~*~*~December Pagan Family Thread~*~*~

[vydalea]

It's December 8th!  Is anyone still around??

[Kaydove]

I'm around! My desktop stopped working so just have my Kindle.
DH has an interview coming for Amazon in Seattle next week. Other than that not much going on here.

[Maiasaura]

Amazon? THE Amazon? Doing what? That is really cool.

This thread used to be so active. I'm so sad that it's kind of petering out I have been on this thread for at least 7 years, and on MDC since like 2001 (but I can't figure out how to find out).

My contract with my realtor expires on like the 28th. I have a showing in the morning tomorrow, surprise! Haven't had one in months. Cross fingers that this one brings an offer. What a Yule gift that would be.

[DaughterOfKali]

I'm here but completely forgot to see if there was a December thread.

Maiasaura- I hope they buy your house!

[Kaydove]

Originally Posted by Maiasaura 

Amazon? THE Amazon? Doing what? That is really cool.

This thread used to be so active. I'm so sad that it's kind of petering out I have been on this thread for at least 7 years, and on MDC since like 2001 (but I can't figure out how to find out).

Amazon started making video games. They're interviewing him for a Sr Product Manager position. I'm not certain what that position is all about but he was a Sr Producer (think movie producer but for video games). It took them a month to contact him after he applied but the next day after his phone interview they told him that they wanted to fly him up for an inperson interview which apparently is superfast for Amazon. I'm torn 50/50 about moving back up to Seattle. Dh really wants to stay in CA but due to the holidays no one else has contacted him and he only got one month severance, so we need to find something quick.

I hope they buy your house! What a wonderful Yule present that would be!

I'm taking a Kitchen Witch Holiday class next week!! I'm so excited!

My contract with my realtor expires on like the 28th. I have a showing in the morning tomorrow, surprise! Haven't had one in months. Cross fingers that this one brings an offer. What a Yule gift that would be.

[vydalea]

Originally Posted by Kaydove 

I'm around! My desktop stopped working so just have my Kindle.
DH has an interview coming for Amazon in Seattle next week. Other than that not much going on here.

I'm sure the Universe will lead you in the right direction.  I would not want to leave San Diego, though, from what I have heard about it!!  

Originally Posted by Maiasaura 

Amazon? THE Amazon? Doing what? That is really cool.

This thread used to be so active. I'm so sad that it's kind of petering out I have been on this thread for at least 7 years, and on MDC since like 2001 (but I can't figure out how to find out).

My contract with my realtor expires on like the 28th. I have a showing in the morning tomorrow, surprise! Haven't had one in months. Cross fingers that this one brings an offer. What a Yule gift that would be.

I also miss the days of super activity, even though I only started following a year and a half ago.  I learned so much.  I just put the sunshine you made for Yule last year on the tree with Z this weekend.  

Next to your name by your post it tells when you joined with your user name.  You probably know that but on the off chance it's just something you are so used to seeing all the time that you overlook it .  

I wish I knew some kind of house selling dance to do for you.  I will be sending every ounce of energy I have your way tomorrow morning.  

Originally Posted by DaughterOfKali 

I'm here but completely forgot to see if there was a December thread.

Maiasaura- I hope they buy your house!

Hey lady!!

We have our countdown stockings going full swing.  We started decorating this weekend.  We got our our Yule log and put it on our new hutch.  We also *finally!* purchased the SUN BREAD book!  It is one of Z's stocking activities to read it the day before we make the bread.  I just know she is going to love it.  Thanks for that idea, Maia!! 

 

[ian'smommaya]

i am here too! things are going along really well, i have full time work as an aromatherapist blending for a candle and aromatherapy company and i am keeping up with my online stores on poppyswap and etsy really well. i am busy busy busy but it feels so good! we are a little behind at home for the decorating and such but this week we are doing it. everyone is good here, well, ds is struggling at school but otherwise he is good. 

[revolting]

Still here, though in full-holiday mode. Our family had the flu all last week, so we just got our tree. Looking through all the ornaments we've made together through the years brings me such joy! My youngest and I just started a batch of salt dough suns to make for the tree. I have two sweaters I'm blocking right now, so I only have one more sweater to finish before Yule, but of course it's the biggest one, so I try to limit my internet time, especially responding.

Maia - Wishing you the best of luck for the showing.

Kay - Let us know how the interview goes. I think living in Seattle sounds lovely.

[amlikam]

I am here too, I didn't want to start the thread but was looking for it :-)

Been busy with work, pregnancy, family, sacred ritual work last 2 weekends (ahhhhh) and not feeling the spiraling for solstice! (and christmas, we do both).
 

