~*~**~*NOVEMBER Pagan Families Circle!!!~*~*~~****~

[Maiasaura]

YAY, it gets to be me! Unless someone else beats me to posting, and then there will be two

Happy November, y'all! I used to hate my birthday month. I grew up in NJ where November is brown and ugly and dying. But now I love it. I'm so glad to be born in November.

How is everyone recovering from Halloweening? Samhaining?

For All-Soul's tomorrow we will visit a cemetery and a church. I hear you can release a soul from Purgatory by doing that. If there is one-- how cool is that? Not a hard price to pay. Two souls, one for ds and one for me.

[Aeress]

Hey Dears! Happy November! October had several down days, a few rough patches but over all it was a good month. Looking forward to spending time with my in-laws this weekend.

[Indigo73]

Subbin' go me on day one.  Okay back to my papers, two due this week.  SUCKS!!!!  

[redveg]

Afternoon All:)

I just want to say not one Trick or Treater last night:( Maybe it's because of the snow?  Every year there seem to be less and less kids out there, how sad:( As a child, heck as an adult it is my favorite Holiday.  I hope everyone had a great night last night.  My guys had some friends over.  They watched scary movies and ate pizza and candy. 

This is a busy week for my DS.  He is getting ready to interview at the college that's his first choice.  I am so nervous for him and hoping he gets accepted. I have never felt this level of anxiety before.  This came so fast.  They will be 18 this month on the 18th, which seems just impossible.  Fingers crossed:)

I hope all is well with everyone:)

[_ktg_]

Subbing on day 1!  Woohoo!  We had a blast ToT last night as we did 2 ToT events: 1 at my work where the kids were a bit off and whinneeeeeeeee and the 2nd at our friends at night.  The kids had a blast at the second one and might have been a bit too warm at my workplace.  I know I was and getting cranky with the heat.

With all souls day, I started a family tree project and hopefully DS1 will get excited about it.  We chatted last night about all his ancestors who might pop by for a visit and he was intrigued and wanted to know more.

I wish I had some marigolds today to put around the house, though some mums would look nice too.

Indigo - Good Luck with School

Redveg - Here's wishing you a smooth sailing November!

I'm still recovering from the candy with lots of delicious kefir and yogurt.  Unfortunately I need to get back on the exercise & diet bandwagon as I've gained 8lbs this month. Stress, Stress-eating and no exercise will do that to a girl.

[vydalea]

NOVEMBER!!  :)

I love this month.  It's so cozy and filled with anticipation for all the holidays!  

Sounds like everyone had a nice Samhain/Halloween.  DD is too young for ToT and we don't get many kids on our street since it's a dead end so we went over to my sister's where her husband had DECKED out the porch and their livingroom.  DD had a blast greeting all the big kids dressed up in their costumes.  She was a little dinosaur.  I bought the costume last year in November for 80% off and it fit this year *phew!*  we ate lots of pizza and I gorged on my sister's stash of candy.  

Tonight we are doing our first Samhain meal.  It won't be anything elaborate - a white bean stew with tomatoes, peppers, spinach.  We'll set a place for the ancestors and *hopefully* talk about some fun memories of those that have passed.  

Indigo: Sending you motivating energy!  2 papers due in one week!  eek!  Are they at least on something you're interested in? 

redveg: will be thinking of you and your DS!!  how exciting and nerve-wracking all at the same time.  Is he interviewing at the college or is admissions coming to him?  ((HUGS))

[Valerie.Qc]

Subbing.

I tried to post this afternoon but it didn't let me.

Made one of my mom's favorite soup for supper... Simple way for me to honor her memory without stirring too many emotions.

[FeralFox]

Welcome to November!  Good luck to all those in school (and applying to school)!

This was an eventful month for us, and I'm both happy and sad to see it end.  October went out with a bang, with us closing on our land...but not the land we originally bought.  At the last moment we traded our property for one of equal value just down the road.  We lost four acres in the deal, but gained peace of mind, and a lot of open space.  We had 18 acres of woods with a ton of swamp, and a snowmobile trail bisecting it.  We traded for 14 acres at the end of a dead-end private road, with about 5 acres open in the middle, and woods all around to shelter our home from the outside world.  The neighbors are lovely, the area is beautiful, and our land is absolutely perfect for us.  I can't wait for summer, so we can finally leave the city and head up to our land for good.

Badger went as the planet Jupiter for trick-or-treating.  What did everyone else's kids go as?

