New Calendar Year - Oh Hello, 2014.

So, Witchy New Year is Nov 1st. But, the calendar year is almost at an end, and I can't help but reflect.

Where I was last year at this time is SO very different from where I am today. I was distracted and uncertain about just about every facet of my life. I was floundering, and poking at everything. This theme of uncertainty sort of carried out for most of the year actually. To be honest, I think I've only started to feel a solid foundation under me the last few weeks. So, Yay for that.

This year I let go of some fear. Scratch that. I let go of A LOT of fear. And that opened up so many lovely things. Yes, doors closed. They closed shut tight, never again to be opened. That makes me sad. But there is learning there, too. It all happens just as it should.

I spent so much of this year wearing my own armour. Being tough and untouchable in some ways, although I made myself extremely vulnerable in other ways.

I'm being vague. I know.

I guess, after this looooong long year, I need to say I am happy and satisfied where I've landed. I feel back on my path, although it's changed COMPLETELY from what I thought it was before. We are always where we are supposed to be, I guess. But I just feel so much more solid in myself after all of the dust settled. I feel like it's safe to have purpose again. It's safe to have goals again. It's safe to ask for help again.

It's safe to look ahead again. And I'm liking what I see coming.

I'm babbling. New Year.

Bah Humbug.

Holy. I have been missing from here for a while!!!! Where have I been???

Well, I was busy working on this:

Completed my Reflexology course, and have been working at a Wellness Centre in town.

And, I've been busy making these:

I have a little kiosk in a local space downtown. Been making stuff to sell for extra cash!

And I've been busy touching a bunch of stuff like this:

 

Working part time at a thrift store.

And been busy reading cards, using my Super Powers for Good and Healing:

Reading cards and channelling in my Reflexology office.

Also, been shovelling shit tonnes of THIS:

Snow. We got at least 50cm over  Wednesday, Thurs, Fri this week. It hasn't stopped yet. It's now Sunday.

And finding the time to read some good stuff, like this:

A bunch of great books came into the thrift store recently. I have stacks beside my bed and in my livingroom that are dying for me to OPEN them.

So, as you can see, life is pretty much the same as usual! I go in cycles, right? It's ALMOST layoff time at the thrift store, which means more time for me to do healing work, more time to read, and craft... And shovel.

However, I think right now what I'd really like is a hot bath. Today I battled with Bah Humbugs. I woke with a cold sore. And then happily I was talked out of using my credit card to buy stuff for the kids for Christmas. All year long I do so well with being on the soap box about de-materializing this time of year. And then THIS week comes up, and I think "Oh Gawd, I got 3 things for my littles, spent under $50 each... will they be disappoineted???"

The kicker is the littles don't "do" Santa anymore. They are 11 and 12.  So, there's no need to keep that charade up. My plan for the week off is to drag out their old toys and PLAY with them. To watch movies, and give their feeties Reflexology. To Bake. To pay attention to them, to look at them, to connect and talk.

I can DO this.
You can't get me, commercialism!

And, I am thankful for people who love me, who talk me out of my own doubt...

L.

The Good Life.

Dearest Universe, and all the powers and strengths and Gods and Goddesses within.

I'm so excited and eager for this move.I am in Love with The Good Life.  I thought I was ready before... all the things that have come to light in the last few weeks have shown me truths, and truly  made me ready to purge and go.

Solar Panels. Yes!

Bee Keeping. Yes!

A Garden that GROWS! Yes!

Dancing and Music and Laughter! Yes!

Spirit Work and Love Work! Yes!

Balance within and without! Yes!

I walk in two worlds. They want to keep it that way.

I have agreed.

Gazing Sphere! Fast Manifestation - What a Gift!

Today was AMAZING.

I had a reading out in a beautiful area, on a magical piece of property on Peek a Boo trail, in Toanche.  WHELMING. The energy was BIG.

