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. 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♥

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♥

How to Spend a Saturday...

HaPPy SaTuRdaY!

With the boys gone – Brian, myself, and Miss Skylar decided to head out for the day…
Hunter is on a six day trip with his best friend to upstate New York – I am still in disbelief that I allowed him to go. But his friend is a good kid with a nice family and I need to loosen the umbilical cord a bit.
Peyton is off helping his Dad move – poor kid got the sh*t-end of the stick on this deal, but he said at least he would get a take-out dinner outta the deal. Heh!

So we decided to venture to Pagan Pride Day and check it out…





It was fun enough, a gorgeous locale, and the people were amazingly nice. I do have to say that while there were plenty of vendors and lots to see and choose from there wasn’t anything there minus a few items that my friend Angela doesn’t sell in her shop. Aren’t I lucky to be privy to somewhere so cool?

I did buy a pretty pendulum – it’s purple and for $3 including a cute little bag -- it was a steal. Also I bought a peacock feather and tulle hat scarf for my yet to be purchased witch hat. I am sucha sucker for peacock feathers and it will be awesome for Halloween or any witch-hat-wearing-occasion.


Skylar was happy just to be outside and in a park…





Pagan Pride behind us we moved along with our day…



*sigh*
I am so very blessed...


**On a side and very sad note -- I learned this week that a guy I went to high school with passed away from a massive heart attack he suffered earlier this month. He was two classes ahead of me but a very likeable and popular guy. Even now 20+ years later the outpouring of saddness and admiration for him is endearing and a true testament to what a wonderful person he was.
It is surreal when someone so vibrant and full of life passes away -- especially at the young age of 42 and so unexpectedly.
Obviously people I went to high school have passed away before -- usually young and accidentally. To have someone die like this is almost unreal. I think even 20+ years later we all still feel invincible and so obviously we aren't.
Life is precious and oh-so-fragile -- Marty's passing is proof of that.
So RIP Marty -- you were ahead of your time and such a class act!

♥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♥

Committment

I am making a concious effort to write more in my blog…

I refuse to let *life* get in the way anymore.

No really – I MEAN IT THIS TIME!!!

So I made a commitment today. Something I have been considering for sometime now. I have decided to go vegetarian for 30 days – made the official pledge and everything! Found it via my research on PETA’s website – which is just amazing and full of great information on going vegan/vegetarian! (They have a facebook page too – OF COURSE!)

Of course my intent is to continue with this choice – but the 30 Day Pledge is a step in the right direction. And ultimately I hope to be 100% vegan! (BTW I am actually on Day 3 and going STRONG!!!!)

This is a choice I have been weighing for some time now, especially since becoming more spiritually aware on my path. I won’t get all ethical – I think more people than not are aware of what REALLY goes on in our meat industry and how HORRID animals are treated and abused. But I will say that being more informed has helped me in making this decision.

I am also choosing this lifestyle for health reasons. I want a quality life where I can enjoy my family and the things I love most in the world for as long as possible. The health benefits of a vegan lifestyle are staggering!

And I admit it… I am vain. I want a healthier AND thinner body that works at peak performance! Something I think I can attain by making this healthier choice. I want to ROCK my wedding dress and be better looking into my 40s than I was in my 30s. I mean duh… who doesn’t want to look better? Or at least be the best version of themselves that they can be?

Now I am not unrealistic. I do not think choosing to be vegan is the *golden ticket* to being thinner. But I do believe it makes it harder to be overweight and makes you VERY conscious of every morsel that enters your body.

I feel very content about my decision. I am not saying I won’t be tempted – hamburgers are generally a comfort food I rely on regularly. And I will most definitely miss sushi more than words can describe. But I think the pros of giving up such things FAR outweigh the cons!

Maybe I am crazy… But I swear just three days in and already I feel different – in a good/better way!

I shall update on my progress.

Wish me luck and ANY advice (tips, websites, recipes, blogs) from anyone is GREATLY appreciated!

Blessed Be…

♥cyn♥