As always I am grateful for many things. For my family, my friends, for food in my ‘fridge.

But today I am especially grateful for my dear friend Lady Rose. Not only for the wonderful birthday gifts she brought me. But, for her company as well.

I first met Lady Rose when I was all of 18, and joined her circle a year later. Its amazing to me sometimes to remember how long she’s been a part of my life and how much she has seen me through. The initiations that occurred in her circle … the initiations that come with living life.

She always finds ways at Yule & at my birthday to spoil me. To give me gifts that I either would never allow myself the luxury of, or simply things that I would set aside indefinitely on my wish list. This year was no exception.

I was treated to gifts that acknowledged the healthy life changes I am working so hard at making (talked about in more depth at Blade & Cauldron), gifts that let me know that her heart & thoughts were with me while she was at Womongathering, and gifts that spoiled me more than I deserve.

As a change, rather than simply tell you about my treasures, we decided to show them to you.

Written by Mama KellyTags:birthday, blog your blessings sunday, gratitude, presents

Today will be a busy day but in a good way. Miss Artistic was dropped off this morning at her second (of a series of art classes and I will be leaving in a few minutes to pick her up and take Princess Nature to her flute lesson.

Afterward, we will be picking up Gamer Dude and running a few errands before coming home (perhaps trying to get in my Wii Fit, which I haven’t done in almost 2 weeks) and getting ready to go out to dinner for a belated birthday celebration.

Tomorrow will find me cooking for the coming week, Miss Artistic both catching up on missing assignments and studying for midterms, and Princess Nature working on a crystal radio she got for Xmas/Yule.

Things are mostly stable, though Miss Artistic continues to have a hard time both situationally and with the usual school and teenage angst issues. My own depression/anxiety is high and other health issues are flaring up as well. Luckily, I have my Dr. appointment this week which will allow me to perhaps look into not only medication, but some long overlooked diagnostic testing in an effort to get my health back on track.

I wish you all love and light and many blessings

Anon

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:birthday, depression, family, life

Today marks Gamer Dude’s 38th birthday. Unfortunately the day pretty well sucked for him in terms of having to run me to and from work, go to two different Dr. appointments (one for him, one for Miss artistic), skip on a sit down dinner, and have a rushed slice of cake.

We plan to make it up to him on Saturday with a day out just the four of us and then dinner out on Mr Grumpy.

In the meantime let me say for the record that the years may come and go, may bring their share of pain and loss and general woe, but I am grateful to have his hand to hold as I walk through them.

Every year I thank the powers that be for the simple gift of having him in my life.

Forever and always my love
This life and the next

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:birthday, husband, love

I’m taking the day off Friday, October 30th, to relax and enjoy my 54th birthday. We will be celebrating on Sunday with a trip to Medieval Times (more about that later). I feel like I’ve been celebrating already for a few weeks with all the fun things I’ve been up too lately.

Late Sept. I went to a Native American Indian harvest festival with Angelgirl (my daughter) – it was small but nice, held at a farm about 15 minutes away. Angelgirl and I enjoyed a relaxing morning browsing the displays and a couple of demos, and listening to speakers, stories, and some music. When it came time for dancing and they asked folks to join – I, of course, jumped in – and Angelgirl pretended not to know me.  LOL   It was adorable.

Oct. started off with a date with Teacherman, my hubby, to see Billy Crystals’ one man show, 700 Sundays at a theater in Philadelphia. It was “truly maaaarvelous”. He is an outstanding performer and the show was very funny, as well as touching the heart and leaving a few tears in our eyes. He told stories about growing up, his parents, etc. – the title for the show comes from the 700 Sundays he had with his dad before his father passed away when Billy Crystal was a young teen.

The following week (Oct. 8th) we went, along with another couple, to see Bruce Springstein playing his next to last concert at the “old” Giants stadium. He wrote a new song in honor of the stadium, “wrecking ball,” since the old stadium will be torn down soon. He is always at his best when in he plays in New Jersey, and the concert was great. This tour he plays a different album each night – our night he did the Born to Run album, which of course is awesome. The show even had fireworks at the finale.