I read for 4 ladies - every reading I wanted to go over in time! The last lady was the owner of the house. This house was completely made out in native decoration, a fantastically decorated home. I read in 'the library' - a room that had shelves from floor to ceiling, on all 4 walls. Filled with books that could have been on my own shelves (and some of them are!). Herbalism, Shamanism, Healing, Magic. I didn't see the stacks of tarot and divination cards until she and I had finished our readings. I remarked that I had a deck (Quester) that she had, but I hadn't touched it yet. I think after today, I'm ready to.

Anyway, at the beginning of her reading, before we even started, she said She had something she's been hanging onto for years. She knew it wasn't for her, but she had to have it to caretake for whoever it was for. And do I like round... you know...(and then she made the shape of the ball with her hands.) 

"Crystal Balls?" I said

"Yes! I have one for you. If you want it."

Sitting with my little bowl of penny wishes

 Absolutely, I said. I was looking online last night at some, and said to the Universe I'm so excited for MINE to come to me!

I'm surprised and pleased that it came to be so QUICKLY.

What's even better - I KNOW it was meant for me. The base is represented by pagan/wiccan Maiden/Mother/Crone. Not a native imagery. I made a girlish noise when I realized what was on the base.

Check this out:

Maiden

Mother

Crone

Each of the vine leaves are perfect.

She also giften me with a painted stone with the native wheel she painted on it.

It sits with the other stones and crystals I have, on my makeshift altar. There's NO room on my altar for the gazing ball. It's currently filled with the God of Summer, and a mermaid! Oh, and the clock that represents timelessness! See the copper coil? It's for the orgonite I'll be making - apparently pretty soon!!

Today I feel blessed. I think I was given a wonderful gift with todays readings.

The Garden. It's trying so hard.

Wild Rasperries in the Garden!

I'm so excited! Had to get a pic first before I picked 'em.

Row on the left is zucchini (summer squash.) Row on the right is Beans

Bean Flowering.

Only ONE of the squash from this box made it.

Beans didn't make it at all in this box. A few tomatoes. And weeds. Yup. More garden statues in this pic than plants.

Swiss Chard gone Mutant.

More wild rasperries on the other side of the garden.

Side garden, with smallish tomatoes, and cardboard. My intention was to cover it with soil. Which I never ordered.

Snow peas.

Few more squash having a hard time of it, in the side garden.

Morning Glories.. getting ready.

Hostas are happy. Morning Glories catching up.

Lilies with... what I'm hoping is not bindweed.

Crazy flowering vine... gotta check the interwebs to see if it's something horrible. Flowers prettily though.

GAIETY pattern - Satin White W. H. Grindley & co Ltd England

This is the set that I made girlish noises over winning at the Salvation Army Thrift Store auction. 

The pattern is called GAIETY. I couldn't for the life of me find any images to help me date it.  It's not perfect - definately was well loved and used. There's only 4 tea cups left, and there's some mad crazing and cracking on a few of the pieces. 

That will make it easier for me to love. And use. The size of the tea pot is fantastic. And the blue is just close enough to my Great Gran's pattern, that they will mix and match quite nicely. I have 6 tea cups from my Nanny's pattern, just incase more than 4 show for tea. 

Oh yes, ladies and gents. There will be tea.

GAIETY pattern - Satin White W. H. Grindley & co Ltd England Tea Pot

First Preserves of my Year! RADISH RELISH

Every year I plant radishes. Because they are one of the first things that can go in! They go next to the lettuces and the Swiss Chard... just after the peas. But, every year I think "what the heck do I do with all of these radishes!" Mainly because I like a tiny little bit in salads, and that's about it.

So, this year, I decided I would find some way to preserve them. I'm pretty tickled with the results.

RADISH RELISH

INGREDIENTS
3 cups stemmed radishes
2 large ribs celery
1 large red onion
2 tsp salt
1 cup sugar
1 tbls mustard seed
2 tsp dill seed
1/2 tsp celery seed
1 cup vinegar
2 tbls prepared horseradish

METHOD

Put the radishes, celery and onion through the coarse blade of a grinder, or chop them finely (A food processor was WAY easier than attempting to chop all this produce!) Mix with remaining ingredients and allow to stand three hours. Bring to a boil in a large pan and cook ten
 minutes. Pour into hot jars, leaving half-inch head space. Adjust lids and process 1/2 pints and pints in a boiling water bath for 20 minutes.


