the past but of the present. It is my choice of this moment, and if I want to change it I am absolutely free to change it. Nobody can hinder me -- no social force, no state, no history, no economics, no unconscious, can hinder me. If I am determined to change it, I can change it." ~Osho~

Alright people....here it is. The message for the week. Accept responsibility for yourself, your life, your personal sitation and all the rest. If there is something about any of the above that you don't like....get up and do something about it. Ah...this is a perfect message for me this week. I will be taking this one to heart my friends. As someone who has been thrown into an emotional upheaval for the past few months....it's time to get off my duff and do something. I can only allow myself to wallow for so long before it just becomes annoying. I will stand up, take responisibility for my actions, reactions, feelings, etc. Snap out of it!! Stand up and get moving...make the change you find so necessary! Nobody else is going to do it for you......if you need help...ask; but don't expect necessary change to happen overnight and without some sacrifice from your own self.

How many of you will stand with me???

My apologies.....

2011-05-27T12:19:00.003-05:00

for having been so quiet lately and for falling behind on my weekly posts. I have had a lot going on in my personal life the past few weeks. I am now in panic mode where everything needs to be done by yesterday......

You see....next Tuesday, at the pre butt-crack of dawn, K and I will be departing for a road trip to New Mexico to see my mom for a few days. When we come back we will be +1 because I'm bringing home my daughter!! And all of the stuff that we can fit into the car that belongs to her. The rest will be brought down by my mom in mid-June. So you see....I'm freaking right the hell out.

Here's the deal....my daughter hasn't lived with me full-time since she was 5 years old. That's almost 6 years ago. I have this idea in my head of what my child should be.....and well, she isn't that kid anymore. She doesn't need my help picking out her clothes, making her breakfast, helping her out with finding a TV program or anything. She's almost 11....she's a heck of a lot more independent now than she was 6 years ago. This excites me....as I get to meet and have a relationship with a completely new person; but it scares the hell out of me too. Granted...she's been here for vacations and school breaks...but that is so different from living here full time. There are going to be rules and stuff....and she's going to do her best to bend (if not completely break) every single one of them to see how far she can go with me. I'm sure this will make for more improved blog entries but at what length before I string her up on a broom??? LOL

So....we have the next few days to get the house in order. K is graciously giving her bedroom to the wee one and she will be moving into the den...which will be partitioned off with black-out curtains (eventually) for privacy. Not the most ideal situation....but I suppose it will work for now. K is the ever awesome night owl...so she's always the last one in bed anyways. It just makes sense. (Note....I will be continuing my search for a 3-bedroom home elsewhere) We haven't moved furniture around at all....and this morning I received a most distressing call from the ex saying that the bed I was going to get for the wee one (from a friend of his) had been stolen out of his storage unit (along with everything else in there and the one next to it). Well that damn near put me in a tailspin. I had my "moment" and then texted a very resourceful friend who usually can whip things that are needed for our group out of thin air. Lo and behold...she's got a mattress set in her garage that is perfectly acceptable to be used. I am one happy witch. :) And as an equally awesome bonus.....my godson's parents have a headboard and footboard that can be used on the bed. Can I just say....awesome :) And to top it off....K's mom just texted her to let us know she is helping with gas funds for our trip. This is a huge thing....as we are a broke pair. LOL

There are other things that I am dealing with in this mind of mine...but for now everything is taking the back burner until the wee one has been dealt with.

Wordless Wednesday: Prayer

2011-05-25T12:26:00.003-05:00

Take a moment for all those devestated by the tornados that have hit the Midwestern/Southern states over the past week. I count myself (and my loved ones) as lucky. We missed any devestation yesterday here in Oklahoma.

Meditation Monday: Outside the Law

2011-05-23T14:49:00.003-05:00

Sutra: Do not live in the world in distraction and false dreams, Outside the law. ~The Dhammapada of Gautama the Buddha. C.A. 500B.C.~

The mind never allows you to be where you are, it never allows you to see things as they are. Either it drags you inot memories -- which are nothing but footprints on the sands of time -- or it drags you into the future: great projections, great expectations, desires, goals.... And you become so much involved with them, as if they have some reality!

Live in the world, but not through the mind. Don't let the past or the future stand between you and reality. And you will know what Buddha calls the eternal law. You will pulsate with it, vibrate with it. You will be just a wave in the great ocean of the law. You will be in such attunement, in such at-onement, in such deep harmony and accord that the whole sky will start showering flowers on you, the whole existence will rejoice with you.

Wordless (Mostly) Wednesday: Messy Desks

2011-05-11T09:44:00.002-05:00

If a cluttered desk signs a cluttered mind, Of what, then, is an empty desk a sign? ~Albert Einstein~

This is for Dark Mother. Rejoice for messy desks everywhere. I would have taken a picture of my own desk....but I can't find my camera :)

Tea Time Tuesday: Scones

2011-05-10T10:03:00.004-05:00

What goes better with a good cup of English tea than a plateful of beautiful scones? Well, I'm sure we can think of a few things....but for today, the answer is nothing :)

I remember a time, about 6 years ago, when my daughter was in Girl Scouts. One of the troop meetings they decided to make scones. The end result....a mouthful of deliciousness that just wouldn't stop. They also made their own homemade butter in baby food jars...it was so cute watching a handful of giggly girls shaking the bejeesus out of the jars till I thought their brains might just shake loose. But they didn't...and their hard work was rewarded by huge compliments from all the parents in attendence.

It was worth the load of laundry to be done later.

So without further ado I give you a link to a website you can find your own scone recipies to create.....Yummy stuff here....it was too difficult to pick just one. You can do an internet search to find the homemade butter...made the way the GS troop made it and the easier way that involves a food processer.

Have fun with it and let me know which scone recipie you decide to try. Happy Tuesday!!

Meditation Monday: Words

2011-05-10T09:42:00.004-05:00

Sutra: Master your words. ~The Dhammapada of Gautama the Buddha. CA. 500BC~

Be telegraphic.

Listen only to that which is significant,

read only that which is meaningful.

Avoid the unnecessary, the irrelevant.

Speak only that which is to the point.

Make your each word your heart.

Don't just go on saying things

as if you are a gramophone record.

Ordinarily a mind is full of words -- relevant, irrelevant, rubbish; all kinds of words go on gathering inside you. Two persons are talking; you simply hear, and those words become part of your mind -- for no other reason, accidentally. You heard two persons talking. You have become burdened. You go and you read the signboards, and those words become part of your being. You read unnecessary advertisements. In magazines, people read advertisements more than anything else. Or you go on gossiping with people, knowing perfectly well that this is just useless, a seer waste of time and energy. But words are gathering inside you like dust, layers upon layers, and your mirror will be covered by them.

When Buddha says, "Master your words," he means to be conscious. Why are you saying something? To whom? And what is the purpose of it? Be clear, otherwise be silent.

Mediation Monday: Quick To Do Good

2011-05-02T20:08:00.002-05:00

Sutra: Be quick to do good. If you are slow, the mind, delighting in mischief, will catch you. ~The Dhammapada of Gautama the Buddha. CA. 500B.C.~

To do good means to share, to love, to serve, to be compassionate. And these are things that the miserly mind cannot do. But it will not say, "I don't wnat to do it," because that will not be very diplomatic. The diplomatice way is "tomorrow" -- postpone. Mind is a bureaucrat.

If you wait, the mind is going to give you suggestions, "Do this, do that." Do the good immediately -- why wait? And who knows? -- the next moment will never come; this may be the last moment! Act with that urgency, because death can overtake you any moment. Don't listen to the mind. Mind can go on and on postponing things and, before mind allows you to do anything, death may have knocked you down. Do good, because doing good immediately brings joy.

A Poem for the May Queen

2011-05-01T11:08:00.002-05:00

The leaves are budding across the land

on the ash and oak and hawthorn trees.

Magic rises around us in the forest

and the hedges are filled with laughter and love.

Dear lady, we offer you a gift,

a gathering of flowers picked by our hands,

woven into the circle of endless life.

The bright colors of nature herself

blend together to honor you,

Queen of Spring,

as we give you honor this day.

Spring is here and the land is fertile,

ready to offer up gifts in your name.

We pay you tribute, our Lady,

daughter of the Fae,

and ask your blessing this Beltane.

**Poem found on About.com. I claim no ownership of this writing.**

Beltane Blues

2011-04-29T11:34:00.005-05:00

Beltane is upon us my friends....literally days away. Normally, I would be all excited over this holiday, as it's one of my favorites. I love the energy of Beltane....it's so....awesome. However, this year seems to be a bit....lacking. I seem to be in a bit of a metaphysical slump lately. The last full moon I was just "Meh" about. Beltane and this coming Tuesday's New Moon....Meh. Honestly....I could really care less if it comes and goes. And that's just not like me. I would say that I'm in a period of transition...but that doesn't feel right. It's more like I'm waiting for something....like I'm in a holding pattern. But not really. Honestly, I have no idea how to describe it...so I'm not going to try.

