Monday, May 28, 2007

Wordless Wednesday


I know it isn't Wednesday yet but I will be out of town so I am posting early (Photo from campout two years ago)

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We're Off

Well blog land with no bad luck we will be heading out of here by 8 am in the morning and arrive around noon to the campground. About 3/4 of the car is packed, and I mean packed. We settled on one car because of the high price of gas, and we are going to be in it like sardines, but it beats putting out money we don't have when we can enjoy it for other things. I have a headache, I'm tired and I'm irritable. It's 10 pm and I am still gathering things up. We can't finish the packing until we are actually ready to go. I should be back by late Friday, hopefully with lots to talk about. Miss me while I'm gone and wish us luck. I have a feeling we are going to need it. It's raining here tonight. Figures huh.

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Sunday, May 27, 2007

count down to camping

With just a little over 24 hours left until we leave for our campout, I thought about BUGS. Here is a list that a friend sent me.

INSECT BITES / STINGS AND ESSENTIAL OILS Posted by: "Sheys"
Medical description: A bite or sting from an insect

If you get bit by a poisonous insect or experience any allergic reaction, be sure to see a doctor THIS IS NOT A HEAL ALL PLEASE SEEK MEDICAL HELP IF YOU ARE IN NEED!!!!!!


Chamomile, cedarwood, eucalyptus, tea tree, and lavender oils reduce the swelling, itching, and inflammation and help stop allergic responses when you’re bitten or stung by an insect.

For mosquito or other tiny insect bites that don’t demand much attention, a simple dab of one of these essential oils provides relief.

If you’re bitten by spiders or stung by a bee, use a clay paste that contains essential oils. As the clay dries, it pulls toxins from the bite or sting to the skin’s surface to keep them from spreading. This method is also is good to draw out pus or splinters that are imbedded in your skin.

ANTS - Peppermint
APHIDS – Cedarwood, Peppermint, Spearmint
BEETLES – Peppermint, Thyme
CATERPILLARS - Peppermint
CUTWORM – Thyme, Sage
FLEAS – Peppermint. Lemongrass, Lavender
FLIES – Lavender, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage
GNATS – Patchouli, Cedarwood, Peppermint
LICE, PLANT – Peppermint,
MOSQUITOES – Lavender, Lemongrass, Eucalyptus, Cypress, Lemon / Orange, Cedar wood, Peppermint, Geranium
MOTHS – Lavender, Peppermint
SLUGS – Cedarwood, Fir (Pine)
SNAILS – Cedarwood, Fir (Pine), Patchouli
TICKS – Clove, Lemongrass, Sage, Thyme
WEEVILS – Cedarwood, Patchouli, Sandalwood

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As I've Matured...

This came in my email this morning, and I thought it was so cute that I wanted to post it for you all to enjoy, Happy Sunday Everyone



As I've Matured...


I've learned that you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is stalk them and hope they panic and give in...

I've learned that one good turn gets most of the blankets.

I've learned that no matter how much I care, some people are just jackasses.

I've learned that it takes years to build up trust, and it only takes suspicion, not proof, to destroy it.

I've learned that whatever hits the fan will not be evenly distributed.

I've learned that you shouldn't compare yourself to others -they are more screwed up than you think.

I've learned that depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.

I've learned that it is not what you wear; it is how you take it off.

I've learned that you can keep vomiting long after you think you're finished.

I've learned to not sweat the petty things, and not pet the sweaty things.

I've learned that ex's are like fungus, and keep coming back.

I've learned age is a very high price to pay for maturity.

I've learned that I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy it.

I've learned that we are responsible for what we do, unless we are celebrities.

I've learned that artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.

I've learned that 99% of the time when something isn't working in your house, one of your kids did it

I've learned that there is a fine line between genius and insanity.

I've learned that the people you care most about in life are taken from you too soon and all the less important ones just never go away. And the real pains in the ass are permanent.


Pass this along to 5 friends...trust me, they'll appreciate it.
Who knows,maybe something good will happen. If not...tough!

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Saturday, May 26, 2007

Rocks


Just a few more days now until we leave on our camping trip.We are getting excited. Most of the supplies have been bought and tomorrow I will start to pack things. I keep finding fun things in the area to do. One of them is rock hunting. There is suppose to be one of those areas where you buy a bag of dirt with rocks/gemstones in it and you get to keep everything you find when you wash the dirt away. I think that will be fun. We did that once when my kids were little and my ex and I lived in Tennessee and visited Rock City. As you know already I love rocks The photo is some of my collection. I keep most of my rocks in a glass container, but once in awhile I will take them out, cleanse them and hold one or two in my hand. I also have several pendants made from gemstone rocks. I can't wait to see what little treaseures we find.

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Photo Hunt Colorful

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This weeks theme is COLORFUL. You can join the photo hunt by going



  • You are looking at the COLORFUL ceiling of Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Newport News, Virginia. I took this photo last year when I attended the Greek Fest. It is held every year around Memorial Day. This year it will be May 31 to June 3, 2007. Admission is free and there is always good food. lots of fun and crafts and a good time for everyone. I should be home from my vacation just in time to attend.

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    Wednesday, May 23, 2007

    Making a list and checking it twice

    We are leaving on Tuesday for our camping trip I have made the following list and tomorrow will start packing
    Do you think I have everything?



    tents
    sleeping bags
    hammer
    ice crest
    chairs
    fishing poles
    flashlight
    matches
    barbecue grill
    propane
    air mattress
    extra tent stakes
    batteries
    pump for mattress
    tarp
    fishing tackle/hooks etc
    camp stove
    candles/ plain and citronella
    fold up table
    table cloth
    string of lights(to put up around tent)
    clothes line and clothes pins for wet swim suits

    fry pan
    sauce pans (2)
    camp toaster
    sharp knife
    two large spoons for stirring over hot fire
    Spatula (to flip burgers)
    Long handle fork for hot dogs
    butter knife
    couple of real forks
    plastic silverware
    plastic cups
    paper plates
    napkins
    roll of paper towels
    hand held can opener

    hamburgers
    hot-dogs
    mac and cheese
    potato chips
    eggs
    bacon
    bread
    jelly
    butter
    mayonnaise
    ketchup
    mustard
    pickles
    onion
    sugar
    canned veggies
    honey barbecue wings
    smoked sausage
    ? some kind of meat for the third night
    cold cuts
    buy lettuce tomato when we get there
    snack food such as cookies etc
    anything else we want extra
    Salt
    Pepper
    sodas
    Juice for grandson
    Ice
    dishcloth
    soap to wash dishes


    soap
    soap holder
    toothpaste and toothbrush
    shampoo
    razor
    toiletries
    medicine
    band aides
    suntan lotion
    towels
    sheets
    pillows
    towels
    washcloth

    clothes for Tues-Friday don't forget the sweatshirt and jeans for nights
    swimsuit
    shoes(sneaker/and or sandals depending on which ones I am wearing
    socks
    sun hat
    book
    toys and games for grandson

    give ex house key to check on and feed cats
    (buy and put out fresh litter)
    put out dry food..leave out cans on table

    give ex dog and her food along with kennel and leash

    fill car up with gas

    GO!!

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    Make a Hummingbird Heaven in Your Yard

    Make a Hummingbird Heaven in Your Yard - How To
    Adapted from The Hummingbird Garden, by Matthew Tekulsky (Harvard Common Press, 1990).


