We had a lovely Easter, starting off with our traditional Easter egg hunt (the Easter bunny hides the eggs and we look for them) and family breakfast (crescent rolls, bacon, hard boiled eggs, juice, coffee; and this year we added waffles with strawberries and whipped cream). I took a little break from my usual “don’t eat anything that contains calories” and indulged a bit and totally enjoyed myself.

The afternoon was spent at my families’ house – about 4 hours all together (**twitich twitch**). My sisters had stuffed a couple hundred plastic eggs with candy and the herd of children (family members and a few from the neighborhood) took all of about 10 minutes to find them all in their yard – but a good time was had. To tell you all the ins and outs of my family would take a whole blog by itself and at least a year or more to type it all out – friends tell me I should a book. Just to give you a snapshot idea of what the choas is like when visiting there, in this one house (and it’s only a four bedroom not very big one) I’ll list all the people who are living there now: My sister D and her husband and their 3 children; she let my other sister S, husband and their son move in last year in Dec. (again – they had lived there before but the fighting got so bad D kicked S out earlier last year), my mother (who had lived there, moved out with S, and is now back), my brother and his son, and the newest additions – a friend of my brother’s and her teenage son (they just recently lost their apartment and have no money). Add to all those people in a tight spot, the fact that only three adults are working (before last fall there was only one working adult), neighborhood kids coming and going at will, and a host of dysfunctional aspects toss into the mix, plus a family past of drama, trauma and karma and I’m sure you can understand why after a visit I’m a little bit “twitchy”.

However, we hold on to the peace at our house and enjoy the calm, the hugs and the smiles. The Easter bunny goes very light on the candy at our house, and has fun filling the basket with various goodies, like last year the basket was filled with a scrapbook, and stickers, pens, etc. to use in the scarpbook.

Here are just a few photos (for more photos see the 2 links below)

The Basket – Enchanted (dvd); Webkins clothes – stickers – charms – bookmarks; fruit (pineapple) scented bubbles, hair bands, a tiny stuffed pink bunny that giggles when squeezed, topped of with a little candy.

Lady Rose and Teacherman

Saturday we dyed eggs so they would be ready for the Easter Bunny to hide them overnight for our traditional egg hunt in the morning. Mei Mei, our cat, helped out by watching over the egg decorating process.

FOR MORE PHOTOS:
Easter Morning Photos, inlcudes a very nice photo of Angelgirl.
and
Easter Egg Photos, includes photo of the wooden egg Angelgirl painted and decorated with the NY Giants theme for her daddy, Teacherman.

Wishing everyone bright blessings now and always, Lady Rose

Written by Lady RoseTags:easter, family

I found this personality test on Modern Witchcraft School, it’s based on the Tarot and tells your fortune, so just for fun I had to gave it a try.

You Are Strength

You represent both fiery energy and steadfast will. You are innocent and naive – yet unafraid and undaunted. Perhaps you don’t have the most powerful physical strength… But your mental powers make up for any amount of muscle.Your fortune:Lately, you have been a pillar of ethics and moral strength. And while things may be difficult, your faith in yourself will come through. You may need to conquer the animalistic nature of yourself or others, with gentle force. Although this may seem like the darkest hour for you, victory is near.

If you try it out, let us know what card you were.

Bright Blessings, Lady Rose

Written by Lady RoseTags:blog things, tarot

Well our Easter was nice.  I hope it was as well for all of our readers who celebrate the day, either secularly (as we do) or religiously.

I woke up at 8, ran downstairs and hid 15 hardboiled dyed eggs and then hung out with Princess Nibbles watching cartoons until GamerDude got out of bed at 9:00 and we convinced Miss Artistic to get up and forgo the notion of “sleeping in.”

