My Life in the Stars

I'd almost feel bad that my only update in days is a reprinting of my horoscope; yet, here's a perfect summary of where I'm at:

You are like a kite that is flying around in the breeze today. You may feel rather ungrounded and as if you are at the mercy of the changing winds. Fortunately, steady currents allow you to gain altitude. But there are also strange weather patterns that make it impossible for you to know what will be coming next. Your best strategy is to remain flexible until calmer times return.

And return they shall, those elusive calmer times, I just know it... ♥

The Wapsi Girl Project

Paul's call for submissions came at the perfect time!
I needed reminding, I am indeed a Wapsi Girl ♥

As you probably know, I do my best to show women as positive roll models in my comic (all shapes and sizes), be it through body image or handling of life's curve-balls. About a year ago, I’ve had several female readers and fans of my comic contribute to a new project called the "Wapsi Girl Project". As often as I can, I feature a new positive roll model that exemplifies the spirit of the "Wapsi Girl" and that’s for each of the women spotlighted to define, as it‘s an open ended question. I have everyone that contributes write a few paragraphs to answer the question, "What is a Wapsi Girl?" and relate how these elements pertain to themselves or any story they might like to share.. In short, centering on real women with real problems that find creative solutions to keep going. ^_^

I'm excited to submit my wisdom for consideration... Wapsi Girls are pretty freaking amazing!

It's a New Day

oh yes it is! I am still cycling through thoughts that bring me up and those that will bring me down. Mostly I'm seeking that safe, peaceful place in the middle. And often I find it. The more often I find it, the longer I stay there, the easier it is to find it again when I need it.
Yesterday, I did some guided meditation with Andrew Weil... whoa! As I'm breathing, I hear his voice "use this breathing each time something pops up that upsets you..." aaaaahhh what a welcome voice to add to my choir. I can't wait to check out the Deepak Chopra meditations, too :)
I have an appointment today at The Mind Spa on campus (almost wrote Mind Spay, wtf?!). If it goes well, I plan to make a standing appointment, weekly! Me and the Light Box and the Vibrating Chair, the Meditation Corner and the Bio-Feedback - what a team ♥

My Big Shameful Secret

I could have written this myself! Marihuana and Bi-Polar Disorder
Luckily, my moments between access to medicine were/are *not* filled with time in an institution. Seriously, it feels like luck alone keeping me out of the hospital and off lithium at this very moment in time. That and my incredible fear and distrust of Western Medicine.
Of course, MY first step in recovery is overcoming my fear and distrust, so I may medicate effectively, consistently and legally.

Paolo keeps our Sunnyside Up

Paolo. Paolo. Paolo. Ahhhh his name just tastes good to say ♥
He's really not hard to look at
Nor is he tough to listen to.Especially with this expansive band, including trumpet, sax, harmonica & ukulele! My favorite part of the night, however, was our foray into the designated drinking area. Yeah, Caroline first, gets waved in; I get stopped and the universal sign for gimme your i.d. was flashed. I giggled and whipped out my brand spankin' new Oregon Driver's License, thanking the young man, explaining that I am, indeed older than Carolyn. Mary used her don't you dare face, saying I'm old enough to be your mother! I was happy dancing the rest of the night. The glass of wine Carolyn bought me, while flipping me the bird, probably helped a bit ;) She insists the headband is my secret... I dunno if it's true, though I did go downtown and buy two more ♥ After Paolo. Oh Paolo.
We got to imbibe the vibe of this guy, just outside our exit.Girls Night Out + Music = ♥ ♥ ♥

The Magic's in the Hole (in the wall)

What could possibly follow our time with Richard Bach, of which I shall soon wax poetic and such, and our visit with Jenny and the kids ♥ ?? A trip downtown for our first VooDoo Donuts, of course.
My little navigator thingie took us right to the little hole in the wall, in it's Gotham City-esque glory! It was a dubious walk, after parking a couple of blocks away; lots of folks in need, two shiny girls walking in contrast.
Inside, the options are technicolor vibrant and promise a novel donut eating experience:


