The Rider-Waite Tarot Deckis the deck I learned on over 25 years ago, and was the very first one I ever bought. It is one that I feel the most comfortable in using when looking for insight and a glimpse of possible outcomes.

From time to time I often think I should find a different job (I work in a boring often stressful office position, but I long for a more fulfilling, satisfying type of job), and decided to do a quick three card spread to see what the insight the cards might offer.

Question: Should I get a new job?

The left card (past). The Hanged Man, reversed: Life in suspension. Unwillingness to make necessary sacrifices. Going along with the crowd, and refusing to hear the inner voice. Concessions and appeasements that backfire.
The middle card (present). Temperance, reversed: Lack of restraint and self-control. Losing one’s cool. Energies dispersed through conflicts in personal, business, and spiritual matters.
The right card (future). Nine of Pentacles reversed: Bad luck attending material affairs. Lack discipline resulting in the erosion of security and stability. Dishonesty in financial matters.

A quick overview of all three cards in reverse tells me the answer is strong NO. From the past I can definitely see that my life has been “in suspension”, and I often didn’t listen to my inner voice because I spent 90% of my life in survival mode. A childhood of poverty and years of financial struggle and stresses through adulthood had left me with little energy to do anything else but make it through the day and stick with my job and the steady pay check. Even though we are doing ok now, my energies are still scattered and still very low, and at 50 we don’t have a lot built up in savings or investments and need to get our daughter through college in 8 years. So seeing Temperance in reverse says to me energies are not in harmony, to much going on and so now is not a good time to make changes. The future with the 9 of pentacles in reverse to me is definitely a sign that the finances would not be stable if I took a new job.

The cards confirm what I have known, but hoped would be able to overcome – emotionlly and financially I need to stay put in my job. Although I don’t like my job, it pays well. My husband has a great job he loves (he is a special ed teacher at a high school) and it pays very well. If I were to take a different job in a field I would be interested in (i.e. teaching aide) it would cut my salary by more then half. I have a bachelor’s degree in general liberal studies, but to change careers at this point in life I would have to go back to school. I just don’t have the energy or time to do it. Even a two year degree at this point would be costly and going part time would take me 5 to 6 years (and I’d be 55 or 56 by then) – so I don’t think it’s worth it.

Conclusion – find an outlet for my soul and heart in other areas of my life besides a career, like home, hobbies, friends, volunteering. Make the best of the job situation, plan better for our financial future and retirement (and look forward to doing something different then).

Bright blessings, Lady Rose

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NOTE: The Three Fates spread is a popular way to gain insight into the overall pattern of the past, present, and future. The Rider Waite Tarot is the most widely recognized Tarot deck, and the first deck published in the 20th century. It was created by members of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, and is especially suited to questions of a mystical nature.

Written by Lady RoseTags:tarot, tarot reading

I finally got to see the podiatrist yesterday – yippee! I feel 50% better already after just one shot in the heel (ouchie!). Now when I get up it is just sore a bit, not the stabbing cutting pain I was feeling. It was what I thought it was – plantar fasciitis (inflammed ligment of the foot). Got a couple foot stretches to do, a perscription for antiflammatory medicine, referral for an xray, and perscription for rehab (which I think is overkill – and since he wants 3x a week for 3 weeks I don’t see how I can miss that much work (even if its only 2 hours a day — but I will call and see what their hours are). Overall its fairly easy to treat and should be better in a few weeks – sure beats what my previous doctor told me — suck it up, there is nothing you can do about it.

Also I read an article in a magazine of the waiting room “Hidden Heart Disease in Women” – it was very informative – it says that sometimes your angio test can be clear (no clogged major arteries) – but you still do poorly on the stress test and get out of breath very quickly just going up a small flight of steps and are fatigued all the time (which totally describes how I feel).

In men the major arteries are what usually clog, plus it is something the doctors can test for and clear by going in with the balloon – so that is what we mostly hear about. However, in women (and sometimes in men too) – the blood can be sticky and smoothly lines the small arteries — so its not seen, but can cause heart attacks and strokes since it goes undetected, because it deprives the brain and heart of oxygen and blood flow (there have been articles of young atheletes dying suddenly and they find that it sometimes is caused by having a small artery near the heart blocked).

