I won't be posting earnings from here on out.

I won't be posting earnings from here on out. I've already proven that yes, money can be made at this gig and I don't need the ego boost. Also, I've run into some envy in my personal life, and though I'm better off for losing that particular connection and more productive as a result, I do get why people are close mouthed about their success.

My holiday has been very relaxing. I've read a lot of books and generally recharged. Yesterday I got some plotting done and I plan to do the same today. Watched a Discovery Channel TV marathon of Mermaids: New Evidence and a thing on Megalodon (Giant Shark) that uncharacteristically kept me highly entertained. It was followed by an interesting piece on Nessie by the River Monsters guy. Made sense to me, esp. the part where the Loch is too sparsely stocked with fish to support many large animals, but critters might swim in from the sea following salmon.

Regarding Tremor: to mushroom, or not to mushroom? That is the question. How evil and creative can I be? Leaning toward evil ;)

Amazing how reading about mushrooms removing heavy chemicals from toxic soil can translate in the creative mind.

Christmas Break

John brought home a cold that's trying to get me, but it's not bad yet, so I'm doing taxes. It's made a little more fun because I put the year's birthday, mother's day, etc. cards in the receipt pile. Nice to smile while doing paperwork :)

Made pot of chicken soup yesterday and it's nearly gone. Clearly, I need to start making it by the vat.

Been practicing guitar for the last few days and working out, limiting fat and carbs. My mission is to quit complaining about stuff and actually do something.

Reading body language book; very helpful stuff. I get overwhelmed in crowds; too much stimuli. Hopefully this will channel my natural body lang. reading gift in a way that will make people watching fun.

At some point will attempt GFCF cookie baking. This should be interesting.

Beware aniversaries

Been moody and lacked energy lately, couldn't figure out what was wrong. After I burst into tears over the washing machine, finally thought about my grandfather. Called my grandma and turns out it's the one year anniversary of his passing. ARGH! Apparently my subconscious won't let me ignore it. Wish I'd had warning.

At least that explains the dreams of death.

Yes, he's in a better place, yes, I'll see him again. Meanwhile, I've got a few hours of suck to survive. Thank God for house cleaning; it's my go-to therapy for stress.

At least it explains where my imagination went. System's overloaded, Captain! No room for daydreaming.

Hated Man of Steel. Way to ruin another childhood superhero, Hollywood.

Looking forward to seeing the newest Hobbit, though. It's our Christmas family movie this year and we're all excited.

Got some Christmas shopping done yesterday, and John and I had lunch. We're at the age when we know what we're getting but we wrap it anyway because it's funner.

My daughter wants to make cupcakes today, so we'll see. Been feeling a bit run down the last couple of days and boys have an active virus. If this is the extent of my sickness, that would be great.

Here's some pics of our dog Buck. John got playful :)

Come on, Dad. I'm trying to watch Pacific Rim. You're ruining it for me.

Whatever.

Working n stuff

Made crepes for breakfast, working on SE, though the weather has changed and it's a bit tough to breath and think at the computer. wonder if a standing desk would be any better?

Discovered I can mix mineral makeup with my homemade lotion for a nice foundation. Other than the breathing/typing issue, I'm feeling fantastic these days, energetic and happy. I assume that whatever was in my store bought lotion was subtly dragging me down. Talking with the youngest (he's 13) about making lotion and lip balm to sell so he can make money. Not only is it the best lip balm ever, it's hard for a kid to make money. It would be good for him, and he wants to make soap, too.

I've made soap, and it's fun, but I don 't want to be the one to monitor the melting beef fat. If he wants to use veggie oils, that's another matter. It would be good for him to have a hobby.

Beeswax

We melted and filtered beeswax this weekend and made candles, lip balm and lotion. Not only is honey lip balm the best thing I've ever found for chapped lips, it's much tastier than Carmex. Bet it would be great on cracked heels.

Hm, Christmas is coming; Mom might appreciate some. With only three ingredients, it would be a snap to make.

Not only do I love the lotion, it's got no funky ingredients and feels awesome, silky smooth. It works on the face AND my ear infections? Gone. I'd had an "ah-hah" moment recently when I noticed that applying my store bought lotion caused instant ear pressure. My sinuses are clearing now, and during prime mold allergy season, too.

Never thought I'd be whipping up homemade chocolate sauce in the morning with my GF chocolate chip waffles, using wax and honey from my own hives to make my own skin care stuff or grinding my own beans to make flour. Life goes in unexpected directions, but I'm enjoying the ride.

