Holiday Waves

Good Day to you,

How are you…I am exhausted- I am trying to wrap everything up before the holiday…so much going on…please do not worry, there is no problem with my heart…I had an abscess in my jaw, this really messed with my teeth causing one to crumble…the poison it released into my system caused the heart attack…between the pain from my mouth and my getting pissed off at the nurse, I do not remember feeling the heart go off…though they wanted me to go to the hospital, we know that I really don’t do hospitals unless I have no choice…

Nature’s Power and Energy is excited to be cresting phase 3 after the first year…the first of the year will spent building a mini machine…this will be used by people who live on the river for personal use- a salable product…as we begin to build the full size unit, we will prepare for our final test…still no word from the NSF on our grant…we look forward to working with swiftmud

At American Boudica Publishing we closed for the holiday on the 15^th to allow our employees time with their families…the New Year has us excited for the children’s series we are soon to release…our next in the American Boudica series will be out in June…we will also soon be posting new academic papers…so much to look forward to…we are blessed

Girly Pirate Designs is going well…The Girly Pirate Boutique- carries our full product line (clothes, tiles, stamps, etc.)…Girly Pirate Graphics is mostly products and Graphics…because they are online stores they will be open throughout the holiday season…The place where the most AMAZING Pirates shop…lol…knew I could make you smile

Global Economics has been an awesome class…I have learned so much and it was really cool to have a teacher who made sense…I will order books for next year’s class on Monday…I know, after all I have been through during this class one would think I would fall behind…my education is important to me…I would not let myself down like that…if a PhD was easy everyone would have one…

At the Sunshine Paddle our Holiday Challenge was really successful…it was hard as we wish we could have do more but, we gave out over $1000 in toys, food and goods among 3 families, Sunrise of Pasco and the food bank…I am so impressed at how many people stepped up to the plate to help me…Thank You so much for all you have done, it means the world to me…

Will you join me for the bon fire on the morrow to celebrate the solstice…I am so thrilled to be wrapped up and ready to face the new year…the weather should be clear and bright- I promise to get pics and video if the camera is not giving me a fit:)

I have two weeks to rest and enjoy friends and family…come and join me if you have time…taxes will soon be upon us, lets enjoy the vacation while we can…may you have a blessed holiday and the sun shone upon you until we meet again.

 

Blessed Be,

Dorraine

 

Exploding Brain

 

Merry Meet,

          Sorry I have not been available…yes, it was very frightening seeing a car crash the fence and head straight for me…to see it veer off at the last second, brought life into real focus…after that, getting quotes and cleaning up along with trying to keep up with my regular life left me slightly behind…so grab a water and sit, we can play Southern Rummy while we talk…so much has been happening, it is hard to know where to start

          School is going great…my study buddies are awesome…currently I find myself in global economics- I must admit I was afraid of this subject…Dr. Tucker is awesome and makes the subject come alive…the more I read the more it blows my mind that we let elected people handle this…indirectly, it has given me more reason to question everything I see in the media…heading for winter break on the 20^th, how cool is that…

          American Boudica Publishing will be on hiatus from 12/15/2014 until 1/2/2015…we have started on a new series for children, it is so neat…I will be able to reveal more after the first of the year…Our own Mr. Bilton has been about town reading stories to children…shortly after the first of the year we will also be releasing 2 more academic papers…what a great way to end and start the years, blessings are abundant:)

          Nature’s Power and Energy is making forward progress…phase 2 has been shut down…I thought we had a good location for phase 3...I currently adjusting my sails on this issue…I have met with the engineer, on Tuesday I will get with the fabricators and they thought they were ready to kill me last time…lol…we will be on winter holiday from 12/20/2014 until 1/2/2015…we want our current and future employees to have a wonderful holiday and get time with their families…

          Girly Pirate Designs now has 2 online shops…from T-shirts to tiles to skateboards…it is cool when a business finds focus…I really am enjoying putting this one together…we will be doing video production shortly, but this was an opportunity we really could not pass up…Many of our graphics have been collected and we feel this is a good way to express them…we do carry men’s, pet’s and children’s clothes also…

          The Sunshine Paddle has been completing a very successful holiday challenge…our first toy drop was last Friday, it is such a blessing so many are reaching out to help…we have 3 more drops to complete with the last happening on the 18^th….the I will relax around Honeymoon Island or maybe Hudson, it will depend who I can find to paddle with me…

          In the Circle we will be having a Bonfire on the 21^st if you would like to come join us…I will start cooking on the 20^th so, there will be plenty to eat…it will be such fun…I am so excited...what a great time will be had...