For my birthday we are going to Medieval Times (on Nov. 1) – it has been over 15 years since we’ve been. I’m very very excited; plus we have the royalty package so we have FRONT row seats which is just going be soooo very cool (included is a dvd of the show and a cheering banner so we can wave it as we cheer our knight during the joust). Teacherman surprised me by getting a limo to take us all – which adds a big WOW factor to the day. There will be six of us, Teacherman and Angelgirl, my mom and two good friends from work (my friends and I are getting dressed in medieval costume which is going to add even more fun). Doors open 90 minutes before the show so there is plenty of time to mingle in the big room with the bar, where the characters from the show (the knights!) come out and mingle and photos can be taken. For the limo ride up we have a bottle of sparkling white wine and bottle of red wine chilling, and we are also packing some shrimp, cheese and crackers and for the ride home we are bring strawberries and chocolate dip along with a tin of the fancy cookies shaped like a straw. (I won’t be indulging, of course, but I can at least sip my ice water from a chilled glass in the limo and for a huge splurge I can have a strawberry on way home.)

I am so very thankful to have this time with my family and friends.

Wishing every one a happy and safe Halloween.   Lady Rose

Written by Lady RoseTags:birthday, concert, events, outings

Even though I am tired and my joints still haven’t forgiven me for walking around Washington DC I am looking forward to our outing today.

Princess Nibbles is so excited and as always her good mood is contagious. Our first guest will be arriving here in about a half an hour and before 11am we will be standing outside the theater waiting for our other guests.

Goodies bags are filled, the cake is in the ‘fridge, Gamer Dude is heading out soon to buy the tickets, all that is left to do is call the Pizza place and give them a heads up for our arrival.

One guest is coming back with us and spending the night and I will be up early tomorrow making breakfast. The plan right now is scrambled eggs with cheese, shake & pour pancakes with real maple syrup, and canned fruit on the side.

Right now I am off to finish my hair, brush my teeth, and put on some semblance of a face.

Have a lovely day.

Blessings
Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:birthday, outing

Its going to be a busy couple of days. And unfortunately my broken sleep pattern is in full flare since returning from our weekend away. Let me simply say that when you fall asleep at around midnight and wake up at 4:30 for no reason (night after night) its a bit annoying.

I work from 8-4 today and then come home to take the girls to Tae Kwon Do. Afterward there is cleaning and tidying to be done.

Tomorrow I have a meeting at Miss Artistic’s school (what’s another lost day of pay?) and afterward there is another Tae Kwon Do class and more cleaning and tidying to be done.

Saturday we are taking Princess Nibbles and a few of her friends out for a movie and pizza to celebrate turning 10 and one of her friends is spending the night. Unfortunately, as we have to be all “ready” before 11am I can sleep later than I do during the week, but I cannot sleep “in” either.

On the bright side though my friend “M2″ is coming with us not only to help wrangle and transport said birthday guests but also to share the day and spend some time catching up.

Sunday, I have to get up early as our guest has to be home by 9:30 and I’m going to need to feed her breakfast ahead of time.

In the midst of this there is also the need to break down a desk and pull some other things out of closets, etc as we have bulk pick up in our area and we need to get rid of stuff so that we can get moving on switching Miss Artistic into her own room (I feel like I’ve been talking about this reorganization forever).

Lastly, I have to get my laptop into the shop as it is overheating at the drop of a hat (leading to the blue screen of death) and making some loud unhappy sounds.

Unfortunately any major blog updates, posts with pictures, etc. will need to wait for a while until life resumes its normal pattern after this weekend and I get my baby back from the computer doctor.

Written by Mama KellyTags:birthday, family, life

Well the birthday and graduation celebrations are all finally done.  What began with a lovely outing to the Well Sweep Herb Farm at the beginning of the month (and way too many presents) ended* with the Celtic Woman concert on this past Monday.  Now Lady Rose already shared her own thoughts on that evening, but let me tell you that we all had a fabulous time.