They recommend having the doctor check for it (coronary microvascular syndrom or agina caused by blockage of small blood vessels). However, the tests are not that commonly done yet, and you need to find out what tests are available in your area for imaging so the doctor can tell your current situation as well as check later to see if changes (to diet, exercise, medication) have made an improvment, like the 64-Slice CT technology (revolutionizes heart attack prevention) – “Cardiac CT Angiography (CTA) is a new and revolutionary method of visualizing the inside of the coronary arteries. With the latest advances in high resolution scanning, the Siemens Sensation 64-Slice CT Scanner can create amazingly detailed and accurate images of the heart, lungs, and arteries in just seconds. That means easier, non-invasive diagnosis of the cause of symptoms and earlier detection of developing problems before symptoms have started.”

Since I used to excerise an hour a day every day a couple years back but kept feeling more and more tired and worse, this could possibly be why if my small arteries were clogging up (from loosing over 100 lbs – which until recently I didn’t know – can clog your arteries, so its recommended to take a daily aspirin when loosing a lot of weight). All my nutritionist ever said was – do more, do it longer and harder and eventually you will feel better. When my stationary bike broke (it was a cheap one) I never did replace it — I just felt so horrible exercising I wasn’t motivate to do it again (of course that is part of the reason I gained all that weight back).

Well who knows, its just a theory that is what caused me to only be on the stress test for 3 1/2 minutes – but at least I learned more useful information. More then likely I’m just way out of shape and that is what caused it too.

Well I have also been having another crazy (long-term) idea – which as my friends and probably some of you by now who know me, is kinda normal for me to go off on big tangents. Any way I’m trying hard to keep it all in perspective so I don’t have the usual fly high followed by crash and burn episodes of depression.

In addition to the current learning chainmaille making project – I have also gotten very interested in learning wire wrapping, especially writing with wire – who doesn’t like personalized items. I have added it to my list of things to look into and got a book and some wire, I just need to fine the wire writing tool at a good price (so far online no deals, so I may just visit the craft store and save the shipping). I also plan on focusing on natural semi-precious stones to add to both chainmaille and wire pieces along with some from copper wiring (copper is very healing) — with a list of what the stones are useful for magical and healing purposes. I love collecting crystals and lovely stones, and being a witch – I am very drawn to adding a magical and healing element to anything that I make, so it’s only natural I think that it would be a way for me to personalize my creative projects.

In my quest for a job that is “satisfying to my heart and soul” — but would hopefully still pay the bills. I am contemplating going back to school next summer IF I can loose most of the weight I need to and get in better shape. The community college near me offers a summer certification program and the national testing right on campus at a very affordable tuition. Granted its not going to be a career that is easy to have as a full time profession — but as a supplement it could be. So if I took a job as an assistant teacher for special ed (great hours, summers off) which is less pay, perhaps the personal trainer could make up the difference. I was thinking a great idea would be to offer 3-day healthy seminar weekends at a bed and breakfast (that would prepare the healthy meals and give folks the opportunity to taste a variety of tasty options and include a cookbook of what was served). I have been writing down everything I’ve learned about my quest for a healthy life and I know just about everything about dieting – so who better then a 50+ young person to help others get healthier – provided of course I need to do it myself and then stay that way – but what a great motivation if I would like to have that as my career. Any way, I’ve addd it to my long term possible things to do list.

I had a small bout of depression this week — but I took it easy and kept reminding myself this too shall pass. I tried to get to the bottom of the triggers that started it – and mostly it was being stressed at work, feeling like I didn’t get enough done for the yard sale coming up, then going to the podiatrist on Tues. and the office was closed since I mistakenly thought that was my appointment when it really was Wed and I felt like an idiot; and then I took a couple little things that happened at home a couple nights too personally and felt unloved, etc. – luckily I didn’t over react and lash out because I knew my feelings of being hurt were coming from my depression not reality – because really Hubby is a great guy and does care and often spoils me, like last night he surprised me and made my favorite nofat low calorie cole slaw (that only he seems to be able to make right) and I was in heaven. It was just the little touch I needed to say to myself “see he really does care.”

By honoring how I felt, recognizing my need for comfort but not letting it get the best of me I think I’ve pulled out of this one fairly quickly. I rested, watch a few good tv shows, nibbled some airpopped popcorn, and talked a lot to my inner child about keeping focused on the long term goals, doing things in small steps, not getting discouraged, etc. I didn’t go crazy and eat a ton of comfort food (not even healthy ones) and I didn’t go crazy on ebay with a lot of crafting items for my grand plans (though I did put a lot of my watch list and bid on a few .99 auctions – so I had the fun of “window” shopping and not the regret of spending a ton money. Overeating and spending money on grand plans both leave me feeling more depressed and stressed – but to often in the past they were my primary means of comfort.

