It's the week before vacation--need I say more? Yes, VERY busy! Trying to get caught up and then ahead with work, shopping for items needed for vacation, and I've also been helping a friend try to find a job; she is looking for accounting jobs but really any type of job involving math is her passion. (YUK!)

We are going to Disney World! Our first night there we have dinner reservations at 'Ohana at the Polynesian Resort:

This is where we usually stay but since becoming Disney Vacation Club members we have been trying out other resorts. In May we stayed at Bay Lake Tower and this trip we're staying at Saratoga Springs Resort.

I will be posting live updates on this blog: Disney Vacation Trip Reports
If you're a Disney fan, follow me on Twitter: FamilyDisneyTR
Join my Facebook Page: Family Disney Vacations
This is my main Disney blog: Family Disney Vacations

In the meantime, I will have posts written up and scheduled for publishing on this blog ;-)

Yesterday Olivia and I organized all my witchy tools and decorated my altar for Mabon.She now knows the directions and the colors and Elements associated with each direction! YAY!

Can you believe it's Fall already?! Where did this year go?! Today is indeed the Autumn Equinox, however, it will not occur until 11:09 pm EST (where I am anyway) and so I've heard many people say that tomorrow is the first 'official' day of Fall. Olivia told me that is what her teacher told the class; I told her to feel free to correct her teacher.

I used to decorate my Altar before a Sabbat, to get ready for it but I've recently decided to make decorating part of our Sabbat traditions; so today when Olivia gets home and finishes her homework, we will decorate the Altar for Mabon. I'm roasting a chicken for our harvest dinner tonight. Pictures of our evening will be posted later today or tomorrow. In the meantime:

From astronomy.com:

Planetary behemoth Jupiter will shine bigger and brighter September 21 than it has in almost 50 years. That's when it lies at opposition, putting it directly opposite the Sun in Earth's sky. On the 21st, the jovian giant will rise at sunset, set at sunrise, and remain visible all night.

This opposition is special because Jupiter, the largest of all the solar system's planets, will soon reach perihelion, the closest point in its orbit to the Sun. That means it's physically closer to Earth during this opposition than a normal one. It will rise below the Circlet asterism in the constellation Pisces the Fish and present its best views high in the sky, when its light travels through less of Earth's atmosphere.

READ FULL ARTICLE

I am easily distracted--I was writing a health article on a topic regarding the best way to lose weight when I suddenly found myself of Facebook, lol. I do this a lot, which is why it takes me forever to write articles!

Anyway, I this article was shared on Facebook by a friend of mine and I just had to post it here as well. This dog was used as a 'bait dog' for dog fighting; he even had his ear REMOVED--not cropped, REMOVED :-[

" Phoenix rubbed his earless, scarred head against Tiffany Norton's hand, pushing for a pat.

The emaciated German shepherd-mix had just come out of a bath on Tuesday to soothe his infected, flea-covered body. The dog was rescued on Monday by Coastal German Shepherd Rescue from a shelter in Downey – hours before he was scheduled to be euthanized – and brought to Alicia Pet Care Center."

Well, it's that time of year again. It's starting to get cooler and already Dante has been blowing his nose and Olivia has been sneezing. I figured allergies until my throat started to hurt yesterday--great, are we all getting sick?

We leave for Disney in 19 days. This means there is less than 3 weeks for this possible sickness to run it's course through all of us. We all started taking vitamins around the middle of August, so I hope that was early enough to have some effect.

I don't give everyone vitamins and supplements year round simply because I don't  want everyone's bodies to become immune to them; so August through May is generally when we all take them. It worked out well last year and this past May no one was sick in Disney!

CJ and I take echinachea and vitamin D supplements and the Witchlets take a multivitamin plus a chewable vitamin C every day. I've heard Zinc is good to add as well, for adults. Any other suggestions? Do you take anything to boost your immune system?

As I get older I tend to think about what I should be taking to help my body age gracefully. Arthritis runs in my family and so I have been contemplating taking an msm supplement just for arthritis.

Curious if anyone has taken this? I've been reading up on it and so far it seems to be a good supplement to take. 

Seems I am breaking out more now that I'm in my mid-30's than I did when I was a teen! I've been on the hunt for the best natural acne treatment but it just occurred to me - why don't I try to make my own concoction? (Or at least find someone who makes one and can give me some guidance!)

I know Burdock Root has anti bacterial properties and also helps in faster healing of wounds. Burdock Root is actually an essential ingredient of herbal cleansing formulas. Anyone use it to make a skin cleansing formula?

I blogged about this on another one of my blogs a few months ago--I had meant to post it here too but it slipped my mind.

While I truly believe in magick and mind over matter--there are times when we just have to protect ourselves in a mundane way, using common sense. I've read that apparently there are some credit cards now with a RFID chip in it that emits the account number, expiration data and other information. This is so you can just wave the card by a scanner instead of swiping it. Sounds great but how great is it when you realize that your information is now 'out there' for anyone.