    SIMPLE SOLUTION: Here is a listing of some of the hummingbird’s favorite flowers and shrubs, plus a description of an easy-to-make hummingbird feeder that really works. Find out how to make your yard a hummingbird heaven, right here:
    Some favored cultivated flowers and flowering trees and shrubs:

    acacia, apple, crabapple, azalea, begonia, bird of paradise, bleeding heart, blood-red trumpet vine, bougainvillea, camellia, catnip, Chinese lantern, columbine, crape myrtle, dahlia, daylily, delphinium, eucalyptus, evening primrose, flame vine, foxglove, fuchsia, geranium, gladiolus, globe thistle, ground ivy, hibiscus, hollyhock, honeysuckle, hosta, hummingbird bush, impatiens, iris, jasmine, lavender, lilac, lily, lobelia, lupine, mint, morning glory, nasturtium, periwinkle, petunia, phlox, pink, primrose, rhododendron, rose of Sharon, sage, snapdragon, sweet William, verbena, weigela, wisteria, zinnia.

    Some favored wildflowers:

    Bee balm, wild bergamot, bluebells, bluebonnet, bouncing bet, scarlet Bavaria, butterfly weed, columbine, currant, desert bell, figwort, firecracker flower, fireweed, honeysuckle, jewelweed, black locust, mountain laurel, paintbrush, penstemon, redbud, snowberry, Solomon’s seal, thistle, trumpet flower, wallflower, wood betony.

    An easy hummingbird feeder:

    A small glass bottle with a rubber stopper that fits snugly into the bottle’s mouth; a narrow curved glass tube that is placed in a hole in the center of the rubber stopper; a red plastic tip with a small hole in the center of it that covers the end of the plastic tube.

    Fill this feeder with:

    Sugar-water solution

    Four parts water to 1 part granulated sugar. Boil the mixture for a couple of minutes to dissolve the sugar and destroy harmful microorganisms. (Add a little extra water to your solution so it doesn’t get too concentrated in boiling. Too-sweet solution is harmful to hummingbirds.)

    Excess solution may be safely stored in the refrigerator for about a week.

    AVOID honey, artificial sweeteners, or any food coloring in your sugar-water. And please be sure to clean and refill your feeders at least once a week--more often if feeders are placed in direct sunlight-- to prevent the growth of molds and bacteria which could be fatal to your hummingbirds.

    Hang the feeders among the plants or trees in your yard.

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    Wordless Wednesday

    Monday, May 21, 2007

    Rose Quartz




    Rose Quartz is a stone of gentle love. Rose Quarts emits a calming, cooling energy which can work on all of the chakras to gently remove negativity and reinstate the loving, gentle force of self-love. It provides the message that there is no need for haste in any situation, bringing calmness and clarity to the emotions and restoring the mind to harmony after a chaotic situation. It can be used for spiritual attunement to the energy of love. It provides for the balancing of yin-yang energy and can attune each chakra and to provide each chakra with the proper frequency of energy vibration. Rose Quartz can act as a rejuvenating agent for both the physical body and the emotions.

    It is said to open the heart centre and help one attune to the energy of love: both love of self and of others. For the broken-hearted or those experiencing emotional crisis, rose quartz is like a warm, soothing, caring hug, helping with the release of emotional stress, bringing a sense of wellbeing and calm and restoring self-esteem and confidence. It also softens the hardest of hearts, addressing one's aggression and resentment and promoting compassion, patience and forgiveness.

    Rose Quartz is also the stone of Artists and Beauty. It renews the way we see the world, deepening our appreciation for nature, art, music and writing. Wear it to stimulate the imagination and enhance artistic expression.

    There are various physical healing benefits attributed to rose quartz. It is said that it can help to soothe bronchitis, burns and blistering and aid the proper functioning of the heart, liver, kidneys, adrenal glands and genitals. It has been used in the treatment of vertigo and depression, and even to assist in weight loss. When used as an elixir it is said to clear and soften the skin and prevent wrinkles.
    Rose Quartz's colour varies from pale pink to rosy red and from opaque to, in rare cases, translucent

    The astrological signs of rose quarts are Taurus and Libra.

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    Pick One

    I found this fun little Meme while visiting My Gentle Retreat
    Here is what you do:
    Pick your favorite of each one and print it in bold.


    Lace or Ribbon


    Mountain or Beach


    Reading or Writing


    Cookie or Cake


    Baked or Mashed Potato


    Side or Back


    Shrimp or Steak


    Scrambled or Fried


    Orange or Apple


    Spring or Fall


    Roller Skating or Bowling


    DVD or Theater Movies


    Wood or Glass


    Blue or Green


    Chocolate or Vanilla


    Quilt or Knit


    Early Morning or Late Night


    Coffee or Tea


    Watermelon or Strawberry


    Lunch or Dinner


    Cold Cereal or Oatmeal (GRITS)


    Song or Dance


    Carpet or Hardwood Floor


    Red or Pink


    Cat or Dog


    Pretzels or Chips


    Iced Tea or Lemonade


    Non-fiction or Fiction


    Rose or Daisy


    Sunrise or Sunset


    Comb or Brush


    Pottery or Basket


    Bracelet or Necklace


    Pen or Pencil


    Couch or Chair


    Country or Victorian


    Farm or Ranch


    Braid or Ponytail



    Cash or Check


    Chocolate bar or Jelly Beans


    Coke or Pepsi (Dr. Pepper)

    Hot dog or Cheeseburger


    Blinds or Curtains


    Dress or Pants


    Sun or Moon



    Adventure or Comedy



    Cloud or Star


    Lake or River


    Half full or Half empty


    Truck or Car


    Bath or Shower


    Clothesline or Dryer



    New or Second Hand


    Gum or Lifesaver


    Email or Handwritten


    July or October


    Barefoot or Shoes


    Wasn't that fun! Let me know if you do this so I can come by and see your answers

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    Sunday, May 20, 2007

    Chit Chat

    It's been one of those weeks where I feel like I have done nothing with my time but go to work, come home, eat and sleep. The first of the week started off with my husbands old junk of a car breaking down. The main belt on it broke and once we got it towed in to a station we got a quote of a hundred bucks to fix it. Ok that wasn't to bad, but then when they went to change it something else was wrong which raised the price and then a third thing was broken. Long story short we are $300.00 poorer. So much for having extra money to spend on our vacation next week. The car still isn't ready, so we are playing car tag getting back and forth to work. Thankfully my ex and my daughter have been able to drive me or pick me up since my husband and I work different hours and go in different directions to work. Oh well, it seems when it rains it pours. We are still planning on camping next week, but probably won't get to do as much as we first planned while in the mountains. The safari trip is still a go though. We know for sure we want to do that. We will probably just spent a bit more time in the campground taking advantage of the stuff they offer.
    Work is going ok. Last weekend was my three days off so I had to work this week and weekend. Sunday's aren't to bad, we don't go in until almost 11 and I'm off at 6 with a paid half hour break. When I got home tonight, my husband and I grabbed the dog and headed to the park for a picnic. Newport News Park is my favorite and I love spending time there just relaxing. If you have read my blog for any length of time you have probably seen photos of it that I have posted. Tonight just as we arrived the game warden was feeding the wild deer.





    I've only been there one other time when they were this close. Aren't they beautiful!
    We watched them awhile and then took a little walk down by the water.
    Look what was there waiting for us!

    This beautiful Blue Heron.

    We watched him awhile then
    We crossed the bridge

    and went to the trails.
    As you can see it is a bit swampy on that side.

    It was soon getting dark, so we headed home.
    Well, that was my week.

