I am still dealing with a rather bad case of blogger’s block. Things are happening, but nothing that really seems blog-worthy.  Life-wise I am for the most part in a rut.  Week to week my life is pretty much the same – I go to work, I come home, I watch TV, I sleep poorly, only to get up and do it again.

I find that when I start to write a post (and I can’t tell you how many of them I have given up on halfway through) I invariably give up on it because it’s too boring, or too whiny, or simply feels too hypocritical.

The truth of the matter is that my life is rather un-Witchy.

I do not work with like-minded folk and with the exception of the occasional utterance of an “Oh Sweet Goddess” that may erupt from my lips, my faith is not discussed there.

I am in the closet at home and so I do not get to really act on or experience my faith there either, outside of my own inner world.

I do not have a coven to belong to, nor friends to worship with.  Lady Rose and I get together when we can and our visits are generally filled with laughter and conversation but we do not do ritual together at this stage in our lives.

It is something that I need to figure out a way to change.

In the meantime I am looking forward to an upcoming weekend trip to visit our friend “E” and hit the Maryland Renaissance Festival and hoping that it stirs the Witch within a bit, or at least gives me something to talk about.

Blessings

Mama Kelly

PS  While sulking here in my pit of ennui I cleaned through my email accounts and found out that I am the winner of a wonderful and WITCHY print from the lovely Tollipop …. I can’t tell you how happy I am over this win.  Not only am I fan of her blog, and a fan of her art, but I cannot help but smile a bit over the coincidence of winning this particular print.

Written by Mama Kelly

We were trebly blessed to be nominated for this award by three different blogging friends – Nydia, Saje, and Anna.

Thank you so much. I can’t tell you how much this meant to me, especially as I am in the midst of a terrible case of blogger’s block right now.

Now the rules:
1. Thank the person who gave this to you.
2. Copy the logo and place it in your blog.
3. Link the person who nominated you.
4. Name 7 things about yourself that no one would really know.
5. Nominate seven ‘Kreativ Bloggers’
6. Post links to the seven blogs you nominate
7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know you nominated them

7 random things, huh?

1. I dye my hair pretty often. I do it myself at home with whatever brand is on sale and whatever color matches my mood and the season at hand. In the summer I let it go a true blonde, but the rest of the year it ranges from dark blonde, light brown, or various shades of red. I dyed my hair over the weekend and took a risk and went for a deeper color than I usually use. Reviews are mixed. My father hates it. A couple of women at work called it “interesting.” But, others (including the Hubby) love it. As for me … I don’t really like it much and can only hope that it mellows to a shade that I can live with. Otherwise, supermarket due is relatively cheap and I can always just dye it again in a couple of weeks.

2. I have 4 tattoos and I am currently due for a new one (promised for my 40th birthday). The delay is less about finances and more about I don’t know what I want or where I want it. More accurately I have a number of ideas, none of which can be practically done right now. So, it’s a matter of picking something relatively small, in a hideable spot, that is meaningful.

3. I get chronic headaches. I also get 5 distinctly different types of headaches. I get migraines complete with the nausea & sensitivity to light & sound; I get tension headaches that run from the base of my skull up; I get headaches related to teeth grinding; I get sinus headaches; and I get what I call my NF headaches. This last group feels like a throbbing egg in the middle of my brain that is simply mind-numbing and I’ve always simply attributed them to my having neurofibromatosis. I’ve had MRIs but haven’t followed up with a neurologist up to this point as well, frankly, I tend to my health issues last in line. Anyway, the result is that the days that I don’t have a headache are far outweighed by the days that I do.

4. I dislike most vegetables and will avoid eating them if at all possible. I like most fruits, but most of them disagree with me. I eat too many high calories foods. I eat too much junk food. I use food as my main coping mechanism for the stress in my life and the stress associated with my job. My eating habits are pretty much embarrassingly bad and it is one of the things I hope to work on as we get our life priorities back in order.

5. I hate to drive. Any travel outside of my teeny tiny little radius of comfort zone is enough to make me hyperventilate. The result is I really don’t go anywhere by myself or do much of anything. It is one of a long list of things I need to “fix” in my life. It limits my world so much and robs me of opportunities for growth and community that I might otherwise have.