          I will use my time off to celebrate family and contemplate where I want my life to go and how I think I may get there…I give presents all year round so, what makes this special to me is the time I get with my family and friends…it is they who make me smile…I am blessed

Blessed Be,

Dorraine

 

Breathing Heavy

 

Merry Meet,

          This fall has been highly productive so far…have I told you how happy I am that you make time for me…thank you for understanding my crazy world…colder weather has started to push in…be careful as everyone is getting sick..

          We have updated the American Boudica Page…from there you can get to all of our books and products…We just added the Girly Pirate T-shirt…Chris had a great gallery show…we are currently putting together new academic papers for release…kind of nice to handle a union of inspiration…

          The new class is economics…Dr. Tucker has made the class an inviting place to be…I am really enjoying the pure research of it all…this is not an easy subject, but I feel inspired and as though I am learning a great deal…free trade is way more than I ever really thought about…I also have picked up some books by Dr. Porter- really interesting dude…

          Nature’s Power and Energy is doing well at the moment…we are wrapping up phase 2 and looking for location for phase 3 (protected water)…Our phase 2 testing went far better than expected…we have started pulling the company together, gathering employees for phase 4 (open water) and getting ready for the new year…I am so blessed to be part of this…

          Girly Pirate is beginning to come together…evolution of the Girly…a wonderful show…soon we will talk about it

          The Circle has been busy…2 of our children have found new parents and a happy new home…a few dear friends have passed…it was hard, but there was much to be thankful for…Samhain was a beautiful day…the bon fire was strong and solid, good sign for the new year…Walter and I sat outside until it burned out...really lovely night...

         At the Sunshine Paddle, it was another place to feel blessed…our holiday challenge is underway…we are almost at our goal…this is really exciting…Weeki Wachee has been fun…it is a 5 mile paddle, but never the same twice...

          I am still on the menu…my sugar is still crashing- not as hard though…my arthritis inflammation has reduced by half…more blood work this week and the doctor…I am down 30 pounds…I so miss real food

          The winter lawn is covering the ground and we have begun cutting back and transplanting…I am going to bring the fig tree to the desert bed…I want to put the Plumeria in the ground…I just up potted the poinsettia…I also need to rescue the lilies…so much to do an no time…

          Yes, my grandson Helmat has been over a good deal…his mother is working and going to school…it gives me a chance to spoil him and I have been liking that…lol…he and his cars are just too cute…it is glad I am that you stopped to catch up…How have you been?

Blessed Be,

D

 

Yes, I am a Girly Pirate

Merry Meet,

          How are you…you look rested, must be the beginning of fall…lol…I know you have been busy too, but one must remember to laugh…the heat has remained even though autumn has begun…I am trying to get everything wrapped up, so all of my companies can close and workers can get off from Dec. 20 – Jan. 3…

          American Boudica has been a special place…Chris will be having a gallery show…we have been adding new items to both our spreadshirt and Zazzle accounts…he and I have been working together for going on 10 years…‘OtherPeoples Karma’ has opened to a warm reception…it is nice when people really like what you do…we are also working on another academic paper…I have also learned how to use the ‘power point mix’ to make presentations and will be working on a set for teachers…

          I am working on making my dissertation more definitive…global finance is really eye opening…I am so American, it had never occurred to me that there are other stock markets or the reasons they should be considered and what kind of global impact such a thing may have…at this point, I have my head down and working toward persevering…this is one class and I have places to go- I got this…

          Nature’s Power and Energy is going strong at the moment…the metal paddle is finally out of fabrication…I have started doing the paperwork on a new grant- I guess if they were easy to obtain everyone would have one…tank pump off will happen this week…so much to do…it seems like I have an extra PMA so we should be good to begin…YEA!!!

