Lessons for Brittany

My young girl,

You have asked many questions of your auntie…I hope this helps…I love you

Never Give Away Your Family- any person who asks you to choose between them and your family are scum…even if your family was the worst, if a person really loves and respects you they will never ask this or expect this of you….when you are angry with your family hang up/walk away- never say I hate you or threaten the parents (some words can never be taken back and even when forgiven are not forgotten)…my parents and I started doing battle when I was young, I ran away at 13…through the years, it was a point I made (even then) to call once a week- let them know I was alive and safe…at least once every 3 months I would bring my sorry ass to one of them- for them to hug or yell at and for them to see me…these are my responsibility…you see when I die, I do not answer for anyone but me…if they, you or anyone else does not hold up their end, it is they who will have to answer for it…from what I have read in every religion, it is the same…responsibility is a big heavy word and action…it also has much meaning…I have rules for my kids…some strict- do your homework and chores, be polite, use manners- even when others did not…some funky- if you put a cup down at any party get a fresh drink poured in front of you or better yet drink water from a bottle you brought (help prevent people from dropping stuff in to the cup)- do not bring home an animal or a child unless you are ready to help with the responsibility of it…

Yes, after raising 38 children, I do in fact know most of this by heart…usually followed by the remark- “You think you know everything”…I do not know everything but, after 38 children…I have done so many things so incorrectly, that people took time to break it down so often, I now have it memorized;)

Next up bills…get one of those generic desktop calendars…write down when every bill is due…if it atomically comes out of your account highlight it in yellow and mark which account it is coming from…any incoming money should be highlighted in green and contain the amount and where it came from…all paid items should be highlighted in pink…a file should be kept for each month- receipts, notes, important information- at the end of each month, rip off that month from the calendar, put it in the file and close the file until tax time…if you pay at least $5 a month most will understand, some will be nasty (ignore them as negative energy brings negative happenings)…if you owe someone…do not hide, be honest and do your best…this does not always work in your favor, pull up the big panties and adult up…not easy, can be embarrassing, earns respect

No your right, I am not here to blow sunshine…I am here because these lessons will save you time, heart ache, money and energy…the lessons I wish someone had told me

Sex is a big responsibility too…nothing is 100% that you will not get pregnant…we did not have as much birth control, but we also did not have so many autistic children…just saying…everything you put into your body effects your child even if it is not in utero yet…I tell all girls get a profession before you think on having a child…this way if the guy walks out, you are not condemning yourself and child to a hard life of poverty or to be a burden to your family or his…this does not even discuss STDs…some do not kill…they stay with you for life….Other than a doctor’s note…I would have to inspect any private parts headed my way…a short time of happiness for a life of woe…hmmm

Are you still happy you asked me not to sugarcoat the facts…

Follow your dreams and explore your hobbies as long as it does not affect your life…I once knew a woman who loved to golf so much, she started to ignore her real life- husband, kids, job, bills…she thought she was going to be on the PGA thing and thought she was so good because people blew smoke up her skirt (this way they could sell her lessons and gear)…several of her friends tried to tell her, but she would not listen…now she has nothing- family, kids, job and most of her real and all of her fake friends are gone…if you ever have a question about something like this- Ask your mother/father/best friend…if you are really good, she/he will tell you and if you are not she/he will say that too…you may not like hearing it, but then you can enjoy it as a hobby instead of the next profession

Alright one last point of interest and I will ring the school bell…lol

Kids…not one of mine was planned…and most that I have ever known were not…in 46 years I have only known 3 to be planned…when a child comes, your life stops for 18 years…all time, money and effort go into this child…as a parent this is your responsibility… you will go without food, sleep, clothes and wear the latest sneakers from the clearance bin… at times, the other parent will walk out and enjoy life while you work 2-3 jobs…this goes back to the start of this conservation…there is NO absolution for those who harm/neglect children and or their responsibility to that child (child support/visitation)…just as there is NO absolution for children who do harm to or neglect their parents…you answer for what you do…

Welcome to being an adult my child…I am here anytime you need me…you see it is my responsibility as your aunt to try to help when I can…I love you

 

Blessed Be,

Auntie D  

Feeling a rant

Today I am feeling a rant…hold on here we go…

Lets start with TV…2 and a half men had jumped the shark before Charlie Sheen left the show…turns out, he was really not funny sober…who knew… and the kid grew up …I am not an Aston Kutcher fan…the fact the show is still on is just an FU to Charlie…so NO, I will not watch the new show and honestly do not want to speak of it anymore…it speaks to how stupid Hollywood thinks we are...

