Mandala Monday

Week in Review - November 11 - 17

I've been feeling a bit 'undone' this week. It feels like every time I turn around I am 'doing' for someone else. Tuesday was spend running Texter for a job interview and sitting in court to provide moral support for a neighbor going through a bad patch with her partner.

Then Friday was occupied grocery shopping and running errands and then taking Lady K to meet up with her dad for the weekend. 

But even when I was 'left alone' I couldn't settle. 



Even Creme was a bit put out with my lack of 'focus' this week.

I am sssooooo far behind on my NaNoWriMo writing and the coming week is going to be FILLED with working at GameStop (Black Friday!) and Thanksgiving.

But all will come out just fine, I'm sure. Despite Mercury going retrograde, Texter has found a job and goes in for orientation next week and Savvy has a promotion at work. Things will right themselves in the end.

During my grocery shopping and errands, a trip to Costco I picked up, not one amaryllis, but three!

I'm calling them my Three Amigos. Of course, it will probably be a bit after Christmas before they actually bloom, but they should put on a good show.

Right now they are on the back of the kitchen table with 'Mike Meyer' the lemon tree...

...and the pot of coleus.

On Saturday, instead of being able to concentrate on work (or writing) I would dabble at work and made some cookies.

Salted Butterscotch Pudding Pretzel Cookies from Betty Crocker and the first in some 'new' recipes I am making over the holiday season. I was worried at first because there seemed to be such a 'little' amount of dough. But by the time you add in chocolate chips (I used regular and not mini), toffee bits, and crushed pretzels it makes up a good 7 or 8 dozen cookies. 

They aren't overly sweet cookies either. A really nice combination of salty and sweet. Some will be going home with Savvy and to GameStop to 'test' the recipe further.

I am torn this week and I know a lot of it has to do with dear old Mercury Retrograde, but I so want to get my 50,000 words in for NaNoWriMo. Mainly because I want to get the bones of this story out of my head. But I have 23.5 hours scheduled at GameStop and can do up to 26 hours on my at home work too. And Thanksgiving. 

So priorities! And it's money. I really, really want to get my ducks in a better row in order to seriously start thinking about buying a house in the near future. Which will take some love from the universe as I have nothing in savings! So $$$ are my first priority these days. 

That being said, most of my Christmas presents have been purchased already. I do have a Nintendo Switch to finish paying off and getting out of layaway, but that's basically it except for a couple of stocking stuffers.

I was looking forward to 2019 being a year of 'settling', however, Texter and Mr. Race Car are doing super well together and they have some 'maybe' plans in the works. I want to crank out 'work'.  But more on that later.

Otherwise this week...

• Finished 2 books. I started book 13 of 14 books in the Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson. It still leaves me with almost 80 hours of audio book listening. I don't think I'll finish the series by the end of the year.
• Wrote 3 posts and am at 17,572 words for NaNoWriMo - lots to catch up on!

This coming week...

• Cooking for Thanksgiving
• Working at GameStop
• Catching up on NaNoWriMo writing
• Figuring out my schedule and Texter's work schedule with regard to Lady K

But for now, more coffee and a shower as I am meeting up with Savvy this morning!

Tuesday Sundries - I'm the Original Grinch (fan)

Yes, it's that time of the year (already)!

Hallmark Channel has started all their Christmas-themed movies. Soon we will be overrun with all the holiday specials. And I have to say, I am a fan of the OLD shows, the main one being How the Grinch Stole Christmas. 

Who can resist Boris Karloff voicing the special? Especially reading Dr. Seuss!? And how many little dogs were named Max after this show first aired in 1966? 

I was 9 when it first came out and have probably watched it every year since then.

It made me start thinking about the holiday specials over the years and how it's really the older ones which have held on and delight us every year.

Like...

Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer with Burl Ives

Charlie Brown's Christmas and the poor little tree

I could care less about Elf or the other Grinch movies (especially the Jim Carey one). I do have to say I don't watch Miracle on 34th Street or It's a Wonderful Life very often. It's THE GRINCH for me.

I went with Lady K on Sunday and watched the latest rendition of The Grinch.

Who can resist a coffee drinking Grinch? He wasn't quite as mean and nasty as the original animated show and the storyline was a bit longer and more involved with this movie, but it was OK. But not something I am going to crave viewing every holiday season.

However, I do need a Grinch coffee mug now. Maybe for Christmas?

Mandala Monday

I'm nuts for pecans!

Week in Review - November 4 - 10

This is how I spent Saturday afternoon - at the movies with Lady K. We went to see The Nutcracker and the Four Realms. The story was so-so. Definitely not riveting. But the scenery and costumes were fantastic. And anything with Morgan Freeman and Helen Mirren in it can't be bad.

But I was focused on Richard E. Grant as Shiver. I first saw him in The Scarlet Pimpernel. He played such a wonderful combination of a fop and master spy. He's one of those actors who is in everything and you go 'I know him from somewhere'. 

