Creative Karma

The new...

2011-07-25T22:43:00.000-07:00

This is my new attempt at starting my blog again.

I will start by posting things I find to be positive focused.

Whether it be globally, personally or anything in-between.

Click on the links to find more information!

It will be time well spent.

Can I hear a 'whoop, whoop' for recycling!

Here is an absolutely amazing artist! This is done in pencil!

Epic jewelry by....what? A local artist!!!

Until next time.....

R.I.P. Creative Karma

2011-01-23T21:31:00.000-08:00

R.I.P. Creative Karma R.I.P. Creative Karma R.I.P. Creative Karma R.I.P. Creative Karma R.I.P. Creative Karma R.I.P. Creative Karma R.I.P. Creative Karma R.I.P. Creative Karma R.I.P. Creative Karma R.I.P. Creative Karma R.I.P. Creative Karma R.I.P. Creative Karma R.I.P. Creative Karma R.I.P. Creative Karma R.I.P. Creative Karma R.I.P. Creative Karma R.I.P. Creative Karma R.I.P. Creative Karma R.I.P. Creative Karma

The Earth has Shifted!

2011-01-14T17:32:00.000-08:00

So according to all those 'follow the planetary movement' people...the earth has shifted.
Which we all pretty much knew, if you happen to be a somewhat mini space geek like me.
But I failed to think of all the consequences, let alone ponder them.
So accordingly, these are the new dates that define the zodiac signs.

Capricorn: Jan 20-Feb 16
Aquarius: Feb 16-March 11
Pisces: March 11-April 18
Aries: April 18-May 13
Taurus: May 13-June 20
Gemini: June 21-July 20
Cancer: July 20 - Aug 10
Leo: Aug 10-Sep 16
Virgo: Sep 16 - Oct 30
Libra: Oct 30 - Nov 23
Scorpio: Nov 23 - 29
Ophiuchus: Nov 29 - Dec 17
Sagittarius: Dec 17 - Jan 20

Did you notice there's a new one added? Ophiuchus, the snake holder.

I am just glad that the latest 'hello' moment didn't really affect me directly.

I mean, I don't have to go buy a different zodiac symbol necklace or

earrings because the ones I have no longer apply.

Or contemplate getting a tattoo removed or changed that said "Pisces Do It In The Water".

No, I can continue on with my life not wondering if I need to change my personality, or suddenly need to be more aggressive or have sudden fits until I'm heard.

But what about all those other people?

The cases of split personalities may be on the rise.

We'll blame it on Pluto. Since Pluto is already out of the loop.

No, wait. Pluto has had a tough enough time already.

Let's blame it on rain. I mean, there's already a song and everything.

What were you thinking?

2011-01-10T00:12:00.000-08:00

     What were you thinking about today? What were the thoughts that passed through your mind and just stayed there and you didn't share with anyone? Not because you didn't want to, you just didn't think about saying anything. I was thinking, as I looked at my newest fur friend in our house, what it was she was thinking as she sat in the kitchen by the stove. So still. Like a little statue. Ears twitching at the sounds in the house. Yet never moving, just sitting. Was she waiting for a mouse, or just content where she was? Maybe she was taking everything in and relaying it to some large mother ship in the sky full of feline rulers that watch our every move. Maybe...
     As I took down the last of the Christmas decorations it kind of made me sad. Which is crazy, because Christmas this year was very stressful to me. I should be glad to see it go. But I wasn't. The totes full of Christmas are overflowing. I need more totes. Or maybe I need less. Maybe I just need to not let it get to me next year. Maybe I need to stop worrying that everything will be perfect. Maybe just being together is more gift than any money in the whole world could buy.
     I thought about Arizona and the shooting. It made me not want to look at the world. Made me want to hide away. Away from people who think that killing someone who believes different than they do is a good solution to their anger. It makes me sad that people are so confused. So confused they aren't willing to talk, listen, learn, or understand. That compassion and love for each other as simple human beings is gone for some people.
   I read some of the blogs I follow, and that made me feel good. I thought about all the wonderful women out there who are excited about their lives. Who sit down and type to everyone their thoughts. Who are trying each and every day to be themselves, and the day after that, be more than they were the day before. Discovering and learning about what excites them. I applaud all of you. It is a challenge to manage the time to sit down and compose your thoughts. Your direction. I hope every day to get better at it. Sometimes I fail. Sometimes I win.
I wonder if I actually wrote down every single thing I thought....wow. I don't believe everything that goes through our minds is just looking for the exit door. I guess at some level I am hoping someone is waiting at the exit to see if anything good comes out.

2011-01-02T18:26:00.000-08:00

As I was looking through info on the NFL today (yes, I watch the NY Giants), I came across this.

It just solidifies my opinion of most, (yes I said 'most') men. If they have to add this chick, who looks like at any given moment she is going to flip a boob out, to excite men (because that is who it is targeted for), to play fantasy football, well....what can I say. I think eventually it will be a bunch of Playboy centerfolds running with the ball. If you know what I mean. Or maybe that is the fantasy part. Live the dream guys! Okay....that's a wrap for this post! ewwww...yuck!

The journey begins...

2010-12-30T18:49:00.000-08:00

I am re-posting this from Shiloh's blog. She writes some beautiful things that say exactly how I feel sometimes. So I must give her credit.

http://ourladyoftheredthread.com/

This year...

by Shiloh Sophia

May you shine the light
that is yours to shine.
May you move through any fear that has stood between you and your joy.
May you choose, unconditionally,
to love yourself and others, with a full heart.
May you find that inner peace, that we all seek,
and discover it has been in you all along.
May you, regardless of challenges,
continue towards your own dream.

This year for me has taken several turns I would have never expected.

The most devastating blow this year was losing my Mom.

I was glad I was able to spend a few days with her.

