homage: the sage cauldron

Blog-dom!

So it’s been quite some time since I have posted anything remotely related to Goddess Group and/or my Pagan-esque ways.
And well…
It’s time!

***A little fyi – I have hyperlinked some of the terms in an effort to save time by extensive explanantions. Plus I am far from an expert about anything and certainly do not want to give false information – and in this realm – the information is VAST. So I have linked to a website I think best describes what I am talking about even in a round about way -- we are a pretty liberal group and tend to do things in a more casual way – but these websites will give you a general idea.

I am a very lucky gal…
Not only do I get to congregate with a group (our ah-may-zing Goddess Group) of awesome like-minded women where we can be ourselves and discuss whatever topics we like without being given a disapproving side eye – but the group and the metaphysical shop where Goddess Group is held is the brilliant original idea by my best friend Angela (and I gotta give props to her hubby James too).
Yeah – how cool is that?
For those who are not Pagan – trust me, finding like-minded people is hard enough – but a place to hang, talk, purchase magical/metaphysical items, and just be is far and few between!
The Sage Cauldron (link to their website – please check them out.) is all that and more…

You ever walk into somewhere and just feel all cozy & homey?
That’s how I felt the first time I stepped foot in their shop.
(love her coolio ecclectic corkboard – recognize any babies on there? yup, that would be Skylar!)
The smells of herbs, handpoured oils, & incense and the overall aura is just (for a lack of a better word) pure goodness.
Added to the goodness is Goddess Group of course and the classes they offer – I am currently in the midst of a tarot class – plus I have taken classes on herbal magic, candle magic, how to build an altar, and moon magic.

So last night at Goddess Group we had a semi-formal Full Moon Circle as it was the Hunter’s Moon and all.
(here is the moon – although I never have good luck getting good moon shots…)

We made our altar in celebration of the fall – each of bringing decorations as well as personal item to charge with the positive energy of the circle
(here is the altar – and yes, that little blue book is my Weight Watcher weigh-in record – I need all the positive energy I can get!)
(here are some fun photos I took – a little swirly to protect the identity of my fellow goddesses.)
I also took some random photos throughout our evening in hopes of possible catching some orbs -- which I have during previous events held at The Sage Cauldron. And last night was no exception. I had many more photos but they include my goddesses and well, I am not the type to ever post photos without someone’s permission.
(you can see the orbs varried throughout the photo – this area, which is where we conduct Goddess Group, is typically where I get some of the best orb photos in the shop.)
(this photo was actually taken before we cast the circle and invited spirits to join us.)

It was a special evening with a lot of positive energy – as always.

I am so fortunate to have my friend, Angela Lou, Goddess Group, and The Sage Cauldron!
(Ange & I taken 10/7/2011 – our nite out & about!)

Oooh – and next Tuesday for Goddess Group, we are going on a ghost hunt to a local cemetary.
Cool Beans!!!

Blessed be…
♥cyn♥

HoLLa: Update on Life vol. 6

Hello Bloggy-wood!

Okay yeah I know I have been totally ignoring this blog – did I mention I know write two separate blogs now? Yeah, so much better in theory than reality.
Plus I was invited to join triberrr which I have been fuddling/fumbling around on that site a lot lately.
Oh and my new twitter addiction!
And let’s not forget weight watchers…
Working out five times a week (I am soooo rockin’ the gym thing lately!)
My photography – I shoot something every day no matter what or how horrid they turn out.
And all that other life stuff – kids, kids, kids, brian, laundry, cooking, and the occasional moment to decompress!

But life is sooooo freakin’ good!
It’s not perfect (never will be) but it’s GOOD!

I have been feeling MUCH better – especially since seeing my doc (lurve her) last week and expressing my concerns (feeling like I was regressing on the meds and all). She seems to think my progress is better than most and in hindsight – it is! I think I have high expectations but when I compare myself to where I was --- it’s an extreme difference.
And it is so hard to explain to people.
Tonight at Goddess Group I was asked why I am taking the wellbutrin and I completely stumbled with my answer? I think because I struggle with the correct way to explain depression?