What I do know is....Beltane is almost here and with that in mind....I leave you with some Beltane correspondences. What is everyone going to do to celebrate? I will be spending my day at our local Arts Festival...camera in hand. If anything.....I might cook something Beltane related....just to observe in some way. We've all gotta eat right? LOL

Beltane Correspondences:

Other Names: May Day, Walpurgis Eve, Celtic Summer, The Great Rite, Floralia

Symbols: Flowers, Chalice, May Pole, May Baskets, Crossroads

Colors: Red, Green, White, Dark Yellow

Activities: Gathering Flowers, Wrapping the May Pole, The Great Rite

Taboos: Giving away fire or food

Animals: Goats, Rabbits, Honey Bees

Stones: Sapphire, Bloodstone (two of my personal favorites)

Foods: Dairy Foods, Oats, Honey

Plants: Hawthorn, Rose, Rosemary, Lilac, Birch

Attunement Teas: Burdock, Damiana, Hibiscus, Rose Hips

Ritual Oils: Passion Flower, Rose, Vanilla

Mythical Creatures: Faeries, Satyrs, Pegasus, Giants

Key Action: Take Action (ie...Get up and Do Something!)

Goddesses: Aphrodite, Artemis, Blodewedd, Diana, Flora, Cybele, Freya, Rhiannon, Venus

Gods: Cernunnons, Cupid/Eros, Frey, Puck, Baal, Odin, Pan

**This is by no means a complete list. All information was gathered from Sabbats: A Witch's Approach to Living the Old Ways by Edain McCoy**

An Experiment

2011-04-28T10:09:00.000-05:00

Wordless Wednesday: Art Festivals

2011-04-27T10:07:00.000-05:00

Tea Time Tuesday: A Poem

2011-04-26T10:00:00.003-05:00

When both host and guest

have exchanged their minds,

only then does the water truly boil.

Since the garden path is a way

beyond this transient world,

why not shake off the dust

that soils the mind?

What is Tea? Simply boiling water,

making tea, and drinking it.

Know that this is fundamental.

The garden path, the hut,

the hosts and the guests...

All are whipped together

in the Tea,

and are without distractions.

~Sen no Rikiyu (1521-91)

Meditation Monday: Awake Forever

2011-04-25T20:38:00.003-05:00

Sutra: All things arise and pass away. But the awakened awake forever. ~The Dhammapada of Gautama the Buddha, CA 500BC~

Become aware, awake. Then you will see that everything comes and goes, all things come and pass. Life is a flux. Your consciousness is the only thing that is immovable, that is eternal.

To attain it is freedom.

To attain it is the goal of life. If you miss it you have missed your life and you have missed a tremendously great gift, a great opportunity.

Happy Earth Day!

2011-04-22T09:36:00.002-05:00

Take care of the Earth and She will take care of you. ~Author Unknown~

Please remember that every day is Earth Day. Reduce, reuse, recycle. Pick up that plastic bottle that you walk by on the street. Dispose of it properly. We only get one planet to live on....let's do a better job of taking care of it.

Wordless Wednesday: Only A Little Late Edition

2011-04-21T10:44:00.003-05:00

This picture is representative of a "Comfortable Silence" to me. It was taken in Feb. of this year after a wicked snow/ice storm. Location: My apartment complex parking lot in Oklahoma.

Tea Time Tuesday: Uber-Late Edition

2011-04-21T10:32:00.005-05:00

I think I've posted about Rosemary Tea before.....I'm not even sure to tell you the truth. But since this is a catch up post and well....I have been uber-forgetful lately, I figured this would be appropriate. Read all about the benefits of this versatile herb made tea here. Enjoy a cup today!

Meditation Monday: Uber-Late Edition

2011-04-21T10:25:00.003-05:00

Sutra: All beings tremble before violence. All fear death. All love life. ~The Dhammapada of Gautama the Buddha, CA. ~500BC~

We need a totally different world, a different upbringing, where hate is not taught. This is a very strange world that we have created! Up to now what we have done to humanity is really unbelievable: on the one hand we teach people to hate, and on the other hand we go on talking about peace. On the one hand we poison them, and on the other hand we tell them, "You are all brothers." We talk about brotherhood and we prepare for war; we talk about world peace and we prepare for war. This is sheer neurosis; this is not sanity! Man hitherto has remained insane, and the reason is upbringing. We have not listened to the buddhas yet. Now it is time.

Delay

2011-04-20T01:43:00.004-05:00

All of this weeks posts will be delayed until about Thursday. Hang in there campers....fun stuff is coming up :)

Blessed Full Moon

2011-04-18T23:30:00.002-05:00

I've been feeling a bit off lately. Not all here and all that....as is evident by my lack of blogging lately. But I'm hoping that a good dose of meditation under the light of tonite's moon was just the ticket to get my creativity unblocked so that I can get back into what I like/love to do.

I hope that you all had a magickal Full Moon weekend. I will be back tomorrow to post the Meditation Monday, Tea Time Tuesday and to fulfill a blog for Dark Mother who so kindly tagged me in one of her blogs....I've taken days to think about it and I think I'm done with my list :)

So...till tomorrow. Sweet dreams my bloggity friends.

Link love and stuff

2011-04-13T20:05:00.002-05:00

Not much going on in my corner of the universe this week. I know that I missed this week's posts on Mon, Tues and Wed (oh wait...that's today isn't it?) See...I don't even know what freakin day of the week it is. *sigh* I'm uber-tired ya'll that's all. Taxes were done....it, of course, involved getting the "husband" (I have got to find a new name for him...any suggestions?) over here to the apartment. It didn't go too badly overall. I didn't kill him....not even a little bit. He cracked a few jokes, I cracked a few jokes....well...I made more than several snarky remarks that I found hilarious but got me one of his typical "really? you're kidding?" looks instead. He took his computer with him when he left...which is cool...now my den looks strange and a whole lot emptier. Of course this is a good thing if that ends up having to be used as a bedroom for a while. And over the past few days, I have found a few links from Elephant Journal that I want to share with you. Read them....let me know which is your favorite from either one (or both) of the links. Article 1: Permission Granted! and Article 2: 10 Ways to Deal with.... Read and Enjoy. I'm looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow and having Friday off. And then I work on Saturday and I have Sunday off!!!! That will be the day I do nothing. Friday will be for laundry, getting my bank account started, more organizing and packing of his crap. Sunday will be for sleep, reading and playing on the interwebz. *sigh*

Necessary Venting/Purging

2011-04-10T08:08:00.003-05:00

The past few days have been emotionally "touch and go" with me. I've been more quiet and withdrawn lately without really knowing why. Then it hit me the other day that I am alone. And not alone in the sense that I don't have anyone standing by me....I've got that in spades and am deeply appreciative for my friends and family. I am alone in the sense that I no longer have a "partner" to plan things with. I don't have someone to dream of my future with anymore....nobody to tease about growing old together and give random kisses to as we pass each other in our busy days. It's damn depressing. And then the stress of having to find another vehicle (after mine was repossessed), a new place to live in order to accomodate an 11 year old little girl, and trying to find another (better paying) job so that we can survive....my head was ready to explode last night. After spending about 45 minutes on a local selling site last night looking for said vehicle...and not finding anything that had a running motor, good transmission, something that actually ran....I wanted to curl up and cry myself into oblivion. I knew that wouldn't do me (or anyone else) any good though, so I cleaned. I cleaned my bathroom, my dresser, nightstand and my altar. I rearranged the dresser and altar so that everything flows better. And bagged up a ridiculous amount of trash. I feel a lot better now....so good in fact that I'm going to continue this trend through the rest of the house (as much as possible). I need to finish packing up the ex's stuff so that I can get that out of my house quickly. I feel like I'm at a crossroads in my life....and feeling it is totally different from knowing. I've known I've been a crossroads for some time now. I'm just now getting around to actually feeling it. One part of me is terrified of it and the other part is mildly curious as to what we'll do next. Wish me luck....I think I might need it.

Wordless Wednesday: Cupcakes

2011-04-06T10:36:00.002-05:00

Tea Time Tuesday: Lavender Tea

2011-04-05T20:26:00.002-05:00

You'll notice that the Meditation Monday post was actually posted just shortly before I put today's Tea Time Tuesday together. That's because Meditation Monday became Migraine Monday for me. I woke up insanely early yesterday and prepared to go to work and was, instead, blindsided by one of the most viscious migraines I have experienced....ever. This one made me actually ill.....and I fell twice due to the insane amount of diziness I was thrown. I was one unhappy witch. So in light of that fact.....I decided to post about the benefits of lavender tea today. Lavender is one of the herbs that people refer to most for stress relief. It's actually come up quite a bit in my personal conversations lately so I'm going with it. Lavender tea may help with the following issues: May help ease insomnia. May help calm nervousness and ease anxiety May help alleviate stress May help soothe an upset stomach May help treat colic May help to ease depressive and migraine headaches May help to ease symptoms of respitory issues such as: asthma, colds, coughs, bronchitis, etc. (When applied topically) May help to reduce fevers (induced sweating) Also useful as a mouthwash to help with halitosis **All information was found here. You can read the full article as well as find several other articles on teas**

Meditation Monday: Burn and Be Swift

2011-04-05T20:15:00.003-05:00

Sutra: Like a noble horse, Smart under the whip, Burn and be swift. ~The Dhammapada of Gautama the Buddha C.A. 500BC~ Awareness is fire; it burns all that is wrong in you. It burns your ego. It burns your greed, it burns your possissiveness, it burns your jealousy -- it burns all that is wrong and negative, and it enhances all that is beautiful, graceful, and divine. And when the gross and the ugly are burned, a great sharpness happens in your being, a great swiftness comes to your life, a great intensity and passion, a great totality and wholeness.

