Just wanted to show a quick update on the pond. If you look real close under the blue fish, you see a REAL fish! I put 3 tiny goldfish into the pond, and so far they have been very happy.
Plus, the addition of the giant stone crab! I love him, his name is Max.... and he's quite happy watching the fishies!!!
My best friend Matt (on the left), and Scott (on the right) just bought a house together!!!!
Major congratulations!!!
I'm so happy I could spit.... but at the same time kinda sad that Matt won't be moving back to N.J. to be closer to me..... oh well, still love him!!!! giggle
I wish my cat did that!!
Yes, I have to admit, I have a hankering for a Gnome!!!
But not just any Gnome....
HAY FROG QUEEN!!!! YOOOOO HOOOOO!!!!
How about you redo a Gnome for Halloween... and then send him to me???
PLEASE!!! PRETTY PLEASE WITH CANDY SPIDERS ON TOP! GIGGLE
With the health care package in voting, I've been hearing a lot about our government.
They regulated us smokers.. to keep others healthy
They regulated what fast food places could sell up..to keep us healthy
they are putting tax's on soda... to keep us healthy
And I could go on about other things, like the fact they are doing NOTHING about DRUNKS!!! Heaven forbid they should take a stand on booze!
But, that's not all they are regulating....
People wonder why I'm not ranting like everyone else about the loss of our freedoms.....I just don't see it.... you can still DO all that stuff, you just have to adapt to doing it differently.... right?
No problem, I'm good at adapting
But what you don't hear is the total control of your life..... yes total... the government did this to me!
My hubby died in 1995 while in employ of the Federal Government. They were good allowing me to collect and annuity (actually his pension, after 21 years with them, but they don't call it that... they call it a "death benefit"
It's keep me going all these years, and though not much, I've managed to survive with it.... for FIFTEEN YEARS!
But what most people don't know.... is that I, being a healthy adult female, would have loved to get in a relationship, and even marry again.... BUT I COULDN'T!!!
That's right, COULDN'T!!!
The federal government said that if I married again, before a certain age, I would LOSE that annuity!!! Yes, I know your shaking your head at that.... but they even sent out a letter every year, asking if you got married again... so they could stop paying me!!!!! And of course checking on it with government forms and such, like my tax's!!!!!
Now, 4 years ago I received a nice letter from them.... telling me I had reached a certain age, and I now have their PERMISSION to MARRY AGAIN!!!
After 15 freaking years!!!!! Who wants to get married again????
So when the government says they are taking away your freedom, and your choice in foods and such.... just remember me, and the fact they took away any chance of happiness I had..... and maybe you won't feel so bad?
I looked outside this morning and it was raining!
A week ago, this would have sent me into major depression!
But after spending a glorious week outside, cleaning, planting, digging, soaking up the sun, more digging, more cleaning...
All I can say is "thank you Goddess!"
Rain means no compulsion to go out and work some more.
My back is sore, my arms, my legs.... well, lets just say ALL of me is SORE!!!
I've got a mild sunburn, my inner solar batteries have been totally recharged... and because of the rain, I can stay inside, lounge around the house... and RECOVER!
Never thought I would say this.... BUT LOVE THE RAIN! GIGGLE
A SPELL TO GAIN ENERGY
Materials: A bright red or orange candle, a spicy incense, a glass of clear pure cold water, and a bowl of sea salt.
If is sunny out you may want to start the spell by going outside for
a few minutes and breathing in some fresh air.
Sit in front of the candle and say:
"Give me energy to happily complete the task I have been given to do.
I will feel better for having done it. The completion of the task will be my reward."
Sprinkle the sea salt around the candle and say,
"Give me strength, O sacred Earth."
Pass your hand near the candle and say
"Give me strength O sacred Fire."
Pass your hand through the smoke of the incense and say,
"Give me strength, O sacred Air."
Drink the water down and say
"Give me strength O sacred water."
Now immediately get up and go do your task.
SPELL FOR CLARITY OF THOUGHT AND MIND
Make or buy a small cotton draw-string bag about 1-2 inches deep.
Put in equal parts of each of the following: Rosemary Lavender Camomile Quartz
the Full Moon, put the bag together, then consecrate and charge it.
Inhale the scents when you feel stressed or overwhelmed.
These herbs will act to soothe you if you are feeling stressed or frazzled and will help you focus your mind to deal with the problem at hand.
