Laptop: My apologies one and all for not being able to post very much over the last several weeks, but my laptop problems continue – so with both my laptop and Mama Kelly’s laptop being out of commission things have gotten a bit quiet around here. 

It has been over four weeks now and about $500 spent so far to get my laptop repaired.  It started out being infected with a virus (due to logging into facebook – seems it is a very common thing to have happen).  After paying just over $200 to have it fixed and waiting for two weeks for them to get to it, they then informed me the laptop needed a new hard drive, which meant I had to order disks from Dell so all the original drivers and software could be reloaded – which meant another week of it being in the shop and brought the total up to almost $500.  Had I not already spent $200 fixing it from the virus, I would have just gotten a new laptop, which only would have cost me about $600.   So now I’m stuck with this one for another 4 or 5 years. we are planning to get Angelgirl a new one for her birthday this May. I had planned on getting myself a new one (with a webcam) at the same time, and passing this one along to hubby, but now that this one is “like” new I’ll just keep it for as long as I can to make the money spent on the repairs worthwhile.

Now that I have the laptop home, it only worked for two days and now it no longer connects to the internet.  The third day I woke up, turned it on, and now for no apparant reason msn (whatever that is) is the manager of my internet connection (no idea how that happened) so now windows diagnostic can’t help me, when I run “repair” it can’t “clear the dns cache,” whatever that means. When I try to get to the internet it just says I’m “offline,” even though the wireless router connection is strong.  I’ve tried everything I can possibly think of and so has my daughter, and at this point I think it is totally messed up. Since I have no idea what happened in the first place I’m sure whatever we’ve done trying to fix it (settings, etc.) has messed it up for good.  

So I am limited to snatching a few minutes here and there online since hubby and my daughter both need the desktop computer a lot in the evening for school work.

Surprises: On the bright side, last week I was totally surprised by having Thursday and Friday off because of the snow.  It was a huge surprise because my office hardly ever closes.  Thursday hubby (he’s a high school teacher) and Angelgirl had early school closing so to surprise them (since they didn’t even know I had the day off!) I bought lots of Chinese food and a few treats from the bakery for them to enjoy.  It was a big feast that they got to enjoy for both snow days and even into the weekend.

This month I am keeping busy planning a surprise birthday party for my youngest sister.  She is turning 40.  I’m planning to make her a huge brunch with stuffed french toast, spiral ham, a coffee and hot chocolate bar (with lots of toppings), smoothies (the smoothie maker will be her gift), hash browns, eggs (with a variety of toppings), cinnamon bun bread pudding, and few other things. I’m cooking almost everything at my house, but taking it all over to her house. My other sister and her family live across the street so they will be stopping over and I will ask her husband to invite the two neighbors she is friendly with too.

Qi Gong: Last week I had an appointment for a qi gong healing session with a couple who teach Qi Gong.   I found their website a couple of years ago and have wanted to take their classes and meet them ever since.   They are about an hour and 15 minutes away so it is driveable – though I may spend the night at a hotel when I take the classes so I’m not driving back and forth three days in a row.  I will be taking their healing qi gong class in July (Fri. evening to Sunday for two weekends).    I plan on taking the advanced class after that and whatever other classes that I can as they become available.   One of their instructors is also in New Jersey, and they recommended I take an introductory seminar with him on March 28 – I sent my registration in yesterday. 

I am thrilled to finally be beginning my journey to learn qi gong.  It is all about healing, working with energy, and to me any way, it is kicking my spiritual path into high gear.  Although different in philosopy and practice, it is similar in principle to wicca and takes the “work of a witch” to a whole new level beyond wicca 101 and I think even beyond advanced wicca. It is a moving meditation that is done daily to clear, balance and gather one’s chi energy. It is also system for promoting healing in others, as well as teaching them how to promote healing in themselves (which is one of things I like most about it, because it helps people to take care of themselves).

I will be posting more about qi gong as I take classes, read books, and learn more.

Bright blessings, Lady Rose

Written by Lady RoseTags:computer virus, family, qi gong, snow days

This year I will be celebrating Candlemas by attending an open circle ritual this weekend on the 7th in a town very close to where Mama Kelly lives.  I’m looking forward to meeting fellow wiccans and pagans and enjoying an evening of ritual, drumming, and good company.