Whoops

2011-04-01T07:16:00.003-05:00

I'm not exactly sure what I was thinking when I posted the Meditation Monday this week and then turned around and forgot the Tea Time Tuesday and Wordless Wednesday. How can I ever make it up to you? Ummmm.....I know!! I'll post another awesome picture. However, I can only do that after I make note of the fact that this is post #100 on this blog :) How freakin cool is that??? I'm pretty jazzed about that just so you know. I don't believe I have ever stuck with a journal/blog type thing this long. It's fantastic :) Oh yes....I'm guessing you guys want that picture now ;) Here you are....enjoy. I'll be back on Sunday. Have an awesome weekend.

Oh the anticipation is awful isn't it??? LOL

Meditation Monday: Hollow Words

2011-03-29T16:00:00.003-05:00

Meditation Monday came and went....and with it I went to work at the apex of dawn after nine days off, came home, changed and went and visited a friend that needed some quality time with me to destress about the issues in our lives. So...here we are on Tuesday doing a make-up post. But this one is a good one....enjoy.

Sutra: Better than a thousand hollow words is one word that brings peace. ~The Dhammapada of Gautama the Buddha. 500 BC~

Which word is luminous? Which word is really full of fragrance? The word that brings peace. And that word never comes from the outside -- it is the still, small voice of your own heart. It is heard at the deepest recesses of your being; it is the sound of your own being, it is the song of your own life.

It is not to be found in scriptures and it is not to be found in learned discourses. It is to be found only if you go in; it is to be found only in meditation, in deep silence. When all borrowed knowledge has left you and you are alone, when all the scriptures have burned and your are left alone, when you don't know a thing, when you function from a state of not-knowing, then it is heard.

Wordless Wednesday: Mr. Depp

2011-03-22T19:39:00.003-05:00

Tea Time Tuesday: Attunement Teas for Ostara

2011-03-21T17:03:00.004-05:00

In keeping with the spirit of the Equinox...I'm going to list the Attunement Teas that can be used during this holiday.

~Dandelion Tea
~Egg Drinks
~Hyssop
~Linden

Now...you may look at this and say..."Egg Drinks? WTF?" I did....lol. Apparently, there are quite a few classic drinks that actually call for an egg to be used. A well known example, of course is Egg Nog.

Personally....I don't care for Egg Nog. Never have, probably never will. It's a texture thing :) A list of other drink recipies that call for the ever humble egg can be found here.

Enjoy!!!

**Attunement Tea list found in "Sabbats: A Witch's Approach to Living the Old Ways" by Edain McCoy**

Ostara Ignition Party

2011-03-21T16:28:00.004-05:00

Well....Spring is officially here. And it's flippin fantastic :)

The weather, both yesterday and today, is cooperative and absolutely wonderful. Granted...I haven't much left the house today. The kidlet wasn't feeling all that hot last night and asked for a down day. So here we are.....voluntarily house bound, watching tv, playing on the computers, reading, drinking tea and just generally hanging out. It's nice since we've (well...I) been running around like chickens w/ our heads cut off for days.

Yesterday A and I got together (w/ K and the kiddo) and worked on our lists of what we were prepared to let go of and what we would like to drawn in in its place. We both came up with 14 items (one to focus on each month and 2 bonus...lol) and had it all written/printed out on a piece of paper in order to burn. We went and had a nice dinner together at Freddy's (awesome patty melts by the way) and then proceeded to go out to the lake where we usually go to be magickal.

K and the kiddo went off to the playground so that A and I could do our "thing". We scoped out a decent spot and decended the rocks to get there. Now....I've been going to this lake and playing around on the rocks for the better part of 6 years without incident. Last night however, I fell off an unstable rock and hit my right shoulder and jammed my right middle finger pretty good. We didn't let it stop us....but I wonder what about last night was different than any other time we've gone out there. Granted....it was just her and I instead of a group of people and we were actually going out there to perform a ritual not just engage in meditation. **Longest sentence ever...lol** Maybe that was the difference though.....I'm chalking it up to a small lesson in humility and a necessary sacrifice for our ritual. Yup...that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

We created a circle out of the rocks that were in the immediate area, lit some incense (that stayed lit for all of 15 seconds before our 30mph winds extinguished them), invited in the elements, read our lists, and then attempted to burn them (thus the ignition part). Well....let me tell you how that worked. Hahahahaha...it didn't. We couldn't get those papers lit to save our lives. So...we meditated on our reason to be out there and tried again. Nope...not happening. So we figured that maybe we were supposed to do something a little different. We thought about it, talked outloud to the Goddess and the elements and we felt that we were supposed to turn our lists over to the water. After some deliberation and us telling each other "This way!", "No...that way!"; we went our seperate ways (seperate but unified), did our own things and released all the stuff that's been holding us back and made welcome room for the new.

It was an awesome experience and we promised each other and the Goddess that we would pay more attention to Her and observe more than what we have been (in fact that was on each of our lists). Speaking of lists....I am going to share mine here. So...here goes:

Goals for Ostara Ritual 2011:

~ I release my feelings of anger towards those that have wronged me in my life. I draw in the ability to forgive and find peace so that I may move on and become a better person.

~ I release my feelings of doubt and draw in feelings of confidence and self-assuredness.

~ I release my fear of success and draw in an "I-CAN-DO-IT!" attitude so that I can no longer stop myself from achieving my own goals.

~ I release my tendency towards procrastination and laziness so that I can complete daily tasks and creative endeavors.

~ I release my addiction to fast food and draw in the ability to make healthier choices about food.

~ I release my constant negligence and aim to cultivate a stronger relationship with my Goddess and God.

~ I release the hold that nicotine has on me so that I am able to quit smoking in order to improve my health.

~ I aim to make time every day to meditate and focus on finding my inner Zen/Buddha.

~ I aim to purge my home of items that are no longer necessary in order to increase the flow of positivity.

~ I release the negativity I hold towards myself and my own image and draw in love and positive thoughts in order to improve my self-esteem.

~ I draw in the ability to start each day with a smile and to see the positive in every day.

~ I draw in the ability to see the sacred in everyday tasks (work, cleaning, etc.) and to appreciate the fact that I am able to do these seemingly mundane things.

~ I aim to be more active in my spiritual beliefs in order not to become a "Play-gan".

~ I aim to be more aware of my Goddess-given gifts and take steps in actually using them.

So there you have it.....a good working goal list, an up close and personal experience with Earth (my finger is the worst for wear), time spent with my best friends, my daughter, and an experience with the Goddess and the Elements that I will never forget. It was an awesome night....I only hope that each of you were able to celebrate how you wanted to.

Meditation Monday: Sammasati

2011-03-20T10:52:00.003-05:00

Sutra: Sammasati. ~The Dhammapada of Gautama the Buddha. C.A. 500BC

The last words of Gautam Buddha were Sammasati -- "Remember." In a single word, everything significant is contained. Sammasati: Remeber what is your inner space. Just remember.

There is nothing to achieve, and there is nothing to become. You are already that which you have been seeking in all your lives in different ways, on different paths. But you have never looked inwards.

Just for a few secods sit down with closed eyes to remember, to make note of where you have been, to what depth you have been able to reach; what is the taste of silence, peace, what is the taste of disappearing into the ultimate ... Look in. Ad whenever you have time, you know the path. Just go again and again to the inner space so that your fear of disappearing is dropped, and you start remembering the forgotten language. Sammasati ....

Be silent. Close your eyes.
Look inwards as deeply as possible.
This is the way.
At the very end of the way, you are buddha.

And the journey is very short -- a single step.
Just total urgency and absolute honesty is needed
to look straight into your own being.
There is a mirror; the mirror is the buddha.
It is your eternal nature.
Deeper and deeper, you have to go in
until you find yourself.
Don't hesitate. There is no fear.
Of course you are alone,
but this aloneness is a great, beautiful experience.
And on this path you will not meet anyone except yourself.

Relax, and just be a watchful, witnessing mirror,
reflecting everything.
Neither do those things have any intentions to be reflected,
nor do you have any intention to catch their reflections.
Just be a silent lake, reflecting, and all bliss is yours.
This present moment becomes no-mind, no-time,
just a purity, a space unbounded.
This is your freedom.

And unless you are buddha, you are not free.
You know nothing of freedom.
Let this experience sink deep
in every fiber of your being.
Get soaked, drenched.
When you come back, come back drenched
with the mist of your buddha nature.
And remember this space, this way,
because you have to carry it out twenty-four hours
in all your actions.
Sitting, standing, walking, sleeping,
you have to remain a buddha.
Then the whole existence becomes an ecstasy.

Vacation!!!!

2011-03-17T23:34:00.003-05:00

I'm free....for the next nine days I am absolutely free :) I got out of work about 9:30 this evening and will not have to grace the doors (in uniform) until Monday the 28th.

I will be going to New Mexico to pick up the kidlet for her Spring Break.....I'm driving over tomorrow and will be back on Saturday eve. Then she's all mine for a week and I'll be taking her back to New Mexico on the 26th.

Since we will have all this time together there are sure to be some pretty interesting, comical, poignant and picture heavy posts :)

We're gonna have a blast.

Hope you all have a great weekend. I'll be back on Monday.

