Well Dear Ones,

Just dropping in before I have to leave for the morning and do some "rat killing" as my Mom used to call it. I am getting ready to leave for Dallas for 6 weeks....it seems I will have internet access, or so they say. Although I am not sure what speed (hope and pray it's not dial-up)

I am going tobe SUPER busy for the first three weeks, but I know the castle will be safe, and if you have aby questions or concerns, email me, or PM me, and I will get back to you.....

Other than that, I hope you all are doing well, and I wish I get say something to each one of you, but I need to fly out the door and head out to the Social Security Office...it seems my Social Security Card is gone missing somewhere in this mess of an office.

I leave on Monday, so I have to order a new one by today....

Blessings to you all...

Have a safe trip, Lady Elaine. Many blessings on your journey. 3322))

— moonkrystal

Hello all, I'm new to this thread. Just wanted to say hi to all and introduce myself.
I live in northern Illinois in the United States and have two sons (age 21 and 23) who are still and returning to live at home with me and my husband. I teach high school and at the moment I am regretting the ending of summer as I need to return to work in a week and a half. I have perused the site since it was Full Moon Paradise but have not had a great deal of time to get involved since I was working and going to school myself.
I enjoy writing, reading, crafts, cooking, and many other activities that are too numerous to list.
I also have a foundling cat (a coworker of mine found him and his brother abandoned in the bushes by his mother) and a foundling dog (got him at the local pound - he and his brothers and sisters were placed there when they were found in a dumpster by a garbage man). We also have a 9 month pit bull residing with us. He belongs to my oldest son who moved home for the next 6 months to a year or so.
Moon Krystal

I'm a teacher, too! Tenth grade English...phew! I have to go back on the 20th, kids come back the 27th. I'll be honest, I'm not looking forward to it! This will be my second year at this particular school, so I'm hoping that it'll will be a bit smoother since I've got the rhythm of the place down. Kids are great, but the admins....could they use some work or what?!

Anyhoo....going to be gone for the weekend. My parents are celebrating their 29th wedding anniversary so we are going to spend some time with them and my godmothers (who were bridesmaids those many years ago!) Hope everyone has a great weekend!

MORNING EVERYONE....
Lady Elaine have a safe trip to Dallas. You think the people of LA can backward thinking wait till you get to Dallas the men there think you still catch a women by hitting her on the head and dragging her home. Sorry for the rant I just met some of the most arrogant men there. Make the most of it while your there and take over their world!

LOL

moonkrystal - welcome I hope you have time to explore the castle there is so much information to be found. My son starts school tomorrow so I know the rush is on.

For me I have made a pledge to myself starting this morning I have really fallen off the path lately but no more excusses its time for action:

1. I currently weight 169 - I will weight 140 by 1/1/08
2. Everyday I must workout in some form - today I have done 30 min on treadmill and 50 crunches
3. I'm trying to get my 1st book published in the mean time I must finish the second book. I will have it completed by 9/15/07 - so I did do some writing last night and some this morning.

I just know if I put this in writing I will accomplish these things start small to build big.

Okay back to writing...

Goof for you Lodemai, puttin it into the now and being positive is the way to do it. Good luck with it all.

Blessing to you Lady E.

Well the weekend is over once again for me and the week is beginning. Had a lovely weekend. Isn't it funny when oing through a transition in life at times the old sub conscious doesn't want to move forward or fears it and then bodys acts up, knees in particular. Some work to do yet.

I am planning a day in the yard. Some mulching and weeding as the warmer weather is on its way back, so time to get the gardens ready for the dry heat.

Off for a look around, by the way more power to all you teachers, you are wonderful people. I have seen some of the kids at my kids school and I have no idea how you guys do it.

Kath

Good morning everyone.

Lodemai, it sounds like your committed and on teh right track. Much luck to you.

This weekend was rather wierd. I was just rather argumentitive and distanced when associating with friends. On a lighter note, on Sunday my friends and I went to this most delightful Wiccan shop we had been meaning to visit for a while. The atmosphere was so much more positive than the other shop I usually frequent. It was just a wonderful place I can't wait to go back to. I guess the propritess' prosperity altar in the corner was really powerful. I would have liked to stay longer for a cup of tea, but it was like 100 degrees outside. However, I am thinking it will be a necessary place to visit on the weekend when the Fall begins to set in.

But any way, I am going to get back to work and try to get rid of some of these "Blahs." It just feels like it's going to be an aggravating and and odd day.

Many blessings.

Good morning everyone. I had a very empowering day yesterday. Achieved so much in the yard, got all the gardens in the front yard weeded and mulched, so today will be in the back yard. Summer here is a really dry and hot (like you guys), and the gardens can use some protection. We have been looking at a new plan for the front yard, we are going to eventually dig it up and plant the whole front with shrubs etc. I want walkways throught it with heaps of plants, its not a very big area but it will look great. Although to afford it and do it properly it will take probably a year to complete. That is one of the current projects. I want nice flowering natives to attract the birds, bees and butterflies.

Usual family life is rolling on.

Lovely day to you all.

Kath

I know, I know. It's not morning, but there's nothing like that afternoon cup! (coffee)

So to introduce myself, my name is Willow. I live in the beautiful, colorful state of Colorado and am new to this whole "online" witch thing, but not super new to the craft. I've never had any "formal" training with the exception of some workshops here and there. That being said, I joined this site to make some new friends and have a place of reference when I have questions about rituals and such. I am looking to start my year and a day as soon as I can but really haven't found the "right" teacher for me.