          Girly Pirate has been looking for global sponsors for our internet show…I am checking out new cameras, so if you have advice let me know…evolution of a pirate…if you have questions about Florida please let me know, we will see if we can’t answer them for you…

          This is a special time in the Circle…first on the 23^rd is Mabon- the Autumnal Equinox…a harvest celebration and a time to give thanks…since (second) I will be 49 on the 26^th, there is much to be thankful for…I am blessed with amazing family, friends and community…

          The best thing happened…we have a challenge at the SunshinePaddle…we are working to make the holidays better for 3 families…we are working on putting together a meal- turkey or ham with the fixins, presents for the kids and a present for the care giver…anything given over what we need will go to the angel tree…this will not be easy, but if we start now, we may be able to get it done…any donations as always are greatly appreciated…I got to sneak off Hudson Beach today…I hope to get to Weeki Wachee this week…I promise to get pictures…

          Walking Chole last week I stepped wrong a fractured my ankle…the doctor brought me in to go over the X-rays…just so happened my bloodwork came back at the same time…because of the paddle, I have medically cleaned up…so he could see what was going on…in an attempt to hit the reset button on my system, I have been put on a protein menu for the next 6 weeks…this so blows, but at lease no pills…and I will lose weight…yea team….

          The pool motor blew, but the company is replacing it under the warranty…it is so missed and I count the days until it gets here…on the same day, the septic backed up…thankfully Wooten’s Septic got here quick…Dad and Walter got some of the yard work done today…it is all getting taken care of…little by little...the flowers are still beautiful...

          The salt in the water calls to me…it is happy I am to be on the water in the next few weeks…very excited am I, at the mere thought of traversing the coast…how can I explain the feeling of history so immense compounded by God given solitude…I am looking for a surf ski as I need a sit on top…right now I still have Yum Yum and she will be great for the moment, but a bigger boat would be nice in open water…it often amazes me the amount of wildlife I get to interact with…it does not take much to understand why Pirates liked the area

          Well my friend…it is that time again, I must bid you good eve

Blessed Be,

Dorraine

Lightening in a Bottle

 

Merry Meet My Friend,

          How are you…yes, it has been a long hot summer...I am ever so thankful for my pool…I had hoped for a slow summer, this was not the case…thank you so much for keeping up with me…it makes me smile…so I guess we should catch up on what has been happening…

          American Boudica Publishing has me beaming with happiness…'OtherPeople’s Karma’ is now out on kindle…we now have 7 academic papers also now out on kindle…in our alliance with Zazzle and Spreadshirt we now have our Artwork available on many different products…this has been very hard work, but so worth it…I have to admit that as a business owner seeing this all come together is just so cool and being able to get it done before my birthday is just awesome really…I hope you get a chance to check it out...

          There is a world going by, but with so many papers to write I rarely get to see it…I work my a$$ off because, I believe there are bigger thing ahead and I will need what I am learning to get through…I am blessed with a great school and terrific professors and classmates…I am currently in ‘Finical Theory’…the class by itself is intimidating but, Professor Williams has made it comfortable…I am going to do my dissertation on ‘The Business of Energy Storage’…if you have any information on this subject, please let me know…

          Nature’s Power and Energy has been hopping…over the last couple of weeks we mowed around the tank and started prepping for phase 2…the water pump is giving me hell…I have also had to stand by my metal fabricator as the new paddle has been having issues…I think we have them resolved finally…the grant paperwork from the writer and is now ready to submit- the window for that does not open until the 15^th of September…again burning on all cylinders

          Girly Pirate is still developing…we have posted some of the product line through the Zazzle and Spreadshirt stores on American Boudica…it is interesting to watch this evolve…we are looking to create an internet show…I am working on putting it together…I will keep you posted