[revolting]

Halloween was just about perfect for us. Weather. Super-over-the-top-excited preschooler. Kids both dressed as monkeys. We had a ball ToTing. Then we got up this morning and went to a museum that has a big exhibit on the Day of the Dead (which had a huge piece about the Haymarket Martyrs, which made my pro-Union, anarchist sympathizer heart just sing to see it there)! And of course, we sampled some sugar skulls. And chocolate skulls. Um, why do I bother having the Sugar Sprite exchange all the ToT candy for a toy again? LOL. Anyway, they had a public ofrenda where we left a contribution. Tomorrow, we will make calavera masks in our co-op. Normally, we don't celebrate this holiday as a family, but it's been fun. 

The weather has been gorgeous. We can still walk around without wearing a sweater. I grew up here (not that long ago; I'm in my mid-twenties), and I remember ToTing in the snow! After the museum, we made leaf crowns. We've been seeing so many herons along the river lately, and now that it's getting dark earlier, my children's bedtime comes after sunset. I go on an evening power walk with the kids. The baby generally falls asleep on my back while my younger one and I have a contest to see who can see the first star. I share the (pitifully few) constellations I know and can actually see in the city with all the light pollution, and we make up our own. We also count stars (which, thanks again to light pollution, seems almost like a doable task). We saw a bat for the first time that I can remember tonight.

[CariOfOz]

Aw man, it wouldn't let me bring with a post from the last thread to quote :(    So I shall cheat!

Vydalea:  Sending everyone lots of warmth, even you, Cari, in your spring-filled southern hemisphere!  Don't you dare lol... it's going to be 30C today which is more than warm enough for me :P

Red:  .  I hope he finds a group Wonderful news about your 7yo, so glad he is doing well in school and loving it.  I wish your 9yo was having a better time:(  It's heartbreaking to watch a child go through difficult times socially, we see all the good that's in them, all they have to offer and want others to see it too.  I hope things get better for himthat accepts him and he flourishes:)   The group we used to go to is pretty welcoming and he did well with the other kids, so I'm hopefully they all welcome him back :)  I'm a bit :S  as Lucas has taken to lying.. he knows I"m not thrilled with how the school has helped him so I think he's trying to get me pissed at them so he won't have to go even the next month to finish the year.  He lied about being excluded from a group event yesterday, I emailed the principal asking what's up  with this?  and she checked with the teacher and lucas was involved in the event (the children all watch the Melbourne cup which is a huge aussie tradition)... so now I get to discuss with him how lying is not going to get him what he wants.  I'm writing his learning plan as it is but I can't just stop sending him until it's provisionally approved. so my hands are somewhat tied.

Originally Posted by redveg 

Afternoon All:)

I just want to say not one Trick or Treater last night:( Maybe it's because of the snow?  Every year there seem to be less and less kids out there, how sad:( As a child, heck as an adult it is my favorite Holiday.  I hope everyone had a great night last night.  My guys had some friends over.  They watched scary movies and ate pizza and candy. 

This is a busy week for my DS.  He is getting ready to interview at the college that's his first choice.  I am so nervous for him and hoping he gets accepted. I have never felt this level of anxiety before.  This came so fast.  They will be 18 this month on the 18th, which seems just impossible.  Fingers crossed:)

I hope all is well with everyone:)

Bummer!  We had about ... a dozen total?  Which is pretty huge for down here!  Next year, if our current neighbors are still here, we're talking about putting together a halloween street party :D  Good luck to your son with his interview!  I'm sure he'll knock em dead!

Originally Posted by FeralFox 

Welcome to November!  Good luck to all those in school (and applying to school)!

This was an eventful month for us, and I'm both happy and sad to see it end.  October went out with a bang, with us closing on our land...but not the land we originally bought.  At the last moment we traded our property for one of equal value just down the road.  We lost four acres in the deal, but gained peace of mind, and a lot of open space.  We had 18 acres of woods with a ton of swamp, and a snowmobile trail bisecting it.  We traded for 14 acres at the end of a dead-end private road, with about 5 acres open in the middle, and woods all around to shelter our home from the outside world.  The neighbors are lovely, the area is beautiful, and our land is absolutely perfect for us.  I can't wait for summer, so we can finally leave the city and head up to our land for good.

Badger went as the planet Jupiter for trick-or-treating.  What did everyone else's kids go as?

Your new land sounds perfect!   And gotta LOL at Jupiter,  EXCELLENT costume idea!  Dressing up isn't huge here (Halloween is mostly a non event in most of Australia sadly) but my 7yo put on a vampire cloak and my 5yo put on a cute little alien hat/mask and a shirt with circuit looking bits printed on it and said he was a robot hehehe.  Lucas didn't care (that's my 9yo) because he was able to score the computer without his brothers pestering him lol as they went for a brief tot walk with dad.

