Well, I had to make some changes in my site security. Some jerk kept reposting spam links in the comments for Xanax and Viagra. Does my site have anything to do with that, NO! It's not as bad as what one individual had tried to put a link for, but you'd think after I took them off the first time they'd get the hint. Hopefully the problem is fixed now, but if not I will have to make it so only friends can comment/link on my site. Sorry for the soapbox. Blessed Be.

I've been on winter break from school since 12/6, until 1/12. Nice long break! I needed it! I got an A in Sociology, a B in Nursing Fundamentals and a B in Medical-Surgical 1. I had all these things I had planned on getting done... like cleaning the house. I haven't done any of it  . Although I have spent a lot of time playing games with my kids, reading with my kids, SLEEPING, and in general just spending time with the hubby and kids. It's been wonderful! Had a really nice Yule/Xmas. My kids got me, my husband, and their grandparent little gifts, they were so excited, it was REALLY sweet.

We've been reading "Narnia" and went to see the movie. I had read it about their age. I liked it, the hubby didn't  . We are also all playing "Neopets - The Darkest Fairie" on PS2. It's fun, and I don't even like video games. I am also currently doing my break-homework assignment reading for Pediatrics and OB. That is what we go into next. Then Gerontology the last 8 weeks. I am also taking English Comp 1 next semester, that's going to suck. For a change I finally bought a book I haven't allowed myself to buy since school started, " Oak, Ash and Thorn - Modern Celtic Shamanism". I agree with the reviews in that her historical assumptions are WAY far fetched, but if you are reading it for the activities, ideas and meditations (like I am) it's a really great book.

The hubby has finished his business class and his Reiki class; he's working on Indian Head Massage and Reflexology now. He was a wonderful, huge help last semester. Cooking, cleaning, doing the laundrey, and taking care of the kiddos. The kids got all A's and B's on their report cards. I am SOOO proud of my family  .

Well I am at work, and kinda tired tonight so Good Night, Goddess Bless, and Happy Holidays!

Ok lets see...

Finished summer semester with an A in Microbiology and Basic Nutrition. I had a lot of fun in Microbiology. Started the Nursing Program on Thursday. They handed us our schedule and I freaked out. I went back to work yesterday and asked if I could go to 3rd shift. After all the work my supervisor did to keep me on days, I felt really bad but is was the only logical remedy. Otherwise I would have to use vacation time and leave work early 1-2 times a week.

We moved our patients into a new building the first of the month and it is still chaos. I've never worked so hard for as long as I worked there, and I am one of the hardest working employees there (not bragging just honest). This way going to nights I will have wome study time at work, otherwise I am going to fall behind real fast (and get exhausted real fast...wait I already am). I have 7 chapters assigned by Tuesday, plus a terminology quiz, plus a demonstration on Wednesday. This demonstration is common sense... handwashing, gloving, and bed making... been doing all those for 10 years now. After that some of the demonstrations are going to take some practice though like woundcare (my wonderful hubby volunteered to be a dummy), shots, IV's, and catheters.

Kid's started back to school Wednesday and are doing great. Bought them school supplies and new shoes, but still have to buy some clothes. They need them bad.

I still have to buy my scrubs and nursing supplies too. I got a check from the Kansas Nursing Foundation a couple weeks ago for $300 as a scholarship. It really should have gone to buy those things, but I was so behind it just brought me out of the red. I was SOO greatful for the money. It was truly intervention from the gods. I thought if I got a scholarship from them it would go straight to the school, but they sent it to me and said "this is to assist you with anything you need for the nursing program". It's all good though... I can get the kids a couple pars of jeans and myself a pair of scrubs on Payday.

My mother-in-law bought me an ice cream cake (yummy) for my birthday which was Tuesday. She can be really sweet.

My husband is starting to sell some of the soap and candles he makes. Their wonderful. He has also decided he wants to become certified as a HHP (Holistic Health Practioner). I don't remember when exactly is started, but he's been making a lot of changes this year. He went on a diet, started excersizing, quit smoking (8 months now). He started becoming interested in his own spirituality, decided he wants to follow a shamanic path, started learning about herbolism, started making his soaps and candles, then started learning about alternative therapies. It's wonderful to watch. One day he was talking about how he was feeling, and I was just smiling and said, "yah I know that how I felt a couple years ago when I found my path".