Conflicted with joy and sadness this year. Excited to be in a love/joy phase but kind of missing my dad who passed in October. This month has my Mom's birthday on Solstice (who passed when I was young) and my Dad's the day after Christmas... This will be the first year I celebrate without any parents. And while I feel sad about it, this ritual work I did the first weekend of the month has left me high on love and joy for the world.

I feel like I am bubbling over.

I am curious how you all are handling the Christmas happenings at your kids schools, if applicable? We are blessed to have a school which does full (separate) celebrations for Chanukah, Solstice and Christmas  and that we are an "interfaith" family. But I feel kind of fustrated at how so much emphasis is place on the Christmas this year..... (maybe it is the pregnancy hormones?).

Anyhow that is where I am for now.

Oh one last thing to be excited about, supposedly the replacement windows for my house will be delivered and installed by the week end (I'll believe it when I see it :-) but still happy to know they have been ordered and will be happening soon. I have been in the house for over 6 yrs and the windows are well, old! My home is from a Shaker Villiage and the windows were "custom" made after the house was moved by oxen in 1860. Some of them "were updated" in the 20's or 30's.... they rattle in the wind and none of them stay open on their own... I feel like it was so important with child #2 on the way to have them replaced and we finally were able to scratch up the money. (Plus my husband is friends with someone who owns a contracting business and he was willing to front us the $$ and work on good will.) Deep blessings for this!!! So I want to celebrate!

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by vydalea Next to your name by your post it tells when you joined with your user name.  You probably know that but on the off chance it's just something you are so used to seeing all the time that you overlook it .  

I wish I knew some kind of house selling dance to do for you.  I will be sending every ounce of energy I have your way tomorrow morning.  

Hey lady!!

We have our countdown stockings going full swing.  We started decorating this weekend.  We got our our Yule log and put it on our new hutch.  We also *finally!* purchased the SUN BREAD book!  It is one of Z's stocking activities to read it the day before we make the bread.  I just know she is going to love it.  Thanks for that idea, Maia!! 

Oh. Well, who knew? ~hits self on head~ It seems I joined when ds was like a year and a half. I thought I was on here during pregnancy, but I guess not.

Thanks for the energy. They loved the house-- didn't like the location. There's an Industrial Park across the street and down a hill some. It's making dreadful noise right now because they're redoing the parking lot and there's big equipment. But the people even understood that-- they didn't like that you could SEE it. Well, duh, it's winter, there's no growth out there. It's all bare and dead. And the realtor didn't point that out? You can't see jack in the spring, summer, and fall. AUGH!!!! I am going to SCREAM. And now, they're suggesting I put a corner fence up. A fence??? With what money? And so I can....what, sell it? I am just so fed up. I have not had a problem with that damn industrial park for five years. Big deal you can see it for 3 months, are you freaking kidding me?
Ugh. I am just so mad.

You're welcome on the Sun Bread idea. We like it!

Originally Posted by ian'smommaya well, ds is struggling at school but otherwise he is good. 

Mine's failing. He's bloody brilliant and he's failing. Not borderline either-- but with 46s and 60s. And he's been banned from the internet for calling a classmate (online) a m***f***g d*ck. So he hasn't had internet for weeks and weeks, and I just found a note he wrote about me that makes that look like a Dick and Jane primer. And he's ELEVEN.

Right now, I am just so sick of being a parent. It's endless. It's relentless. HE is relentless. I thought it was bad when he was three. OMG. If I'd had any idea. It just gets worse and worse.

 

Originally Posted by amlikam This will be the first year I celebrate without any parents. And while I feel sad about it, this ritual work I did the first weekend of the month has left me high on love and joy for the world.

I am curious how you all are handling the Christmas happenings at your kids schools, if applicable?

My home is from a Shaker Villiage and the windows were "custom" made after the house was moved by oxen in 1860. Some of them "were updated" in the 20's or 30's....

Boo, and yay, about your parents and the ritual work.

I don't think they're doing anything at my son's school, but if they did, they try sometimes almost *too* hard to be all-inclusive, to the point of being overannoying.

Your house sounds cool, though!

[Aeress]

Hi All,
Been away too long, missing my mothering forums so I stopped back in.
Hope all is well with you

[DaughterOfKali]

Originally Posted by Aeress 

Hi All,
Been away too long, missing my mothering forums so I stopped back in.
Hope all is well with you

  Hi!!!!

[amlikam]

Ok I am getting really excited about solstice now, I don't know why- well maybe it has something to do with the 5 dozen sun cookies I am making tonight for my daughters solstice event at school tomorrow. :-)

Anyhow wondering what traditions you all have (if any). Oh and maybe what songs you might sing to celebrate?

