April Pagan circle... come join the fun! - Page 3

[LionessMom]

Originally Posted by mamaofthree

i have a question... it is a bit embarrassing for me. money is very very tight here. i am constantly worrying about it. we make too much for assistance (like food stamps) but we could apply for WIC. it would help alot with our food bills. would you do it? we make less then a family of 6 is suppose to make and qualify for WIC. what do you think?

h

i am wic right now and have been for awhile. we are low-income but trying to work our way up. lol. I find wic to be a great resource. the checks have changed and you can get some fruits and veggies, bread, and even baby food. i really like the checks and never get harrassed by the staff for anything. it is different at diffferent offices though. but for me it is worth it. i get a little embarassed sometimes when using them. they recently changed the checks and finding the exact right stuff on there has been a little confusing. they give us whole grain bread, 1lb loaf, in certain brands. only 1 loaf in the store matches that. the rest are too big......

[mamaofthree]

thanks for input everyone. i looked up what maine wic offers. one thing i noticed was they give alot of juice. we do not drink any juice at all. the kids have such teeth issues that the dentist just said no way to the juice. i also found it weird that don't let you buy potatoes (white one) which are better then apple juice. lol you can get organic on fruit and veg and they only do natural peanut butter. they had a list of what they cover at each store, so that is good. we also don't do boxed cereal. i think they cover oatmeal which is good. i wish you could get flour instead of cereal. lol

ok enough of that... we are off to the beach today! woopeee! it is lovely here today. so excited!

h

[wombatclay]

We did WIC when dd1 was tiny and it was a huge help. In NY at that time you had to get everything that was listed on your check (all or nothing) so we had things we didn't normally eat and we did have to get a little creative (for example, we added the baby cereal to flour for making pancakes/bread, used frozen juice concentrate to sweeten baked goods and make yogurt smoothies). It also made shopping difficult at times since I had to find all the items in the right size and if a store was out of a size I had to leave everything and go somewhere else. They allowed some customization, but not a lot. There were mandatory weight/height/lead checks (though I could supply them with weight/height/lead results from our ped if the testing was recent) at certain monthly meetings. But they were very pro-breastfeeding (I had the breastfeeding package till dd1 turned 1), the food options were good, and you could use some of the coupons at the farmer's market. But a lot depends on your state and the office in your county. I wish we could get WIC again actually since it would really help.

Oh, for people who don't qualify, check out Angel Food. The quality varies, but the price is good, they've improved a lot, and the fruit/veggie box is usually decent. And there is no income restriction.

Autumn- that's quite a list! Almost a chant. Good luck picking.... maybe try dowsing with a pendulum or throwing I Ching/die/markers?

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by mamaofthree

i have a question... it is a bit embarrassing for me. money is very very tight here. i am constantly worrying about it. we make too much for assistance (like food stamps) but we could apply for WIC. it would help alot with our food bills. would you do it? we make less then a family of 6 is suppose to make and qualify for WIC. what do you think?

In a NY minute I wish I could get assistance with food.

Originally Posted by Aubergine68

That is a LONG trip, Maia!

For the trip home, we have another book-on-CD of Neil Gaiman's Odd and the Frost Giants
. Really looking forward to that one.

It's long, but we're used to road-tripping. Me lurve Neil Gaiman

Originally Posted by LionessMom

they give us whole grain bread, 1lb loaf, in certain brands. only 1 loaf in the store matches that. the rest are too big......

Bread freezes really well

M took his dd to Boston today for her 30th b'day, which is tomorrow. He still took the time to call me twice just to say hi

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by wombatclay

Oh, for people who don't qualify, check out Angel Food. The quality varies, but the price is good, they've improved a lot, and the fruit/veggie box is usually decent. And there is no income restriction.

