December Pagan Circle - Page 3

[RavenFriend]

[QUOTE=Maiasaura;14745061]. We're truly meant for one another
I'm already plotting my next trip there-- can y'all believe my mom actually agreed to take DS for 5 days?!?? By herself?? He's nearly 9 and she's never done that. I'm truly amazed.



{{Maia!!}} I know, I got so behind I missed all of November! I am SOO happy for you dear. You have been on my mind and heart alot even tho I've seemed absent from the Circle here. I really need to PM you, we have some cool events in our lives common!

A little funny.. I was looking for the December Circle, and somehow ended up on the '06 one without realizing it. I saw over THIRTY PAGES and thought, omgs, in TWO days??? Y'know, we talk so much here that for a moment I thought it was actually possible

So now I am here, and determined to keep up, you mamas are so uplifting to me; I'm so grateful this group is here. Even when I don't seem present, you are all present to me, at my altar and my heart.

and ,

~Raven, loving mama to 6, the oldest of which just turned 18!.. (I'm the mother of an "adult??")

[Teenytoona]

Hi there! I'm going to try and keep up this month! Don't I say that every month? I do end up lurking all month long and think that I've got to dive in here somehow!!

Weather update (because I love those) in the forties and cloudy/rainy. Probably a tad warm for this time of year, but also, fairly usualish because we have such a fluctuating climate. I kind of like it though, I lived in Vegas for so long that I still love my grey days.

I'm enjoying your decorating ideas, I have to live vicariously through others' decorating plans right now. I'm not decorating the house since DH will not nor will he let the DSC celebrate holidays. So I don't want to rub it in their faces.

Semper Gumby, I guess I'd describe myself as a Choose Your Own Adventure Pagan. LOL, I guess UU - Pagan also fits. My beliefs are that God/desses are human understandings/interpretations of the Divine and that there can be truth found in most mythological stories. I also seem to be more naturally drawn to Solstices/Equinoxes than the cross-quarter days. Right now, though, I'm not much of a practicer, things are a little rocky since DH converter to JW. I also have a little kitchen witchness to me, but I aspire to be one more than I am.

Maia, so glad to hear you had such a great time!

[saphire]

Originally Posted by RavenFriend

you mamas are so uplifting to me; I'm so grateful this group is here. Even when I don't seem present, you are all present to me, at my altar and my heart.

Well put- this is how I feel too- all throughout my day I think of all of you and what you're doing

I didn't say HI and Welcome to Baby Wren yet!

Aubergine- congrats on the new car! I've been separated from dh because of work before, and while it does suck, there is an end. Thanks to you and Clay I think a car protection charm is indeed in order.

Welcome Semper Gumpy!

Cari- Hope the doc helps!

Singin- Soooo glad you've got a working 'puter again.

I liked Teeny's Choose Your Own Adventure Path description, lol. I think that's were I fit in best too, atm. And I really like learning about energy therapy.

Clay- Your felted Solstice calendar is so great I can't even come up with the right word to describe it. ( and if you decided to sell next year, I think they'd go like hotcakes. better start hoarding wool and get going now )

My dh is home with the sickies today. He's not too bad off so I'm happy to get to spend more time home as a family today!!

[redveg]

Originally Posted by wombatclay

cranberries- as long as they're not damp, cranberries can lasy almost forever. If you know things will be humid/damp then dry the berries (prick with pin, put on pan, stick in oven) first and they'll last a long while. Eventually they may get moldy though, especially fresh berries in a humid spot. Maybe a couple weeks?

Solstice calendar- DONE!!!!!!!!!!! It's Mother Holle holding the sun (one pine tree for each kiddo). Each night you "open" another ray until the sun is reborn. Not bad for my first attempt at needle felting!

Clay, wow!!! You are so talented. Just beautiful!

[redveg]

Well, afternoon mamas. I checked in on you all this morning, but was so tired I just couldn't get on this machine. Cari, hope you feel better.

I am getting my Yule cards together, putting my final touches on them. Boy I wish I was crafty I can did in the dirt, grow a mean veggie/herb/flower garden, but I am lost when it comes to arts and crafts.

[wombatclay]

Awwwwww... you all are healing a decades old hurt. Long long ago I gave my mom a knit scarf for the holidays, one of the first thing I had knit (I was 22-ish). And she ooooohed and aaaahhhed the way a parent does, and then said "You know, I've never thought of you as crafty. I always wondered why you didn't inherit my artistic genes." Since then I've learned all sorts of crafty and artistic things but I still have a really hard time accepting that I might be doing them well

So thank you thank you thank you!

[mary3mama]

Originally Posted by Maiasaura

I'm already plotting my next trip there-- can y'all believe my mom actually agreed to take DS for 5 days?!?? By herself?? He's nearly 9 and she's never done that. I'm truly amazed.

I am so thrilled for you! You have NO idea how many times I've thought of you over the last week and just smiled so big knowing that it all finally came together for you.

