Friday, December 28, 2007

A new Baby


We have a new baby in the family. My daughter adopted this fuzz ball today. Right now he is named Phoenix, but that may change. They are still deciding. I told her he looks like a "bear". I have a feeling no matter what his name is he is going to be one spoiled cat.

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Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Christmas In Williamsburg

Merry Christmas Everyone. I hope you all have enjoyed your day as much as I did mine. We were up this morning early to have Santa with my grandson, then my husband and I took a day trip to Colonial Williamsburg. Every year the houses and shops decorate the same way they did in colonial times. All the wreaths are hand made and fresh garland adorns the outside. Most of this slide show is of the wreaths. I was only going to take a few photos to share, but I couldn't make up my mind which one I like the best so here they are for your viewing pleasure.
Enjoy


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Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone. May the magic of Christmas always live, and may Santa always bring your hearts desire.

Blessings
Autumn




"DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old.
"Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus.
"Papa says, 'If you see it in THE SUN it's so.'
"Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?

"VIRGINIA O'HANLON.
"115 WEST NINETY-FIFTH STREET."

VIRGINIA, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except [what] they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, whether they be men's or children's, are little. In this great universe of ours man is a mere insect, an ant, in his intellect, as compared with the boundless world about him, as measured by the intelligence capable of grasping the whole of truth and knowledge.

Yes, VIRGINIA, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus. It would be as dreary as if there were no VIRGINIAS. There would be no childlike faith then, no poetry, no romance to make tolerable this existence. We should have no enjoyment, except in sense and sight. The eternal light with which childhood fills the world would be extinguished.

Not believe in Santa Claus! You might as well not believe in fairies! You might get your papa to hire men to watch in all the chimneys on Christmas Eve to catch Santa Claus, but even if they did not see Santa Claus coming down, what would that prove? Nobody sees Santa Claus, but that is no sign that there is no Santa Claus. The most real things in the world are those that neither children nor men can see. Did you ever see fairies dancing on the lawn? Of course not, but that's no proof that they are not there. Nobody can conceive or imagine all the wonders there are unseen and unseeable in the world.

You may tear apart the baby's rattle and see what makes the noise inside, but there is a veil covering the unseen world which not the strongest man, nor even the united strength of all the strongest men that ever lived, could tear apart. Only faith, fancy, poetry, love, romance, can push aside that curtain and view and picture the supernal beauty and glory beyond. Is it all real? Ah, VIRGINIA, in all this world there is nothing else real and abiding.

No Santa Claus! Thank God! he lives, and he lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay, ten times ten thousand years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.

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Sunday, December 23, 2007

It's that time again


Awww Mom...do I have to wear these again this year..Sigh

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Saturday, December 22, 2007

Blessed Yule


Myspace Magick




Happy First Day of Winter Everyone!

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Thursday, December 20, 2007

Small Town Southern Man





The first time I heard this song on the radio I thought of my daddy. He was born in rural Georgia to a farmer. As he grew up he road the bus into town to work in a cotton mill. He met my mom and married her when she was just 16 and he was 20. Daddy's big dream was to go to Nashville and be a country music singer. He did go and make a demo, and it got played on the air in his little home town. But sometimes dreams have to be set aside and that is what he did when I was born a few years after they married. He joined the Navy when I was about four years old. He retired twenty years later, and went on to retire from another job. He worked hard all his life to raise us three kids. He went to church on Sunday and loved his Lord. He also loved his country music and Alan Jackson was his favorite singer. He never got to see Alan in person and this is one thing I have always wished he could have done. I lost my daddy three years ago this Saturday. I was there when he took his last breath, and the angels came to take him.
This one is for you daddy.
I miss you.



SMALL TOWN SOUTHERN MAN....BY ALAN JACKSON

Born the middle son of a farmer
And a small town Southern man
Like his daddy's daddy before him
Brought up workin' on the land
Fell in love with a small town woman
And they married up and settled down
Natural way of life if you're lucky
For a small town Southern man

First there came four pretty daughters
For this small town Southern man
Then a few years later came another
A boy, he wasn't planned
Seven people livin' all together
In a house built with his own hands
Little words with love and understandin'
From a small town Southern man

Chorus:
And he bowed his head to Jesus
And he stood for Uncle Sam
And he only loved one woman
(He) was always proud of what he had
He said his greatest contribution
Is the ones you leave behind
Raised on the ways and gentle kindness
Of a small town Southern man
(Raised on the ways and gentle kindness)
(Of a small town Southern man)

Callous hands told the story
For this small town Southern man
He gave it all to keep it all together
And keep his family on his land
Like his daddy, years wore out his body
Made it hard just to walk and stand
You can break the back
But you can't break the spirit
Of a small town Southern man

(Repeat Chorus)

Finally death came callin'
For this small town Southern man
He said it's alright 'cause I see angels
And they got me by the hand
Don't you cry, and don't you worry
I'm blessed, and I know I am
'Cause God has a place in Heaven
For a small town Southern man

(Repeat Chorus)

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Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Christmas Countdown

Whew, I don't know about anyone else but I am tired. We are working later hours at work, so between that and shopping and life in general I am ready for a day off. That will come tomorrow, but I have to finish up my shopping. I don't dare wait any longer even though I also lucked out and have the weekend off. You couldn't pay me enough to get near a store this weekend. I have to work Christmas Eve for part of the day but I can live with that because I get off around four. Our family does the tree on Christmas Eve at my moms house so that everyone can be in there own homes when Santa comes. This year I will be going early to my daughters to see my grandson open his presents from Santa. I'm looking forward to that.