I'm sure there was a lot more I wanted to say, but I've forgotten. People think I am joking when they say, "how are you doing it all and still doing so well?" and I reply, "I have no short term memory". I imagine my brain like a big filing room with shelves of files, books, and computers with a bunch of little people running around frantic arranging and sitting at the computers saying, " no no this isn't essential...delete". Everyone teases me about all the writing on my hands, but if I don't the thought might be deleted by the time I find a peice of paper.

Besides I should be in the shower right now getting ready for work. Ta ta for now (Winnie the Pooh is on) and have a blessed day!

I am on school break! Woohoo Weehee! From 5/7 to 6/1 No School! It is really nice to not be so busy and to be able to rest a while. Get things caught up. Then I start summer semester. All is good is Mel's world, mostly. I got a 3.23 GPA for the spring summester. No idea how I pulled of a B in Chemistry, but I did. I was able to get into the Microbiology class for summer semester.  I am excited about it, it sounds fun, even though most people say they hated it.

Only problems I've been having are the bungholes at work trying to lie and mess with my schedule (I will probably end up working graveyard to go to school. Which I am ok w/ just didn't like how they did it.), and money. But who doesn't have money problems? Ah, May and June. Car tags, school books, and my son's birthday. Top that with finding money to go camping on break because my kids have never been and we won't get the chance again for at least another year. Have a couple of ideas on how to get money, hopefully they come through, and some more creative budgeting, and all will be well.

Our ferret died a couple months ago. Everyone misses him horribly. He was an adorible and funny little guy. We know have a dog. She is a German Shepard and her name is Nanna. She is not at all motherly as her name implies, she is a giant baby. A love sponge and attention addict. She was trained at the prison here, and she's great.

Let's see what else has happened since my last post...

Oh yah I didn't tell you, I GOT ACCEPTED INTO THE NURSING PROGRAM!!! Do a little dance, make a little love, get down tonight. I have applied for a couple of scholarships, and the financial situation is looking pretty good so far for the fall semester. If I can just make it till July...

My kids got A's and B's for the year. I am SO Proud of them . We had a nice little flood from the bathroom to the basement. Replaced the toilet . Can't think of any other news. Hope everyone had a Happy Beltaine. I was able to do too much, it was Finals week. Gotta get some housework done and work on that money thing. Blessed wishes to all! Mel.

 

Wow been a while since I wrote an update on here. So much has happened and so little time to goof off. The holidays were good (and today is another one   . Classes have started. Taking Chemistry, Anatomy and Physiology, and Development Psychology online. It's great! No driving and I can do school work when I have time. Only downside is I had to buy my books myself since the school bookstore doesn't carry the online text books. They were EXPENSIVE! Took a little creative budgeting and I didn't order most of them from the school distributor, ordered them from Amazon. Have never had a problem w/ Amazon sellers before, but I am having some this time. Tip: beware of sellers claiming to be shipping from U.S.A, but are really from outside the country! Having some trouble with the Math in Chemistry, it's been 8 years since Algebra and I never was good w/ exponential equations or conversions. Yah I know that;s what I need most in nursing, I am working on it. Any tips are welcome. I finally got a day shift positioin where I work. Start it in a couple weeks. Needed it too, son is starting to slack off on his homework, and not go to bed at night. Well gotta go. SOO much to do today. Homework, laundrey, dinner, Imbolc ritual.... Son had the flu a few days ago, now husband has it.

Good Morning! I'ts a beautiful day, cold, but beautiful. I got that Xmas feeling going on.  

I got me financial aid letter the other day. I am barely getting enough for my pre-reqs, not sure what is going to happen when the nursing program starts, maybe they'll give me more money since it is so expensive. Most of what they gave me was student loan. I only qualified for $450 pell grant. I'm not surprised though. Both my husband and I work. It will all work out. Did a couple of tarot readings and feeling much more secure than I have the last couple weeks. I really think I am sopposed to be doing this. Now I just have to finish writing a million scholarship essays, and pray I get one. One of them that is due Dec 25. Yah I know I shouldn't be on here right now.

Everyone got there Xmas shopping done? I thought I did. Then my goober mother-in-law took my kids out shopping and let them both by me and my hubby a present, one from each of them to each of us (4). So now I gotta go out and buy her and her hubby one. When she's not being a pain-in-the-. She's a sweetheart. Gotta love her. And since I am buying her one, I got to do something for my mom too. Don't you just love it when you tell people, "I'm broke, I'm only buying for my kids, don't buy me anything", and they do anyway!?!

