Surprises

I had the most wonderful surprise today when I checked my mail. It was a notice that I had a package waiting to be picked up. I couldn't believe it. I was so excited, I jumped in my car and raced to the post office to pick it up.
The reason I was so excited was a while back Robyn of Tales of Ingelwood hosted a Fairy Swap. I signed up and waited and waited and waited. A lovely lady name Kathyann had my name and lives in the UK. She had sent the package over a month ago and it never showed up. Much to both of our disappointments. I had given it up for gone, but today the fairies must have realized that the beautiful things she had put in the box were for me and not them and sent it on its way.
When I got the box, I saw right away why they wanted to keep everything for themselves.
It was full of wonderful beautiful things. Buttons and ribbon, bits of cloth, incense, lovely silk fabric, a recipe book, buttons, sticker's tiny hooks, oh more lovely things than I can even name. I was so overwhelmed. I didn't know what to look at first!!
Here are so photos for you to see. And I want to say THANK YOU, THANK YOU THANK YOU. to Kathyann, and a special THANK YOU to Robyn for hosting the swap

Bag of Yarn

I've been kicking around the idea of starting an afghan for awhile now. I haven't done any crocheting in years because to be honest I am not organized enough to sit still long enough to finish one. I get a few rows done and then something comes up and I put it away. I couldn't begin to tell you how many times I have stuck away yarn over the years thinking I will get back to it "later". Well, as you can imagine later never arrives so I have ended up odd balls of yarn. I knew this bag was in my storage so I dug it out this morning. I plan on starting a ripple afghan and just mix up the colors. I will try and post photos as it progresses. I figure the worst that can happen is it becomes a blanket for the dog. Wish me luck

Thirft Store Treasures

Just look at what I found at the thrift store. I spent about 20 dollars for everything.


I love this buddha. He is sitting on my shelf and is about 11 inches high. Cost 6.95

This print still had the plastic on it and was marked 4.95. I found a frame for 1.95. It is 21" x 17"

Don't you just love this clock? It cost me 4.95

I have been wanting to read this book for awhile, and I paid 2.25 for it.
Bargin shopping rules!

Amethyst

Amethyst Gemstone meaning
Crystalline quartz in shades of purple, lilac or mauve is called amethyst, a stone traditionally worn to guard against drunkeness and to instill a sober mind. The word amethyst comes from the Greek meaning "without drunkenness" and amethyst is beleived to protect one from poison.

Power Stone
It is used as a dream stone and to help insomnia. Put an amethyst under your pillow to bring about pleasant dreams, or rub it across your forehead to offer relief from a headache.

Protection Stone
Ancient Egyptians used the amethyst guard against guilty and fearful feelings. It has been worn as protection from self-deception, as well as a protection against witchcraft. The amethyst has long been used to open the spiritual and psychic centers, making it one of the power stones. It is also used as a meditation aid when worn as a necklace.

Wisdom Stone
The amethyst is known as the Bishop's Stone and is still worn by Catholic Bishops. The amethyst symbolizes piety, humility, sincerity and spiritual wisdom. It is thought the amethyst is the perfect stone to symbolize The Age of Aquarius.

Healing properties of Amethyst
Amethyst is a gemstone often worn by healers, as it has the power to focus energy. A healer will usually wear several pieces of jewelry with amethysts set in silver, especially an amethyst necklace. The person to be healed will have an Amethyst to hold while the healing is being done. The healer will place another piece of Amethyst on the area of the body in need of healing, the heart or lungs usually.

Amethyst is used for problems in the blood and in breathing problems. Amethyst crystal clusters are used to keep the air and life force in the home clean and positive.

Amethyst clusters, points or several tumbled Amethysts placed in a window that receives sun most of the day are very beneficial to use in healing and to heal negativity in the home. Place Amethyst clusters, points or several tumbled Amethysts in moonlight and everyone in the home will be feeling calmer. Using an Amethyst as a meditation focus will increase the positive spiritual feelings. Amethyst helps overcome fears and cravings. It also helps relieve headaches.

