~*~June Pagan Families Circle~*~ - Page 36

[DaughterOfKali]

Originally Posted by CariOfOz

Happy MDC Pagan mamas anniversary to me!

Happy mdc anniversary!

I started posting (in my first incarnate) in 2004. Ds was 15 months old.

[Aeress]

I found mothering when pregnant with Gillian, and started posting after deciding to cloth diaper.
So, that would be 2004- wow!

Happy MDC anniversary to all!!

[Valerie.Qc]

Happy MDC Anniversary Cari!!!

I went and search for my first posts in a Pagan thread...

The Pagan Mama Circle was created by Wemoon in 2004 and I post my first message there in the first thread... July 8th 2004.

I was part of various pagan threads before that though.

[Autumn Breeze]

Awww Happy MDC anniversary!! I forget how long I've been here most days, then I remember it was before my son turned 2 and I'm like "wow" it's been a long time

Well, "Twi-hards" If you are going to see Eclipse, you're going to love it!!

[wombatclay]

Aweynsayl- no fail! I think that the collegium organization system just didn't work for the summer months. If it were it's own board/forum maybe, but all mixed in? I think people just got scattered. And I think people were intimidated by the "home binder" camp... I mean, those threads were HUGE! So the bar was so high I think people forgot that it should be fun. Summer camp, silly crafts, koombay-yaya, smores, and all that. So last year was a sort of perfect storm of "not quite".