I used the smallest jars I had, only because I really wasn't sure what this was going to taste like! I figured it would most likely get consumed in small quantities. However, it's not spicy or hot at all, but really flavourful! Will be nice on sandwiches as well as burgers or hot dogs, or even to mix in with creamy salad dressings.

I am at Peace.

I'll probably be in this house another 6 years. When my goal was to be out and in my own home well before now. That's okay. I'm good with it. Maybe this is where I'm supposed to be till the kids grow up and all move out. I am at peace with it.

I may never catch up on the house work, and the yard work, and all the fix its that need attention. That's okay. I'm good with it. I do what needs done, in order of priority. I am at peace with this.

I may never be a millionaire. Or even a hundred-thousand-aire. And maybe not even a ten thousandaire. That's okay. I'm good with it. I always find what we need to get by, plus a few treats. (the kids got a few shorts and T's for summer this week. I'm feeling pretty satisfied.) I am at peace with this.

I may never be what others think I should be. I may not behave how others feel is the right way to behave. I may not live how others feel is the 'right' way to live.  That's okay. I'm good with it. Because I really really like myself. I'm in love with myself and my life. I'm the best I've ever had.

Living in Limbo.

So, it was brought to my attention last night, that it has been nearly a year of living in limbo.

Really, September is a few months off yet... but when it was worded that it's nearly been a year.. well.. I cried. It was a quick emotional response to a few different things. But it surprised me, and I quickly tucked it away for later. You know. When there's time to cry.

It's not like I haven't DONE things this year. I feel more.. ME. More honest about who I really am. I think that's what I feel. I've learned a lot of things about myself, and those around me. It's also a really interesting feeling to know that I don't need someone to take care of me, that I'm responsible for my own sh*t, no matter what way it falls. Up until this last nearly-year happened, I always had someone to fall back on... or to blame.

I'm really appreciative of this living in limbo time. It's given me a window to figure out some stuff. Inside and out of myself.

More and more though, I'm feeling like limbo time is almost done.

There's also this business in the last few days about thinking of moving to Nova Scotia. It's filled my brain and excited possibilities, and then my cousin down there got in on the dreaming, and then people in the thrift store where I work part time kept mentioning they were from Nova Scotia or down east, without my prompting. I'm wondering what that's all about.

The phrase I kept hearing was "What are you running from?"

And here I thought I was running forward. ha!

The play is almost over. Time to get back to the business of life. MY life. And what brings me pleasure and happiness. Gardening. Creating. Momming.

Life is Good. It all works out.

L.

It Is a Country Home...

It is a country home. Not too far out, but not in town either. It has enough land for me to manage, enough land for privacy, enough sun for growing foods, and enough shade for comfort.

It is a good home, a solid home, a home just big enough. Big enough for lounging and creating and cooking and dancing.

There is love there. Love is invited in, and embraced. There is joy, and laughter, and understanding and knowing there. And Comfort. There is comfort there. I am settled there.

I am secure there. Secure in heart, secure in home. It is mine.

Little Scotia at Penelope PickleBottoms in Midland Ontario

Little Scotia has been invited to sell items at Penelope PickleBottoms new shop in Midland Ontario! So exciting!

Located at 231 King Street, across from Brunelle's Jewellery, inside a new mini mall where the pizza place used to be. (You know you're from a small town when you give directions like THAT!!)

The Little Scotia items that will be available at Penelope Picklebottoms will be small kid oriented stuff - Sock Monkeys, printed dolls, playable stuff! If you are interested more in the adult - art dolls, you should come to the Little Scotia Facebook page, until I find a home to carry those!!!

Squee!!!

Little Scotia Lori.

 

This Summer WILL be different.

I realized today, while laying exhausted... that I am going to have to work from home this summer.

