Well all's I can say is all you guys are like the family I don't have. Understadning, and willing to listen to so much bibblebabble and actually understadn half of it!!Sheesh ya must like me!!! lol

I'm glad even thru the chaos of what is supposed to be a relaxing celebratory time of year, you all have weathered, and even came out refreshed.

To all who dwell within this coffehouse chat room. I bid you peace, love joy, and togetherness, for many ages to come.

Don't ahve time to go into a whole olt of my life, as well I have covered most of it anyways in other topic areas of the boards, so you will catch up anyways, no point in saying it more than twice, lol.

So, hi ho hi ho it's off to work I go, hi ho!!!

(no coffee this morning, only tea!!)

Well crap, I was gonna say good morning all but I look at the clock and find I am seven minutes late! So, Good Afternoon All!

Christmas was quiet on this front. Dad said he wasn't having us over as he already had a houseful and really I didn't mind as we don't celebrate Christmas. Didn't do much for Yule sadly though as hubbie and I had to work the next day. The kids liked the presents we bought them but it wasn't much compared to past years. Short term disabality really did a number on our finances. Still, I say it was better to have some money coming in rather than none.

I did keep my promise to myself involving a trashy novel, bag of chips and sunbeam on my bed yesterday. I read not one but two trashy novels and napped in between books. A very productive day if I do say so LOL.

Lady E, I am glad you like the new colour in your hair. I used to dye mine but stopped this summer past. I figured who cares about the grey creeping in? Well, after brushing my hair this morning I have decided that 42 is too damn young to be walking around with 50% grey! Problem is, my hair is black and just try to match black dyes to the natural colour. In the past I used burgandy but am rather bored with it now. I have to choose with care as my skin is olive coloured but I tend to the yellow tones in the winter. Let the dye search begin! I also was thinking of growing my hair out (I keep it VERY short as a rule) but after letting my length into it I remember why gave that up years ago. Ram rod straihgt hair that does what it wants if it wants is a pain in the patootie. I will be having hubbie shave my head with the 6-blades again I think. If I can part the stuff it is too long.

Coyote, I mailed your package last Wednesday - let me know when you get it.

No major plans for today. Dad is stopping by for a bit and my gf and her hubbie are stopping by for an hour or so. Hubbie and I are off to work tomorrow so it will be an early night for us. I swear, I have watched so many movies with the kids and read so many books these past four days my eyeballs are ready to fall out. LOL

Watered the jungle I call my plants and discovered yet another seed pod on the Hibiscus. This is getting outta control! I have to start finding homes for these seeds. It seems a terrible shame to throw them away after all work my trees did. Still, I can't anyone I know here to take them. The main problem being of course, what to do with them in the winter. If you don't have a sunny window they just die on you. Not to mention, they can get big if you don't watch them carefully. My four are braided together and they stand about 6 feet tall. The Desert Rose still hasn't matured it's seed pods but Lord and Lady are those pods getting big.

Alora, I am so sorry for your daughter. My brothers and I haven't spoken in a long while so I do understand the in-fighting families can get into but use a child that way! I hope her heart heals soon and things settle for your family. Maybe her grandmother will gain some compassion and common sense.

Well that's about all chat I have for now. I've had so much coffee this morning I can't possibly take another sip. I hope everyone has a blessed holiday season and much love and joy in the new year.

Blessings from the North,

Kestrelwing

Can someone send me a box of snow?

I miss snow. we don't get it ike we used to here in the heartland.

Used to get nigh on 7 to 12 inches at a whack, now we are going out of Dec with no recorded snow fall at all!!!!! Sheesh who stole winter!?

Well mornin' All.

Decided to sit down with my cuppa, and have a little chat. Not sure who I'm chatting with, but just feel like havin' a chat.

Sometimes life gets crazy, gets in the way even, drives us up the walls, and makes us wonder why in the hell we even get out of bed some days. Then, we open the shades, just as the sun rises over the horizon, sheds wonderous colors all over the sky, even those nasty clouds, and makes us realize just why we got out of bed. To take part in this awesome display of nature that takes not only the clear sky, but also the clouds that loom overhead, and creates something as awesome as a sunrise.

Maybe we can learn a thing or two from this daily ritual. A trading up of Mother Moon, and Father Sun. We can take the darkness, which holds it's own beauty, and let it give way to the light, which sheds illumination on all those things that scared us while it wa dark, and even though they have not changed, they are still exactly what they were then, and see them in a different light, a wonderous light.

