Spring Cleaning

Okay, I'm happy to say, March has been such a great month for me! February finished a bit off, but I was able to rally back in March. I'm feeling so stable, confident and centered now. It's really remarkable. I don't think I've felt this way in years. I guess the getting up off my ass and doing things is really what I needed.

In March, I:

• Finished all my necessary fundraising. Now everything I get it just frosting!
• Got caught up at work for all of 1 day. ;)
• Saw Alice in Wonderland and went shopping with my Sister-in-Law. Such a great flick!!!!
• Hung out with Domestic Witch for Tea and Shopping!
  
• Hung out with Mom, the Wee One and the Ostara Bunny. ;)
• Helped out a former advisor by interviewing a few Greek Chapters.
  
• Read tarot for people other than friends and family.
  
• Did an Ostara ritual.
• Went to a few birthday parties.
• Went to a baby shower for my cousin-in-law.
  
• Had a blast with LUPEC sisterbroads at our monthly meeting.
• Had a Pure Romance party!
  
• Made brunch for my family.
  
• Held my first Blog giveaway!!!
• Really started training for the walk.
  

So as you can see, March was a rick-rollin good time!!!

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Never gonna give you up.
Never gonna let you down.
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Sorry, back to the topic at hand.

April should be more of the same! I can't wait. I've got quite a few things lined up. So stay posted!

White Zinfandel and Posting

Okay, I decided to take it easy last night. I made dinner and then kicked back, surfed the net, watched American Pickers and Pawn Stars (great shows). And didn't post here. So, to my regular readers. I apologize. But I really needed to break.

Hope you are all doing well out there in the blogosphere, and of course in the real world!

Here's a glass on me.

Cheers!Oh and be sure to keep your eyes peeled here on the 1st. I'm not doing an elaborate April Fool's. Instead, I'm doing something better! ;)

Susan G. Komen 3-Day

I did it! I raised the $2300 required to walk! I did it. Whew! Now I can focus on getting all my gear. Shoes, team shirts, sporty fanny pack thing, socks, team jacket, etc.

It feels like a weight has lifted off my shoulders.

Sorry, I've been MIA for the last few days. Not only did a friend of mine donate $100 to me. But I also helped out at a team fundraiser at the Red Wings game on Friday. Our 50/50 raffle raised almost $1000 for our 3 Day Team!

Then on Saturday I had a Pure Romance party and my lovely PR Rep. not only gave me the standard 10% of free product and a gift, but she also gave me 10% of the total show earnings in a donation to the walk! Which put me over my total!!

Yay! Just think, I was so worried, I'd end up having to pay all $2300 out of pocket. And now, I'm finished and I haven't even been fundraising for 3 full months yet. Weird!

I'd love to thank everyone who helped by donating time & money. Big shout-out to my step-bro for hosting a Poker Tournament for me. As well as the Hubs for putting up with all the time I've put into this so far.

Now I just have to keep walking!!!! So if anyone wants to help me out in that regard. Let me know if you want to walk!!!!

These are the Things that Make Life Worth Living

I recently stumbled across this great article called 101 Small Pleasures You Can Enjoy Everyday.

And it got me to thinking. Besides the daily grind that makes up life. There are things out there, small things that make life fun.

I have to say I agree with all of them. But some of my faves are:

• Coloring
• Handwritten Letter
• A novel you can get lost in
• a long walk

Some I would add are:

• Dancing in the rain
• The allure of a new journal (doesn't this one just look like the perfect place to store your secrets?)
• Leaving messages for friends and family with Sidewalk Chalk
• Handing out flowers to strangers/random people

What about you? What makes your life more sparklier, spunkier, pizzazzier. LOL.

Graphology Analysis Thing

Thought I'd post this. I saw this on Pagan Culture and she saw it on Fever.

I decided to write out the rules instead of typing for more fun.

So there you go. Sorry the lighting is off. Don't know what's up with that.

Anywho, apparently my handwriting means (according to this site) that:

• Your t-bars join with their stems quite even and accurately. This indicates that you do not have a bad temper.
• You dot the 'i' carefully every time directly over the stem. This shows that you have a strong attention for detail. You could be a nitpicker or a perfectionist, and you will likely have a good memory. (Don't do it carefully, just happens that way.)
  