Keeping busy with the grand plans also helps — I just have to not go overboard cause when I don’t follow through or plans don’t work out that I get major depression (the crash and burn).

So for now I’m limiting my grand plans for the next two years to:
top priority – health and diet
2nd – Harry Party Birthday Party next May for my daughter (lots to do to get ready)
3rd – yard sales (LOTS of sorting) and organzing the house (need a big back yard shed and coat closet in living room too)

and as time permits – no rush
4th- chainmaille and wire wrapping
5th – possibily school next year and\or new job (if finances can handle a big cut in pay)

I am posting this here so I have witnesses and can use it to remind myself to not OVER DO IT and take on any more projects for the next 2 years or longer if that is what it takes.

Bright blessings, Lady Rose

Written by Lady RoseTags:depression, health, heart health, hobbies, life

I have been collecting small crystals and semi-precious stones for many years now. Recently I have gotten interested in learning to make chainmaille and wire wrapped jewelry, so my love of crystals and stones has reawakened again as well because I would like to incorporate their healing and magical properties in items I hope to make.

Crystals are a wonderous gift from Mother Earth. They can be worn or kept near you to help your mind, body, and spirit connect and align with the energy and healing properites of the earth. Having crystals and stones around you can be very grounding, calming, and empowering.

When working with a crystal or stone for personal use, here is a favorite prayer I like to use when I put it on or place it near my bed at night:

I am grounded on the earth
I am centered within
I am shielded with light
I am empowered by love
I am one with the Great Spirit
As above, so below
Blessed be.

Web site for brief introduction on using, choosing and cleasnings crystals: Crystals Healings potent energy guardians. The site also has some other interesting spiritual information and resources.

This a great book to start with: Love Is in the Earth: A Kaleidoscope of Crystals author: Melody

Here is a short list of some of my favorites and their magical properties:

Agate: agates are grounding stones that come in large variety of colors, help obtain a better physical/emotional balance, to raise consciousness, build self-confidence.
Black Agate brings the Great Spirit into ones life. Attracts good fortune. Increases concentration and clarity. Promotes good will.
Blue Lace Agate: helps one to enter in to high frequency states of awareness (by activating the The energy of at the throat chakra, the heart chakra, the third eye, and crown chakra).
Moss Agate connects one to Nature. Improves ego and self-esteem, emotional balance and strengthens positive personality traits. Allows one to see all the beauty one’s eyes touch. An aura protector that neutralizes fears and opens the mind and Be-ing to new ideas.

Aventurine (green): reinforces ones decisiveness, amplifies ones leadership qualities, and is a willing participant in instinctive action. Emotional tranquility, positive attitudes towards life, brings one into alignment with their center. Independence, health and well being , heals the heart chakra.

Aventurine (red/orange): provides reflective qualities so that one can recognize the flaws of humanity and can remain in the heart space to continue to love this same humanity. It can help one look at a situation incomplete detail, magnifying those aspects of importance. It provides for self reflection, and allows one to recognize that In each person you see but the reflection of that which you choose to have that person be. It can be used when fasting, to reduce hunger.

Amber: (A fossilized tree resin) allows the body to heal itself by absorbing and transmuting negative energy into positive energy. stimulates the intellect and opens the crown chakra. It also transmutes the energy of physical vitality toward the activation of unconditional love. It aligns the ethereal energies to the physical, mental, and emotional bodies, providing for an even flow of perfect order to the requirements of the Earth plane while balancing the electro-magnetics of the physical body.

Amethyst: a healing stone is known to calm and protect the mind. sometimes called the “nature’s tranquilizer” because it is relaxing to the mind and nervous system. Bestows stability, strength, invigoration, and peace, the peace being the perfect peace which was present prior to birth. It is warm and cuddly as well as regal and ruling. It has been used to encourage and support sobriety. It is an excellent stone for one who is attempting to find freedom from addictive personalities (oneself or another). Calming, strong, protective qualities, healing, divine love and inspiration. Enhances one’s psychic and creative abilities.

Bloodstone: enhances physical/mental vitality. Reduces emotional and mental stress. The Stone of Courage – also for renewal of the physical mental and emotional bodies. A very powerful healer. It helps one toward the direct union with the divine through contemplation, prayer or mediation and love. Also a very good gem for those in business – self employed.

