Wheel of the Year Study

Samhain is almost upon us and it will be that time of year for me to choose new topics to study for the next turn of the wheel. 

Next few weeks I will be thinking about what I want to do.  Which herb, divination, Gods and paths to venture upon to learn about.   Do I stick growing from my roots or shoot off in a new direction and add something new to my repertoire?

If you haven't visited that page here is what I was studying the past year.

This is taken directly from that page and is being archived here for future reference with the tag below. 

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This page will be dedicated to the Turn of the Wheel 2014 (Samhain 2014 to Mabon 2015)

Within KOTH every turn of the wheel I ask my students to continue their education.  Each Samhain I ask them to choose topics to study in depth throughout the turn of the wheel.

There are many topics we require and I won't list them all here.  But every year I try to have a theme per say within my studies.  As I think ahead I was not sure what to choose for this coming year's Samhain.  So instead I am going to go "back in time" so to speak.  I am going to re-establish my "Roots" if you will.

For the Turn of the Wheel 2014 I will be dedicating myself to the following.

Green Witchcraft

Yep I am really returning to my roots.  When I first moved to Michigan, one of the first groups I began to circle with was that of Green Witches.  My mentor Jackie to this day is still teaching students and having Moonlodges in her home.  She's such a beautiful and strong teacher.  From her I have learned many things about herbs and the Goddess.  The broom she made for me still hangs in my kitchen to this day. 

So I am going to go back to my roots and relearn.  Refresh and replenish what I have lost from being sick this past year.  In January they took me off one of the medications Benlysta and I have been feeling like crap ever since.   I would so give back the past few months and put up with a few days of being sick to feel better 25 days of the month instead.   (sighs)

It is what it is...and onto a year of rebuilding.  Not only my physical self but that of my mental and spiritual as well. So a few of the things I will be dedicating myself to is:

Divination:  Tea Leaf Reading

Tasseography is the reading of tea leaves that remain in

a tea cup once the beverage has been drunk.

 Aceso (Greek Goddess of curing illness)

Chiron (Greek Centaur known for his ability of healing) 

 



Herbal Ally

Coriander aka Cilantro

I have actually never studied Cilantro before (at least not that I remember) my electronic BOS died when my previous laptop did.  Another reason why I am choosing to do my research in my blog instead.  Hopefully by doing it here it will be saved for future reference.

 

As you can see from the above, all items are associated to Healing in one form or another.  So my theme for the Turn of the Wheel 2014 is that of HEALING.

 

I hope you come back to see what I have tried and what has worked or failed. 

I hope to be more active in blogging again.  I have missed you all.

 

Have you heard???

Oh my Goddess how time flies.
With more medical issues and real life dealings, this blog has once again been neglected.

Now that I remember my password, I can once again start writing again.  I debated the fact of creating a brand new blog, but I really don't want to lose the information here.  So hopefully I can once again get into the swing of things and real life will settle down and provide me with more opportunities to write.

Two of my dear friends have started a podcast.  You should check them out.

Its called "Heart of the Witch's Path".  You can find them HERE.

There is also a blog as well that you can read HERE.

So check them out and hopefully later in the week I  will be back with another post and get back into the swing of things with a follow up from the Lammas Celebration that I participated with Sacred Birch Society.

Sincerely,
Crystal

Turn of the Wheel 2014

Well I have been away for a long time, yet again.  I really hate being sick.  Lately I have been spending a lot of time in bed sleeping whenever possible.  My whole body hurts and the nausea has come back full force.  I really have no clue what is going on.  I go back to my Rhumie on Wednesday.

Anyways, I have set up a new page in an effort to start writing again.  I hope doing it here will do one of few things. 

1.  Become more active in writing again. 
2. Focus on my studies and share them with you.
3.  By writing my progress on this blog I will have a back up copy to my studies as my laptop died once again.  This time taking my entire electronic BOS with it.  (there goes 1000s of pages worth of information).  Oh well.  I am going to be doing that part "old school style" hand writing everything again. 

Anyways, check out the new page on Wheel of the Year.  There is also a new page for healing coming soon as well.

Yes I am alive....just haven't been feeling well again.

Sincerely,
Crystal T.

Weightloss Update

This past month has been really difficult for me.  I had a really bad Lupus flare which resulted in me being in bed for about two weeks with pain that we could not figure out what the cause.  Two ultrasounds and one CAT scan later, everything internally looks ok or what is "normal" for me so the docs are putting it to being apart of my Lupus flare.  My face still has not recovered yet and the butterfly rash is still flying on my face. 

Even though I had not been feeling the greatest, I was able to accomplish one of my weight loss goals for 2012.  Since January, I have been trying to lose weight and increase my walking abilities.  My primary goal was to walk in the The Crim Festival of Races which takes place every August in Flint, Michigan.  I am happy to say that I accomplished that goal this year.  While I only did the 5K, my goal is to increase it every year.  So next year I will either walk in the 5K again and try to improve on my time or extend the walk to the next 8K if I am able to find a better solution to my sun troubles.  With many of the medications I take at the present time, I am very photosensitive and blister in the sun after just a few minutes of direct exposure.

