Tag Archives: Marian Keyes

Believing It.

Posted on May 19, 2013 | 7 Comments

             We had our small Mother’s Day-ish dinner tonight for my mom.  She was in kind of a grumpy mood because she had woken up with a killer sinus headache.  We made it work though.

             Sadly, I was so very busy with the creating of ridiculous foods that I completely forgot to take pictures.  You get to see the recipe which inspired it all instead.

salami recipes

Yeah, those are grease stains.

             My father found this (above) and asked Mom to make it.  She handed him back the magazine saying, “take it to your daughter’s house.”  He did.  Like more than three months ago.  We JUST got around to it.  Also?  We won’t be doing it ever again.  Not great.  But fun to find that out.  Also (some more)?  It helps if I read ALL of the instructions.

             For some reason I thought this involved frying, which means Dan has to do the actual cooking part.  Wrong.  But again, we made it work.   (Both frying and baking were involved.)  And then it was funny.  It HAD to be at that point.

             When I got up today I distinctly heard that our channeled message was one word.  Then, when I looked at what our card said, it was also one word.  Nice pairing, too.

             Since you have all been so generous and insightful with your comments about these lately, I’m not even going to say any more on this one.  We’ll just let it stand, as is:

Trust

             (My dreams have been über clear and inspirational as well.  What a fascinating phase this is!)

              If the daily draw message, or its definition, does not feel comfortable, remember that you can easily replace parts and use substitutions as you see fit.

angel messages

“Pray  ~

Guardian Angel

The answer to your question involves prayer.  You are being guided to pray about the situation in order to elicit answers and assistance.  Your guardian angels pray with you, asking for Divine intervention to help you and your loved ones.

Your life purpose involves prayer as well.  Your entreaties are strong and powerful, and the world needs them.  Your guardian angels ask you to amplify the volume and rate of your supplications for this situation.  Prayer is extremely effective, so by engaging in this practice, you are making a tremendous contribution.

Take the time right now to stop and pray from your heart.  The words that you use aren’t important compared to your sincere desire to connect with the Divine.

Be open to a response appearing different from your expectations – and know that your prayers are heard and answered.”

             Even if we don’t describe our action in this exact way, when we make that energy exchange, when we focus that intent, when we commune with Nature in a sacred and loving way, we are doing exactly what this card suggests.  And we are all better for it.

Today’s Deck:

Saints & Angels Oracle Cards by Doreen Virtue

Last Night’s Baking:

was my first attempt at anything from Saved By Cake.

saved by cake marian keyes

Not terrible,
and not the book’s fault.

             I was not UNhappy with this batch, but I wasn’t thrilled either.  We had them after our dinner tonight, with three frosting choices: caramel molasses, chocolate almond, and pink raspberry.

home-made cupcakes and frosting and biscuits

(Yes, I made cheese-y biscuits, too.)

             All created by me, except that purple one.  I used a “natural” flavoring packet.  I won’t be doing that a second time.  Nothing WRONG with it, just not something I’ll repeat.

LateNight Marketing Update:

is just to say thanks.  You guys who clicked the LIKE button on my new business Facebook page are the best!  Only 7 more.  (And then I get to do other shit, I guess.  No one really explains what that means.)  And much gratitude for the Shares!

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Lusciously Limitless.

Posted on May 17, 2013 | 7 Comments

             After last night’s whirlwind visit I ended up NOT getting the correct library book from my dad.  Such an extra bother!  Had to drive BACK out there and pick it up.  (There were some small fines involved, due to over-due-ness, at the check-out desk.)

             This hardly ever happens, but when it does, no one is happy.  Also, I’m not able to pick up my reserve items if there are big red letters across the top of my account.    No worries, I plunked down the needed peso (or 7) and rescued the books I’d asked for.

dogs and books, marian keyes, the mystery of mercy close, saved by cake

The cake one I purchased (from my Independent Book Seller guy) and the other is The Mystery Of Mercy Close. Oh yeah, and Maxx in a sweater, just because.

             I also picked up another music CD, and a few novels by authours I want to investigate.  Of course, what should be done first is to finish the two Change My Brain project books I keep carting around and not reading.  We’ll see how that goes.