Seeing a concert in a suite setting is a truly once in a lifetime experience, especially if you are someone (like me) who detests crowds and loud noise with a passion.  I got to be a part of this wonderful group experience, enjoy the energy of a live concert while feeling as secure as if I was in my own living room.  Additionally, being able to sit in a lounge and eat dinner while chatting with friends (old and new) before the show and during intermission was simply delightful.

The show itself was simply wonderful.  The women’s voices (Chloe, Lisa, Lynn, & Alex) were truly angelic.  The drummers stirred my blood and the Celtic violinist, Mairead (who btw has her own solo album Raining Up), was simply amazing.  The show was not fully appreciated by Princess Nibbles (give her time to grow into it) but Miss Artistic loved it.  Now, granted, I don’t expect her to ask for the CD for Yule or anything, but it was great to see her give a different genre of music a fair try and groove on it enough to clap her hands and sway a bit.

While I will say that I enjoyed the more traditional tunes (Danny Boy for one) to the covers they performed (though their rendition of Cyndi Lauper’s True Colors was quite lovely) I enjoyed each and every song they performed. I only wish I had jotted down notes during the show (I was too busy having fun) or at least had purchased a program so I could remember the names of some of the pieces they sang that I wasn’t previously familiar with …. but the one that stuck with me the longest (that took a bit of work to find since I only remembered the theme and not a scrap of the lyrics) was “At The Céili”

“And me I made my choice as well
And in no way was it easy
But I’d rather have a man for love
Than be a rich man’s lady”

Graduation (which we attended in the hours preceding the concert) went off without a hitch and I can’t believe Miss Artistic will be attending high school in the fall (and will be working a real job over the summer). I am proud of her, for all she overcame in the past year and a half, and all I can see her achieving throughout the rest of her life as I know she can truly go far as she is so bright and talented. We gave her a mix of smaller gifts instead of one larger one (art stuff and a disposable cell phone) and took her out to eat at a local Japanese Buffet restaurant with plentiful and varied sushi which was just what she wanted and was really very very good (even Mr. Grumpy enjoyed himself and he can generally always find something to complain about).

Things are still busier than usual here in Mama Kelly’s household. Work has been trying, Saturday is belt testing for the girls in their Taekwondo class, there is cleaning to do for my friend “E” coming in from out of state for July 4th and tomorrow night will find me attending a Mary Kay party.  I am not one generally speaking for the make-up, tupperware, lingerie, or other type of parties.  I am not one for social gatherings with people I don’t know to be perfectly honest.  But, I am going because I was invited by the step-mom of one of Miss Artistic’s best friends and as they host a number of sleepovers (more than we manage) it seemed like the right thing to do.

So anon my dear readers. A little more time for things to calm down and we should be back to your regularly scheduled Pagan programming soon.

Blessings

Mama Kelly

PS links to youtube “videos” that share the audio of the songs from the same performance we attended:

Goodnight My Angel
Dulaman
When You Believe
Fields of Gold
Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears

* I have one more birthday outing coming.  In the latter half of July I will be going to Atlantic City for an overnight with my friend “M2.”  This one is to celebrate her birthday as much as mine as she will have finally caught up and hit the big 4-0 as well.  I am looking forward to it as an opportunity to spend an evening being just Kelly … not wife, not mom, just me.

Written by Mama KellyTags:birthday, concert, music

I’ve already shared an overview of the first part of my grand day out in celebration of my 40th birthday and how grateful I was for every aspect of the day.  Today’s post will focus on the presents.  Now I will say upfront that the biggest present of the day, as far as I am concerned, is the time, effort, thought, and energy that everyone put in to make such a special day possible, never mind the money (but I’m trying not to focus on that last part too much).

“Then, just as I thought we were getting up to wander the farm some more I was surprised with presents – yes multiple presents and for the next half hour or so I got to be the envy of the herb garden as I unwrapped my new treasures in clear sight of other event attendees around us and it was wonderful.”