While walking in the race, I noticed I kept turning my head to see if anyone was behind me.  My biggest fear was that I would be the last one to cross the finish line.  Also I was desperately afraid of being lost along the race route by not being able to keep up with the other walkers. I am very happy to report my results.  Not only was I NOT the last person to complete the race, but for the first time I competed, I placed in the top third of the overall contestants!


#631 of 2143 people
#483 of 1394 women
#28 in my age group of women (I was in the middle of the pack)
Time 1:03:02


For a few days I actually hit the 240's and I was quite excited.  However with eating out a lot this past week, I am back in the 250's.  Soon, I will be going to the grocery store and getting ready to do a 21 day detox thanks to the help of Crazy, Sexy, Diet by Kris Carr.  I did this in the past when I was getting ready to go 90% raw and it helped me out a lot to feeling better.  I have noticed that I feel better the more "raw" I eat.  So I am thinking of going back to a heavy intake of fruit and vegetables.  I will never be Vegetarian again, I love to eat meat and dairy way too much.  But I can limit the amount I eat and live a healthier lifestyle. 


Every Wednesday, I will attempt to give an update on my weight loss journey.  I am still no way brave enough to show my "Before" pictures.  I am just not ready for them to be on the internet just yet without being supported by the "After" photos when I am going to look good. LOL

Hope you are having a Wicked Wednesday!  In a good way of course!

Blessed Be,
Crystal T.

Shows I have seen to date

So I keep getting asked what have I seen in the world of Asian Dramas and movies.  Here will be the list that I will update as much as I can.

Now there are so many different types of K-Drama as well.  You have the Romance, Romantic Comedy, Musical, Melodrama (Kleenex usually needed), etc.  Below you will find the growing list of which ones I have seen in what category.  How do I watch all these?  My main go to source is DramaFever.com, Netflix, then www.gooddrama.net for most of the non-Korean dramas like Meteor Garden.  Viki.com is also becoming another fav source as well.  Thanks Unnie Jess for that one!

As of today (August 23, 2013) I have watched:

Currently Watching:

The Master's Sun (I am so loving this one, its too damn funny with a bit of Beetlejuice humor!)
Who are You
Just You
Her Legend
Two Weeks

Here is a list of what I have watched.

9 End 2 Outs
The King of Dramas
I Miss You (you will need Kleenex)
49 Days (Kleenex)
A Gentleman's Dignitiy
A Love to Kill
Answer Me 1997
Athena
Attic Cat
Autumn in my Heart (Kleenex)
Autumn's Concerto
Baby Faced Beauty
Bad Couple
Bad Guy
Bad Love (Kleenex)
Baker King
Barefoot Friends
Beethoven Virus
Big
Boys Over Flowers
Can Love Become Money
Cheongdamdong Alice
City Hunter
Coffee Prince
Couple or Trouble
Creating Destiny
Dalija's Spring
Dating Agency: Cyrano
Delightful Girl Choon Hyang
December Fever
Dream High
Dream High 2
Easy Fortune Happy Life
Faith
Fated to Love You
Fire
Flower Boy Next Door
Flower Boy Ramen Shop
Full House
Full House Take 2works
Goong (aka Princess Hours)
Goongs (aka Prince Hours)
Gourmet
Greatest Love
Haeundae Lovers
Heading to the Ground
Heartless City
Heartstrings
Hello Miss
Hong Gil Dong
I do, I do
In Time with You
I Need Romance
I Need Romance 2012
I Miss You (Kleenex)
Invincible Shan Bao Mei
It Started with a Kiss
Just You
King 2 Hearts
Koizura (Japanese)
Last Scandal
Lie to Me
Love and Marriage
Love Around
Love Forward
Love Now
Lovers
Manny
Mary Stayed Out All Night
Me Too Flower
Meteor Garden (both seasons)
Meteor Rain (Continuation of other members of F4)
Midas
Mischievous Kiss: Love in Tokyo
Miss Rose (Has many same cast from Office Girls)
Monstar
My Girl
My Girlfriend is a Nine-Tailed Fox (aka My Girlfriend Guhmio)
My Lovely Sam Soon
My Princess
My Queen
Nail Shop Paris
Office Girls (has many of same cast from Miss Rose)
Oh My Lady
One Percent of Anything
Operation Proposal
Over the Rainbow
P.S. Man
Paradise Farm (or Paradise Ranch)
Pasta
Personal Taste
Playful Kiss
Prince's First Love
Protect the Boss
Que Sera Sera
Romance Town
Rooftop Prince
Say You Love Me
Scent of a Woman
Secret Garden
Shinning Inheritance
Shut Up Flower Boy Band
Soulmate
Spring Waltz
Spy Myung Wol
Stars Falling from the Sky (Some Kleenex needed)
Substitute Princess
Summer's Desire
Sungkyunkwan Scandal
Sweet Spy
Take Care of the Young Lady (Note to my friend Debbie, Jung II Woo!!!)
Temptation of an Angel
That Winter, the Wind Blows
The Birth of the Rich
The King of Dramas
The Master's Sun
The Woman Who Still Wants to Marry
The Musical
They Kiss Again (Part 2 of It Started with a Kiss)
Time Slip Dr. Jin
To the Beautiful You
Two Weeks
Vampire Prosecutor
Vampire Prosecutor 2
We Got Married Global Addition (Taecyeon with GuiGui & HongKi with Fuji Mina)
What's Up
What's Up Fox
When a Man Loves
Who Are You (with Taecyeon and Jaewook. There is another one with same name)
Wild Romance
Winter Sonata (Kleenex)
You're Beautiful
Young Love Jae In

K-Drama Top Ten Love Triangles

Top Ten Love Triangles!!