It was very confusing for me as I watched her slowly fade away.

My head wanted her to go, so her spirit could be alive again somewhere else.

My heart wanted more than anything to wake her and feed her power drinks and take her to her garden and laugh, goof around, look into her eyes, listen to her voice, hug her and make it all stop and go back to how it was long ago.

Now I have to learn to be okay.

It's as if we were in the middle of a conversation and she forgot to say goodbye.

But maybe that's exactly what she wanted and for me to know.

That she wasn't saying goodbye at all, because she is still here, just in a different way.

A way that I'm not use to seeing yet.

I suppose I will, when I'm ready.

Even though I want it so bad, I must not be ready yet.

This has made me look at my Mothers life.

My life.

Am I happy with my dash?

The space I fill between life and death.

Born March 20 1962- Died...

Although there are many things I would like to add or change, I don't have regrets. Because everything I have been through, good and bad, has made me what I am.

I think I like myself.

One day I will say, "I love myself!".

But not just yet. Baby steps.

Step by step I continue my journey.

The re-purposing of me.

Travel plans confirmed.

2010-12-29T20:44:00.000-08:00

So if you read my last post you will understand this post. If not, read my last post, then this one. So after I wrote my last post, way too late in the night. It might have even been morning already, I'm not sure. I logged off to get ready for bed. In my bathroom I have a calendar with sayings for every day. The sayings are very grounding and keep me on track of what is important. Most times when I read it, it is as if someone is reading my mind and prepares what I need to hear for that day. So as I went in to brush my teeth I looked at the calendar. This is what is said:

You are in the perfect place on your perfect journey. You are right where you are meant to be, because you chose it. In fact, you could not be more perfect than you are now.

Wow. Is that weird or what? I hope everything is perfect. Right now though I am highly doubtful. I know I shouldn't think that way. It will only bring the badness to me. But sometimes, I can only take so much. So I will go with the "everything is perfect" theory and see what comes. Preparing for this year to end and sweep away all the darkness out the door.

Travel plans....

2010-12-28T01:10:00.000-08:00

I want a map. A map that shows me my possible trails and what's at the end. I want an empty suitcase to fill. I want company, only if they don't criticize which path I take. Otherwise, I will go alone. I want to walk a whole day knowing every step I take is right. And the next day, I want to do it again.

The demoralization of the human spirit.

2010-11-13T21:40:00.000-08:00

There have been several times in my life...several, where I truly question my purpose. Or should I say that I question why others find joy in not uplifting or bringing out the good in others. I have been posting this blog in the hopes that there would be connections. Maybe the things I write about will make people think. Or maybe just make them laugh. I have found that I don't know if this blog is doing either. I have also thought that in order for the human soul to survive, one needs validation. Validation of their worth in life. Validation that if they were to vanish, that the world would be changed. That someone would be changed. That they would be missed. That someone would care. That someone, anyone, wanted to know what they were thinking. How they were doing. What, they were doing. That if the people who were closest to you didn't even notice your dreams, who would. There is a point of utter despair, where you realize that nothing really matters, and that life is just that. Life. That it goes on regardless whether you are there or not. And when you aren't there, people just say, "I should have spent more time", or "no one knows how much this hurts". But in the end, life goes on and we either gain something, or lose. What we take with us is the true and honest time we give to one another. Despite our differences, knowing that we value each other. Because most everything we go through on this planet is superficial. Except those connections. And is it really important, all this earth crap? It must be on some level. After all, we are here. I think it is all fear based. Believe me, I am a first rate student in the class of fear. So beginning now, I am going to be directing this blog towards more real things. Whatever those may be. I just think the functionality of the human race could make a big improvement. Maybe the way to begin is to look in the mirror.

getting wet......yuck!!!!

2010-11-09T22:45:00.000-08:00

So, it has started to rain....it's cold...it's November....it's Oregon....that means.... Winter is upon us.

Yuck...hate the cold and wet...yuck!!

Camille - Ta douleur

2010-10-27T20:55:00.000-07:00

In response to a question about the singer on the last SNL video I posted, the singer is Camille.

Here is a live version of the song I found totally fascinating.

I think she is absolutely gorgeous!

Everything about her.

Well, I guess I can't say I've seen 'everything'!

And to correct my image that didn't come through last time.

The skeleton tattoo guy.

OUCH!

I am going to just post this for now.

Kind of feeling like crap on a stick, so I'm going to go with what I have so far.

Who knows, maybe another post later.

Saturday Night Live - Les jeunes de Paris Skit [HQ]

2010-10-24T16:32:00.000-07:00

Last night on SNL this skit made me laugh my head off.

Can't really figure out why, but hey, laughing is good.

Now that it is getting cold outside it is a good excuse to watch shows and go Internet crazy.

Here are some fun things I found.

Tentacle Pot Pie

Tatted Ankle Corsets

These are made by, yes, another great Etsy artist.

I have done tatting before but don't think I would have the patience or skill to make these.

Awesome!

And finally, in keeping with the Halloween theme...

tattoos

All I can say is "OUCH!"

Well, that's all I have time for right now.

Pumpkins are waiting to be carved and costumes put together.

2010-10-22T16:25:00.000-07:00

Okay...don't get me wrong...I love, love, love Viking. But seriously!?! Do I really need to spend $230.00 for a four slot toaster? And that is after the $100.00 discount. That means normally I would think a really good toaster would cost $330.00!!! I'm thinkin' more along the lines of....let's say...$30.00? Maybe after the toaster toasts the bread then it embosses them with gold leaf and truffles. Maybe there is more to this whole toast thing than I realize. So I probably just blew my chances in Viking's gas range give away. "If you can't say something nice...don't say anything at all." yeah...whatever.

So is anyone sick of the yard signs yet?

oo...ooo...pick me!! Pick me.