There is a company that makes cell phones with scanners embeded in them. You would never know if someone waved one of these by your back pocket.

Scary, huh? Well, just an FYI--rfid blocking wallets keep your cards protected from this by blocking the radio signals needed to read the information contained on RFID cards.

The festival we were at over the weekend was held in Stoudtburg Village in Adamstown, Pa. It was a really pretty little village. Some shops were open during the festival, but I never ventured into one. I spent all my money on the vendors for the festival -- thank the Goddess I took cash because there were no credit card machines nor a fancy barcode scanner at any of the vendor tables.

We sat on a bench to enjoy the view and CJ and I talked about how nice it would be to live in the village. Look at how quaint it is:


Well, guess what? There are homes for sale here, starting at only $189,000! From a realty site:

Homes consist of 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, 2-car garage (attached), main floor Laundry and Master Suite. Ground Floor space for Shop, Office or more living space.

WOW! I wanna move now!

But this time, it was a much nicer news report from last year's report!

As Americans on Saturday remembered those who died on Sept. 11, 2001, a group in Adamstown celebrated one of the basic freedoms upon which America was founded - freedom of religion.

Nearly 200 people turned out for the opening of the second annual "Celebrating Earth Spirituality Festival" at Stoudtburg Village.

The free event, sponsored by the Reading Pagans & Witches, focused on honoring and explaining nature-based and alternative religions.

The event was free of conflict, unlike the inaugural event last year when two Christian groups organized a "wall of prayer" around Stoudtburg and some village merchants refused to open their shops during the festival.

There were no protesters Saturday.

"I think they protested because they didn't know what we were," said the group's founder, Jen Anderson-Wenger of Muhlenberg Township. "We were different and they were concerned."

This year vendors and residents didn't seem to have the same concerns, said Marjorie Shark of Reinholds, manager at the Village Scoop and Cafe.

"I think people were concerned about how others would react to the group being here," she said of last year's difficulties.

Saturday's festival included a Sept. 11 memorial, an interfaith discussion, music, vendors and prayers.

The event is an opportunity for anyone who wants to learn more about Paganism, regardless of age or religion, Anderson-Wenger said, adding that members do not try to convert others.

Organizers said Paganism is an umbrella term for religions that fall outside the mainstream traditions of Christianity, Judaism and Islam. They said Pagans do not believe in Satan. Some common Pagan traditions include Wicca or witchcraft, Asatru, and Druidry.

The festival continues today from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Stoudtburg is located along Route 272.

People are asked to bring nonperishable food and personal care products, which will be shipped to Pagans serving overseas in the U.S. military. Perishable food items will be donated to a local food bank.

The day's keynote speaker was Selena Fox, who heads the Lady Liberty League. The group advocates for Pagan civil rights and religious freedoms.

"I'm hoping that on September 11th that we find a way not only for remembrance and healing, but also is a time that connects us to basic freedoms this county was founded on," she said.

Link to news article in the paper: Pagan festival focuses on nature-based beliefs. Event includes music and interfaith talks

What a beautiful day for the festival! The weather was perfect and at least when we were there, no protesting or negativity took place.

Dante got his arms and face painted and Olivia got her arms painted. The really cool thing about this was that other kids (tweens/teens) were the ones doing the painting and it was free--we gave a donation and their faces lit up. Our Witchlets loved their 'tattoos'


The only 'bad' part of the day was when Wyatt got stung on the ear by a bee. My poor little guy.


He screamed and cried and within a minute, 3 people where there to help--one with ice cubes in a ziplock bag. I'm so thankful to be part of a community of amazing and compassionate people.

Last year we were unable to attend the Celebrating Earth Spirituality Festival but this year we are going!

Last year there were protesters there and many regular shop owners in Stoudtburg Village, where the event was held (and is again this year) closed their shops because they did not want to be 'part' of such an event. Read about what happened last year: Celebrating Earth Spirituality Event - What Happened?

CJ was able to get the day off so he and I are going and we're taking the boys and Olivia. She is at Jeff's but we're picking her up to take her and Jeff will get get later. I am excited for a family day--it's such a beautiful day out and well, it's also 9/11; being with family is a must.

I am looking forward to going I am not looking forward to what may lie ahead...I am certainly hoping this year will not be a repeat of last year.

I've been looking around this house and I realize I am bad when it comes to decorating. I want this house to look and 'feel' witchy.

The only rooms that have anything remotely magickal in them are the dinning room--which is where my altar is and the bathroom. The bathroom has a candle warmer that arms my favorite smelling candles. I'd love to burn incense in the bathroom, I've been to homes where people do that instead of using air freshener...lol, but those people had bathroom fans and our bathroom doesn't have a fan. I don't want to walk into a smoke filled bathroom so unless the window is open, burning incense in there is not an option.

I think part of my problem is I hate clutter and while statues and trinkets are not necessarily 'clutter' I still have to dust it...I dust every other day...OCD? Maybe, lol

How do you decorate the rooms in your home?