When we got everyone downstairs, Mr. Grumpy was in the shower so we set the kids loose on the egg hunt. I always hide the eggs in the living room to limit my chances of losing an egg and finding it until months have passed. I always try to find a couple of spots I haven’t used before and most years it has been my youngest that has won. This year it was a tie. The last hidden egg was sitting on the windowsill, behind sheer curtains, unnoticed no matter how many times I prompted them to “look everywhere … including ledges.” Eventually, after watching them search in the same spots over and over for 10 minutes I pointed it out to my youngest.  It was the tie-breaking egg, but since I pointed out the direction to look we didn’t count it.

Then it was time for baskets. Most of their candy came from the dollar store but I found so many really cute things. My favorite find was a package of 4 miniature egg cartons, each holding 12 pieces of egg shaped gum. They were deemed Chibi, which is a good thing for those who don’t have an Anime fan in their house. The girls also both liked their new sneakers, which was a good thing since they were purchased on clearance.

At about 11, we were done with all of the Easter morning activities and I put out a plate of devilled eggs and some shrimp (purchased for $5/lb.) with cocktail sauce, as a light nosh since we had 2:30 dinner reservations. I did not eat, instead running up to get a hot shower as I had not only myself but also both girls to get ready. Not to give the wrong impression, obviously at 8 and 13 they are capable of dressing themselves, but even Miss Artistic usually needs help with her hair. I’ve become very good at using a straightening iron these past couple of years!

We ate at the same place we did last year and as always we were greeted warmly (handshakes for the men and a hug and kiss on the cheek for me). Dinner was wonderful. There was not one thing I can complain about. We all shared a plate of fried calamari for an appetizer and nibbled on bread dipped in seasoned oil. The entrees were absolutely delicious. Dessert was divine, though I will be honest in stating that I was so stuffed that I brought mine home and will be nibbling on it later tonight.

My intention had been to watch The Princess Bride with the girls in the evening. But, when we came home from dinner it was only just past 4:30 so I decided to lie down and take a brief nap. I chose to do so mainly to sleep off the wine I drank at dinner, but also to get a little extra rest since it was my one and only day off so far this calendar year (my next isn’t planned until the end of May). It was a huge mistake. Not only did I not sleep well or deeply as the kids were being kind of loud the whole time. But, I woke up feeling truly crappy (queasy, headachy, dizzy, generally out of sorts) even though I only had a little more than 2 glasses of wine with my meal (over the course of 2 hours) and a bit of Sambuca in my espresso. I blame it more on the quality of the wine (very very cheap) than the amount as I normally don’t get sick off a few drinks.

I puttered on the ‘puter, watched TV with Gamer Dude and went to bed at my usual time of 11:15, and then found that I couldn’t sleep. I would read until my eyes started to flutter, roll over turn off the light and just lie there for 15 or 20 minutes getting more and more anxious about not sleeping and then turn the light back on and start over. I finally fell asleep sometime after hubby came to bed at 2:30 and was woken up by the cat at 5:15, after that all I did was doze until 6:30 when it was time to get up.

So, while much of my day was lovely, it ended on a sour note. I felt like I had wasted the opportunity for family time that may not come again for a while. I wouldn’t mind so much if it had actually translated into my feeling more rested. Oh well, lesson learned. I told GamerDude that I am not allowed to take naps. Ever again!

Blessings

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:easter

Goddess Sedna – The sculpture of Sedna is from Joan Relke

A planetoid discovered in 2003 at the time of the lunar eclipse (Harmonic Convergence, Nov. 8, 2003) has been named for a Goddess of the Canadian-Alaskan Inuit legends, Sedna (Goddess of the Sea) . This small planet was originally known as 2003VB12. (Read more about the discovery: Mysterious Sedna)

Sedna is a little smaller than Pluto and very far out. She takes 10,500 years to orbit the sun. So a person would have to be 10,500 years old to experience her Sedna return. Clearly her perspective is more long-range than most of her planetary neighbors!

All of us have Sedna in either Aries or Taurus. She was in Aries from the beginning of the century until about 1966-8. It took her a couple of years to make the switch to Taurus. She’s still in Taurus.

Astrologers, of course, are still trying to figure out what she means (see Astrology of Sedna for more info.). The outer planets are the transpersonal ones, the ones that usher us out of our everyday concerns towards a more cosmic mindset. As the furthest planet-sized body in our system, what message is Sedna bringing us?