Now I am not going to write a lot about what these storylines are about.  My reasoning is because I want to share what they are in my opinion so that you go and watch them yourselves.   They are not in any specific order with exception to my ultimate favorite being listed last.   Also, those that have been watching K-dramas for some time will notice that not all of these are Korean.  I am using the term K-drama right now for everything until I am able to have my own lists for the other languages.

In Need of Romance 2012

Yeol Mae with Ji Hoon and Seok Hyun
This is probably the first time I have seen a decent shower scene in a K-drama.

Summer's Desire:

Xia Mo with Luo Xi and Ou Chen
The tension between the two males is outstanding.  You can cut the tension with a knife.
I have watched this series over 10 times because I like it that much! 
It is probably my number 2 go to show!
 

Boys Over Flowers

Jan Di with Goo Joon Pyo and Yoon Ji Hoo
Now you know I am a Kim Hyun Joong fan.  I love him dearly. 
Yes I wanted to slap Jandi multiple times for giving up on the guy she liked FIRST!
 How can you beat falling in love with your soulmate?
Ji-Hoo is too much of a gentleman.

Flower Boy Ramen Shop

Cha Chi Soo, Eun Bi and Gang Hyuk.

This was my first k-drama.  It had me hooked after the first episode! 

I couldn't get enough of Jung II Woo who portrays Cha Chi Soo! 

Immediately after watching this I searched for more with him which lead me to 49 Days

....that is for another post to come.

Goong

Chae Kyung, Lee Shin, and Lee Yul

Oh this is another one I was yelling WAE WAE WAE?  Can't you tell he is in love with you?

I only feel this way about Yoon Eun Hye, what ever she is in is WORTH watching!

I so want Prince Lee Yul's silver necklace!

When a Man Loves

Mi Do, Tae Sang and Jae Hee

One of the better "gangster" series out there.

Oh boy, this one had me torn.  I was actually rooting for both guys. 

She is a lucky girl to have two men such as those to have fallen in love with her.

Miss Rose

Cheng Kuan, Si Yi, and Yi Chun.

The on screen chemistry of these three actors was very good.

The hints of possessiveness from both men wanting to be her man played out well.

My Girl

Lee Joon Ki

He's so great in this series. Yes I am bias towards him.....it is really worth watching just for him....

(He makes me smile!)

 

Protect the Boss

Eun Sol, Ji Heon and Moo Won

I never thought I would like a boy named Moo! LOL

I would so go to work everyday is JaeJoong was my boss!!!!

The possessiveness of the males are very cute.  Especially when they get physical.

That is one of the best "cat-fight" scenes I have ever seen.  I was crying I was laughing so hard.

Stars Falling from the Sky

A family of men falling for the same woman.  One didn't stand a snowball's chance in Hell.  The other two had both the positive and negative qualities.  I really enjoyed Shin Dong Wook's portrayal of the younger brother.  He's a really talented actor.  I hope he's doing well as he suffers from rare disease called Complex Regional Pain Syndrome / Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (CRPS).  Having Lupus, I can only slightly relate to his condition.  I truly wish him well (especially for him to experience no pain) and medical science can find a cure for him!

Paradise Farm

Lee Da Ji, Han Dong Joo and Seo Yoon Ho

Another great threesome chemistry wise.  The possessiveness is definitely present as well. 

The nit picking of each other was so funny.  Their facial expressions were sometimes priceless. 

Very cute series to watch.  Not too heavy hearted and very fun. 

Mary Stayed Out All Night

Kang Moo Gyul, Wi Mary, and In Jung (aka The Polite Bastard)

Those that know me, KNOW this is my FAVORITE SERIES OF ALL TIME!

It has great music, fantastic actors, and a really cute storyline.

It makes you laugh, cry, and sometimes both at the same time.  My favorite part of this triangle is when the three realize they all know one another and how it is they know each other.  (Yes I am attempting to talk in circles.)  Also when they fight over her as well after the company party.

Jealously and competition for her heart is definitely present.  Wi Mary is a hoot and I could see the two of us being friends if she were a real person. 

Time flies when you are having fun and are sick...

Yep time flies when you are having fun.  Also if you are sick or on a vacation to Alaska!

Photo of one of the pieces broken off from the glacier.

Once again, I have been neglecting this blog.  My computer had died and my husband blessed me with a brand new laptop!  I love it, but hate Windows 8.