The seats in our nearby theater are 'reserved' and recline. With heated seats! It was great for a little squirmy body as the movie was a bit over her head. However, she wants to watch the movie again so we will be getting it on DVD when it's released. Of course, the music is great.

Tuesday was spent in the Raleigh-Durham area as I took a friend in for medical tests. It was a chilly, drizzly day, but I got to spend some time with a good friend. And I dropped in for a quick visit at the AA Reservations Office. They have spruced it up and made some changes in the past 5.5 years. It was great to see some familiar faces, but not enough to make me regret the decision to retire when I did.

And speaking of work, I got my schedule for GameStop this week for Thanksgiving week, my first week of 'real' work. It should be interesting. All those years of working the holidays came back to me. So Thanksgiving dinner will be lunch as I have to go to work at 3 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Luckily, I am not a Black Friday shopper as I will also be working that madness. I can't wait!

Otherwise this week...

•  I have 13,561 words toward my NaNoWriMo goal. A bit behind, but hopefully will catch up shortly.
• Finished 2 books
• Wrote 3 posts
• Visited a CBD store in Charlotte and picked up some drops and salve to help with the pain in wrists and fingers.
• Meal plan made for Thanksgiving so I have a grocery list for shopping next weekend
• Purchased Christmas presents for Lady K, CJ, and Texter (from Lady K)
• Traded in books for credit at 2nd and Charles.
• Tex-Mex with Texter for lunch at La Fiesta Grande
• Babysitting with Lady K over the weekend while Texter has self-time with Mr. Race Car (she's paying me back by devoting all day on the 12th while Lady K is out of school)

With the presents I purchased this week, I am basically through with Christmas purchases. Well, I do have to finish paying off a Nintendo Switch for a 'family' gift and maybe some 'fillers', but otherwise, I'm done.

This coming week...

• The Grinch Who Stole Christmas at the movie theater with Lady K
• Catching up on NaNoWriMo word count
• Getting in hours on my at-home-work
• Upping my step count to hit 5000 steps a day (so close last week)
• Cards out to friends for Thanksgiving
• Work out my 'schedule' of work, writing, needlework a bit more - why can't I do it all?

But for now, it's more coffee and a lot of writing before seeing the Grinch!

Tuesday Sundries - Tea Drops and Enlighten Up!

This past Saturday I was fortunate enough to have the day to myself. I was eagerly anticipating the Fish Fry at the Methodist Church up the road. I love fish and I'm the only one in the family who eats it.

Also on Saturday, I was anticipating a visit to Enlighten Up! which was offered by the Council of Esoteric Professionals. Or in other words, a psychic fair.

After a quick stop at Target for a toaster and Starbucks for a Toasted White Chocolate coffee, I headed up the road. 

It was really small. As in I could have hosted it in my living room. There were about a dozen 'readers' of different sorts, but I wasn't feeling a reading. So I browsed the half dozen vendors. 

I left with two chakra bracelets and a necklace. 

I have had my eye on one of these for a long time. I got one for me and one for Savvy. My bracelet has a small Buddha head on the backside. Besides the colored beads for the chakras, there is lava stone beads filling it out. I can put some essential oils on them to make it a scented bracelet.

What I am finding after wearing it for a couple of days as it is a reminder to stop and breathe. I can easily allow myself to go off on silly stuff - like stupid drivers - when I should just relax and let it go. And I am amused (and liking) the fact it is on my wrist with my Apple Watch - modern and old on the same wrist.

I also picked up this necklace. It called to me for some reason. I was going to let Texter have it, but maybe not. The stone is a quartz crystal which has been heated and had titanium applied to it. 

But Saturday didn't end with that!

I received my order from TeaDrops. 

I don't remember where I came across them, but I have had them bookmarked for several months now. I decided to go ahead and bite the bullet and place an order when I saw they had a Thai Tea 'kit'.

Their premise is tea which is dried and pressed into 'drops'. You just drop them into hot water and ta-da - a cup of hot tea. No bags, no loose tea leaves, just a cup of nice tea. I thought they would really come in handy for work as anyone can generally come up with a cup of hot water.

I ordered a sampler pack which comes with a dozen 'drops' of different flavors. (I already let Savvy have a couple to sample.)

Unfortunately, at least to me, I have a love/hate relationship with hot tea. That's the issue. Hot! Ice is supposed to be iced and sweet. And I would so love to enjoy hot tea more. There is something so 'civilized' and calming about a cup of tea. I'm trying.

I pulled out one of my 'china' cups and selected the Sweet Peppermint to try first. I know I like mint and the 'sweet' is a no-brainer.

So I plopped my tea drop into the mug of hot water.

And within seconds I had a cup of tea. 

There is some very, very fine sediment in the cup, so it doesn't totally dissolve. But it's very nice. I can see taking this in my purse to work. 