I think most people believe depression is just what it sounds like – being depressed/sad/blue. And it is – but it is SO much more.
It is (for me at least)…
The inability to function normally – whatever your *normal* may be.
Not finding joy in things that used to bring you joy.
Feeling like you are fumbling in a daze through your day, your week, your life.
Wanting to lock yourself up away and becoming this anti-social creature your don’t even recognize.
Letting yourself go physically. Not caring about how you look to the point where bathing can become a chore.
To name a few…
And ALL of these things are the polar opposite of what I once was.

My doc also prescribed me trazodone to help me with my insomnia. (having clarity does have it’s downfall – sometimes I cannot get out of my own head because I am so filled with thoughts and ideas!)
I havent taken it…
Because I am not sure how I feel about it?
Plus I want to wait until the weekend when Bri is off in case I cannot wake up for Skylar.
She also set me up to speak with a therapist.
Gulp
I am not opposed to it – I probably could use an impartial person to vent to – but where in THE hell do I even begin?
I guess I will find out on the 27th @ my first appointment?

I am trying to keep positive about the whole process.
Trust the process – my new mantra!
I think it applies to so many things in my life right now.

So with that being said…
Lemme leave you with a few of my fave photos from the past week…
Because one bracelet is never enough…
Daddy & Sky
A tech geek is born – she l♥ves the ipod!
Hunter on his way to get his fancy duds for Homecoming…
*sigh*


Toodles!
♥cyn♥

Wanna know more about my journey and/or Weight Watchers?
Check out my diet blog -- misadventures of a chunky goddess.

HoLLa: Update on Life vol. 5

Happy Monday Blogdom!

So it’s been a few days since I wrote on here – been really busy with life, the whole weight watcher/gym thing, having margaritas, spending an entire day bickering/brawling with Bri (grrrrr!), being a mommy to a ridiculously energetic two year old and two teenagers & all while being completely fabulous (snicker).
Cause that’s how I roll ya know…

Okay I gotta few questions to toss out there…
1. Why is that there are xmas trees in Walmart already? Saw them with my own eyes yesterday. Skylar thought they were wonderous – I nearly puked.
2. Why do you always run into someone you haven’t seen in a bazillion years that one time you decide to make a quick dash to pick up milk looking like medusa in ratty(ish) yoga pants & flip flops?
3. Why do some people always seem to look a gift horse in the mouth? Seriously – you are being given something out of the kindness of someone’s heart & you are going to question and critique it? Ah-friggen-may-zing!
4. Why do *old* people feel compelled to show me their bodily issues? I love my grandmother – but I do NOT need to see that *foot thing* you got going on. Wish I was making this one up. Ew!
5. Why do some people not realize that their child is a menace to society and it is not a phase? You have possible serial killer on your hands & it should be addressed.
6. And finally… why is it that some people do not realize that the problem is them? If your family, friends, and co-workers ALL have issue with you – I am guessing it is you?
Any insight is greatly appreciated!

So a little boo-boo update:
Remember this?
Skylar vs. bannister – bannister wins!

Then it progressed to this…
Swollen & freakin’ me out because she actually look different. :)
Then a nice bruise… if bruises are your thing and all?
Finally this is where we are at today.
SO much better. Swelling gone – leaving a nice yellowish bruise.
But still a very sore subject. If I ask her what happened she does this weird eye blinky thing and then makes a fake cry. Obviously she just cannot speak of such things…

So to end on a good note: I start tarot class with Angela @ her shop this week!!!!OMGosh so excited.
I have been wanting to take this class since early this year – just with my job & life it never worked out. But now it does and I am making it a priority.
May sound silly to some? But I have always wanted to really learn how to read cards!

And finally – I think I am finally ready to have my tubes tied. We know we don’t want to have more babies – but choosing not to and being physically unable has been something I have oddly struggled with? I have been two times since Skylar was born to see my ob/gyn (a peach of a woman) about it and both times she told me I wasn’t ready.
I am ready now and with being out of work and Skylar not being quite so dependent on me – the time is right.
I am a bit leery about the procedure and all – any input out there?

Time to seize the day – we have had incredible weather here the past week or so – which is rumored to end this coming weekend. Gonna take Miss Sky outside and maybe to the park?
Toodles!
♥cyn♥

boo-boo's, crock pot crap & pouts!

Hello blog-o-sphere!
Oy vey…
Ever have one-of-those-days?
Well yesterday was one-of-those-days…
It wasn’t a bad day – I refuse to have bad days anymore. It was just an off day!