Carnelian: Warms and cleanses blood, kidneys, stimulates appetite, emotions, passion, sexuality, physical energy, celebration, reproductive system, menstrual cramps, arthritis, kidneys, gall bladder, pancreas. Can improve motivation. Helps one achieve greater success in career or personal matters. Helps ground people who meditate.

Citrine: one of the few minerals on the planet which does not hold and accumulate negative energy, but dissipates and transmutes it, working out problems on both physical and subtle levels. Diminishes self destructive tendencies and raises self esteem lightheartedness cheerfulness hope. Warming, energizing and attracts abundance..

Crystal (Quartz): Stone of Power, can bring the energy of the stars into the soul. Stimulates brain function & power, aids clarity of mind. Dispels negativity in ones energy field and environment, aligns all chakras, a very powerful healer. One of the most versatile and useful crystals the earth has to offer. There isn’t just a single crystal that is all-powerful. Rather, there are many different crystals and minerals that can be used to heal and provide spiritual guidance. However, when most people think of healing crystals, they think of the clear quartz crystal.

Garnet: known as the stone of health – ridding the body of negative energies and transmuting them to a beneficial state. Also known as a stone of commitment – to purpose, to others, to oneself. The loving power of garnet tend to reflect the attributes of devotion, bringing the love of others to expressions of warmth and understanding. It both monitors and adjusts the flow of energy, providing for a balanced energy field around the physical body and aligning the emotional and intellectual bodies with the perfection of All that is.

Green Aventurine: soothes, heals, and balances. It opens and soothes a wounded heart. Enhances intelligence. Increases opportunities and motivation. Brings luck and adventures in love and games. A Prosperity stone.

Hematite: grounding, reduces stress, enhances personal magnetism, optimism, will, courage. Helps one to realize that the only limitations which exist are self-limiting concepts within the mind. Stimulates attainment of peace, self-control, and inner happiness. Balances yin-yang energies.

Jade (Green): facilitates peace within the physical, emotional, and intellectual structures, as well as within the materialistic world. Said to bring accord the environment, to transmute negativity and to instill resourcefulness. Very Lucky Stone.

Jasper (Red): an intensely protective stone, acting to stabilize the aura and rid it of dysfunctional energy. Relaxation, and contentment, mothering and nurturing, compassion, completion, and organization.

Jasper (Leopard skin variety): known as the ‘supreme nurturer’. It is often worn by shaman to provide protection. It balances the yin yang energy and balances the physical, emotional, and intellectual bodies with the etheric energies. It stabilizes the aura, providing for a cleansing effect to smooth dysfunctional energies and eliminate negativity.

Jasper (Picture variety): further both the development and continuance of business pursuits – to provide for coordination of activities leading to increase. It has been known as the stone of Global Awareness – It promotes brotherhood to work together to save the planet. It emits an energy which promotes the spiritual affinity to achieve perfect accord between humanity and nature; It is one of the earth Stones for the age of redemption & cleansing of the earth.

Labradorite: (aka spectrolite) represents the temple of the stars , assisting one in sustaining and maintaining, while providing for the understanding of the destiny one has chosen. It assists during traverse changes, attracting strength and perseverance. It symbolizes the moon and the sun. Promotes refinement of action and discernment in direction.

Lapis Lazuli: augments strength, vitality, virility, mental clarity, illumination. Enhances psychic abilities and communication with higher self and spirit guides. Creative expression. It has also been used as a protective stone, sheltering the wearer/carrier from physical danger and psychic attacks. Lapis Lazuli is a stone of total awareness, helping to expand awareness and intellectual capacity, and allowing for conscious attunement to the intuitive and psychic aspects of ones nature. The stone of Royalty.

Malachite: the stone of transformation assisting one in changing situations, and providing for the transfer of sacred information to spiritual evolution; clears and activates all chakras balancing and equalizing it can create an unobstructed path leading to a desired goal. Facilitates the rise of spirituality and the enhancement of psychic abilities.

Moonstone: balancing, introspective, reflective, and lunar. It is capable of helping one with the changing structures of ones life on the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels. A talisman of good fortune and protects travelers. Arouse tenderness within the self and to bring happiness to the environment in which it resides.

Obsidian - Called the Mirror Stone it reflects ones personal shortcomings such that they can come to the conscious to be dealt with, then let go of. The most well know of the different colors is Apache Tears a black obsidian. Obsidian can help protect against the negativity of others and has a grounding influence helping one to stay focused in the moment. It can also help to stimulate analytical capabilities and precision, and can help promote a forgiving attitude and release of grievances.