Time Warp

2011-03-10T10:53:00.002-06:00

So this past week has been a not so very good one. I've had two friends suffer tragedies this week, another friend had to go visit family because a family member ended up in ICU, and my car decided that it didn't like it's front driver side tire anymore.

Work has been work......they've got me doing something new and my body has decided that it doesn't like that very much. Combine that with the weight gain that occured over the past few weeks and we're talking a serious blow to my self-esteem.

The soon to be ex is still being a jackwagon. I tried to strike up a friendly convo one day this past week and he cut me off and rushed to get off the phone. Again.....blow to the self-esteem. Even though I should know that he's gonna be a giant douche about all this. From what I've heard from friends of mine.....this is typical behavior from him when he decides he's done with someone. And that's fine.....I'll get over it soon enough. It's easier to stay angry at him right now than to acknowledge the pain I feel when I have to talk to him.

I'm convinced I will end up being single for the rest of my life.....please understand that this is a passing thing and I will get through this one too. I work in a field that gives me lots of exposure to the public and I have the opportunity to see many attractive men. And 99.9% of these men are married. The other 0.1% act like they don't even see me. *sigh* Oh well.....it's way too soon to even be considering anything like that. But I did have a friend of mine tell me the sweetest thing....he told me one of the reasons that he's dating the girl he's with is because she reminds him of me. I damn near cried when he said that. Like I said...sweet :)

Yes...I realize that I missed this weeks posts. Actually...it didn't dawn on me until last night. And I'm still trying to find something decent for my first giveaway. My brain is like scrambled eggs lately....so bear with me.

I hope you all have a fantastic Thursday and an awesome weekend!

It's Friday

2011-03-04T11:46:00.002-06:00

And what I would really like to do is crawl back in bed and stay there. But I have things I need to get done today.

I'm cramping like I used to in high school, I'm all bloated, I've gained more weight (update on my other blog), I spilled coffee all over my laptop this morning (thankfully I saved it from frying) and I think I killed my computer mouse. I can click and stuff....but the roller ball is not responding to me. I need my roller ball....it's my friend :( Looks like I might have to go buy a new one. Ugh.

Yesterday was a crap day.....I was in a ridiculous amount of pain, we were crazy busy at work, I didn't get a lunch and then I found out that I'm only scheduled 24 freakin hours next week. What the hell is that??? I haven't worked that little since I first started there. I'm gonna go talk to the manager today and see if there's any way I can get more hours. It's no bueno people, no bueno.

I hope you all have a better Friday than mine has started out to be.
Peace and love to you all!!

Wordless Wednesday: Oatmeal

2011-03-02T11:32:00.002-06:00

Tea Time Tuesday: Ummm...oops??

2011-03-02T11:29:00.002-06:00

*shuffles feet sheepishly** Ahem....yeah, it's Wednesday isn't it??

As you've noticed there was no tea post yesterday and I'm not going to make up for it this week. I'm in the process of attempting to get my head straight. I've become the most ridiculously scatter brained individual lately, peppered with spouts of insane obssessive-compulsive behavior. I don't even know.

I'm trying very hard to get my act together and find my center again. Balance baby....I need my balance.

Off to Wordless Wednesday.

Meditation Monday: Without Haste

2011-02-28T11:26:00.004-06:00

Sutra: Quietly consider what is right and what is wrong. Receiving all opinions equally. Without haste, wisely, observe the law. ~The Dhammapada of Gautama the Buddha. 500BC~

Don't have any prejudice. And we are so full of prejudices, we are bundles of prejudices. And whenever we think that we have come to a conclusion, it is just a deception -- you have again come to a prejudice which has already been put inside you by the society, by the church, by the state. You are victims of so many vested interests, which are all sitting around you with greedy eyes to exploit you, to suck your blood and soul. Watch, the next time you feel that you have understood somethig, observed something. Go back and try to see: is it some past prejudice that has again popped up in a new form, in a new format, with new words? And you will be surprised: it is so.

When Buddha says "quietly consider" he means don't think -- drop all thinking and see. That is the only way to know things as they are...because if you are thinking, you are bringing your prejudices in. If you are thinking, you are bringing your past conclusions in. If you are thinking, your mind is functioning -- and mind is past, and the past never allows you to see the present. Thinking has to stop for meditation to be. Thinking has to evaporate totally. In that state of no-thought you can see.
Buddha says: Meditate quietly. Be silent and see. And in that seeing you will know -- without any logical process you will simply know: This is this. This is good and this is bad. Not that you have to decide it according to the Bible or the Koran or the Gita. If you have eyes you know where the wall is and where the door is. Do you have to think about it? Each time you go out of your room do you have to think agai and agai where the door is and where the wall is? You simply go out of the door without thinking at all, because you can see! But if you are blind, each time you will have to think again and again, "Where is the door?" You will have to grope for the door.
Thinking is a blind state, it is a groping in the darkness.
Meditation is a state of having eyes, you are capable of seeing. You simply see what is right and what is wrong. And when you see what is right and what is wrong you can't do the wrong, you can't go against the right.
A meditator naturally follows that which is good -- not that he decides to follow it -- and naturally avoids that which is bad. Not that he decides to avoid it; a meditator never takes any vows -- there is no need. A man with eyes never takes the vow that "I will always enter from the door, go out from the door. I promise you, God, that I will never try to enter from the wall. Believe me, I am a ma of my word, I will keep it, although I know there will be many temptations." If somebody is saying that, you will laugh. "What nonsense is he talking! What temptations?" Have you ever been tempted by the wall to get in and out through it? No such temptation is there.
Buddha says, "receiving all opinions equally" -- without any prejudice, without any opinion already arrived at. Just listen to, and watch, all kinds of things. Be a pure mirror -- that is meditation. And without haste, because if you are in a hurry you will jump upon the conclusion. You are not really concerned with truth, you are more concerned with a conclusion, because the conclusion gives comfort, the conclusion gives you a security, the conclusion makes you feel that you know. It covers up your ignorance, it makes you feel sure and certain.
Hence people are so ready to become part of any church. They are not ready to become free. Even if sometimes they leave a church, they leave only to join another church. The Hindu becomes the Mohammedan, the Mohammedan becomes the Christian, the Christian becomes the Hindu. And this way they go on moving from one church to another, but they remain the same people because their approach remains the same.
Without haste, wisely, obersve the law. Don't be in a hurry. I hurrying you may decide something which is not true. Just for the longing to make a decision, you may conclude, you may start believing. A real inquirer is ready to wait, he is very patient. Even if it takes lives he is ready to devote lives.

Truth is worth devoting as much time to as you can.

Full Moon Beauty

2011-02-19T10:36:00.003-06:00

So...this is a crappy picture taken with my cell phone from the highway out of a moving car last night. I couldn't resist snapping a quick one as She rose up over the horizon of my beautiful city. My observance of her was done on Thursday night....it was a lot more clear and there was no chance of rain, so it made sense.

Now...anybody who knows me well can tell you that I'm a water baby. Me and water go together like peanut butter and jelly. So...with all that's been going on, I figured it would make sense to get out there and revel in the beauty of the moon with my feet being embraced by the water that I love. Well...we got out to the lake and went to the water and I felt off. It just wasn't what I needed. I felt almost anxious and really uncomfortable. Thinking about it in hindsight...water dealing with emotions and all...it made sense. So....we went to find another spot (away from water) and found this awesome clearing in some trees and just plopped down to do our own things. My whole objective was to go out there....ask the Goddess for guidance and to apologize for being the laziest Pagan on the planet. I went out there to reconnect with the Divine and recommit myself to my path. Again. I'm horrible ya'll...truly.

So...we get to our clearing and go off to do our own things. I plopped down on what looked like a comfy poof of grass and threw myself on the ground. Laid down, absorbed the light of the moon, breathed in the sweet, clean fresh air and planted my bare feet on the rock solid earth. Instantly I felt better than I have in a week. It was like everything that had been wrong, all the emotions that have been raging through my brain just went away. They flowed from top to bottom out of me and into Mother Earth. And I gave them away....just let them go. And I cried....silent tears just made their way out of my eyes and onto the ground. It was amazing. When I felt ready, I opened my eyes and marveled at the Moon and the stars and then I saw this cloud....and I swear to you it was the Goddess in cloud formation. She was awesomely beautiful. My heart and soul were filled with peace and love. I laid there for what felt like hours....realistically it wasn't even 30 minutes. But it was the best thing I've done in a long time.

I have promised Her to be more diligent in my practice....to (for lack of better wording) get off my damn ass and be spiritually productive. LOL

So...dear readers and friends....tell me...what do you do when you feel you've let yourself wander off your path? How do you bring yourself back to where you need to be?

You can come out now....

2011-02-18T10:17:00.002-06:00

Ok, break time is over. I can't stand it anymore. I thought I needed silence...but really I need an outlet for my brain. I've thought about doing the 750 words site for all this (and truth be told, I probably will do that too) but I want to share this here. Just because the more I share this with people the better I feel.

My husband is a jackass. He's a lying, cheating bastard. And I mean that quite literally. We've been together almost six years, married for almost five and I found out the day before Valentine's Day that he cheated on me. He betrayed me. He lied about it. Asshole. And he did it with someone he works with....someone who dared to call me a friend. Ho-bag.