Well I better get stated on my "Million Things To Do" list. Everyone have a blessed Xmas/Yule!

Good Morning!

Well, I am doing it. I currently in the process of enrolling in the Nursing Program.  It starts in August 2005, and you have to enroll by January 31. I am going to get a couple of the hard classes out of the way first. Spring Semester I am taking Anatomy - Physioloy and Chemistry. If I remember correctly about 7 years ago a full-time student was 9-12 credit hours, now it is a straight 12, so I have to take an easy course every semester to get some of the financial aide. I was going to take Summer 2005 off while I wait to start the Nursing Program, but I got a helpful hint from a nurse at work and I am going to take Microbioloy in the summer and get it out of the way.

I was getting really nervous about going back to school, because I have to work full-time, and I kept seeing people who work where I do that were quitting work half way through their 1st year in the nursing program. I feel better after talking to her though. I can do this because I have to. I also learned something from watching people quit. I am going to try to get on 11-7 shift, so that I still get "days off" instead of my days off being the days I go to school. I can also do some homework at work, so that will help, the hardest part will be getting used to being awake those hours.

My husbands surgery went well. The dr said he is healling really fast. He's kind of sore, but happy to be back to work. Now he just has 4-6 weeks of physical therapy. His diet is going well too. He has lost 22 pounds. I decided to go on the diet with him, mostly just to see if it helps my evergy levels like it has him. We start walking and exercising tomorrow. Our work has a gym, so that will be cool.

Thanksgiving is going to be at our house this year with both our moms and all our brothers. I am really looking forward to it. We did it at our house once before, but for the last 6 years we have missed out on having the holidays with our moms because we lived in Kansas City. I am even going to play football with the boys, and my mom is going to help me cook.

Well I better get busy with house work, laundrey, and cooking. (Yah, I am going to be one busy and tired mom next year.

Have a Great Thanksgiving!  

I finally got the book I had ordered, "Raising Witches" by Ashleen O'gaea. Seems pretty good so far. I had planned on waiting until my kids were teens, teaching them about all the religions, and then letting them decide which one they liked best. Lately though my kids, especially my daughter, have been bugging me more and more frequently about joinging in my rituals and having their own BOS. So, after some thought and research I decided to go ahead and teach them Wicca. Although I am eclectic pagan, I think for their ages it would be simpler to start them off with Wicca and prgress through paganism as they get older and can remember and understand more.

I was kind of at a loss how to start though. What should I teach and when. Between this book and the internet I am getting an idea. I am still going to let them go to Christian Church when they want to though, once I get the basics of Wicca explained to them. That way it is continues to be their choice and they get a taste of diversity. Besides I always enjoyed things like Vacation Bible School, I just didn't agree with what Christianity or the Christians I knew.

If anyone has any questions, comments, or suggestions about raising pagans drop me a line on my tag board of my blog or post on my message board: http://pub29.bravenet.com/forum/2447849122

Here are some sites with pagan kids sites:
http://www.goddessmoon.org/coloring/more_coloring_books.htm
http://www.campdenwood.com/forkids/index.htm
http://www.witch-crafted.com/story.htm
http://www.sacredtriskele.net/sprites/

This one costs money, so I haven't joined, but it looks cool:
http://www.greyschool.com/main.asp

This time of year always seems to be stressful for parents.  Most people's budgets are tight enough, but in November and December you have to scratch the bottom of the barrel for Xmas presents, travel, and holiday meals . Unless your one of those people who are wise enough to by Xmas all year long (I'm not, I'm a procrastinator).

This year has been kind of rough. The first few months my husband had been on unemployment due to a layoff, so we were a little behind on some of our bills. We couldn't find him a decent paying job in Kansas City, so we moved back to a little town in central kansas that had started booming while we were away. We both have jobs now, but there were no houses to rent here so we bought ours. Buying a house was our dream, but we weren't financially ready for it. Luckily we got help from the lender and a first-time homeowners deal, and my mother-in-law. She's been really great about not complaining too much on how long it's taking us to pay her off, but I really hate oweing people money. We brought several of our bills from Kansas City here, and I have been paying them off a little at a time.