I would like a candidate that didn't spend money on campaign crap like yard signs, crap in the mail everyday, radio spots, etc., etc., etc..

Imagine if there was one candidate who just said, "Hi, my name is Joe Dinglefritz. I am running for the office of Head Muffin Man. If you want to know who I am and all that stuff, go to my website at http://www.gojomuffinhead.com/ and find out because I won't be wasting money on stupid campaign crap.

Okay, so don't go and try that website. It's not real. Then I found this Muffin Man picture. Made me laugh...a lot.

I also found two other wonderful pics.

and....

....all the talk about muffins has made me hungry.

I might just make some.

So...all for now.

All Creatures Great and Small

2010-10-19T21:28:00.000-07:00

Life is wonderful living on a mini farm, but it can also be tough.

This is dedicated to some of the sweet and crazy creatures we've had the pleasure of sharing existence with.

The little guy, Bun Bun we just lost yesterday. It was sad to see him go. He will be missed!

I found this little chair and bucket at my treasure store. While picking berries (apples) for the bucket, my daughter located a frog. Little did the frog know he was soon to be in a supermodel photo session.

When Skaaweek was new.

The silent ruling queen Lacy

Laser cat Skaaweek and sleeping dog Princess

"Talk to the butt!" Lopey

For some reason right now I am having problems uploading more pictures.

So there will definitely be more to come.

Don't forget tomorrow is "WEAR PURPLE DAY" in support of anyone who is, or has been singled out and bullied for being different.

Slugs, Cherry Pits, Shovels and Tutu's

2010-10-17T23:37:00.000-07:00

Before I begin my post I have to make mention of my amazing background image! These are some absolutely gorgeous lamp work beads. I love the color combination! These were made by an artist on Etsy. I saved this image over a year ago and didn't think to save who the artist was. My bad. I searched, and searched to find the artist but I didn't find her. I wanted to give her credit for her amazing work. So if anyone who reads this blog knows who the artist is, please let me know so I can give credit where credit is due.
So...On to the blog.
Slugs....

Of course, living in Oregon you get used to seeing slugs. I remember being amazed at the size of the banana slugs! My dog the other night got one stuck between the pads on her foot. She walked around like someone had put cat poop in between her toes or something, until it dislodged. Anyway, the slugs attack the cat food dishes every chance they get. So one morning, before I had put my contacts in, I thought, "you know, I have never looked at a slug close up before". I took off my glasses and picked up the cat dish with two slugs on it. You see, when I have my glasses off, I can only see things about five inches away. So it is really close up! I was looking at the slugs face and thinking..."wow, they are kinda cool looking!". But then, one of the slugs went about eating the poop that was stuck to his butt. YUCK! Okay, so they are self-contained. Moving on...

Cherry Pits and Shovels...

I have been putting off burying a cable from my satellite dish for a while now. I figured I had better get it done before the rain starts. Amazing thing...I found out that jumping on a shovel with both feet isn't like riding a bike, it's like riding a pogo stick. I'm thinking that as you age, the gravity that is pulling every body part down, is also sucking you tighter to the ground. What ever happened to my ability to jump? So I went for the two step method. Put one foot on and then the other. That way you don't go flying sideways, like a frog with one short leg. As I was trying to clear the area and moved away old stumps I discovered that some random critter had been hiding away cherry pits.

Maybe they were planning on using them as ammunition if I got too close. Maybe they were going to string themselves a lovely cherry pit necklace. I don't know, but I found their stash!

The more I am writing this blog, the more I am realizing that the English language is something that I could study for a lifetime. Thank God for spellcheck and grammar check!

Tutus...

I was in my local second hand store, which I love for treasure hunting! And guess what I found? That's right! You guessed it. A pink tutu! Now I don't know anyone who doesn't need a pink tutu in their dress up trunk. I think of all the times I have said to myself, "if only I had a tutu". So I put it on in the store, over my clothes or course. I was loving it. My daughter....not so much. But she is use to my crazy ways. You should have seen the looks I was getting from other people in the store. You know the one. That sideways up and down glance with the eye roll. People need to learn to have more fun and let go! Life is too short to take so seriously. I mean...seriously. And then, you know, you have to put it on the dog!

2010-10-11T01:09:00.000-07:00

So this post is about..."life on the farm". It was about four in the afternoon when we decided that maybe we could start our burn pile. See...in the country, where you can have burn piles, you have to call the local fire station to find out if you are allowed to burn. We called. Burning was allowed, but we only had one hour to get it done. I yelled at the girls, "get the matches! We only have one hour to get that sucker burned!" That was all I needed to say, and they were off! Amazingly it started right away! Yay!! We decided to do random jumping pictures off the horse fence. We had a riot, but the timing was hard to shoot. I think the older you get the faster you fall.

We burned some dogs, had some somore's (sp?), and got smelling all like a campfire.

How I love livin' where we do!

Inside the foil are homegrown red potatoes, carrots, rosemary, butter, and salt.

Talk about heaven in foil!! Yum!

Our garden season, and growing season is coming to an end and that makes me sad. Here are a few pics of random farmery.

So...until next time...when we talk about slugs, cherry pits, and jumping on shovels...oh...and don't forget...PINK TUTU'S!!!!

yadda yadda yadda

2010-10-05T00:11:00.000-07:00

So....I have decided that probably, absolutely,positively a million people are reading this blog. And I had better get on the ball before I lose all my readers due to lack of posting. I also decided that I should write this for me...(thank you Emilea)!

I was in absolute heaven the other night! Well, I guess I could say I was eating heaven. I devoured two cobs of homegrown...my garden grown corn. We had a really good crop of corn this year. I think the best I have ever tasted. I need to pick more and cook them up tomorrow. And it wasn't just any corn, it was candy corn. The kind that has yellow and white kernels. Yum and double yum. Yes, this is an actual picture of our corn (mini) field!