Oh, and none of my children's grandparents have even ever cared for any of them even overnight. We haven't had a babysitter/grandparent since Theo was about 9 months old...and he's 6 years old now. Sheesh.

Originally Posted by wombatclay

Awwwwww... you all are healing a decades old hurt. Long long ago I gave my mom a knit scarf for the holidays, one of the first thing I had knit (I was 22-ish). And she ooooohed and aaaahhhed the way a parent does, and then said "You know, I've never thought of you as crafty. I always wondered why you didn't inherit my artistic genes." Since then I've learned all sorts of crafty and artistic things but I still have a really hard time accepting that I might be doing them well

So thank you thank you thank you!

Oh, Clay! How horribibiblleee (that's how we say it in our family...) You are so talented and so crafty and, well, just awesome.

~~~~~~
On a different note, I hate it when I don't get a message that there are more posts here and then when I do remember that it's been like, a day, I come here and freak because I'm so far behind. Ack!

Anyway, is there an older posts about the 'treasure maps' that several have mentioned? I have a 'wild hare' kind of idea floating around in my (up knitting too late every night sleep deprived) brain and think this would be just the thing for me.

[CariOfOz]

Didn't get a chance to read up, hope all is well with everyone? On a whim today I rang a NICE salon (not super high end, but better than price cutters type places) and made an appt to get my hair cut and had my nails done. DH's aunt, who's up visiting from Melbourne, gave me a little $ for christmas to do something nice for myself...so I did No dreads yet (due to the falling out hair issue they would die a slow ugly death) but I got a nice shape up with long layers and she razor cut my fringe (bangs) and whispies around my face Also bought two new bras... boy do I know how to splurge?

[DaughterOfKali]

Cari- A new bra would be one of my first splurges, too. I'm in dire need of one. My one and only one is completely stretched out and is leaving the girls hangin'.
I think I need something heavy duty this time (like from Nordstrom).
Hey, I hope you'll post a pic of your hair on fb.

[Aeress]

Cari hehe, i splurged a few weeks ago- nice soft cotton bra. it is my only good one though...shouldi have put that on my xmas list?

Today we have art class and the girls are making gifts.
Yesterday, we visited a friend who has chickens and we had a grand time. DH mentioned that is so proud of me for getting over my "fear" of chickens. hehe

We started discussing how different religions celebrate special times of the year- we read a story from France about Saint Nicholas- it was about three children who were cut up by the local butcher and put in salt to brine and how Saint Nicholas banished the man for being so brutal. The girls didn't find it upsetting...they wondered why you would brine something. We are making Saint Nicholas rolls on Sunday. Yummy!

Next we will begin out solstice and Odin study. Good stuff!

[DaughterOfKali]

Originally Posted by Aeress

We started discussing how different religions celebrate special times of the year- we read a story from France about Saint Nicholas- it was about three children who were cut up by the local butcher and put in salt to brine and how Saint Nicholas banished the man for being so brutal. The girls didn't find it upsetting...they wondered why you would brine something. We are making Saint Nicholas rolls on Sunday. Yummy!

I like the idea of talking about how different religions/cultures celebrate this time of year. I should check the Calendar of Festivals and Fireside Stories to see if there are more stories in there.
Edited to add: Doh! I just realized that I don't have those books in stock. Argh.

[mary3mama]

Cari -- simple self-splurges are good for the (mama's) soul. I need to buy a few bras too, but I hate them so much it is really hard to spend the $$. I hate the way bras feel (all of them...I have tried many different types/styles/brands) and I hate that they represent, to me, something unnatural and repressive. But I don't particularly like the way my saggy pair, um, sag, without one.

I keep telling myself to buy a few inexpensive, cotton ones to celebrate the fact that I don't need nursing bras anymore nor ever again. Nursing bras are certainly expensive and I've made several of mine last through 3 nursing babies...and they look it. Yikes! I finally gave myself permission to toss 2 of them this week when cleaning out my closet. They barely even looked like bras anymore.

Karen -- we're reading Children of Odin as part of eldest child's homeschooling year. I've always loved greek/roman mythology so it has been fun to learn those of a different culture.

Still working hard and fast as I can on a wardrobe for my youngest child's birthday doll. I have 9 days left...off to knit some more. (Made adorable underpants, white with pink trim, last night. Too Cute!)

[Aeress]

I knit with a great group of women, who all have children my age, and of the 6 of them, most of them don't wear bras. It was rather refreshing to hear that you don't have to wear one. And I would have never guess if they hadn't told me. I feel so comfortable with these women, they are so varied in their experiences.

DOK- A friend had the Calendar of Festivals but wasn't using it, so she gave it to me. We are also using the Blessings book, among my vast resource library. Both books have been very helpful.

[redveg]

Originally Posted by Aeress

Next we will begin out solstice and Odin study. Good stuff!

Odin, I have a photo on my alter of Odin. I also have a tat of tree of life with Odin spelled out in the roots. Love Odin!

Originally Posted by mary3mama