In massage this week, I had to choke down a tough one…one of my clients was working 3 jobs to make ends meet…he was driving home late one night, got in a wreck and is now paralyzed from the waist down…one of my cancer patients has died 18 days after being told…I had yet another client go through foreclosure (he will be moving out of state)…one of my snowbirds had to take back a piece of property, when this 60 something man got there it was trashed…deep breath and take minds off some of these horrors (even if it is only for a few minutes)…the massage was like a sad ballet and went over from 5-10 minutes…the new Eddy Vedder album maybe all ukulele, but it has been awesome to work to…

In class this week, I took my final and post test…Professor Fogerty’s class on ‘Nutrition and Aging’ was very cool…I ended with a high B…I am ashamed at our current government for the way our elderly are being treated…they are not pawns nor should they be treated with such disrespect…the people who are on the job are pretty fantastic, really sad there are just so few…

American Boudica/The British Connection…Chris has been most helpful with the Sunshine Paddle…Dale and Dave too have been helping with the Paddle…with book 3 in the can and book 4 almost complete…the draft of 5 to the side, My focus has been on the Paddle…it has given Chris time to work on his painting…Dave and Rose are soon to chat about card/animal creative paper thing;)…both are so creative, I am dying to see what they come up with…

The Circle is celebrating Trish’s Bday…she has requested a naked bon fire and we know, I love to acquiesce that request…I have wood since Mabon is coming so, bon fire at my house…tr la la la…lol…Happy Bday Trish;)

The gardens are growing out of control…with so much steady rain and heat…it is so neat to check out how many colors are in bloom…the hibiscus I planted on Shinara has been blooming with a beautiful purpley flower…

This is a special time of year…Aloe Water is the best…the health benefits are too many for me to list (mostly digestive and skin)…should be consumed once a week…I am not a doctor, but do use this myself…squish aloe out of leaf by pinching on leaf slightly and sliding down leaf

Aloe Water

8oz water

2oz Aloe

Mix – can be done hot, cold or warm…can be refrigerated up to 6 hours

I personally add the aloe to hot water and stir it until it dissolves into the water…place in fridge to chill for 30 minutes…I use rose hip ice cubes and pour the aloe water over it…yummy and good for me

Okay let’s talk about the Paddle…I am not crazy and of you think I am, please call Trish at Sunrise and make a pledge…the website is open, Chris is doing some final editing…Monique and Marion have been great help editing and beta testing pages…Walter has got us brand new 2 way radio and digital compass for the trip and Dave went yard sale shopping with his son, they found a pair of Binoculars…Marion has been researching safety equipment and classes that I will need…Walter has had me swimming against the rip current and work safety drills off Honeymoon Island…Dale and Chris have been helping make and keep lists…Cooper has been helping me with postage and running errands…I have also been getting youtube vids on great white sharks swimming the eastern seaboard in the e-mail…my brother compared me to Forest Gump…my daughter said ‘We have insurance on you, go do what you want’…can you feel the love…that said…the menu is going well and weight loss is continuing…though I do find myself stretching a lot more and instead of just thinking about food- I really think about what I want to eat, what the food will do for me and how I want to eat it…


I found out that I had a ‘nodule’ in my breast…they are words that every woman dreads hearing…they feel it is benign, but wish to run tests to be sure…I have no fear, I am a woman of faith…everything happens for a reason…I will keep you posted

Much Love and Many Blessings,

D

Hot and Sunny in The Chapel

Hello My Friend,

How are you? I am happy to see you. The heat has started to climb already. Have you been keeping an eye on the fluids and air pressure in the tires in your car? During such high heat things tend to have holy break down batman…lol

The massage business has been picking up. My handouts seem to be working…YEA! I hand them to people I would not mind having for clients (for every 10 clients you might get 1 bad one= great return). I do not put them on cars or in mailboxes or in Laundromats…for every 1 good client on those flyers, you will go through 10 bad…hardly worth the effort. I have been so relaxed with life; My Billy Holiday CD is 120 minutes and the clients love to hear it when I push play because, every session has run over by 15-30 minutes (no I do not charge if I go over). My receptionist Dale has been having a flum trying to help with the Sunshine Paddle…it is great to have friends who have your back;)

School is going well…I really find this class interesting…how cool that so many people are over 70 that we need a class on the nutrient needs of it…how far we have come…how far we have yet to go

American Boudica has been working very diligently on The Sunshine Paddle…all art and text have been focused on preparation of the forthcoming trip…we feel blessed to have the opportunity as to help so many with this event…

