What?

So much has happened in the last two months that it is going to take me awhile to process it all. There was so much that I just couldn't get to writing in my blog. Once I've processed it a little bit more and hopefully a little bit better then I will write it all down here. 

I know this. I am a different person and I cannot explain it. Life is going to be different. It has to be. 

The name of the blog and it's "focus" is going to change. Focus may be a misnomer. We shall see. Definitely a name change although I do have an affinity to this one. 

The blog may even move to a different server with a different name. It's all about changing and it's all about the love. 

Getting my proverbial stuff together. 

I wrote this a few weeks ago:
Do you know what not having a job allows you to do? It allows you to pick up and rush to another city 14 hrs drive away to help family.
Two and a half weeks ago our family narrowly missed tragedy. A horrible thing happened but it could have been worse. My Sister-in-law, Clarice, was hit by a car and run over by another. She had been out joggging. Training for a marathon. Living a healthy life. She is a physically strong woman...still. Because my brother, Aaron, has already written about it I will link to his telling of the story...from start to...well? This story is not going to end any time soon.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10150935540728754&set=a.407683733753.184728.34759153753&type=1&theater
and
https://www.facebook.com/AaronPaquetteArt


Update: Clarice has gone home! She is well enough to do the rest of her rehab from the comfort of her own home.




There is more but I can't write about it yet.

I am still here. It's been a very busy and emotional month. When I am better able to synthesize what has happened I will write. I will have to write about the last month before I can do anything else.
Love.

Thought I would just share that I am busy doing a few things. Promotional things. As of this moment I am promoting three things actively.
 First and foremost (because it is first) I am promoting the June 16 concert by Sharon Knight in Burnaby, BC, Canada. I am very excited about this event and hope that she plays my favourite, "Hunter".


Second, Mojo and I will be attending the SunWheel Arts Festival on Canada Day long weekend, near Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. I am so excited about the festival and walking the fire.



Last, but not least, I am working to promote Philip Robinson's writing and his latest novel The Suicide of Ned Sweeney. This is a fun book set in the criminal underbelly of Dublin, Ireland.



Also, I am working on a number of writing projects. I have been asked to submit for a book about pagan podcasters. This is exciting, and daunting, and the deadline is coming quickly. I am also thinking of writing an article for a certain pagan periodical which I won't name in case they don't like it. Next thing you know, I'll be writing a book (not likely).

I am here. Just mulling over a few things. I've got quite a lot on my mind. There are articles for witchy periodicals swimming around in there and ideas for "work". Some concrete ideas have come to my attention and one in particular that is a very part time job but one I know I'd love to do. More details on that later if it comes to fruition. The last Sabbat in our greater community was interesting and fun and exciting and I hope that some of what I learned will be helpful in the coming year/turn of the wheel.
This post is a jumble of magick and "mundane". I put "mundane" in quotes because I've been thinking that daily life is actually pretty magickal if you choose to make it that way.

Slightly off the previous topic (but not really) I went for this really cool eye test today. It's to check for a "baseline" on my eyesight as I take a medication that can mess with that. The test is called, I think, Ocular Coherence Tomography and it is the coolest thing. It's a camera that takes a picture of the back of your eyeball and measures different parts so that if there is ANY change they can get on it right away. 



Last night we recorded the 100th episode of The Wigglian Way. It was a special night and Eco-priestess (Wendy) was in the studio with Mojo and I. It was magickal and beautiful. Something Mojo said also holds true for me for the most part. Aside from my children, doing this show has been the most successful endeavour I've been a part of. I am proud of it. The podcast is a service to the Gods and the community and we are so blessed to be able to do it and to make the connections and have the relationships that we do. 

(this is a lovely gift from listeners of the show)


Back and forth, back and forth...this blog entry has no idea what it's doing. I meant it to be a few lines long but that didn't happen. 
I have one more thing to share for right now before I get out of here. I've been using baking soda and coconut oil for my face and I believe it's looking smoother and less pink/rashy. One more step towards less dangerous living. SWEET! 

(I don't necessarily use these exact brands. In fact I buy both in bulk at my local whole foods/healthful foods store)

Life changes...whether you like it or not. You change...whether you like it or not. What do you do when you are faced with the changes and need to make decisions?
I DON'T KNOW!
For now, you keep plodding along trying to make things fit (and maybe some day they will). Then when the time is right you make the decision to keep doing that...or do the changing. Or, keep the change and not make a decision and then have Restless Body Syndrome*.
Really?
Maybe. I don't know. I do know that if you have Restless Leg Syndrome you can try putting a bar of soap (a "pure" one if you catch my drift) at the end of your bed and you will feel better. I put mine in with no wrapper and no facecloth under the fitted sheet. No symptoms for two weeks. At all.