• Your 'g' looks like a 'figure 8'. This means that you are very flexible. You don't get to tasks right away and wait to 'get around' to doing them. When you do get around to doing your tasks you may do them along with other things at the same time.
• The frequent breaks in-between your letters indicates that you are gifted with insight that enables you to understand and interpret without effort. You sense when you are on the right track and when you are not. You have hunches and may be quick to sense sincerity or insincerity in others.
• The lack of loops on your 't's and 'd's indicate that your feelings aren't going to be hurt easily. In fact, you are not sensitive to criticism at all. You can be objective about the opinions of other people and accept or reject these opinions without getting emotional about them.
• The upward slant of your handwriting indicates that you are an optimist! You really do believe in positive outcomes and can snap out of disappointment quickly. Your cheerful attitude makes work more enjoyable and stimulates the morale of those around you.
  
• In your 't's, the relatively even weight of your 't-bar' to the stem indicates that you have moderate willpower. Your goals are a little clearer in your mind. You can decide what action to take.
  
• The lack of loops you have at the bottom of your 'm's and 'n's indicates that you don't worry about things. You're confident in yourself and your decisions.
  

If you do decide to do this. Let me know in the comments area. I'd love to see what your handwriting looks like.

Lazy Sunday Movie: Soapdish

Maybe I should change the title to Lazy Movie. Since I don't usually go online on Sundays. I'll have to think about it.

Anywho, this is a great little piece of 80's hilarity. It's got quite the cast: Sally Field, Kevin Kline, Elizabeth Shue, Robert Downey Jr. & Whoopi Goldberg.

The premise is what happens behind the scenes at a Soap Opera tv show. You find out how everyone acts off screen. There's sex scandals, big secrets, drama and scheming. Pretty much everything that can cause wacky hijinks.

If you can't find it on tv or netflix it anytime soon. It's available now on Hulu.com. I know, I've become a Hulu pusher. But it's a great site.

Happy Ostara!!!

Hope you are all enjoying the first day of Spring!!!!

Here's a big blown kiss to you and yours from me and the Wee One...oh and the Ostara Bunny! ;)

Beautiful Blogger Award....Me??!?!?!? Really?!?!?!?

My first ever award! Wow! I feel so special. Squee!!! Thanks Dirgesinger so much!

Rules:

1. Thank the person who gave you this award.
2. Share 7 things about yourself.
3. Pass the award along to 15 bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic!
4. Contact the bloggers you've picked and let them know about the award.

Seven things about myself:

1. I wear a men's belt. I wear belts as a utilitarian purpose (most often) and therefore, need a belt that will fit around my hips. Plus, this way, I can get a reversible belt and only need one instead of a black and a brown one.

2. I've been told that instead of thinking outside of the box, I don't even know the box exists. I think this is a true statement about me. But I don't always try to reinvent the wheel.

3. I refuse to swim in lakes or any body of water where I can't see the bottom. I'm terrified that something's going to reach up and grab me or bite my legs off. Blame a random viewing of Jaws as a child.

4. I don't like choker necklaces or turtlenecks cause I feel like I'm choking. Hmmmm. Maybe in some previous lives I either drowned in a strange accident or was hung/choked/strangled.You know, I really need to get that past life regression done.

5. My right foot is almost a full half size bigger than my left foot. Which is why I love slides, flip-flops or slingbacks.

6. I LOVE eyeshadow. The bolder the color the better. In fact, Panacea81's youtube videos always make me smile. And she inspires me to go for my dreams.

7. I watch WAY too much tv. Fave shows: Glee, The Mentalist, RuPaul's Drag Race, Project Runway, Mad Men, & Daily Show. I rely on dvr or else I'd never see them. Though with training for the 3-day, I'm happy to say I'm outside more and more!


The 15 dear bloggers: I know this award has gone around to many people that I follow, plus I already did a tag earlier this week. So, if you already got this, don't worry about reposting it. (unless you want to.)