             It seems as though I may now be receiving channeled affirmations  along with our daily messages.  If they continue, I’ll share some with you, if these couple were a fluke, I might still share.

             Today as I was waking up there were images of food in my dreams.  And I was totally aware of them because I wasn’t asleep.  Not an ENTIRELY unique experience, but not one I’ve had all that often either.  Then I “heard” what the message was,

healthy eating, have treats (in moderation).

             Of course I followed this advice later, and came home with a single-serving slice of bakery cake.  Ya know, cuz I was out anyway, and it needed to happen.

             In the card altar room I was directed to another out-of-the-rotation stack, instead of where we would have landed this afternoon.  (This illustration is a LOT more purple than it appears here in the photo.)

oracle and fairie cards

“Breaking Free  ~

Do you feel trapped in some life area?  This card asks you to take the first step in freeing yourself from any unnatural restrictions.

Sometimes we feel trapped by outside circumstances.  For instance, we believe that financial or family obligations compel us to accept an unsatisfactory job.  Or we are afraid to leave or fix an unhealthy relationship.  Perhaps we feel that our family or spouse won’t ‘let’ us pursue life-enhancing activities, such as college courses, classes, or exercise programs.  Then again, maybe we feel controlled by our addictions.

The fairies say that when we’re responsible for ourselves, we are more responsible for others.   That is, when we are happy, family, friends, children, and spouse enjoy being around us and we are inspired by our strength and confidence.

Pray or ask for help in releasing your fears and in assisting you in breaking free.  The Universe’s plan is that you be responsible, while simultaneously feeling as free as the birds, angels, and fairies.

Affirmation:

I am free, and I am powerful.  I now allow myself to enjoy this freedom and power.”

             Wait, wasn’t there JUST a mention of my channeled affirmations?  Yeah, the one that popped into my head yesterday was VERY similar to this one.  Like, very.

Today’s Deck:

Healing With The Fairies Oracle Cards by Doreen Virtue

Today’s Mileage:

was to the gym and back, withOUT the library run, as I said (because I ended up having to go there in a car) 8.785 miles in 51 minutes and 28 seconds, with a surprisingly quick average speed of 10.2 MPH.  It felt MUCH slower when I was pedaling it.  Into that irritatingly still-in-my-face wind.

FLP Report:

Massachusetts, old Alaska and new Alaska, Wisconsin (a re-run perhaps?), Kentucky, Florida (with what looked like a Sponge Bob image), Iowa, and a Louisiana plate that I almost couldn’t read (illegal licence frames, people!  Stop using them), fortunately the traffic light was long and I could peer at it closely.  Also, the pelican was a clue.

Marketing  News:

you may have noticed that there’s a Facebook LIKE box, right over there    <——    under RECENT COMMENTS, which is clickable, if that’s something you feel comfortable doing.

LateNight Sharing:

is a delightfully candid image of Mr Famous Guy and my Hurricane from the red carpet before last night’s gala event.

Him and her. Just chattin'

Him and her.
Just chattin’

             She also talked to loads of other folks, you can go HERE and see some more pictures.

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Channeling Marie Antoinette.

Posted on February 28, 2013 | 10 Comments

              We are going to begin by explaining that title.  First off, it’s a joke, I’m not actually hearing her voice or seeing her image.  (Although, probably I could if I really tried.)  As we’ve all heard, at one point the Queen of France said “let them eat cake” -or so the story goes.  Well, for me, the last 24 hours have mostly been cake-related.  It has become our very own analogy for healing.

             In yesterday’s post I shared a recipe link.  Martha Stewart.  What could possibly go wrong?!  (Stated hyper-sarcastically, of course.)  Actually, not too much DID go wrong.  With the constructing of it all.  At the other end though, when we needed to remove it from my newly re-discovered bundt pan, was where things took a tragic turn.

             Today was a special Appointment With *A* Occasion, Daniel was our guest of honor.  He took a bonus day away from Mayberry and joined my session.  We ended up talking cake.  For two reasons.

             THIS is what seems to be going on, very similarly to how she dealt with her own issues, I am likewise baking many of my own difficulties away.  But also, it’s a learning process.  How I used to “handle” my not-so-successful outcomes was to explode, throw everything out, and fall apart.  Never to try again.