Onyx: centering and alignment of the total person with the higher powers. Can be used to banish grief, to enhance self-control, to stimulate the power of wise decision making, and to encourage happiness and good fortune. It is grounding and can be used to deflect or absorb the negativity of others.

Peridot: (also known Olivine and Chrysolite) emits a warm friendly energy; acts to provide a shield of protection around the body ; to help prevent outside influences from affecting alignment and balance. Helps one to find happiness within ones self, over coming anger and jealousy.

Rhodochrosite: called a Stone of Love and Balance, providing balancing and love on all levels for all bodies. It contains pulsating electrical energy which emits the strongest power in the universe, the power of love. Rhodochrosite is also an Earth stone for healing of the Earth and for showing love to the Mother of us all. It helps one to serve the planet in Her time of need, allowing for one to recognize that the responsibility is actually a joy.

Rose Quartz: a soothing, calming stone. It is used for love, and to increase self love and feelings of self worth. It brings healing and clarity to the heart and allows the wearer to learn to trust again. Balancing the emotions and healing emotional wounds, it brings peace and calm. Rose quartz strengthens your Heart and Blood Vessels and smoothens Blood Circulation. It is very effective for Heart Problem and Asthma.

Rutile Quartz: (a combination of two different minerals. Rutile, a crystalline form of Titanium Oxide, form hair-like crystal needles that may be embedded in Quartz crystals.) boosts the immune system while energizing and balancing the body, mind and spirit, heals and balances the aura. It helps stimulate tissue regeneration and slows the diseases associated with aging. It prevents depression, eases fear and paranoia, and helps one find inspiration. And helps us to integrate the Universal Life Force into our bodies.

Smokey Quatz: a healing stone, has a relaxing effect, helping to block negativity, and aiding in meditation and helps develop ones latent abilities as a Channel, or Medium. It stimulates and purifies the base Chakra and stimulates the movement of Kundalini Energy by channeling the white light energy of the Crown Chakra into the First Chakra. It is believed to help one come to terms with their own circumstances, becoming more acceptant of their own bodies and lives. It helps us to make our dreams into reality. It also stimulates pride, self respect and self esteem. Is useful for grounding and draining away negative energy.

Snowflake Obsidian: allows one to recognize the unnecessary pattern which remain in ones life and to re-design ones thought patters to provide relief from undesired conditions. It is the stone of purity and balance to the body, mind , and spirit.

Sodalite: helps one to stimulate communications and psychic abilities. Also balances male – female polarities – alleviates fear, calms and clears the mind, brings clarity and truth.

Tigereye: helpful for individuals seeking clarity and for those who must deal intelligently with the scattered details which must be brought together in some pattern. Enhance the psychic abilities and can assist in the gentle attunement of third eye activity. Stimulate wealth and to enhance the stability required to maintain wealth. Produces soothing vibrations, generating a calmness to unsettled turmoil, and allowing one to enjoy the actions of being unfenced and uninhibited. Can be used to enhance self empowerment.

Turquoise: tones, strengthens entire body. Creative expression, peace of mind, emotional balance, communication, friendship, and loyalty.

Bright blessings, Lady Rose

Written by Lady RoseTags:BoS, crystals

Not too much is going on … seem to be simmering alot emotionally, and I’m trying to focus on what bubbles up to the top, so to speak. Last night I had a pretty insighful tarot reading. I’m finding that my new deck doesn’t pull any punches and tells the truth even if I don’t want to hear it.

In the meantime, I’m working short hours this week, mainly because I can and because my fatigue levels have been kicked up quite a bit lately. I, and hubby, seem to think I have CFS … my Doc thinks I have so much wrong with me it’s not even worth persuing as a diagnosis. LOL In other words he agrees I am chronically fatigued and doesn’t feel I need to bother with yet another label. Oh for a magic energy pill.

One pill makes you larger

And one pill makes you small

And the ones that mother gives you

Don’t do anything at all

– White Rabbit

Jefferson Airplane

So I am sitting here waiting for some hair-dye to process. Then time for a shower, and maybe even a quick nap before the kids come home from camp.  I have been dying my hair for YEARS. I don’t have any grey but every time I try to grow it out so I can stop dyeing it I go a few months, get tired of two-tone hair (damn the whole oxidation thing) and give in.