On a personal note, I enjoy things like music (I sing, play the piano and the flute), reading, snowboarding, hiking, photography and world travel. I've been to Mexico, Germany, Austria, Italy, Greece and Croatia. (I just got back from Italy & Greece in May!) Next year I'm going to Jamaica. I also love anything fluffy (especially animals), anything shiny and of course don't forget the coffee and Lady Elaine's Irish Cream Bars!!! MMMM

So that's a little about me in a nutshell.

Bright Blessings and have a great day!

Willow

welcome

Willow, this is a great site Lady Elaine has created. There are so many caring souls here at the castle and the information available at your fingers, this is why I have to visit everyday to see what's new.
LOL
I wouldn't worry about formal training I've never had any either but I'm a self learner and with the castle having so many knowledgeable individuals each having there own specialty it makes this my class room in a lot of ways. If you ever have questions or comments please post them we are all here to give support in a loving family.

Okay I'm rambling I just finished my workout too much energy.

Kath, I envy you I wish I had more time to work in my yard than just pull weeds but there is always next year. I want to plant a willow in the back yard, in memory of my Mama Lucy and to take me back to my summers spent in the country.

Stacey/Kath - thank you for the encouragement. I have kept to the plan so far but only on day 3.

Stacey,
We all have those days when everything seems to irritate us, when it could be nothing at all. I usually find when that happens I'm ignoring my needs while taking care of everyone else. Take a bubble bath, and grab your favorite snack celebrate you!

Okay everyone I have to sign off I have to get back to my list, which mean I have go work on my book.

Good Afternoon!

Thought I'd pop in for a minute. Work has been super busy and I don't get much time to post lately. They treated us to lunch today though, had me a huge gyro and now I just want to go to sleep

Hello to the new faces here, Willow and moonkrystal.

Not much going on with me, just living and working all the time. I've dug my art supplies out of storage boxes, and even bought some new stuff. So I've been enjoying drawing again, always been a favorite hobby of mine.

Lodemai, good for you. You can do it all, just keep your mind to it! I've had the fire in me again lately, drawing, writing. My man and I are starting to get out of our funk and trying to have some new goals (we've been through a lot these past weeks). We want to try and write a children's book. I have so many ideas floating in my head. The tough part is that now that I'm SO busy at work all of a sudden it's hard to get that work/life balance back on track. I feel like I'm all work/sleep.

Well, I'd better get back to work. Hope everyone is doing super duper.

Hello everyone. It's almost the weekend for me, so I thought I would drop in as I don't usually get on during that time.

I am sorry to hear about your eye (and the beginning of the school year), MoonKrystal. I suppose it could have been mush worse, but eye injuries are a scary thing. I hope you have an exception amount of students to teach this year.

Hello Larc. Show us some of your art if you can. Stay busy and prosperous.

Hello Lodemai. Good luck on your book and have a great weekend.

Hello Willow, welcome to the coffee cult.

Kath, yard work in the heat here would be like doing landscaping in Hell, which I've been trying to avoid. But, your yard sounds beautiful. I can just imagine it from your description.

Well, it's almost time to leave. Have an adventerous weekend everyone!

Hi everyone, I thought I would pop in and join the thread now that I have a spare couple of minutes. I'd just like to let you all know that I really like this site. Everyone has been so welcoming particularly compared to some of the sites I have visited in the past.

A little bit about me....My name is Michel, I'm 24, married (only recently though we have been together for just over 7 years), have a daughter whose nearly 3 and am currently trying for another child . I'm lucky that I am able to stay at home and be a full time mum, which I love, though my husband is setting up his own business at the moment so soon I will probably have to run that for him while he's at work. I also sell some of my crafts and paintings for a bit of extra cash which is nice.

That's your lot for now as the kitchen calls me away and dinner is not going to prepare itself.

Brightest blessings, Michel x

Good morning all, sounds like everyone have been up to a great dea. Welcome to all the new ones to the thread, great to see you all.

I must apologise for not being in for the last so many days. We were involved in a car accident last wednesday, so have been recouperating along with my daughter and trying to organise a rental car supplied by the company the who hit me works for. careless drivers. Not to worry it happens and we are all on the mend.

Hope to be able to pop in a little more, but may not as am still rather sore in some areas.

Best to you all.

Kath

Popping in to say Hi and welcome to all the new folks here and have to take a few to catch up with everyone else who is part of the cuppa clan, morning, noon or middle of the night!! (and it don't have to be joe neither teas fine too! or sumfin stronger if'n ya want!)

Glad all are ok Kath.

Sorry to hear the stitches are out, lol, now I got to go back and figure out why ya had them! lol

I've battled with a minor bout of depression again. Suffer from the same thing guys do who come back from war, but only due to childhood isssues. Post tramatic stress disorder (ptsd), it can be set off by some of the minutest things. Even 'special time' with hubby. lol then there is not only mending myself, but making sure he is ok too for sending me into such a downward spiral.

Ok now to pop back a page or two and cath up on everyone elses worlds adn touch base with you guys too.

you are all a wonderful group, and help out every day by being here.

Just wanted to say thanks for that.

How true that is Lodemai. so much info here and so many people who have such a varied amount of stuff in their brains! good luck at sticking with sticking with it.

one day at a time, one step at a time!

Good morning everyone. Well, I hope everyone's luck improves. It seems our coffee cult is suffering from a horrible negative series of events.

I had a busy but good weekend. Today is the first day of classes at my university, so it's a total madhouse. I only have evening classes, but I've still got to get to work early, and it's like NASCAR trying to find a parking space.

This weekend, I will be hopefully buying a new car. My blessed father allowed me to borrow his when mine died unitl I had a job that would help me buy something. Personally, cars just give me a ridiculous case of anxiety, but I am happy to spend the time with my father buying it. I don't think he ever thought he'd live to see the day I would.

I'll send you all as much positive energy as I can muster, but with school starting, I may need a little myself by the end of the week.

Have a delightful Monday!