MAGIC CHARM FOR INNTER STRENGTH
Empower an acorn with the following chant & carry it on your person during difficult times.
"Little seed with cap so fine, Grant your strength & make it mine.
Make me as sturdy as your tree. As I will, so mote it be!"
My mind is a strange thing... this is how it works... I went outside this morning to have my coffee... not planning on doing any gardening since I worked all week outside, today I was just going to rest.
Well, I was sitting, sipping my coffee, looking at my cauldron.... I noticed there was no lavender growing in front of the cauldron... to much shade I guess.... so I sat there and looked at it, and looked at it..... and then I got up!
Figuring there would be something in the shed I could find to put in that bare space to jazz it up a little. (cue dirge music!)
Once in the shed, I saw a white porcelain pot from my moms. It was odd shaped, so I kept it, long and oval and deep.... sort of like something you use as a foot bath or something... who knows what it was used for in the 40's!
Then I said to myself... in my mind of course, can't let the neighbors see me talking to myself, can I?
Bare spot in front of the cauldron, large pot... bare spot, large pot....POND!
Yepper... strange mind I have, don't you agree!!!
After spending hours, clearing off the gravel, digging deep down in the sandy soil, I had the proper hole for my pot.
And in it went!
Then I lugged rocks from all over the yard and made it pretty....
then, I thought to myself, I have an old indoor water fountain... Ohhhhhh pump and hose!!!!
Rummaged around the house to find the old fountain (of course hadn't used it in years so it was hidden in the back of a closet!!!
All I needed was something to "spout the water"..... change clothing, run to Lowes... bought pretty blue fishie!
An hour later, sitting at the same table, sipping my coffee (totally cold by now) and hearing the sweet sound of a fountain in my yard!
I'll probably still move rocks and stuff around for the next week or so, but I'm exhausted, my brain hurts, and I'm hungry... so I'll leave it be for now!
I mentioned I was on an allergy free testing diet before, but it's been over a month and I figured I would give an update
I started out eating only what I knew I wasn't allergic too, salad, celery, yogurt, and seafood... and that's it. And I've been eating only that for over 2 months!!!!
Each week I've added ONE thing to test it out... and so far I've found a severe allergy to avocados, garlic, spinach, rice, lemons, and oranges.
Now, that's added to my already diagnosed allergy's to Poultry, potatoes, eggs, and wheat of any kind.
I have to admit going weeks between testings, because I just love how I feel, and hate it when I add something and I get sick!!!!
To give you an idea, for breakfast I have a yogurt, and maybe some grapes... Lunch is usually a salad of greens, onions, and cheese, and dinner is some sort of fish, or shrimp.
And that's it!!!!
This week I made a soup from the water I used to boil some clams in, I added carrots, and celery, and shrimp and some more clams. Simple, more a broth then a soup, and I've been enjoying it totally!
Now as for weight, I have to tell you I don't have a scale, and I refuse to weigh myself.... this ISN'T a weight loss diet!
But, I have notice a BIG DIFFERENCE! Last week I had to go buy new underwear... they kept falling down inside my clothing as I was walking!!!! very annoying!!
And my bra's... now I wear a 44D or DD, and I have these "extenders" that I use. A strip of elastic about 6 inch's long with hooks on it... that make the bra bigger... I'm NO LONGER USING THEM! In fact, I'm hooking my bra on the tightest hooks, and may have to go out and buy smaller ones!!!!
Also, My "love" handles have almost disappeared. Giggle, like I told my son, I'm about 2 inch's away from having a waist!!!!!
But the biggest difference is how I feel! My energy is back, I no longer feel sleepy all day, stuffed up, and tired! Without all those foods bothering me I feel like a NEW WOMAN!
I still have more testing to do, and I try to add something every week, but I'm at the point now that I feel so good, I'm actually AFRAID to add anything... I rather just not eat it!
But, the doctor won't stand for that, so a testing I still will go!
Last summer I put my beach blanket away without washing it! Bad, lazy, me!
I went out to the shed to get some curtins, and found it.... when I picked it up... I almost swooned!!!
It smelled like, sun, sand, suntan lotion!!!! I just stood there with it wrapped around my face, inhaleing, smelling all the good smells!!! It was like being transported to the beach!!!