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tor was a fussy mussy last night... teething? nearly walking? still getting over his vax? still getting over the roseola? general 10mo fussiness? I don't know. But I do know I need more sleep or I'll crack. Seriously. I'm fried. This weekend I'm going to have to INSIST on some me time. Even though that means time not working on the house. It's a real kobayashi maru... I NEED the house done, but I NEED solo time too. Ugh.

~~~~~~~~~~~~
ETA- I did a search... I posted my first "hi, can I join in?" pagan thread post in Nov 2005. I'd been reading mdc articles online while pregnant, joined mdc forums when dd1 was about 6mo, and joined the mdc pagan thread as soon as I had access to Spirituality.

[Valerie.Qc]

Originally Posted by wombatclay

Tor was a fussy mussy last night... teething? nearly walking? still getting over his vax? still getting over the roseola? general 10mo fussiness? I don't know. But I do know I need more sleep or I'll crack. Seriously. I'm fried. This weekend I'm going to have to INSIST on some me time. Even though that means time not working on the house. It's a real kobayashi maru... I NEED the house done, but I NEED solo time too. Ugh.

I wish I had my passport... I'd hop in the car and get there to help you!

[singin_angel]

Wow! It looks like I missed some great conversation!

Cleaning/Organizing - I am just getting started with Flylady and I find her baby steps too small for me, I am taking the tips and working on things. It has already made a big difference. When DH came home, he saw the living room and said "When did we get this floor?" haha. I am going to be changing it so it is pagan oriented - sort of a combination of that summer camp previous with the home binder thing. I liked reading that one (wasn't on MDC then).

Weight loss - I need to just up my exercise and be accountable. Because of what I have going on with my reproductive health, I have to cut out wheat, sugar, and dairy. I have a lot of new recipes that are made up and super healthy. The most I can do with DD is walk and I am very bored of walking, especially super slowly! I used to take step classes, run, do yoga, lift weights, and since DD...nothing really. My goal is to do a fertility yoga program. I would enjoy that very much because I can also connect spiritually - also much needed.

DH came home Monday and slept. Today is his last day and he is sad about it. He wants something similar in the future. He goes back to regular work on Monday. This does mean that he gets Canada Day off and a long weekend (not going in Friday).

I ran a workshop at a local yoga studio talking about the benefits of breastfeeding. It was great and two women wanted to know about having me as their doula (which wasn't even discussed haha but I won't complain!).

[saphire]

Originally Posted by LionessMom

just realized i have been reading/posting in this thread for almost 3 years! wow how the time flies.

Congrats!

Originally Posted by zoësmom2009

Wow, I can't believe I've been on the mothering forum for nearly 7 months and never noticed this thread! I hope you guys don't mind me joining in!

Just to give you a little introduction, I'm a WAHM mommy to my wonderful dd and happily married to my eccentrically geeky dh. I've been a practicing eclectic witch for about fifteen years and counting.

Welcome!

Originally Posted by Maiasaura

Yay, Cari, you're back! No, you're not that chatty (no more than the rest of us)-- you're just that present, and we missed you

Exactly

Originally Posted by CariOfOz

...believe that my introductory post to this very thread was on June 30, 2005. EXACTLY 5years from today!

Congrats! We you!

Originally Posted by Autumn Breeze

Well, "Twi-hards" If you are going to see Eclipse, you're going to love it!!

Twi-hards! Thats perfect!

I checked, my mdc pagan circle anniversary is Feb 2007.

I'm supposed to head out the door for a walk, but wanted to pop in here first. Boy, this thread has picked up lately!

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by CariOfOz

I just HAD to share this... our earlier chat on here about how long we've been part of this circle got me thinking. So I went and searched the forum for my oldest post. I started out thinking maybe early 2007..MANY at that point... went back to 2006... still lots. Searched 2005.. and would you believe that my introductory post to this very thread was on June 30, 2005. EXACTLY 5years from today!

Happy anniversary! You are loved

How in the world are you all finding your start dates? I tried to run a search and can only find posts from like this year. I know I've been on MDC since ds was very, very little, maybe even still in utero. I had a different username then, but when I tried to run a search with that one, it said "invalid username". So I went back to using Maiasaura, and can only find recent things.
How do you do it? I want to know, too!

[femme_rouge]

Morning

(courtesy of my 4 yo DS) Now he's wiggling around next to me panting and howling like a hyena.

So, life is calmed down around here finally. I'm done putting on the workshop/concert, and now we're just getting life and the disaster zone we call our house back in order. Summer is finally here for me, and I'm looking forward to a month of family time. SLOWER time. Is this really possible? Or is it an illusive dream when one has young children? My family's still young enough that I'm holding onto the hope.