Over the years I have been from the extreme of platinum blonde (don’t ask … it was a whole comedy of hair dye errors and resulted in my going to school looking like a sunburned daffodil one fine day in High School) to dark auburn (which made me look wan and sick). Nowadays I tend to stay somewhat close to my natural shade of dark dirty blonde. I go a little lighter, a little darker, or sometimes just redder. Occassionally I have done the highlight thing.  Hubby prefers it red … my father HATES it red and prefers it blonde. Me? I just like it to NOT me my natural mousey excuse for “blonde”.

I am not extreme when it comes to body mod. I have one cartiladge piercing and a few tattoos. I don’t wear extreme clothing. And I hate shoes. SO when I get bored with my appearance I go for the dye-job. Nothing like an $8 bottle from the supermarket to give yourself a lift. So long as you avoid the whole sunburned flower effect.

Anyhow … that’s the excitement for my day today. I’m hoping this is just enough to get me back to all one color and to be slightly more of a summery shade.

Blessings

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama Kelly

Past
9 of Cups (reversed)

A man sits at a feast table. He has a goblet in his left hand. On the table is a plated whole fish and eight other goblets. A tapestry hangs on the wall.

• feeling of isolation
• problems that won’t go away
• psychological defenses may have outlived their usefulness
• time to consider seeing a therapist
• physical neglect, lack of energy

Present
10 of Swords

A man lies apparently dead, face-down, on the battlefield. His weapons and armor lie on the ground around him. His spear appears to have been broken.
As my hubby put it, he fought until his last.

• some things will be coming to an end (doubly indicated taking the previous card into account : the “9″ card indicating the end of a cycle)
• painful change but leading to a new phase of life
• time to look at what lessons you are taking from or not managing to learn through your current difficult circumstances

Future
Prince of Wands (reversed)

A man rides into battle. A norse-like helm on his head, his staff raised in triumph.

• procrastination
• are you avoiding life?
• no energy to put ideas into action

My Interpretation

The cards seem to indicate that I can end this negative cycle if I am willing to actually work toward it. There is something that I have yet to learn before I can move foward. I am blocked by a lack of energy which has become a viscious cycle.

I’ve been going round and round in circles, running from my own pain.

I have to gather my strength and my courage and yes my weapons and armor and charge into battle. Only there can I reclaim all that I have lost.

The Question?

What do I need to do to reclaim my inner Witch.

Written by Mama KellyTags:tarot reading

I managed to get about 8 or so boxes done from the garage - happy, happy, joy, joy! There were mostly my daughter’s old toys. And another 4 empty boxes to toss out and a few trash bags and a some items for the yard sale.

Two interesting treasures found so far:

• My jewelry box which I haven’t seen since we moved into this house over two years ago.
• And in a plastic container of very old rusty metal thingys — there was also a small bag tied with a knot. I was going to toss the whole thing, but said no no open everything — in the small bag were three photo charms with a picture of me and hubby when we were first dating. My daughter loved them and the smile on her face was worth all the sorting.

I love finding old treasures. It makes all the hard work and sweat of digging through the old junk worth it.

Bright blessings, Lady Rose

Written by Lady RoseTags:sorting junk

Good morning one and all,

Well I DID it — I sorted some boxes from the spare room that used to mine (for my books, arts & crafts, wicca items, etc.) and I’m trying to get it back. Only about 10 boxes – but hey for me that is a big accomplishment.

So far I have two box with items for ebay, 3 boxes for yard sale: 25 cent, 50 cent to $1, and freebie items (these are old magazines and odds and ends, that won’t come back in the house after the yard sale), 2 boxes for hubby to sort through of his stuff, an empty box and a big bag of trash.

Today I hope to get at least 10 boxes sorted from the garage. I know there is a lot out there already that have yard sale stuff in them from the times before that I had sorted through stuff.

Next weekend we will have our yard sale. My daughter, Angelgirl, and her friend are having a lemonade stand. Which I am totally supportive of and think is very cute. She even had me make up colorful flyers with a logo. BUT she also has way to many BIG plans. I am trying to not burst her bubble. She wants to bake cakes and do all this other stuff and I’m like huffing and puffing just thinking of the 3 boxes that are only half full. I gently tried to explain to her that all that cost money, takes alot of time to prepare, and would be very messy to serve and to keep the bugs away from outdoors — and that I would be busy doing yard sale stuff and not be able to bake. I am hoping to convince her that cupcakes are ok or even better yet Little Debbie treats – cheap, fast, individually wrapped — and what ever is left over she can have for her lunches at camp.