Yeah...I'm angry. I'm hurt. I feel so many emotions and feeling coursing through my brain over the past week that most of them don't even have names at this point...they just are. We are currently separated and I have no idea if I'm ever going to be able to forgive him for this. The general consensus of most of my friends is that I should file for divorce....yesterday. LOL. I love them for that. Unfortunately (or not...depending on how you look at it), he's still paying all the bills. Well...his money is. I have full access to his money and I pull it out as needed and pay what I need to pay. I even went out yesterday and bought myself $60 worth of new bras. And today I'm getting shoes for work....on his dime. So, this could work out to my advantage in some respect. *sigh* I don't know.

I'm not sure how I'm supposed to deal with all this. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to feel or say or believe anymore. I'm just tired....so very, very tired.

So...there you have it. An abbreviated version of what's been going on the past week. I'm going to give myself over the weekend to deal with it some more and then we will be back to our regularly scheduled line-up on Monday.

Love and tea-cozies!

Time for a Break

2011-02-13T08:52:00.002-06:00

Due to some personal issues that have occured over the weekend...I will be taking a small break.

I hope to be back next monday (after all the v-day crap) and back to my regularly scheduled (or not now) life.

For those of you who have other ways to contact me.....feel free to talk to me during my blog break. I might even catch you up and let you be angry/hurt with me :)

Love to all my tea-drinkin witches (and non-witches)
TW

Wow

2011-02-10T18:07:00.003-06:00

Ok...so I just noticed that I hit the 50 follower mark. Plus one. That's awesome...I'm overjoyed. Truly. I never thought that many people would be all that interested in anything that I have to say. I started this on a whim....as do most bloggers I suppose....because I love tea and decided to attempt to share my love for it with the world.

I never thought for one minute that I would end up having 10 people following me...let alone 50+. Wow...that's awesome.

I'm thinking of doing something to mark this momentous occasion. I just don't know what yet...so, stay tuned my friends. I'll let you know either later today or tomorrow what I decide to do.

WW: Snow Sculptures

2011-02-09T11:41:00.002-06:00

Tea Time Tuesday: Chai Recipie

2011-02-08T22:46:00.004-06:00

Well...here we are. I can't believe it's Tuesday again already. Seems like I was just doing this the other day. We're preparing for round 2 of nasty winter weather. Hard to believe that Spring is supposed to be right around the corner. I've decided to post a recipie today...one for Chai. A drink that is thick and creamy and warms you from the inside out. It's a make it yourself kinda thing...so you can adjust the measurements of the spices until you find a combination that works for you.

Masala Spice Mixture

2 Tblsps. Ground Cardamom
2 Tblsps. Ground Cloves
2 Tblsps. Ground Cinnamon
2 Tblsps. Powdered Ginger
1 Tblsp. Ground Black Pepper

~Mix all ingredients thoroughly. Store in a tightly lidded glass jar in a cool dark place. Yields 1/4 cup of spice mixture.~

To use Spice Mixture:

1/2 cup water
2 tsp. sugar
2 tsp. Assam or Darjeeling Tea Leaves
1/8 tsp. Masala Spice Mixture
1/2 cup milk

~Bring water, sugar and tea leaves to a boil. Add Masala Spice Mixture and bring to a second boil. Add milk and simmer for about 5 minutes. Pre-heat cups. Strain chai, pour into cups and serve. Yields 2 servings~

**Recipies obtained from the book: "Chai, the Spice Tea of India" by Diana Rosen**

Meditation Monday: The Simple Teaching

2011-02-07T09:43:00.004-06:00

Sutra: Master yourself according to the law. This is the simple teaching of the awakened. ~The Dhammapada of Gautama the Buddha. 500BC~
Man is born unconsciously, although he has the potential to become conscious. And the potential will remain only a potential unless you work hard to actualize it. One is born with an intrinsic capacity to conquer oneself, but your whole energy becomes extrovert. Living with people who are extrovert, ambitious, desiring this and that, the child also starts imitating. He learns from others -- from his parents, teachers, priests, politicians -- and these are all in the same boat. Somebody is after money, somebody is after power, somebody is after fame, but nobody seems to be interested in one's own self. Nobody seems to be ready to go on that great pilgrimage of self-discovery. Buddha says master yourself. If you are at all interested in mastery -- and who is not interested? -- then become interested in self-mastery. Don't waste your time in trying to domintate others.

"According to the law" does not mean the law of the state or the law given by the priests. "According to the law" for Buddha means according to the ultimate law of life and existence. There is a tremendous harmony -- anybody just a little bit sensitive, intelligent, can feel it -- life is a harmonious whole. It is not a chaos, it is a cosmos. Why is it not a chaos? Because a law runs through and through it like a thread in a garland. That thread is invisible, you see only the flowers, but that thread is keeping them together. Existence is a garland; there is a thread, a sutra (sutra means thread) a very thin thread, almost invisible, running through the whole of existence, that makes it a cosmos instead of a chaos.
"According to the law" in the words of Buddha means: Be in harmony with nature, existence. Don't fight it, don't go against it. Don't try to go upstream, to flow upstream. To be in a let-go with existence is to follow the law. aes dhammo sanantano - this is the inexhaustible law. If you relax, if you allow the law to take you over, to possess you, you will be overflooded with it. You need not go on an ego trip. The river is already flowing to the ocean -- you will simply flow with the river. No need to swim either - float, and you will reach the ocean.

OSHO

Fairies Everywhere

2011-02-05T10:19:00.004-06:00

So....The Whimsical Cottage is hosting a month long event of the awesomeness of the fairie culture.

Today...I got to guest post for her. :) Head over there and check it out would you??? It's got some pretty cool stuff so far...can't wait to see what the rest of the month brings.

To read my blog post click here.

WW: Imbolc Edition

2011-02-02T11:01:00.002-06:00

One more of my ideas for this little corner of cyberspace.....I've seen a lot of people do this on their own blogs and after considering if I wanted to join in it or not....I've decided to. Wednesday is usually a pretty hectic day for most people. I'm going to use it as a way to get my readers (yes...you there) to smile. I'm going to use pictures based on my 14,000 things to be happy about book. That's 14,000 Wednesdays to post on....that's a lot guys. Starting next Wed. there will be no words (beyond the title) in my WW posts...just the picture. I would love it if you guys would let me know if it's something that makes you happy....or reminds you of something that makes you happy.

Also....I want to wish you all a Blessed Imbolc and a prosperous New Moon. I think it's awesome that they coincide with each other this year. I plan on using this to my advantage today. Ok...here we go, in honor of the Sabbat.....

Tea Time Tuesday: Imbolc Edition

2011-02-01T13:21:00.006-06:00

In keeping with the spirit of the season I've decided to post about teas that you can drink for the Imbolc holiday. Teas that are cleansing and purifying. Teas that can help to cleanse your body and your spirit. Sounds yummy huh?? I thought so......so without further procrastination...here is your list of Imbolc teas.

Feel free to add to this list in the comments or tell me if you use something else from what I list...I love to get new ideas for teas.
Anise
Blackberry
Chamomile
Fennel
Hyssop
Lavendar
Peppermint
Red Clover
Rosemary
Valerian (use with caution...can also make you sleepy)
Vervain

Bonus....here's a yummy treat I found while trolling around the internet one day. I can't remember the site exactly but if someone recognizes where it's from please let me know so I can give credit where it's due.

Lemon Rosemary Tea Cake

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. salt
2 tsp. grated or finely chopped lemon zest (yellow part of the rind only)
2 tsp. minced dried rosemary leaves or fresh rosemary stripped of stems, minced
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup powdered sugar (sifted)
2 large eggs
3/4 cup lowfat buttermilk
2-3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

Preheat oven to 325. Lightly oil 9x5 loaf pan.
Combine flour, baking powder, salt, lemon zest, and rosemary in a med. sized bowl, stir together till blended. In a large bowl, beat oil and sugar until blended. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each one until mix is a pale yellow.
Add 1/3 of flour mix and 1/2 the buttermilk to egg mixture and blend together. Add the rest of the buttermilk, stir to blend completely. Add the rest of the flour mixture (1/3 at a time) stirring to blend after each addition. Spread batter in loaf pan.
Bake until golden and bread starts to pull away from sides of pan, about 55 minutes.

Glaze: In a med. bowl mix together powdered sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Drizzle or spread on warm loaf. Allow to cool completely. Use a knife to loosen bread from pan and remove. Slice, serve and enjoy!

Giveaway Love

2011-01-31T21:54:00.003-06:00

So there's this nifty giveaway over at Nydia's blog Bringing up Salamanders. You should go check it out.....

Seriously....go...why are you still here ???

*kisses*

Meditation Monday: Not in the Sky

2011-01-31T20:59:00.004-06:00

Today I start a new series called Meditation Monday. I recently purchased the Osho Buddha Meditation cards and have fallen in love with them. I haven't really had the chance to delve into them yet...and I figure with it being the week of Imbolc...what better time than now. Basically what I'll do here is pull a card out of the deck (there are 53 total) every Monday. I'll post the explanation of the card here so that all can reap the benefits of it. Feel free to meditate to the sutra off and on during the week....find your inner buddha. So...here we go. Our first Meditation Monday. Feel free to let me know what you think of this idea of mine.

This weeks card is Number 29: Not in the Sky.

Sutra: The way is not in the sky. The way is in the heart. ~The Dhammapads of Gautama the Buddha. 500 BC~
Don't look upward! When you pray you look upward, as if God is there. Buddha says: Look inward, because God is there.

