On to a new adventure!

No... I'm not closing down my blog! But I am adding a new aspect to my journey.

I've struggled with weight and body issues my ENTIRE life. I decided at a very young age (8) that I was going to be a ballerina. Have you ever seen a chunky ballerina? No. So I began dieting and that quickly spiraled out of control and into anorexia and a host of self esteem issues that I still can not get over to this day.

A few years ago I had FINALLY gotten down to what I considered a decent size. I wore a 6. I had lost over 90 pounds and everyone said how great I looked. I looked in the mirror and still saw where I could stand to lose at least 30 more... but hey, I was better than what I was.

Well, I am well over where I once was... again. And I am very unhappy about it. So I got off my butt and started doing something about it. With my health issues I need to be careful how much exercise I pack into one day. And even then, I can't always guarantee that I can work out every day. But it's a start. We rarely keep junk food in the house, which is fantastic for me. So I am going to start a whole new section to the blog.

This new section will contain tips, tricks, music, motivation, recipes, and workout schedules as well as my progress. I won't stop adding to the kitchen witchin' page because... I love good food and still have a family to feed. Don't think that the recipes on the new page will be gross though. If it tastes nasty... it won't make the list!

I've decided this is not about getting skinny (although it would be a nice by-product) I just want to be healthier! And before you start thinking, well you've done it once, it shouldn't be too hard to do it again. Believe me, I've thought it already. True, I had lost 90 pounds before. It was far from healthy though. I simply stopped eating for weeks at a time. I'd eat maybe once or twice a month. I survived on water, coffee, and LOTS of vitamins. I may have looked good, but my health was far worse than it has ever been.

I'm determined to make this a lifestyle change. Not just a weight loss goal. I refuse to label this as dieting or losing weight. It's not about either of those things. I NEED to get healthy. Not just physically either. There is going to be a major thought process change here too. I am horrible at taking a compliment. In my head, there is always a reason to shoot it down. It's very hard for me to just say thank you. And I almost never believe Daddy when he tells me I'm beautiful or whatnot. I'm probably the most insecure person you've ever met :/ But I put on a good show.

So yea... there is a huge change that needs to be addressed here in my life. I've "mastered" the spiritual aspect of my health... now on to mind and body!

Here's to health... Mind, body, and soul!

Brightest Blessings
      )O(

Open Doors

Today has been a go go go type of day since about 6:30 this morning. Not surprised though... this whole week has been like that. Between moving furniture, rearranging our basement, and cleaning out our garage my week has been stuffed full of things to do. Today was no exception.

I spent my day cleaning and doing laundry, and I'm no where near finished yet. I still have to clear out the negative energy that is lingering in the corners. Also, I'm going to have the eldest follow behind me and stir up some lazy energy and get it moving around here. We all need a bit of a pick me up.

But I really don't feel like boring you all to death with my cleaning routines. I do want to discuss opening doors. I mean it in the most literal of senses too. I just had a visitor. The same visitor who comes to see me every week on Wednesday at 1 o'clock-ish. We'll call her Jane (unless I ask permission, I don't like using real names except for my own). Jane has become a very good friend of mine. She is also a Jehovah's Witness.

I met her through her husband because one day I simply opened the door. It never costs anything to be friendly! I've met almost their entire family. I must say they are some of the sweetest people I have met in a long time. Jane's husband used to come to our home once every few months. Every time, I answered the door with a smile and openness. Finally, he brought his wife with him. Jane asked at the initial meeting if she could stop by during the week and I've seen her every week since. Today, we sat around, had a cup of tea, and discussed children. Our faiths were brought up briefly.

They know that I am a very tolerant person and listen intently to what they are saying. Today while I was cleaning, I finally understood why I seem to have a patience with Jehovah's Witnesses that most people do not. I live every single moment of my life in my faith. Also, I share my faith, what I've learned, and how my beliefs benefit me here... to all of you wonderful readers! With the richness and fullness my beliefs have brought me, if it so dictated, I would be out there door to door too, sharing what I have learned and experienced on a daily basis! I can't fault someone else for feeling the same connection with their God as I do mine.

I respect religions, of all shapes and colors! And if someone has the guts to get out there and share what they believe, who am I to turn them away?! I do not preach my faith/beliefs. I do preach tolerance! These people go out of their way to share something they truly believe in. Take a moment and open the door.

You never know who is going to be on the other side. Perhaps you end up with a life long friend like Jane. You may find a bible thumper who is confident that you are going to hell. But you never know unless you open the door. Take the risk... it's worth it. And remember that respect and a smile goes a long way.

Blessed Be!
     )O(

....

I am having a really rough day. I could really use a little spare energy, love, and light... if you have an to spare... please send some my way!