Holly asked What's Good? and the guy answered Peanut Butter/Oreo, so that's what she got!
Note: Wait for milk before eating :)The guy looked at me weird when I requested bacon on a vegan maple.
It's an either/or thing for them, not a both. Sad.
So, I got me a vegan voo doo doll. Poor guy got Judge Wapner'd in the box on the way home by this guy! Indeed, a cock 'n' balls donut; cream filled and all! As we walked back to the car, a very young man asked Holly if he could put his hand inside her pink box I'm so hungry! he cried. We giggled and walked a little faster. At home, as Holly shared her donut with Chance & Hayden
and I babbled on, Buddha enjoyed the other two...I really miss being a one cat home.
Then again, I nibbled an arm and it wasn't so good.
Mebbe he was just saving us from a disappointment ;)

Shiny Blessings

it's as if, for the anniversary of her birth,
Hannah's love light came to surround me
bestowing upon me a new understanding
of every single moment as
whole, complete & perfect.
I am Wise and Strong,
And I stand in the Light,
Worthy.
~♥~
Thematic Photographic: Shiny

Shiny Happy Moment

I'm offered a glimpse
of that girl shining inside
ready to burst forth
~♥~ ~♥~ ~♥~
Thematic Photographic: Shiny

Shiny Happy Bits

As it's been known to happen, Carmi and I are sharing a wavelength this week ♥ I took pictures & he announced this week's Thematic Photographic: Shiny!
I've blogged my love of my workhorse sewing machine. Kenmore seems to be the name that sticks, plus it's already on his shirtfront ♥ I'm even more in love with it since opening the 3$ box of doo-dads I picked up at a local thrift store. First, Kenmore shows off his superdee-dooperdee The Cloth Guide: This guide will enable you to obtain an even line of stitching. So says the vintage handbook. And I just love the little plastic crystal thumb screw ♥I cannot wait to do something amazing with this most useful and versatile accessory. It hems! It pipes! It attaches lace! All! At! The! Same! Time! ...and it's shiiiiny.These guys here (ignore the thread pile, I was having serious bobbin issues, hence no shiny happy bobbin photos) they're my favorite bits in the whole box ♥ I can't wait to actually use them all. I'll never have to pin a hem again, as long as I live. I'll just have to stream my fabric through one of these here handy dandy Hemmers. hmmm. They need a better name. The handbook doesn't give them any kind of catchy description, either. I suppose hemming's not been as historically exciting as adding piping and lace at the same time. I shall redeem their reputation by appreciating each hem I sew, mostly straight, double turned, without pins!I worked my way through a stack of need-for-repurpose tee shirts. A pile of grocery bags, a couple with lining even; and some waiting to become pillows. The project pile grows, as does my excitement.
Spending time with my shininess will go a long way against the dramatic loss of sunlight...

I have a dream...

I watch with awe the daily accomplishments of folks I know. I wonder how there are enough hours in the day to do 1/10 of what they do. Hell, I can't even get the gumption to do the dishes. I'd much rather watch CSI-Miami on OnDemand. Somewhere around the recent third episode, I realized this is what makes the difference: doing something directly, instead of doing one thing and wondering about another.
Maybe that makes sense to most folks, it's finally sinking in for me.If I wonder what to do with the backyard, it's certainly in my own best interest's interest to move towards this knowledge, these plans. CSI ain't takin' me there. Neither is Law & Order.
When I think about the book that longs to be written, it is directly in line with that goal to sit down and write. Wow. It's certainly not being objectively edited, living only in my head, without the honor of permanency.
All of this, with the aforementioned sniper-like anger-lashing and all-around-full-time kvetch-ness, has culminated into a strange new world for me.
And yet I'm comfortable in the unfamiliar peace. Know what? I can shut up. AND I can do it every.day.
I can allow. I can receive. I can focus. I can bring about that which holds joy and love for me. I can cast away that which does not. Within and without.
If I can dream it, I can be it.
And baby, I got a dream.