So I am slowly getting back to feeling better.  I am also writing a lot these days, just not on my blog. 

Autumn is upon us and weather here in Michigan means that the snow will fly soon.  I just hope its not too freaking soon!

I am going to be changing my blog around again.  There are just so many topics I love, I can't keep track of posting them to various sources.  So the Cauldron is about to become one heck of a Jambalaya! 

As I work out the kinks, if there is a particular topic you like to read about, please make sure to keep track of the labels.  Until I figure out what I am going to do for what day of the week, that might be the best way to stay on top of what your interests are.

I know most of my subscribers are of that Magical realm, but I am getting an increased amount of mail from others interested K-Drama, K-pop, etc.  I will try to have specific days I will be posting on these topics so that you don't have to read the things you are not interested in as well. 

Keepers of the Hearth has a new website in development.  We recently purchased the .org version of our website as well.  So now we own both www.keepersofthehearth.com and www.keepersofthehearth.org .  Both websites are currently active. 

I hope everyone is doing well.

Tonight is the full moon and I am off to go celebrate it with my sisters from the honeybee tribe! 

See ya!

Blessed Be!

Crystal T.

A Pagan Pregnancy Review

Wow,

Out of curiosity, I decided to see if I could find any independent reviews about my book "A Pagan Pregnancy".  I found this one today and thought I would share it with you.

It is in another language, but I was able to use Google to translate it. 

I always appreciate reviews such as this.  As a first time author, I know I do not possess the knowledge to writing the perfect book.  Her thoughts and critiques are honest and expose what areas I could improve upon.  So I thought I would share it with you.

http://www.dreamcatcher.se/bokrescension-a-pagan-pregnancy-av-crystal-tucker

Many thanks to her for her kind words!  I hope with each book I write, be it non-fiction or fiction (which I am currently working on) I will improve in my writing ability.

Sincerely,
Crystal

K-Drama: Top 10 Kisses

Hi Everyone!

For a belated birthday, my dear husband took me to Alaska on a cruise.  So I have been gone for a bit.
While waiting to board the boat in Seattle, WA, he gave me another great surprise.  He purchased me a new Toshiba laptop.  I am trying to get used to Windows 8 and all these new boxes.  Don't know if I like this version or not yet.

Anyways I received a few emails about wanting to know more about K-Dramas....so I thought I would go ahead and post my TOP 10 KISSES.

Here goes:  They are listed by Show with a short description of what happened or recap of what was said during that situation. It may not be a direct quote from the scene, but enough information for you to know that is the kiss I am referring too.  You will have to watch the dramas themselves to see it for yourself.

Let me know if you are already a fan and I don't list any that I should be "aware" about. LOL

When a Man Loves:  Jae Hee with Mi Do "Closet Kissing"

Summer's Desire:  Luo Xi  with Xia Mo  "Tell him who I am" kiss.

Personal Taste:  "Game Over" kiss
Kudos to the director on using a 360 degree camera angle on this one. Much appreciated!

Devil Beside You:  When she thinks to herself how it feels to be with the "Devil" himself.  Come on it's Mike He after all. 

Lie to Me:   Coca-Cola Kiss

It Started with a Kiss:  In the Rain
Now with this story, there are a few different versions including Playful Kiss's Kim Hyun Joong which those that know me I am a SS501 fan.  I have to admit that I like the more "aggression" for lack of a better term at the moment that Joe Chen portrays compared to KHJ's character.  In all dramas I have seen KHJ seems to be a gentler man when it comes to kissing.  I don't think he could be forceful.  There was a brief moment in Boys over Flowers, but it really wasn't convincing to me.  Sorry KHJ.

Coffee Prince:  "I don't care if you are a man or alien" kiss

Miss Rose: "You'll catch a cold kiss"

Flower Boy Ramen Shop:  Cha Chi Soo's Motorcycle at the Movie Theater

Fated to Love You:  Ethan Ruan is probably my favorite actor to watch in a kissing scene.    There are many from this series to choose from.

For you to see what I am talking about, go on over to one of my favorite two sites.  DramaFever or Good Drama to see for yourselves. 


So watch these and let me know if you think of them.  Hope you enjoy them.

Sincerely,
Crystal T.

Weight loss Update

Well as of this week I made it into the 250's and have stayed here since Monday.

I had oral surgery on a tooth that was causing an infection and swelling in my face from the top of my mouth, to my nose, up to my eye and then all the way to my ear.  It was very painful.  After a month of antibiotics it was not going away, doctors decided that it needed to be removed.  I was not healing because of my Lupus flaring.

So the past week I have been on a soft food diet.  Today is the first day I can actually eat something without being in pain.  With that most meals have been relatively consistent.... Puddings, Soups (alot of Miso!), pastas, soft fruits, Steamed rice with fish flaked into it.

As of yesterday when I got on the scale I weighed in at 256.4 lbs.

I am eating more solids this week since my mouth is feeling better.  I also have not been able to walk due to not feeling well and being on a lot of pain killers for the pain.