I've dropped the hammer on the 18yo and told him if he doesn't pass the program he's in (it's a preparatory program at the university, sort of a year 11/12 equivalent.. he has his exams today) then he'll be doing it all again.  But next time he'll be doing good to get an hour a day to play on fb, or his starcraft game... because I don't think he's taken this as seriously as he should and I'm going to, figuratively speaking, kick his arse.
 

Think calm thoughts my way mamas... in about 6hours I have a meeting with my supervisor and the regional manager at work.  If they give me the options I think they're going to (go back to the client that assaulted me or be transferred out of the job I am in to a place I hate) then I've got my letter of resignation with 2 weeks notice ready to go.  I've already got a lead on another job and I'll be ringing the lady in the morning if it comes to that... I'm so over this amount of stress :( 

Ok, must go get myself in gear and get a few things done! be well mamas!

[Aubergine68]

Subbing, but must go to bed soon.  Still burnt out from ToT yesterday.  Happy November!  I hope to come back and really have time to be here later this week.

Tomorrow is All Souls Day - I hope to have time for the solemn remembering of the dead that I had absolutely zero time for yesterday!

[witchygrrl]

Hi all, we went ToTing with our little one for the first time. She had a blast!

I'm still sick, though not as bad as before. The chiro did wonders for my ear drainage, and I get to go back today too.

Cari, stay strong! It will work out for the best.

[redveg]

Originally Posted by _ktg_ 

With all souls day, I started a family tree project and hopefully DS1 will get excited about it.  We chatted last night about all his ancestors who might pop by for a visit and he was intrigued and wanted to know more.

Redveg - Here's wishing you a smooth sailing November!

I'm still recovering from the candy with lots of delicious kefir and yogurt.  Unfortunately I need to get back on the exercise & diet bandwagon as I've gained 8lbs this month. Stress, Stress-eating and no exercise will do that to a girl.

Family tree sounds awesome.  I have always wanted to put one together but don't have anyone in my family who knows anyone past 1 Great Grandmother:(   Thanks for thinking of me, November is starting out to be my most busy, stressful month of the year.  I have also jumped on the diet. well not diet but back on the healthy eating wagon, I have tons of stress eating pounds to lose.
 

Originally Posted by vydalea 

NOVEMBER!!  :)

Tonight we are doing our first Samhain meal.  It won't be anything elaborate - a white bean stew with tomatoes, peppers, spinach.  We'll set a place for the ancestors and *hopefully* talk about some fun memories of those that have passed.  

redveg: will be thinking of you and your DS!!  how exciting and nerve-wracking all at the same time.  Is he interviewing at the college or is admissions coming to him?  ((HUGS))

Meal sounds delish:)  We are going to the school. It's only about 2 hours away, I think.  Going to take a tour and then interview.  My niece goes to school not far from where we are going so maybe we will be able to get in a visit with her too.  I am so nervous.

Originally Posted by Valerie.Qc 

Made one of my mom's favorite soup for supper... Simple way for me to honor her memory without stirring too many emotions.

(((hugs))) thinking of you.

Originally Posted by CariOfOz 

I've dropped the hammer on the 18yo and told him if he doesn't pass the program he's in (it's a preparatory program at the university, sort of a year 11/12 equivalent.. he has his exams today) then he'll be doing it all again.  But next time he'll be doing good to get an hour a day to play on fb, or his starcraft game... because I don't think he's taken this as seriously as he should and I'm going to, figuratively speaking, kick his arse.

I feel this way about my DS.  Those flipping games they can play for hours and lose all track of time but ask them to sit for an hour or get a paper ready and I am nagging for days about something that would be done and over if they only set their mind to it the same way they do those games.

Originally Posted by Aubergine68 

Tomorrow is All Souls Day - I hope to have time for the solemn remembering of the dead that I had absolutely zero time for yesterday!

Taking some time for this today.  I have  an hour set side:)
 

[redveg]

Originally Posted by CariOfOz 

Bummer!  We had about ... a dozen total?  Which is pretty huge for down here!  Next year, if our current neighbors are still here, we're talking about putting together a halloween street party :D  Good luck to your son with his interview!  I'm sure he'll knock em dead!

When I lived down South we had a great neighborhood that did the Halloween Block Party and it was Awesome!!

Thanks for the good wishes for the interview:)  I hope I survive this:)

[wombatclay]

Yay for November!

More later, but wanted to sub.  :)

[DaughterOfKali]

I forgot that it's a new month. tee hee.

Trying to work at home today (have to send out emails about the big Barefoot Giveaway.)  Will come back here later and read all the posts.

