Our oldest started 3rd grade this year, and is loving it so far. Our youngest, however, is NOT happy about her big sister going somewhere without her. She didn't mind so much when she was 1, but now that she is a very smart 2 year old, she wants to do what her sister does.

She isn't quite 2 yet, and isn't potty trained yet, so daycare/preschool is out of the question.....not to mention too $$$. I am lucky enough that I found a daycare that is Pagan, but I just can't afford her rates, even though she is a good friend of mine.

So I ask myself, do I want to add one more thing to my never-ending repertoire and try some mild homeschooling for a 2 year old? I work out of the home, so it isn't a problem of where to take her. My problem is just having enough time to do it, besides the other things on my plate.

We are close to parks and all, so that is good. She loves the outdoors and touching stuff. Basic "school" stuff isn't the problem, how do you integrate beliefs into it? In 3 years she will be attending a public school, where things are vastly different than at home.

You Are Apple Cider

Smooth and comforting. But downright nasty when cold.

Oh yeah, this is so accurate, lol! I LOVE apple cider.....love love love IT!! And I happen to like it cold, btw, lol! But, when I get cold, I do happen to get downright nasty. I hate being cold. Ugh

I was cleaning up the desk area, and picked up the rocks we had brought back from the beach.  See that triangular one toward the center of the photo? I picked that one up as it was on top of the box. I started to take a really good hard look at it. It is pretty much even through the stone, doesn't differ much in thickness at all. Then I started to take a look at the flat surfaces closer. One side is nothing special looking, but the other I just about had a freakin' heart attack when I looked at it. I turned it just right in the light and could see a "carving" in the surface. Feeling it with my fingers, OMGoddess I get jitters just talking about this, I could feel a depression in it. I got a pencil rubbing of itbut you can't really see it here. So I highlighted the actual depression in the rubbing . Here is a picture of the rock after I decorated it  with a paint pen. This is the rune Ur, meaning water and the wild ox. It is a symbol of pioneer strength, rugged individualism, and spiritual strength. A rune of elemental power and masculine energy in its untamed form. This is what I found off of http://www.sunnyway.com

Physical strength and speed, untamed potential. A time of great energy and health. Freedom, energy, action, courage, strength, tenacity, understanding, wisdom. Sudden or unexpected changes (usually for the better). Sexual desire, masculine potency. The shaping of power and pattern, formulation of the self.

I am just in awe right now....here I have been worried about my health and everything...among other things. This stone couldn't have come at a better time in my life.

I have been battling rising anger issues, and some milid depression. I have books on what to do and ways to cope. It is going to be a long, ardurous process, but well worth it for me and my family.

One of the things I found helpful was to play with my polymer clay and make something. The first thing I made was "Punky and FLo", who I entered into a show at our local art museum.

Then I was feeling rather frazzled later last week and decided to create another sea creature. I made an octopus and she turned out great, except for a leg that broke off and I had to glue back on. Here she is. I am going to try to find a better picture of her later and upload it here.

So, I was thinking of making another but this time I am going to do a hen sitting on her nest. These "creatures" are made using polymer clay and a blown-out chicken egg. I add on little shells that are dyed and use wire to hold the kelp up better.

Okay, when we went to the beach and the aquarium there, I took a couple of pics of the octopus. Nothing big, right?

Now I can't get octopi out of my head, nor out of my sight. The girls want to learn about them. They are on tv. They're in the girls' books.....everywhere!

Okay, a sign from Mom. So I look up octopi on an animal totem site. Let me tell you, it is quite the extensive reading material! They seem to encompass vast mystical and reality-based attributes, among them is will, focus, magic, reason, illusion, defense, mystery, strategy, potential, creativity, flexibility, expansion, complexity, intelligence, adaptability........and the list goes on!

I have a strong pull toward things with water, even though I was born under an Air sign. I love the ocean, fish, aquatic life....funny how I hate swimming, lol!

With all that I am going through right now trying to manage my anger and apparently depression, the octopus comes to me at a critical time. It says in the literature that I printed out that the octopus reminds us to loosen up, that we may move towards our goals in unorthodox ways and still reach our ogal with the same or better results; it even says that we can take a hint from them at their ability to detach a limb at will. What can we cut loose from our lives to lighten the load?

The ability to regenerate a limb is symbolic of time, unity, cycles, evolution, and regeneration. According to the material, it reminds us that our essence is never lost to us. A lesson in forgiveness, acceptance, diversity, and embracing all of our facets as parts of us.

Here "she" is, although I have no idea if they are gender specific or what this one is. I love this picture, the complexity of the pattern on the skin, and her eyes looking at me.