I do hope to get back on the treadmill this week so hopefully in the next two weeks I will be in the 240's!

K-Drama

So here is a list of the K-Dramas I have seen starting with my top 10.  I will periodically update this list for my friends that are looking into shows to watch as well.  This list is inspired by a FB conversation between me and a few friends, Debbie specifically.... I hope you enjoy watching some of them this summer.

Here goes:

Now these are the top 10 currently because immediately I thought of these right off the bat. I am sure it will change over the course of time.    I watched Mary Stayed out All Night so many times that I actually avoided    anything with Sukki for a week.

1.  Mary Stayed Out All Night  (Why?  Jang Guen Suk, aka Sukki, is the main lead in this movie about an Indie Musician.  Yes I still think alot about music and this has a great soundtrack as well!)

2.  Coffee Prince

3.  Boys Over Flowers

4.  You are Beautiful

5. Flower Boy Ramen Shop

6.  It Started with a Kiss (other verisions are Playful Kiss & Mischevious Kiss)

7. I Miss You (#1 for Kleenex Box Grabber)

8.  Goong (Princess Hours)

9. Faith (also known as The Good Doctor)

10. City Hunter

Currently Watching because its "In Season"

Barefoot Friends
Mischievous Kiss: Love in Tokyo (Because I am a fan of the other series It Started with a Kiss, and Playful Kiss)
Substitute Princess
We Got Married International
Dating Agency: Cyrano  (Main reason I started watching this one is that Taemin of Shinee makes an appearance in Episode 3)


Now there are so many different types of K-Drama as well.  You have the Romance, Romantic Comedy, Musical, Melodrama (Kleenex usually needed), etc.  Below you will find the growing list of which ones I have seen in what category.  How do I watch all these?  My main go to source is DramaFever.com, Netflix, then www.gooddrama.net for most of the non-Korean dramas like Meteor Garden.

Here is a list of what I have watched.

Last Scandal
Que Sera Sera
I Really, Really Like You
Soulmate
Over the Rainbow
Bad Love
Fireworks
Beethoven Virus
9 End 2 Outs
Lovers
Shinning Inheritance
Pasta
Creating Destiny
A Love to Kill
Autumn in my Heart
Delightful Girl Choon Hyang
One Percent of Anything
Prince's First Love
Spring Waltz
Stars Falling from the Sky
The Woman Who Still Wants to Marry
The Birth of the Rich
Baker King
My Queen
Secret Garden
My Princess
In Time with You
I Need Romance
I Need Romance 2012
Scent of a Woman
In Time with You
Full House
Full House Take 2
The King of Dramas
I Miss You (you will need Kleenex)
49 Days (Kleenex)
Answer Me 1997
Vampire Prosecutor
Vampire Prosecutor 2
Dream High
Dream High 2
What's Up
Fated to Love You
Greatest Love
Heading to the Ground
Heartstrings
Hello Miss
Hong Gil Dong
Lie to Me
Love Forward
Manny
Miss Rose (Has many same cast from Office Girls)
My Girl
My Girlfriend is a Nine-Tailed Fox (aka My Girlfriend Guhmio)
Office Girls (has many of same cast from Miss Rose)
Operation Proposal
Pasta
Personal Taste
Protect the Boss
Romance Town
Shut Up Flower Boy Band
Sweet Spy
Take Care of the Young Lady (Note to my friend Debbie, Jung II Woo!!!)
The Musical
To the Beautiful You
What's Up Fox


Ok so these are at least the ones I can think of at the moment!

From now on I will attempt to post my top ten in specific categories and go into more detail why....
Next on the K-Drama docket will be my Top 10 Kisses.

Hope this helps you Debbie who inspired this post asking me what I have seen and what she should watch this summer.

Wordless Wednesday

Monday Menu Plan

This week will be a very cold cold week.  I haven't had the opportunity to go out and do my "big" grocery shopping that I normally do on the weekends.  So we will be eating what we have on hand from the freezer this week.  This week will be a heavy red meat week as our freezer is packed with it.

Monday: 
We are taking the children bowling today so it will be fast food most likely.

Tuesday:
Taco Tuesday.  Lancer loves Taco Tuesday's.  It's been a while so it is making a come back this week.
I will also be making a sweet corn bread to go with it.  I will be eating a salad.

Wednesday:
Spaghetti

Thursday:
Venison Steak
Wild Rice mix made with beef broth instead of water for more flavor

Friday:
Fish Sticks (for the boys) with Mac n Cheese

Saturday:
Not planned because I hope to go grocery shopping this day.

House Update - Invasion

Please take note.

If you value your health, currently stay away from our home...we have been invaded by the "super" flu going around.

This is the first day I am able to even attempt to sit at a computer without my trusty bucket...so that should tell you what kind of week we have been having.

It first started off with the oldest boy coming home on Wednesday and saying he was not feeling well.  From 7pm to around 4am the following morning, every half hour he was sick.  I just had my Benlysta Infusion so hubby braved it out with the boy not getting any sleep for himself knowing that I should not be around our boy.  