A couple months after we got here I was put into emergency surgery for a tumor the size of a grapefruit on my ovary. It happened a week before my insurance kicked in so the bills are amazing. I've been trying to pay what I can, but then my kids got strep and I had to pay those dr bills. Now after 9 months here my husband has to go in for surgery on his shoulder and they are making us pay for the co-pays as  we go.

I've been trying to switch from 2nd shift to 1st, so that I have more time with my kids. The 1st time a position came open someone with more seniority got it. I don't begrudge her, she is a really great lady. There doesn't seem to be another position coming open very soon though, so I am going to be a little more productive with my mornings and get a part time job to help catch bills up.

What I keep reminding myself of when I start to feel overwhelmed and stressed out is that, although it has been a rough year it has also been a blessed one. We have a home! Something we've wanted for a few years now. My children each have their own bedroom and a backyard to play in. I can grow a garden and sit in the yard. They are doing good in school. We both have jobs, and even though our bosses are jerks, the jobs are stable. We have insurance, something we couldn't afford in Kansas City. Here with the medical problems that have come up, we can manage to pay them; in Kansas City we would have been up a creek; we may have even lost our apartment if we had had to be out of work. Life is more peaceful here in a little town, and as a family we are stronger and more loving. I even have the chance to go back to school next year to begin the Nursing program because it is only 2 days a week here instead of the 5 days in Kansas City (I haven't decided to do it yet, but it is an option I didn't have before).

I had an incredibly strong feeling that the goddess was not only pushing us to move here, but practically shoving us. I have felt that she has been more involved with our lives this year than ever before. And I am immensely grateful! I will remain calm, I will make it through the rough days, everything will be all right because she is with me.

I hope that as you start into the stressfull season, you are able to see the "the big picture". I hope that you don't have any major problems, but that if you do you are able to slide through them calmly, one at a time, and with grace.

Brightest Blessings!

It's the morning after Halloween. The kids are at school, I've got the day off, and the house is clean. So... I get a playday! As a working mom and wife those are few and far between. It was a wonderful Halloween. I LOVE Halloween. It's my favorite holiday. It was surprisingly warm. I cleaned, cooked, baked. Made jack-o-lanterns with the kids. Walked them to exhaustion, sat on the porch passing out candy with them, performed a ritual, watched last night's 'Charmed' that I'd recorded with the DVR (I LOVE DVR), and then passed out on the couch. Phew, I'm still tired.  More coffee anyone, lol.

I was a little disgruntled last night though. What happened to Halloween? I mean sheesh when I was a kid only the crotchity people turned their lights out. Last night I noticed that you were lucky if 1 or 2 houses on a block had their lights on. Their were 2 churches that were inviting people, and both of them were trying to get you to pay for food.  And their weren't that many kids out either. We had maybe 10 trick-or-treaters. My poor little son was getting really upset at one point because we live next door to a nice lady who runs a daycare. Parents the she babysits for brought their kids, but wouldn't come over to our house. At one point my son stood up with a handful of candy and said, "Hey we got candy!". It was cute and sad at the same time.  We live in tiny little town, I don't know why they didn't come over.

One of our trick-or-treaters was a very sad looking little girl of about 10 years. She looked about to cry, I asked her if she was having a happy Halloween. She said not really and when I asked why she said it was because no one did Halloween anymore. I looked in her bag and noticed she didn't have very much candy. So me and my kids loaded her up. I hope she cheered up.

I've been reading articles on Witchvox about towns moving Halloween to Saturday and towns cancelling Halloween, all because someone, pagan or christian, might be offended. Well I say.... Come on people Halloween is about kids. Yes it has represented alot of things throughout the past...for Pagans and Christians. But as a tradition it's also about kids. It's one night they are allowed to play dress up, act silly, stay up late, act in ways that any other time of the year we tell them it is rude (going around to people and asking for stuff), and eat tons of candy without hearing us say it's not good for you.

Our kids are growing up too fast! They are learning things in school a year and two years ahead of when we learned it. Our kids are under WAY more stress and pressure then we ever were! People can't seem to understand why kids are getting into trouble at earlier ages. Perhaps it's because we're treating children like adults and by the time they are teenagers they think they are adults and stressed out one's at that.

ANYWAY! Getting off on a tangent there. Almost ready to step off the soapbox. What I was saying is, for one night on Halloween, let's put away our politics, and just have FUN  with our children.  Here's  to taking the HOO off of BOO HOO next Halloween!!!

Have a Great One, Mel.