Wow, double wow, triple WOW!!!!!!
I cannot believe how long I have left my little Bloggie alone. Poor thing. No attention. There there now.
It's no excuse but I've been terribly busy. Just a few days ago I was in for surgery. I needed to have some lumps removed from my elbow and two thighs. There are more but we started with these three. The lumps are called "lipoma" and are basically fat deposits but if in the wrong place or on the wrong person they can be painful and cause movement to be be limited. The one on my elbow caused me not to be able to lift or grasp anything.
As I am writing this I realise that my arm may not yet be up to typing for very long so this is it for the time being.
This is an update to let you know where I am at and that the future looks so bright I HAVE to wear shades.

WARNING-GRAPHIC BELOW 

This is very swollen and hurts a lot. As of today the swelling has gone down a lot but has become more painful. We will see what that's about later this week.

March is never a lamb...

Last night as I lay down in my bed getting ready to be released into dreamland, it hit me.  Twenty two years ago tomorrow (March 10) I gave birth to my first born Son. His name is Taylor and he changed my world. I was a 22 year old girl when I got pregnant with him. His father, Trevor, and I had been living together for 4 years by then. It was no surprise that I was pregnant and we were excited and so unprepared for a child. Suddenly, I had to grow up and become responsible and start thinking of someone besides myself. Taylor became my world. Now, he is the same age that I was. I hope (and secretly KNOW) that I have raised him right. He is a good and caring man. I know that whatever happens in his life he will take it on and do well with it. Taylor I love you.
When the porter was wheeling me out of the delivery room the doctor asked me when I was going to have my next one. I said two years.
Exactly two years later I would be in a surgical suite being induced to give birth to my twin boys. They were already named. Had been for months. We knew that they were boys. The first born would be Jason and the second born would be Matthew. I had had a stress test and the doctors believed the babies would be viable to be born at 35 1/2 weeks. They approximated their birth weights at 5lb 6oz and 6lb 2 oz. Big Baby Boys!
My doctor thought that the delivery would be relatively quick and easy. Since I was giving birth at the UofA hospital which is a teaching hospital for every doctor or nurse there was going to be a resident or student attending the birth. It was like a Broadway show! Off Broadway in any case.
So, there was my Doctor and a student, a doctor for each of the babies and a student for each of them, there was a nurse for me and a student for her, there was a nurse for each of the babies and at least one student was with each of them. Trevor wasn't allowed in. There were so many people in that room and it was so stark and cold and brightly lit.
The delivery was long. So very very long. We started with the induction in the morning and I didn't give birth to Jason until evening. Then it took an hour and a half to give birth to Matthew. You see, my little boys were overachievers. They weren't near 5 and 6 pounds. NO. They were each 7 pounds and 11 ounces!! Matthew was unfortunately transverse in the womb. That means sideways. No matter how hard the doctor and nurses tried he wouldn't straighten out and when he finally did, it was a bit too late. Matthew didn't get enough oxygen and he was born without very much brain function. If you didn't touch him first on the toes and run your hand up his body he would have seizures. Oh boy, was he a beautiful baby though! We had an extremely difficult choice to make and we did. Twenty five year old kids should never have to make that choice but we did.  I love you Matthew.  He and Jason were identical. Luckily, all these years I have been able to imagine what he would look like just by looking at Jason. Jason seems to have adopted his brother's personality because that kids has tonnes of it. I love you Jason.
The death of our son also was the beginning of the death of my first marriage. We just couldn't bounce back. There was a lot of love left but the connection was unravelled. We managed to love each other enough to have another child who is amazing. His name is Jake. He's a sweet boy who is almost grown himself. He is 17 years old. I love you Jake.
I have been very blessed with my 4 sons and everything they have taught me. Each one has taught me so many lessons and helped me to be the "grown-up" adult woman than I am.
They are amazing. I don't know how my life would have been without them and I don't want to know. We are having a Birthday Party tonight for Taylor and Jason (and Matthew).
Here are some photos of my boys from Eldest to Youngest.

This is Taylor. He is 22 yrs old tomorrow!

