Chapter 12: The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron

Last chapter...

Chapter 11: The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron

So another week, another chapter...
I'm learning a lot and working thru some blocks. Hopefully, this will help me grow as a person and a creator. 

Sweet Oblivion

Crimson splashes on white porcelain,

Oblivion sings sweetly, beckoning me,

Winter winds howl on cold, dark roads,

Seeping slowly into my bones

Peace, silence, darkness

They whisper my name, calling me, enticing me 

Flying free only to crash into fiery oblivion,

Will this finally warm, my barren, frozen soul?

The anchors that once held me snap

They are no longer enough to hold me

The fog envelops me, numbness surrounds me

Drifting, swaying, unfettered, free

Chapter 10: The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron

I am attempting to work with my sisters on The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. 

I came in late (they were on Chapter 9 when I joined them). This is my 1st Chapter to complete. Wish me luck. 😓

Where Should We Begin? by Esther Perel: Speak to me in French

Recently, I have been struggling with life. #lifehappens

I recently heard about a podcast: Where Should We Begin? by Ester Perel.

I started listening to the episodes and this is what I've gotten from this episode:

Chapter 9: The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron

Recently, I am working on communicating better. 

One of the ways I'm doing this is having a weekly get together with family and/or friends. So, once a week, I chat with my sisters. Lately they have been working on The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. 

I expect it will be an interesting and insightful journey. 

Camping Week 2020

Break time!

Every year we go camping in the summer. Spend some time together as a family and just take a break from all the ringing cellphones, email notifications and text message blips. 

This year it was more difficult than normal. We are all working from home and trying to fit in a trip means taking vacation at a time when most companies are running on a skeleton crew. *cue the guilt trip*

In addition, we had to pack many things we normally wouldn't worry about...addition hand sanitizer, face masks, clorox wipes, etc. Plus with the current fire restrictions, its not safe to have a camp fire...

"Does this mean no s'mores mom?!?"

"No, that doesn't mean no s'mores."

It just meant that we needed to be more creative and organized this year. It also mean being very careful and waking up at 1 and 3am to take the kids to the bathroom with masks on and clorox wipes in hand.

Overall, a great vacation and a small break from the current craziness that is our lives during Covid. 

Take the break, even a small one, it makes a world of difference to your mental health. 

Back to the grindstone!

Quarantine Update

Staying sane has been a full time job (in addition to my full time job, teaching my kids, dealing with the hubby and keeping up the house) so reading has been super important. I want to give a shout out to all the authors helping to keep me sane during this crisis! 

Quarantine Reading List:
Release day reads whenever possible!
Discovering New Authors:
Loni Ree
Amanda Milo
Hope Ford
L Nicole
Tory Baker
Megan Wade
Lucy Darling
Mink
Luna Voss
Frankie Love

Reading Favorite Authors:
Jordan Silver
Alexa Riley
Sam Crescent
Sandra Neeley
Jessa Kane
Viola Grace
EA Hunt
Mary Goldberger
Tara Lain
Ella Goode
Penelope Bloom
Trinity Blacio

Where Should We Begin? by Ester Perel: Motherless Women

 Recently, I have been struggling with life. #lifehappens

I recently heard about a podcast: Where Should We Begin? by Ester Perel.

I started listening to the episodes and this is what I've gotten from this episode:

Where Should We Begin? by Ester Perel: I've Had Better

Recently, I have been struggling with life. #lifehappens

I recently heard about a podcast: Where Should We Begin? by Ester Perel.

I started listening to the episodes and this is what I've gotten from this episode:

Funny Joke

Fair Weekend

It's fair weekend!

Food, games, prizes all from the comfort of home!

Kid created decorations, simple games, fun, easy to make recipes and prizes from the kids' prize box all contributed to a fun-filled, fantastic weekend!

Day or night; the fun doesn't have to stop. When it gets dark, just grab some glowsticks. Hang them from the games and the kids and toss a few in the pool and keep on playing.

Thanks to Tastes from Home for their recipes.

 

 

Silence

As I look around, all I see is devastation
The ashes of what might have been layin at my feet
The tears streak down my cheek
And the dull throbbin of in my chest means my heart still beats

The cold silence invades my sterile world
As I feel the chill start to course through my veins,
The questions circle in my head

The warmth of your arms no longer brings me comfort
The joy from your smile no longer touches my heart
Am I still here? Am I alive?

The promise I once held seems to slip away
The void that I feel engulfs my life until there is nothin left.
No joy. No sorrow. Nothing.

The why no longer seems important nor does the how.
All that matters is the silence.
Cold, comforting it encases my mind
I am no longer real, simply here.

Review: Simple Truth® Mega Mission: Level 1

Bo Kho Beef Stew
Red Miso Braised Beef

Tried the frozen soup in a bag for soup and sandwich Sunday. The kids didn't like the soups. The husband thought it sounded interesting but wasn't a fan of the way the soup smelled when it was cooking. I liked both soups.