Rocks in my head

I love rocks...Any kind of rock. I remember picking them up when I was a kid, and ohhhing and ahhhing at the different color flecks in them. When my own kids came along they too collected rocks. Over the years of course all of them were tossed back outside to be found on an adventure another day. It wasn't until a few years ago that my love for rocks returned and I once again started collecting them. Some I have laying around and some I keep in a jar in my closet. I take them out once in awhile and cleanse them. Sometimes I will hold one in my hand to absorb the energy from it. (Yes I do believe rocks have healing energy or magical properties so to speak)
I have a large collection of gemstone necklaces and at one time wore them daily (not all at once but a different one each day ha ha). When I went to work at the pet store I wasn't really able to wear my jewelry, but now that I am back in a nicer store I can dress up and once again I am digging out my pendants. Over the weekend I took each one along with my silver chains and dipped them into cleaner, rinsed them in cool water and dried them off. I will be laying them out soon for a photo but I wanted to talk more about stones so I have decided to try and do a "stone of the week". I can't promise it will be every week, but when I have time I will post something. I hope you have as much fun learning about "rocks" as I do..
I am posting in no particular order, it just so happened that this information came to me in an email from a yahoo group I am on so my first post is about
Obsidian






Obsidian is molten lava that cooled so quickly it had no time to
crystallize. Obsidian is a stone without boundaries or limitations.
As a result, it works extremely fast and with great power. Its
truth-enhancing, reflective qualities are merciless in exposing
flaws, weaknesses, and blockages. Nothing can be hidden from
Obsidian. Pointing out how to ameliorate all destructive and
disempowering conditions, Obsidian impels us to grow and lends solid
support while we do so. It needs careful handling and is best used
under the guidance of a qualified therapist as it can bring negative
emotions and unpleasant truths rushing to the surface. Under
skilled guidance, its cathartic qualities are exceedingly valuable.
It provides deep soul healing. Obsidian can facilitate in going
back to past lives to heal festering emotions or trauma that has
carried forward into the present.
Obsidian is a strongly protective stone, forming a shield against
negativity, it provides a grounding cord from the base chakra to the
center of the earth, absorbs negative energies from the environment,
and strengthens in times of need. It is helpful for highly
sensitive people. It blocks psychic attack and removes negative
spiritual influences.
A large piece of Obsidian can be extremely efficient at blocking
geopathic stress or soaking up environmental pollution, but its
propensity for exploding the truth into the open has to be taken
into account. Many people find its powerful effects overwhelming
and prefer to choose a gentler stone for this task. But it is
extremely helpful for therapists and counselors as it not only
facilitates getting to the core of the problem, but also mops up
energies released as a result. Black or Mahogany Obsidian are the
most suitable types for the purpose. Mahogany being the gentler.
In the same way, placing Obsidian by the bed or under the pillow can
draw out mental stress and tension and may have a calming effect,
but it can also bring up the reasons for that stress. These reasons
then have to be confronted before peace can return; this resolves
the problem permanently rather than having a palliative effect.
One of the gentler forms of Obsidian, such as an Apache Tear or
Snowflake, would be best for this. As Obsidian is so effective in
soaking up negative energies, it is essential to clean the stone
under running water each time it has been used in this way.
Spiritually, Obsidian vitalizes soul purpose. It eliminates energy
blockages and relieves tension, integrating the psychological shadow
into the whole to bring spiritual integrity. It anchors the spirit
into the body. This stone stimulates growth on all levels. It
urges exploration of the unknown, opening new horizons.
Mentally, Obsidian brings clarity to the mind and clears confusion
and constricting beliefs. However, it may well do this by making it
absolutely clear what lies behind mental distress or dis-ease. Once
this has been cleared, Obsidian expands consciousness, entering the
realm of the unknown with confidence and ease.
Psychologically, Obsidian helps you to know who you truly are. It
brings you face to face with your shadow side and teaches you how to
integrate it. This stone also helps you to identify behavioral
patterning that is now outdated. Obsidian dissolves emotional
blockages and ancient traumas, brings a depth and clarity to
emotions. It promotes qualities of compassion and strength.
Obsidian's greatest gift is insight into the cause of dis-ease. It
aids the digestion of anything that is hard to accept and promotes
physical digestion. It detoxifies, dissolving blockages and tension
in the physical and subtle bodies, including hardened arteries. It
reduces the pain of arthritis, joint problems, cramps, and
injuries. An elixir is beneficial for shock. It alleviates pain
and stanches bleeding, benefiting the circulation. This stone warms
the extremities. It can be used to shrink an enlarged prostate.
~~~"The Crystal Bible" by Judy Hall