Look within. Watch how many jealousies, how many angers, how many lustful desires are boiling there. Just watch them!
And this is the greatest contribution of Buddha -- that he has said, and proved beyond doubt because it has worked for thousands of people -- that a deep observation of anything that is wrong in you is enough; you need not do anything else. Just be aware of it and it disappears. It disappears just as you bring light into a room and the darkness disappears.
Become aware, awake. Then you will see that everything comes and goes, all things come and pass. Life is a flux. Your consciousness is the only thing that is immovable, that is eternal. To attain it is freedom. To attain it is the goal of life.

OSHO

Seeing the Light

2011-01-30T22:07:00.006-06:00

Well....Imbolc is upon us. Unfortunately, I have to work till close on Wed. so this is going to be my Imbolc post for the year. I also have some new goodies coming up this week (starting tomorrow) so you'll have to stay tuned :)

Imbolc...what shall we say about Imbolc? It's always been a good holiday for me....there's a current of hope that rushes through the air. The promise of spring on the other side of the horizon....warmer days with more and more sun as we approach summer. The first shoots of grass peeking out from the deadened landscape (sometimes even peeking through snow depending on where you are). This Imbolc, however, I think the majority of us will be spending it huddled around our fireplaces (or other heat sources) as we're still buried in snow (or about to be in my case). It's kind of depressing to tell the truth. But...as every cloud has a silver lining...I have decided to look at it as Mother Nature's way of giving us one last good cleaning before setting up shop for the warmer months.

This year Imbolc falls on the New Moon (what others refer to as the Dark Moon). I think this is a very auspicious occasion as the New Moon symbolizes a time for renewal and new beginnings. Well....so does Imbolc. New beginnings, renewal and purification are all themes of this day. It would be a great time to do some meditation on what you hope to accomplish through the rest of the year. You could also do divination to see what might come your way down the road...or ask questions...or see what the coming months could bring to you. I plan on doing a 12 month spread for myself....just to see what has changed between Samhain and now. I know I've changed since then...so I'm gonna go with it. It's also a good time to do a purification ritual/bath of some sort (depending on your individual path). This is the time of year that I start my Spring Cleaning. I start with closets and dressers and get rid of worn clothes, donate what we no longer need/use, etc. I then move to cleaning the house, top to bottom, back to front so that by the time Ostara gets here my house feels and looks amazing. And yes...sometimes it does take me that long. This time of year is also when I replace the broom over my front door. Tradition states that you should burn the old one to purge the negativity so that it doesn't come back....but since I live in a city I can't exactly go out on my patio and have a mini bonfire. So I settle for putting it in a trash bag and closing it tight and tossing it in the trash.

Some correspondences for Imbolc are:

Symbols: Candles, Grain dolls and sun wheels

Colors: White, Yellow, Red and Pink

Animals: Sheep, Robins, Lambs, Deer and Dragons

Stones: Turquoise and Amethyst

Foods: Milk, Honey, Poultry, Pork and Lamb

Plants: Evergreen, Willow, Rosemary and Dill

Oils: Jasmine, Neroli and Olive

Attunement Teas: Chamomile, Red Clover and Blackberry

Goddesses: Arianhrod (Welsh), Athena (Greek), Inanna (Sumerian), Brigid/Brid (Irish), and Kebehut (Egyptian)

Gods: Cupid/Eros (Greco-Roman), Diancecht (Irish), Braggi (Norse), and Dumuzi (Sumerian)

Key Actions of Imbolc are: Plan and Prepare

Imbolc Taboos: Cutting or Picking Plants

Meanings of Imbolc are: Honor of the Virgin (Maiden) Goddess, First Signs of Returning Life, and Festival of Light

Some activities you could do on Imbolc: Burning evergreen boughs that decorated your home during the winter months, Clean your house...discard all useless or unnecessary items either to charity or the trash heap, take a ritual bath, do a light body detox (be safe with this one guys), Cleanse your heart of old anger, pain and fears, Meditate, Clean your altar and ritual tools...reconsecrate them, Make "Brigid's Crosses".

This is by no means a complete list of correspondences for this holiday. I took my favorites out of a couple of books I have in order to share with you. The books are: "Sabbats: A Witch's Approach to Living the Old Ways" by Edain McCoy and "Coven Craft" by Amber K.

I hope you all have a wonderful Imbolc....may the fires burn bright and may Brigid bless you all.

Yawn....stretch

2011-01-20T11:00:00.004-06:00

Well hello again happy shiny people....yes, I know I've been absent from this area for a while. I've been trying to get my other blog up and running (figuring out what I would like to do with it), working my butt off, trying not to kill my husband, contemplating blowing up the house and starting over with housework, catching a few winks here and there (I haven't had a full nights sleep in a long time before last night when I crashed due to sheer exhaustion). So what all have you guys been up to?

Because of the sheer exhaustion I have been unbelievably cranky. I figured it was safer not to come here and spill out my horribleness via blog posts. No, seriously, I was thinking some pretty scary stuff ya'll. For example....a co-worker left a pair of pliers on a cart at work and my brain went into hyper-drive about all the things I could do with this pair of pliers. My hands would have turned into instruments of divine torture. We're talking Hannibal Lecter tendencies. It was safer for me (and you) to stay away. But...I got a good night's sleep last night. The sun is shining, the dusting of snow we got last night/early this morning is in the process of melting away. *While the school's still remain shut...pansies*

So...I've still got at least one post to finish that Reverb10 thing from December. And yes, I'm going to finish it. It's important. And then I have a few things brewing in the brain for you lovelies. My goal is to have Tea Time Tuesday up and running again here in the next week or so. I'm such a slacker, I swear.

Here's a little something for you.....out of my 14,000 things to be happy about book:

Isn't it pretty....I love nature pictures.

Reverb10: Days 26-31

2011-01-06T12:42:00.005-06:00

Day 26: Soul Food -- What did you eat this year that you will never forget? What went into your mouth and touched your soul? (Author: Elise Marie Collins)

It was early fall. Two friends of mine and I went downtown in search of a place to eat that we actually had made reservations at. Well, two times around downtown resulted in a frustrated bunch of people that never found the place. One of the two friends knew of another little place downtown and directed me there. We parked and went into one of the most awesome restaurant's I have ever been in. It was a little place called Red. It had one of those modern-post industrial vibes to it. The coolest part were the red halogen tube lights that hung up like curtains down the central walkway that the waitstaff went to the kitchen on. We ordered dessert and drinks and had a blast. I ordered a triple berry compote type dessert and damn near died and went to heaven when I tried it. In fact....I think I have a pic of it. Hold on....

Beautiful isn't it?? Yes...it's in black and white because it was dark at the table and the color shots looked awful. But I loved this dessert and I have some wonderful memories of two very great friends that evening.

Day 27: Ordinary Joy -- Our most profound joy is often experienced during ordinary moments. What was one of your most joyful ordinary moments this year? (Author: Brene Brown)

I honestly can't pick one moment of ordinary joy from 2010. It's not that I don't have any, I have a ton of them to choose from. LOL. From poker nights and late nights staying up and playing guitar hero to going on 3am runs to Taco Bell. From full moons at the lake to spending a weekend in New Mexico with my mom. And that's only a few that I thought of off the top of my head. I had a great 2010 and can only hope that I have as much fun in 2011.

Day 28: Achieve -- What's the thing that you most want to achieve next year? How do you imagine you'll feel when you get it? Free? Happy? Complete? Blissful? Write that feeling down. Then brainstorm 10 things you can do, or 10 new thoughts you can think that in order to feel that experience today. (Author: Tara Sophia Mohr)

I'm going to capture my word of the year. "Create". I can imagine a feeling of accomplishment when I finally create something from beginning to end. And as far as 10 things I can think or do to feel accomplished...well, I did that today by cleaning my apartment because I wanted to. Not cause I felt I had to....but the fact that I wanted a nice, clean, comfortable, and inviting home made me happy. And now, I sit with my glass of milk typing this and feel accomplished and that makes me smile.

Day 29: Defining Moment -- Describe a defining moment or series of events that has affected your life this year. (Author: Kathryn Fitzmaurice)

In 2010 I learned that it's ok to let go. I let go of some of my fears and inhibitions. I let go of the control that I feel I have to maintain at all times. I let go of the departed and wished them a happy journey. I let go of myself a few times in there too. I'm still working on this whole "letting go" process. I'm learning to let go of old hurts and anger. I'm going to be working on the 30 letters project just for myself. I plan on writing them and holding a bonfire to truly let go of all the stuff that has weighed me down. I plan on letting go of even more of my fears....including working on my biggest....my fear of success. Wish me luck :)

Day 30: Gift -- This month, gifts and gift giving can seem inescapable. What's the most memorable gift, tangible or emotional, you received this year? (Author: Holly Root)

I know it may sound trite and corny but the best gift that I recieved in 2010 was being able to wake up to see the next day. I spent years and years lonely and depressed and wishing I could die. I have tried to end my life on more than one occassion and I can say now, with all honesty, I'm glad that I was too much of a chicken shit to actually succeed in that. I'm glad that my daughter said "Mama" for the first time when I was contemplating swallowing a couple of handfuls of pills with a chaser of vodka. I lost a very good friend way too soon and it woke me up and really made me realize that life is short...no matter how old you are...and you need to be able to enjoy every second of it. You have to revel in the joy, the pain, the hurt, anger, happiness, jealousy, triumph, etc, etc, etc. I, for one, am damn glad to be alive and I intend to live like I am.