Dedicated...

I can not begin to describe the elation I feel that so many of you allow me to share my thoughts, daily events, and rantings with you! To get feedback from my readers on top of that is like receiving bonus gifts just for showing up! I really do work hard to try and keep this up to date and current. Not to mention semi-interesting. I feel like I have a lot to share and hope that you are all as interested in, what I consider, my mundane life.

If EVER there is a topic that you wish I would touch on or discuss, please please please message me about it! Either here in the comments, on my facebook page http://www.facebook.com/#!/dayna.brock.5 , or you can email me at Mommazen@live.com (it's the address I check the most). I look for inspiration everywhere.

In any case... I wanted to dedicate this blog to my readers. Even if you never speak out or just follow me in secret, I appreciate every single one of you!

The next few days I may not be posting, I am adjusting to a new migraine medication that does weird things to my head initially. I've tried every natural cure, prevention, and wives tale that I have come across. 20 days of migraines out of the month is just too much. So for a bit, I have to go back on meds. I'm not happy about it... but it is what it is.

Light and Love to all my readers!
           Blessed Be!
              )O(

200 minutes...

I just got off the phone (only because it died) with a very good friend of mine who lives out of state. I was surprised to see that we had talked for 200 minutes! It did not seem nearly that long to me.

After we said our good byes I realized that in those 200 minutes my whole perspective shifted on the day and how happy I had become. During the call I had a chance to get some laundry done, do my dishes, and straighten up the house. As well as feed the baby and put him down for a nap.

Everything I did were things that I do EVERY day. All of which I thoroughly enjoy. But that 200 minutes that I spent talking to my chosen-sister had such a profound impact on my day. It made me think, "what else can I do in 200 minutes that would affect me this way?"

My sister has taught me a lot about myself. Whether she knew that was what she was doing or not. She was a HUGE factor/support in my 'coming out' as a pagan. Also, she has some of the best advice ever!!

Now... my challenge to my readers is this... experiment and find something that re-centers your soul, re-affirms your beliefs, and re-kindles your love of life! And bonus points if you have someone you can share that with!

                               Brightest Blessings!!

        

What makes a home?

This question has crossed my mind many many times since I was young. The answer here is unfathomably varying depended on who you and your family are! There is the ever encompassing answer of love. And yes, that is true to a point. But if you walk into an empty white room with nothing but love... it still feels empty.

My answer to this question isn't nice things... almost everything in our current home is hand-me-down and heirloom (which is a really nice way of saying REALLY OLD hand-me-down! :) ). For our family... home is not home without pets! We have a small petting zoo going on in our little 2 bedroom house. Update on Moon Baby and Dexter... they are very well adjusted. Moon terrorizes the dog at every chance and Dexter has become besties with the baby. The baby pokes at him, pulls his fur, and tries to eat his tail and Dexter just snuggles closer and lets him. Daddy has currently decided that we NEED another pet... I am pulling for a goat!

Also... it's not home if you can't laugh till you cry. I am SURROUNDED by testosterone. I have learned that farts are hilarious. Watching my boys walking around trying to out fart each other is outright funny! Wearing underwear on your head?? Daily occurrence.

It's not home if you can't argue and yell. Probably not the best way to handle arguments... but we are far from perfect and yes we get into fights. At the end of the day though... there is ALWAYS forgiveness and love. No argument outweighs hugs and kisses goodnight. That goes for Mom and Dad too. There is no going to bed angry. It's not worth it and just makes for a tense following day.

House plants! I never saw the point in having them when I lived at my parents house. They always seemed like a waste of space to me. Not too mention that I kind of have a black thumb (but I'm getting better!) We had lived here for over a year and all the while I kept feeling like something was missing. I couldn't put my finger on it. One day I was reading about magickal properties of house plants in Cottage Witchery and it dawned on me that plants were absent in our home. I was shell-shocked for a moment just because having plants had never seemed important. Needless to say, I went out and purchased us some plants. All of which are still thriving to this day! A huge accomplishment for me.

TOLERANCE and ACCEPTANCE!! And this goes for ALL aspects of our lives. Not just religiously. We are a family of geeks, nerds, and dorks! And we LOOOVE every minute of it. Our interests are extremely varied and we learn from each other. We are gamers. We play cards and card games such as Magic the gathering. I study history and religions on an almost daily basis. Not too mention how much I love cleaning house. Sadly... there was no sarcasm in that statement! The oldest is big into video games and legos. We play board games. Daddy and I love to travel too. We are planning a family trip next spring.

I am learning more and more everyday on what makes a home. It's an ever-evolving concept in my mind. What makes your house/room/apartment/cave/condo/trailer/box a home?

Think about it for a bit!

Blessed Be!!
    )O(