6. I am painfully shy.  The very thought of going to a public circle meeting or similar type function by myself is enough to make me break out in a cold sweat.  Even going with a friend would have me really nervous the night before.  Oddly enough I have no trouble overcoming this in a classroom setting where I happily draw all kinds of attention to myself by raising my hand with questions and/or answers.

7.  I bite my nails, badly.  I will bite them down to the point of pain and even blood and have never (outside of small windows of time) been able to kick the habit.  It is frankly embarrassing, but I have tried all the lotions & potions and nothing works.  I think I may try getting hypnotized as I really want to get my late mom’s wedding set resized to wear and I hate to do that and “waste” such pretty rings on such ugly hands.

My nominees:

Rather than try and pick favorites amongst my bloggy friends and all my regular reads, instead I picked bloggers who inspire me because of writing they have published, wares they create, or art they have created.

Patti of 37 Days – author of a wonderful, inspiring book

Thalia of Amused Grace – gorgeous Goddess art

Kirsten of Tollipop – adorable prints and frequent giveaways

Fox of The Unveiling of a Pagan Spirit – follow her blog to her jewelry shop

Joanna of Gaian Tarot Artist’s Journal – creator of a soon to be published Tarot deck that I personally must have

Lucky Girl of Make Every Day Your Lucky Day – another blog that leads to another jewelry shop

Thyme2Dream of the Blog of the Same Name – fantastic elven and fae inspired lovelies to adorn yourself with

But, I love all of you!!!

Blessings

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama Kelly

Today I am grateful for taking the first steps toward getting our finances back in order. There is still work to be done but for now, the weight off my mind, is worth all the extra stress these past few weeks.

Today I am grateful for slowly getting our house in order. Windows are slowly being replaced and clutter is slowly being eliminated. Hopefully by the year’s end we will have the girls in separate bedrooms.

Today I am grateful for libraries. While I wish ours was more local (it is 15-20 min away) I am looking forward to satisfying my urge to buy bunch of books with the joy of coming home with a bunch of books I can instead read for free.

Today I am grateful, as I always am, for the ability to fill my ‘fridge with food. I am also grateful for having enough to share with friends. I sent Miss Artistic to a friend’s house for a sleepover yesterday and sent enough vegetarian chili to feed the entire family.

Today I am grateful for the sleep I get on the weekend. It is just as broken as it is during the week (no matter what I do, or take, I wake up every hour or two all night long) at least I get to stay in bed longer and accumulate a bit more rest.

Blessings

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:gratitude

Today GamerDude and I signed the final paperwork involved in refinancing a rental property that we own as a means to get out from under the load of too much debt. This is one of those things that I was holding back from talking about here until I was sure that everything went through.

I cannot describe the relief of no longer having to live paycheck to paycheck (and even then only barely making it as year by year we fell into mroe and more debt).

And while we are still in the same amount of debt as we were before, at least the repayment structure will allow us to start building savings (toward college and toward retirement), it will allow me to be able to afford days off from work (in illness and for pleasure) from time to time. It will allow me to keep my kids in Taekwondo and to get myself to Dr. appointments I’ve been putting off for far too long.

But, we know that this is our last chance to start over.

From here forward we both have to make the commitment to buy less, to create a simpler life, to actually save the money we need to save and to make the extra payments toward this mortgage that we need to so that when one day we have the opportunity to move we will actually have some equity to put toward the purchase of a new home (in a much more rural setting).

Mr Grumpy does not approve of our choice, in his defense he’s been down this road himself and knows that the temptation is high to simply start cahrging again once the debts are paid off. He knows that we could wind up with a mortgage around our neck until we are his age. He wants an easier future for us.

But, I know that it was the right thing to do. I couldn’t find the light at the end of the tunnel and could only see a future of ever increasing poverty ahead of us unless we did something. Maybe it wasn’t the best choice – but it was the best one we could see and now we simply have to be mature and responsible about creating and sticking to a plan that will allow us to create the future we want.

I am hoping that having this weight off my back will allow me to get my stress levels under control and allow me to once again hear the whispers of creativity and of Spirit so that I can both work more on the blog, and maybe even start really working on the book I dream of.