Day 31: Core Story -- What central story is at the core of you, and how do you share it with the world? (Bonus: Consider your reflections from this month. Look through them to discover a thread you may not have noticed until today.) *(Author: Molly O'Neill)

I think I can safely say....see above.

**I know this was completed damn near a month after it was "supposed" to be done. But oh well, life got busy...as I'm sure you are all familiar with...and this blog wasn't exactly the first thing I thought of every day. Better late than never though...at least I finished it ;)**

Reverb10: Days 21-25

2010-12-28T23:29:00.004-06:00

Day 21: Future Self - Imagine yourself five years from now. What advice would you give your current self for the year ahead? (Author: Jenny Blake)

Don't be afraid of success. That's how you ended up 30, without a college degree, and working a menial day job (no matter how much fun it is). Get up off your ass and do something with your life girly. Have fun...there is no need to live like an arthritic old lady with no friends. You know how to have fun....get out there and do it.

Day 22: Travel - How did you travel in 2010? How and/or where would you like to travel next year? (Author: Tara Hunt)

By car.....strictly by car. And that's how I will continue to travel. I don't do planes very well (not without an anti-anxiety pill and alcohol) and I'm land locked so boats are pretty much not an option here. I can attempt to walk places more often....the grocery store could be a venture at some point. :) I want to explore some more areas in my state....that would be fun I think.

Day 23: New Name - Let's meet again, for the first time. If you could introduce yourself to strangers by another name for just one day, what would it be and why? (Author: Becca Wilcott)

Hi, my name is Laura. I have no desire to change my name or anything like that.

Day 24: Everything's OK - What was the best moment that could serve as proof that everything is going to be alright? How will you incorporate that discovery into the year ahead? (Author: Kate Inglis)

I'm not sure I've had one of those moments....I'll have to get back to you on that.

Day 25: Photo - A present to yourself. Sift through all the photos of yourself from the past year. Choose one that best captures you; either who you are or who you strive to be. Find the shot of you that is worth a thousand words. Share the image, who shot it, where and what it best reveals about you.

I love this picture of myself....I'm at the lake for Lammas with a bunch of friends and I was having an awesome day. I'm happy....I feel physically fabulous and I'm standing in water, which makes me feel whole and complete and at peace with everything in the world.

Reverb10: Days 16-20

2010-12-28T23:21:00.003-06:00

**Ok...I've been slacking big time on this blog thing...time to kick it into gear and get some stuff done.**

Day 16: Friendship - How has a friend changed you or your prespective on the world this year? Was this change gradual or a sudden burst? (Author: Martha Mihalick)

I have this friend who I've gotten pretty damn close to over the past year. She helps to keep me sane when I feel like I'm about to lose my brain. Seriously...she's awesome. She helps to keep me calm when all I want to do is smack some poor schmuck in the back of the head for breathing funny in my general direction. I am truly blessed to have someone like her in my life and I hope that we continue to be friends for the rest of our days.

Day 17: Lesson Learned - What was the best thing you learned about yourself this past year? How will you apply this lesson going forward? (Author: Tara Weaver)

To not take life so damn seriously all the time. I'm a type A personality and have this whole viewpoint on life that things need to get done before they are supposed to be and that I have to be this whole "responsible, mature, productive member of society". I have recently learned that I don't need to be this way.....I have leaned to cut loose from time to time and just have fun. The bills will still get paid, the housework will still get done and yes (even if it hurts) I can go to work on three hours of sleep. LOL

Day 18: Try - What do you want to try next year? Is there something you wanted to try in 2010? What happened when you did/didn't go for it? (Author: Kaileen Elise)

I want to do more stuff....travel, crafts, blogging. I want to have more fun. I want to have adventures and feel alive :) Last year my mom asked me if I wanted to spend a week with her in Santa Rosa, NM for Spring Break vacation. I surprised her, and myself, by saying hell yeah. I went and had an absolute blast. I had time away from my husband, the roommate (previous to the one I have now), the job and the cats. It was awesome.....and I want to do it again soon.

Day 19: Healing - What healed you this year? Was it sudden or a drip-by-drip evolution? How would you like to be healed in 2011? (Author: Leonie Allen)

This year was full of healing moments for me. I think the one that sticks out in my head the most is when me and two friends went down to Texas in October to revisit the site where we released our friend's ashes. Charles is his name....he passed away in August of 2009 from a combination of heart failure and acute mylositic (sp?) luekemia. He was an awesome individual. He was funny and compassionate, strong and sensitive and gay as a three dollar bill. He was my shoe shopping buddy and my thrift store companion. He was my Monday morning coffee and donut eating champion. He was one of my best friends and not a day goes by that I don't think of him. When he passed away I was devestated. I felt hurt, angry and betrayed by the Gods. I know now that he is in a better place....a place without pain, sickness or any of the other negative conotations that we hold about mortality. I know that even as I write this he's sitting in the Summerlands having a blast....playing gin and drinking sweet tea with his favorite people in the world (his mom and grandmother). Charles was the best gay boyfriend a girl could have.....and I will cherish his memory my entire life. I love you Charles...and I'll see you on the flip side.

Day 20: Beyond Avoidance - What should you have done this year but didn't because you were too scared, worried, unsure, busy, or otherwise deterred from doing? (Bonus: Will you do it?) (Author: Jake Nickell)

The year of 2010 was supposed to be my year to start living healthy....I attempted to quit smoking (failed), I attempted to eat better and drink less sugary soda (failed). I even attempted to start up my yoga practice and getting up and moving more.....epic fail. So....if at first you don't succeed...try, try again. I am bound and determined to get this extra weight off before I'm diagnosed as a diabetic or worse. Wish me luck with that.....

Reverb10: Days 11-15

2010-12-28T23:11:00.003-06:00

Day 11: Eleven Things - What eleven things does your life not need in 2011? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these things change your life? (Author: Sam Davidson)

Negativity, Self-Criticism, Self-Doubt, Clutter, Procrastination, Laziness, Excuses, Fast Food, Excessive Tech Time, Stuff, Self-Hatred.

I'm sure you will notice a theme here....basically I have issues being very negative to myself and I just have to stop doing that. I am a lazy witch and must stop. I just have to stop.....I could sit here and try to say that I don't have time or I'm too tired but that's just a lot of bull. I spend too much time on the computer and in front of the TV and it needs to come to a halt. I desire to be more crafty (in both ways), I have a desire to be healthier and more physically fit and I'm just plain out of excuses. So....I'm going to get off my butt and do something about it.

Day 12: Body Integration - This year, when did you feel most integrated with your body? Did you have a moment where there wasn't mind and body but just a single, cohesive YOU, alive and present? (Author: Patrick Reynolds)

I am sad to say that I can't recall a moment that I felt most integrated with my body. Sad isn't it??? Let's see if I can do that next year.....here's hoping.

Day 13: Action - When it comes to aspirations, it's not about ideas. It's about making ideas happen. What's your next step? (Author: Scott Belsky)

To get up and do something. No more lazy tea witch for me.

Day 14: Appreciate - What's the one thing you have come to appreciate the most in the past year? How do you express gratitude for it? (Author: Victoria Klein)

My friends. I grew up in the military and spent most of my teen years moving around. I was never in a place long enough (neither were my friends) to form any deep lasting relationships with anyone. Granted...I have a friend of my family that I've known for practically my entire life and another friend that I have managed to keep in touch with (despite years of silence on both ends...mostly due to all my moving). But now, at the age of 30, I am glad to say that I have a support system in my life. I have people who give a damn about me and my family and I care about theirs. I have a godson and several psuedo nieces and nephews. I love them all and would do practically anything for them. And they know it....

Day 15: Five Minutes - Imagine you will completely lose your memory of 2010. Set an alarm for five minutes and capture the things you most want to remember about 2010. (Author: Patti Digh)

In no particular order.....Friends, love, peace, family, food, parties, new experiences and opportunities, excitement and happiness. Learning and letting go. Feeling and sharing.

Reverb10: Days 6-10

2010-12-26T18:24:00.003-06:00

Day 6: Make - What was the last thing you made? What materials did you use? Is there something you want to make but need to clear some time for it? (Author: Gretchen Rubin)

Outside of the occasional meal in the kitchen, I can't recall the last thing that I've made. I've gotten incredibly lazy where my crafty side is concerned. We're not talking procrastinating lazy...just plain lazy, lazy. I claim to not have time to be crafty...but that's a lot of bull (and my Treasure Isle level shows that). I've lost the desire to be crafty...and that's kinda sad my friends. So....here's hoping that 2011 is more of a crafty year than the past few years have been for me.