Beeswax Lotion:

1/4 c coconut or olive oil
1/4 c olive oil (or oils of choice, such as sesame, almond or avocado, cocoa...)
1 tbsp grated beeswax
1/16 tsp essential oil, optional

1. Gently melt everything in a jar placed in a pot of gently simmering water. Stir, remove jar and allow to cool.

Sunscreen:

Mix powdered zinc with the basic lotion.


Honey Lip Balm:

1 tsp caster oil
1 tsp lanolin or coconut oil
1 tsp grated beeswax
1/2 tsp honey

I've always thought that if I ever sold a product, I'd print the recipe right on the bottle. My theory is that I know how to make a doughnut, but if I could buy one I definitely would. Most of us value convenience, and I think it would be a fabulous and fun way to market stuff.

Snippet: Destiny awaits

The urge to leave now was as strong as the one that had brought her here. By all appearances, those men had been locked up for some time, and she didn’t want to be standing there when they broke free.

She reached the sunlight and jogged down the winding path, eager to put distance between them. She wasn’t much of a jogger, but she was healthy and managed a mile before slowing to a fast walk. Feeling safer, she hurried along, wondering who those men were and why she’d felt compelled to help them. Not that she was cruel by nature, but the whole day had been bizarre. The jewelry, the cave, the man eating rocks…it was difficult to process.

She hit a soft spot on the trail and her foot sank up to the ankle. Startled, she lurched, nearly going to her knees. “What the…? There’s no mud out here.” They hadn’t had rain for weeks, and the rest of the path was hard dirt.

“Hello, dear.” Three women were ranged around Cara’s expanding mud hole. Bewildered, she struggled, her feet sinking a little more as the mud sucked at her shoes. “Hey, could you help me? I’m stuck.” She stuck out a hand in expectation.

It was ignored.

“We are helping,” a tall Polynesian woman said. Dressed in a short-sleeved red blouse, jean shorts and hiking boots, she seemed right at home. “I’m Destiny, by the way.”

“Providence,” the statuesque black woman introduced herself. She sized Cara up as if considering her for an important position. She wore a knee length white skirt with tiny pleats and golden sandals that laced up her calves; definitely not hiking apparel. Her top was an artfully tied white scarf that left one shoulder bare, and heavy linked gold disks circled her neck and wrists. A gold cord bound her hair, holding it back from her strong face. “We are the judges. Well done on setting the prisoners free.”

“Yes, well done. You may call me Fortune,” a pretty Spanish lady said, brushing her long, wavy red hair over her shoulder. “I see you’re wearing your wedding jewelry. Excellent. We can begin now.” She took a pouch out of her peasant blouse and a bottle from the pocket of her long green skirt. She took a handful of herbs and sprinkled it over the mud. “Blessings of sage for wisdom, rosemary for strength, wisdom and fidelity…”

“Is that for her or him?” Destiny quipped. “Because “playboy meets former human” sounds more like the plot of a naughty joke than a love story.”

“Tony Stark was a playboy, but Penny turned him around,” Providence argued, referencing the Iron Man movie.

“Do you mind?” Fortune growled. She cleared her throat. “And orange thyme, for refreshing courage. Destiny, you have the oil?”

“Of course. Destiny took a water pistol out of her pocket and squirted oil at Cara’s head.

“What are you doing?” Cara cried as she sank to her knees. The struggling was making her sink faster, but holding still didn’t help, and now she had oil that reeked of ginger and spruce dripping through her hair, stinging her eyes.

“Good question.” Providence sent a quizzical look at Destiny.

Destiny shrugged. “She’s anointed, isn’t she?” She glanced up the trail. “It would be best to finish soon. They’re almost free.”

“They have to feed. Right now they’re too weak to fight us.” Providence focused on Cara. “Be strong, Cara. He will be difficult at first, but he won’t be able to ignore his wedding tokens. He will be yours. Soon you will sleep, and wake to good fortune.”

“You’re crazy!” Cara shouted as the mud sank to her chest. She couldn’t believe they were just standing around, watching her sink. “Help me!”

“You will be all right,” Providence promised. “Providence be with you.”

“Destiny awaits,” Destiny said crisply, raising a sparkling copper vial. She let the contents fall in a trail of copper tears. Where it fell, it blazed, causing the mud to burst into light.

Cara’s body sizzled and dissolved as she slipped beneath the mud. Unable to fight the pain, she screamed, gaging as charged mud slid down her throat and filled her lungs. Choking, she thrashed as her body fell apart, ripped cell by cell from her being. Wrapped in pain, she gratefully gave into the darkness.

Sucktackular week with sparks of good stuff mixed in.

Thanksgiving went well, getting a massage today, so that's great. The kids put up the lights and tree yesterday and we listened to Christmas music. Made chocolate chip waffles today and getting some writing done. Will post a snippet soon.