I know I'm babbling, and maybeso, but sometimes I learn a thing or two just leting my fingers do as they will, type. Seems then the words I am looking for just seem to appear on the page.

A topic was brought up not sure when, not sure by whom, hell I can't even be sure in what lifetime, lol. How do we learn things about life, about our Self? What is the best way to advance ourselves? Should we go to school? Shouold we go to 'church'? Should we retreat to the highest mountaintops, with the wisest of the wise men? Should we live a life, isolated from every person, live at one with nature, learn all there is to learn from Her? Should we just kep going thru ife, just as we are?

NOPE, none of the above! We should learn to learn from everything, everyone, and every instance around us. Every moment we live, ahving drug our asses out of that bed, is a chance to learn, to grow, to BE.

So to all who drop in for a cuppa chat this morning, I bid the chance to BE ALL that you can BE.

Morning All,

Thought I would drop in for a quick chat. I woke to the sound of a breeze through the trees, and birdsong. I thought about laying in bed longer, but thebird outside my window kept urging me to rise. As I did, I had the most beautiful sunrise greet me...you're right Novia, the morning always has its magick and inspiration!

And to top things off, wandering back to the office with coffee in hand I was wondering what song would greet me on the computer. It was "Shower the People" by James Taylor...how appropriate!! I know in this life I am here to serve..to teach and to help guide in any way I can. What an affirmation! So, today I will continue to work on our wonderful community, and help those who may need it and the information it contains....it is my hope that if I can assist one Soul and help them in some small way to get to know themselves and the Voice within, my job will be more complete. I don't know how I ended up on this journey, but it by far one of the most fulfilling. Giving, it is a wonderful thing!!

I love you all, and safe journey today on whichever path you may follow...

Blessings Bright and Dark,

Well Dearest Lady Elaine, then your job is complete, for you have guided me, taught me, scolded me when needed, for these past five years. I have grown more than I can ever thank you for. This is but one soul, of thousands, you have helped along our journies.

It is I, we, who should thank you, from all your heart and soul you hve put into every moment of every day, of every site you have created, and thereby have spread, and shared that joy, and love, with each and every one of us.

May the sunrise of this day, bring joy to every moment of this day, and every day, just has you have shed you light upon each of us.

Well mornin' All. Seem to have the coffehouse chat, hell the whole site all to myself this morning.

Started out this morning when hubby went out to start his truck for work and realized I had a flat tire. LOL, he oughta work on a race crew, 15 minute from start to finish. Thank goodness he always watches out for me. Don't know what I'd have done with my life without him. We've been together for 21, alomst 22 years, and I'm only 42 so that means i have spent better than half my life with this man, and oh lookey I ain't killed him, or even had too many thoughts on, killing him! yeah! I even went thru an entire marriage with him, just not to him, lol, long story, yea I'm a baaaaaaaaad girl. I met him first when I was 16, and had been left by my Mom, and had taken up with this guy, because well, I was young and dumb. Met Bill, my hubby, one time, and I swear guys, I knew we were gonna get married and ive in exactly the house he and his new then bride, were living in. I also knew that Ihad to continue on the path I was on, like it or not, to get to where it was I needed to be, for that vision to become a reality, so I walked. Might now have been the happiest stroll of my flippin' life, but hey, I knew there were greener pastures down the road for me.

Bill has been my best friend for all these years, and still is.

Silence is a peaceful thing. Only sounds I hear right now are the hum of this infernal contraption, after having the shit scared out of me of course by the washingmachine buzzing from the basement announcing it's finshed, come flip me! LOL Bought jumped outta my skin! Damn thing! shame on it! Worse yet, bought spit my joe all over the keyboard!

So at 6:30 in the a.m. tire changed, angel of the day greeted, cuppa finished, load of laundry washed, heading for the dryer, seems like it's gonna be a productive day indeed.

May the sun rise up...........to hell with the greetin' part I just want the sun to come up so I don't feel like a night owl!

Morning All,

I woke up this morning to find my son has installed a new motherboard in my computer!! ARGH...my puter was fast before but now....dang. There is only one problem. I can't set my cookies...so all the sites I frequent, I can't post to. I am on Battery's machine right now and he has one of those ergonomic keyboars...another ARGH....weird ass keyboard.

Anyway, I am sure when all is said and done I will love the new computer....but for now, I am very frustrated.

More coffee, and some french toast should help tho....

Love to you all!