          In the Circle of Boudica, we celebrated 2 new souls entering the world…as fall enters we get ready to celebrate Mabon…I am thinking of having a bon fire…there is much to be thankful for and much to pray for:)

          To keep up with the Sunshine Paddle, I have been working out in the pool at the moment…the strong heat brought in flesh eating bacteria and red tide- I am in this to help people not risk my health…it is our goal to look after 3 families this holiday season and have had to start planning now…

          Helmat came to hang out with his gram…Dad and Mom finally got home…he has been chatting with me about getting help with the yard…mom has been busy since her return…Walter got a ticket for running a stop sign at 5 in the morning…I laughed at him…he has been doing well and working enough to stay out of trouble…lol

          With the approach of Autumn, one can note the dry season start to approach…it is my hope to have time to catch up with the yard…Walt and I are thinking of building an obstacle course for the dogs in the back yard…many of our friends will be down to visit soon and we are opening houses for them- to let the home air out…if you get time, come by- I would love to have someone to chat with while I work…

Blessed Be,

Dorraine

 

Mock 2 with My Hair on Fire

 

Merry Meet,

            Yes, they told me you were trying to reach me…I am sorry…I know at the start of summer I thought I would have some time to chill and then the madness set it…I have been so busy- it makes my Masters Graduation and the Sunshine Paddle in April seem slack…let me fill you in…

            American Boudica Publishing has been very busy…we have taken several of my collegiate papers online at Amazon…we have completed the cover for the next in the Boudica series- Other Peoples Karma…it will be out on Kindle by the first of September…we are quite proud to announce our very own Mr. Bilton has been doing gallery shows and has been lending his artwork to a Rotherham Children’s shop…still working to get more promotion…

            I was gone out of town to Keiser Residency at the Westin Hotel In Ft. Lauderdale for a while…we had so much to learn…I never left the hotel as at the end of class my brain was damaged…lol…I got to meet many classmates- this was so cool and I have to admit that I am really blessed…we went over the core curriculum, research and dissertation….there is also the situation of publish or perish…Chris and I have discussed this whole situation and have a timeline…most in school with me will teach when we are done, that is not my mind- I have a plan and this is only a step in my journey…it does have my head stuck in books and journals, it does not tend to leave much free time…

            Just because we closed testing for summer, everyone keeps talking to me about focus…Not to worry, Nature’s Power and Energy is going full blast…on Monday I will have my first look at the new paddle…I am so excited…I will speak to the Grant writer on Friday…we will be submitting in September for a phase 1 NSA grant…I have worked a deal with the Florida Office of Energy to match the fed money…testing 2 will soon start- this is going to give us final answers before we head to open water…I am working with a company from Michigan about the new PMG- how its built will depend a lot on the paddle…I now have my research certification and will be able to use the findings not only in my dissertation, but also in a paper on innovation Chris and I will be writing…we have also made contact with 12 countries embassies, in order to prepare us to do business with them…as I said, though we are not in testing mode at the moment it only give me time to catch the paperwork up…crazy

            Girly Pirate is still developing… My Girly Pirate Website is open…silly me was trying to make some extra money this summer…I even went forth with a project on Kickstarer…it was not successful, but that is because I am already so busy…I had it filled out, but had not made a video…I also did not have time or money to really pimp it out…sometimes you have to know when to say- this will be better if I wait…I still own this business, but at present it is going on the back burner to simmer…I think we will start with an internet shop and show in the next few months…Chris and I are putting it together- if you have any thoughts or suggestions, please let me know…

            The Sunshine Paddle has had a month off as I was at residency…when I got back the beaches I train on have been reporting Vibro Vulnificus (flesh eating bacteria) being pushed forward by the red tide bloom off shore…in the meantime, I have been swimming every day to keep in shape…I had hoped to get time in the water during residency…I could see the Atlantic from my room, but was too mentally exhausted to be safe…I have accepted that next year 2015 Sunshine Paddle will be going down the coast of Pasco just one more time due to school…