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    3 Things You Love

    I was tagged by A Blog Of Two Witches to do this meme, so here goes


    3 Things You Love

    The questions:

    1. 3 Things You Love in your Boyfriend/ Girlfriend or Husband/ Wife

    He can always make me laugh
    He puts up with my crazy family
    We share an interest in a lot of the same things

    2. 3 Things You Love in a Friend

    That they are always there for you to cry with

    They keep your secrects

    They put up with my husband and crazy family

    3. 3 Things You Love in a Book

    It grabs me from the first page.
    Charatures that I can relate too
    An ending that makes you wish it was not the end of the book and you could just keep reading it.


    4. 3 Things You Love in a Movie
    A plot that doesn't keep jumping around
    Actors that make you believe they are that person
    A plot that moves fast and keeps you on the edge of your seat

    5. 3 Things You Love in a Blog

    Photos, I love peeking into the life of the person I am reading about.
    A blog that lets me "know" the real person, I want to know you, about your life your hopes, dreams, happiness. I want to feel what you feel.
    Content, show me something besides quizes

    6. 3 Things You Love to Talk About

    My family
    Fantasy
    Myself

    7. Things You Love to do in Vacations
    Shop
    Site see
    Take Photos

    8. 3 Things You Love to Eat

    Steaks

    Seafood

    Pizza

    9. 3 Things You Would Love to Happen in Your Life
    Have a home instead of an apartment
    Be able to stay home and not work
    Be more financially secure


    10. 3 Things You Love in 1 Million Love Messages
    ? Sorry I don't have an answer for this one

    Tag 3 bloggers….

    I will let you tag yourself but be sure and let me know if you do this so I can come by.

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    At A Glance

    I just finished reading The Secret Life Of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd

    Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

    If you haven't had a chance to read it yet, I would highly recomment it. I found it to be one of the best books I have read in a long time. I am thinking of buying her other book. The Mermaid Chair. I will let you know how I like it. In the mean time here is some information I found on the web.

    About the book
    Set in the American South in 1964, the year of the Civil Rights Act and intensifying racial unrest, Sue Monk Kidd's The Secret Life of Bees is a powerful story of coming-of-age, of the ability of love to transform our lives, and the often unacknowledged longing for the universal feminine divine. Addressing the wounds of loss, betrayal, and the scarcity of love, Kidd demonstrates the power of women coming together to heal those wounds, to mother each other and themselves, and to create a sanctuary of true family and home.

    Isolated on a South Carolina peach farm with a neglectful and harsh father, fourteen-year-old Lily Owens has spent much of her life longing for her mother, Deborah, who died amid mysterious circumstances when Lily was four years old. To make matters worse, her father, T. Ray, tells Lily that she accidentally killed her mother.

    Lily is raised by Rosaleen, her proud and outspoken African-American nanny. When Rosaleen attempts to exercise her newly won right to vote, she is attacked by the three worst racists in town and is thrown into jail. Lily is determined to save Rosaleen and finally escape her own father as well. Seizing the moment, she springs Rosaleen from jail, and the two set out across South Carolina in search of a new life.

    Their destination is Tiburon, South Carolina—a town they know nothing about except that in a box of Lily's mother's belongings there is a cryptic picture of a black Virgin Mary with the words "Tiburon, South Carolina" written on the back. There they are taken in by three black beekeeping sisters who worship the Black Madonna. It is here, surrounded by the strength of the Madonna, the hum of bees, and a circle of wise and colorful women, that Lily makes her passage to wholeness and a new life.

    Captured by the voice of this Southern adolescent, one becomes enveloped in the hot South Carolina summer and one of most tumultuous times the country has ever seen. A story of mothers lost and found, love, conviction, and forgiveness, The Secret Life of Bees boldly explores life's wounds and reveals the deeper meaning of home and the redemptive simplicity of "choosing what matters."

    In the end, though she cannot find the mother she lost, Lily discovers and comes to terms with her mother's past, finds a hive of new mothers, and falls in love with the great universal mother.

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    Saturday, May 19, 2007

    Photo Hunt (Cook/ing)

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    Cooked/ing



    My mom had COOKED this cake for my birthday. Look how proud I was(1960)
    (yes I know proper English is Baked this cake not cooked, but hey its photo hunt Saturday so it's allowed lol)
    Don't forget you can join by going to the

  • page. Don't forget to check out the blog roll on my side bar so you can visit others who do the photo hunt.

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    Friday, May 18, 2007

    Mind and Body

    Negative thoughts and emotions may be festering deep within your mind and that can block you from success. Your mind is a powerful force that lies within you and if you care for your mind you can care for your body, and be the best you can be.

    Your emotions have power and can positively and negatively affect your body. For example, Depression releases harmful Toxins into your system. Depression is so harmful to the body it may lead to Cancer or it can make your body ill. The body is not meant to deal with Depression for prolonged periods of time. Your body is affected by your feelings. Instead of dwelling on your problems, see your troubles
    as only temporary and that they will pass.

    You can transform fatigue, stress, and fear into vibrancy, strength, and wellness. By noticing your energys fluctuations, you will get a head start on where your body is off-center so that you can change. Whether that be in your relationships, your health, or your career.

    People and situations can give off welcoming positive energy that invigorates, or oppressive negative energy that repels.

    The energy that you and others radiate can profoundly influence your own health and mood.

    Following are some signs of both positive and negative energy:

    Signs of positive energy

    * you exude an inviting sense of heart, compassion, and support
    * you intuitively feel safe, relaxed, wanting to get closer; you emanate a peaceful glow
    * you feel better around others and they around you
    * your energy and optimism increase

    Signs of negative energy

    * you experience a sense of being demeaned, constricted, or attacked
    * you intuitively feel unsafe, tense, or on guard
    * you sense prickly, off-putting vibes
    * you cant wait to get away from others
    * your energy starts to fade
    * you may feel stressed or ill

    Use your intuition to understand their energetic health, and also to scrutinize their reactions to positive and negative vibes.

    If you or your family and loved ones have any health challenges and need to, for example, charge your Immune System, help your body heal itself, eliminate pain, stress, Anxiety, Depression or fear than you need to take control of your health NOW. For you, your family, friends and pets.

    Tips to Revitalize Your Spirit

    1. Practice Mindfulness

    Mindfulness is paying attention to the present moment and not thinking about what someone said to you this morning, not talking on the phone while replying to an email, or worrying about the future.

    Put sincere effort into being fully present. Give your undivided attention to what you're doing.

    Mindfulness is being yourself, not judging yourself or over-analyzing, not getting caught up in your thoughts, accepting and appreciating what each moment offers, allowing things to be the way they are, being patient with yourself and other people, not being impatient or anxious for certain things to happen, and trusting yourself and your feelings.

    1. Read Books That Inspire You

    Figure out what are you interested in and what inspires you, motivates you and moves you. There are plenty of helpful books to help you assess where you are now, where you want to be, and learn from people who have done it.

    1. Book a Monthly Massage

    Once a month, treat yourself to a relaxation massage. If it is out of your budget, consider going to a massage school student clinic in your area. Treatments by massage therapists-in-training are often 1/4 of the regular cost.

    1. Forgive

    Forgiving yourself and others can be liberating. Many people carry past hurts inside them and are unable to let them go. Start by forgiving yourself - if something you say or do causes misunderstanding or may be interpreted as hurtful, don't let it sit
    and don't beat yourself up over it. Give a sincere apology and then do something to psychologically cleanse, such as taking that thought and imagining yourself throwing it in the garbage can or taking a warm shower when you get home. You can also try these affirmations:

    * "Life is too short to beat myself up over what's done in the past. I
    choose to forgive myself and forgive others."
    * "I know how much it hurts me when other people are mad or hold
    grudges at me. I don't want to be the one who makes other people feel
    that way."

    Understanding and utilizing the powers of your own mind is a major key to health and wellness success.