She is going through her toys too for the yard sale, so hopefully I can get her to focus on that as well and understand that the lemonade stand should be simple. I don’t want to be negative and tell her we’ll be lucky if 10 people stop at the yard sale and if 2 buy lemonade. I am hoping to call the family and a few friends and let them know to come over for some lemonade.

These are the times I feel like I’m such a slug — I can barely walk and sorting those boxes yesterday took everything out of me — I was huffing and puffing and ended up sleeping in the afternoon for about 3 hours and was still exhausted when I went to bed at 9 p.m. I look around at other moms who bake, run their kids to all kinds of activities, keep their houses tidy every day, make a home cooked meal every night — and I need a nap after getting dressed in the morning and walking to my car feels like an Olympic event.

This is the type of day that can send me into a spiral of depression and then I just stop and don’t do anything. BUT I’m going to try very very very hard not to let that happen.

I’m going to focus on what I’m doing to make things better — I’m eating better, I am loosing weight and I had the stress test on Friday – hopefully that will show everything is fine or if not and something other then the weight is causing the exhaustion and being out of breath all the time they can fix it. And no matter what I’m not going to STOP — I will do what I can a little at a time — one box at time, one day at a time.

The chainmaille kit to make 3 bracelets I ordered came Friday — and I haven’t opened it. I will AFTER I finish the goal of sorting that I set for myself. But I am excited. I am also getting interesting in wire jewelry making and bid on a few very inexpensive lots on ebay for supplies just give it a try. The beads and wire embellishments will go very well with the chainmaille.

So staying positive — I am taking care of my health, I am going to get my room back and get those boxes out of there in time, I am going to enjoy my new hobby and who knows perhaps sell a few pieces some day at a flea market. And as my friend B tells me all the time — I’m a great mom. She told me on her last visit — that raising her kids she thought the house had to perfect, now both are grown and over the years their relationship has been very rocky and she doesn’t even see one of them at all; now she wishes she had spent more time with her kids just enjoying being with them because she sees how great our daughter is and how happy and loved she is. So I don’t make the bed everyday and it gets dusty around here, I don’t bake a lot, and we don’t run around like crazy doing all kinds of stuff — but we cuddle, we laugh, we do projects together, we read together, and she is a blue belt in karate, a girl scout, she is bright, active, happy, confident and healthy.

So time for a nice cup of coffee and then sorting sorting sorting and more sorting – out with the old, polish up the now, and make way for the new.

Bright blessings, Lady Rose

Written by Lady RoseTags:health, sorting junk

Mama Kelly did such a great job describing the Bruce Springstein concert — I’ll just say thank you BRUCE for a totally wonderful, joyful, spiritually moving, uplifting, awakening, fun, evening. The songs spoke to the heart and soul no matter what faith one holds, the power and energy that night touched everyone — and we had a great time!

I am still feeling the glow and humming some of the songs. Mama Kelly called me last night to tell me where the song we both really liked (it was a recorded on played after the concert) – Down to the River was from — the movie O Brother, Where Art Thou?. It was so funny because just as she called the movie was ON TV and I was watching it between commercials of another show I had on!!!!!

We know we’re a bit strange, but Mama Kelly and I tend to see these so called “coincidences” as little taps on the shoulder from the universe saying “pssssst pay attention, things do happen for a reason.” Besides the whole evening from the concert to the events after and the following day seemed to string together so this added coincidence just made us giggle and go “hmmmmm, interesting.” (Of course over the years, we have had our share of not paying attention and then the universe uses the school of the 2by4 and whacks up side the head — so we try to be observant.)

Any way on to the Concent Part II, the events that followed the concert. We got to the train station, and the train we needed is now boarding so we figure ok no way we’ll wait the hour for the next one – but as we walk we see folks hurrying down the steps — so we rush to make it and seat ourseles down on train. LOL Well the conductor tells us its the wrong one! and we can’t off cause the doors are closed – so we get out at the next stop: Seacaucus — lovely, clean but totally empty station (just some security around). So we figure ok — no problem we will wait our hour here. In the center of the station was a wonderful metallic HUGE sculpture of three cattails (some would call them punks) — that shifted colors as the lights changed. Very soothing — and being so tired and silly I was like “yo dudes, colors” and we all some good giggles — Mama Kelly and I definitely want to look up what the symbology of Cattails, since we know it had to be a sign from the Universe that we were here.