This season is a pretty bad apple season..sob. There's nothing like wandering around doing yard work and just picking a fresh apple from the tree. We have some good ones, but mostly they all had quite a few problems. I think it started with a really warm week in the spring, enough to get the blossoms on, and then a week of extreme cold freeze. Enough to send all the bees back to their beds and turn their electric blankets on. After that....not sure what happened. Hopefully next year will be better. Every year, I think I am getting a little better at pruning my fruit trees.

I just realized I put this picture in right after talking about my fruit....and then to top it off I hung the bra in the tree to take the picture....(made me laugh)! I didn't know these things grew in trees! Seriously though, I spent a few days this week decorating a bra for breast cancer awareness at a local craft store. I had fun doing it.

Lately I am doing investigating on my house. I'm pretty sure it was built in 1880, but trying to find exact history on the place. It is very time consuming, yet very interesting. I think I could definitely be a researcher for a living. I really love it. Tonight, I talked to a woman who lives down the street in a home built in 1895, thinking she might have some information that would help me. She was so very cordial and nice, and her home and grounds are beautiful. She made me feel so welcome. It is great to come across people like her.

Tree of Life Blessing

2010-09-20T20:40:00.000-07:00

(flowers in my garden)

My last blog was a rant that I had to get out, otherwise it might have created a tumor inside me.

I promised for a positive post. So here it is. It is very easy to get disillusioned by the world. With everything that is going on and all those things that make you want to scream inside. I am trying lately to function from my core. Grab on to those things which send me into a state of intense peace. I am having a hard time with the fact that my Mother is no longer physically on this earth. I realize that I need to create a space around me that is void of negative so that I can connect with her now and also to be able to follow the path I am suppose to be on. This blessing grounds me to that and I hope it will for any of you who read it.

I have found through many losses in my life that the only thing that matters is the connection you have with other beings. Because it is how we are touched by eachother that shimmers on forever and nothing else.

Tree of Life Blessing

May you choose outrageous actions that challenge who you are and encourage who you are becoming.

May you take one step, however small, toward that which you have always longed for. Now is the “right time.”

May you recognize the unique and powerful contribution that you bring to the people whose lives you touch.

May you be as wonderful as you really are, and do things because you want to, not just because you should.

May you celebrate your creativity and believe that you are an artist with a unique vision that no one else has.

May you find peace and purpose and possibility amidst the chaos while remaining aware of the unrest in the world.

May you reach towards the Spirit with a longing that keeps you awake to the miracles available all around you.

May your faith move any mountains that stand in your way and bring you great teachers to awaken your understanding.

May you give up shame, guilt and self-neglect and replace them with freedom, integrity and self-nurturing.

May you offer the gifts and blessings of your soul to beings of the world when the time is ripe for you to release them.

May you passionately and deeply love and be loved by someone who can see who you really are.

May your body speak to you and teach you how to care for the temple that houses your bright spirit.

May you walk gently on the earth and honor your hearth and family with your action and your rest.

May you find and enjoy the fruit of abundance so that your life path can be fortified and furthered.

May you embrace the Tree of Life and be informed by the wisdom she brings to those on her path.

May LOVE be at the center of all your choices and may you, with me, send this blessing to all beings.

Amen.

Shiloh Sophia

SERIOUSLY!!

2010-09-18T22:27:00.000-07:00

This is why I typically don't read the paper. It's things like this that make me go...."SERIOUSLY"!

A Monmouth man charged with sexually abusing three girls during a span of eight years was sentenced Friday on four criminal counts in connection with the incidents, earning him five years of probation.
Timothy Paul Dyer, 22, pleaded no contest to three counts of attempted sexual abuse and one count of attempted unlawful sexual penetration in Benton County Circuit Court.
Dyer also must register as a sex offender for life and undergo sex offender treatment. Failure to comply with these requirements could land him in prison for as long as 10 years.
Eighteen other charges against Dyer were dismissed as part of a plea bargain. Charges dismissed were six counts of first-degree sexual assault, two counts of second-degree sexual assault, four counts of third-degree sexual assault, three counts of sexual penetration and three counts of coercion.
Dyer still faces related sexual abuse charges in Polk County.
Judge Locke Williams chided Dyer for not fully acknowledging his crimes and warned he could still face prison if he failed to complete sex offender treatment.
"The first step with any type of treatment ... is admitting that you have a problem," Williams said. "You've pled no contest. As you stand here today, it doesn't seem you've taken full responsibility for the acts you've pled to."
Dyer did not make a statement at the hearing.
The crimes occurred during an eight-year span. The victims and Dyer knew each other because they attended Trinity Missionary Church in Corvallis. Some of the crimes occurred during church youth group outings.
The mother of two of the victims eventually reported the incidents to police, who launched an investigation. Despite the fact the some of the crimes occurred when Dyer was 11 or 12, he was charged as an adult. Under Oregon law, suspects can be prosecuted as adults for crimes committed when they were minors.
Despite the plea agreement, Dyer's parents insist their son is innocent and that the charges against him were fabricated by the alleged victims.
"None of it's true," said his mother, Amy Dyer.
She said the family was willing to accept a plea deal because a trial would have been traumatizing and because Dyer would have faced a long prison sentence if convicted.
In addition, Amy Dyer said, a trial "would have drug our church through the mud, too, and we didn't want that."
Dyer's attorney, Sarah Baldwin of Salem, said she supported the plea agreement.
"The bottom line is I think the district attorney could have gotten a conviction" if the case had gone to trial, she said. "It was probably best for everyone involved."
Deputy District Attorney Mike Flinn said he had no doubts about the credibility of the victims in this case.

I know....this is a negative post. Which I really don't want to do. But I couldn't help myself. I promise I will do a really positively positive one next.