Blessings Bright and Dark,

There was no snow this holiday season. Usually there is and it didn't seem right. It was cold but not like it usually is. It is supposed to snow at this time of the year in Illinois. Maybe I shouldn't complain, lol, will probably snow and not stop.
I don't have a digital camera but I love my 35 milimeter even though I have to wait to see the pictures. I am a camera nut. Hope you don't mind me jumping in here but couldn't resist coffee chat.
What a day for talk to meet a friend.
When the weather is cold and cup of coffee doesn't end.
Tell a story or just gab away
What a lovely way to start the day.
Moon is gone and wolves don't howl , air is crisp and cool
Sun is up and day is new, time to act a fool.
Look at the world through the eyes of a child,
Let your heart feel free and wild.
Pull up a chair and sit by the fire
Time is fast and will expire.
Meet new friends, talk awhile
Time to go, hope I left a smile.

LOL need sunglasses for the sparklies, and the jewelry ain't so dull either, lol.

I have to agree with hubby, I like the second two, not so 'posed'.

yup everyone welcome, no reservations required, just pull up a chair, and have a seat, grab your favorite cuppa joe, and join in our little coffeehouse chatroom. (with the occassional cuppa tea!) Like the poem as well.

Thank you all. I want a digital lol. I want to see the picture now. People get a little tired of me taking pictures though. lol.

I like both the pictures and the avatar. Very pretty and you can see the character in your face. You look like you have a very good sense of humor and are very down to earth.

Merry Meet All:

Yep, too late for coffee now - it's 20:15 hrs here and I dinna drink coffee or tea after 12:00 hrs. Damn that crap keeps me awake at night and like I need help with no sleep!

Alora gotta say this - AAAGGHH YOU ARE GORGEOUS!!!! I love your smile, your hair hell, the whole match! Babe, you are lovely - never let anyone tell you differently. As to seeds - hee hee.

Yes I do live in Winterpeg. Yes I can send some to you with growing instructions and how I grow them. Just pm me with your personal addy hun and they will be on their way. Hell if I can get them across to CoyoteMoon I am sure I can get them to you. As to how I do it - well, care at the end of day is I guess what it is. I keep the sun lovers in the sun, the water pigs wet and the rest seem to manage. Still, I will include detailed info for you. In fact, since you're in Ontario, some will do better than others for you. No, I do not use hot houses or grow lights though that would probably be an option available to you.

I would post pickies of myself and the crew but truth be told - I don't take a good pickie and really what we have is two years old. Hubbie has a HUGE problem with loading pickies and catching me in the camera LOL. Still, I think I have a few in the system here - so ummmm - how do I do this? I can say what I look like - it hasn't changed in years. 5'2" - 145 lbs - black hair cut short (real short), hazel green eyes, high cheek bones, olive skin, full lips with an overbight behind them, broad in shoulder, chest and hip and 42 years of age. Really, I am short, stocky, very muscular with a contralto voice. Everything after that is the true me - this is just my shell.

Though I confess, the shell is pooped today. There are three of us in QA, myself, my boss and "the new wonderful guy". My boss was not in today and "new wonderful guy" suddenly became ill when I asked if he could deal with metal powders while I dealt with Halliburton orders. I think I was on order number 4 of 20 when I found out the "new wonderful guy" went home sick. These metal powders have been waiting for four days. But he hates doing them, as well as Halliburton, Gauge Management, Thread Gauges, etc etc. See, he told me he has done enough "paperwork" (his words) to last a life time and really doesn't feel he needs to do more. Too bad 85% of our job is paperwork.

To say I was pissed today is small. I was *censored* livid. I managed to clear 16 of the 20 Halliburtons but in the process, left everything else on the shelves that are waiting for inspection. I HATE, truly HATE leaving anything on the shelf. But after 9 hours at work I am sacked. Geez, I was slinging Driveshaft Caps x 60 (10-12 lbs each) as well as the Lower Bearing Durits (20 lbs). I hurt where the surgeon undercut my abdominal wall during the hysterectomy.

Still, tomorrow I can get the remaining Halliburton out plus clear the shelves and very probably deal with the metal powders. I'll never in the wildest dream get to Gauge Management or the Thread Gauges but still it is a start. And if I log a great deal of OT in January I can clear out all of the the gauges for December and January. Still I ask myself, why should I?