It's fun reading about anniversaries and the cool convo's going on that I missed. I'm excited about summer camp. I've enjoyed reading them in the past, but I felt too intimidated to participate much-as a newer identified Pagan. I'm going on about 3 years now ok-I move really slow, and it's time to jump in a little more.

Cari- Ditto on your presence. I lurked on this thread a good year before I had the nerve to post. I was doing a lot of searching about identifying as Pagan. This thread, and particularly you and some other amazing folks, had so much to do with demystifying what is means to be Pagan IRL. Your humor and down to earth, say it like is attitude is completely charming.

Ok! Looking forward to chatting a little more with all you lovelies!

[_ktg_]

Happy MDC Anniversary Cari!!!

Aweynsayl - aww I was getting very excited about the heart/home idea as I know grounding, feeling grounded and trying to transform my home (even though I refer to it constantly as the previous owner's home) to "owning" it or knowing its where my heart is.



Just a quick pop in here ladies and then I have to bounce back to work. Its an ugly day of meetings and more meetings.

[DaughterOfKali]

If there was a jittery smilie, I'd be posting it right now.

I've come to realize that I seriously dislike driving on the highway. Holy anxiety attack, batman.
Thank goodness that we are spending 2 nights in RI for the rest of Roo's evaluation next week. Roo doesn't like the long ride anyway so hopefully he'll be able to focus more during the testing next week.

I'm so glad to be home. I want to hug my yard. I want to hug my apartment. I want to hug my computer.

[Aubergine68]

DoK - I really dislike highway/out of town driving, too. I didn't even learn to drive till I was in my 30s . Glad you made it home safe. Hope the next big drive is easier.

Trying to catch up on camp ideas...

Originally Posted by _ktg_

Clay - I just checked to see when the next new moon would be starting up and that's July 11 (Cancer new moon) and the next full is set for July 26. Maybe a nice ending to week 1 a new moon ritual (small) and then set up the monthly for week 3 to ramp up for the full moon on 26 and Lammas on the 1st?

I have an idea but in my mind it sounds hokey .
SO here goes - what about a gratitude week. Its like the do-it-now idea, and taking the time and space to say thank you like to gaia/the earth as you sit in on the grass in meditation, or to sky, water, to friends, family. We'd be making it specific for a day and not just all over the place.

For example Monday - take 10 minutes go sit in the grass, connect with the earth and express 5 things you are thankful for that the earth provides. For example - I am thankful for the earth providing the cool grass I am sitting on in the hot sun. I am thankful for the beautiful mountains to gaze upon in the distance, and etc..
This is my own need to remember to say Thank you for being blessed with many things and I often forget. So the idea is purposeful meditation and gratitude.

I love the gratitude camp idea. I keep experiencing waves of gratitude this spring, like humbling, reduced-to-tears gratitude. I blame my TM -- I put the words "Thank You" on it. I meant "I am better at writing thank-you notes" not "I am overwhelmed by thankfullness", but I guess it isn't a bad way to be.

Originally Posted by femme_rouge

It's fun reading about anniversaries and the cool convo's going on that I missed. I'm excited about summer camp. I've enjoyed reading them in the past, but I felt too intimidated to participate much-as a newer identified Pagan. I'm going on about 3 years now ok-I move really slow, and it's time to jump in a little more.

Cari- Ditto on your presence. I lurked on this thread a good year before I had the nerve to post. I was doing a lot of searching about identifying as Pagan. This thread, and particularly you and some other amazing folks, had so much to do with demystifying what is means to be Pagan IRL. Your humor and down to earth, say it like is attitude is completely charming.

Ditto on your comments here, femme rouge. Exact ditto.

Hey are you implying in the paragraph above that that you want to host a camp week?

Originally Posted by _ktg_

Aweynsayl - aww I was getting very excited about the heart/home idea as I know grounding, feeling grounded and trying to transform my home (even though I refer to it constantly as the previous owner's home) to "owning" it or knowing its where my heart is.

A heartfelt ditto here, too!

You know the camp I really want to attend? And you all don't know me well enough to know how funny it is that someone with such a conservative life as I even suggests this, but....Pagan Love and Sexuality. I don't mean graphic discussions of sex, and I don't know if even a "grown up" version of this topic can fly on MDC, but I think the bits of stories everyone tells about their relationships here are really interesting and important. How are everyone's significant relationships, or choices not to be in a relationship, informed by their sprituality? And there are so many ways that Paganisms validate and encourage alternative lifestyles and gender/sexual identities. Hey, there are threads on Christian marriage, so why not? Pagan ways of looking at the world really do seem to provide a framework for sexual identity that is just...different, so different from the mainstream.

So, waiting hopefully for someone to take on some aspect of this topic ...but in the meantime, book recommendations and links of value would be welcome!

[aweynsayl]