It started off really good…
Coolness in the air so Skylar got to wear some new *fall-ish* duds – love this little outfit – from Target and wicked cheap! She looks so Parisian, no? Just missing the beret.

(this is me channeling my daughter into my inner carrie bradshaw – shhh!)

All was going well and whilst preparing the crock pot dish from hell for my ROCK OUT with your CROCK OUT feature on that other blog I write.
No really it is the worst recipe ever and was a disaster… ugh!
But I digress…

Anywho… I am in the kitchen preparing the crock pot dish from hell and I hear a cry out and then major tears. I go walking into the living room and Skylar has clocked herself on the stair bannister…
It ultimately resulted in this…

(yeah she is pretty pissed & distraught as you can see – this is her infamous pouty face too.)

Her first major boo-boo and the center of our universe for the remainder of the day. If the subject was even breeched she would cry – so obviously traumatized. I felt so bad for her.
She has a nice lump – even a little worse today. It’s weird to look at her – she looks different even. Kinda freaks me out – but it could have been SO much worse!
Needless to say we are getting padding for the bottom of that bannister as this is the second (and worst) time she has gotten hurt on that flippin’ thing!

The good news is that the day ended on a high note!
Skylar got a new Jasmine dress-up costume.
My mom spoils her rotten but oh my gosh this thing is cute huh?

(she loves dress-up, as do most little girls)

And she has been doing PHENOMENAL with the potty-training! It is amazing what stickers can do… heh! She only wears a pull-up at night and when she is out (shopping, etc.) for emergencies. I worry that she will be in the car and *hafta go*.
The only pitfall of potty-training is this…

(miss thang has no diaper to hold her pants up and well, she has been dropping trou all week!)


Also good…
I had Goddess Group last night and it was great. We have just been chatting about this and that – there are so many diversified ladies in the group with all different beliefs and such – so the conversations are always just awesome. Especially if you are open-minded for the paranormal and metaphysical.
Which I so am.
Maybe one day I will write about the ghost in my house.
Oh yes – we have a ghost – I have seen him!

AND… I am a weiner & got my prizes yesterday in the mail!
Thank you Sensual Ride!

(check out her amazing blog of all things sexy, erotic, and cool!)

My goodies…

(that’s right – bow.chicka.wow.wow!!)

So my off day ended with a bang!
(groannnn – bad joke I know!)

But today is a new day – and thus far no boo-boo’s, crock pot crap, or pouts!
♥cyn♥

HoLLa: Update on Life vol.2

Happy Labor Day Blogdom!

Mine felt like actual labor – thanking you PMS – NOT!
Anywho, let’s not start this post with bitchin’ and talk of female bits– I have plenty time left for that later on in the post… heh!

But at least we got some pool time in as it will be closed on Wednesday – always a sad day for me as I am part fish and sucha summer gal.


So what’s new?
Well…

I rejoined Weight Watchers for the 3rd and hopefully final time.
I got all nostalgic with my blog turning the big ONE and started reading back on old posts. It really resonated with me that I was most content on WW and doing SO good. Hell I was even RUNNING a mile or so non-stop!
I bet I couldn’t run 50 feet right now if you held a gun to my head. But I digress…

I let a lot of life stuff get in my way – my shitty ex-job, money stuff, holidays, basic stress – and decided I could do the weight loss thing on my own. Yeah ask me how that worked out?
I have put back on about 13lbs (out of 22lbslost total) from my lowest point on WW last year – boo hiss!
Heck – I have put 6lbs on in six weeks – which is just wrong, wrong, wrong!!!

So I began to question why I was doing this alone and painfully struggling which leads to frustration and failure???
Brian agreed that I was happier on WW so I bit the bullet, signed the dotted line, and am now a bonabide paying WW Member again.

I need the plan, the tracking, the PointsPlus system, the accountability that comes from weekly weigh-in’s and meetings, and I need the support from my meetings, leader, and the online WW community!
Some of you who read my drivel here are from the WW site – xxoo!

And I am stoked to be back – and I haven’t been stoked about *dieting* in a LONG time! I have my gym membership too – something I have never had on any of my Weight Watcher Journeys – so I can only assume that I will have success. I have always had success on WW – but now I have better tools and I am in such a better place in my mind, body, and soul! (Thank you admittance and Wellbutrin!)