This shouldn't be a big deal. It shouldn't be news, either. But it's going to take a bit of planning. Because I have far more financial obligations than I did the last time I stayed home with the kids for the summer, which was the summer before last.

Last summer, I worked full time, and although I appreciated the money, I hated not being at home. I feel like I didn't do anything good or summery with my kids. My garden went to shit, and I got NOTHING from it. I was really unhappy about it. I missed summer. I missed my kids. I missed important things. My memories of it leave me feeling extremely dissatisfied and angry.

This cannot happen this year, in the name of the dollar.

I can't pay for daycare. I don't want to be continually dumping them elsewhere. And, I WANT to spend time with them. I feel like I am brushing them off in favour of going to work, which pays for things that ARE NOT that important. Not important enough to be brushing off my kids.  And they are getting to an age where it is as important as EVER for me to be around... Ask me about my own childhood at this age, and you'd understand why this is such a big deal for me.

I have to figure out what the dollar amount IS that I will require to stay home this summer.  What amount will I have to earn weekly in order to make this happen.

I hope the universe delivers a plan to me pretty soon.
And some energy to make it happen.

That's it. I'm tired. 8:24pm. I'm to bed.
L.

Losing Steam.

So, today was the third date of the theatre show I'm in.
First night went very well. Audience howled at everything.
Second night was great - different type of audience, but every audience differs. They were quiet in the first act, but laughed in the second act, as they had listened to all the set up in the first.

Today was a Sunday matinee. And I reeeally really don't want to talk about it. I think we all managed to cover our butts, barely. I really screwed up right at the beginning. And although I tried to shake it, ... just gah. I'm disappointed in myself for missing any of my parts. Because I'm better than that.

We don't go on again  until Thursday. I will be reviewing my lines. Intensely.

I also had to give up my very flashy bow at the end. I come out at the beginning of the play in a bustier... and end the play in a skirt and blazer. I was coming out with the blazer wrapped around me and then FLASHING the audience the bustier underneath. It got GREAT response. However, today after act 1, I was told I wasn't to do that anymore. It took the juice right out of me. So, everone else got to do their fun little act before their bow. I get to just walk out. Ah well. At least everyone else got their response.

Anyway. I'm sure I have far more interesting things to talk about, with the behind the scenes of the theatre... I just can't find them today.

I hope THE THING that is supposed to come from this makes itself OBVIOUS soon.

L.

The Whole Town Has Seen Me in a Corset.

So. This is what's keeping me busy.

I've been memorizing lines, as I'm acting in the next Huronia Players production in Midland Ontario. Communicating Doors!

And, now all the town has seen me in a corset.
Just wait till they see what I ACTUALLY wear on stage!
My character is a Dominatrix Prostitute... with a cockney accent.
Yeah, I said it.
In an accent.
but you couldn't hear it 'cause... your readin'... 

You know Amateur Night at "The Bar" is only a hop-skip-and-jump away. HAAAAA.
I will never be mayor....

Life is Good.

I Love Adventure.

Love,
Lori, Gypsy Queen xo

Want Tickets? http://www.huroniaplayers.ca/

Somebody went to Comicon...and all I got was...

...This FREEKIN' AWESOME TEA POT!!!

Dr. Who Tardis Tea Pot

I wanted to go. But I'm a mom. and Mom's just can't jump ship for a weekend to go to Comicon. Not yet, anyway. Some adventures will just have to wait until they are all launched.

And when they are, I'm going to paint a trailer on wheels to look just like this teapot, and I'm getting myself a companion every season or two. ADVENTURE!

Anyway. I got a very very cool teapot. If it's bigger on the inside, I will FOR SURE never ever finish all the tea I brew. (A habit which has become a running theme with me, I guess...)

Also. Yesterday was Mothers day. I took the kids out to the Cheapest Pizza Place in town. It was really nice having all 3 of them there. Then, the waitress gave the girls a rose and some chocolate to give to me. WOW!! It was so sweet. Best family restaurant ever.

The Teenager-Man gave me 2 boxes of chocolate. But waited till his little sisters were in bed to give it to me. Because he was convinced they would beg me for treats. Heh.