Later in the month I have a healing session appointment with a couple who teach qi gong.  I have been visiting their website for a couple of years now and planning to take their qi healing intensive class, qi gong therapist intensive classes and other classes they offer.  This year I am finally going to take the plunge.   The first class, qi healing intensive, is being taught in July.  In order to start learning now I have scheduled a healing session with them and afterwards I will be attending a basic class that they teach.  It is an introductory class that is held weekly.  I have also bought several books on qi gong.  I am very excited to finally meet the instructors and looking forward to learning some basic qi gong that I can do daily to improve my health and energy in preparation for the more in depth studies I will be taking later and working on getting my certification.

Wishing everyone blessings, love, light and creativity, Lady Rose

Written by Lady RoseTags:Candlemas, qi gong

My Ps and Qs are: QLink – Quilling – Qi Gong – and Pomengrantes

Hi everyone, just a quick update to let you all know I am alive and well. The past few days have been busy – the Diet Pulpit has officially MOVED to it’s very own domain (*** phew what a job! ***). It took a LOT of hours because I wanted all the old posts (over a years worth) moved and all the pages too. Still some housekeeping to do, but at least the big part of the move is complete.

In other news – I got a QLink (cutting edge quantum phsyics technology that refines and strengthens the body’s energy). As my daughter said, “Mom, is that real science?” LOL Probably not, but it’s pretty (a bit expensive too – but I got mine from ebay so at least I got mine for under 1/3 the retail price) – it’s worn as a necklace and suppose to keep EMF rays away. I have noticed I am sleeping better and less tired in the afternoons – so who knows. A lot of golfers, some celebrities, and high powered life coaches have been wearing them and swear by them. I figured what the heck, if it doesn’t work it’s still a nice necklace and a conversation piece, and no harm done. If it does work – that is just an added bonus. I take all this psuedo science stuff with a large grain of salt.

I also got a book, dvd and cd set for learning The Essential Qigong Training Course, it’s set up as a 100 day lesson plan (which is the traditional way to study with a master – for 100 days). The reviews said it was the next best thing to having a teacher. Since I don’t know when the next certification classes for the Qi Gong will be given (I am hoping they are offered again early next year), I wanted to be doing some thing and this will give me a very good foundation as well as months of practice to get a head start. For a FREE qi gong dvd go HERE (available from the National Qigong Association)

I started taking a supplement drink I found at the supermarket: Naturally Pomegrante. One ounce equals 16 pomegrantes, only 16 calories, no added sugar. It’s strong, but tasty and filled with antioxidants. With the medically supervised diet I’m on it doesn’t allow any fruits so I felt I needed something to keep my vitamins and nutrients replenished so when I saw it I decided to give it a try.

I haven’t had time to start any Quilling projects yet, but I have been collecting books and even vintage books, various patterns and kits, and tools from ebay. I have a whole collection now and looking forward to a weekend when Angelgirl and I can work on one of the kits to get started.

I have my next two tattos picked out that I’ll get for my 52nd birthday (which is at the end of the month) – a ying\yang design for the right ankle and for the back fo the neck the three symbols for the “three treasures” of taoism (compassion, moderation and humility) IF I can find the symbols for them. Taoism is truly a beautiful philosophy and I am really enjoying learning more about it as I learn about Qi Gong — harmony with nature, going with the flow, balance — (all concepts that blend well with my wiccan traditions).

However, with all the things that can go wrong with using Chinese Symbols in a tattoo I probably should come up with something else. For some examples, check out Hanzi Smatter (a blog dedicated to the misuse of Chinese characters in western culture; i.e. a woman who’s sexy tattoo ended up meaning “inferior goods” or a guy who thought his military “tank” tattoo ended up actualy meaning tank as in “toilet”.

Bright Blessings, Lady Rose

Written by Lady RoseTags:health, papercrafts, qi gong, tattoos

Ugh!  It’s Monday morning and I can barely keep my eyes open.  I wanted to post to let everyone know I’m alive.  