She is moving towards the sun at the moment, getting closer and closer to us, and will actually be at her closest point in about seventy years. This is pretty amazing, when you think about her 10,500-year orbit.

So what is it she wants us to know? Is it something to do with our melting ice floes? Is her message to the world in regards to the “emergence of the feminine out of victimization by the patriarchy and into a place of being honored as the Great Mother of All Living, Giver and Sustainer of All Life?” Perhaps Her message will resonante something personal within each of us.

Info on the Sedna Legend and Sedna of the North.

Sedna is the Goddess of the North Sea, who teaches us that there is abundance in the universe and that there is enough for everyone. Call on her to create the balance of giving and receiving. Through her blessings, you can be assured that you will be sustained.

An Inuit Prayer to Sedna:
Hail great Sedna
Our nourishment, the food basket of the deep bountifal & fierece sea
She who is powerful
Bringer of food and storms
She who commands the fish, seal, walrus, wahles & polar bears
Sedna of the Northern deep
Mother of sea creatures
Creatrix who sustains the Inuit
She who swims in the icy ocean
She who is guardian of all who honor her
We cherish, honor and give thanks to You for All Life & Nourishment

Bright blessings, Lady Rose

Source: A friend of mine at work who is also attending Womon Gathering in June, sent me an email about the planet Sedna from information she found on the message boards at Womon Gathering. I added some links and more information, and a prayer I found on the web.

Written by Lady RoseTags:BoS, goddess

Today I am grateful for my children, yes the ones who will running around on sugar highs any time now. I am reminded of how lucky I am to have them in spite of endometriosis, miscarriages, and placental abruption. I am reminded that just their mere existance is a gift to me.

Today I am grateful for having the day off.  After working 83 days in a row I am beyond fried.  The company is closed, I am not compensated and yes I will feel the pinch in my next paycheck.  But, oh Gods how I need this one day off. I am reminded of how many people who are unemployed and with all the things I hate about my job, I am grateful just for having it.

Today I am grateful to be able to sit at a table with my children, my husband, and my father and eat a meal that someone else will cook, serve, and clean up after. All I have to do is choose what to eat, sip wine frequently, savor, relax, and enjoy. I am grateful for all of the work that others will put into my having that luxury.

Be Thou Blessed

Mama Kelly

PS And for our Christian readers …. may you have a Blessed Easter!

Written by Mama KellyTags:easter

Can you devote just ONE HOUR to helping the Earth?

Earth Hour uses the simple action of turning off the lights for one hour to deliver a powerful message about the need for action on global warming. On 29 March 2008, at 8:00 pm, wherever you are in the world, turn off all lights for one hour.

Check out the official site, Earth Hour, where you can:

1. Sign up for Earth Hour 2008
2. Get involved and create a bigger, better Earth Hour
3. Reduce your impact on climate change
4. Create your own Earth Hour event
5. Know your footprint and challenge your friends
6. Buy an Earth Hour T-shirt to show your support

I might also suggest that while turning off your lights, you also turn off the TVs and the computers. Find something fun and interesting to do without lights or other electriccal devices – talk with the family, hug your family, invite friends over for a candlelight snack and a chat, go for a walk, take a nap, have a romantic date with your spouse or significant other.

Mark the date on your calendar and give just one hour of your time for Mother Earth, She does so much for us.

Bright Blessings one and all, Lady Rose
(cross posted on the Diet Pulpit)

Written by Lady RoseTags:conservation, earth

This was one of Miss Artistic’s favorite meals back before her angsty days when I was a stay-at-home mom of a preschooler and an infant.  She was an incredibly picky eater and I was often at my wit’s end trying to get her to eat something, anything, that would provide nutritional value.

I came up with this idea in a moment of desperation and quickly found that not only did it meet my needs for a meal she would eat that was actually good for her, but that it was absolutely delicious.  In fact, during this period Hubby and I traded in nightly ice cream for this instead.