The Circle of Boudica is a blessed place…I do not care what color you are…I do not have to believe everything you believe in, to believe in you…I do not care who you call God/Goddess as long as you take the time to make the call…I have been inspired at the love shown to all here…this week I will start to gather and create my herbal medications…the colors have been so strong…I am sure the tinctures and powders will be excellent…After a beautiful waterside offering, Walter made an excellent feast of fish for Lugnasadah…if I had not said it, I am thankful you choose to have me in your world;)

Okay…I hear ya…you want to hear about The Sunshine Paddle…as you all know many years ago I was beaten…in these troubled economic times peoples nerves are frazzled and more often it erupts in violence…cut to these programs can cost lives…at the end of the trip all moneys not used by for the trip will be given to the shelter…I am at a unique position in my life that allows me the ability to hazard such an undertaking…the kids are grown and the grandchildren are not quite here and hubby supports me…the side effect is education…I will have pictures, video and gps that can be followed…a good math teacher could get a term on time and distance alone…an English teacher may have the children contrast the website as opposed to the cartography of John Smith…science teachers will have plants and animals…since I belong to NO political party or major corporation, my unbiased eye will show the condition of the coast…when I am done, all equipment will be split between The Florida History Museum and The Smithsonian Museum…for future generations to learn from…

I lost 25 pounds and started working out at Honeymoon Island in the water, yoga and stretching at home…not to mention running after 4 dogs…lol…I have started sending our letters requesting sponsorship…though I am good at writing, I am not good at proposal writing…so many are reaching out to help and I want to take time to say Thank You…the love and support is VERY appreciated…several people have asked how they can help…we are currently looking for camping and kayaking equipment…if you have stuff you are not using or if you find someone who wants to donate, please contact me…if you live near one of our landing spots…you could meet us with food;) or paddle with us to raise money for your local shelter (I will sign paperwork for anyone who does this)…any donation is greatly appreciated and on the website we now have a cash donation button or maybe you know a smal business that would like to be a sponsor…Chris Bilton has Done some beautiful prints for the event…Bank of America set us up with an account…it just seems a never ending amount of work, that’s okay I feel up for the challenge;)

Yes my friend, I feel the love...May you all be so blessed...Much Love

D. Cooper-Rooney, LMT

Let Me Put The Tea On

Come in…yes, you did wake me up…not to fret…it has been a busy week….let me put the tea on and we can chat…sorry I haven’t been around much…I am here now…


Massage has been interesting…not super busy, but a lot of 90 and 120 minutes massages…these are great to work on form and technique…I am now accepting new clients

The Chronicles of an American Boudica, Love is like an Onion has been getting great reviews…thank you for all the e-mail and phone calls…if you really like it can someone please post your review on Amazon…I love to hear about it, bur would like others to know what you think…we have started to get book 3 ready for the printer…the children’s book is going swimmingly…I can hardly wait to see Paggy as a plushy…Chris has made simple just fabulous…

School is another work heavy class…English Composition 2…can we say brain fry…I am getting a lot out of it…I hope to do a major paper on cancer for this class…if you have any advice or experience or links regarding this…I would love to hear from you…

As a High Priestess in the Circle…I have been dealing with quite a bit of brown dirty energy this week…many people are struggling at this point in time…reach out and give someone a hug…all of us need to hang on as best we can…light a candle and say a prayer…I have faith it will get better

Marriage has been a HUGE discussion point this week…Walter and I have been married for about 12 years…we have never had much money…it is a marriage based on equality…both our checks go into the bank to pay the bills…at times I have not worked and at times he has not worked…when this first started, we tore each other up…though the work situation was neither of our faults we blamed each other…nasty fights…mainly because there was not enough money to cover everything…it was crazy…a friend stopped me…to make the necessity bills…what could I do…I had to stop and think that I too was part of the problem….marriage is a 2 way street…I went home and asked Walter if he loved me…he said ‘yes’…we sat down and talked about the things that needed to change…this too was not easy…we work at it everyday…Yahtzee or a game of cards is usually a neutral situation and a good place to talk…I have had money and I have been without money…I would rather go through this with him than without him…from first hand experience…the grass is greener on the other side because its growing in shitty water…at least I am quite accustomed to the water my feet are in…do you know what I mean??? It is not always easy to stay…at times you must suck down a lot of pride…stop…do not just think of the right now…think of 5 years from now…since I have been married before, I must also say that if you know it is the best thing to do is end it…try to remain friends…the economy here in Florida is now well and I have had 6 friends this week tell me about divorces…I love my friends and stand behind them…my only hope is they do what is best and not just what is easy…

