The Gypsy on Adventure

Quote of the Day

All of us are far richer than we imagine. None of us possess a life devoid of magic, barren of grace, divorced from power. Our inner resources, often unmined and even unknown or unacknowledged, are the treasures we carry, what I call our spiritual DNA. - Julie Cameron

To have ideas is to gather flowers; to think, is to weave them into garlands.   -Anne Swetchine

My poor Michael just does not like the holidays...he is a bit of a bah humbug every year. It is really hard for him since his mom died. And I think I am pushing his buttons lately. My tree is finally fully decorated, my family room is looking festive, and the kicker I wrapped his presents. He thought if he didn't tell me what he wanted that I would not buy him any gifts. He was wrong! I just didn't do practicle! I hate practicle! I love fun! Whimsy! Unusual! Practicle is boring!

He told me he is feeling guilty for not being in the spirit...and only getting me one gift...so hum...maybe he will get me more gifts! *giggle*  That does not even matter to me.  This holiday brings out interesting things and feelings in both of us. I miss my grandmother more during the holidays as I get older, mainly because I was too busy with my own kids to allow myself to think of it. Now that my house is quiet, the thoughts come profoundly through to me.

I am rich in his friendship, in his caring, in his love for me. I am a rich lady...and it has nothing to do with actual cash!

Ack...not feeling good

I cannot be sick right now! I have a house to clean, more gifts to wrap, and I have to go to work to help out with a charity event...and my tummy is sideways! I slept this afternoon after wrapping took everything out of me. I didn't even leave the house or put make up on. Now that is sick! *giggle*

I think I will sit with a hot cup of tea and journal, or read a book or zine...

Naughty or Nice

You Were Nice This Year!

You're an uber-perfect person who is on the top of Santa's list. You probably didn't even *think* any naughty thoughts this year. Unless you're a Mormon, you've probably been a little too good. Is that extra candy cane worth being a sweetheart for 365 days straight?

Were You Naughty or Nice This Year?

ATCs

We each made ATCs for eachother (Artist Trading Cards) which are usually 3.5 x 2.5 but Linda S wanted to make them bigger so ours are 4x6...and each one was so different and unique!

The first one is Carol's and when you open the leaf it says this:

Stringing and tying, laughing and crying are nothing compaired to the love we're supplying, and all the good times that we've spent stitching, are not as fun as the ones we've spent bitching. We're five radiant women and we're living large, thanks to the miles from the stuff that we've charged, but honestly now, I'm honored to say, that you'll be my friends for forever and a day!

In Love with Shoes!

Can you believe these SHOES! I am in lust! I want those shoes! Robin is just so lucky her feet are way smaller than mine or I would have walked out with those "Come F me shoes!" 

LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM!  I think she needs a pink tutu! Those shoes would be great with a pink or black tutu!

Smiling!

Linda is doing well with her chemo, it was nice to get together and all be with one another and sharing our lives. When a friend is going through chemo, you just remind yourself more to "Be in the Moment!" 

She is doing well, tired, and some times over whelmed, but is in good spirits.

She needs to be around our goofyness as well, there is nothing better than a bunch of women getting together and making fun of life, having a sense of play, and not worrying about what other people think!

Holiday Cheer!

Ah another party!

Today was the Crazy Ladies party, Robin, me, Carol, Linda R, and Linda S. Princess was sick and could not come today.

Lots of laughing, telling our recent horror stories, like mine about mean waitresses and the such. I forgot to discuss this yesterday, the nasty waitress, who when she took my order said, "Oh, you must not be on a diet..." then proceeded to ask me what I was going to do for summer...go on a diet before?! GAH! I am NOT that fat, I mean I know I am over weight but shit you would think I was 500 pounds the way she said it! 

Then we had the talk about what Carols mother just did to her at a holiday luncheon in front of people, she is in her 90s still NO excuse, she can be so mean! Carol was wearing a big ring, but was a beautiful topaz, when her mother looked at her and said in a normal voice, "You look like a whore!", "Only whores wear jewelry like that!"...GAH... like Carol said, gee I wonder why I eat to comfort myself!

Which lead to the whole discussion of my mothers nick name for me, and one that my ex- picked up and I swore at one point I was going to make it my legal name! F'n Bitch ...GAH... so endearing!

So we had to laugh or I swear it would be too horrible to talk about! We laughed so hard I thought the neighbors were going to complain!

Through all of this we had a nice chicken salad for lunch, and cranberry apple cider, and a to die for pumpkin cake! There was coffee and tea, and opening of gifts! In all things...it was VERY good!

Holiday Spirit

I was talking a couple of weeks ago, about how I just was not in the holiday spirit. I did not even want to put up a tree or decorate, which is just not like me...I love to display all my treasure...but I have been in a funk.

I can tell I am going to have a huge delay in my spirit...I am finally feeling like it should be November, so by January I will want to do Christmas! Giggle I am so backwards this year!

So why am I rambling? Let me tell you something that happened to me on Friday, and I had to really take it in and ponder on it, feel it ~ because I was so moved ~ really be in the feeling in my body. Keep it a treasured secret for just a little while.

Last year, I was on time with things! A memo came out asking for money to put together for our janitor, he is a great guy, always goes out of his way for everyone.  I put in the cash and sent it off...well, as explained I have been out of it this year, so of course I missed it by a day! SIGH

I love this guy, he is always so nice to me, he teases me about my boyfriend always dancing and singing at his job, and that he is late to pick me up for lunch! He saves up boxes for me when I need them. He helps me on a moments notice to fix things around the office...ALWAYS smiles, always has such a nice personality.

So I wrote out a letter telling him how much I appreciate him and that I missed putting my part in to the card from everyone! He started to tear up, and told me that he really appreciated what we all did for him and his family.  That with everyone we were able to give him over $400. 

Now, here is the kicker, I had no idea that his mother had passed away some time this year. I had noticed that there seemed to be a little sadness, but nothing I could put my finger on.  Well, this is a little note I got from one of the gals who made this happen:

He was by this morning and wanted to thank everyone for the wonderful holiday gift he received. He says he is a little shy and wanted everyone to know how touched he was. He was very moved and a little teary-eyed as he expressed his appreciation to all of us, through me.

Then a private note to me:
He said the gift money will be used for a nice headstone to mark his Mother's grave in Mexico.  This way he will have a constant memory of our generosity and be able to share it with his entire family.

He is very moved and most appreciative.

Now if that doesn't make you have the holiday spirit I don't know what will. That just so moved me! Can you imagine how happy he is that he can get a grave stone! Wow...I was so honored to be a part of THAT!

So this is what I recommend, if you are not in the holiday spirit, go out and touch some one...make a difference in some one's life by volunteering, or donating, or simply taking the time to say hello and listen! What a difference I feel!

Shopping

Ah...I had to brave shopping today, because tomorrow is my Crazy Ladies Holiday party and I had to get a couple more things for the girls! Gah!

And I finished my ATC for the girls. We decided to do a trade this holiday, but Linda S wanted it to be bigger 4x6. And it is double sided. The theme is Friendship. I glued a heart on each one, and a star bead...to look to the possibilities and to remind them that I love them!

Boy I hope they like them!

Visiting Friends

I went to breakfast today with Jdub, his wife Julee. Lana and Van joined us as well.  Lana and I did not go to the company Holiday Party, since we were at the Girls Luncheon party. So it was great fun to see them today, and catch up since it has been so long!

Giggle...Lana and I just saw them up in South Lake Tahoe!  I sure do enjoy them, and they were very interested in my addition to the latest Artista Zine, I showed them the zine and they were curious since zines are so different and artsy. They are hard to explain to people that are not artists.