What you need:

1 ripe banana
1/4 cup fresh or canned fruit … diced, sliced, etc.
1/2 C granola (without raisins)
handful of dried fruit *
4 heaping TBP of plain or vanilla yogurt
wheat germ
1 or 2 tsp of fruit only preserves or honey
(use honey w/ plain yogurt and the preserves w/ vanilla yogurt) **

Soften dried fruit by pouring boiling water over and allowing to sit until cool enough to avoid burns (this water can be set aside in freezer and added in place of other liquids when baking)

In a bowl slice one banana lengthwize
Top with half of the yogurt
Add granola
Add fresh or canned fruit
Top with remainder of yogurt
Sprinkle your softened raisins on top
Drizzle some preserves (or honey) over all.
Finally sprinkle with a touch of wheat germ.

This meal is so delicious that your child won’t even guess it’s good for them

Variations:
For a special treat add carob or chocolate chps on the top

* raisins, craisins, diced dried apples, dried blueberries, etc. and so on

** avoid honey in children under the age of 1

:: originally published on Epinions in April 2000 ::

Written by Mama KellyTags:Recipes

1. The Magnificent: Name someone you absolutely adore, and tell us why.

Lady Rose …. for taking me to Womongathering this coming June.  Only 86 days to go!!  Only she would not only KNOW to do this for me but would actually DO it.  Only she, out of all the friends I’ve had in my entire life, loves me enough.  I am so freaking lucky I cannot even tell you.

2. The Muddy: Tell us something about life you just don’t “get”.

Political correctness run amok. Today I had to pick up Miss Artistic from school for a Doctor appointment and a seemingly nice young man was standing outside with his bagpipe hoping to play for the kids as they left the building. The principal turned him away because it might offend someone.

Ummm …. I would understand this if he was intending to play Christian hymns instead of simple Celtic airs … but since when is a bagpiper on St. Patty’s day worthy of offense? I wasn’t offended …. and I don’t even like St. Patrick or his day with the whole casting the snakes (read indiginous Pagan folk) out of Ireland story and all.

3. The Magnetic: Name something or someone good (or bad) you’re drawn to and you just can’t help it. Tell us if you want to change this or not.

This time of year I am drawn to chocolate. Really really decadant chocolate. I dream wistfully of the chocolate I used to get as a kid on Staten Island that came from one of those ”been there forever” shops. I can still taste its creamy goodness, the way it would melt on my tongue and linger happily. Of course there was always the guilt that came from breaking off the first piece as it usually came in the form of a Chocolate Cross.

Is it me or is there something wrong with that …. eating a replica of the cross Christ was crucified on? Even now as a Pagan I find that somewhat offensive.

4. The Mainstay: Who or what is something you just can’t live without? Why?

My kids! They are no more or less than the reason I keep putting one foot in front of the other. Without them I would’ve thrown in the towel a long time ago.

5. The Masquerade: Tell us something about yourself we wouldn’t already know.

I have a lazy eye. It acts up most when I am over-tired, sick, or medicated. Miss Artistic only recently noticed it and it completely grossed her out.

6. The Mettle: Tell us about a time you showed courage in yourself, or tell us what you wish you had the courage to do.

Years and years ago, the summer I turned 16, I had a falling out with one of my best friends. At one point she was at my house and we were arguing. I do not remember over what …. only that the peak of the fight came when she spat out the words “Your own mother didn’t want you” (a referance to my being adopted). For the first and only time in my life I slapped another person across the face. I then literally dragged her to my front door and made her leave.

I am not particularly proud of this snapshot in my past. However, it was one of the bravest things I had ever done. It was the first time I ever stood up for myself in the face of verbal or physical abuse. For me it was huge as my grammar school existance could’ve been an after-school special on the Bullying.