I have found a cool idea for a window garden when watch an old Martha Show…I am gathering the supplies now…check it out…outside it has been in the 60s and 70s all week, but I have a feeling we are going to get another cold shot so, I will wait to clean up the yard

Mom has been cleaning out the shed to make room for her quilting supplies…any true Longaberger junkie may want to contact her…she has many rare and collector baskets going up for sale to make room…

Passionflower Passiflora caeruela, Passiflora incarnata (Passionflower Family)
Relieves muscle tension and calms anxiety. It has a sedative and antispasmodic action, relaxing spasm and tension in the muscles, calming the nerves and reducing pain. It is also a useful herb for menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, headaches, and mood swings.

Try to smile at least once a day…its free and you may find it leads to more…keep in mind that so many are not doing well and show kindness to them…May you be so blessed

Much Love,

D

Reaching for the Stars

Merry Meet,


You look well today…I am feeling a bit spunky…the ½ week has been quite active…sorry I have no goodies made, I do have cold sweet tea, let me get you a glass…come in, sit down, relax

Massage has kept me on the go…my youngest 2 clients (7months & 9 months) are in the hospital doing battle for their respective lives…I have turned over all info to the doctors and consult with the parents…I have a client who I had to pre op for knee replacement surgery…another is just returning after eye surgery…On Monday, I will be expanding my business…I will keep you up on that later in the week..My last client today was a 90 minute that needed his body stretched…I do love my job…

Okay…great news at school…I made the Deans List (because I made good grades, I am not in trouble)…Yea!!! Whoohoo!!!...I have done 3 papers in the last 4 days…I find American Lit quite interesting…the teacher is a hard read and it is a work intense class, but I feel what I am learning makes it worth it…

Chris and I have much new to post…I need to keep it under wraps for now…I will fill you in this weekend…*smile*

Next week is going to be the start of an ultra-busy few weeks…Walter is prepping the roof as we will be putting on a membrane…thanks to a friend that generously gave me some paint…we have also started cleaning the house to paint it…

I am cleaning out the pool and getting it ready to start putting on the cover…I have still been going out everyday, but the water has started getting cold…we have decided to leave it up for winter…I have also started to prep the pond for winter…I have taken advantage of the cooler weather to clean up the garden…the compost pile is getting big

I am so looking forward to Samhain…it is the time of year to feel the breath of the past on your shoulder…In the Circle of Boudica, I have been helping moms find fun way to celebrate those who have passed on with the kids…one of the families rents a farm with a grave site on the property…she took the kids out and cleaned it up…the kids decorated it…the kids have found candles they will burn…it has been a lot of fun…another young woman has been planning her meal with the kids…her mom just passed, so they will make the food grandma made…what a great way to remember someone…a young man, who recently lost his wife, is taking the kids to see grandma (mother’s mom)…I can feel the love…it is a great thing…what are you doing to bring in the season?



Rose Hip Syrup

• Gather rose hips after they have developed and turned red. Some herbalists recommend waiting until after the first frost for improved flavor. (These fruits are commonly found on bushes well into winter.)

• Rinse rose hips well, remove any stems or flower remnants

• Bring two cups of water to a boil and add four cups of rose hips. Simmer for 20 minutes or until the water has been reduced by half

• Allow to cool slightly and then strain through a jelly bag or cheese cloth

Stir in 2 cups of local grown honey.

This rose hip recipe keeps well in the fridge. It is a great immune booster with an antibacterial back up (great for cold, flu, sinus, sore throat). Rose hip syrup is especially good on pancakes or to sweeten teas.


I will start cooking next week and it will go thru until after Yule…get ready to eat…I am looking for a good pumpkin bread recipe…do you have one? Or maybe one for pumpkin cookies? I will be making chicken with butternut squash and mashed potatoes for dinner tomorrow…if you are hungry, come get a plate…

Give me a hug…may you have much love and many blessings…I am here if you need me…listening to Van Morrison and doing homework or working on a client or working on the publishing business…I will sleep someday;)

Well it's a marvelous night for a moondance

With the stars up above in your eyes

A fantabulous night to make romance

'Neath the cover of October skies

And all the leaves on the trees are falling

To the sound of the breezes that blow

And I'm trying to please to the calling

Of your heart-strings that play soft and low

You know the night's magic

Seems to whisper and hush

And all the soft moonlight

Seems to shine in your blush...

-Van Morrison

Blessed Be,

D