    You need to realize the power of your mind is vital to your life and health. Your mind determines the conditions you experience in your day to day interactions with people, places and things, as well as your health. Take care of your mind, spirit and self and take care of your health today.

    References: Cathy Wong, ND � Alternative Medicine Guide at About.com;
    Judith Orloff, MD � Positive Energy; Bodies of Stone

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    Thursday, May 17, 2007

    Southwest Scrub

    Southwest Scrub

    1/2 cup ground blue cornmeal
    1/2 cup grated castile soap or other mild bar soap
    1/4 cup oatmeal
    1 t. dried calendula flower petals (marigold)
    1/2 t. dried rosemary leaves
    1 t. dried lavender flowers

    Place the cornmeal and grated soap in a large bowl. Using a spice or coffee grinder, finely grind the oatmeal and dried herbs. Add this mixture to the cornmeal mixture and stir well. Pour into a clean, airtight container. To use: Apply as you would any cleanser, and massage all over your body. Rinse well and then moisturize your skin with a natural oil or rich body lotion. If you have very sensitive skin, avoid using this cleanser on your face.
    Makes 12 oz.

    Source: Natural Beauty from the Garden

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    Words Of Wisdom

    "You can search throughout the entire universe for someone who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, but that person is not to be found anywhere. You yourself, as much as anyone, deserve your love and affection." Buddha

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    Wednesday, May 16, 2007

    Worldless Wednesday



    (This is a photo of my Great Great Grandmother and Great Great Grandfather)

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    Monday, May 14, 2007

    Household hints

    Ketchup, it seems, is good for more than spicing up a meal. It can also be used to clean silver jewellery and guard blonde hair against chlorine damage if rubbed on before swimming, according to a new book of handy hints from Reader's Digest.

    The bizarre advice is one of more than 2,000 tips in a compendium of how to put ordinary things to extraordinary uses.

    Other tips include using peanut butter to tease out chewing gum stuck in a child's hair and placing marshmallows between the toes for a comfortable home pedicure.

    Apples: To remove excess salt from a soup or stew, drop a few apple or potato wedges into the pan. Cook for another 10 minutes then remove the wedges.

    Bread: Remove most dirty or greasy fingerprints from painted walls by rubbing the area with a slice of white bread. Cut off the crusts to minimise the chance of scratching the paper.

    Compact discs: Use as garden/driveway reflectors. Drill small holes into a CD and screw it to a gatepost or stake. Install several to mark a night-time path to your front door.

    Dental floss: Secure a button permanently with this, it's much stronger than thread. Repair outdoor items like umbrellas, tents or rucksacks.

    Emery board: Can revive worn out suede shoes. Rub the stain lightly with the board then hold the shoe over the steam from a kettle to remove stain.

    Fabric softener: End clinging dust on the TV. Dampen a duster with a little fabric softener straight from the bottle.

    Golfing equipment: If a screw won't grip because the hole has become too large, dip the tip of a golf tee in wood glue and tap the tee into the hole. Cut the tee flush with a craft knife.

    Hair spray: Preserve a child's art with hair spray to help it last longer. Works well on unstable chalk or pastel pictures as it helps stop smudges.

    Ice cube trays: Freeze leftover red or white wine into cubes that can be used later in pasta sauces, casseroles or stews.

    Jars: Help your gloves dry out by pulling each one over the bottom of an empty jar. Stand jar upside down on a radiator or hot-air vent to dry in an instant.

    Ketchup: Soak silver jewellery in a bowl of ketchup for a few minutes. Use an old toothbrush to work ketchup into the crevices. Rinse and dry.

    Lemons: Get rid of tough stains on marble. Cut lemon in half, dip the exposed flesh in table salt and rub it vigorously on the stain.

    Milk cartons: Keep drinks cold with ice blocks made from empty milk cartons.

    Nail varnish: Preserve important information on labels with a coat of clear varnish. Prevent shirt buttons falling off with a drop of clear varnish on the thread.

    Olive oil: Make your own furniture polish with two parts olive oil with one part lemon juice or white vinegar.

    Plastic bottles: Create a drip irrigator for plants. Cut a large hole in the bottom of a bottle, then drill two to five tiny (1.5mm) holes in or around the cap. Bury the closed bottles upside down about three-quarters submerged beneath the soil near the plants you need to water, and fill with water through the hole on top. Refill as needed.

    Rubber flip-flops: Slip a rubber flip-flop on to your hand and rub carpets and rugs in the direction of the pile. Any pet hair will form into balls for vacuuming.

    Salt: Remove watermarks from furniture by mixing a teaspoon of salt with a few drops of water to form a paste. Rub the paste gently on ring until spot is gone.

    Tennis balls: For a massage, fill a long sock with a few tennis balls, tie the end and stretch the massager around your back.

    Umbrellas: Remove the fabric from an old umbrella and put the handle into the ground for an instant trellis. The umbrella's shape, covered with flowers, will look terrific in the garden.

    Vodka: For a quick and easy weedkiller, mix 30ml vodka, a few drops of washing-up liquid and 400ml water in a spray bottle. Apply at midday on a sunny day to weeds growing in direct sunlight. It won't work in shady spots.

    WD-40: For fast relief from a bee or wasp sting, spray WD-40 directly on the bite. It will soothe the pain at once.

    Yogurt: Put 200ml plain active-culture yogurt into a blender, along with a handful of moss and about 200ml water. Spread the mixture wherever you want moss to grow.

    Zips: Stitch a zipped pocket to the underside of your beach towel, just big enough for keys, sunglasses and maybe a few coins.

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    Sunday, May 13, 2007

    Weekend at a glance



    Look what we had this weekend!
    Strawberries..Yummy. My brother and his wife and daughter picked two buckets of these yesterday and brought them to my moms house.
    We were there to visit two of my Aunts that had come for a visit and to also celebrate my grandson birthday a few days early. He will turn two on Wednesday but everyone is working so we had his party early.
    He had fun running in the back yard

    He wanted his Pa and mommy to go with him. Notice how he is in front as if to say Hurry up!

    I love this photo. He seems to be saying Look at me. I'm so cute!

    He had a busy day,and him and mom laid down for a nap.Isn't this sweet


    I can't believe he has grown so fast. It seems just the other day he looked like this

    Babies grow up so fast....SIGH

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    Happy Mothers Day



    I realized after I posted this that the writting is hard to read...The photo says
    "The task of being a mother is never ending"

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    Saturday, May 12, 2007

    Five (Photo Hunt)

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    FIVE



    This weeks theme is FIVE and I wanted to share five of my little troll friends with you. I got my first troll when I was about 10. I can remember holding it in my hands and rubbing the hair for good luck. I'm sure I made plenty of wishes on it even though I don't remember any of them now. Somewhere over the years the troll disapeared and it wasn't given any more thought until I had children of my own. Once again the little trolls came to live at my house. Awe but once again children grow up and the little trolls found there way to the give away bins when old toys were sorted out. A couple of years ago, while shopping in a thrift store I ran across a troll. Ohhh I thought I want that, so in the basket he went. I knew my grandson will want to play with them someday. I now have about 10 or 12 of the little guys.

    Well, that is it for this week. I hope you have enjoyed my collection. Also don't forget you can join by going to the

  • page. Don't forget to check out the blog roll on my side bar so you can visit others who do the photo hunt.

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    Friday, May 11, 2007

    Just a Note

    Avoiding something, draws it ever near.

    Defending yourself, can become a full time job.

    And worrying about things that might never happen, increases their chances of happening.

    Yet still, you are 10,000 times more likely to laugh than cry, be healthy than sick, live rich than poor, have friends than be alone.