Cari -- simple self-splurges are good for the (mama's) soul. I need to buy a few bras too, but I hate them so much it is really hard to spend the $$. I hate the way bras feel (all of them...I have tried many different types/styles/brands) and I hate that they represent, to me, something unnatural and repressive. But I don't particularly like the way my saggy pair, um, sag, without one.

I just tuck mine in my pockets when not wearing a bra. I have to special order bras To be free, just wear one of those tiny shirts in the summer/no bra that would be wonderful.

[redveg]

Well morning mamas.

Caught up on a bit of sleep, but still need more. Rain here today, but warm in the 60's. I am feeling so lazy lately. I just want to chill, but my house looks like a junk yard and DH is getting cranky about it, so I guess I will get up and do something.

I hope you all have a great day.

[Autumn Breeze]

all this bra talk! I did recently buy 3 new bras (like over the course of the last 4 months) two of them are great, one is so/so having D's in demi cups just doesn't work!!! And I couldn't survive w/o some kind of bra!!! If I'm not wearing a typical one, I have on a cami tank top. It's just that I can't stand the skin touching lol So I think new bras are a fantastic splurge!!!

Today I need to keep cleaning up so we can pull our tree out!!

[Aubergine68]

Not a lot of time this morning, but here is the last big treasure map thread. As I understand it, you can start one at any time, but to get the full momentum of the energy of the year, the Aries new moon is best.

[SunshineJ]

Thanks for the link - I've been wondering about the treasure maps too, and just haven't had the time to look into it.

Still working like a madwoman to get things done, or at least I *need* to be. DH would like me to have everything finished by Mother's Night from the Norse tradition, and I believe that is December 19th or 20th, so I need to scramble! But, well, he came down sick and wow it's hard to resist cuddling on the couch with him while he's watching CSI. Not many shows I watch ever, but that's on my list! For the D&D gamers, the character of Gil Grissom is a factotum if I've ever seen one! I did go out and get DH a little nature's powerhouse combo of echnicea (sp?) and goldenseal and he's already much better by today. DS is working hard on getting his annual bronchitis. I can hear it. It's on it's way, but it's not here yet... I'd love to keep him in for recess as the cold air will only make it worse, but you know, as a parent I'm not smart enough or responsible enough to know the health and patterns of the child I've raised for 7 yrs, so I have to have a dr's note for him to stay in. Sorry, I'm more than a bit pissed about that, but on the flip side I can say that's my only complaint about their school. We don't run to the dr for much of anything, in the worst case he has a nebulizer and meds, but once this hits I have to waste our time and the dr's time and the money and go through the hassle to get a note saying, yeah, he's not contagious but his system is weakened and cold air is not healthy. I started him on the same combo DH is on, so hopefully that will head it off! I just need to find a dr to write a note saying he's to be kept in at my discretion.

Wow! Sorry about that! That's been building up for a few months as you can imagine!

I did manage to get out yesterday and spend about $25 I probably didn't need to. We now have fresh cut boughs of pine decorating the house, with plenty left in a bucket of water in the cool garage (they should store there quite well if I need to replace any before Yule and Christmas). The house smells simply DIVINE! No one has holly in stock yet, but soon.

I asked some time ago about the OBOD. I love their site and would love to go through their training, but after currency conversion it's around $350. Also known as "no way I can come up with or remotely justify *that* expense at this time!!". However, I've also looked into the AODA and read their first year's book, and I do think I'm going to apply for that organization. Of course the price makes it more attractive, but I find that while I like and thrive on doing my own thing, I tend to crave *some* level of organization I can relate with and go to.

Ok, now I'm stalling. Have a fantastic day everyone! It's around 30 degrees and finally SNOWING!!! WhooHOO!!!!

[mary3mama]

Originally Posted by Aubergine68

Not a lot of time this morning, but here is the last big treasure map thread. As I understand it, you can start one at any time, but to get the full momentum of the energy of the year, the Aries new moon is best.

Thanks!

As for bras, I forgot that pre-last-baby I used to wear a tank top under my shirt and that worked great. I don't mind nipples poking out so much when the breasts are perky...but mine, well, to be frank they point towards the ground. The tank top helps that alot. I just hate the feel of a bra and I hate spending money on something I hate. I'm the same way about shoes. I hate them and only wear them because I have to and hate spending money on them. I get a good pair of birkenstocks and I am set for several years. (I do have snow boots, crocs and basic sneakers as well...but wear my birks if time/circumstances allow year-round.)

Snow is in the forecast for us on Saturday. Ground is too warm for even a bit of accumulation, but it will be beautiful to see.

[BurtsGirl]

Hi everyone. It's been almost a year since I posted to this thread but I'm making a come back. (see re-introduction here). I see some familiar "faces" and it's so good to see you guys are all doing so well. I'm going to attempt to keep up with this thread again but we'll see how that goes. I assume nothing has changed and this thread flies!