The day begins.

Whiny Whiny. Make Good Art.

I have a pretty good life. But I've been pretty effin whiny lately.

I'm tired. I'm behind with my bills. I want to throw in the towel with everything I am, and just join the zombie walk. And then I hate myself for even thinking it.

Because I can make MAGIC! I've done it before, I can do it again! It's really hard to do that though when I keep repeating to myself "Ooh, girl, you are soooo up the creek of shit."

Everything else should be good. I'm going to be in a play coming up, and that's a bit of fun. And the Universe says it's going to bring some sort of opportunity, although I can't imagine what that is.

The time I would normally dedicate to finding the money to pay the bills, has been spent memorizing lines.. and fretting that I have no money. It's a vicious cycle. I'm REALLY really too divided right now.

I'm working at the thrift store again (because MONEY.), and am maybe doing 4 pairs of feet a week with Reflexology. I am maybe doing a tarot reading once every two weeks... as I just have no time around everything else. I actually have to SCHEDULE time in for my kids, or I will fill it with something in my day planner. Insane. I know.

How did it come to be this way?
And what is the learning in this?

I'm sure if I removed myself from the emotion and had a good look at it, I would SEE it.
I just feel like I'm in free fall. Not the good kind that Tom Petty was talking about. The SCARY ass kind, where your effin' tail flappy bit has just broken right off and all the lights and buzzers are going off and you don't know if pushing any of them would even solve anything at all.

I'm thinking back to a time when I feel like I had my shit together. Like, I could do all the fun stuff and had just enough money to do what was needed for the house and kids. And I was joy and happy and love and life was easy. Is this pulsing headache and gut wrenching stress just a state of mind? Do I need to just meditate more?

I really want to focus on GOOD things, positive things. But, I think I'm struggling with the idea of having to choose a path. Because I'm not sure how to make all that I insist on juggling fit together into one little basket.

I'm babbling. And eating many many chocolate chip cookies.

I do all the things. There is a freedom and giddiness in being a Jill of all trades... I feel LIMITLESS. I can act, and sing, and create in so many different ways, and I love Momming, and gardening,  and I can heal and am the chattiest happiest customer service person ever. I can naturally be a fantabulous lover and partner when I'm not so divided... I'm mediocre at all of it when I'm divided.

Goddess, I'm tired.

There's no time for sleep. The Bills keep coming.

So, I think it's time to Make Good Art.

Old Tarot Kitty says NO to Taxes! Yes to NAPS!

Clearly, Old Tarot Kitty thinks I should also go have a nap, and not worry about getting the pile of pages she's napping on in order, to do my taxes.

I've been putting this off. All month. Possibly longer. As I usually have ALL of the things I NEED for taxes by the end of February. Mid March at the latest.

I think there may be little incentive this year, as last year there was no tax refund... and I don't really expect one this year either. A well. First blog. Then Chocolate. Then taxes.

Home with a sick pixie today. My datebook as been back to back, flourescent marker everywhere ... so today I had to cancel a bunch of things to be Nurse Mommy. And that's okay. I am finding it healing for both of us.

I put her in the bath for 10 minutes with epsom salts.
Then, checked on her to make sure she was settled in bed.
Then, I got in the tub myself.
Then, she came in and had a barf. So. That was healing.

This afternoon I did a reflexology session on her, while we watched Wreck It Ralph. (she watched. I listened, with my back to the TV.)

Now. I"m here. Avoiding Taxes. Again.

Old Tarot Kitty is too soft and cute to move, though.

Purr Purr Purr.

Irish Yoga

Sometimes, I giggle.
Oh bahjayzus. Fermented Potaaaatoes makes fer d'Irish Yoga.

And, then, I found this too. I have never been able to do a french braid in my hair. So uncoordinated.

Finding a Job in Midland Ontario

Finding a Job in Midland Ontario using the Job Bank Canada can be a difficult thing. Even when you find a full time job, most likely you will get paid minimum wage to be away from your house, your kids, and your hobbies for the best part of the weekday – and for many, the weekend too. That's IF you can find a full time job.