#SimpleTruth#MyMagazineSharing #FreeSamp #IHeartST

WoW: Quietly into the Night Guild

Poem that inspired the guild name:

Quietly into the Night

Quietly into the night, I creep
As the moon begins to sleep
I rise silently, softly dawning
Bathed in the glow, the early morning

Quietly into the night, I creep
As the sky begins to weep
The stars shine brightly, filling the sky
As my halo of light, shimmers up high

Background on guild rankings: (via Wikipedia)

In Tagalog mythology, Mayari (also known as Bulan) is the beautiful and most charming lunar deity who was the daughter of Bathala, the king of the gods, to a mortal woman. Mayari is the Goddess of Combat, War, Revolution, Hunt, Weaponry, Beauty, Strength, Moon and Night. She is known as the most beautiful deity in Bathala's court.[1] She is the sister of Tala, the goddess of stars and Adlaw (also known as Apolaki), god of the sun. However, in some mythology, Tala is Mayari's daughter.

In a Pampangan myth, Bathala died without leaving a will and Apolaki and Mayari fought over who would rule the earth. Apolaki wanted to rule the earth alone while Mayari insisted on equal rights. The two fought out the conflict with bamboo clubs until Mayari lost an eye. After Apolaki saw what he had done, he agreed to rule the earth together but at different times. However, her light is dimmer than her brother's due to the loss of her eye.[2]

Fall Update

Hey all,
So it has been a while since I've been active I know but I just wanted to pop on and say Hi!
These last few months has been a bit hectic with the kids going back to school, the hubby and I working 40+ hours a week and my surgery at the end on the September to remove my gallbladder.

So what's been happening:
I completed my Retail Management Certification this spring.

I switched from day shift to nights this last May and I'll be back at work starting the 8th.

We re-arranged the house this summer. The kids spent all summer travelling, visiting relatives.

Bébe Girl is in Girls on the Run this year as well as Choir, so Mommy is running off her feet trying to keep up with extracurricular activities.

Lil' Man started Kindergarten this year and we just had his first parent-teacher conference. He's doing great academically but has the attention span on a small gnat. *snicker snicker*

The in-laws are on vacation so we have the house to ourselves. *mini vacay*

I'm back on WoW and catching up quickly. BlizzCon is coming up this November and I've got to get my virtual ticket. I'm not sure I want the goody bag this year, but we'll see.

So now that the personal stuff is out of the way. The important news :) Reading!
I've finally caught up on most of what I have been reading. Thank goodness for KU!

I've been stalking Amazon for my new releases by my favorite authors every Tuesday and Sunday: Jordan Silver, EA Hunt, Mary Goldberger, Madison Faye and Terry Bolryder.

I've started an Audible membership so I can listen to my books while I'm at work overnights. I've almost got all of Laurann Dohner's New Species in Audible *happy dance*

I've been stalking Bookstand's Time Machine for low price deals.

I stalk Evernight Publishing daily for new releases by some of my favorite authors: Sam Crescent, Angelique Voisen, Doris O'Connor, Jenika Snow and Danica Avet.

I am super excited that one of my favorite authors is doing self-pub: Viola Grace has been putting out some of her books on Sea to Sky and I've been gobbling them up as fast as they come out.

My poor kindle is recuperating on the charger today since I've spent the last week resting and recovering. 

Overall, our lives have been hectic but we are starting to settle down and get into our rhythm for the year.

My Magazine Sharing: No Sweat No Stains

I was given a free sample of this product.

Mission: No Sweat No Stains

Yellow marks? White stains? With these new formulas from Degree® and Dove®, your clothes can look as fresh as you feel!

Innovative formulas from Degree® and Dove®

Deodorant is meant to be worn, not seen. Have you ever walked out of the house in a crisp, new outfit only to look down and see white marks from your deodorant? With these innovative deodorants and anti-perspirants, you can say goodbye to yellow marks and white stains.

#SoFreshSoClean #NoSweatNoStains #MyMagazineSharing #freesamp

My Review:

I was left feeling powder fresh all day, even after a 13 hour shift. The coldness of the spray is a downside for me as I tend to prefer roll-ons. I still found some white residue on the inside of my black shirts but not as much as when I use my solid deodorant.

I would give this a solid 4 1/2 Stars.

ARC: Not So Little Green Man (Celestial Mates 1) by Erin Tate

I received this ARC copy and voluntarily have given an honest review.

5 Stars

Great start to a new series. Hoping to read Teon' s story eventually. Love the history behind the rulers titles. Sad how similar the societies are about orphans. Loved the confidence of the heroine.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1791377296

ARC Review: Bossed Three Times by Madison Faye

I received this ARC copy and voluntarily have given an honest review.

4 Stars

While it is not necessary to read the previous book, Twiced Bossed, the backstory is helpful. I love the heroes and heroine. What a hilarious way to break the ice. The story was a short but fun read. I would recommend reading this book if you like shirt, sexy menages.

Link: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1791319730

ARC: You're Kitten Me (Tiger Tails 2) by Celia Kyle

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

5 out of 5 stars

Celia Kyle has once again hit it on the head. I got exactly what I expected out of this book: cuteness, hilarity, drama and a HEA worth smiling over. It love how Zoe and Ronnie are together, it reminds me of my favorite girlfriends. "Death by Chocolate", I laughed so hard I cried. I can't wait to see Cadman get his comeuppance.

Posted: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1441541336