Next on the list was the baby....he began by waking up in the middle of Friday night, sheets covered and screaming....we cleaned him, sprayed his matress with lysol and flipped it (its a futon so able to dry while being flipped) put new sheets on it.  Once again daddy was the brave knight in shinning armor.  He stayed up with baby with little to no sleep. 

Saturday night, the super flu took me as a victim.  I won't go into much detail but it has not been pretty.  With the boys as it seemed to be a 24 hour virus, its more of a 5 day affair for me.  Last time I got sick was during the course of last night so I am not out of the woods yet.  I have lost 9 pounds, not exactly the way I wish to lose weight.

Poor daddy is feeling the bunt of all his good deeds...he is sick as well.  We attempt to rotate taking care of the children's needs besides trying to take care of each other as well. 

I wish there was someone with super immune strength that we could hire and take care of all of us...but since I know there won't be any takers, it may be quite quiet around here for a while.

Hoping you don't get the flu!

Sincerely,
Crystal T.

Monday Meal Plan

Some may notice that the topics I will be blogging about have changed. 
I will start to slowly phase out some of the older labels in attempt of streamlining the label categories.

So today is Monday's Meal Plan.  Tomorrow I will be going to the hospital for my monthly infusion of Benlysta.  I am so looking forward to it.  Because of the holidays I am a week later than normal and my body can tell the difference.  I am starting to feel worse and worse each day.  So tomorrow you will notice that I am primarly will be focusing on liquids for myself for the next few days.  This is something normal for me as I have learned from the past, eating on days I get my infusion plus the day or two after, I throw up alot to be frank.  It just hurts less if it happens with liquid instead of solid foods.   I also have noticed when I juice or soup, the throwing up tends to be alot less.

Anyway, sorry to gross you out.  If you are still reading here is what the boys will be eating.  I will try to add photos later if I can figure out how to upload them from my ipod.  My ipod and computer don't seem to like one another.  That is what I get for using a dinosaur computer.

General rule in my home is that you have to try one of the two meals (mom's or dad's) then if you don't like it, you can have an alternative but you have to wait until we are done eating because you don't want to eat what I have cooked.

Monday:
(Chili for all of us) 
Boys = Venision with red kidney beans for the guys topped with cheddar cheese and frito chips (aka Frito Pie)
Me = Vegetarian Version I have made in the past and was lucky enough to have a container left over in the freezer.

Tuesday:
Boys = Spaghetti, Hamburger Helper, or Tacos (whatever the DH decides, he has a pound of ground beef waiting for him in the fridge defrosting for tomorrow).
Me = Miso Soup

Wednesday:
Boys = Pork Chops in the slow cooker (I tend to use the slowcooker alot during infusion week.)
Me = Soup or juice with saltines

Thursday:
Boys = Chicken Rice-n-Gravy
Note: Rice n Gravy is a Cajun term used for a meat browned in a pot and deglazed to make its own gravy with the use of green bellpepper, white onion, and seasoning.  It it then served over a bed of hot steamed white rice. 
Me = depending on how I feel that day it may be either Miso Soup with a scoop of rice, or I just might try a bowl of rice with the gravy.  (The doc ok'd me to start eating meat again, so I am trying to take things slowly.  That first week I was so excited that I ate alot of different meats and then spent three days in bed in pain.)

Friday:
Pizza night (either frozen pizzas or carryout pending DH's mood)

Saturday:
Leftover buffet from the week

Sunday:
Spaghetti because DH needs leftovers for work the next day.


Lunches: 
DH usually has either leftovers from the previous night or a sandwich everyday Monday to Friday.  Oldest either eats sandwiches or school menu.  Baby eats alot by stealing salad and veggies from Moma's bowl.  Baby refuses to eat from his own plate unless its something he really likes and/or Moma decides to eat in peace when he's napping.

Breakfast is generally cereal with milk, grits with butter and cheese, oatmeal, or granola bars.

Snacks range from whatever fruit in the fridge (apples, oranges, grapes, or strawberries), carrot or celery sticks with Ranch dressing, granola bars, and the occassional cookies that seem to have currently bombarded our pantry thanks to Christmas. 

If you are wondering, yes I allow our children to eat candy.  As long as they keep getting rave reviews from their dentist, I won't take that treat away.  Baby is learning the hard way that just because Leia (our dog) gets various "treats" during the day does not mean he gets a candy every single time.  LOL

Hope you enjoy this post.  What is for dinner on your table this week?  I am always looking for new recipes to try out and get the kids eating healthier.

Blessed Be,
Crystal T.

Flashback Fashion Friday - The Vintage Box 1947

One of the things that is changing this year will be the addition of the topic Flashback Fashion Fridays. 

As I was sitting at my computer chatting with a friend this morning, on my FB page was a shared post from Va-Voom Vintage (one of my fav bloggers) that is hosting a few giveaways this month.  The sponsor of the contest is a company called Vintage Box 1947. 