re: last summer~ actually, i dont personally think it lacked participation because of how it was organized-- i think that it was organized how it was because it lacked participation. i didnt make it into "workshops" vs. "camps" because i somehow thought that method of organization would be better than previous years. i made it that way because it was a crazy summer and virtually no one wanted to/was able to do anything, and those who did couldnt commit to a time, and half of them didnt end up doing them anyway. it was what it was not because i chose some inconvenient style for it, but because of the lack of interest/ability of people to do stuff for it. it was what it was because it was that or nothing. if i'm giving myself a "fail" for it, it's because i felt then, and i really feel now, that i should have just not tried. it's a sore spot for me, because it was exceedingly frustrating then, and i'm feeling now like i'm being blamed for it, and on top of that, i'm feeling like the contributions i made are going to be "done over and better" this time, and honestly, given the conversations about how long we've been here (nov 06), and anything that might mean, it's making me feel really small and unimportant. so i'm just being peevish for a moment.

ktg~ well, maybe YOU could lead it, then! i'm just not in the right frame of mind given the above.

[DaughterOfKali]

I just had to refrain from bursting with laughter. I just sat down to have some cereal when a squirrel jumped up onto the railing that is just outside my window. He/she stretched out to look at me and to put one paw out like he was asking for some. Oh my goodness, it was so surreal! Seriously, this critter looked like it was completely tame and wanting so badly to communicate.

By the time I reached for my camera, he jumped down.
Even when I walking talking to it and asking what it wanted, it just stretched towards me even further with it's front paw out.

[femme_rouge]

Originally Posted by Aubergine68

...




Ditto on your comments here, femme rouge. Exact ditto.

Hey are you implying in the paragraph above that that you want to host a camp week?

Well, being that it's my first time I feel comfortable participating, could I do that and then Promise to help out more next time?


A heartfelt ditto here, too!

You know the camp I really want to attend? And you all don't know me well enough to know how funny it is that someone with such a conservative life as I even suggests this, but....Pagan Love and Sexuality. I don't mean graphic discussions of sex, and I don't know if even a "grown up" version of this topic can fly on MDC, but I think the bits of stories everyone tells about their relationships here are really interesting and important. How are everyone's significant relationships, or choices not to be in a relationship, informed by their sprituality? And there are so many ways that Paganisms validate and encourage alternative lifestyles and gender/sexual identities. Hey, there are threads on Christian marriage, so why not? Pagan ways of looking at the world really do seem to provide a framework for sexual identity that is just...different, so different from the mainstream.

I would be interested in this too if it flies on MDC. We can be appropriate grown ups about it, right? Seriously, there has been a lot of growth in this area for me that I feel is directly connected to my Pagan identity.

So, waiting hopefully for someone to take on some aspect of this topic ...but in the meantime, book recommendations and links of value would be welcome!

Also, waiting over here.

Originally Posted by aweynsayl

re: last summer~ actually, i dont personally think it lacked participation because of how it was organized-- i think that it was organized how it was because it lacked participation. i didnt make it into "workshops" vs. "camps" because i somehow thought that method of organization would be better than previous years. i made it that way because it was a crazy summer and virtually no one wanted to/was able to do anything, and those who did couldnt commit to a time, and half of them didnt end up doing them anyway. it was what it was not because i chose some inconvenient style for it, but because of the lack of interest/ability of people to do stuff for it. it was what it was because it was that or nothing. if i'm giving myself a "fail" for it, it's because i felt then, and i really feel now, that i should have just not tried. it's a sore spot for me, because it was exceedingly frustrating then, and i'm feeling now like i'm being blamed for it, and on top of that, i'm feeling like the contributions i made are going to be "done over and better" this time, and honestly, given the conversations about how long we've been here (nov 06), and anything that might mean, it's making me feel really small and unimportant. so i'm just being peevish for a moment.

ktg~ well, maybe YOU could lead it, then! i'm just not in the right frame of mind given the above.

I'm wanting to reach through the screen and give you the biggest hug. As I stated earlier, I've lurked on the camps before but not participated. I remember last year. There was so much going on, and I was impressed with your patience and energy dedicated to making camp happen. You were awesome, and I think there was so much great info in there...just a tough summer with schedules and things that were beyond your control. It's just not right that you're feeling bad about it. You should be getting cheers. We love you!

[_ktg_]

Originally Posted by aweynsayl