    That's the kind of momentum you've garnered through countless lives of love; that's the kind of power you long ago learned to master, and, quite frankly, those were the odds you negotiated.

    You're just another part of the universe

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    Herbs


    I have never had much of a green thumb, and usually buy my herbs already dried. I found the following list on the internet for some "magical" uses of herbs and wanted to share.




    ALMOND -Attracts money. Promotes alertness, wakefulness.

    ALOE -Promotes patience, persistence, resolve. Also inner healing and overcoming blockages.

    AMBER -Mental clarity and focus. Protection from harm, outside influences, psychic attack.

    AMBERGRIS -Strengthens the effect of anything it’s added to or used with. By itself gives strength and vitality. (Substitute -Cypress and Patchouli mix).

    ANISE -Psychic opening, clairvoyance, opens Third Eye. Favored in Afro-diasporic Traditions for use before and during ritual, to aid in perception of and connection to the Divine.

    APHRODISIA -Passion, sexuality, romance. Sold by Orpheis High-Correll in red velvet bags to draw love.

    APPLE or APPLE BLOSSOM -Promotes peace of mind, contentment, happiness, success in all undertakings.

    APRICOT -Encourages sexuality and sensual passion. An aphrodisiac.

    ASOFOETIDA -Protection, banishing negativity.

    AZALEA -Encourages light spirits, happiness, gaiety.

    BANANA -Helps to overcome serious blockages or obstacles.

    BASIL -Promotes sympathy, peace, understanding. Helps to avoid arguments, clashes.

    BAYBERRY -Good fortune, blessing, money and prosperity.

    BAY LEAF (Laurel) -Protection, purification, repels negativity. Promotes good fortune, success, victory.

    BENZOIN -Use for cleansing and purification. Helps to remove blockages. Promotes strength, confidence, will power. Strengthens the effect of anything it’s added to or used with.

    BERGAMOT -Protection, prosperity. Combine with Mint to work faster.

    BIRCH -Spiritual and psychic opening, connecting with spirit helpers. Promotes balance, harmony, connection to others.

    CAMPHOR -Increases ones’ persuasiveness, personal influence. Adds strength to any mixture it’s part of. Also used for purification.

    CARAWAY -Luck, good fortune, prosperity. Also promotes passion and enjoyment of sensuality.

    CARDAMOM -Promotes love, sensuality, and sexuality. Also calmness and tranquillity.

    CARNATION -Attract love or friendship, improve or deepen relationships. Promotes feeling of security and confidence. Aids in recovery from illness or difficulties.

    CAYENNE -Cleansing and purification. Repels negativity. Speeds up the effect of any mixture that it’s added to.

    CEDAR -Confidence, strength, power. Protection, perseverance, lastingness. Spiritual opening.

    CELERY -Promotes sexuality, sensuality, ecstatic trance.

    CHAMOMILE -Promotes meditation, tranquillity, inner peace.

    CHERRY or CHERRY BLOSSOM -Happiness, good cheer, gaiety.

    CHIVES -Protection.

    CHOCOLATE -Adds to ones influence and persuasiveness. Helps others to be receptive to one.

    CHYPRE -Draws money, success in gambling, promotes persuasiveness and eloquence. Made from the Rockrose plant.

    CINNAMON -Luck, strength, prosperity. Increases effectiveness of any mixture it’s added to. Promotes calmness and tranquillity, especially for children. Also used as a strong protection.

    CINNAMON AND SANDALWOOD -Aids meditation, spiritual opening.

    CITRONELLA -Promotes eloquence, persuasiveness, prosperity. Draws friends to the home, customers to the business.

    CIVIT -Strength and protection. Promotes confidence and sexual attractiveness.

    CLOVER -Strengthens and deepens existing love.

    CLOVES -Courage, self-confidence, very strong protection. Dispels negativity, strengthens psychic shielding. Can act as an aphrodisiac.

    COCONUT -Strengthens confidence and inner resolve, heightens allure and sexual attraction.

    COFFEE -Grounding and protection from negativity. Peace of mind. Helps to dispel negative thoughtforms, nightmares, overcome internal blockages.

    COPAL -Promotes spiritual opening. Also protection, purification, overcoming obstacles. Repels negativity.

    CORIANDER -Love and healing. Also used for protection.

    CRAB APPLE -Promotes calm and tranquillity, helps settle unrest, conflict, anxiety.

    CUMIN -Promotes peace and tranquillity.

    CYCLAMEN -Draws and strengthens love.

    CYPRESS -Calm, tranquillity, spiritual opening. Associated with death and mourning, Cypress stimulates healing and helps overcome the pain of loss.

    DILL -Mental strength and quickness. Aids focus and concentration. Also used for blessing.

    DOVE’S BLOOD -Promotes peace and tranquillity. Helps to settle disputes, conflict.

    DRAGON’S BLOOD -Dispels negativity, gives protection, helps to overcome blockages.

    EUCALYPTUS -Spiritual cleansing, purification, and healing. Helps to overcome spiritual blockages.

    FENNEL -Strength.

    FENUGREEK -Mental clarity, focus, dispels negativity.

    FERN -Cleansing and purification, dispels negativity.

    FIVE FINGER GRASS (Cinquefoil) -Protection. Also stimulates memory, eloquence, self-confidence.

    FRANGIPANI -Attracts love, trust, and admiration. Promotes openness in those around one.

    FRANKINCENSE -Blessing and spiritual opening. Aids meditation.

    GALANGAL -Success in court or legal disputes.

    GARDENIA -Promotes peace, repels strife, protects from outside influences.

    GARLIC and GARLIC SKINS -Cleansing, purification. Used to dispel depression, negativity, obsessive thoughts. Draws money, prosperity. Also used as a strong protection.

    GERANIUM -Overcomes negative thoughts and attitudes, lifts spirits. Promotes protection, happiness.

    GINGER -Draws adventure and new experiences. Promotes sensuality, sexuality, personal confidence and prosperity. Adds to the strength of any mixture of which it is part, and makes it work more quickly.

    GINSENG -Asian variety of Mandrake. Promotes vitality, strength, personal power. Heightens sex drive and sexual attractiveness.

    GRAPEFRUIT -Cleansing and purification.

    HELIOTROPE -Protection, prosperity, cheerfulness and gaiety.

    HONEYSUCKLE -Draws success, money. Aids persuasiveness and confidence, sharpens intuition.

    HYACINTH -Attracts love, luck, and good fortune. promotes peace of mind and peaceful sleep. Named for Hiakinthos, Greek God of homosexual love.

    HYSSOP -Promotes spiritual opening. Also used for cleansing and purification. Lightens vibrations.

    JASMINE -Love, success, spiritual aid and opening. Connected to the Moon and Lunar magic.

    JUNIPER -Protection, purification, healing.

    LAVENDER -Peace and tranquility.

    LEMON -Cleansing, purification, removal of blockages, spiritual opening.

    LEMON GRASS -Psychic cleansing and opening.

    LILAC -Promotes wisdom, memory, good luck and Spiritual aid.

    LILY OF THE VALLEY -Soothing, calming, draws peace and tranquility, repels negativity.

    LIME -Used for purification and protection. Promotes calmness, tranquility. Also strengthens love.

    LINDEN -Draws friendship and love. Also promotes healing and rejuvenation.

    LOTUS -Psychic opening and spiritual growth.

    MACE -Promotes self-discipline, focus, concentration. Good for meditation, study.

    MAGNOLIA -Promotes psychic development. Aids meditation and spiritual opening. Promotes harmony, peace, tranquility.