[vydalea]

Originally Posted by ian'smommaya 

i am here too! things are going along really well, i have full time work as an aromatherapist blending for a candle and aromatherapy company and i am keeping up with my online stores on poppyswap and etsy really well. i am busy busy busy but it feels so good! we are a little behind at home for the decorating and such but this week we are doing it. everyone is good here, well, ds is struggling at school but otherwise he is good. 

Hooray for the full time work!  By any chance do you have a go-to book that you recommend for folks who are just beginning to learn about aromatherapy.  I know basics but I'm interested in learning further and thought you might get the question a lot.  I have "learn to work with herbs and oils" on my treasure map...so i'm tryin' to get on that. haha

I'm sorry to hear DS is struggling at school.  Academically or otherwise?    

Originally Posted by revolting 

Still here, though in full-holiday mode. Our family had the flu all last week, so we just got our tree. Looking through all the ornaments we've made together through the years brings me such joy! My youngest and I just started a batch of salt dough suns to make for the tree. I have two sweaters I'm blocking right now, so I only have one more sweater to finish before Yule, but of course it's the biggest one, so I try to limit my internet time, especially responding.

I am glad everyone is feeling better now!  I am so full of awe at ppl who knit such intricate things as sweaters.  Z said to me yesterday "we should knit a dog!" and I told her that mama can only knit scarves and blankets. haha.  I have no desire to go further with my knitting right now - I just look at the cool things other ppl are making and hold them in high regard!

How is the new home?  Namely how is the energy there?  

Originally Posted by amlikam 

Conflicted with joy and sadness this year. Excited to be in a love/joy phase but kind of missing my dad who passed in October. This month has my Mom's birthday on Solstice (who passed when I was young) and my Dad's the day after Christmas... This will be the first year I celebrate without any parents. And while I feel sad about it, this ritual work I did the first weekend of the month has left me high on love and joy for the world.

I feel like I am bubbling over.

I am curious how you all are handling the Christmas happenings at your kids schools, if applicable? We are blessed to have a school which does full (separate) celebrations for Chanukah, Solstice and Christmas  and that we are an "interfaith" family. But I feel kind of fustrated at how so much emphasis is place on the Christmas this year..... (maybe it is the pregnancy hormones?).

Anyhow that is where I am for now.

Oh one last thing to be excited about, supposedly the replacement windows for my house will be delivered and installed by the week end (I'll believe it when I see it :-) but still happy to know they have been ordered and will be happening soon. I have been in the house for over 6 yrs and the windows are well, old! My home is from a Shaker Villiage and the windows were "custom" made after the house was moved by oxen in 1860. Some of them "were updated" in the 20's or 30's.... they rattle in the wind and none of them stay open on their own... I feel like it was so important with child #2 on the way to have them replaced and we finally were able to scratch up the money. (Plus my husband is friends with someone who owns a contracting business and he was willing to front us the $$ and work on good will.) Deep blessings for this!!! So I want to celebrate!

Wow.  I hope you can celebrate the beautiful lives of your parents on their birthdays.  I cannot imagine what going through the holidays without my folks would be like.  However, what a great place to be in with love and joy for the world.  I have stayed away from stores as much as possible this holiday season and have put on my best "buddy the Elf" energy to pass on to the retail workers when I have been out.  Buddy might be too strong but, you know, a smiling face - a kind word.  Having been in retail for years during this time I always appreciated the kindness of people who treated me like a human.

Z goes to a Jewish preschool and so they have been doing Hanukkah celebrations and I love it.  I love that she is exposed to another religion - I think it helps her understand what "Happy Holidays" means - lots of people celebrating in lots of different ways.  She has Hanukkah at school, Yule at home and Christmas with her grandparents.  I also love the fact that Christmas isn't shoved down her throat.  I know they aren't listening to Christian hymns!!  I can't wait for our week of hardcore Yuletide celebration next week!! weehoo!!

Check out this interesting talk by Penn Jillette "There's no War on Christmas.  Let's just spead the Joy, Man!" :: http://bigthink.com/think-tank/penn-jillette-theres-no-war-on-christmas-just-spread-the-joy-man  I found it really interesting and refreshing.  I never thought about Christmas Carols the way they are put in the written article.  

Originally Posted by Maiasaura 

Thanks for the energy. They loved the house-- didn't like the location. There's an Industrial Park across the street and down a hill some. It's making dreadful noise right now because they're redoing the parking lot and there's big equipment. But the people even understood that-- they didn't like that you could SEE it. Well, duh, it's winter, there's no growth out there. It's all bare and dead. And the realtor didn't point that out? You can't see jack in the spring, summer, and fall. AUGH!!!! I am going to SCREAM. And now, they're suggesting I put a corner fence up. A fence??? With what money? And so I can....what, sell it? I am just so fed up. I have not had a problem with that damn industrial park for five years. Big deal you can see it for 3 months, are you freaking kidding me?
Ugh. I am just so mad.