re: last summer~ actually, i dont personally think it lacked participation because of how it was organized-- i think that it was organized how it was because it lacked participation. i didnt make it into "workshops" vs. "camps" because i somehow thought that method of organization would be better than previous years. i made it that way because it was a crazy summer and virtually no one wanted to/was able to do anything, and those who did couldnt commit to a time, and half of them didnt end up doing them anyway. it was what it was not because i chose some inconvenient style for it, but because of the lack of interest/ability of people to do stuff for it. it was what it was because it was that or nothing. if i'm giving myself a "fail" for it, it's because i felt then, and i really feel now, that i should have just not tried. it's a sore spot for me, because it was exceedingly frustrating then, and i'm feeling now like i'm being blamed for it, and on top of that, i'm feeling like the contributions i made are going to be "done over and better" this time, and honestly, given the conversations about how long we've been here (nov 06), and anything that might mean, it's making me feel really small and unimportant. so i'm just being peevish for a moment.

ktg~ well, maybe YOU could lead it, then! i'm just not in the right frame of mind given the above.

Awww my dear- while thank you for the recommendation, I'll be thankful if I can make sure I can get the gratitude one up & off the ground. personally I keep asking myself what have I gotten into

be gentle with yourself

By the way since we're on the backside of the gemini moon, is anyone else still experiencing ripples from the eclipse this past weekend and some really bad communication?

I just got out of a meeting in which another department tried to throw my team "under the bus" and I had to lay the smackdown (to an individual with much more authority/power than me) It was tense, and borderline ugly and massive ego filling the room. :Puke <<that's how I felt afterwards>>

[Maiasaura]

DOK-- I love squirrels. M has a family right outside his apartment. I love to say hi when I go there

Originally Posted by Aubergine68

I meant "I am better at writing thank-you notes" not "I am overwhelmed by thankfullness", but I guess it isn't a bad way to be.

I like that

You know the camp I really want to attend?...Pagan Love and Sexuality.

I think the bits of stories everyone tells about their relationships here are really interesting and important. How are everyone's significant relationships, or choices not to be in a relationship, informed by their sprituality? And there are so many ways that Paganisms validate and encourage alternative lifestyles and gender/sexual identities.
Pagan ways of looking at the world really do seem to provide a framework for sexual identity that is just...different, so different from the mainstream.
In the meantime, book recommendations and links of value would be welcome!

Book rec: Phyllis Curott (surprise, surprise) "Love Spell"
It's a little graphic and novel-y for me, but it has a lot of valid magick in it.
ETA: That's where I got the framework for my own Love Spell that I did last year on Valentine's Day

I'd be up for a workshop/camp topic here, too. Or at least a rousing discussion!

Originally Posted by aweynsayl

re: last summer~

if i'm giving myself a "fail" for it, it's because i felt then, and i really feel now, that i should have just not tried. it's a sore spot for me, because it was exceedingly frustrating then, and i'm feeling now like i'm being blamed for it, and on top of that, i'm feeling like the contributions i made are going to be "done over and better" this time, and honestly, given the conversations about how long we've been here (nov 06), and anything that might mean, it's making me feel really small and unimportant.

aweyn~ You are SO not small and unimportant. I wish you didn't feel that way. I loved the whole camp thing last year, and I wish I hadn't been so overwhelmed so as not to participate. The binder thing was the best idea to come down the pike, I think, and I still have things written down and hopefully one day I'm going to actually do it. Just so you know

5 days till I am in my love's arms once again

[Autumn Breeze]

Re: Pagan Love and Sexuality

We can discuss it, but we have to stay with in the guidelines of the User Agreement, and remember :

We will not host discussions that involve explicit sexual references

So, no innuendos or graphic posts detailing sex. Keeping with in the aspect of religion and how it affects our sex life, or sex magic are alright so long as you keep the UA in mind when posting.

[CariOfOz]

multiquote.. look out belowwwwww!

Originally Posted by wombatclay

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tor was a fussy mussy last night... teething? nearly walking? still getting over his vax? still getting over the roseola? general 10mo fussiness? I don't know. But I do know I need more sleep or I'll crack. Seriously.

Trust me, get that ME time and you will be million % more productive working on the house afterwards woman! Sanity is not overrated

ETA- I did a search... I posted my first "hi, can I join in?" pagan thread post in Nov 2005. I'd been reading mdc articles online while pregnant, joined mdc forums when dd1 was about 6mo, and joined the mdc pagan thread as soon as I had access to Spirituality.

ok.. no WAY have I been here longer than you?!?! I seem to remember you always being here

Originally Posted by Maiasaura