    MANDRAKE -Increases vitality, strength, personal power. Heightens sex drive and sexual attractiveness.

    MARIGOLD -Promotes healing, psychic opening, and clairvoyance. Helps one to focus on what is truly needed, even if one is not conscious of what that is.

    MARJORAM -Cleansing, purification, dispels negativity.

    MATE -Grounding, cleansing, and purification. Dispels negativity and helps overcome sadness or loss.

    MIMOSA -Aids psychic development, clairvoyance. Draws prophetic dreams.

    MINT -Promotes energy, vitality, communication. Draws customers to a business.

    MISTLETOE -Promotes prosperity, draws customers, money, business.

    MUGWORT -Promotes psychic opening, clairvoyance, prophetic dreams.

    MUSK -Increases confidence, self-assurance, persuasiveness. Draws new situations and prosperity.

    MUSTARD SEED -Courage, faith, endurance.

    MYRRH -Spiritual opening, meditation, healing.

    MYRTLE -Psychic opening, spiritual aid. Enhances any mix its added to.

    NARCISSUS -Promotes harmony, tranquility, peace of mind. Calms vibrations.

    NEROLI -Joy, happiness, overcoming emotional blockages.

    NUTMEG -Aids clarity, perception, ability to see below surfaces. Promotes social interaction, emotional openness, personal confidence.

    OAKMOSS -Draws money, prosperity, good fortune.

    ONION and ONION SKINS -Protection, stability and endurance. Also prosperity.

    ORANGE or ORANGE BLOSSOM -Harmony, peace, emotional openness, love. Attracts prosperity and stability. Also used for purification. Considered very Solar.

    ORCHID -Concentration, focus, will power. Also strengthens memory.

    OREGANO -Joy, strength, vitality and added energy.

    ORRIS (Iris) -Promotes popularity, persuasiveness, personal success. Aids communications and helps to open dialogs. Also used to draw love and romance.

    PARSLEY -Calms and protects the home. Draws good luck, prosperity and financial increase. Also gives added energy, vitality.

    PATCHOULI -Helps overcome the anger of others, calms strife, draws peace and helps settle arguments. Promotes prosperity, confidence, personal strength. Enhances sexuality and sensuality.

    PENNYROYAL -Draws the help of others, promotes co-operation, financial assistance from outside sources.

    PEONY -Particularly sacred in the Correllian Tradition, Peony flowers and petals promote good luck, good fortune, prosperity and business success. The Peony seed however, sometimes called a “Jumby Bean”, promotes dissension and strife.

    PEPPERMINT -Promotes strength, vitality, movement and change. When added to a mixture, it speeds up the effect of the other ingredients. Also used for purification.

    PETTITGRAIN -Protection.

    PIKAKI -Draws comfort, prosperity, success and well being.

    PINE -Cleansing, purifying, promotes clean breaks and new beginnings. Repels negativity. Also promotes prosperity, growth, and increase.

    PLUMERIA -Promotes persuasiveness, eloquence, success in dealing with people. Attracts the notice of others.

    POPPY -Fertility, abundance, prosperity.

    PRIMROSE -Promotes the disclosure of secrets, resolution of mysteries, revelation of truth. Breaks down dishonesty and secrecy.

    ROSE -Love, peace, harmony, and tranquility. Associated from ancient times with the Goddess, especially in Her form as Isis.

    ROSE-GERANIUM -Blessing and protection. Averts negativity, especially in the form of gossip or false accusation.

    ROSEMARY -Used for cleansing, purification, and as a strong protection. Also promotes healing and strengthens memory. Said to draw the aid of Spirits, fairies, and elves.

    RUE -Protection. Repels negativity, calms emotions. Grounding. Good for smudging, psychic cleansing. Also draws prosperity by removing blockages.

    SAFFRON -Promotes clairvoyance and psychism. Also attracts prosperity and good fortune through spiritual openness.

    SAGE -Used for cleansing and purification, and to promote wisdom and psychic opening. Also promotes mental clarity.

    SANDALWOOD -Blessing, healing, spirituality. Promotes clairvoyance, psychic opening. Also used for protection, banishing negativity.

    SASSAFRAS -Good for legal situations, self-empowerment, success and overcoming obstacles.

    St. JOHN’S WORT -Protection. Removes negativity, dispels depression and anxiety.

    SAVORY -Sensuality, sexuality, passion. Good for sexual magic.

    SESAME -Opens doors, draws new opportunities, new directions, hope. Dispels depression and negativity.

    SPANISH MOSS -Protection, dispels negativity, opens blockages.

    SPEARMINT -Psychic or physical protection. Repels negativity. Strengthens mental speed and clarity. Increases speed and effectiveness of any mixture its added to.

    SPIKENARD -Blessing, psychic opening and spiritual elevation.

    STRAWBERRY -Attracts success, good fortune, and favorable circumstances.

    SWEAT PEA -Draws the loyalty and affection of others, attracts friends and allies.

    TANGERINE -Promotes strength, vitality, energy.

    THYME -Purification, healing, strength. Attracts loyalty, affection, and the good opinion of others.

    TOBACCO -Used to promote peace, confidence, personal strength. Also promotes love and sensuality. Also used for protection and freedom from outside influences.

    TONKA BEAN -Draws love, money, promotes the accomplishment of goals.

    TUBEROSE -Serenity, peace, tranquility. Calms the nerves and promotes romance and sensual love.

    VANILLA -Joy and good fortune.

    VERBENA (Verveine) -Protection, repels negativity. Promotes peace and tranquility.

    VETIVERT -Protection, overcoming obstacles, repels negativity. Also draws money, prosperity.

    VIOLET -Promotes peace, tranquility, happiness. Calms the nerves, draws prophetic dreams and visions. Stimulates creativity.

    WILLOW -Used for drawing or strengthening love, healing, overcoming sadness. Lunar magic.

    WINTERGREEN -Repels disharmony, negativity, and disease. Promotes good health, tranquility, and peace in the home. DO NOT USE INTERNALLY.

    WISTERIA -Raises vibration. Promotes psychic opening, overcoming obstacles, draws prosperity.

    WOOD ALOE (Lignaloes or Lignam Aloes) -Protection, success and prosperity. Often used in consecration.

    WORMWOOD -Overcomes negativity, breaks through obstacles. Especially useful for dealing with spirits or the Ancestors.

    YARROW -Promotes courage, confidence, and psychic opening. Draws love.

    YLANG YLANG -Increases sexual attraction, persuasiveness.

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    Wednesday, May 9, 2007

    Wordless Wednesday

    Jamestown find

    Do you remember about two weeks ago when I posted about my visit to Jamestown
    I showed some photos of an excavation going on at the time. I was excited to see them digging up a part of history.
    Today this article was in our local paper. Just look what they found




    By DIANE TENNANT, The Virginian-Pilot © May 9, 2007 Last updated 1:49 PM May. 9



    JAMESTOWN –" A cache of armor from the early 1600s has been discovered by archaeologists excavating a trash pit inside the remains of James Fort.
    Queen Elizabeth II viewed the objects during her visit Friday, observing a broadsword with a basket hilt, an iron pole, the hilt from a rapier and armor pieces that would have protected the thigh.
    “It may be like the tip of an iceberg,” said William Kelso, director of archaeology for APVA Preservation Virginia, in a press release. “We’ll see as we uncover more of it in the next few days.”
    The armor was partly uncovered last week, about 3 feet below what would have been ground level in the early 1600s. The pit itself is 19 feet square. Because the layers slump toward the center, archaeologists think it may have been a well that went bad, and was then used for trash.
    Glass trade beads, baubles, chess pieces, iron objects and pottery shards have also been found in the pit. Indian artifacts found there include a grinding stone, a bone needle and shell beads. Animal remains include oysters, sturgeon, crab claws, fish, bird, turtle, deer and goat.
    Kelso speculated that it could be the first well dug by colonist John Smith in 1608-09. Archaeologists can date it by the artifacts, which include a coin dated 1613 found near the top, and by the fact that the pit is under the foundation of a building constructed in 1617.
    Furthermore, historical accounts mention that military equipment was buried in the fort in June 1610, when the colonists decided to abandon Jamestown after the “Starving Time” winter. The day after they left, they were forced to return by Lord De La Warre, whose supply fleet coming up the James River met the dispirited colonists coming down.
    Archaeologists also plan to work on a site this summer that they hope contains remnants of the first church built for the colony."