Lady Rose is a wonder.  Despite various health ailments when she gets going, her energy is almost unstoppable.  Frankly, having all that energy focused on just you can be a little overwhelming and wonderful all at the same time.  Even knowing this about her, she still managed to thoroughly surprise me with not only the sheer number of gifts, but the care and thought that went into each and every one of them.  She remembers everything I ever say apparently, and a forgotten (by me) utterance related to “I’d like to have a _____ one day” is quickly filed away and pulled out at gift-giving time.

First she pulled out a wonderful handled chest which made me think of a traveling Dr’s bag, and will serve well as a Wandering Witch Kit.  She also pulled out a large package wrapped in shimmery purple paper that I was told had to wait until last, as the chest had to be opened first.

The first gift in my chest of wonders was a collection of bumper stickers … all Pagan or Witchy themed … which I can’t wait to be able to put on my car.  Though of course that won’t happen while my father is still living, or at least not while we are living with him, but they will be kept safe until I am once again free to be me, at all times in all places.

The next gifts in the chest all relate to the 5 elements (air, fire, water, earth, and spirit). The first of these was a collection of incense and a white feather that Lady Rose found while working on my surprise.

For fire I received small taper candles and a candle snuffer. For water she gave me a large bag of sea salt and a smaller bag of black salt.

For earth I received a gorgeous wood burned Goddess spoon and an even more beautiful herb bedecked apron (it even has a pocket so I can wear my Ipod while I cook). Together these gifts allow me to nourish my spirit while I feed my family.

I love everything about this apron by the way … the fabric she chose (the pattern and the texture) and the smock style of it which will keep my clothes safe from stains and let me feel “pretty” at the same time.

And speaking of spirit … what gifts were given to honor Center … you’ll have to wait until next time to find out.

Blessings

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:birthday, presents

Okay so it wasn’t as much the wild as it was a beautifully landscaped herb farm, but give me an opportunity to use a little alliteration and I just can’t help myself.

Saturday morning last week dawned early enough that it wasn’t yet bright.  I woke up a little after 5am, did my morning grooming, finished packing a bag, and was outside waiting for my friend M2 when she pulled up just before 6am.  She came with coffee in hand for me and we headed out to Lady Rose’s, about 40 minutes away.  After switching cars we headed out to Well Sweep Herb Farm, with only a brief stop at WaWa for sustenance.

The ride was filled with laughter and conversation – there was no need for music.  We had a couple of moments of confusion on the drive, but never got lost and while I did succumb to more than a touch of motion sickness and a migraine, it didn’t last long once my tummy settled enough to let me take some medication.  All-in-all it was about a 1.5 hour drive and we were the first car to arrive in their parking lot.

Our hosts for the day were happy to let us in to walk around even though we were early for their 9am opening.  It was beautiful!!  It was, for me, an instant sense of “see what is possible.”

I saw a living breathing example of a place I’d like to live in.  And while my own dream home would be set a little further back off the road, and would include a thriving vegetable garden, fruit trees, with smaller acreage given to herbs it was close enough to the dream that I spent much of the day submersing myself in the hope of what may, one day, be possible.

We only attended one period of lecture, back-to-back talks on growing & presenving herbs and herbs in the kitchen.  I enjoyed the presenter who obviously loves herbs and truly does use them every day in her cooking, I loved the herbs that she passed around to see in their live and dreid state.  And, I especially loved the samples on the porch after class was done – Anise Pear Cake, Cardamon Seed Bars, Basil-Fruit Cooler, and a Rose Geranium Cake.  Yum yum yum!

The rest of the day was spent shopping (they have a lovely gift shop) and I was forbidden to buy anything for myself.  Lady Rose picked up some items she thought I would enjoy and then M2 paid for the items in my own basket, no matter how much I protested.  We browsed the gardens – which are more extensive then you might think when you first pull up – and I drooled over just about everything.

I immediately put both a flower bed and a fairy garden on the list of ideas for future landscaping.

And using this hollow log as a planter is just a wonderful idea.