Yule or Winter Solstice is coming up on the 22. As most of you know I celebrate that day and I wanted to share a legend of Yule with you.



According to legend, the snowflake was formed from the tears that Demeter cried after Persephone’s descent into the Underworld. The microscopic flakes have six sides, and since six is the numerological digit associated with affection, the snowflake was used by Pagans as a winter symbol of love.

My Aunt (who was not Pagan) use to crochet a snowflake for me every year and put it in a card. I have several of them hanging on my tree now. They are a wonderful way of remembering her and the season.

Speaking of remembering the 22nd is also a sad day for me. It will mark three years since I lost my dad. He died that day. Christmas will never be the same without him.


OH by the way Have you noticed an intense red star rising in the east in recent evenings? That's no star, that's Mars. The red planet is having a close encounter with Earth this week. At closest approach on Tuesday evening, Dec. 18th, the two worlds will lie only 55 million miles apart. Mars won't be this nearby again until the year 2016. To the naked eye, Mars now outshines every star in the night sky (it is slightly brighter than Sirius) and it looks great through a backyard telescope. Visit http://spaceweather.com for photos, observing tips and sky maps.

Well that has about caught everyone up on what has been happening here. Just one more week until Christmas Day. Do you think we will all survive?

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Saturday, December 15, 2007

Award of the year (for rudness that is)

I handed out the rude customer of the year award today. With Christmas still ten days away I really didn't expect to give it out until next week, but this lady was so special that I had to bestow it early. I didn't catch her name, so for the sake of blogging we will call her Mary Smith.

Ms. Smith tried to use a charge card today and when I recieved a promt to ask her for her ID, she produced a note from her mother giving her permission to use the card in her hand. When I denied this request I was called a Fucking Bitch.
I would have been happy to have just been called a bitch, but fucking bitch was such an honor that I thought the rude award should be hers...
My repsonse to her...Merry Christmas...
I think she needs to get a grip..How about you.

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Friday, December 14, 2007

A little humor

(I got this joke in an email today and just had to share)

I took my dad to the mall the other day to buy some new shoes. We decided to grab a bite at the food court. I noticed he was watching a teenager sitting next to him.

The teenager had spiked hair in all different colors: green, red, orange, and blue. My dad kept staring at him. The teenager would look and find him staring every time.

When the teenager had enough, he sarcastically asked, 'What's the matter old man, never done anything wild in your life?'

Knowing my Dad, I quickly swallowed my food so that I would not choke on his response; knowing he would have a good one.

And in classic style he did not bat an eye in his response, 'Got drunk once and had sex with a peacock. I was just wondering if you were my son.'

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Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Advice from the Universe

You can "dance" with the illusions of time and space, choosing your "steps" based upon things and events as they now are, or you can dance with your dreams, choosing your "steps" based upon things and events as they will be.

And I bet you can guess which steps will perpetuate today's illusions, and which ones will change everything...

The Universe

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Monday, December 10, 2007

Proud Moment


My sister graduated from nursing school yesterday. I am so proud of her. She has put in almost two years of hard work to get this far. To be honest, I didn't think she would do it. Being a nurse was just not something I could see my sister doing, but I am glad she proved me wrong and stuck with it. I know she has a lot of hard work ahead of her which is going to involve long hours and ungrateful patients in the hospital or Doctors office. She is smart though to have completed something that will enable her to make a living for herself. I wish I had done that when I was young. I married in my early 20's and had two kids by the time I was in my 30's. I didn't work. I didn't have to. I had married a man in the Navy, and was perfectly content to stay home holding down the fort while he spent months at a time out to sea. By the time I reached my 40's and found that marriage crumbled I realized I had nothing to fall back on. Now in my 50's I have bad knees and old age is creeping in. I have to work full time and life is hard. Working retail sucks, but it is all I know.
And yes before someone leaves me a comment telling me it is never to late to go back to school. I know that. But it takes time and money to go, neither which I have. Even if I did at 54 to be honest, I don't know what I would do different. I think flabby boobs and a fat butt pretty much rules out being a super model. (ha ha)
Anyway I am glad that sis, is taking advantage of something useful. I'm proud of you Michelle!

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Sunday, December 9, 2007

Winter Solstice Snowballs (cookies)

1 c. butter
1/2 c sugar
2 tsp. water
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c flour
1 c. pecans, finelu chopped
1 c. confectioners sugar

Add ingredients in order above: mix well with your hands. Refrigerate at lest 3-4 hours. (this will keep a couple of days). Roll into 1 to 1 1/2 in. balls; bake at 325º for 20 minutes. Cool slightly; roll in powdered. Roll again when completely cool.