I put a tab up above to track WW along with a few others – I was bored the other night while everyone slept and snored. I have felt like changing my blog up a bit – not sure what will stay or go yet? Just testing the waters a bit. I mean do I really need more than five tabs?

In really good news:
Goddess Group resumes tomorrow night after summer hiatus!
YAY!!!

I need my group, my fellow Goddesses, and our girlie-pow-wow time! Not to mention that I have let my spirtual work REALLY slack and I miss it. (Also something I realized whilst reflecting through my blog the other night.)
I haven’t lit a candle, said a prayer, casted a spell, or ANYTHING magical for that matter in longer than I can remember – tsk tsk!
I plan on fixing that this week.

So while I am sad to see summer end – fall is bringing some really great things my way!
Coolio!

Oh and one final thing – I wasn’t going to make a big deal about it but I said screw it – it needs to be said!

Apparently saying how you feel and/or using a few carefully placed swear words can cause you to lose followers??
To each their own but sorry, that's lame.
If I stopped reading and/or following every blog that didn't conform to my opinions and everything I believe in I would be one lonely FUCKER (ooops there goes two more followers) in the blog-o-sphere.
Oh well – love me or leave me – literally!
*heh*

I love having followers – I mean that’s at least part of the reason why we blog right? And I jumped on the *hop til you drop* bandwagon and that is how I gained probably 80% of my followers. In hindsight – I would have done that differently. I would rather have peeps who WANT to read my blog that just a high number of people who I guarantee most never set an eye on what I post. Granted that goes both ways and if there was some way to remedy that – I would.
Oh well live and learn.

Now I do the hops I really want and only follow blogs I enjoy reading.
You lucky bloggers you… lol!
I suppose the same goes for everyone else?

And ya know -- if I am not your cup of tea, by all means don't read. But hopefully not because we don't share the same opinions.

Ya know what they say about opinions after all...

xxoo!
♥cyn♥

Weirdly Perfect

Today was weirdly perfect...
Especially for being the day before a hurricane and everyone in a panic to get out for provisions.
(for some that could be milk, bread, and batteries, and for others than may entail booze -- just sayin')

But getting back to my weirdly perfect day...

I got to sleep in late; such a treat and rarity!
I got my nails done and am madly in love with the color -- OPI black cherry chutney just so ya know.
I FINALLY made it to the gym after WEEKS (maybe even months) without stepping a toe in there.
I stopped by Angela's shop for the first time since Goddess Group went on summer break -- and I scored some A-Mazing Oya oil made with love and all things powerful, witchy, and Goddessy.
(Tomorrow I will be conjuring up some magic...)
I got mega kisses, hugs, and *I missed you Mommy* from Skylar when I got home from my two hour jaunt to the nail salon and gym.
I had some killer pizza, watched UFC, and had cheap wine with Brian!

Does this count as a date?
In our world, definitely yes!
*heh*

As I said... weirdly perfect!

Here are some photos of my neck of the woods batting down the hatches for Miss Irene.
I pray she spares us her total wrath...

The sky about midday when the rain began...



Skylar's backyard kingdom fastened down and ready to ride out the storm!

Wonder if Dunkin' will be open tomorrow... I am guessing yes! Rhode Islander's without their coffee is far worse than a storm!

Sand bags everywhere!


Local fire departments prepare...


My gym -- ready to weather the storm but determined to stay open!
Did ya know that Planet Fitness is offering their shower and locker room facilities to anyone displaced or in need during Hurrican Irene? Even non-members!

Angela's shop!
How awesome is this???
Stay safe blogdom!
♥cyn♥

HaPPy Goddess Tuesday!

First I wanna say – THANK YOU THANK YOU – for my 400+ Followers! And a special SHOUT OUT to the newest followers! And to my tried and true bloggy friends too of course. I write this blog for myself first and foremost – but I do love the comments and feedback more than I can ever express!
This blog has been so MUCH more rewarding that I ever anticipated!
*sigh in bloggy lovedom*

Moving along…
It’s AMAZING what solid sleep can do for the body, mind, and soul! I feel a gazillion times better than yesterday and all because my precious daughter slept through the night. Okay she woke up at 5:30am, came into bed with us (she does this every day) and fell back asleep until 7am. I will GLADLY take that!
Plus I L♥VE the morning snuggles…

Despite my lack of sleep – we had a nice day yesterday!