I even found a ground cover plant that I want to buy next year. The photo does not do it justice. It was like a living bed of almost metallic autumn leaves – something out of fairyland.

I enjoyed wandering around and seeing all the examples of useful herbs and plants.  The farms focus is on the medicinal and mundane aspects of plants – herbal remedies, culinary use, decorative plants, and those that can be used in dyeing.  I would imagine though that most witches,  like me, will find themselves wandering around thinking about their magickal attributes as well.

A good block of time however was spent sitting in the shade, at a lovely picnic table eating the food we brought with us.  A friend of Lady Rose’s from work had met us at the farm (having heard about these plans for months) along with a friend of hers and the five of us enjoyed not only the beauty around us but each other’s company.  Then, just as I thought we were getting up to wander the farm some more I was surprised with presents – yes multiple presents and for the next half hour or so I got to be the envy of the herb garden as I unwrapped my new treasures in clear sight of other event attendees around us and it was wonderful.

Normally I am almost terminally shy.  I would rather gouge out my own eyes with a spoon than be the center of attention.  But, it was like we were in a bubble – a wonderful peaceful bubble and for one of a handful of times in my life it was okay, it was better than okay actually, it was pretty much a wonderful feeling to be sitting there on a blue-skied-white-puffy-clouded day, full of sunshine and cool breezes knowing with full certainty that I was loved, and that the people who mattered thought I was deserving of such a special day.

And I haven’t even told you about the presents yet ….. but that is a post for another day.

Have a day blessed with beauty!

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:birthday, herb farm

I’ve been quieter on the blog of late and while some of it can be blamed on being busier than usual with the festivities surrounding Miss Artistic’s impending 8th grade graduation and my birthday, much of it can be blamed on my melancholy over turning forty.

I’m not even all that upset over “getting old”.  Some of this is thanks to good genes I guess (thank you birth family whoever you are) as I am constantly mistaken for significantly younger than I am and have nothing (yet) in the way of wrinkles or gray hair.  Some of it is also the fact that I’m okay with the eventuality of having wrinkles (thanks to my tattoos they will be in technicolor) and silver in my hair.  I look forward to one day being a grandmother and can only hope I am lucky enough to live to an age to be considered a Crone.

It is more a sense of my life being half over of not having enough time left to do the things I want to do or to achieve the goals I desire.  But, I also know that that type of negative self-talk will only serve to hold me back from being who I want to be and going where I want to go.

When Lady Rose and I attended Womangathering last year we attended a ritual which celebrated four faces of the Goddess – maiden, mother, queen, and crone.  Lady Rose likes to remind me of this and encourages me to embrace my queenhood.  To stop caring about other people’s opinions and desires so much and to start putting myself first, or failing that at least allow myself ot make it nearer to the top of my priority list.

I’m still working on it.

My hope is to spend the rest of my life being truer to who I am, to what I believe, and working toward creating the life I want.  I’m still not all that happy about being 40 (I still remember when 30 seemed a forever away), but its time to shake off the blues and the stagnation and grab the reins of my life and work on transforming it.

Put another way, the Serenity Prayer calls us to “accept the things we cannot change”, and sometimes we have no choice but to do so.  However, great things have been done, miracles have been worked when someone has stopped, looked at something they could not accept and worked to change it regardless of how impossible a feat it may have seemed.*

It is time to be a Queen, to take responsibility for the choices that have led me here and to make some practical changes to our life … to our living situation, to our financial situation, etc.  But, it is also time to reclaim my identity as Witch and Priestess, to stop cowering in the broom closet and use my tools and skill to work some magic.

Can I do less but try?  My children deserve a better life, my husband deserves a better life, and frankly so do I.

Blessings

Mama Kelly

PS I still owe you all a post detailing my wonderful day out with Lady Rose this past weekend for my birthday celebration and the wonderful presents (too many of them for the record) that she gave me.  Its coming I promise.

* inspired by a piece of dialogue I recently heard on the new TV show “Mental”

Written by Mama KellyTags:birthday, turning 40