Hugs to all!

[vydalea]

Hey everybody!  It's a beautiful day here in Central NY!  60degrees out and sunny!!  woohoo!!  

Valerie: I love that you made your mom's favorite soup for supper. That sounds like a perfect way to honor her.

FeralFox: How did "winter camping" go?  The description of the land is beautiful...it sounds like a wonderful place to explore and commune with nature.

redveg: When does DS go for this interview?  I am sure he will be the best him he can be.  Gosh, just thinking about it *I* get anxious for both of you!! bah!  You will be great, too.  You seem to be such a supportive, loving mama.  

Witchy: how old is your LO for the first year of ToT?  I'm thinking next year we'll take Z to a few homes.  She got a kick out of having the kids come to her aunt's house so *maybe* she'll remember it next year?  What a blast.

I was so happy that we had enough ToT-ers at the house to finish off our candy - *yay! no temptations* except that last night I sat with my big bowl of roasted pumpkin seeds and ate them until my lips hurt from the salt! hahaha.  oh well.  i love pumpkin seeds and I only make them once a year!  

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by FeralFox We lost four acres in the deal, but gained peace of mind, and a lot of open space.  We had 18 acres of woods with a ton of swamp, and a snowmobile trail bisecting it.  We traded for 14 acres at the end of a dead-end private road, with about 5 acres open in the middle, and woods all around to shelter our home from the outside world. 

It sounds lovely! I am so happy-- the showing service FINALLY just called and my house will be shown Saturday! OMG, mamas, please cross fingers or whatever. There has been NO traffic here at all! Maybe, just maybe, this will be The One

Originally Posted by CariOfOz I've dropped the hammer on the 18yo and told him if he doesn't pass the program he's in (it's a preparatory program at the university, sort of a year 11/12 equivalent.. he has his exams today) then he'll be doing it all again.  But next time he'll be doing good to get an hour a day to play on fb, or his starcraft game... because I don't think he's taken this as seriously as he should and I'm going to, figuratively speaking, kick his arse.

Think calm thoughts my way mamas... in about 6hours I have a meeting with my supervisor and the regional manager at work.  If they give me the options I think they're going to (go back to the client that assaulted me or be transferred out of the job I am in to a place I hate) then I've got my letter of resignation with 2 weeks notice ready to go.  I've already got a lead on another job and I'll be ringing the lady in the morning if it comes to that... I'm so over this amount of stress :( 

Good on you, on both counts! You go get'em, mama! Kick butt!
 

Originally Posted by witchygrrl Hi all, we went ToTing with our little one for the first time. She had a blast!

I'm still sick, though not as bad as before. The chiro did wonders for my ear drainage, and I get to go back today too.

Isn't the first T'o'T so fun? What did she go as? Lemme guess....Owly?

Hope you feel better soon. I had to go get ds out of school Friday at 1pm for fever, and again yesterday at 10:30am. He was fine in between. I think it was just excitement. I can't believe they still get excitement-fever at nearly 11 years old! But whatever. If he's sick, I wish he would go and get full-blown sick and get it over with before I go see M on the 23rd!! And me, too. I thought I felt a twinge of chest-ick in the wee hours of the night. I hope it all gets over with quick. If either of us is sick, which, we're not at the moment.

redveg-- you will survive this! It's all good!

DS got a horrid report at school AGAIN today. I am so sick of this, mamas. I am going to be the one in the newspaper with the son in the orange jumpsuit...or the horrible auto accident. I am just so at the end of my rope. He behaved badly ALL.DAY.LONG. and doesn't see what the problem is

[Indigo73]

Thanks for asking about the papers... one is pretty interesting. It's on how Quaker women had a lot more freedom in colonial America... able to own shops with some regularity, instead of being an oddity like most of the colonies.  It's pretty cool.  First draft was turned in yesterday.

Unfortunately my paper on women & propaganda for my 20th Cen. Europe class is just not gelling.  The first draft is due today and it's only 2 pages long... I think I am on the right track now but just don't have the time to work on it.  I leave work for class in an hour.  Sigh.  I guess I am just going to have to take a hit on that portion of the grade and work on it this weekend... when I will also be working on yet another paper that is due next week.  Fun fun.

Wishing everyone a prosperous and healthy November!!!

[DaughterOfKali]

Originally Posted by Maiasaura 

 I am going to be the one in the newspaper with the son in the orange jumpsuit...or the horrible auto accident. I am just so at the end of my rope. He behaved badly ALL.DAY.LONG. and doesn't see what the problem is

  Oh my goodness, I know that feeling well.  It's so scary.  I really hope you can move to MA and get your ds more/better services.