Instead of looking for jobs in Midland Ontario with the job bank in Canada, I started a business, and have helped everyday people do the same thing. I teach them how to work their businesses all over Canada AND the US. So, you get to live where you want and still have work.

Working from home has been a blessing, and has paid! I’m down to working about 10 hours a week – not quite the 4 hour work week, but I’m pretty happy with it.

What my home businesses have done for me?

*I’m re-learning French. I live in a heavily French poulated area, and It’s something I’ve always wanted to make time to do.

*I’m taking a University Course – Sustainable Urban Agriculture. Why? I love making food in yards. And digging in the dirt.

*I got to stay home all summer with my girls. Granted, we spent a few days in jammies all day, Barbies or Polly Pockets all over the floor at my feet, but hey… jammy days aren’t a BAD thing.

*My sweetheart quit his job, and is going to school. Following HIS bliss, too!
*I have time to be CREATIVE! I have a studio/gallery space, thanks to my home business– All the crafty stuff needs to go live somewhere other than all over my house. I’ve always wanted a studio space

*I’ve found the time to write 2 poetry books, and I’m half way through another novel. This thing excites me! Being a published author was definately something on my “list.”

*During the school year, I get to go to school functions that happen half way through the day. Oh, and class trips!

*I get to follow my bliss! Sometimes that’s sleeping in. Sometimes that’s hanging laundry. Sometimes that’s gardening in the yard. Sometimes it’s reading in the library. Sometimes it’s writing in my favourite diner.
Sometimes it’s painting or making dolls!

When I first started, I went at it like crazy – I probably worked 4 hours a day – placing ads, writing blogs, following up, and spending time and money LEARNING the ropes! It seemed almost obsessive then.. but I’m NOW glad I put in that effort!

What would you do, if you could get paid full time but only have to work 10 hours a week? Think good and hard on it. This is happening for people who would otherwise use the job bank in Canada to find a job in Midland Ontario right now, this place where so many people feel there is no money to be made or live off of.
Contact me if you want to hear the rest of my story, and if you want more information on how to live YOUR bliss!

I'm REALLY doing this - and it's my passion to help you have this freedom too!!!

10 Beginning Gardener Mistakes to Avoid

There’s a lot to learn about gardening, but it’s a fun adventure and well worth the time and energy. Make the most of your gardening with these experienced gardeners’ tips to prevent and fix some common gardening mistakes. Check out this article by Hobby Farms.

http://www.hobbyfarms.com/crops-and-gardening/10-beginner-gardening-mistakes-to-avoid.aspx

How to Garden Organically in your Home with Success

Using a seed starter tray in the house can be tricky business. You've got to keep the moisture just right, or you'll run into issues that can kill your seedlings. The Tower Garden that I've just made a home for, is pretty simple, but I really wanted to see how simple it was. 

With the Rock Wool starter cubes that come with a Garden Tower, many of the regular problems are eliminated with indoor starting. Also vermiculite is included with a Garden Tower, to help the seedlings stay just moist enough to germinate in the house, and grow successfully. These little guys were planted about 3 days ago, and are already germinating. what you are seeing is a row of Certified Organic Mesclun Mix from The Cottage Gardener popping up.

This mixed package contains Arugula, Russian Red Kale, Osaka Purple mustard green, Tatsoi mustard green, Black-Seeded Simpson lettuce, Red Salad Bowl lettuce and Persian Cress. Lots of FANTASTIC greens to add to our daily diet. And, although I know there will be some cold frames in my future for growing this stuff later and earlier in the season that I normally do - It's going to be excellent to have it earlier.

AND like I said... I want to see and show that this is really a viable option for people who can't garden, but still want to be in control of their food sources.

There's also some Kale getting a little jump up there.

I am feeling extremely confident about this experiment. It helps that I've seen it in action, and tasted the food off of one, in person. I'll be writing more as this experiement continues.

For more information on the Garden Tower, see http://LPetroff.TowerGarden.com