Mine's failing. He's bloody brilliant and he's failing. Not borderline either-- but with 46s and 60s. And he's been banned from the internet for calling a classmate (online) a m***f***g d*ck. So he hasn't had internet for weeks and weeks, and I just found a note he wrote about me that makes that look like a Dick and Jane primer. And he's ELEVEN.

Right now, I am just so sick of being a parent. It's endless. It's relentless. HE is relentless. I thought it was bad when he was three. OMG. If I'd had any idea. It just gets worse and worse.

Aiyiyi, mama!  I wish I could just give you a big, big hug right now.    I don't even know what to say except that.    

Originally Posted by Aeress 

Hi All,
Been away too long, missing my mothering forums so I stopped back in.
Hope all is well with you

hey hey lady!!!  Welcome back!!! 

[vydalea]

amlikam: we cross posted.  We sing "Here Comes the Sun" on Solstice 

[amlikam]

Originally Posted by vydalea 

amlikam: we cross posted.  We sing "Here Comes the Sun" on Solstice 

 LOVE LOVE LOVE it!!! I have been singing that song all week. This little one growing in me we call our little SunSeed. Mainly because when She (?) was conceived and implanting I had these wild dreams of the moon planting a "sun seed" in my womb.

[Aeress]

We are singing in church this Sunday, One More Circle by Peter Mayer, which will be our theme for Yule week. We are making sun dancers and maybe crowns. We are fighting colds so anything we do to get ready is a bonus!

[Kaydove]

I love the song Here Comes the Sun!
I went to Kitchen Witch class last night! It was awesome! I feel like I got a good base of understanding and not like I'm floundering anymore! Plus DH watched DD for 4 hours and she didn't cry once! The longest I've been away from her before was 1.5 hours! I SO needed that. They had tons of fun dancing and singing. A huge benefit of DH being laid off is that he gotten so much time with her and they've really bonded. He also gets more of a better picture of how intense she is. He lovingly called her a hellion last night. She's a handful but I wouldn't have it any other way. She's so much fun right now.

I need to find a Solistice craft. Anyone have any ideas?

[Yammas]

Hello ladies hope your all well Im interested in paganism and just wanted to ask if you could recommend any good sources of information on the different paths and ways to celebrate the upcoming solstice???

[Maiasaura]

Originally Posted by vydalea amlikam: we cross posted.  We sing "Here Comes the Sun" on Solstice 

Yes! We do too! Oh, and also "This Little Light of Mine"

Originally Posted by Kaydove I need to find a Solistice craft. Anyone have any ideas?

We have little construction paper suns hanging on our tree. I used a sun-shaped cookie cutter to trace around. They're yellow on one side and black on the other. I probably should glitter them, huh? Easy-peasy, though.

And, dried fruit. I keep forgetting for this year, but I usually dry orange and lemon slices in a really slow oven. They smell SO good when they're drying! Though, I have a dehydrator now. I wonder how that would work. I hate it because it's really noisy, but it's more effective than the oven for jerky.
I hang the dried orange slices on the tree. They look like stained glass if you put one in front of a tree light! So pretty.

Originally Posted by Yammas 

Hello ladies hope your all well Im interested in paganism and just wanted to ask if you could recommend any good sources of information on the different paths and ways to celebrate the upcoming solstice???

Welcome, Yammas! You should probably search back in the thread(s) for Yule, Winter Solstice, other keywords like that. There's a TON of stuff-- I've been on here for like 10 years!

Got ds's stuff wrapped today. There isn't a lot, but it's quality stuff-- the Hunger Games trilogy and a mockingjay necklace from Etsy to go with, a pair of "skinny jeans" brand-new from Old Navy (we don't ever do new clothes, so this is big), stuff like that. Oh, and this is probably the last year for Santa (he's turning 12 next month)-- Santa got him a recurve bow and 10 new arrows. This will be his 3rd bow. He's a very good shot.

Tomorrow, I wrap my mom's things.

I scored for ds on a loft-- $30 from a local mama! Same day (yesterday) that I got it, I dumped the twin-over-full bunk beds. Paid $30 for the loft, $50 for my handyguy to haul the loft home and he'll set it up tomorrow, sold the bunks for $150. Score! I made $70 on the whole deal. I originally paid $200 for the bunks including mattresses, so I'm still making out. Yay!
Oh, and I did finally sell my drums-- got $300 for them. I don't recall putting financial boons on my Treasure Map, but I'll take them. I'm running up the CCs as fast as I'm getting cash, though.

OH!!!! M got a sponsor yesterday! I hope this lasts. I hope he develops a relationship with this guy and actually starts working the steps. That IS on my Treasure Map. Now if the house would just sell....that would be the very best Yule gift.