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    Tuesday, May 8, 2007

    Making more plans

    After giving some more thought to the up coming vacation. I think we are going to go with the Yogi Bear campground. I'm still a bit hesitant about making a reservation and wish I could talk to someone who had been there because I am very picky about where I camp at. I refuse to camp in campgrounds that are mostly open fields. I want trees and some privacy. So many times these larger well known campgrounds are just one RV after another and the tents are just jumbled in along side them. I am going to call the campground and ask what the sites look like before we make a final decision. My daughter and grandson will be going with my husband and I, and we want fun stuff for the little guy. We are going to be there during the week, and I have a feeling the cartoon characters may only be walking around the park on weekends. Even if we don't see them I think there will be plenty to do. The fishing pond perked my interest because believe it or not my husband has never been fishing. He must be the only man in the universe that doesn't fish. I'm hoping the pond is well stocked so he can catch something. Since the campground is on the James River we can play along the shores, in addition to using the pool. Of course the playground is a must for my grandson, and I like the idea that there is a camp store, as I am sure we will forget to pack something. Its been a couple of years since I've been camping and all of our stuff is in my moms storage shed. Were going over there this weekend for a family get together and to celebrate my grandsons birthday (his birthday is coming up next week) While we are there I plan on digging through it and sorting out what I know I need to take so I can bring it home.
    I'm already thinking I should be making a list. I know for sure that we have a couple of ice chest over there. We will be bringing all of our food with us. Easy things to cook like, Bacon, eggs, bread, sandwich stuff, hamburgers, hot dogs, mac and cheese, Gosh I hope we can get everything and us in one car...
    ARE WE THERE YET?

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    Monday, May 7, 2007

    Vacation plans

    At the end of the month we are going to visit the Natural Bridge and the
    Virginia Safari Park.

    While we are there, we plan to camp either at the KOA
    or Yogi Bear campgrounds.
    While we are there we also plan to see some caverns. We are not sure how many nights we will stay yet, probably 3 at lest because there is a lot to see and do within about a hundred mile radius. Antique stores and flea markets are on the list of course. I'm excited, and will be talking more about this trip as it draws closer

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    Sunday, May 6, 2007

    Shopping at the local Target

    I stopped in to the local Target store and come out with this:





    As you can see the statue is a representation of the Goddess Parvati (Uma)

    I wasn't able to find a lot about her but here is some of what I did find

    "Parvati's name, which means "she who dwells in the mountains" or "she who is of the mountain, identify her with mountainous regions. She was the daughter of Himavat (Lord of the mountains) and his queen Mena.
    Parvati is the power and consort of Siva, the god of disintegration and destruction. A majority of goddesses of Hinduism are aspects and variations of Parvati. She is known by different names like Uma, Gauri, Kali, Durga, Haimavati etc.

    Wife of the Hindu god Shiva. Parvati is the benevolent aspect of Shakti, the Hindu supreme goddess (see Shaktism). According to the traditional account of her marriage, she won Shiva's notice only after severe ascetic discipline. The couple had two children, the elephant-headed Ganesha and the six-headed Skanda. In sculpture Parvati is always depicted as a mature and beautiful woman. The sacred Tantras are framed as a discussion between Parvati and Shiva"



    I had about given up on finding out more when I happened upon Owl's Wings where Beth had just posted about her a few days ago. I hope you will stop in and read what she learned. If anyone out there knows why the statue I bought is headless and armless please let me know. I could find no significance for it other than Targets idea of ancient art in a discount store.

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    Saturday, May 5, 2007

    Photo-Hunt Childhood

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    This weeks theme is CHILDHOOD. You can join the photo hunt by going

  • and view the blog list for them on my side bar.




    The theme this week is CHILDHOOD and I thought about using a photo of my kids or grandkids. Instead I found this one of ME!. I remember this lazy summer day. I was 9 and living in Georgia. My dad was in the Navy and stationed in Hawaii at the time. Mom had gone home to her family with us kids. A few months later President John F. Kennedy was shot, we practiced air raid drills at school and life slowly changed. Aww the innocence of childhood.

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    Friday, May 4, 2007

    7 random things

    I was recently tagged by Sandi of Italian Babushka to list 7 random things about myself. Here are the rules Each player starts with 7 random facts/habits about themselves. People who are tagged need to blog about their seven things and post the rules as well. At the end of your post, choose 7 people to tag and list their names. Don't forget to leave them a comment telling them that they have been tagged and to read your blog!

    (I read about 60 blogs so instead of tagging someone I am going to let you tag yourself if you want to play. Let me know though if you do so I can visit.)




    1. I'm 53, over weight and out of shape, but I can still bend down and touch the palms of my hands flat to the floor.

    2. I have a bad habit of leaving all the cabinet doors, and drawers open in the kitchen. I can't begin to tell you how many times I have hit myself in the head on a corner, yet I still do it.

    3. I never make my bed, I think it is a waste of time. Even when I change the sheets I leave it unmade. (If special company came I will probably make it, but more than likely just shut the door unless they are staying over night)

    4. When I put toothpaste on my toothbrush I smear it down on the brissels (like you would butter on toast). The thought of a gob of toothpaste in my mouth makes me gag.

    5. I once spent the night in a cave with 100 teenagers.

    6. I type fast yet I never use my pinky finger when I hit the keys. This drives my husband crazy

    7, I've never been horseback riding. I was thrown off a mule when I was a kid and have always been afraid of horses.

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    Thursday, May 3, 2007

    A time comes in your life when you finally get it...

    When in the midst of all your fears and insanity you stop dead in your tracks and somewhere the voice inside your head cries out - ENOUGH! Enough fighting and crying or struggling to hold on. And, like a child quieting down after a blind tantrum, your sobs begin to subside, you shudder once or twice, you blink back your tears and through a mantle of wet lashes you begin to look at the world through new eyes. This is your awakening. You realize that it's time to stop hoping and waiting for something to change or for happiness, safety and security to come galloping over the next horizon.



    You come to terms with the fact that he is not Prince Charming and you are not Cinderella and that in the real world there aren't always fairytale endings (or beginnings for that matter) and that any guarantee of "happily ever after" must begin with you and in the process a sense of serenity is born of acceptance.



    You awaken to the fact that you are not perfect and that not everyone will always love, appreciate or approve of who or what you are ... and that's OK. (They are entitled to their own views and opinions.)



    And you learn the importance of loving and championing yourself and in the process a sense of new found confidence is born of self-approval.



    You stop bitching and blaming other people for the things they did to you (or didn't do for you) and you learn that the only thing you can really count on is the unexpected.



    You learn that people don't always say what they mean or mean what they say and that not everyone will always be there for you and that it's not always about you. So, you learn to stand on your own and to take care of yourself and in the process a sense of safety & security is born of self-reliance.