             Last night, the end result was edible.  Did it look like the photograph?  Not even close.  Was the pan savable?  Perhaps, but I chose not to.  Can we (at some point) purchase a new device to cook bundt cakes in?  Absolutely.  Will I try this, or an item like it, again?  Yes-in-deedy!

lemon blueberry bundt cake

Not poison at all.

             The glaze was of my own invention.  And it turned out perfectly.  (Yes, it does appear to have “broken” in this shot, but in real life it was actually much smoother, and nicely creamy.)

             Bottom line?  I baked a cake.  It didn’t come out exactly as I had envisioned.  I (rationally, not ragingly) threw the pan in the garbage.  I plan on baking again.  I did not fall apart.  I shared my treat with the kids, and even brought some to the office for *A* to sample and enjoy.  I am improving, getting better every day.

             On our card altar we have one up, one down.  As a duo, they tell a tale much like the my cake lesson does.

osho zen tarot

“Postponement  ~  4  ~  Clouds: The Mind  (r)

Postponement is simply stupid, tomorrow you will also have to decide…. tomorrow never comes, they say, but no matter how often it is said, it seems that most of us tend to forget the truth of it.

In fact, the one and only result of postponing things is a dull and depressing feeling of incompletion and ‘stuck-ness’ today…..

The Miser  ~  4  ~  Rainbows: The Physical

The moment you become miserly you are closed to the basic phenomenon of life: sharing…..

This card challenges us to look at what we are clinging to, and what we feel we possess…..”

              This combination is validating in a unique and lovely way.  We are already turning that Postponement stagnation around, we’ve begun to take our first steps toward healing and movement.  We are looking outward now, no longer focusing so much on our own situations, casting our sights beyond, out in to the world where we can be the most help.

             When we cling to what binds us, what holds us, what keeps us from enjoying this day, this moment, this experience, we are cheating everyone we love.  But when we dance out into the prospects of sharing, engaging, offering ourselves up as aid, as assistance, as friend, we are living our truth.

              When we are ready to learn, the teacher appears.  When we are ready to release, the hand opens and the feet move us forward.

             (Additionally, I want to make sure everyone noticed the double 4 situation we received   This indicates we are on super solid ground right now, the foundations we are building could withstand a bomb blast.  Appearing together like this is a sign, unto itself; good work on our part, go us!)

Today’s Deck:

Osho Zen Tarot

Today’s Mileage:

is on two maps again, the first half is HERE and the return journey is HERE.  My calculations show us going 9.225 total miles, out and back, at an average speed of 8.8 MPH (we walked the bikes for several blocks, a couple of different times) for 1 hour, 2 minutes, and 12 seconds.

FLP Report:

a New York yesterday, and another one today.

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Solid Ground, or a close facsimile thereof.

Posted on January 26, 2013 | Comments Off

             First of all, you may have noticed that I’ve not been replying to most remarks lately, and that the comments are turned off for this post.  It’s just how life needed to be right now.  I have full and hopeful expectations that tomorrow we’ll return to our regularly scheduled programming be back to what passes for Normal.  Or ya know, how we usually operate around here.  Thanks for your patience and understanding.  (No, seriously.  Thank you.  ALL of you.)

             Next, we’re going to talk about depression.  Yay!  Oh wait…. not “yay” like “hey kids, how great is depression?!”  But like, “this is what I’m going through and I hope to fucking hell it can help someone because this shit sucks big time.”

             Without being licensed in any damn thing, other than piloting a motor vehicle in the state of Oregon, I’m going to guess and speculate about where my own most recent bout began.  And what the triggers were.  (Continue to be, actually.)  POSSIBLY starting with the hair chopping.

             So, turns out, that was maybe a wee bit on the rash side.  Hmm, not shocking, for those of you who’ve met me or been around here long enough.  Yeah, I’m not really the whole “logical-look-ahead” type.  I jump off, and believe the net will appear.  This time, it had more holes in it than my subconscious felt safe with.  We bolted.  We hit the ground.  It stings down here.