Oh my GODDESS, I think I am in lust....there are so many pretty things (channeling my inner Golem wanting his precious)!    I so want my hair to grow back fast!  I plan on purchasing one of her items for an upcoming trip I will have later this year.  I am still losing weight so probably won't buy my dress until a month or two before the trip... Hoping to lose at least 30 lbs by then.

You should really check them out, fantastic pieces for sale.  Also don't forget to sign up for the giveaway contest yourself.  You can find all the details by going to Va-Voom Vintage's blog as well to enter.

Have a great Friday!

Sincerely,
Crystal T.

Should a husband have a say on what his wife looks like?

Recently on Facebook, my friend Bunny Moreno author of Bunny' s Vintage Victory and proprietor of the Vintage Victory Shop over at Etsy recently posted about a topic on whether or not a husband has a right to comment on his wife's appearance.  Those are not her exact words, but it is how I interpreted them. 

She was surprised by the number of women who feel that their "man" has no right at all to have any say in her appearance.  But these same women can tell their man on how he needs to act, who his friends are, what he needs to do on a daily basis, and how he should relax.   She summed it up best in one word..."Compromise".

I whole heartily agree with that statement.  I think my husband does have a right to say or give his opinion on what I wear and how I look.  Every single day if we plan to go out in public, I ask him what he thinks about what I am wearing,  whether or not I should wear make-up, as well as right to what is on top of my head (natural hair, bandana, hat, or wig).  I ask him what he thinks because he is the person that will be seen with me and I want to make a good impression on him and on others as his wife.  Granted, I have a few medical problems that some days, I could care less about the make-up, hair, and clothes and I will wear my rattiest pair of torn old sweats with the baggiest t-shirt I can find and no bra.  These are usually days when I am in alot of pain and don't really want anything touching my body at all.  He respects and understands that.  He has never told me that I have to wear a specific outfit, or had to wear make-up, etc.  He tells me I am beautiful no matter what and he also tells me that he loves me every single day we have been living together way back in 1997.  There is not a single day I can remember him not kissing me goodnight and telling me he loves me.

On the other hand, there have been instances where I have purchased clothing for him to wear and he did not like them.  They were not his "style".  However, he did wear them out in public once to show me he appreciated I made the effort to get them for him so he should me the same courtesy and wore them out once before they ended up in the back of his closet or into the next family's donation bag to Salvation Army, Goodwill, or following year's garage sale.

Alot has happened to my appearance in the past ten years.  I gave birth to two handsome boys gaining a total in 100 lbs of "baby fat" (who am I kidding, those are "craving" pounds).  I have been in and out of the hospital for the past four years for various medical problems.  I have also shaved my hair because I was losing it from some of the forms of medication I have to take.

When I first met my husband, I weighed 175 lbs and had short hair.  Throughout our time together, its been sort of long (shoulder length) but mostly short.  I like my hair short.  My husband likes my hair long.  He's never really pressured me to have long hair but I know he likes it best that way.  He is what I call "conservative" when it comes to women and men's fashion.    He doesn't like tattoos either but I got a few of those as well. 

I think its important to look good for the person you love to keep the magic in your relationship alive.  To remind each other about why you are attracted to one another.  Reunite the passion as much as possible.  Why not dress up for that other person every once in a while?  When I shaved my head because of my medical hair loss, I gave my husband the power of choosing which wig I purchased.  Why you ask?  Because if I am going to be wearing a wig and everyone close around us knows I will be wearing a wig, why not have fun and get a totally different style that they are not used too?  I let my DH choose the style and color.  He could have chosen a middle of the back long ass hair wig in blonde or flame red, but instead he chose something that was in between the two of our's personal taste.  I like my hair highlighted where he does not.  He likes me red but more auburn brown.  So he chose a chin length wig with brown hair with a few blonde and red highlights that were very subtle.  It is a similar style to something I had in the past and he chose something he knew would please me.    Here are a few photos of what I look like....

What he likes...

His favorite to date...

My favorite style to date...

Me present day with the wig (at least Aug 2012)

So since my hair is finally growing back, I do plan on letting it grow out as long as I can so he can see me with long hair again.  I am also not planning on coloring it anytime soon to keep it healthy as possible during its growing stage.  No more is the red hed that majority of people who know me came to love....its all about being a brunette now...with some of nature's highlights.  Ok so it's not "some" highlights its a ton of silver and gray hair.  But you know what, my husband told me he's looking forward to growing old and gray with me, I just might be gray before he is.  LOL  He still thinks I am beautiful.  I will always try to be beautiful for him as well.  I want him to be proud of me being on his arm and have him think of me as the most beautiful woman in the room and how lucky he is that I am on his arm and no one else's!

Making Changes for 2013

Hi Everyone!

It's been awhile...I was sick again dang flu season, plus a few other minor hiccups with my health.  But I am feeling better and able to sit at the computer and type!

I am thinking of simplifying things in my life so that I am more active in my blog.  If you want to make sure your favorite topics don't disappear, make sure to comment at the bottom of this post and make your voice heard!