How in the world are you all finding your start dates? I tried to run a search and can only find posts from like this year. I know I've been on MDC since ds was very, very little, maybe even still in utero. I had a different username then, but when I tried to run a search with that one, it said "invalid username". So I went back to using Maiasaura, and can only find recent things.
How do you do it? I want to know, too!

TY. I went to the 'search this forum' feature (up top somewhere?) and then advanced. It gives you an option to put in a user name and a date range. I just stuck in each year until I got to the end Or the beginning!

Originally Posted by femme_rouge

Cari- Ditto on your presence. I lurked on this thread a good year before I had the nerve to post. I was doing a lot of searching about identifying as Pagan. This thread, and particularly you and some other amazing folks, had so much to do with demystifying what is means to be Pagan IRL. Your humor and down to earth, say it like is attitude is completely charming.

Why thank you I lurked for a little while as well, before making the leap and posting!

Originally Posted by DaughterOfKali

I've come to realize that I seriously dislike driving on the highway. Holy anxiety attack, batman.

Ya know, I HATE highway driving into the city... but open highway driving (not the bumper to bumper crawp) is very relaxing for me for some reason.

You know the camp I really want to attend? And you all don't know me well enough to know how funny it is that someone with such a conservative life as I even suggests this, but....Pagan Love and Sexuality. I don't mean graphic discussions of sex, and I don't know if even a "grown up" version of this topic can fly on MDC, but I think the bits of stories everyone tells about their relationships here are really interesting and important. How are everyone's significant relationships, or choices not to be in a relationship, informed by their sprituality? And there are so many ways that Paganisms validate and encourage alternative lifestyles and gender/sexual identities. Hey, there are threads on Christian marriage, so why not? Pagan ways of looking at the world really do seem to provide a framework for sexual identity that is just...different, so different from the mainstream.

VERY interesting idea... I have no idea how we could stay within the UA on that one because it would tend to wander a bit Clay might weigh in as a mod with ideas?

Originally Posted by aweynsayl

if i'm giving myself a "fail" for it, it's because i felt then, and i really feel now, that i should have just not tried. it's a sore spot for me, because it was exceedingly frustrating then, and i'm feeling now like i'm being blamed for it, and on top of that, i'm feeling like the contributions i made are going to be "done over and better" this time, and honestly, given the conversations about how long we've been here (nov 06), and anything that might mean, it's making me feel really small and unimportant. so i'm just being peevish for a moment.

Oh SHUSH you Last years camp was not a fail, the parts I was able to be involved in were good fun! And any lack of involvement is absolutely not a commentary on you... it's just one of those cycles of life where SUDDENLY, out of nowhere, life just goes crazy! And after camp the year before?? Could anything really come close? That camp will never be forgotten

And you having 'only' been here since 2006 is irrelevant... it's not really the length of time I dont' think... more the ways we weave ourselves into the community. And you have MOST definitely become a thread in the fabric of this circle! My reason for even bringing up the date at all was that it was just freaky that I happened to check ON the anniversary date, of all days. I would never want to make anyone feel unimportant because I've been here longer... I was more commenting from a 'gee time flies when you're having fun because it does NOT feel like 5yrs...but then again it feels like forever' pov

Originally Posted by DaughterOfKali

I just had to refrain from bursting with laughter. I just sat down to have some cereal when a squirrel jumped up onto the railing that is just outside my window. He/she stretched out to look at me and to put one paw out like he was asking for some. Oh my goodness, it was so surreal! Seriously, this critter looked like it was completely tame and wanting so badly to communicate.

By the time I reached for my camera, he jumped down.
Even when I walking talking to it and asking what it wanted, it just stretched towards me even further with it's front paw out.

oh TOO cute! We dont' have squirrels here We do have fruit bats though... but they aren't as social

It is sooooo chilly here mamas! Almost like a real winter... it was close to freezing again last night here. VERY thankful for finding a couple of portable oil heaters on sale earlier this week! The boys rooms are comfy at night now I have the human radiator next to me... no heater required there

I think we are going to have a fluffy day for schoolwork today... we've been testing a new 'system' and have gotten SO much done in just 3 days. Plus I need to make a serious grocery list and hit the shop this afternoon when dh gets home! (and aweyn.. I'll be having a posh coffee, but this time I'm going to have to go with a hot one I think. To keep my hands warm as I hold it LOL)

Oh, I missed the eclipse the other night due to immense cloud cover.. which still has not gone away. Anyone else get a decent view?