Wish us well!

Blessings

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:life, money

Just a quick note to wish each and every one of you, our readers, a blessed & joyous Mabon.

May the season ahead be filled with magic & wonder. May your larders be full. May your home be filled with laughter and friendship and love.

So Mote it Be!

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:mabon

Today I am grateful for new windows.  Mr Grumpy has been slowly replacing the windows in the house a window at a time.  He buys the windows as he can afford them and then does the labor himself (with a little help from Gamer Dude).  This coming winter should see us all staying a little warmer with a little less money out of pocket.  Also my allergies (and related upper respiratory infection issues) should be much better as the windows were the original ones in this house and were as a result 35 years old (or more) there were issues with moisture (such as ice forming inside) and some mold.

Today I am grateful that Miss Artistic is holding her own emotionally.  I know that her anxiety levels have to be really high as she’s had a couple of melt downs in the past weeks.  But, so far nothing like we’ve dealt with in the past.

Today I am grateful that Princess Nibbles has a new best friend.  Her former best friend “J” moved away in the wake of her father’s passing.  While the plan was for them to keep in touch – it never really happened.  “Big E” is 3 months older than her and one grade ahead but they are thick as thieves.

Today I am grateful for getting my camera finally fixed.  I had broken it back in May, but had never gotten around to mailing it in – mainly as I was scared that the repair wouldn’t be covered (ah the joys of denial).  But, hurrah, it was and my electronic baby is back home with the only money out of pocket being the cost of shipping it.

Today I am grateful for commission bonuses at work.  The future of the department is not clear.  It is really hard to say what’s going to happen with their profit margins, etc.  But, for as long as it last I am enjoying having a paycheck that more closely approximates a living wage.

Today I am grateful for a ‘fridge full of food.  This week’s once-a-week cooking found me making a large batch of meat sauce with sausage and meatballs; 2 pork loins on beds of onions and potatoes (with gravy made from the drippings); a small meatloaf (with another gravy); and a batch of Swedish meatballs (adapted from this recipe) which will be served over egg noodles with a side of vegetables rather than as an appetizer.

Today I am grateful for cool autumn breezes and the whispers of that which lies beyond the veil.  This is my favorite time of year and I am relishing in it.

Blessings

Mama Kelly

PS Meanwhile check out the following giveaways …

Isn’t this little Goddess that Nydia made just the sweetest thing?!?!? The drawing doesn’t end until the 22nd, so there is still time to enter.

Mrs. B is offering this great kids’ book in her giveaway. It runs until Sept 23 so you still have time on this one as well. Personally I plan on buying this one and tucking it away for the future grandchildren I hope to one day read to sleep.

Written by Mama KellyTags:blessings, gratitude, life

Yesterday was a particularly busy day – a fitting end I guess to what felt like a really busy week.

I worked 6 hours, finishing up my 40 hours and earned a nice amount of commission for the week as well.

I picked up Miss Artistic early from school. She’s had a cough that I originally attributed to allergies after her weekend away camping over Labor Day. Except instead of getting better it gradually got worse. The past week has seen it really kicking up especially during exercise. So, I brought her to the Dr. who prescribed some antibiotics, more as a “just in case” than anything else.

Then we went food shopping. I overspent. Granted I stocked up on a few items that were on sale that will see me well beyond this week alone. Granted I purchased a lot of meat, toiletry items, and more goodies for our friend “D” who is serving overseas. His box is as full as it is going to get at this point, and will be being shipped out soon.

We came home and in the midst of unpacking the car and putting away groceries I did a quick straightening of my pantry, filling a bag for Princess Nibbles’ school’s food drive collection, and my ‘fridge. At this point Miss Artistic ran off to the Mall with her friend “S” and I was in the middle of dishing out food for leftover night when Mr Grumpy announced that he wanted access to our bedroom today so he can start replacing our windows. Now, I’ve mentioned before how the 4 of us live in the upstairs of my dad’s house. I’ve mentioned before that I live surrounded by clutter, that I am gradually dealing with. I’ve also explained that we are trying to dismantle the room we use as a mini living room of our own so that Miss Artistic can have her own room. Needless to say my room was a sight!!!