Here, they only have giant boxes of things like chicken-fried steak-- which, I still haven't figured out exactly what that is, but I know it's something I wouldn't eat if I were starving. You get a huge box of nearly all meat, which would be fine with me if it were just meat, but they play with it and make things like chicken fried steak out of it. I don't think they give veggie boxes at all, here, with Angel Food. But the local community garden, along with Manna Food Bank, in the town where ds's martial arts is, gives away fresh veggies and loaves of bread every once a month, and you don't have to tell them anything except how many people in your family. It's so helpful! Really has cut our grocery budget in a huge way.
Also, some great news-- we've really cut out buying anything extra at *all*, and last month was the first month in AGES that my income exceeded my expenditures

[wombatclay]

Congrats on the budget balance! Sweet!

Hmmmm.... I know they've changed a lot in the past year so maybe check again? This month our Angel Food order will be the "chicken only" box (the one with "10 lbs of nekkid chicken", meaning no gluten contaminated sauces or flavorings... they offer a 5lb allergen free meat box but it's all breaded with a rice flour and not worth the per pound cost) and the fruit/veg box... this month we'll be getting whole pineapples, pears, lemons, oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, apples, carrots, potatoes, cabbage, and onions. Now, it's not local and it's not organic, which makes it totally out for some. But for our budget at the moment it's worthwhile.

Plus the closest pick up site runs a (restricted access) food pantry the day before and any leftovers are offered to angel food families... last month they actually had a lot of nice veggies and other "gluten free by default" items.

[mamaofthree]

clay: THANKS! there is an angel food thing just up the road from us. i can put in my order and get it in a couple weeks.
i am going to look more into the WIC stuff. i like the idea of using the juice as to sweeten things. ds#4 is pretty big, almost 3. i am still breastfeeding, but i don't think it will count, do you? anyway. so much to think about. i honestly never thought things would get to this point. i am just worn out from worrying about money all the time. dh will be starting school again this summer (for his PhD in adult education) and so he won't be working any more then he already is, maybe less on-line stuff, although i did ask him to at least teach one class on line a semester. and i make myself available at least twice a week for work, but sometimes they don't use me at all. UGH! anyway, it would be nice to know we have some food coming in and that stress would be relieved.

The beach was wonderful. i think i sunburned my face. lol and we came home to dh's on-line check in the mailbox. which was a nice surprise. ok off down load pix.

h

[wombatclay]

mamaofthree- glad I could help. However, do price things out if you can... some months the AF price if essentially the same as the price I can get at the local stores and since I'd always rather buy local (or "more local") and select my own produce I don't order the AF boxes that month. And then other months there is simply no way I could match the amount/types of produce for the price.

And check the price after removing any items (mentally) that you know you wont eat (we donate anything with gluten in it)... sometimes once I remove those items, the price isn't worth it.

But it's a nice safety net, and often the distribution points will have other help for families.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
So, I posted about this in the TM thread, but I want you all to chime in too! A year or so ago I was really interested in the whole weaving a life/earth loom project. Basically a program that combines weaving with spirituality and art therapy. They offer a training program but it's not cheap, it takes a year, and while you're generally going to be certified at the end of it all there is really no promise (especially in this financial climate) that there will be any income opportunity. So I passed on the offer.

Well, totally out of the blue the whole training program thing has landed in my lap again. The same constraints apply.... it's expensive, it's long, there is no promise of income. But it seems odd that the universe has pushed this back towards me.

I enjoy weaving and find it personally fulfilling and spiritual. For me it's a very pagan activity that connects me to something greater. I can see being a certified art therapy/spiritual weaving guide as something I could do while still raising three small children, and something that could move with us wherever we went. I am a doula but haven't attended births in several years (too hard for me with the kiddos) and this might fill some of the hole left by giving up that sort of nurturing... and fill some of the hole left by giving up the instruction portion of my library career.

