Next week is Christmas.  This weekend is Yule.  I'm looking forward to Yule more than I am Christmas even though Yule will be spent alone and Christmas will be spent with family.   My mother in law told me that my sister in law wants to have Christmas at her house this year on Christmas Eve, but I have yet to be told a time my hubby and I are supposed to be there.  Christmas Eve is also my dad's birthday so I want to spent part of the day with him.  Hopefully we'll get information soon from the in laws or I'm going to my dad's and hubby can go to his sisters alone.

I've disliked Christmas for a long time, even before I started studying Buddhism and Paganism.  The only reason for the holiday for me is to see and hear from family.

I've got all my cards sent out and all my gifts bought.  Now I can't wait to see how my family reacts to my gifts.

Sorry I haven't been around.  I will try to be better about that.

Last month I joined a pagan group.  We met at a local Barnes and Noble and talked for four hours.  It was nice to be around other pagans, to discuss pagan issues and look through the metaphysical books with.  Next meeting is December 2nd, and I'm looking forward to it.

Dad had surgery two weeks ago.  He's going back to work tomorrow.

Hubby worked for about six weeks doing second shift (4-12).  That was hard for both of us.  It seemed like we barely saw each other.  He's working his regular shift again at a local university.

 Things have been kind of shaky the past few months.  I hope that things will be alright for the holidays.

Will talk again soon!

Blessings! 

My baby sister got married yesterday.  I hope to have more pictures soon (my sister in law took over 700 pictures).  I downloaded a few from my camera that turned out.  My sis was a beautiful bride.

The ceremony was held at the family church, an old Catholic church built in 1823 by the local German population.  The sermon was about being good lovers, of loving each other and the little sacrifices it means you make when you love someone.

Reception was a lot of fun.  Hubby isn't much of a dancer, so I danced by myself.  You can do that with fast dances.  He did dance two slow songs with me.

Today my sister invited us over to her house where her hubby grilled steak, hamburgers and hot dogs for us.  Their way of thanking us for all that we had done for them.

Blessings!

Listening to Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone movie soundtrack and trying to unwind.  I'm not into big crowds.  I don't like being physically close to people I don't know.  Despite that I found my way to the annual Pagan Picnic today in St. Louis.  I was so proud of myself because I went alone.  I found everything by myself.

I walked through the vendors and found the author booth.  There was about everything I wanted to see right there.  Ellen Dugan, a local author, and one of my favorites was there.  M R Sellars was there.  Raven Gramassi and Stephanie Taylor, who wrote the Well Worn Path tarot deck, were there.  Elizabeth Barrette, who I knew is the managing editor of PanGaia was there with a book she had written.  Ellen, Raven and Stephanie, and Elizabeth all gave workshops.  Further down the lane I found Mickie Mueller's booth.  She illustrated the Well Worn Path.  You can check out her website for other illustrations.

My Well Worn Path book has been signed now by all three creators.  I bought Elizabeth's book about writing spells, rituals, blessings, chants and prayers (don't tell anyone, but my stuff doesn't rhyme!) and had her sign it.  I bought two other books from a store that had their books marked at half price.  They aren't carrying books anymore and just wanted to get rid of them.  I basically bought two books for the price of one.  This bookworm can't beat that!

It was nice to be surrounded by other Pagans.  To feel a sense of community.  To see people of all sizes, colors, and ages.

Hope all of you had a wonderful Saturday!  Blessings!

Yesterday I bought a small cauldron at a local metaphysical store.? I'm excited about finally having this piece of work ware.? Now I have to dig up a concecration ritual for it.? It is smooth and black.? Should I leave it black, or can I decorate it??

I also saw a statue of the Goddess.? She has her hands clasped over her head.? She is green with things like butterflies decorating her.? I will have to go back and get her.

Not much else going on.? I need to work on repainting the upstairs bathroom.? Lots of scrapbooking to do.

Blessings!