Well, I brought it inside to wash, but I think I'll put that off for a few days... and enjoy the summer smell it brings!!!!
Sigh! I'm having troubles with the wonderful wand I won from Mother Moon!
http://mothermoonsmessage.blogspot.com/
I think she loved the trip from her house to mine, because she's (yes it is a she, only a female could whine so much!) whining about being in the house all the time!!!
Seems to have been bitten by the travel bug by her first trip!
And I can't stand the whining, so I've promised her that she can travel with me!
I promise all my friends, to take many pictures of her travels!
Hopefully that will keep her happy!!!! We shall see.
Every one has their own sign that Spring is coming. Mine is the sound of the New Jersey Tree frogs!!!
Little know fact, in the 1950's movie "THEM" the sound the giant mutant ants made were sounds recorded of N.J. tree frogs!!!
And being a kid when I first saw that movie... IT FREAKS ME OUT TO HEAR THEM!!!!
But the first time the frogs sing, it means the end of winter.
So, even though I get chills, and imagine those Mutant Ants sneaking up on me.... I still stop, and hear them knowing spring is HERE.... then I shudder like crazy and run inside!!!
I gather all my spring stuff on my dinning room table. There is an ashtray for outside, and sitting in it is all my Marigold seeds (I plant them with my veggies to prevent buggies from getting to them!)
Copper solar lights (wal-mart $3 a lite!!!) Big basket of summer flowering bulbs... so many different types I can't name them all!!! But Big Lots had bags of assorted summer bulbs for $8 bucks each!!! Got 2 of them!
My tin crab.... so cute! In the background, smaller basket of seeds, veggie, and flowers. I love Cosmo seeds! The only seeds, besides marigolds, that I plant and forget... and they grow and grow and grow!
Hiding in back is my Froggie Watering Can that my girlfriend Barb go me for my birthday! And my pretty Hot Air Balloon humming bird feeder
So far that's all I've gathered together, but the pile will grow as I check out closets and the storage shed for more of my summer stuff!!!
Frog Queens magical pumpkin seeds, tomato plants, Strawberry's, and the plentiful Marigolds.
An Avocado plant (can't eat them, but good at growing them!) And the Dill seeds I started in a mason jar!
I love this south facing window, keeps me from spending a ton on grow lights. I started things early, and they all are growing good!
All I can say is ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!! I also should add, that this time it WASN'T SNOW!!!!
Rain, rain, rain, massive winds!!!!
Is this the 3rd or 4th Nor'easter we've had this winter??? I can't remember anymore!! It just NEVER STOPS!
This time, thanks to NO snow, I'm a little less stressed.
I only lost one flower pot, and my potting table. The table crashed down, and took the pot with it!
Some scattered lawn furniture, and an over turned swing, but that seems to be the most of the damage.
I'm so grateful it wasn't worse! Damn! I'm just grateful it wasn't SNOW THIS TIME!!!!!
OK Goddess, you've shown us your wrath! Let this summer and spring be warm and DRY!!!!
SPELL TO BREAK THE POWERS OF A SPELL
You Need: black candle, water and a black bowl
Place the candle into the black bowl, fix the candle to the bowl using the wax
drippings from the candle so that it stands alone.
Fill the bowl to the rim with fresh water, without wetting the wick.
Breathe deeply and meditate for a few minutes.
When your mind is clear, light the candle.
Visualize the power the spell cast against you as living within the candles flame.
As the candle burns down, it will sputter and go out as it touches the water.
As it is extinguished by the water, the spell is broken.
Finally, dig a hole into the ground, pour the water into it, then bury the candle
SPELL TO UNDO A SPELL
Time: After Midnight any night, waning moon
Incense: benzoin Herb: angelica
Anoint candles with rosemary oil use white candles as many as you like.
You Need: one bead from a necklace you own (preferably a pearl-faux or not)
A small patch of black cloth, some string for tying.
Incantation:
"I cast a spell asking , I now ask the favor of having the spell removed.
I understand to take back a spell means giving up something of my own to show my spirit is true and my intentions are good, I give this pearl/bead from a necklace I own.
I transfer the spell into the and render the spell dormant.
No harm may come from the cancellation of this spell.
No further power shall it have. This is my will -so be it."
Place the pearl/bead in the black cloth - add your angelica herbs -
tie up tightly in the string until you have wrapped the pearl/bead entirely in the cloth.