             However, nothing was permanently damaged.  No one, else, died.  The Death part had already happened.  Twice.  Which brings us to the ending of this chapter in How Julie’s Crazy Mind Looks From The Inside (yes, we’ll go back and fill in the middle*).  Most recent loss: my beloved friend Karen. Who left us late last year.  Her birthday is/was/will be on the 28th of this month.  It’s been pressing down on me since about one week in to January.  And it hasn’t let up.  At.  All.

*Middle parts in their own section, below.  With attractive and delightful bullet points.  Fancy depression?  Absolutely!

             My faith and trust tells me, without question, that everyone on the Other Side is peachy.   Karen is no longer in pain.  She’s hanging out with her sister and step-Don and so many others.  But the human, broken and in-pain part of me is sobbing daily and barely making it through an afternoon without falling apart.  The battle wages within.  Until it spills out all over Dan and whoever else is standing near me.

             (An aside here, for those of you also suffering the misery of loss.  Our loved ones are not actually GONE, they have merely relocated.  To a place we really CAN visit.  They just aren’t HERE for us to hold and touch and joke with as we did before their body came to its conclusion.  The grief we feel is for ourselves and those others that have been left behind.)

             Today I made it through, with the help of a silly errand (okay, call it a goal if you must), Daniel, our kids, and another Karen.  She said this at one point, very much as The Bloggess has also stated, “…. it is fucking lying to us.  I do not suck as a human being.  I do deserve people treating me well, INCLUDING MYSELF!  It will get better.”

             This is exactly right.  It always DOES get better.   We simply need to get through it, past it, beyond it.  Fighting our way back is difficult.  (Damn difficult!)  But there’s no other choice.  Wallowing in it is not the answer.  (As much as I’d LIKE it to be, because I do so love to wallow.)  People find an Element Of Outside that gives them something to focus on.  Many folks write or volunteer; Marian baked, and I’ve taken it up too, along with my biking.

             Whatever we choose to distract us, whatever we land on to get out of our own heads, the thing is not really as important as the sure and complete knowledge of a better tomorrow, the belief in ourselves, the love and support of others, the inner dialogue we maintain to keep us moving forward.  We must be strong, Be Brave (!), and be our very best selves possible.  With help, we totally can do this.

             Our card, to go along with my ponderings and reflection this afternoon, is perfect.  (Of course it is.)

DSCN5490

“Badger  ~  

Abandon compromise and fight valiantly for what you believe in.

Bold Badger, her distinctive stripes a badge of courage, fears none.  Throw trepidation and fear aside.  Like Badger, abandon compromise and the dissembling that leads to defeat.

Take a firm unwavering stand and speak your mind, regardless of others’ opinions.  Fight valiantly, openly, and aggressively for what you believe in or risk losing it forever.  Remember, however, that play is important too.  As a cub it honed Badger’s awesome skills, as an adult, it assures her continued prowess, as it will yours.”

Today’s Deck:

Animal Messages – Seek Inspiration From Your Animal Guides by Susie Green

Today’s Mileage:

only 5.219, at an average speed of 9.3MPH, with a mere 33 minutes and 17 seconds pedal time.  I just went to our closest two markets.  However, that happened.

biking in eugene in the winter

I slightly overshopped.

             The side you can’t see in this view is also full.  I got the bungee down over those oranges, and did such a good job that my finger stayed inside/under/entrapped.  Until I could PAINFULLY remove it.  Oops.  When I got home, Dan had to rescue our citrus.

The Middle Parts:

  • our insurance has changed, not in a good way
  • yesterday I wasn’t able to bike
  • how my bike is slowly falling apart/needs repair (replacement)
  • gym workout not what I was expecting, equates to challenging 
  • I messed up some scheduling situations
  • cross-stitch difficulties
  • over-all financial conditions
  • mattress, oven, teeth 
  • pool situation
  • my not-improving (from my perspective) fitness level
  • the entire weight situation
  • lots more that are just THERE 

LateNight Sharing:

from HERE

 ”Patience should not be associated with a willingness to suffer through your days until they get better! Patience should arise naturally because you choose happiness now.”

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A Big Reach.