So it's something I can see myself doing, and something I think I'd enjoy.... but I can also see it being a big drain on already tight finances with no promise of a positive payoff (other than learning/doing for the sake of learning/doing, which is a wonderful thing but not really affordable at the moment). I'm thinking I'll put something about it on my TM but I just wonder... is this something that is showing up now, at the end of 2009, to be kind of put aside once and for all? Or something that just really wanted to make sure it was "heard" before the shift into 2010 energies?

One way or the other, I'm really thinking of putting up an earth loom this year, though I'm not sure where. A big part of the project is it's "public"/shared nature and I'm not sure how to get that out. Hmmm. Nope. Actually, as soon as I wrote that I realized two, possibly three, perfect places locally. Wow. This is almost creepy.

[unschoolinmom]

Yay for April. It is a special month for us here.

momofthree: we never got WIC...however we did and still do receive food stamps. It is very helpful and luckily lots of places take it, including Trader Joe's!

April 10th my little ds turns 5 *sniffs* and April 30th is dh's and my anniversary.

I used my homemade laundry detergent powder today and I could just swim in the fresh scent and softness of the clothing!

And I finally, crashed. After little sleep, my body finally caught up to me and I crashed for five hours in a dead sleep that no one could wake me up from. Dh even dumped a pile of clothes on me (he didn't realize I was still in the bed) and I don't remember it.

So I am once again refreshed.

[ShadowMoon]

Happy April everyone!

It was warm, sunny and just beautiful today. I think this area could use several of these to dry out.

I can't believe it's almost TM time Where do the days go?

Off to put DS to bed....I love that he tells me when he's ready. Goodnight!

[aweynsayl]

is it a good thing or a bad thing if the owner of the bead store recognizes you when you run into him at the grocery store?

clay, did you read that article i posted? it talks about this full moon phase being a "new moon" phase for the coming new moon. i'm dealing with a lot of new stuff coming up, so i've been sitting under my rock, musing on that... i've not decided yet what i'll do about it come TM, but i'm hoping that if i clear my cortices, i'll be able to "see" my way clearly.

[mamaofthree]

clay: if i may ask, how expensive is expensive? and can you get a scholarship, or loans? i am sort of weird about "signs"... i think if maybe it is falling into your lap again, maybe you should take another look.
oh and thanks for the tip, i will check out what i can get in the shops cheaper. i might get chicken cheaper locally, but local produce is so expensive here. crazy.

unschoolin': so recipe for the soap would be nice. lol

h

[DaughterOfKali]

Hope everyone has a nice Sunday!

[unschoolinmom]

Originally Posted by mamaofthree

unschoolin': so recipe for the soap would be nice. lol

h

1 cup grated laundry soap bar, I use Fels Naptha.
1/2 cup baking soda, washing soda is way too harsh on moth clothing, especially cloth diapers.
1/2 cup borax.

You only need 1 tblsp. per load.

Today we went shopping. Lucien, who now has a mohawk, picked out temporary blue hairspray to color it up. Trinity bought magenta colored hair extensions to add to her new do.

I got larger gauge earrings in the shape of question marks!

[unschoolinmom]

Have a great Sunday as well DoK!!

[Aeress]

Can I wish everyone a happy chocolate day? Maybe, a happy peeps day?
Or, happy go to relatives house and have food day?

Easter bunny came to our house and brought the kids chocolate, gluten and no HFCS jelly beans, mini art canvas/easel, a balloon, and Great Grandma sent them a choco bunny and a softie. Very odd holiday at our house- are we celebrating human size bunnies taking over the world by creating sticky, chocolate covered, coma inducing sugared children?
hehe

[redveg]

Morning I hope everyone has a great day.

Clay, I agree with mamaofthree about signs and taking another look. If it was me I would take it as it was something I should at least look at. If it was something I felt a strong connection to, spiritual about I would look high and low to make it work. I am odd when it comes to signs though. I know it's tough when money is tight, I often feel guilty if taking for myself instead of giving to my family. I hope it comes together and you can enjoy this program

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by wombatclay

this month we'll be getting whole pineapples, pears, lemons, oranges, grapefruit, tangerines, apples, carrots, potatoes, cabbage, and onions. Now, it's not local and it's not organic, which makes it totally out for some. But for our budget at the moment it's worthwhile.

