To Each Her Own

After reading a couple of blogs regarding Halloween I am struggling to remember that each person has to find his or her own path to enlightenment. There is something so wrong to me about people passing judgement on others for celebrating a holiday that today consists of little more than playing dress up and then getting candy from neighbors, in the name of their religion. Most of us, yes even those of us who are *GASP* not Christian, do not make our children sacrifice pets to Satan or go around naked on Halloween trying to raise the dead. And for those of you who chose to not celebrate because of Halloween's origins, how is celebrating the end of the harvest season offensive you? Of course there are groups who do see Halloween as a satanic ritual, but there are also groups who are self proclaimed Christians who have sex with teens and have many wife's in God's name. Both groups are small and not the norm.

Sigh.... there is so much more that my head wants to say, but I think that it would do better for my heart to just know that in the end anger is like taking poison yourself and then wishing your enemy ill, it does no one any good. I can only hope that those who are so closed minded will find their path somehow.

Our Halloween

Halloween is definitely one of our favorite holidays, in fact for Gabby it is THE holiday. Forget about presents, candy, and fireworks... for her Halloween is a treat that is counted down for the way most kids count down until Christmas eve or their birthdays. Every time we went into a store we had to walk by all the decorations and if anyone wants any ideas on what to get her for Christmas- just pick a Halloween decoration and wrap it up- you ill be a hit!!! =)

We love learning about how Halloween started and what it means to different people, how some people celebrate it with ritual and reverence while others see it as a chance to scare every child within a city block (like my neighbors who hire professional actors to scare kids AND adults!). We always choose our costumes soon after Halloween ends to save a few dollars and to have something to anticipate. This year Gabby had her choice of three costumes thanks to loving family and last year's buy, she was a pirate for dance class, a winter fairy to actually go trick or treating, and a genie for Boo at the Zoo. Miss AJ was a pretty little kitten just like her mama!

Since Klint had to work that night and I was on my own we chose to go out for the first hour and then hand out candy for the second which worked out really nicely. Aside from the fact that it cut down on Gabby's candy intake (she still got more than a whole bag's worth!) it gave her a chance to hand out candy too and meet lots of kids. AJ loved going around to people and visiting, although she did decline many offers for candy.

Here are some pics from this year and we already decided that AJ is going to be a cowgirl next year and Gabby is going to be a witch, her favorite Halloween symbol!

A little genie at Boo at the Zoo

My little winter fairy

A pair of kitties!

Going to the next house!

Gabby looking at all the costumed kids!

Mama and Kitten at Boo at the Zoo

Books that Have Made a Difference in My Life

I always read this feature in O Magazine and thought that it might be interesting to think about my own reads that have made me better in some way, helped me look at the norm in a new way, or just touched my heart.

One that I know I would take if I am ever stuck on that deserted island is A Night Without Armor by Jewel Kilcher. From the first song that I ever heard by Jewel (Foolish Games) I knew that this was one artist that will stay with me on my journey. Her poetry is just as touching as her songs, earthy, personal, cavalier, and all together captivating. There are poems about love, leaving love, hating love, and just being- something I am working on daily. Every time I read this book I learn something new about Jewel and about myself.

Another book that I can read over and over is Bless the Child by Cathy Cash-Spellman. Although a work of fiction, this book opened my eyes in high school to the fact that there are other religions out there and got me reading more about different schools of thought from Buddhism to Judaism. This book has everything from Catholicism to Satanism, ancient Egyptian mysticism to Islam. It is very graphic, very violent at times, but there are moments that just make you stop and think, "Wow!". (Please don't rent the movie in lieu of reading this- the movie does not even scratch the surface of what this great novel is about).

What do you get when you cross archaeological curiosity and a lot of research on pre-historical races? The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel. I have always been fascinated by archeology and especially the races that led to the development of our own race that eventually dominates the planet. When I read this book in college I immediately signed up for Archeology 101 as well as a sociology course, which led to more courses and such. The book is in a series that is such insight into our human past that you can't help but put yourself in the time period! (Again, please do not watch the movie- it is so bad that if I were to remake it with my family and friends, it would be an improvement!)

I don't remember the first book that I read by myself, but I do remember first reading the Little House on the Prairie series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. There is nothing better to help you remember that today's worries are so trivial compared to how things used to be for early settlers in the midwest. When I feel like my world is getting too complicated I like to sit down with one of these books, written so long ago by someone who did live a more simple and humble life. It makes you look at your own life more closely when you read about the family losing everything when a swarm of locusts eat all the crops, how the girls received a few pieces of candy for Christmas and were overjoyed for that gift, and see that hardships to us would have been blessings for the family. There is a lot to be learned from this series, whether you are eight or eighty.

I am sure that there are more books and I will continue this post when I remember them. What books have touched your soul and changed the journey of your life?

Now Entering Momville Giveaways

For anyone who likes free stuff, and who doesn't?, go check out Now Entering Momville! There are always tons of stuff to win and yours truly is being featured today for another free set of Mommy Cards! (Our winner from my giveaway, Angela, should be getting her cards any day now!)

Go, enter, and check out my shop while you are at it!! =)

Wordless Wednesday

When AJ feels pretty!

Spider Gabby!

Gabby had so much fun going over the inflatable obstacle course, she amazed me how fast she could go over the walls! I cannot believe that she is only 4!

Exploding Pop

What happens when you take diet pop, mentos, a lil plastic tube, and a brave hubby? This!!

Customer Service is Dead at Verizon

I have had a heck of a time lately with Verizon and their "refurbished" phones. After my phone was stolen the insurance company sent me a refurbished phone, not a new one like they were supposed to. That phone decided that it had had enough of me and about 2 weeks ago took over. I would have it sitting on a table and it would turn on, scroll thru menus, go to my music and pick songs to play.... all on it's own... creepy! So I called Verizon since it was under warranty and what do they send me? Another refurbish.... and surprise surprise that one decided to take over things too, but this time it was within hours of me having the darn thing. This one would turn off after me called me so I didn't get the call or it would just power down. Once again I had to talk to Verizon, complained about getting broken refurbished phones and their solution? Send me yet ANOTHER refurbished phone!! That is right... even though I have had 2 possessed phones, their only resolution is to give me another one and hope that this one takes orders. Sigh..... at least I know that if this one goes nuts they have to give me a new model all together. Anyone else ever had phone problems like this?

On the upside, if anyone else is sick of paying $3 for ringtones then check out http://www.phonezoo.com/. You just upload music from your computer and then edit it so it plays the parts you want. It is totally FREE to use!!! At least I don't have to pay Verizon each time I switch phones and lose my ringtones! =)

Surf's Up Saturday- Falling in Love with Fall

Smell the air! Fall is here in all it's glory. Look at all the fun fallish stuff that I found on Etsy. Of course there are tons of crafts to make, recipes to taste, and spooky places to go. But no season is complete without some fall shopping!
Check out this cute witch set that was made for Gabby by a wonderful maker called Bluewings!
<------------- Just click on a pic to go the the item's listing, enjoy and spend a little money for me!

Wordless Wednesday

taken by the hubby at the Cleveland Metropark Zoo

(the Northern Trek animals are my favorite!!)