Posted on January 23, 2013 | 10 Comments

             We are weeks into the month and I still haven’t talked about one of the only First Of The Year projects that we participate in.  Well, we started it last year, along with many of you, so that counts as “participating” definitely.   I’ve been wondering how that’s going for everybody.

             Some time back (earlier this month or December?), not too long ago, we raided our container, pulling out one note.  Otherwise, it’s been more about putting in than taking away.  Sadly, there isn’t much left over very often to use for deposits, but we have been diligent when the paper dollars do show up.

five dollar bill savings plan

Five dollar bill savings strategy.

             Our plan is to cash that whole thing in as soon as Dan gets the taxes finished, so we know how much we have for a mattress and oven (and hopefully one or two teeth/dental implants).  Until then (this time next month probably) we’ll continue to contribute.

             It was back-to-work day for Daniel, and pedal on up to the pool for me.  Not a bad class, but still sharing water, unfortunately.  Here’s the positive spin: my group is IN the water at all!  Right now, this is the only condition under which we can keep this twice weekly class, so I’m offering gratitude, affirming that any day now we’ll have enough folks on a consistent basis that we’ll be paying our own way and owning the entire hour.

             On our card altar we have received another message that really helped to get me through my day.  And yes, I adore this dated illustration.

fairie and oracle cards

“Raising Your Standards  ~

Don’t settle for less than your dreams.  Once you make the commitment to manifest an improved situation, the Universe will find a way to deliver it to you.

Deep down, you know what type of life you are meant to live.  By drawing this card, you’re being reminded that you deserve, and can manifest, any situation you wish.  The fairies ask you to stop making negative affirmations based on scarcity thinking, such as ‘I can’t afford this‘ or ‘I could never accomplish that.’  Instead, they ask you to raise your standards to the level that all children of God deserve.

Write down a list of your heart’s true desires, and review this list daily with a feeling of faith and gratitude – emotions that convert your wishes into reality.  Then, make a spiritual commitment to expect the best for yourself.  This commitment is your ‘sales order’ that creates miracles in your life.

As your dreams start to come true, be sure to graciously accept ‘good’ into your life.  Know that you deserve life’s richest rewards, we all do!

Affirmation:

I deserve and expect the best in life.   I hold high standards for myself.”

             (As always, please feel free to sub out any words that don’t work for you, replacing with more suitable options.)

             Some days I wake up to* amazingly sweet messages on my wee cellular device, friends from across the globe tweet and text their support, concern, and caring.  It happened today, with a suggestion  about how maybe I could break out of this feeling if I switched shit up a bit.  When I saw this “heart’s true desire” idea, I knew that was it.

*Other days I get them as I’m heading off to bed, same emotion, different times on the clock.

             Here is the second time recently we’ve come across this exact recommendation.  The act of writing down is a powerful tool, one we need to look at in a new light right now.

             Tomorrow I need to hit up my favorite local stationery store for the free pen, and pick up an ink refill for another writing implement, so I’ll see if they have any journals or notebooks in the CLEARANCE bin.  (Let’s say there will be!)   I’ll start this new assignment right away.

Today’s Deck:

Healing With The Fairies Oracle Cards by Doreen Virtue

Today’s Mileage:

not sure, because I still don’t know how to get the numbers out of my machine, but it was under 5.  Probably.

Today’s Baking:

chocolate-chip muffins, but aren’t they really just unfrosted cupcakes?

Bad no-flash view, but better than none at all.

Bad no-flash view,
but better than none at all.

             Some I made in my mini-cupcake baker and some I did in the oven.  Both came out about the same.   Which is to say, sort of okay, but not wonderful.  (Which is how my beloved spouse has described this bout of current unhappiness: constantly craving and never satisfied.  As we all know though, it never lasts.  Never.)

             In the Spring, March to be exact, THIS book will be available over here on this side of the pond.  I cannot wait for it to get here.  She saved her life, by making cakes.  I feel very connected to our Maid Marian these days.

LateNight Extra Thanks:

to Judy, for saying something in the comments that made so much fucking sense that it made me cry.  Thank you.  And thank you to someone special who reads every day and regularly checks in, privately.  And thank you Kelly, my friend with the brightest and most sparkling ideas.  And thank you, everyone who stays with me, even when I’m not at my best.

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