This is Jason. He is 20 yrs old tomorrow.

This is Matthew. He was Jason's identical twin. You can still see the resemblance.

This my baby Jake. He is 17.

February is crazy man...

It's been busy and it's going to get even busier. So far The Wigglians (that's my coven) have been involved in 2 Imbolc rituals. My 101 class did a ritual to finish up their class and my 102 student will be showing us something this week. On Thursday Mojo and I are leaving for Pantheacon in San Jose, California. I may talk about that on the blog but likely most everything I say about it will be on The Wigglian Way.
Not only are/were there lots of magical things happening this month it was my Wedding Anniversary on February 2 which just happens to be Imbolc day. Lucky all the other stuff was scheduled for "in and around" the holiday. Philip took me to a lovely restaurant and he got me a ticket for a dream home lottery. I hope I win. I told you all about that stuff last post though.
Next is Valentine's Day. I don't really celebrate the day but I will likely make some candy, bake some sweets, and make heart shaped sandwiches for lunch. No gifts shall be exchanged. That is...perhaps no gifts will be exchanged.
It's past midnight now. It's 12:35am to be exact. I just finished making some sugar paste for hair removal. You won't be seeing pictures of that. I'll let you know how it goes.
Night sweet World.

Yesterday was a very special day. It was Imbolc which is an ancient Celtic festival associated with the goddess Brigit, held on Feb. 1 or 2 to mark the beginning of spring. It is also celebrated by modern pagans of which I am one. My community and I will be celebrating our Imbolc this weekend. Twice. Once for my immediate community called a Tradition and once for the community at large. One of our group is leading the first ritual and our group in it's entirety (5 of us) will be leading the second one. It will be a busy weekend. 
It was also Groundhog day and apparently Spring will be early this year. It feels like it's today. *S*
The other event that was yesterday  was my Eleventh wedding Anniversary. Philip took me out for dinner at a swanky restaurant called Horizons. It's at the top of a mountain and you have a 360 degree view of Metro Vancouver. It's so pretty.

 We had looked at the menu beforehand so pretty much knew what we were going to order but we looked at the "hard-copy" when we arrived anyway. 
This is what I had for dinner...
Chocolate martini-oh no, I could be addicted. 
Free range bison carpaccio with basil infused olive oil, shaved pecorino cheese (OMG), tomato aioli and micro greens as a starter that Philip and I shared. It was lovely. 
For my main course I had Pekin Duck breast marinated in sherry with star anise poached apple and caramelized yams and a a Chinese 5 spice sauce. Interestingly, I was not fond of the apple dish but the yam dish? It was the most buttery yam dish I have ever had. Melt in your mouth. You know what else melted in my mouth? The duck. Quack Quack. I was confused and didn't know if I was going to get vegetables with my order as they also have a section that says "side order" so I ordered asparagus spears (that I didn't finish). A zucchini and pepper combination came with the meal. This is the only part that I thought was not gourmet and super delicious. It wasn't bad by any means but it was sort of bland. 
For dessert I had a vanilla creme brule. So creamy and well worth the tummy ache in the middle of the night. Seriously. 
Now for Philip's meal...
He had a yummy fruity martini that I can't remember the name of. It may have been the Horizon's "house" martini. 
Of course, he shared the bison starter with me. I think I had the most. It was an adventure for Philip as of course it's a raw meat dish. 
His main course was RACK OF LAMB! He asked for it to be well done. Well done for lamb must still mean bloody because it was but oh so tender and yummy! We gave each other tastes. His side was a potato croquette...I think I will try to make this for a side with bacon wrapped chicken breast and a HUGE salad to wash the bad (but oh so yummy) stuff away. 
Philip had a burnt lemon cheesecake for dessert. 
We both finished up with lovely coffee that almost tasted Italian. 
Thank you for a lovely meal Philip! 

We also exchanged gifts. I got Philip a gorilla stuffy and some boo boo goo  and an iTunes card and he gave me a potential mansion. 

Hey there! I have been so busy crafting I can hardly believe it myself. Mostly I've been knitting. So far I have knitted a number of dishcloths, a scarf, a beanie hat and started a yoga mat bag. I've also deconstructed a men's t-shirt and made it girlie. Because I was in the mood to use older t-shirts that I love but don't find comfortable to wear in bed I made a funky infinite scarf as well. To say I've been inspired lately would be an understatement. I am very tired but excited about everything that it is possible to do.
Here are some photos of what I've been up to. One of these days I will remember to take pictures while I am doing a project then I can share with you how easy some of this is.