Here she is playing with some old jewlery of mine I came across recently…

Princess Skylar! She talks NON-STOP about her Cinderella Birthday Party this coming Sunday…

Finally tuckerin’ out…

She is SUCH a good girl and even though I may get frustrated from a lack of sleep (among other things) – I wouldn’t want my life any other way.

Hey did ya check out my new & improved new header? Yeah – I made that on a whim this morning whilst drinking my cuppa joe! I am diggin’ it. I think it fits the *feel* of my blog?
And I made this too -- ♥♥♥♥♥
Wish I knew who to give credit to in regards to the quote – I found it in some notes I jotted down.

I have been doing the june:photo-a-day challenge faithfully – posted in my photo-a-day tab directly below my spanky new header. Anyone else playing along?

Tonight is Goddess Group – YaY!

I need some Goddess Goodness.

I found this pic – I think I need one of these in my life (as Angela would say). Actually I think it would be REALLY cool in Skylar’s Kingdom with some minor adjustments in locations.

Time to get this glorious day underway and me thinks Skylar and I shall spend some of it in the pool and basking in this wonderous sunshine!

HaPPy Goddess Tuesday!
♥cyn♥

HaPPy HuMp DaY!

What’s the good word ya ask?

How about nature?
Just look how well the Iris, strawberries, Skylar’s watermelon and my herb garden are doing.

I feel so dang connected to nature lately – I think I need to camp and spend the night under the stars at least once this summer. Even if that means in my own backyard!

How about Goddess Group last tonight?
I always enjoy group, but I admit some nights are better than others. Last night was one of those nights. Just a good vibe going on!
My fellow Goddesses and I practiced some psychometry (token-object reading) and we rocked it. Then we had a really cool convo involving spirit guides, déjà vu, and parallel plains and universes!
Our little group of Goddesses is almost a year old by the way. I wasn’t there for the original gathering, but darn close.
Wow, what a difference a year makes!
Finding this group has helped me evolve in so many positive ways. It certainly lead me to my path, gave me clarity, friendships, purpose, and helped me find ME again – because ME was so sadly lost in the shuffle of everything else going on in my life.
And yes, there has been a minimal amount of *chick BS* as I call it. I will never understand the need for competiveness and hatred between women when we should be uniting and ruling the world – just sayin’. Angela welcomes everyone with open arms no matter what your beliefs or walk of life may be -- but negativity in a womans EMPOWERMENT group kinda defeats the purpose.
And I cannot count how many of you lovely ladies out there reading my drivel have left me comments saying how much you wish there was a Goddess Group near you.
I am still working on the teleporter so we can get ya all here.
(Gosh, wouldn’t that be cool?!)

How about my wicked cool new necklace I got from Angela’s shop last night? I need something cool around my neck and wanted a crystal and I just fell in love with the rogue crystal as NO ONE knows its true identity!

Seriously, while it’s rogue-ness is cool -- if anyone could tell us exactly what it is – I would be eternally grateful. We have some ideas just aren’t 100% sure?

How about my daughter Skylar who will be two in less than two weeks (WoWie!)?
She is hysterical.
The other day I was kinda getting after her about manners; mainly please and thank you. Not five minute later she was demanding something and I said, “What’s the magic word?”
Without batting an eyes she says, “Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo!”
Indeed! *heh*

Guess who is having a Cinderella birthday party?

Then yesterday we are walking outside to the pool and she INSISTS that she saw a toucan flying over the yard.
Okay so they are technically indigenous to the Neptropic Zone (Central and South America, the Carribbean, and Florida) – I suppose one could be lost in Rhode Island?
HA!

Don’t you wish you could sleep like this? I know I do, I bet I haven’t slept like that since the 1990s!

How about the photo challenge that starts TODAY???
Told ya I would give ya a reminder (ANGELA)!
Break out the Cannon (ANGELA), Nikon, Kodak, cell phone, ipod – whatever and play along!
The details are HERE on the post I made on Monday.
I will be partaking and posting before the end of the day in the section below my header named *photo-a-day*.

Finally and just because it feels appropriate…

Gotta L♥VE Miss O!

♥cyn♥