2010-05-19T00:24:00.000-07:00

oh muse.....you suck.

Time Passing...

2010-01-03T23:10:00.000-08:00

So I came across these pictures.
Wow...Everyone remember this?
It seems like a long time ago...and yet it was just around that last corner.
It is about time for another picture don't you think? We should do the same arrangement, with the same colors. That would be totally cool.

Think of the things you were thinking about at this age? What was the most important thing to you? What did you
not even care about?
Have you crossed any bounderies that you never thought you would? Were they good or were they bad?
What is one thing you have since learned that has surprised you the most?
Do you like where you are at?
Do you like who you are?
Stuff to think about.

Love you all and here's to an incredible 2010!!!
YOU ROCK!!!

Oh my God!!! Can you post already!

2010-01-01T23:12:00.001-08:00

Okay....so it's been over a year...and now you want another year outta me?

Paleeeese!!!

I know it have been freakin forever since I have blogged.

Nuff said...when I get to that point that I can stay home and blog for a living...like Dooce...(don't understand that one) then I will definately update this more.....I know...(duh Mary, in order to get to that point you have to blog more....like all the time)

WHATEVER.

I am not one of these people who just go to work to keep me busy. Yeah, dream on. You know, those kind of people actually make me throw-up in my mouth a little bit. How 'bout if you are bored....volunteer! yeah...do something good if you are just working because you are bored. Help someone out. Wow...what a conecpt. Anyway...

Christmas was good except that this year is actually the first year...since I have been born, that I have not talked to my parents on Christmas. They decided not to be a part of it. Didn't even pick up the phone when I called....(I'm am pretty sure they have caller i.d.). Doesn't make you feel too good.

I guess after all those years of pretending like it was a good thing wore them out. Now they are just hiding out like crazy old people with an insanity defense. They can't hide for long though, I know where they live.

So hang on tight....2010 is going to be awesome!!

We got some new babies coming!

As opposed to old babies I guess....ya know that would be sick and wrong....old babies.

Wait...are we talking about my parents again?

Okay...switching gears....

I will try and get some of my otherwise exciting Holiday (not Christmas...God forbid we offend someone) pictures loaded and posted.

Until then, to all of you and yours....

Peace....and can't we all just try and get along!

Potter and all that jazz

2009-07-19T22:31:00.000-07:00

So, this was our whole go to Potter gang, minus Mitz (she was taking the pic), plus a few people around us who felt like they needed to be with us or something. We had a lot of fun and the movie was good, but a little on the depressing side and less magical.

I was the only one in full costume. I had a lady following me around who was totally intrigued with my digs, or something. I don't know what her dealio was?!

This is something else we have been up to. Picking our cherries!! Aren't they beautiful !!! We sorted them out in 1 pound bags and the girls sold 20lbs of cherries from the front yard.

Yeah!!!

Another great thing....we celebrated our anniversary!!! 12 years!! Wow!! Went out for an evening on the town and some yummi sushi.

You gotta laugh to get you through those hard times and the easy ones.

Oh, and it also helps to put a little purple on your house!

yeah....whatever.

2009-07-14T00:28:00.000-07:00

So is it all really worth it???

Color, color, color!!!

2009-04-26T22:10:00.000-07:00

A gift from my sister. Love them, use them all the time.

Glass insulators on a second hand stand by an old milk can. Sounds like a song or something. I love these. I am not much in the mood to express in words tonight, so I will just give you mostly visuals.

Way cool-ee-o!

My front porch in late afternoon.

Nina, Micah, and Liesle...whom I would love to get to know...wow.

More Porch.

A gift from my sister. Found, repaired, and lovingly sent to me. From my childhood.

"Is there a reason why she has a bed in the kitchen and I don't?"

Yes, that is actually a kitten in the mini-bed.Which was fun until the well established "male" cat of the house thought things had gone too far and promptly squatted and pee'ed in the little doll bed.

"POOR SPORT!"

Some of my favorite things

2009-04-23T21:54:00.000-07:00

Sisters.....

We fought, we loved, we tried, we cried. We were so different yet so much the same....still are. The things we shared as children drew us silently together, and still keep us silently apart. Apart from each other, apart from daring to let go completely. If you can't trust your family as a child, then how do you learn that trust can be a reality?

Something to think on. For me at least. I love my sisters, and I miss them terribly. I wish that I knew everything that was going on with them. They live by each other and can be around each other all the time. I would love that. When I read my niece's blogs and they comment on how they love their Moms, it makes me proud of my sisters. Given everything they have both gone through, it is way cool that their children think so highly of them. They should. They are both the coolest, best sister's anyone could have. I am proud to call them my sisters!

I want to start a new section in my blog called "Favorite Things". I was taking photo's of things that I loved and then realized that there where quite a few. It would either be a mugandosis blog, or I could do one, each blog. That is what I want to do. So, I will try to incorporate a separate link to take you there, but until I figure that out, I will just put it as part of my blog.

Isn't this bag just the coolest thing you ever saw?!!

I picked this up at a Goodwill type store. Didn't know the reason I was buying it. Just knew I had to have it. I Love It!!! It is in pretty good shape. Made of really thick leather. The lining inside is in good shape too, not to mention totally retro.

I'm doin' a high five with myself.!! Jump back, kiss myself.

I think I need to schedule regular treasure hunting.

Treasure hunting is good for the soul.

So often I put off things that are good for my soul.

I should stop doing that.

It is late, and there is work tomooooorow. Like that one? Anyway. I will reconfigulate by blog to be more better.....like mo beta.

Later to you all and kudos to all my niece bloggers who have added a new blog. You inspired me to write mine.