 First Dishcloth (this one lives at Mojo's now)

 So soft scarf. 

 Second Dishcloth

 Starting my first hat. 

 Hat finished (I do have a picture of \Philip wearing it, but he's not fond of the picture) 

 Yoga mat bag in the making. 

 Recycled a t-shirt and made this scarf. 

Recycled a men's t-shirt and made it girlie. 

It's been awhile..

So I thought I would write a post about something I am grateful for. It's a couple of  related somethings. They are all medically related.
I am thankful that finally my medicines are starting to reduce inflammation and therefore a lot of the pain. There is still discomfort but it's not nearly as bad as it could be. That my husband can give needles is something else to be thankful for. Thank you Philip!  One of these days I will have to learn how to give myself one. Oh joy!
I've been making it to all my doctors appointments. Normally, I am quite non-compliant, but that leads to poorer health.
I've been able to be more active and have relearned to ice skate. I am not figure skating but I am staying upright. The Vancouver area has seen some snow lately and I've been shovelling that for exercise as well. I've lost weight but find that when I take my medicine at night I want to eat everything I see. I'll have to watch that.
Lastly, I am thankful that I am now waiting on a phone call from the surgeon to remove the tumor on my inner elbow. It's benign  and  not dangerous at all but it hurts and I want it gone.
There you have it. It's all good.

Here I am at Mojo's. It's 9:25 am and I didn't sleep well last night. However, we have a meeting here at 2pm so I need to be here now. Mojo drove all the way to come get me in the morning for a meeting in the afternoon.
Why?
Because it is snowing. Yes, snowing. We don't know how much it will snow by afternoon and because he lives on a mountain it was a good idea to get here early.
I do not like snow. I detest it. Well, that isn't exactly true. Today it's fluffy and pretty and makes everything look clean and fresh. Everyone's yards are equalised and it's all good. The world is at peace. Right?
What I don't like is the cold that makes snow. I like rain in the winter but I don't like snow. I also don't like how it looks when it's melting. I don't like how it looks with salt or ice melt or whatever they put on the roads. I don't like how cold and icy it is so people put that fake salt down that burns the paws of my dogs. Poor guys.
I hate slipping on ice and snow.
I spent thirty seven years of my life in the land of ice and snow. It was snowy and freezing for more than half the year. It wouldn't be surprising to have snow in July or August. I've stood outside waiting for a bus and felt my toes freeze so much that they felt like they had fallen off and were bouncing around in my boot. Not many people know what it's like to feel like there is a chance you could die walking to the local convenience store for milk for your kid's breakfast but I do. Minus 40 is NOT fun. It's not fun in Fahrenheit or Celsius.
That's why I moved here where it is not supposed to snow. That's for the mountains...the REAL mountains (with peaks and stuff).
I want my rain back!!

                                                    Looks like the edge of the world is right after those houses. There aren't mountains out there. Or 4 more cities. 

                                                   Usually, you can see houses out this window.

Every once in awhile I am going to share posts with you from my old blog called

Sparrow in Paradise (one Witch's-almost everyday-musings on life)

 I will share them to show how much life changes or how much it stays the same...or just because I feel like it.

The following was posted January 12th, 2006. Six years ago. How times have changed. I bet they change even more in the next 2 or 3 years. In fact, I know they will. 

Enjoy. 

  Well, it's a new calendar year.I am waiting to see what happens. 

This year feels like it is going to be different.
I don't make resolutions but I am going to have a different sort of a year. I just had my evaluation done at work and I have a few goals there. There are some courses that my boss has recommended and I am looking forward to taking. One is on theory and one will be related to relaxation. The relaxation one will further my goals towards my magickal life. The theory will be interesting at the least.
Also, I have interviewed with a High Priestess to become part of a Circle (Coven). I haven't had that closeness in the Craft for about two years. I really miss the group in Edmonton and am really psyched about continuing the path with another group. It is one that I have been watching for the almost two years I have been here. I should know by tomorrow night or Saturday morning. Then I will tell my very good friend. I hope he is okay with it and knows it doesn't necessarily mean I don't want to cirlce with him. Sometimes we will...but I need a "family".
I've got goals to improve my home so that the family will feel even more like it is a sanctuary. I'd like it to be more organised. I am NOT a great housekeeper so that is an astronomical goal...LOL.
Philip's parents sent us some Holiday money from Ireland and we purchased a huge aquarium with the money. Already, we have 7 fish in the tank. There were 8 but one of the guppy females already died. Jake really likes the guppy family. He thinks it's great that the one male needs at least two females or one will die. Haha, what a way to teach children about polyamory, huh?
We are hoping to get some gourami, angelfish, and a few sharks, but this is a tester tank right now. In fact the kids have named the fish..Tester 1, Tester 2, Tester 3, Testercle (lol) and so on.
Anyhoo, yep, it is 2006 and I feel that this year is one that will change my life.
I hope that yours will be as good as I feel mine is going to be. 