Most of my blogging time for the past week (and weeks to come) is being totally consumed by the monstrous task of moving 100’s of posts from the diet pulpit on wordpress to it’s new location on my very own dot com domain (Diet Pulpit) (and also combining it with a huge amount of content over from one of the very first blogs I started (with Mama Kelly) – incredible shrinking ladies (about 12 months worth – why you ask - because I want a lot of history to the blog when it opens, and I’m probably insane and just don’t know it.)    Since most of these posts were written way back when before I had any blogging experience – I am taking the time totweak a lot of stuff.  Not to mention the giant learning curve to do even the simpliest thing – which can be so frustrating – for example it took me hours and hours just to figure out how to install a plugin so the youtube videos would work.   Once you have wordpress on your own - there are no more easy plugins, all that has to be found out on the web, downloaded, uploaded and then figure out how to use it – and since I barely understand the instructions it takes me forever to do the simplest thing.

The blog theme is still in the works by my designer - but that’s ok.  I at least want most of the info. moved and set before the big grand opening any way.    But with all that work I’m very very burned out and at times wondernig why the heck I blogged in the first place!      But that will pass I’m sure once it’s all set up.

This weekend was very very busy – Angelgirl had her black belt test, which went very well.  It was a 2 hour ride there and 2 hours back, and about 5 hours of sitting on school bleachers while she tested.   Needless to say we were all tired and sore.       Sunday my work had a huge family picnie (over 10,000 attended), there was a lot of walking and playing carnival games, which was fun – but I was exhausted.  

So this morning I can barely move and in need of a lot more coffee then my usual 1big cup that I have. 

I’ve also found another obessions – like I really need another one!    I found a place in New Jersey that certifies for Qi Chong healing.   It’s expensive (over $2200 for both levels of training), and would require a total of 5 weekends (and I’d have to take off work for 5 Friday afternoons in order to make it to the classes on Friday night on time).   It’s pretty far from my house – and I may have to stay at a hotel depending on just how far it is, which would be an added expense.

It’s totally crazy to think about — but I can’t help it.  At least there are no classes scheduled between now and Jan. that I can take so I have time to think it over.    Years ago I was certified in massage therapy – this is my true calling in life.  And I’ve been told I’m very good at it by everyone who has had a massage by me.  But the state has managed to make it impossible for me to practice – I can’t have a business out of my home (so I’d have to rent), the insurance costs are very expensive, plus I’d to take several classes over the years to keep certified – which puts the expense out of my reach for  the amount of massage I would do — which would only be a massage or two a month, probably at no charge.

At least with the Qi Gong for healing – it would be doing the kind of work I love which is helping people to heal and relax.  After the cost of the certification, there is no further expense, so even though I’d only work with others part time and most likely for free at least I would not have any on going expenses.   IF I decided to do the certification – I’d have to give up something else that I was looking into.  Right now I am taking life coach class – (it’s the basic starting course) and was going to continue on for more training – but if I take Qi Gong then I will not do life coaching.  I had been thinking of taking personal trainer classes next summer at the community college – but definitely would prefer Qi Gong.   

I don’t know – I hestitate to spend that kind of money.  But I do prefer Qi Gong to the other options I had planned to do.   I have to be honest with myself – that I will not quit my job, I will not be charging any one for these services no matter which way I go for training, so what ever I decide if I do take classes it should be classes that will be of the most use and benefit for me and that I would enjoy doing with others on a part time basis.

Every few years I get all these crazy ideas in my head to work on my own, and I decide it’s time for me to grow up and do something - but usually I start, never finish, and it never goes any where, and waste time and money and fail miserably.   Now I know better at least what NOT to do – but I still have the desire to find something in my life that I have a passion for.  I know it can’t be about money, and that I’ll never be able to quit my boring office job for a business of my own – but I still long to find a fulfilling “career” that I could do at least part time without the need to actually earn money doing it.     

I guess the best thing to do is just see what happens down the road.   All their indivdiual workshop type classes are during the week and during the day so I can’t even go check out the Qi Gong ahead of time to see if I really do like it.  Oh well, if it’s meant to be I guess I’ll know and if not then it will fade out of my life in time.

Let me try to wake up and get a little work done!  

Bright Blessings, Lady Rose

Written by Lady RoseTags:blogging, karate, qi gong