So instead of eating, instead of putting my feet up on the recliner, I wound up doing a mad dash clean of my bedroom for the next 2 hours. Sad thing is that, it still has as much clutter in it as before, but now its an organized clutter and it gives me a head start on spending time in the coming weeks finishing the reorganization of our upstairs living quarters.

The plan for today’s once a week cooking includes a pot of meat sauce (with meatballs and both hot & sweet sausage), a batch of tuna casserole, Swedish meatballs (some of which are going to a neighbor’s house as he had asked for them some time back), and roasted pork loin. I fully expect to be able to freeze some of it when I am done.

In the meantime dear readers I wish you all a glorious weekend filled with blessings that carry you all through the Fall.

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:cooking, food, life, once a week cooking

Just a brief note to let you know that yes I am still alive and that (overall) all is well. My stress levels at work are still higher than is healthy and my insomnia is still raging as a result. The combination of the two is also triggering a whole bunch of unhealthy food choices (emotional eating sucks) and related digestive woes.

Beyond that, we are all still simply adjusting to being back to school and this week in particular was a particularly busy one.

The kids both have a touch of something, and Miss Artistic has a cough she can’t shake. One that will find me at the pediatrician’s office tomorrow at 3pm instead of getting my food shopping done and over with. It is aggravated by exertion and I’m worried that it might be asthmatic bronchitis (something I get myself every now and again)

Princess Nibbles decided to do an extra credit paper for a Latino Day contest. She chose her own topic, Dia de los Muertos, and she and I worked on it together. This was her first research paper and she needed help figuring out how to take someone else’s words and turn them into hers. All in all it came out very well and she has a 500 word essay done.

I had back to school night for Princess Nibbles on Monday, to which I arrived late thanks to having to pick up the kids from Taekwondo. Gamer Dude & I both attended back to school night for Miss Artistic on Wednesday, an event that last 2.5 hours.

In addition Miss Artistic’s friend “S” has been here nearly every day after school and has stayed for dinner twice. The first night I had enough food. By tonight’s meal it was either a leftover night (which I didn’t want to do with a guest) or breakfast for dinner.

The advantage of the latter being that I could easily make enough to feed everyone. The problem with the latter is that it tends to take a while. But in the end I made a large batch of scrambled eggs with zucchini and cheese; pork rool; breakfast sausage; canned fruit; and a small batch of pancakes (from a lone shake and pour in my pantry).

The week has passed primarily in a blur and I am beyond grateful that tomorrow is Friday. I can only hope that tomorrow evening will find me sleeping like the proverbial dead until I awaken Saturday morning.

Wish me luck!

Blessings

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:family, life

2006 Mabon performed by Y gwyr Yn Erbyn Byd and hosted by TERRA ( Tacoma Earth Religions Revival Association)

This movie is a compilation from photos from Coven of the Twilight Moons Mabon.

Marion Weinstein, author of Positive Magic, gives thanks for the Harvest

Fall Equninox ritual held at the Middle Earth Gathering.

Read more:

Autumn Equinox: The Enchantment of Mabon

Mabon: Celebrating the Autumn Equinox

Celebrating The Seasons Of Life: Beltane to Mabon : Lore, Rituals, Activities, And Symbols

Wheel of the Year: Living the Magical Life

The Sabbats: A New Approach to Living the Old Ways

A Year of Ritual: Sabbats & Esbats for Solitaries & Covens

Sabbat Entertaining: Celebrating the Wiccan Holidays with Style

Let the Cauldron Bubble

Cooking To The Wheel of the Year

Written by Mama KellyTags:pagan, videos, youtube

Today I am grateful to be alive and breathing.

Today I am grateful for food on my table, in the pantry, and in the fridge.

Today I am grateful that Princess Nibbles will be starting music instruction on the flute I used in 4th and 5th grade.

Today I am grateful that I have a box half-filled to send to a friend serving in Afghanistan.

Today I am grateful that I rested today, even though I wish I’d gotten more done.

Today I am grateful that so far Miss Artistic is enjoying high school.

Blessings

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:gratitude