Well after a little while two young men came through the same gate we had come through (they had obviously had a bit to drink) – and we giggled thinking they had done just we did — get on the wrong train. They came over to ask how to get to Linden (cause the bars there stay open to 3 a.m.). We told them to take the train we were getting on in about 30 minutes. Normally two drunks in an empty train station would be annoying. But these were no ordinary men — they were soldiers, one an army medic just back from his second tour in Iraq and had reinlisted, and his buddy had just joined and would be shipping out to Irag soon. One young man was on his cell phone, while the other told us his stories of Irag and how proud he was of what he did, Kelly and I nodded and smiled and listened, and our hearts just went out to these two brave boys. I know they are men — but as mothers we couldn’t help but feel the pain of them loosing their youth to the war — it was heart breakingly clear how young they were (he was so proud of his little beard saying how it made him look older) — I wanted to bring them home and feed them a home cooked meal and tuck them in for the night.

We gave our unwavering support and told them how proud we are of them. I gave the one boy my email and told him to contact me when he had the addresses where they would be stationed and we would definitely send packages and letters (which is something I have done a lot to soldiers who’s names I get from various sites that provide for them – especially at Xmas time so I would be more then happy to send things to these two great guys). They were both so respectful and nice, and as the young man left to go wait down on the platform for the train he patted his pocket and said “Don’t think I’ll throw this away, I will be sure to keep it,” as he waved and turned to leave.

I am tearing up even now just thinking about it and it was all I could do to not cry right there at the train station. At the concert earlier I was crying as we all sang the song about bringing our boys home. The “coincidence” of the whole evening was definitely noticed. Whether we were meant to just be there so he had someone to talk to, or there will be more to it later on, it doesn’t matter — we knew we were that evening exactly where we were meant to be.

The boys ended up taking the next train — but that wasn’t ours — so they were actually heading to Long Branch (not their destination Linden) — hopefully they would find a safe, interesting adventure in Long Branch. My thoughts and prayers will be with them.

Sweet Goddess bless all our men and women in the services, keep them safe and bring them home.

Blessed Be. Lady Rose

Written by Lady RoseTags:concert, soldiers

Ate, slept, and still so tired!!!!
But in a good way.

Lady Rose and her Darling Hubby brought me to a Bruce Springsteen concert last night.

Other than going to see The Monkees perform when they did a reunion tour in the late 80s, this was my first concert ever! And Sweet Goddess it was an initiation by fire. But in a good way.

This was not the songs that we know all know him for. This was a collection of “folk music”, some from as early as the 1800s. He performed with the 17-piece “Seeger Sessions Band” which included a lot of strings (banjo, fiddles, standing bass) and horns (trumpet, trombone).

I’m not sure what I was expecting. But I went hoping to have a good time and left not only blown away by the talent and massive energy that Bruce contains but spiritually renewed as well. And while the “spiritual songs” were drawing from Judeo-Christian music, as a full-blooded Pagan Witch I can tell you that it didn’t matter. It was beyond religion!!

This just struck me as speaking to all the grief that we all deal with at one time or another and that there still is always hope

“O Mary don’t you weep, don’t you mourn

O Mary don’t you weep, don’t you mourn

Pharaoh’s army got drownded

O Mary don’t you weep “

What can I say … a reminder to keep holding on

no matter how hard it is

“Hold on, hold on Keep your eyes on the prize, hold on”

No matter who we are or where we live

or what we think we’re working toward

we are all rung by rung simply moving through the journey of life and THAT makes us all the same

“We are climbing Jacob’s ladder

We are climbing Jacob’s ladder

We are climbing Jacob’s ladder

Yeah we’re brothers, sisters, all”

A song about losing everything and still going on

“It blowed away (blown away),

it blowed away (blown away)

My Oklahoma home, it blown away”

This says it all!

“All foreign wars I do proclaim

Live on blood an a mothers pain

I’d rather have my son as he used to be

Than the King of America and his whole Navy”

And, the evening’s prayer

“Well we shall live in peace,

we shall live in peace

We shall live in peace someday

Darlin’ here in my heart, yeah I do believe

We shall live in peace someday”

In so far as our little detour and related “adventure” well I’ll leave that for Lady Rose to tell. What’s life without a little suspense.

Blessings

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:friends, music

BRUCE ROCKS !!!!!!!

***goes back to bed and pulls covers over head*** **yawn** It was the most awesome Bruce Springstein concert ever with a funny, touching little adventure on the way home afterwards. **yawns** But too sleepy to **zzzzz*** type more about it. Mama Kelly and I along with my hubby had ***zzzzz*** a great time.

Will blog more later….zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Written by Lady RoseTags:concert