That is a nice deal. I am not anymore picky when it comes to organic/not organic because of finances. Right now money comes first. Which stinks, actually, because it's not right that healthier food should be more expensive That's my gripe about organic/not organic anyway, but when it affects me or my family, or my friends, well....GRRRR.

Originally Posted by mamaofthree

i honestly never thought things would get to this point. i am just worn out from worrying about money all the time.

Right? I'm right with you there, mama

Originally Posted by wombatclay

Well, totally out of the blue the whole training program thing has landed in my lap again. ...but I just wonder... is this something that is showing up now, at the end of 2009, to be kind of put aside once and for all? Or something that just really wanted to make sure it was "heard" before the shift into 2010 energies?

I think you ought to go for it. I don't think the Universe puts something in people's faces just to taunt and say "no way, give it up" Imagine what y'all would say, last year, if I posted about M and asked the same question? "Should I give him up or go for it?" knowing all the obstacles? Y'all would be In. My. Face.

Clay, go for it

Originally Posted by unschoolinmom

April 10th my little ds turns 5 *sniffs* and April 30th is dh's and my anniversary.

I used my homemade laundry detergent powder today and I could just swim in the fresh scent and softness of the clothing!

And I finally, crashed. After little sleep, my body finally caught up to me and I crashed for five hours in a dead sleep that no one could wake me up from.

Happy birthday and happy anniversary!
I make my own laundry soap, too.
And YAY for sleep!!

Originally Posted by unschoolinmom

1 cup grated laundry soap bar, I use Fels Naptha.
1/2 cup baking soda, washing soda is way too harsh on moth clothing, especially cloth diapers.
1/2 cup borax.

You only need 1 tblsp. per load.

I got larger gauge earrings in the shape of question marks!

That's basically my recipe too, except that I don't grate soap anymore. The pieces don't dissolve in the wash, even in the dryer! So I get a ginormous box each of baking soda and borax, and a big box of (if I can get it, unscented) laundry powder, and mix them all up in a big bin. Yep, only a Tb. per load! Lurve it!

Post pics of your ears

I need to get more ear holes. I have some up high on my ear, and the usual low ones, but I need to fill in the gap. No extra money, so thinking of going to one of those cheap places in the mall and get two pairs of earrings for cheap. I can get "real" piercing earrings later on.

Happy Easter, all! Mom's BF filled a ton of eggs for my ds with money. He's hauled in over $20 in bills and change!!! And I got $20 plus a buttercream Yankee candle from my mom

[mamaofthree]

Maiasaura:

unschoolin': i make a similar soap but i "melt" the soap in water and make it in a 5 gallon bucket. it lasts forever! lol

oh and here is an interesting site i heard about on NPR, looks really neat. something cool for people with little or no land, or who want to garden in the dead of winter where they have 100 feet of snow on the ground. lol http://www.windowfarms.org/

h

[aweynsayl]

what an awesome site! i saw a new restaurant chain that's growing salad greens on the walls of their locations.

oh, my, oh, goodness mommas. i'd thought i'd be staying off line while i was dealing with stuff these two weeks, but it's too too much. i posted this in the TM thread, but borrowing a page from clay, i'm x-posting here-- i really want your gut feelings and intuitions about the wisdom of doing a TM while things are so so up in the air and inside out and upheaval-y in my life right now. i can not think straight for more than 3 minutes in a row, so i am not sure if i'm scared of what i'd bring on myself (especially given how last year's map seems to have sent us on basically a wild goose chase, lol)... or if i'm worried about setting in action some manifesting i dont *really* intend, but "ask for" out of sheer desperation (or something)...... i need some guidance. and i am not one to typically ask for that.......