• Sobeit @ A Herbal Journey & A Witch's Daily
  
• Mary @ An Inner Journey: The Moon, Mythology & You & Moontides
• Lea @ Arcanium, USBos & Writing Magic
  
• April @ Cafe of Dreams
• Erin @ Chaotic World of a Single Woman
• Jess @ Confessions of a Book Hoarder
• Leathra @ Confessions of a Crafy Witch
• Anastasia @ Deep Inside my Broom Closet
• Dawn @ Domestic Witch
• Moonwolf @ Howling at the Moon
• Wild Witch @ I'm Not Wiccan, I'm a Witch
• Katie @ Katie's Epic Tale
• JennyMac @ Let's Have a Cocktail
• Luna @ Luna's Blumen
  
• Mother Moon
  
• Magaly @ Pagan Culture
• PJ @ Seens From the Backs of My Eylids
• Sara @ Sara's Organized Chaos

Okay, so it's 18. So kill me. I love you all! You really brighten my day with your posts!

Lazy Sunday Movie: Clue

Yes, it's again a Lazy Sunday Movie review on a day that isn't Sunday. Oh well. Deal.

This is one of my all time fave 80's movies. Clue. It has an all-star cast with Tim Curry as Wadsworth the Butler.

The plot is interesting. Six characters are invited to dinner: Mrs. White, Mrs. Peacock, Ms. Scarlett, Mr. Green, Col. Mustard and Prof. Plum. While there they all discover that they are all being blackmailed and you find out what they did or are accused of doing.

One by one, people start dying. First it's Mr. Boddy. Then the Cook. Then all hell breaks loose and it's pandemonium. Who's the murderer? You gotta watch it to see.

This movie has great lines and is actually pretty good for being based on a board game. And one interesting thing, when the movie came out it had three different endings. Depending on which theater you went to you might end up seeing a different murderer. However, if you get/rent the dvd you can opt for the random ending or all three.

"No. Communism was just a Red Herring."

"The key is gone! "
"Never mind about the key, unlock the door! "
"I CAN'T UNLOCK THE DOOR WITHOUT THE KEY! "



And Happy St. Patrick's day to you all! Slainte!

Tag....You're It

There's a new game of tag hitting the blogosphere. The lovely bloggette Anastasia from Deep Inside My Broom Closet tagged me.

The rules go like this:
Open your first photo file
Scroll to the 10th photo
Post the photo and tell the story behind it
Tag five more peopleI took this picture during the summer of 2004 (I believe). I went to a Alumnae-Active picnic hosted by my sorority at Metro Beach metropark. I took a walk and saw this guy just sitting here above the water. I just remember thinking.....how in the world did that horsey get there. So I had to take a pic.

I tag:
Domestic Witch - Her blog was one that inspired me to start my own.
Moontides - Mary's always got great stories about her life.
Sara's Organized Chaos - Though I'm a bit scared to see what she'll share, it should be very interesting nonetheless.
Luna's Blumen - I'm so impressed with her Random Kindness acts this month.
USBoS - Lea was one of my first blog friends after I started my own blog. I'm really intrigued with her spiritual journey.

Beware the Ides of March

Caesar:
Who is it in the press that calls on me?
I hear a tongue shriller than all the music
Cry "Caesar!" Speak, Caesar is turn'd to hear.

Soothsayer:
Beware the ides of March.

Caesar:
What man is that?

Brutus:
A soothsayer bids you beware the ides of March.

Julius Caesar Act 1, scene 2, 15-19

Beware the ides of March. Keep your wits about you. I know I will on this gloomy, rainy, icky day. So sad that I have to go to a funeral today too.

Giveaway Winner

The Wee One just picked the winner for my giveaway!

And without further ado.....Luna!!!! You've won the beautiful pearl and crystal necklace. I'll be getting your contact information from you soon!

Congratulations!!!!!

Dancing to George Strait

So I'm planning on ending my day with a twirl around the living room/kitchen with the Hubs to this song.



I just love George Strait. I was recently reminded of this great song after reading Anastasia's blog Deep Inside my Broom Closet. You should check it out. She's got some great insight and her blog is just fun to read.

And a funny story about the song and my wedding. I had a really small ceremony. It was in a conservatory and only 60 people or so fit. So we had family and close friends there, then invited a ton more people to the reception. Well, since not everyone had seen my dress (with train) I decided to leave the dress un-bustled for our entrance. After we were introduced and had all the welcomes, toasts, thanks and such finished, I took off for the ladies room to get the dress bustled. I told the Hubs that I would be right back.