Yesterday I talked about setting up window box planters and planting some fall herbs. My dear friend and very first spiritual mentor, Carmen, mentioned what she has:

"I have a small hillside herb garden with yarrow, bea balm, lemon balm, oregano, french tarragon, lemon thyme, lavender, stevia, basil, rue,tansy, motherwort, patchouli, sweet annie, sage, winter savory.

It looks like a lot but they take up such little space adn I love the scents as I brush against them. For inside ease of growing I would suggest basil, oregano, rosemary, sage and parsley in a sunny window."

Thank you Carmen, for the wonderful ideas. I think I'm going to start out with lemon balm and lavender (ohh, can you imagine the smell?!) to put in the planters. All these years I hesitated on the idea of indoor planters because of our cats but I'm going to give it a whirl and see how it goes! Once I get everything set up I'll post pictures. I'm so excited to have a fall project on the horizon. Now, where is the best place to purchase these herbs?

We don't have a garden (yet) so I've been thinking it's time to get a window box to plant herbs in. I would like to start this now and have some fall herbs, such as rosemary, sage, thyme and mint.

If you grow herbs, what do you grow them in? Do you have a garden or do you use window boxes? What types of herbs have you had success with?

I'm looking for a bit of advice and suggestions!

If you have a little Witchlet, or a baby to buy for, I want to pass along a promotion going on at Baby Stuff Gifts (babystuffgits.com)

Now, before I go any further, I NEVER promote anything I haven't had experience in. I personally know the owner of Baby Stuff Gifts--Nancilyn Gray Scott. The quality of the personalized baby gifts she has on her site is phenomenal, as is her customer service.

Baby Stuff Gifts is having an excellent sale right now. Receive 15% off your entire order now through September 15, 2010.

I you have any questions about the store, the products, or Nancilyn, ask away!

A friend and I were talking about spells for specific purposes (well, there should always be a specific intent I suppose) but I mean, something more than a general health spell or job spell, etc.

Our discussion reminded me of a big mistake I made several years ago when doing a job spell. I wanted to leave the job I had and I had my heart set on a veterinary assistant job at the animal hospital close to my house. So I did a job spell for that particular job--and that was my mistake.

Instead of doing a general spell to help find a job, or even just focusing on a category like animal jobs, science jobs, or even animal science jobs, I went right for that exact job.

I got the job--and a huge headache. I only lasted at that place 11 months. The owner was a vet and he was awful. When he found out I was Pagan (I had a 'Witches heal' bumper sticker on my car) he would make me back into a parking space that was up against the building, so the bumper sticker wouldn't show--guess he thought it would scare away clients....He always yelled and screamed at me for stupid things, he berated and belittled me; well he did that to all of us (co-workers) and he was the reason 90% of employees left that place, me included.

The lesson: what you want is not always what is best for you (DUH!) and if you don't allow the Universe to hand you what you NEED you just might wind up with what you want...

How do you mentally keep negative energy at bay? I was trying to explain this to my 7 year old yesterday. I was trying to tell her how powerful her mind is and how she can visualize a protective bubble or shield surrounding her, bouncing negativity off her.

I tried to explain it using scenarios like how metal buildings bounce raindrops off of them or how a mirror reflects the Sun. She just didn't get it, so I told her to imagine she was surrounded by a protective white light.

Any other suggestions? Maybe an actively or game she and I could play to demonstrate this?

Here's an older video of the boys trying to sing a Goddess chant. They LOVE the swing set!

I'm going to miss the days of seeing them outside playing, swinging on wooden swing sets, playing ball, playing tag, catching fireflies and of course, singing Goddess chants!

Do you wear a ritual robe? If you do, where did you get it? Was it handmade? Did you order online? Go to a local Pagan shop?

I'd like to get one, I'm not crafty so I won't be making one. I've thought about ordering online because I am used to buying online, even clothes (I love the rocawear stuff I find online) but it's probably best to try a robe on before buying.

Looking for ideas/suggestions please ;-)

Next month, CJ will be working from home full time as a freelance writer, like I do. He has officially given notice at his current job--his last day there is October 2nd. I have been working extra hard to get into a routine that will be most productive for me and I am finding out that being up around 5am and getting started on major products until around 7am fits best, so far. I might need to invest in eye cream for wrinkles soon but all in all, it's been good. Hahaha!

This was not an easy decision for us and I spent many days/nights meditating on this and asking for guidance; I kept getting the same answer, so we're going with it. This is not to say we didn't make lists of pros and cons or that we did not sit down and discuss things thoroughly--but the answers we received from Spirit solidified our decision. Now we prepare to travel an unknown road.

 Currently, CJ is freelancing part time and earning almost as much as I do--and I do this full time. He is a better writer than I am, I admit it. He is also more efficient than I am. If he was able to freelance full time, he could easily double his monthly income.  Our plan: to make as much money as we possibly can, pay off bills (like the Mustang, the motorcycle, and the Disney property) and save money as well.

Worst case scenario: we fail and he goes back to working out of the home. There is never a 'good' time to make a move like this, not for us anyway.