Written by Mama Kelly

Let’s see … today is day #78 in a row at work.  I am only working from 8-2 today and am taking the girls in for well-visits, and I am assuming immunization updates for Miss Artistic.  I also need to ask the Doctor about Miss Artistic’s breast development as she is far (far far far) beyond what is average for a 7th grader.  Large enough that I am wondering if we have moved beyond the range of being “well endowed” and into instead some kind of “disorder.”  Obviously I will keep you posted.

What went on the rest of last week?

We took the girls to the Mall on Friday night to spend some gift card money that had accumulated.  Most of them were “mine”, received for bdays and Xmas and never spent, the rest were the girls’.  We hit JCPenneys and Old Navy, both girls got a couple of pieces of new clothing. I looked in Limited Too but didn’t find anything that I felt was worth their high prices.  We also hit Lane Bryant where Miss Artistic got new bras that she needed desperately ….. thank you Lane Bryant for having her size!!!   I even picked up a couple of items for myself including new bras which I needed since my old ones were too big since I lost over 30 lbs since I purchased them.

The biggest surprise was getting Princess Nibbles’ ears re-pierced (all of $16).  She had had them pierced a couple of years ago and wound up getting a slight tear in one ear.  So we simply allowed them to heal over.  As my plan was to spend as little as possible over and above the value of the gift cards, we stuck to our guns and did not eat out and instead fed the girls food from the fridge upon our arrival home.

Saturday was full of many tasks:

• I went food shopping directly after work
• I did a smallish version of my once-a-week cooking
• I made 2 roast beefs, 5 lbs. of smashed taters, a HUGE baked pasta*
• I bought the girls outfits for Easter, including new sandals (an annual tradition)
• I bought the girls new sneakers (needed desperately) for their Easter baskets
• We dyed eggs
• We ate pizza
• I rested – amazing huh?

I hit my 10th review for the month of March over at Epinions Thursday night which, including my bonus for writing reviews rated “very helpful” means I’ve earned a guaranteed $20 this month.  Considering that without being paid for the actual writing of the reviews my monthly earnings (on over 350 total articles) is only about $1-1.50 a month I will be happy to actually be able to request a check.  I would like to try for another 10, but I have other tasks that need my attention so I will probably hold off on any more reviews until next month.

If you’d like to check them out:

Apples and How They Grow (children’s book)
The Biggest Snowman Ever (children’s book)
The Pizza That We Made (children’s book)
Itchy, Itchy Chicken Pox (children’s book)
God / Goddess: Exploring and Celebrating the Two Sides of Wiccan Deity (Pagan text)
A Witch’s 10 Commandments: Magickal Guidelines for Everyday Life (Pagan text)
The Goodly Spellbook: Olde Spells for Modern Problems (Pagan text)
Organix Coconut Milk Split Ends Mender (Health & Beauty product)
Organix Vanilla Silk Blow Dry Cream (Health & Beauty product)
Gold Bond Maximum Strength Foot Spray, Triple Action Relief (Health & Beauty product)

Other than that I am holding on, more or less, to my health and my sanity.  I am holding on to the promise of Womongathering in June with Lady Rose.  My plan is to go armed with notebooks, a pen, and my digital camera.  I plan to drift, and trance, and worship, and pray.  I plan to journey into myself and find myself again.

I hope to be able to use it to find the part of myself that I locked away so long ago.  I hope to use the weekend to renew my soul and reclaim my inner Witch and Priestess.  I hope to come home able to hold on to the changes and to start life anew. 

Womongathering takes place the weekend following my 39th birthday.  It is fitting that I use it as a jumping off point to start my 40th year of life on the right foot. 

Blessings

Mama Kelly

* think baked ziti, except I use different pasta as Mr Grumpy is not a fan of ziti

Written by Mama Kelly

I am grateful for the moments in my life where I manage to rise up above the waters of hopelessness and despair and gasp a breath of clean fresh air.

Yes the waters soon close back up over me …. but those moments give me a slimpse of what is possible.

I believe in a life where my own moments of depression and middle-aged-angst are in the minority.

I hope every day to draw a step closer to it.

Blessings

Mama Kelly

Collected Poems, 1909-1962

Written by Mama Kelly