Just a catch up day.

Today we are a week into the New Year. So far I have ice skated twice after not being on skates for over 20 years. I can already see improvement however yesterday I could only skate for half an hour. My right foot was throbbing so bad I had to get the skates off. I'll try again next Sunday.
I've had the ultrasound for my elbow and am still waiting on any word. They may not think it's serious but I do. I am too limited in strength and it hurts a lot.
February is going to be a very busy month for me. It is all religious and a lot of it I am not going to talk about here. However, it does include a ritual that we will be doing in an interesting way. More on that later. In February I am going to San Jose for Pantheacon. I love that conference. It is the right mixture of conference and festival and it is so much fun. Mojo and I get to meet some of the people that listen to our show and meet the authors that we read as well as some of the musicians that we listen to. There is a HUGE room with all kinds of vendors with so many wonderful wares that we don't find here.
In September three members of our family are returning to Ireland. I loved it the last time we went and this time we are going to be able to travel around a bit more as we will be there 6 whole days longer.
As soon as I return from Ireland with Philip and Jake I will be jetting off to San Francisco with Mojo for Pagan Podkin Supermoot 3. That too will be fun and we will get to see again/meet for the first time other podcasters and listeners.
That really is our favourite part of magickal travelling. Meeting listeners and getting to know a little bit about them is a lot of fun and just makes that relationship better. We are more able to speak directly to the listener when we know some of them.
That's about it for now. Thanks for dropping by.

Me visiting snow the only way I like it. On a mountain where I have to go to it. It does not need to come to me. This coincidently is where I saw a bear last year. 

So you say you're from Alberta...

When's the last time you skated? This is a question I sometimes ask myself. Everyone from Alberta can skate. Right?
Today I went to the local rink and laced up the skate. Put on a helmet. And stuck to the boards for about 10 min. Then I skated. Like a 4 year old, but I skated. It's been about 30 years since I was on the ice. I had two surgeries in my teens and the doctor told me to NOT skate or ski again. Did I listen? For 30 years I did but no more. That was fun!

                                           Obviously, I am in the grey coat. With a brain bucket. I like my brain.
Philip went too! It was his very first time ice skating. There isn't a lot of ice skating in Ireland. He did really good and would like to go back.

                                                    Right after this he put a helmet on. He likes his brain too.

2012...so far, so good.

I woke up! 

I woke up without a hangover! How? I didn't drink anything alcohol last night. It was a quiet evening and I was in the covers by 12:10 am. I wanted to go to bed earlier but it wasn't going to happen when I started to see fireworks from my living room window. I can see parts of 5 different cities from my window. My house is on a big hill surrounded by mountains. I can see a little bit of Surrey, Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, Burnaby, and of course New Westminster. The hills were lighting up with splashes of gorgeous colour for about an hour starting at 11:45pm. After Midnight I listened to them from my warm cosy bed. 

I am not sure you can see any fireworks in this picture but that is the view from my living room window. Looking towards Port Coquitlam. 

I slept like a log all night not even waking up for a drink of water. 

When I woke up this morning I wandered into the living room. The blinds were still open and I almost fell to my knees with the amazing sight that I saw. It was clear and I was able to see sharp snow covered mountains peeking up from the more rounded ones in front of them. I took pictures with my iphone. I don't know if they can even give a slight glimpse of the divine gorgeousity that I experienced this morning. I truly hope that you can see some of it. 

                                          Fall on Your Knees! Looking towards Coquitlam.

                                           Looking towards Port Coquitlam (which is different than Coquitlam).

                                           Looking towards Burnaby (and probably Port Moody as well). 

                                           One of the views towards Surrey. ( I am not sure but I think you can see my eldest Son's apartment building). 

Ciao for now! Happy New Year!! 

I may blog later about magic.