For the year 2013 in general, I am hoping to streamline the topics and focus on my health more so than ever.  The number 13 has always been lucky for me, and I intend on using it to my advantage.  I hope you join me in for this next calendar year of changes to my blog.   I will still have my spiritual, witchy ways written about as topics, but will also focus on my health, battle of kidney disease and bringing Lupus under control hopefully once and for all this upcoming year with my increased Benlysta treatments!

So again if there is a specific topic you do NOT want to see go away, please either email me at crystal_cauldrons@yahoo.com or comment at the bottom of this post (which would provide a quicker response than regular email).

I hope everyone had a fantastic Yuletide, Christmas, or whatever you may have celebrated this month! 

Sincerely,
Crystal

Goals and New Page Added

I am adding a new page onto my blog dedicated to specific updates on my weight loss.


I am still considering whether or not I should post my "Before" pics. I simply don't know if I would be embarrassed by them or embarass my husband by my posting them. I am very ashamed of my body. There are many beautiful plus size women, but frankly I am not one of them. With shaving my head earlier this fall when my hair was falling out due to medical reasons, I just don't feel feminine anymore. I am hoping to bring back a better, healthier, beautiful me in 2013.

I have several goals in place for 2013.

Participate in the Crim Festival of Races.

Not be ashamed of my body.

Loose weight by nourishing my body with Gaia's bounty (aka fruits, vegetables, herbs, and grains) as the main source of food I consume. The doc has given me the green light to increase my protein intake but my body still gets sick everytime I attempt to do so. Seafood is still the primary source that does not get me sick and I stay the heck away from poultry as much as I loved it oh so long ago!

Cutting out the sugary drinks that I am so addicted too!

Using more organic products on my body (make-up, perfume, lotions, etc).

Losing enough weight so that I need a new wardrobe come this summer.

By "new" wardrobe, I mean majority of it upcycled from old clothes, remade into something new that is fitting and hopefully vintage inspired. If anything is purchased hopefully it will be vintage fashions or recycled items from an Etsy Shop, Salvation Army, or Goodwill store. I don't like today's fashions and hope that by losing weight I will be able to fit into treasures from the past. Only exception is shoes. I might invest in a new pair of shoes.

I'm Back!!!

I debated whether or not to put a photo of Jack from the Shinning here and decided against it.  Maybe later. 

I am back but on a dinosaur computer we had in our child's room.  To make Moma a happy girl, Lancer decided to share it with me.  However it has no room to save anything to the hard drive (hence why no photos right now).  At least not until we are able to do some "spring cleaning" so to speak.  His generosity will save us money in putting it towards a new computer or laptop for Moma and now sits in the living room where I am at the moment typing this.  (Not to mention makes his Christmas alot better too since we are not spending money on a new computer.  Smart boy!)

I have been sick ALOT lately.  Frankly, I have no fracking clue what is wrong with me.  Oh yeah, that would be the FLU.  To a "normal" person this would be a mild annoyance, however for a person with a compromised immune system such as mine because they have kidney disease and Lupus, I feel like death warmed over.   I just want to go back to bed and sleep like I did most of yesterday thanks to my wonderful hubby that did let me do so!

But on Monday thru Friday, Super Mom is on duty whether I want to be or not AND this week is a holiday week!  Oh Goddess what have I done to deserve this?  Now those of you that know me, I mean really know me this is how sick I am...  I do not know if I feel like going shopping on Black Friday!  That is HOW SICK I am right now.  Me, turn down shopping!  So I am trying to do as little as possible (four loads of laundry folded and mostly put away into closets and dressers plus a few more loads to go until I am caught up on laundry).

I also get to go grocery shopping tonight, because I need to pick up the items for my father in law's favorite side dish for Thanksgiving that I happen to be the one who makes it especially for him.....trying to explain what I need on a list would be too long...I have to go do it myself.  Also I have to plan what the heck I plan on eating as this shin-dig I am going to is not vegetarian.  Sure there will be a few things there that are not meat, but I am still a picky eater and have to watch out for things like salt, dang that pesky kidney disease!

So for the next few weeks, I will be doing a revamp of the site.  Trying to make it better, improve it not only for myself but for you my readers as well.  So if there is anything you want to make sure I keep, make sure to comment below.  I have tried adding so much on, that I simply haven't been able to keep up.  So I will be downsizing on the number of things I blog about or at least category wise.  If you look at my tentative schedule on the sidebar you will get a clue as to what I have been attempting to do and will be simplifying.  I do plan on finishing my entries for the Pagan Blog Project, they just won't be done in time with everyone else's for the end of the year.  I don't know if I will participate next year due to my illnesses and unability to keep up with this year's schedule.  Unless I get alot of time to pre-write about things and save them to the schedule to post at a later date.  Right now its not going to happen.

Many thanks for the well wishes I have received on the blog as well as thru emails.  They are greatly appreciated!  May the Goddess bless you with manifesting prosperity and everything you desire this coming holiday season! 

Don't forget to check out for updates on my favorite things for incredible shops to spend your money at this holiday season.  For the record, I am not being sponored or paid to endorse them.  I just believe in their products and/or services! 

Blessed Be Ya'll!
Crystal