2009-04-12T23:31:00.000-07:00

Princess enjoying the first real sunshine of spring. The grass wasn't dry enough to cut yet but that didn't matter. She keeps an eye on me like this because she is deaf. So she will keep looking to make sure everything is still cool. She is doing much better than when we first brought her home. I think she really knows this is her home now and is not afraid of being sent away. Yeah!
I was going to add a bunch more but my computer is constipated, so I will try again tomorrow. Happy Easter!

Dang Skanksta!!

2009-03-18T23:42:00.000-07:00

The Skanksta was right!!! I liked Alexis.....criminently!!!!
But OMG.....If I were straight or a gay man, I would totally do Adam!!!
I think he should take it all.

Bunny Love !!!

2009-03-04T23:57:00.000-08:00

Isn't this the cutest little bunny you ever saw?!! I guess this is my introduction to a new fun blog I found via my niece. It is a really fun blog but I am pretty new to it. http://www.littleloveblue.com/ She is currently having a giveaway. Yes, you could get this cute little bunny, plus check out her really fun blog. To enter her giveaway I think you can just click this link and it will do it....I think. http://littleloveblue.blogspot.com/2009/02/bunny-giveaway.html

Here is just another little taste to inspire you to visit. She calls it her Inspiration Wednesday.
It definitely inspires me. It's like when you go to a nursery to get inspired for your yard... it's inspiration for your creative bone.

It is due time for an update on the newest members of my family but it is now tomorrow and I have to do to work today....so....I will just tease you with a few photo's...explanations to follow.
Until then....Peace......and spend some time creating your own reality.

Kitten known as Squeek!!!

The dog known as Princess.....

Thrust a crocheted bead my way!

2009-02-22T14:50:00.000-08:00

I love this video!! I can't watch it without laughing. And for some odd reason it reminds me of my nephew-in-law? I'm pretty sure that is what I would "officially" call my nieces husband Skip. It just looks like something he would do. I mean that in a complete and totally loving way. Skip is way cool. There was a time that I could probably do that dance, but now I would probably either disconnect some critical body part, or I would shoot some inner gut item through an orifice and across the room to land in a quivering blob.

I found these wonderful crocheted rocks on a great website. http://knitalatte.etsy.com/ I would love to try and do this myself. I love anything that is created with this amazing detail and patience.

Another amazing item found on http://www.etsy.com/ These are beautiful! Here is the link http://Meital.etsy.com

Best described in the artist's own words.

"There are 5 pairs of beads in this set, in aqua, teal, yellow, green and purple, all light transparents "kissed" with orange enamel and raku frit. They were topped with tentacles in copper green, bumps in green and aqua, and an aqua bubble dot on each side of the bead. I also included matching ruffled dagger beads in aqua, and green spacers.

I am so glad there are people out there who express themselves with their art. Something I think I need to be doing. Maybe if I keep highlighting some of this work we can all be amazed and inspired together.

2009-02-01T23:40:00.000-08:00

I was going to do an extremely wonderful blog. But, alas and alack. I am not. It is almost tomorrow and I have to go to work. There is never enough time to accomplish what I have in mind. I always get sidetracked by things I hadn't even thought of to do. For example, rearranging my laundry room. I did it and expected a big old "Kazow!" but didn't get it. It was just shifted. From one unfriendly, unorganized mess to another one that was just 72 degrees to the right. Sucks!!! I waisted my f'n time.

So my cats ass pretty much describes the ending of my free time. My week end. Talk to the tail 'cuz I am walking away. One good thing...I guess...OSU won the Civil War against the Ducks. Go Beav's!!

Oh, and the Supa' bo was pretty dam good. Too bad the Cardinals couldn't hang on to that lead. I just want to know one thing. Why can't those dam English muffin makers cut their muffins all the way through? Why do it half way???? Makes no f'n sense. Happy Monday!!! NOT!

I have come in peace.

2009-01-26T00:17:00.000-08:00

Apparently an alien disguised as a small kitten, (notice the laser eyes) has brought a dog spy to infiltrate our home. Simply because of the cuteness of the kitten we will not suspect anything. The dog, is using the innocent ploy of being deaf, so as not to react to anything we do. There is some sort of secret mission going on. We will figure it out. But it will take time...

Actually these are our newest family members. Both were acquired from a shelter. The kitten, "Squeaker" is 9 weeks old. The dog "Princess" is approx. 3-4yrs, Dalmatian X and deaf.
It has been interesting so far. We have only had them since yesterday.
Princess is having a hard time adjusting to her new environment and believing we are not going to send her away. She is very protective, defensive and scared. But she is getting better. The kitten....well, she is a 9 week old kitten. They are all whacked at that age. Right now she is finding the thrill of jumping off the bed at a dead run while doing a triple half twisting backward flip while flying through the air. Talk about living life to the fullest!
I will keep the updates coming as to their improvements and antics.
Whatever you do, don't tell anyone that we are onto them. We think that more animals may be involved but are not sure yet. More updates when we get more.

2009-01-01T20:02:00.000-08:00

Okay ye ol blogger slugs!!! Me included. It has finally come the time to pull out the ol fingers and type.

The Holidays were great. Mostly because of being home.

There's no place like home and family.

The weeks before Christmas were full of cold and snow.

So much snow that the kids were out of school for almost a whole week! Yippee for them but testing on the Mom at home who is not only the daily containment director but is now the amusement and sudden situation director complete with hot mugs of cocoa and marshmallows that magically appear out of her fingertips. Thank you so much to her for maintaining the animals. Four legged and two legged. We got a beautiful tree, as you can see by the picture. Although I hadn't realized that the lights were not on when this was taken. We made our traditional sugar cookies for Santa and included a piece of cheese (as always) for Santa Mouse. A great children's book. If you haven't read it you should check it out.

Here are some pics from the festivities.

This guy kept wandering around the house playing the blues, Christmas style. We couldn't get him to stop. Astraea DS'ing it while a snake slithers nearby waiting for that precise moment to attack!