A half our later after much swearing, the help of three different ladies (Mom, Chris and some random lady just swearing at my dress) I came back. Well the Hubs was so relieved to see me. It kinda played out like this:

Me: "Whew, thank goodness that's over."
Hubs: "I thought you hoped in the limo and were making a break for Old Mexico."
Me: "Wouldn't Canada have been closer?"

So, now every time I hear this song I think of that story....and my Wedding and my Hubs. So, all in all a great song with great memories attached to it.

Reminder: You have until 11am tomorrow to enter my giveaway.

The Gift of an Ordinary Day

My mom sent me this video. And I had to share. It makes me realize that I can never take one second of one day with my family for granted. It's all so fleeting. Fleeting, but beautiful!



And it makes me think of this song by Darius Rucker History in the Making.

Enjoy every single moment with your family!

Clarifications and Books

Okay, just to clear things up. I've been told, by a little birdie, that some of my entry conditions are a bit confusing for my giveaway. I updated this on the original post, but here it is for everyone else.

You get:

• 1 entry for being a follower.
• 1 entry for blogging about my giveaway and posting the blog address.
• 1 entry for every person that moseys over to my blog and participates. They must, however, mention your name. Otherwise, I wouldn't know who to give the extra entry to.

You can enter via the last two ways as many times as you want.

Ok, whew. I hope that clears things up. I apologize if it's confusing. I too don't always like to blog about giveaways and I don't want anyone to think that's a requirement. Thanks to the little birdie!!!

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Books. I recently have started reading a few old series. I read the first book of the Caroline B. Cooney Vampire trilogy and the first two Kelly Blake: Teen Model books back in the day. Well, now I have the complete series for both. Obviously they're not classic literary works, but it's interesting to read them now and to reflect on how I felt reading them 18-19 years ago. (Man I feel old now.)

In fact, I did a book report on The Cheerleader in 7th grade. Wow, does that take me back.

Are there any books you used to love as a kid? I have been meaning to re-read R.L. Stine's Fear Street Saga (Really Trilogy). See if they're really as gory as I thought.

Many Times, Thanks

I have to send a big, huge, ginormous thank you shout out to Luna and Sara! They helped me see things in a better light.

I have a tendency to have knee-jerk reactions sometimes and it helps to have people there to give different perspectives.

So muchas gracias to them! Be sure to sign up for my giveaway. You have until Saturday morning.

Updates: Movies and Giveaways

I saw Alice in Wonderland on Friday. I loved it!!!!!

The movie picks up where the last Disney movie left off. (The animated one.) Alice is having nightmares and can't sleep. She comes to the conclusion that her adventures in Wonderland are all just a dream of hers.

Fast forward 10 years later. She's still having nightmares and doesn't like to conform to standard Victorian norms. She ends up going to a garden party and finds out that it's really her surprise engagement party. While at the party she sees the White Rabbit and runs off to follow him. Down the rabbit hole she falls. This time though, you hear voices saying that she's not the right Alice, that the Rabbit screwed up.

The rest of the story is about what has happened to Underland (the correct pronunciation of the place) since the Red Queen (Queen of Hearts) has run unchecked for so long. Alice must choose what to do.

The last sentance "Alice must choose what to do." Has always been the reason for Alice in Wonderland being my favorite fairy tale. She gets herself into trouble and instead of being like all the other "Disney Princesses" she doesn't rely on Prince Charming to rescue her. She figures things out all herself. It's a feminist message in a fun, if trippy, package.

On to the Giveaway update. I posted on Saturday that I was having an Ostara/Easter giveaway. A few updates.

• If you follow all the rules on my previous post. You would have at least three entries. Possibly more depending on how many people you get to follow the third entry format.
• For those of you, like me, who have sensitive ears, the earring hooks are sterling silver.
• Remember you have until Saturday morning to enter.
  

Ostara/Easter Giveaway

Ok, I've decided to do my first giveaway! Yay!!!!

Here's the deal, one lucky person will win this pink and blue pearl/crystal necklace and earrings. Complete with ivory organza bag.

To enter:

• Follow my blog.

For extra entries:

• Blog about it on your blog. Include the blog address in your comment.
• Get someone else to follow or blog about the giveaway. They must put your name in their comment for you to get credit. (Each of you will get an extra entry.)