    You stop judging and pointing fingers and you begin to accept people as they are and to overlook their shortcomings and human frailties and in the process a sense of peace & contentment is born of forgiveness.



    You realize that much of the way you view yourself, and the world around you, is as a result of all the messages and opinions that have been ingrained into your psyche. And you begin to sift through all the crap you've been fed about how you should behave, how you should look, and how much you should weigh, and what you should wear, and where you should shop, and what you should drive, how and where you should live, and what you should do for a living, who you should sleep with, who you should marry, and what you should expect of a marriage, the importance of having and raising children or what you owe your parents.



    You learn to open up to new worlds and different points of view. And you begin reassessing and redefining who you are what you really stand for.



    You learn the difference between wanting and needing and you begin to discard the doctrines and values you've outgrown, or should never have bought into to begin with and in the process you learn to go with your instincts.



    You learn that it is truly in giving that we receive. And that there is power and glory in creating and contributing and you stop maneuvering through life merely as a "consumer" looking for your next fix.



    You learn that principles such as honesty and integrity are not the outdated ideals of a by gone era but the mortar that holds together the foundation upon which you must build a life.



    You learn that you don't know everything, it's not your job to save the world and that you can't teach a pig to sing.



    You learn to distinguish between guilt and responsibility and the importance of setting boundaries and learning to say NO.



    You learn that the only cross to bear is the one you choose to carry and that martyrs get burned at the stake. Then you learn about love. Romantic love and familial love. How to love, how much to give in love, when to stop giving and when to walk away. You learn not to project your needs or your feelings onto a relationship.



    You learn that you will not be, more beautiful, more intelligent, more lovable or important because of the man on your arm or the child that bears your name. You learn to look at relationships as they really are and not as you would have them be. You stop trying to control people, situations and outcomes.



    You learn that just as people grow and change so it is with love... and you learn that you don't have the right to demand love on your terms ... just to make you happy And, you learn that alone does not mean lonely... And you look in the mirror and come to terms with the fact that you will never be a size 5 or a perfect 10 and you stop trying to compete with the image inside your head and agonizing over how you "stack up." You also stop working so hard at putting your feelings aside, smoothing things over and ignoring your needs.



    You learn that feelings of entitlement are perfectly OK....and that it is your right to want things and to ask for the things that you want...and that sometimes it is necessary to make demands.



    You come to the realization that you deserve to be treated with love, kindness, sensitivity and respect and you won't settle for less. And, you allow only the hands of a lover who cherishes you to glorify you with his touch.. and in the process you internalize the meaning of self-respect. And you learn that your body really is your temple. And you begin to care for it and treat it with respect. You begin eating a balanced diet, drinking more water and taking more time to exercise. You learn that fatigue diminishes the spirit and can create doubt and fear. So you take more time to rest. And, just as food fuels the body, laughter fuels our soul. So you take more time to laugh and to play. You learn, that for the most part, in life you get what you believe you deserve ... and that much of life truly is a self-fulfilling prophecy.



    You learn that anything worth achieving is worth working for and that wishing for something to happen is different than working toward making it happen.



    More importantly, you learn that in order to achieve success you need direction, discipline and perseverance. You also learn that no one can do it all alone and that it's OK to risk asking for help. You learn that the only thing you must truly fear is the great robber baron of all time. FEAR itself.



    You learn to step right into and through your fears because you know that whatever happens you can handle it and to give in to fear is to give away the right to live life on your terms. And you learn to fight for your life and not to squander it living under a cloud of impending doom.



    You learn that life isn't always fair, you don't always get what you think you deserve and that sometimes bad things happen to unsuspecting, good people. On these occasions you learn not to personalize things. You learn that God isn't punishing you or failing to answer your prayers.



    It's just life happening.



    And you learn to deal with evil in its most primal state - the ego.



    You learn that negative feelings such as anger, envy and resentment must be understood and redirected or they will suffocate the life out of you and poison the universe that surrounds you.



    You learn to admit when you are wrong and to building bridges instead of walls.



    You learn to be thankful and to take comfort in many of the simple things we take for granted, things that millions of people upon the earth can only dream about; a full refrigerator, clean running water, a soft warm bed, a long hot shower.



    Slowly, you begin to take responsibility for yourself by yourself and you to make yourself a promise to never betray yourself and to never ever to settle for less than your heart's desire. And you hang a wind chime outside your window so you can listen to the wind. And you make it a point to keep smiling, to keep trusting, and to stay open to every wonderful possibility. Finally, with courage in your heart and with God by your side you take a stand, you take a deep breath and you begin to design the life you want to live as best as you can.

    Author Unknown

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    Tuesday, May 1, 2007

    Happy Beltane (May Day)



    My elementary school held a dance every year on May 1st.(or as close to that day as the school calender allowed) Each grade did a different dance. I was probably in the 4th or 5th grade when I first remember seeing the older kids dance around the Mayple. Oh how I wanted to grab one of those brightly colored ribbons and dance with it around and around that pole. Something inside me stirred even then. I couldn't wait until I reached the 6th grade so my turn to dance the Maypole would come. The year I was in the 6th grade we moved just before Christmas. I never got to dance around the pole.
    For the last few years our local Pagan communtiy has held a May festival. Dancing the May Pole is one of the activities. Every year I have to work. Sigh....
    In my heart today on Beltane I am dancing around the Maypole.

    Just so you know:
    Beltane is one of the four major Sabbats in the Celtic tradition, the other three being Lammas, Samhain and Imbolc. Beltane's traditional date, May 1st, was chosen as the midway point between the vernal equinox and summer solstice (two of the four minor Sabbats). Beltane, like Samhain, is a time when the veil between the worlds is thought to be thin, a time when magic is possible. Whereas Samhain revelers must look out for wandering souls of the dead, Beltane merrymakers must watch for Fairies. Beltane is the night when the queen of the fairies will ride out on her white steed to entice humans away to Faeryland. If you hear the bells of the Fairy Queen's horse, you are advised to look away, so she will pass you by; look at the Queen and your sense alone will not hold you back


    Rise at dawn and wash in the morning dew: the woman who washes her face in it will be beautiful for the forthcoming year, and the man who washes his hands will be skilled with knots and nets.

    Go a-Mayin' by going to the woods and fields to gather flowers. Take a picnic.

    Make love in the woods. Beltane is the time of year when the Goddess and God consummate their passions. Traditionally it is a time when lovers pledge to live together for a year and a day. At the end of the period, they may part ways if things haven't worked out. If all has gone well, they may make plans for a Handfasting at Midsummer. This activity must only take place between two consenting adults, and is not to be taken lightly.

    If you live near water, make a garland or posy of spring flowers and toss it into stream, lake or river to bless the water spirits.

    Prepare a May basket by filling it with flowers and goodwill, then give it to one in need of caring, such as an elderly or sick friend.

    Beltane is one of the three 'spirit-nights' of the year when the faeries can be seen. At dusk, twist a rowan sprig into a ring and look through it, and you may see them.
    Make a wish as you jump a bonfire or candle flame for good luck-but make sure you tie up long skirts first!

    Commune with the faeries.

    Make a May bowl -wine or punch in which the flowers of sweet woodruff or other fragrant blossoms are soaked-and drink with the one you love.

    Begin the day with a hearty bowl of Irish oatmeal topped with cream and brown sugar or country butter. Oatmeal brings good fortune and encourages the power and magick of the faeries. Dairy, bread, cereals, May Day bread, Cherries, Strawberries, Wine punches, Green salads, Ice Cream and Red Fruit. Warm oatmeal cookies and vanilla ice cream are great as a Beltane treat

    Blessed Beltane Everyone

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