Dammit, we all have things we need to do to keep our jobs running smoothly. And my job is certainly no different from that rule. My boss and I have been yelling for someone to kick in and help us, another QA inspector. Instead we are given a machinst who the company hired because he is a number man. Alora you'll love this. He used to work for Revenue Canada and "got bored". Became a machinist and discovered it's all numbers. He doesn't want numbers or paperwork. Lord and Lady why in all that is sacred would he accept a post to Quality Assurance when it involves nothing but numbers and adminstration?! WARNING: PRIMAL SCREAM COMING UP. AAAAAGGGGGHHH!!!

K - much better. I am sorry for ranting and raving about work. I try to leave it at work but dammit, it has been following me. Certainly since I got back to it at any rate LOL . Mind you, I take any job I accept seriously. I was raised to believe that no matter what you have to do - do it well and to the best of your ability no matter odious it may be. Just keep your head down, your mouth shut. I say this with a great of sarcasm - I think Kestrel's not buying the party line any more. Hell, I faced the the Canadian Armed Forces down when I declared myself Wiccan - surely I can face this.

Yeah, but I didn't have kids then. Nor did I have to pay for an orthodontist and nor did I have a mortgage or a hubbie who works at the same place. At the end, it is simply another test and lesson. Patience, discretion, knowing when to keep your mouth shut (something I have problems with) and at the end of the day, doing what you have to in order to meet your ends.

I see the lessons before me and wonder if I am up to them but then, I have never walked away from a challenge. Oh, I have fallen and scraped my face but hey, I can always get back up. This is one my lessons, when do you swallow your pride woman and realize you are out of your league? When do YOU quit? Maybe, just maybe mind you, I am out of my league here. I am so very weary of politics, back biting and the general bull**** that goes along with it. I had more than my share in the CAF. See reference to "declaring myself Wiccan."

I do not intend to whine - and please do not think I am. I do not feel sorry myself. I chose this path and job and all that goes with it. I simply find myself tired, over worked, and in corner I never intended to paint myself into. But if I painted that corner then I put myself there. I just for the life of me cannot see a way out it right now.

I am tired and rambling. The Gods know, I simply do not share like this. Not like this. I apologize if I have offended, rambled too long or am whining. Gonna go to bed, and start over again tomorrow..

Blessings from the North (and yes, it's not as cold as it should be LOL)

Kest

BY no means is that whining, that would be the 'wonderful new guy', not you. You rant. He whines. Big diff!!!

I understand totally about wondering howlong one should stay with a job, because one has a good sense of ethics.

We just got our 'revised' job descriptions, and operations and policies, sheesh!!!!! Now I get to go in and tell the admin gal she forgot one job despcription of mine, like 3 isn't enough, totalling 7 pages, I STILL need one more descriptin that is maybe, if I'm lucky, I think ony one more page. I am Museum Manager. I am Gift Shop Manager, I am Weekend Manager, and toss in Volunteer Coordinator! I oversee all things having to do with the Museum from the point of view of the patron, which basically is QA for people, lol. Answer trhe phones, direct cal, run the cash register, and listen to bullshit people tak about for no godd reason I can think of, lol. I handle all things to do with our itty bitty gift shop. On weekends, I run the whole fuckin' place alone, do said job stated prior, as well as clean up after all the people visiting the Museum, and clean up after room rentals, and shitty kids in the bathrooms, and such, and I'm supposed to make sure everyone that needs help gets it with volunteers. Hell, I'm too busy to get volunteers to help me!!! shit! They leave out one thing though, helping others think for themselves! (and some 'personal filing' for the boss. The financials!) oh yeah forgot get to be one of 2 people who work on the bulk mailings, did a 3500+ mailing, put labels on, all by myself (did all other stuff stated above as well) and bulk stamped 646 envelopes yesterday while person #2 started stuffing, she had already counted out the 646 piles of 5 newsletters to stuff into said envelopes while I labeled first mailing, and now we are stuffing the 646 and sealing them, so she can now get the paperwork ready by tuesday next week, will be done by then, but the gal who has to show her how to do it won't be in until then. (shift of responsibilities)

And I only make a tad over $17,000 per year, salary, works out to $8.03 per hour!!!! and I have 3, count them 3 management positions!

(BTW this would be a cross rant/whine!)

Sooooooooooooooo on to a happier note, lol.

I WILL BE HAPPY! I WILL BE HAPPY! I WILL BE HAPPY!

Awwww hell who am I kiding, I'm me, and generally happy ain't me, lol. (see lost joy post, lol.)