Sierra being sucked into LPS (Littlest Pet Shop) land. Note the rubber chicken crawling, or should we say "body surfing" across the carpet.

The table awaiting the ravenous munchers and the food. One serving of mashers happened to sneak in ahead of time.

The ravenous munchers.

This is my newest best friend. She goes with me to work everyday and keeps me from going insane!!! okay....more insane?

The year in pics ends with this beautiful Red tailed hawk that flew in the backyard to rest it's wings for a while. Sorry this photo is not the greatest. All in all it was a great end of the year. Much better than last year when we sprinted out the doors of the hospital at midnight just so we wouldn't be in the hospital at the start of the new year. Hello 2009....bring it on!!!!

2008-12-15T21:35:00.000-08:00

Okay.....one word.......

BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!

Could that be considered a word? Well, it is in my vocabulary. We are having ridiculous weather here. Highs are what you would normally call the lows. 27-30 f*&$#@ degrees!! School was closed yesterday and again tomorrow. Probably for the whole week.

Less than a week ago I was stepping ever so carefully as to not injure my sweet little purple crocus that were coming up in my yard. Well, so long crocus....now you are croaked! Har, har. And this isn't the end. We are suppose to be hit again on Wednesday with snow and freezing rain through Thursday, possibly Friday and then another storm front of snow on Saturday. And it is just going to continue through Christmas.

I do not like the cold!! Love the snow, so long as it stays around 75 degrees. What? It could happen. So tomorrow, I will be out in the freezing cold, throwing my body into the side of my truck trying to break the ice seal on the door, so that I can drive 2 miles per hour on ice, so I can go to work, so I can ask myself over and over...."why do I have to go to work? where did I go wrong? why am I not independently wealthy and can stay home with my kids on snow days?".

And I would love it!! I would bake cookies and make snow slushy's all day. I might even venture out into the frozen tundra, that is if I were properly bundled. Dreaming......

For now, I will brave the elements.....'cuz I gotta.

Tinkerbell Syndrome

2008-12-01T23:12:00.000-08:00

Last night I watched the new Tinkerbell movie. I wish they had that when I was little. It was really fun.

After watching the movie I decided I have the Tinkerbell Syndrome. You see, she didn't think she was an important fairy, because she was a tinker fairy. She thought she needed to be something else to be worthwhile. Like one of the fairies who made the wind blow or changed the seasons. It wasn't until she realized that none of the other fairies could do what they do without her tinkering talent. It was then she realized she was just as important as all the other fairies.

So, I think I have been spending too much time thinking I have to be one of the other fairies. When all I need is to be myself.

Here I am, forty six years old and it took Tinkerbell to turn on my light bulb.

Silly little fairy! He, he!

Sad Beaver

2008-11-30T00:35:00.000-08:00

So the Oregon Beavers lost the Civil War game.

Boo, hoo, hoo. Followed by intense sobbing. I really thought we would win. Oh well. Life does go on. Now this means that Thanksgiving is over...and next...YARGH!!!!! CHRISTMAS. Lord have mercy! So we got up about half of our lights today. Had to stop in order to watch the civil war. Beautiful weather, apparently perfect for flying ducks. Fast flying ducks. Gleeful fast flying ducks. Mean and evil, gleeful fast flying ducks. Okay, maybe I am not over this yet. These ducks were flying around eating every one's roses. Maybe they will get sick. Maybe the rose goddess will bestow the karma thorn on these devouring ducks. Oops, haven't moved past it yet have I. Maybe I had better sleep it off. Maybe I won't have bad dreams about evil ducks wanting to take away the sweet little beavers beautiful roses......night.

Hidden agenda of fear and guilt.

2008-11-23T13:37:00.000-08:00

How come organized religious groups feel the need to have everyone share in their guilt?

No one is off limits to them. As an example I read a couple of weeks ago about the Mormon church doing baptisms for the dead on Jewish Holocaust victims. Hello! Get a clue! Next thing you know they will have baptisms for the unborn. They will be grabbing all those pregnant teens and dunking them in the name of Joe Smith. Or should we go one step further and baptise all those sperm and eggs. Potential life ya know. So, all you religion groupies out there, go have your religion, believe in who or what you want, do your rituals, wear your sacred underwear, robes, hats, whatever but don't go selling your beliefs on other people. We all believe what we need. My feeling is most religions are a way for people not to accept personal responsibility of their own lives. "Just put it in the hands of God. I can walk away". Some, just don't have the inner gut's to question how they were raised. I have seen religion cause more problems than solve them.
As far as I remember, God didn't have a membership count. Just basically one rule....LOVE.

Also, on my mind this week, health insurance. It is that time of year when employers review or update or switch their carriers. As I was sitting in the "required" meeting listening to each representative talk about their coverage I began to think about the law of attraction. How positive attracts positive, negative attracts negative. Greatness was never achieved by focusing on failure. Happiness acquired by thinking negative thoughts. And health by dwelling on illness. I finally understood the topic of this meeting!

Let's all plan for hypothetical negatives!!

Let's think about getting cancer.

Think about getting sick.

Think about getting injured.

Think about dying.

Think about running out of money.

Maybe the reason bad things happen is because we all plan on them happening. As a matter of fact, we are so sure that bad things will come our way, we are willing to put money on it.

Place a bet on the fact that bad things will happen. Knowing we will end up spending less money if we buy this insurance because we know bad things will happen. Focusing on the negative. We are a society that functions on fear. Fear of the unknown. Waiting for fate to bring us what it will rather than creating our own futures. Fear is the most debilitating emotion that there is.

I have a better idea. Imagine your future, the way you want it to be. Imagine health, wealth, happiness. Anything you want. Imagine and live your life the way you want it to be, not the way you fear it is.

"Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions." -Albert Einstein

No Wet Toes

2008-11-12T22:46:00.000-08:00

So I have been in blog conundrum and thought..."animals", it's always easy to write about animals.
Or not. My brain is very tired.
So I will give you just a little snippet into the weirdness of Lacey.
Lacey came to our house a ferrel cat. For those of you who don't know what that means, she was born in the forest and was left to make it on her own. A wild kitten roaming the forests of time and space. A friend of ours, who was feeding these wild puddy tats, wrangled her and her brother to come live with us because she was moving and would not be there to feed them.
Anyway, that is a whole nutha story.
Lacey doesn't like water. As most cats don't.
But she takes it to the extreme.
Lacey stays mostly outside but we snag her in at night.
So tonight, it is raining. This is Oregon ya know.
Lacey needs a drink of water. Her bowl is on the back deck where the rain can fill it up. Once again, this is Oregon.
If this cat could walk like in those Tom and Jerry cartoons when Tom would sneak on the tips of his toes, Lacey would have done that.
So she ventures out, one foot from underneath the covered area to get her water.
Like she has to go nine miles carrying grain on her back or something.
Then she looks at me like I had something to do with the water that is hitting her.
I will admit, I am pretty powerful, but I didn't do the rain thing. At least not this time. Silly little puddy tat.

SMART GIRLS ROCK!!!

2008-11-08T19:49:00.000-08:00

Today my daughter and I went to a workshop at OSU called Discovering the Scientist Within.
It was a workshop to get girls excited about entering fields in science typically dominated by men.
We had a speaker, Dr. Janet Tate, a Professor of Physics who is researching thin films, transparent circuits, and super conductors. She was very interesting.
Then we were split into groups and went on various tours and did activities.
Our first tour was to the Dept. of Food Science and Technology where we made cheese!
YUM!! We made queso fresco, a very crumbly cheese. That was fun.
Our second tour was to the Dept. of Ag and Life Sciences where we made a DNA model and then isolated our own DNA from our cheek cells. That was super cool. You could actually see the DNA strands separating from the substrate. So now we both have mini vials with our DNA in them.
We could possibly use these in our next cloning project.
Wicked cool!
I wish more girls were not afraid to show how smart they truly are because they are worried they might be called a nerd. Better yet, I wish people would stop calling smart people nerds.
Because in my opinion, SMART GIRLS ROCK!!!!

Week end of the Boo end.

2008-11-02T22:39:00.000-08:00

Well, this wraps up the week end of the shivers, scares, laughs, and the "what the?'s".

I went for the emo look, but without the "proper" haircut, it didn't quite totally fly.

But I guess it was close enough.

No it was AWESOME! ~Astraea

Check it out.

What a pose! Yes, that is James Dean on my shirt. Gotta love it!

I got the true meaning of emo after trick-or-treating in 4 inch platform boots.

And I didn't even get one piece of candy!

No fair!!!!

So my fantasy life ends and my work week soon begins.

Of course, this isn't to say that work is my reality of choice.

I see it as more of my screen saver between the real action.

Ta Ta For Now.

I will seriously get better at these blogs...just wait.

10 Days One Way

2008-10-26T01:06:00.000-07:00

OBAMA

Wishing to connect.

2008-10-23T21:42:00.000-07:00

There are times...like tonight.

I think about my life.

All that I have been through.

The good, the bad.

Or is there a good and bad?

Or is it just what it is.

Like the yin and yang.

There cannot be light without dark, hate without love.

Not being able to lap up the ecstasy of color without the lack of it.

Or could there really just be good?

Maybe every once in a while the evil urchin would rear it's ugly head to remind us we are veering off track.

Sometimes I hate that evil urchin and yet sometimes

I want to "be" that evil urchin.

So tonight I realize that I am downloading some data that has been stuck somewhere in my head.

Must have been that stabbing pain I got in my head.

You know what I mean.

When it feels like someone has temporarily stuck a knife in your head and then magically it's gone?

So I check out all my fam's blogs.

And I feel somewhat connected to them.

But not.

I miss them.

And I wonder....do they miss me?

But how can you miss something you never really had.

Is it a desperate plea for something that is lost?

A need to feel loved?

Or just simply the desire that you make a difference in someones life.

That your existence matters.

After all, we all want to matter.

We all want to have an effect.

Make a difference.

Will I?

I will.

Peace Out

Let's talk about new skin...

2008-10-14T19:10:00.000-07:00

While I work, I listen to music, or talk radio, or just the voices in my head.

Unless they tell me to do evil things....then I crank up the music louder to drown them out.

This election year has brought out some scary creatures that I had no idea were out there.

I mean, I have pretty much figured out that there are some really close minded people out there, but now they are coming out of the woodwork and it frightens me.

So I came up with a grand scheme.

In one split second everyone in the world who harbors any negative feelings for a group of people, for example (whites, blacks, immigrants, Chinese, Japanese, tall, short, fat, thin, blond, brown,gay, straight, etc.etc.etc.)

I could go on and on and on with every label in the universe.

But I won't.

So, in that moment , everyone is switched to the issue that they have the most negative feelings about.

So, all those people out there who say

"I would never vote to have a black man as president",

will become black.

Anyone who resides in fear of another, or hatred of another, simply because of a label or from the actions of one or a few, will become that.

Nothing else will change.

Not where they live, their job, their family, their name.

Then will they realize that hate is ignorance.

Will they realize when one life is lost, we all lose.

Do we hold onto each other near the cliffs edge

or do we push each other off to make room for ourselves?

No Misery

2008-10-06T22:20:00.000-07:00

First Blog....One of my favorite sayings:

"Being miserable now so you can be happy later, makes about as much sense as throwing yourself overboard so you will feel good about being rescued."

Ponder on it...