I am awaiting a review from Savvy on the Thai Tea. 

The 'kit' comes with five drops and five packets of sweetened condensed milk.

I gave three sets and the box to Savvy and two will be heading to Montana to Miss Oklahoma. She is responsible for introducing Savvy and me to Thai Tea to begin with. The only problem with Thai tea is you have to make a pitcher of it at a time. And if you are the only one drinking it in the household it is a bit much. And since both of them work, I though this would be a great idea to take to work or to come home and be able to have a glass quickly and easily.

But now back to NaNoWriMo writing and sipping on my Sweet Peppermint tea.

Mandala Monday

Week In Review - October 28 - November 3

This is pretty much how I have felt for a good part of the week. Halloween came and went and I deflated. 

Actually, I have done pretty well. I haven't eaten all that much candy this year - before, during or after - Halloween. 

Lady K had a delightful time. She was Jasmine this year and Aunt Savvy dressed up and accompanied us to the mall for a massive Trick or Treat time. Then Mr. Race Car came to the house and went with Texter and her around the neighborhood. I stayed home and gave out handfuls of candy to the kids which came around to get rid of candy.

We started the week last Sunday with a beautiful fall day. Lady K and I went for a few minutes at a nearby park. I wish the park had sidewalks to get to it. It's so close, but the only entrance is on a busy road, so we can't walk.

I'm still trying to get in the groove with work and writing since NaNoWriMo has started. The writing end, for once, is going well. The work aspect isn't. I get allowing myself to get interrupted with 'other' stuff. But it's getting better. 

Otherwise this week...

• NaNoWriMo started this week and in three days I am at 6295 words!
• Performed a Samhain ritual and did a reading for Savvy and myself
• Finished 4 books
• Wrote 5 posts
• Attended a psychic fair on Saturday. Very small and I didn't have a reading. 
• Taking Lady K to school in the mornings now that the bus has extra stops and gets to school too late for breakfast and getting to class on time
• Bought Lady K's Christmas presents at a Kmart closing nearby
• Grocery shopping and kitchen purge with Texter
• Invited to apply for another at-home job 

This coming week...

• More writing on Fae Trouble. Will hopefully hit 20,000 by the end of the week!
• Going to Raleigh for the day to visit with a friend
• Pull cards for November
• Max out my hours on my at home jobs. Game Stop job should be starting soon.

But for now, more coffee!

Positive Focus Thursday - What You Ask For!

Yesterday was Samhain, which is the start of the Wheel of the Year and my 'New Year' start.  

I have always felt September was more of New Year to me than January 1. It was my birthday, school started, fall. It just felt like New Years to me and I have been drawn to introspection, planning, all that sort of thing this time of the year.

So this year I decided to do a Samhain ritual for the new year and did a tarot spread for myself and the upcoming year. 

But before I did all that, first thing in the morning, I was reading through my emails and I received an invitation to apply for another work-from-home job with the company I am currently working for. It's nothing exciting or mindblowing, but it does allow me to work on my own schedule, in my own home and make money to run the household.

I had to start laughing after I submitted my application for it and holding my breath they accept me. Because if they do, I am going to be working (or have the opportunity to) about 70 hours a week between my new job with Game Stop and my work-from-home jobs. 

Pay isn't great, but it's above minimum wage for my work-from-home jobs so it will allow us to pay bills, play a bit and save some. The Game Stop job allows me to get out of the house and away from my computer and mingle with real people! 

And all because I have been asking the powers that be to provide me with money.

But I was thinking about the lottery!

I guess I didn't really get specific enough for the universe to allow me to win several million in the lottery. I guess they are telling me "Ok, you can have money, but you have to work for it."

Then I started thinking about Miss Oklahoma back in Montana. She had been looking for jobs, going on interviews and being passed over for 'sweet-young-things'. 

She started working part-time at a local pottery store - organizing, staging products, selling, media - a bit of this and that. 

Then she got a second part-time job with an organization in town, basically running the office and clerical areas. And then the first job offered her more hours and she is starting to actually do 'pottery' work!

So here we both are, having wished for money/work, and the universe goes 'BANG - YOU HAVE IT!' and we are working our butts off (and loving it!)

This is going to be interesting to see how all this work and NaNoWriMo play together, but I am going to love the flow of dollars coming in from all these different directions! But next time I am going to a tad more specific about what I am asking for.

Writing Wednesday - Fae Trouble

Fae Trouble is the working title and this is the working book cover for my NaNoWriMo project this year. 

The basis of the story covers the creation of a sanctuary for misfit fae. And it's done quite by accident and not something my main character had ever planned on or even really wants to do. But it is something forced on her and she doesn't really have a choice.  

Unfortunately, just saying 'you are welcome here' isn't enough. Especially if the High Court and a wicked step-father are involved.

Wish me luck!