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Midwinter Potpourri

do this on the full or waxing moon or near Yule/Winter Solstice. Do not use metal bowls or utensils


1 Tbsp. spearmint leaves
1/2 Tbsp. benzoin powder
1 Tbsp. eucalyptus leaves
1Tbsp. peppermint leaves
1/2 Tbsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. melted snow or winter rain
A few drops of wintergreen oil (6 to 10)
Enchant while mixing the herbs and adding the oil. Infuse the mixture with magick. To bring about prosperity, harmony, and peace for your household

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Wednesday, December 5, 2007

making a blog roll

In case you haven't noticed I am making a blog roll in the side bar. I am transferring the blogs that I read from my blog lines onto here so that others can enjoy some of the ones I do.
If your name is not here don't panic I still have a lot to do, in the meantime if you would like to be added just leave me a comment and I will put you on the list
Thanks

UPDATE I read over 80 blogs, so I will be awhile getting everyone on here. Please let me know though if I forget anyone. I have to add the list one site at a time so they are not getting on here in particular order.

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Tuesday, December 4, 2007

It's beginning to look.....

It's starting to look like the holidays at my house. In my living room you will find my tree.


I also decorated one of my shelves with my snowmen

And the other one with odds and ends.



On top of the cabnit where my computer is I have Santa's and a single reindeer.



In my kitchen You will find my purple tree.




This is my Yule log which I will light on the 22,(It hold tea lights)to welcome back the sun.



I still have a few more things I need to find a home for but at lest it is a beginning.
To be honest I hate this time of year. I think it is because something bad always seems to happen.

Three years ago this month my dad passed away.
The following year I lost a friend at Thanksgiving, and then on Christmas Eve my mom's neighbor whom I had known since I was a child died.
Last year my husbands sister in law and niece and nephew were killed by a drunk driver.

So far this year a close friend of mine husband just lost his job. My ex-husband also found out today that as of Jan. his job has been cut to part time which cuts outs all of his benefits. He is going to quit because He has to have a full time job and needs his insurance due to health problems. Also he gets a discount on his apartment from working for the company that manages this area. He will have to pay full rent now which sucks for him,

(UPDATE: The ex is keeping the job. They are going to let him keep the discount for the apartment and he is intitled to insurance from the military becaue he is retired. That is going to be cheaper anyway that what work offered him. There will be a small cut in the pay due to shorter hours, but at lest it will level out.
This is one bright spot.
)


I guess you can see why I am a bit gun shy. I just hold my breath waiting for something bad to happen.
January can't come fast enough for me.
Bah Humbug

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Sunday, December 2, 2007

The holidays

Christmas Myspace Clipart

The Pagan Origins of Christmas
By Royce Carlson

This article was first printed at Zenzibar
on December 17, 2000.

Many of our modern Christmas traditions began hundreds of years before Christ was born. Some of these traditions date back more than 4000 years. The addition of Christ to the celebration of the winter solstice did not occur until 300 years after Christ died and as late as 1800, some devout Christian sects, like the Puritans, forbade their members from celebrating Christmas because it was considered a pagan holiday. So what is the history behind these traditions?

The Christmas tree is derived from several solstice traditions. The Romans decked their halls with garlands of laurel and placed candles in live trees to decorate for the celebration of Saturnalia. In Scandinavia, they hung apples from evergreen trees at the winder solstice to remind themselves that spring and summer will come again. The evergreen tree was the special plant of their sun god, Baldor.

The practice of exchanging gifts at a winter celebration is also pre-Christian and is from the Roman Saturnalia. They would exchange good-luck gifts called Stenae (lucky fruits). They also would have a big feast just like we do today.

Mistletoe is from an ancient Druid custom at the winter solstice. Mistletoe was considered a divine plant and it symbolized love and peace. The tradition of kissing under the mistletoe is Druid in origin.

The Scandinavian solstice traditions had a lot of influences on our celebration besides the hanging of ornaments on evergreen trees. Their ancient festival was called Yuletide and celebrated the return of the sun. One of their traditions was the Yule log. The log was the center of the trunk of a tree that was dragged to a large fireplace where it was supposed to burn for twelve days. From this comes the twelve days of Christmas.

Even the date of Christmas, December 25, was borrowed from another religion. At the time Christmas was created in AD 320, Mithraism was very popular. The early Christian church had gotten tired of their futile efforts to stop people celebrating the solstice and the birthday of Mithras, the Persian sun god. Mithras’ birthday was December 25. So the pope at the time decided to make Jesus’ official birthday coincide with Mithras’ birthday. No one knows what time of year Jesus was actually born but there is evidence to suggest that it was in midsummer.

So, if you are celebrating any of the western traditions of Christmas this year, remember that you are actually enjoying the rituals and activities of several ancient religions whose traditions have been borrowed by the Christians over the years for the celebration of the birth of Christ.

Happy Holidays!

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