It is necessary to write, if the days are not to slip emptily by. How else, indeed, to clap the net over the butterfly of the moment? For the moment passes, it is forgotten; the mood is gone; life itself is gone. That is where the writer scores over his fellows: he catches the changes of his mind on the hop. ~Vita Sackville-West
Writing is a socially acceptable form of schizophrenia. ~E.L. Doctorow
Substitute "damn" every time you're inclined to write "very;" your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be. ~Mark Twain

Monday, October 31, 2011

All Hallow's Eve

This year we decided to forego the store-bought costumes and work with what we had on hand. It was really important to us to not waste money on cheap costumes and promotion of yet another "spending" holiday, especially with all that's going on in the world right now. As a kid that went to church harvest festivals, and not trick-or-treating, I did not want our kids to feel left out as I sometimes did.  The harvest festivals were a lot of fun, but the next day was always so disappointing. I would have my brown bag of candy and everyone else had their pillowcases. :(  So, therefore, imagination central!! Our idea was to dress the kids up as Occupy protesters, but they don't all understand it enough to explain it in class. It would be cute for trick-or-treating.. especially if we dressed as cops w/zip tie handcuffs-keep them on the sidewalk!! Maybe Mom and Dad will be protesters and still get the word out.. I do have some time to work on signs today! So, working with what we had.. Jazz is a vampire "changeling"(at school) and a zombie later, Justus and Hayden are zombies, and Kayleigh is a little devil! It was a little rushed before school, but I will have pics tonight! They actually turned out really cute and it was a fun weekend of "testing" costumes and makeup! Jasmyn did an excellent job on the kids' makeup too, maybe she should think about being a costume/makeup artist! She's got talent! :)  Also, we have a lot of apple orchards in the area and a bunch of great Jamaican guys come every year to work. This year, they gave us a huge bag full of apples, which will come in quite handy tonight. After we get home, I'm going to cut up a bunch to have with caramel and peanut butter caramel dip, so that we have plenty of time to sort through the candy and make sure it's safe! I might even make some popcorn balls! YUM!! We might just stay home next year and have our own harvest festival. Maybe a scary movie marathon, bobbing for apples, and eat the donut off a string contest. It's too bad we don't have a cornfield, I could have some fun making a maze! That's it! My mind's made up...next year, we're having a party and we'll spend the month decorating and carving pumpkins and making spooky snacks! As for now, I'm going to go enjoy a quiet morning because the 3 little ones have a half day, and Jasmyn has an afternoon concert before we spruce up and head out on the town tonight! Have a spooktacular day! bwahahaha!!
Star Wars takes over Jasmyn's Halloween concert!!
Well, seems things never go quite as planned. After Jasmyn's concert this afternoon, which had a wonderful arrangement of Star Wars characters..and of which I have a video on my Facebook..I ran out to the store and grabbed some more candy, and I hate to admit it...but McDonald's.  The 3 younger siblings got Happy Meals, and Jazz got her Frappe.  Quite the special treat, as we rarely go to McDonald's, let alone get Happy Meals!  Jasmyn went trick-or-treating with Em's cousin, her boyfriend, and 3 boys...she was a great helper, I'm told.  And we stayed home with our 3 younger ones finishing dinner and handing out candy to our trick-or-treaters.  I took them around the park and they got quite a few goodies too!  Then, I made them pose for a few pics...on a sugar high...before cleaning them up and tucking them in.  All-in-all, it was great day...even if it wasn't what we're used to...we wanted something different anyway! :)
Our Zombie/Devil Rock Band
Zombie Rockers

Lil Devil


Stubborn Zombie (at least I got a couple pics)

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Just Another Day

I figured out how to add a chat box to here! I'm so excited! Now I can chat with you all and hear your suggestions! I'm hoping that this will help spur my lack of creativity that I've been struggling with lately. I've had such a problem thinking of something to write about, or what to post. Also I've been spending more time surfing and posting information elsewhere, and this provides me the opportunity to watch YouTube videos with you, while chatting about them. If you join the chat and I'm not there, feel free to chat amongst yourselves...we are family here! I will teach all newcomers how to change their name and watch YouTube with us! Please join me! I'm waiting for you! :) I also just found this link and I wanted to share it with you all.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeV5ut2u1Qk&feature=channel_video_title

I also wanted to share my friend's facebook group for healing and inspiration.. I've found some great links on there and I always feel more peaceful after skimming through it! :)  https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Stronger-Pull/218739564832029

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Hope from the Hopi Elders

I don't have much time to write today, but I wanted to let you all know that I'm still here. I've been focusing a lot of energy to our brothers and sisters in all the "occupied" zones, and I thought that some might enjoy this prophecy. I'm going to start reading it daily myself, for it brings me much hope and a great sense of calm and unity. Hope you enjoy!

 The Prophecy of the Hopi Elders:

Here is a river flowing now very fast.
It is so great and swift, that there are those who will be afraid, who will try to hold on to the shore, they are being torn apart and will suffer greatly.
Know that the river has its destination.
The elders say we must let go of the shore, push off into the middle of the river, and keep our heads above water.
And I say see who is there with you and celebrate.
At this time in history we are to take nothing personally, least of all ourselves, for the moment we do, our spiritual growth and journey come to a halt.
The time of the lone wolf is over.
Gather yourselves.
Banish the word struggle from your attitude and vocabulary.
All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration.
For we are the ones we have been waiting for.