Lake Effect Snow...

Hi and Merry Meet,

I live on the western side of New York. Anyone who lives out this way knows what lake effect snow is. Last week, we got pounded with snow. Tonight the lake is firing up again!



I love snow. It is so beautiful and peaceful. I would love to go out and sit and meditate in it, however, snow is not warm. It is cold here! I'm planing a nice walk to enjoy the almost silent world this weekend.



I am working like crazy to get all my holiday gifts done! I've been working on making all my gifts this year. I love handmade gifts. I know how much time and effort goes into making things. I'm knitting slippers and then felting them so that they are warm and solid. I made a pair for myself when we were camping and I have to say I love them! :)

I don't know that I can get all my holiday gifts done. Someone might get the gift bag full of yarn this year! I've threaten in the past, but this year looks like it might really happen!

Blessed be,

Autumn

Past Week!

Hi and Merry Meet,
This past week was a little crazy. I am adjusting to my new job and balancing my home life with work life. Husband has been great! He's helped me with dinner and laundry. It's been amazing!

My last two Wicca classes have been canceled for now. We'll have the last two in January. I'm kind of glad that we are able to postpone them for a little. I have to study for the quiz that we are having the last class. One of the things that I have to do is fill out a blank altar set up. My altar here at home is so simple. The one that I have to fill out for class has a lot more stuff on it than I do. I have my stones for the Lord and Lady, incense, illumination candles, a chalice, and a bowl of salt. The one that is on the quiz has a few more things than that. I'm worried that I won't be able to remember all the things that are on the paper altar that I have to set up. I love my personal altar. Even though it is simple, it feels so right to me. I love simple.

One thing that we learned about last class was the Blue Moon balls. Our instructor gave us a blue ball that we can fill with a big wish to be completed by the next blue moon. We are supposed to fill it with things that we think will show us what our goal is. I've been thinking about it a lot. One thing that we have talked about is finish our bathroom renovations... we started it four years ago! Or the other thing is that we finish it and find our forever house. This house was supposed to be our starter house. Our plan was to be here for 5-7 years and then move out... next September is 7 years. On the next blue moon we smash the ball to look back on our goal and see if it was accomplished. I love this idea! I'm excited to think about what I can fill my ball with to meet my goal. Of course, I have to pick a goal yet!

Anyway, I hope that everyone has had a great weekend!
Blessed be,
Autumn

Oh Boy!!!

Hi and Merry Meet,
Tomorrow is my birthday. Tomorrow starts my new job. Tomorrow is also my second job right after school. Tomorrow will be a very busy day!

This weekend has been great. Last night my husband's company had their annual Holiday Ball. I love to go to this! It is a black tie affair, and some people have no idea what that means! One of Husband's coworkers and his wife are good friends of ours. We get together for dinners and poker nights a lot. The boys go off to talk to other coworkers that they know while we girls find prime seats and people watch. This is our favorite thing. We rate the dresses, the dancing, and the food. Since Husband's company is in the food business, it is always prime food. The desserts are by far what everyone comes for.

One thing that I love about this company is that they are very family oriented. They have a lot of picnics in the summer and all kinds of family days thought out the year. The Ball however, is definitely for adults only. There is a lot of alcohol going around. If you were at your company's fancy Holiday event, would you get three sheets to the wind and then dance with anything that went by? Most people seem to have common sense... at this ball, not so much.

Husband's co worker's wife, R is fun to get together with at this ball. We have the same sense of humor. One of these years we are going to bring a video camera and capture all the insanity that happens. The boys claim they have never met us when we get giggling. Last year women seemed to think that wearing a prom dress when they have been out of high school for eons was a good idea. Hummm.... no. This year, we had dresses that were too short and too low. Ah, the year of the slut dress. R and I had on similar dresses. Knee length, not too low, and shawl for me, cardigan for her. Compared to most, we were rather prudish. Fun for all!

If I wasn't a teacher, I'd love to be in the fashion world. You can get away with anything and claim it is art. Amazing!

Today, I am off to my Wicca class. I have to present about my broom today. Should be a fun class!
Blessed be,
Autumn

Driving Troubles

Hi and Merry Meet,
My last week of lounging around in my pj's until 1 or 2 in the afternoon is quickly coming to an end! I went to my new school yesterday just to get an idea about where I'm going.

When it comes to going new places by myself, in the car, I have some high anxiety! I will do a "test" drive if I have the time. I need to know how to get there, how long it will take me. and where can I park once I'm there. I'm not sure why I get like this, but I have lost it when I have to get somewhere and I'm not 100% sure where I'm going. Rush hour is a nightmare for me. Traffic and driving in new cities alone is scary. I totally panic about this. I'm fine if someone else is with me, even if they can't understand English and have no idea where we are going (yes, this happens a lot in my life!). If Husband drives or is in the car, then my only anxiety is about being on time. I'm really time anal. I'm either a half an hour early, or I won't go at all! I can't be late to places. I can't imagine walking in someplace late. It totally horrifies me. It is something I've been working on. All of my friends are ALWAYS late to everything. My best bud has always showed up at least 30 minutes after the time we were supposed to meet. Drives me crazy, but maybe that's just want I need to learn to let go of my time control issues.

So, anyway, now you know about my driving neurosis! I'm going to be fine by Monday and my new job! I'm so nervous, but super excited! :)
Blessed be,
Autumn

FIRST SNOW!!!!!!

Hi and Merry Meet,
The first 'real' snow happened last night! It kind of tried to snow yesterday, but it didn't stick on the ground, so it was not the 'real' first snow! I love snow. I love cold. I love to run when it is insanely cold. I love that I live in an area where I get cold and snow for many months of the year!!! My husband is not as happy about the snow as I am. Maybe, because I'm a skier and he's not?

Anyway, I'm enjoying the clear blue sky and the snow sparkling on the ground as the sun tries to melt it away. Not too much longer and we will have more snow then we can handle here! :) I might try to get down to the beach today because there is nothing like snowy sand and cold water to welcome the month of December!

Enjoy the first day of December!
Blessed be,
Autumn

Home Again!

Hi and Merry Meet,
I'm back home! We had a great time with family for Thanksgiving. My uncle and I ran in this year's Turkey Trot. That meant that I didn't have to help prep the turkey. I did help with everything else once I got home and had a shower.

I love being able to spend some time at home and relax with my family. For Thanksgiving, my mom hosts both my family and my in-laws. My husband and I are from the same hometown (we were high school sweeties). For Christmas, my in-laws host their family and my family. It makes it easy on us so that we don't have to eat two dinners! My mom and I spend some time just hanging out and it was great!

I drove home yesterday so that I could go to my Wicca 1 class. We are half way though now and I love my class! I have learned a lot and I feel like I have sooooooooo much more to learn! I don't think I'll ever know everything!

I hope that everyone had a good weekend!
Blessed be,
Autumn

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hi and Merry Meet,
I'm driving to my hometown today for a family filled Thanksgiving! My husband will drive in tomorrow since he has to work tonight. Also, I'm running a Turkey Trot tomorrow morning, and he's not sure that he can get out of work and get me to my race on time!

I hope that everyone has a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
Blessed be,
Autumn