Day 7: Community - Where have you discovered community, online or otherwise in 2010? What community would you like to join, create or more deeply connect with in 2011? (Author: Cali Harris)

Oh this is easy...my fellow BSM members (get your minds out of the gutters folks) are my online family. I love them....they are an amazing group of men and women (ok...mostly chicks) and fellow Pagans, Heathens, Witches, etc. They are the greatest support system that I have found in a long time and I wouldn't give them up for anything. I hope to forge a deeper connection with them over the next year...even hopefully meet some in person. :)

Day 8: Beautifully Different - Think about what makes you different and what you do that lights people up. Reflect on all the things that make you different - you'll find that they are what make you beautiful. (Author: Karen Walrond)

I absolutely hate questions like this. I have this weird phobia of putting myself under a microscope and criticing myself for anyone....especially myself. But here's how it is....I consider myself a pretty cool person and a good friend. I'm caring, giving (sometimes too much) and very protective of those I love. I'm not going to go much more than that because, well, I can never come up with anything. I honestly have no clue what makes me "different" from anyone else. I know that I have some traits and qualities and morals that others don't....what those may be I have no earthly idea. I don't spend a lot of time analyzing those traits in others...I do my best to accept people for who/what they are. So why would I spend time analyzing myself. I just go out and do my thing and that's that. The end.

Day 9: Party - What social gathering rocked your socks off in 2010? Describe the people, music, food, clothes, drinks, and shenanigans. (Author: Shauna Reid)

I have a friend, he's an artist, photographer, writer and well...just plain awesome. I reached a point this year where I was just tired of not being creative in some way, shape or form. So...he helped to drag me out of my shell. He threw a couple of networking parties at a studio not to far from the city and he convinced me to come to them. The first one I went solo and had a fairly good time. Met some good people, had a couple drinks and then water (since I had to drive), laughed and snacked on finger foods. The second one I went to I took K with me. We had a blast. We danced, sang, ate and drank. She drank way more than me....again, I had to drive. But the point of it is....they were awesome gatherings of some amazing people. I met this girl at the second party and she is so full of that "joie de vivre" feeling it's insane. There was another guy there with a bike (like the old school bikes) and she wanted to ride it....so she did. Heels and all. And she had a blast doing it. There was another guy there with a motorcycle and she went for a ride with him on that too.....because she could. So did K....she couldn't resist. LOL. The thing is...they did these things in order to have fun. I want to work on being able to do things like that myself here in the next year. I don't want to be the shy wallflower that I've been practically my entire life. I want to come out of my shell more and be daring. I want to live....not just survive. Wait...what was the question? LOL

Day 10: Wisdom - What was the wisest decision you made this year, and how did it play out? (Author: Susannah Conway)

Honestly...I'm still working on this one. I'll let you know how it goes :)

Reverb10: Days 3-5

2010-12-10T13:20:00.002-06:00

Day 3: Moment. Pick one moment during which you felt most alive this year. Describe it in vivid detail (texture, smells, voices, noises, colors). (Author: Ali Edwards)

I have sat here for about fifteen minutes and am quite ashamed to say that I honestly can't pinpoint one moment where I felt most alive this year. Not saying that I haven't had those moments....I just can't think of one specifically. There have been several of those "I feel so alive" moments for me. And sense I appreciate every single one of them I don't think it would be fair to blog about one over the other. Some of them involved being with my daughter, others my friends, one or two involved my cat. Others involved me and me alone. Over the past year I have learned not to take things for granted. Appreciate things in your life...no matter how small or insignificant. You don't know for sure how long you'll be around to enjoy them. Enjoy everything while you can....live with no regrets. Love without shame. There is no substitute for true joy.

Day 4: Wonder. How did you cultivate a sense of wonder in your life this year? (Author: Jeffrey Davis)

I think I answered this in Day 1's post. Honestly though....once again I spent a lot of the year in wonder. Wondering about my life and the direction I want to take it. I have joined the 43things website in order to harness all those things that I would like to accomplish in my life. I'm also looking at completing several blog challenges in the coming year in order to harness a better understanding of my own life and why I do some of the things I do. I'm tired of doing the day to day routine. I'm honestly a bit bored with my life. If you would like to read more about me and the essence of the word Wonder....go back to Day 1...you'll see a bit more there.

Day 5: Let Go. What (or whom) did you let go of this year? Why? (Author: Alice Bradley)

This year I did my absolute best to let go of negative people in my life. I realized that in order to improve the quality of my own life and to stop being so negative about my own decisions that I had to cut out the negativity in my life from outside sources. One person I have completely let go of and another I have minimized my contact with considerably. The one person I cut out completely was just too draining on my mental and emotional resources. She is a seriously co-dependant individual and needed constant validation on almost everything that she did. She would insist on hanging things that she did for me and my family over my head on a fairly consistent basis. I just reached a point where I couldn't deal with it anymore. So I quit dealing with it. We broke off the friendship after something she did negatively affected the well being of my child...that was the final straw for me. We talk occasionally through text messages. Nothing more involved than a "Hi, how are you?" but I've set down the ground rules in the fact that we will no longer be more than casual aquaintances. We're both happy with that.
The other person that I have let go of is someone that I'm still very close to. What I've let go of with this person is the way that their personal opinion on things impact me. This is someone that has something to say about everything and I used to let it bother me on a deep emotional level. I had become co-dependant on her for the longest time. And when I let go of the other person, I realized that I had some of the same attributes in myself that I had grown to dislike in the other person. So I put myself under the microscope. I realized that I wasn't being my own person...that I was allowing her opinions to have more hold over my thoughts than my own. I had to stop doing that.

It's a work in progress though....things like these take time you know.

Giveaway

2010-12-09T01:55:00.004-06:00

So....The Blue Faerie over at Dancing with a Spatula Wand is giving away the cutest crochet bluebird in existence. No, seriously...this little dude (Pedro is his name) is squee worthy! Look for yourself and see.....

You must check it out but don't enter....I want this little cutie for myself ;)

http://dancingspatulawand.blogspot.com/2010/12/handmade-holidays-giveaway.html

The First Step

2010-12-08T11:04:00.002-06:00

Well folks...I did it. I have created a public blog for my weight loss journey. It's pretty much bare bones right now but it's there. Yay me!

Over the next few weeks I'll spend some time here and there tinkering with it and making it pretty. I'll find some awesome stuff to put up there...I hope. LOL

You can feel free to follow me there if you want to....nothing will be happening until the 1st of January though.

Baby steps....deep breath...I can do this.

Reverb10: Days 1 & 2

2010-12-07T20:53:00.002-06:00

Ok...here we go. I'm going to be playing catch up over the next few days and hopefully be completely caught up by the weekend.

Day 1: One Word...Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you're choosing that word. Now, imagine it's one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you? (Author: Gwen Bell)

To be completely honest, I have no idea what word would capture this year for me. But I think, if pressed to choose one, I would have to say Wonder.
I have spent a lot of time this year in thought. I have thought about my family and friends, my position in life, my job, my marriage, where I would like to go in the future, what I want to be when I grow up, things I would like to accomplish, stuff I want to do, places I want to go and things I want to see. My friend K and I often think of things that we would like to do and we have a phrase "Add it to the list". We need to actually write things down somewhere and have them somewhere we can see them so that we can actually start crossing things off that list. I have spent a lot of time wondering about the past, present and future this year. I have wondered if my religion (or rather my practice of it) is where it should be...it's not ya'll...not even close. I have spent a lot of time with this thing called Wonder.....it's time to actually make something of it.

By this time next year I would like to be able to say my word of the year is Create. I want to take all those things that I have been wondering about this year and put them into action...I want to be a lot more proactive in life. I'm 30 years old...and granted I've got a lot of years ahead of me (I would like to think so anyways) but unless I actually take some action and do something with my life, I will forever be wondering and never creating.

Here's to Creating!! What will you create?

Day 2: Writing...What do you do each day that doesn't contribute to your writing -- and can you eliminate it? (Author: Leo Babauta)

I think the question here is what do I do each day that does contribute to my writing? LOL. No, seriously. I'm a "Sometimes Writer" And I just recently started on that trend here in the past few weeks. Well, since the whole NaNoWriMo thing happened. So, what do I do that doesn't contribute to my writing? Well...I work a full time job, I have spent way too much time on Facebook...but I love Facebook. I have culled a lot of the apps I used to do....only to find some new ones that I absolutely adore. Go figure. And I spend my days off doing errands and trying to keep the housework up. These are things that I can't necessarily eliminate...but what I need to do is practice better time management. I could schedule out my day from the time I wake to the end of the day. Block out periods of time dedicated to certain tasks. And I could schedule writing time in there with all the rest of the things that I would like to do. So yeah...there it is. I'll probably start that on the 1st along with everything else I'm going to do this coming year.

Look at me go....squirrel!!!

Reverb10...something new to try

2010-12-07T00:06:00.002-06:00

I've signed up for something new today people. I've commited myself to this thing called Reverb10. What is it? It is: "an annual event and online initiative to reflect on your year and manifest what's next. Use the end of your year as an opportunity to reflect on what's happened, and to send out reverberations for the year ahead."

As usual...I'm about a week behind in this little endeavor. I'm usually a week behind for things like this. I was a week behind for the National Blogger's Month event, I've been a week or so behind for lots of other things too. This is what happens when I don't check on blogs every day like I should. Go me...Queen of Procrastination :)

So how does this work?? Well...from what I gather you are given a one word writing prompt every day for the month of December. There are some questions to help you focus on the direction of your daily entry and you get to write about it. Sounds pretty simple right? Ha...that's what they make you think. And that's just it...they make you think! You have to actually dig into the recesses of your brain/memory/thought process and really reflect on all the things that you've done over the course of the year.

Anyone else want to join me in this??? Sure would be fun to read what other people have to say about their year :) Let me know!!!

**I will start playing catch up tomorrow and hopefully get them all caught up no later than Friday**