Dribble a bit of wax from the candles on your final knot you tie and
Then throw the small package away far from your home. Close circle and give thanks.
SPELL FOR BREAKING TIES/BANISHING A PERSON FROM YOUR LIFE
This is a spell for love gone wrong, for ending a personal, family or business relationship that you no longer wish to be in.
It is a fire spell. To work it, gather herbs of protection and an image of the person (photograph, poppet, etc.) -Something written in their own
hand, a lock of hair, a piece of clothing or a personal object will also do.
Put everything into a fireproof container - iron cauldron, marble mortar, whatever -
and set fire to it as you perform the spell. It should make a very satisfactory blaze that reduces to ashes.
The ashes can be buried or washed down a drain. Flush them down a toilet if you are very angry.
Dispose of all the objects that connect you to the person: gifts, letters, photographs, etc.
It is especially important to get rid of jewelry. Move house if you have to. Be careful with this spell, It's permanent, so don't use it unless you really mean forever. It's also powerful.
"by basilisk and bloodstone
by the garlic in the fields
by the poppies and what they yield
invisibly I make my shield
to detect thee and deflect thee
By dragon's blood and salamanders
by horses when their hooves strike sparks
by the dragon breathing flames from the Book of Life
I erase thy names
I cut the cords and unlock the chains
I sever all the ties by which we were bound
and with impenetrable walls myself I surround
against thy power and its source
against thy evil and its source
Vesta, Pele, Lilith Kali Kali Kali
I banish thee forever from me
and any harm from thee to me
doubles back and tables turned
thou shalt by thyself be burned
Lilith, Vesta, Pele Kali Ma Kali Ma
by the power of three times three I banish thee,
I banish thee, I banish thee I am set free So mote it be! "
SPELL TO HONOR YOUR HOUSEHOLD SPIRITS
When presenting your house spirits with offerings of incense,
candles or what not, you can say this little chant:
"Wraith of the house, Take heart and live,
To every chamber This light I give,
To every corner This breath I send
Approve and favor my willing hand."
A MAGIC HOME BLESSING
Pentagram, compass, Rosemary, Lavender, and a bag
Glue the Pentagram to the compass, "Spirit" point north. Place everything into bag, and bury in center of building or middle of door. (most people don't have dirt floors.. giggle... so pin it above the center door, or in a piece of furniture that centrally located) Pentagram pointing north.
Cast a circle, Chant the spell.
Goddess and God bless this house, Keep it free from bug or mouse.
For good or bad, dark or light, Those unwelcome will feel thy might.
Protect me as I do thy will, here you are master for good or ill
Goddess and God hear my prayer So Mote it Be!
Concentrate on the Spell until you feel the power flowing, Then break the circle and finish.
MAGIC HOUSE BLESSING
Find the center point of the house. If there is more than one level, then use the stairs as the center.
Take a cup of red wine and take a sip at each turn.
Drain the cup at the end.
Face the East saying:
Lady of Love and power and all blessings, breathe Love into this house. Fill the air with good. Through you and in you, I bless this house.
Face the South saying:
Lady of Love and living and all blessings, warm this house with comfort. Make whole its hearth.
Through you and in you, I bless this house.
Face the West saying:
Lady of tide and time and all blessings, let every hour flow sweetly in this house. Make pure its tides.
Through you and in you, I bless this house.
Face the North saying:
Lady of earth and stability and all blessings, plant security within this boundary. Make strong its defences.
Through you and in you, I bless this house.
Turn to all four points twice more and repeat each time: You are blessed
The last week here has been wonderful!
It's been warm, and for the most part SUNNY!!!
I was able to do a lot of clean up outside.
My lavender around the cauldron seems to attract all the leaves in the neighborhood! So I made sure to take special care and remove the leaves for the spring! There a quite a few bulbs planted within the lavender, and leaving the leaves there would cause them to bloom late!
So with the help of a garbage can, I cleaned up all the garbage. Took almost an hours to clear that one patch, but I was sitting in the sun, clearing leaves and hummmmming! LOVE THE SUN! (also keep a keen eye out for spiders and lizards... but didn't see even one! Lucky me!!!!!)
I also opened my storage bench, and took out the large bucket of cow doo, and gave every plant, and planter a jolt of good old fashioned dung! I'm sure they will appreciate it!