Eligiblity:

• You must have a valid blog or email address so that I can contact you.
• My international readers can participate.

I will choose a winner by random draw on March 13th (around 11am). I'll draw the winner the old fashioned way, since that's how I roll. I'll mail out the necklace and earrings during the following week, so that those who want to wear/gift them for their Ostara celebration can!

Winner will be chosen next Saturday, March 13th.

(I reserve the right to change the rules at any time.)

I'm Late...I'm Late...

for a very important date.

Yep, I'm going to see Alice in Wonderland in 3D this afternoon. I'll let you know how it is. I'm so excited. I LOVE Alice in Wonderland the books and the Disney movie. Even the made for tv movie with Whoopi and Martin Short.

Book Challenge 2010 - Dracula by Bram Stoker

Ok, as some of you might know, I signed up to do a Book Challenge for 2010 back in November. I finished one of the books a while ago and thought I'd review it for all of you lovelies!

I listened to Dracula by Bram Stoker. Honestly, I don't think I could have finished the novel if I had actually read it. The book's format really would have annoyed me. See, it's written as a bunch of letters, diary entries, and memos. So it's kind of a different way to read. The first part of the book is Jonathan Harker's experience in Transylvania. How he goes there. How he meets Count Dracula. And how he gets stuck there.

Then the book moves to his wife Wilhelmina (Mina) Harker's diary. And her day to day occurences at home with her friend Lucy. Who's trying to figure out who to marry. Then Lucy comes down ill. And her friend Dr. Seward (former suitor) can't figure it out so he sends for Dr. Van Helsing.

Eventually, the group figures out that Count Dracula is a vampire. That he turned Lucy into one. Jonathan was tourtured by Dracula's female entourage. And they must kill Dracula before Mina turns into a vampire herself.

Honestly, it's a good book. And quite interesting to learn about the Vampire mythology. But it's slow moving at some points (beginning specifically). So, I don't know if I'd recommend it to anyone to read. Listen to? Of course, especially around Samhain/Halloween.

Have you read/listened to it. What did you think?

Warm Bed

It was so hard to leave my warm bed behind this morning.

I'm sure we've all had mornings like this. You wake up, have to get your day started, and all you want to do is roll over and snuggle up in the covers. The world is cold and your bed is warm.

Yeah, that was my morning.

And no, the bed here isn't my bed, but it's one I'd love to stay in all day!!!

Birthday Giveaway @ Sara's Organized Chaos

So ladies and gents. I happened to trip over a fantastic blog last week. Literally, I tripped over it when I was surfing. I have the strained wrist to prove it. I'm fine really, and I was pleasantly surprised at the blog in front of me.

Sara from Sara's Organized Chaos is turning 28 and to celebrate she's having a giveaway of all her favorite things. (I get an extra entry for blogging about it.) So, if you're so inclined, go check out her blog. It's a ton of fun to see what mischief she's been up to.

In fact, beautiful, lovely Sara has given me an idea. I'm turning the dreaded 30 this April. Ugh! So, I'm thinking I might do something like this. We'll see.

New Month, new beginings.

It's March. February is finally over! Thank goodness. Last week was a rough one. And luckily, everyone I know is doing much better.

This week promises to not only be warmer, but should be a lot lighter in feel.

As for updates, my poker tournament went really well! I surprised myself and placed 5th out of 18. I didn't win any money, but we did raise $350 for the 3-Day walk! Whoohoo!!!!! I'm just slashing that $2300 to pieces bit by bit!

I've got a tarot reading booth at an expo on the 21st, selling 50/50 tickets at a hockey game on the 26th and emails to send out. I'm hoping that by the end of March, I'll have finished all my fundraising and can really focus on my training. Which I'll hopefully get to start on, again, this week.

It's supposed to get into the 40's this week! I can't wait, everything needs to thaw out/melt/warm up/sprout!!! And this year, I have a major reason to get out an enjoy the spring! If I don't train and callous up my feet, I will be in pain later.

I don't like pain.

I try to avoid it when possible.

So this spring, it's out and about with the wee one and the dog. Though preferably not together (unless the Hubs is out with me).

What're your plans for March?