I also hooked up the hose, took the winter snood off of the faucet, and got it all hooked up to start watering.
I didn't get to the front of the house, yet, but I did take time to "fluff" up the much over the bulb beds, to make it easier for the tulips and daff's to come up!
Next nice day (according to the weather report, may be a week away... due to rain) I'll get the front yard fixed up.
Tomorrow I go and pick the boy up at school for his Easter break, so I have a few things lined up for him to do! Poor kid!!! GIGGLE
My lower back, upper back, in between back, arms, legs, neck, and everywhere in between... HURT!!!!
But, I have a HUGE smile on my face!
And I'm going to do it all again today!!!
Warm weather, sun, and my garden.... make pain a JOY!!!!
WELCOME SPRING!!!! GIGGLE
I couldn't wait!!!
I dragged the patio set out of the car, piece by piece, and put it together. Only the table needed to be put together, the chairs were folding chairs.... so it was mondo easy!!!! I sat for a while, and enjoyed it, but the wind is still to wild to sit out for long!! And, while it came with an umbrella (not shown) it didn't come with the umbrella stand, so I'm going to have to buy one. Not a biggie, most stores carry them!
Moved the swing to the other end of the patio. Still need my son to move one large Blueberry plant away from the swing, but he comes home in 5 days... boy am I going to put him to work!!!
Put the cat's sling back chair, back in the window. Can't use it in the winter cause the window stays open a tiny bit. He was VERY HAPPY to see it back in the window, and lounged around watching me put up the patio set! Please! Don't mention the bulge of cat hanging over the seat.... he's very sensitive about his weight! :)
Love my Zebra Grass!!! It's so beautiful in the summer, and the dried leaves and fronds blow in the breeze all winter long!
But, HATE cutting down the dead growth in the late winter, or in this case, early spring.
It should be considered a "BLOOD SPORT", Cause I'm bleeding from over a dozen cuts all over my hands!!!!
But, cut down 2 of them.... and after my hands stop bleeding, and warm up a bit, I'll tackled the largest and last of them!
It will be well worth it in the summer!!!!
It's my BIRTHDAY! And you all may think I'm grouchy cause I'm aging... but I couldn't give a flying fig about that.
This is my cake? Nope, even when I could eat cakes, NEVER GOT ONE!
The last Birthday party I got was when I was 8 years old! My older sister kept having them, and even had a "sweet Sixteen" Party.... but not me.
Everyone seemed to forget about me, I was the quiet one, the one who never complained.
As I grew older, my Mother OFTEN forgot my birthday all together.
And my Hubby....well, he didn't believe in birthdays (except of course his own!!) Never took the kids shopping to get something for Mom, never got me a gift, or made a cake, or had a party!!!!!
So another birthday has come.... and while I may get "happy birthdays" on my facebook, and a few people may send me E-Cards, or even call.... But, that will be it!
Years ago my girlfriend had a surprise party for me... the most wonderful memory I have!
I have given a ton of party's for others, but this was the first one for me.... and I guess the memory will have to last me forever!
So I'm grumpy....
I've been going around the house, checking all my gardening stuff, getting ready.
I picked some wonderful Coleus bulbs at Lowes. Got a bag of mixed, so they should make a nice planter.
Found all my Marigold seeds, and money plant seeds that I had stashed in jars all over the house.
My tomato's are coming up in the window, ditto for the pumpkins and dill. I also picked up a super cute Blue glazed strawberry jar.. complete with strawberry plants... and that is also starting in the window.
Thank the Goddess for things to do, and get ready... since this horrible winter has given me such a bad case of Cabin Fever!!! I can feel the fever retreating as I look around and start planing my garden!!!
Once Matt is home next week, I'll have him put up the patio set, and help me move stuff around the patio. I have to move the swing and the fire place.. but need help with that.
Also he will have to help me put the Figs and palm trees outside, since the planters are way to big for me to carry.
As for the rest, like the blueberry's, lavender, sage, and gooseberry's... they will stay were they are... they are happy, and I don't want to move them!
Need something for the Cauldron, don't know what yet.... and this year I'm planting Geraniums again... but a bunch of different colors.. Not just the red!
Also got a Sheppard's hook to hand something pretty from... and since the canopy on the swing ripped.... I'll leave the bars, that held the canopy, up and hang plants from it... so I need a lot of hanging baskets!