            In the Circle of Boudica, we had a great Lughnasdh…I was given the blessing of being able to share with two different people how they have inspired me…one showed me that I was smart enough to get my shit together…the other showed me I was smart enough to become a doctor…as Mabon approaches, I am getting ready for the rites of harvest…what a special time:)

            Dad was home long enough to clean up the yard and he is off to my brother’s again…I think he is going to hang out with Trevor because he is mini-Coop…mom is working hard on a new quilt…keyboard panels and stripe hearts- I am not sure I could do such intricate work…Helmat is visiting his dad…I missed taking him to the pool this weekend…have not seen any pics of the baby girly pirate for a while…

            I have had very little help in the yard this year…at times it has felt like I am trying to hold back the tide…the gardens are beautiful…it has been nice having the pool in the front yard and the tent my friend let me have has been amazing in the 100f degree heat…the cactus have been prolific bloomers this year…butterflies and humming birds have been hanging around the yard…the honeysuckle stared blooming in May and has not stopped yet…Walter has been enjoying hanging out in the pool…

            My plan is to go to the East Pasco Networking Group on Tuesday…it is now catching up on all the appointments I have been missing…I have been keeping up with my Score Mentor, who has been absolutely great…he is the one who has been helping my focus be where it’s at when we are there…so if you feel as though I have not been around- you’re correct…it will be 6 months to a year before I see the light of day…much love

Blessed Be,

Dorraine

 

               

Pulling Up the Big Girly Pirate Panties

Merry Meet,

            I am kinda trippin at the moment…my stress level is hitting overload…I thought this would be a quiet summer…had plans to relax and catch up on some loose ends- so freaking much for that idea…it is not any one thing or person, more like a string of events…let me fill you in on the happening:

            American Boudica is needing a promotions specialist…we are coming out with the 4^th in the Boudica series…Chris and I have been working hard…none of this is done for free…I have 3 writers who want to publish with us and I have not had 5 minutes to get with them…again more money…

            In school residency is coming up…the hotel is paid already, but the other money for my airfare went MIA…when I called to request it from the bursar, I was told the whole of the disbursement was missing- oh and BTW I was supposed to be making monthly payments and I was over $100 behind + late fees…WTF…that would mean I could be kicked out of school, I kept my cool as sometimes paperwork gets messed up…after 3 days on the phone, we figure out my finance officer is no longer an employee and she never sent me notice about the fees or put through correct paperwork to the main office…it is all straightened out now…school is very important to me…I guess because I am so close to something I never thought I would get to be…this does not mention the amount of papers needed for the current class…I have a 30 pager due next Friday…

            In NPE, even though the first test is done there is still much work to be done…I have been interviewing fabricators – metal, acrylic and fiberglass…I know what I want and yes, I am aware of how much it will cost…I have started working with a professional grant writer…also putting together my solar thing…where did I put the sorcerer’s stone, I need to manufacturer time…

            Litha is almost upon us and the Circle of Boudica is a buzz with activity…we got the pool up and the tent in place…Walter will be at work, but I got glow sticks for the pool and fireworks for fun…we dragged the grill up…can you tell I am so excited…it is time to celebrate and enjoy summer…It is with my whole heart that I wish for you the blessing of the season and pray for the bounty to unfold before you:)

            Girly Pirate is the new business…talk about a money and time drain…I am aware that it will pay off in the end, but damb…I have been meeting with a mentor from Score…a really great guy with good advice…lenders are being jerks as I have student debt…how do they think I can pay this off with no job…this does not mention that I come up with ideas that others are not doing so permitting is an awesome thing…

            I have been up for a few regular paycheck jobs…it has been disheartening to be turned down…I have a great work history…an awesome education…when I go to see who got the job, it is usually ten years younger with far less education…as much as it hurts, I put my back into my own businesses…something will break and I will be dammed if it is me

            At the paddle we have been out and about…I got to spend time in Sarasota, Siesta Key and up to Crystal River…we have also been part of several beach cleanups…remember we only get one planet, it is up to each of us to take care of it

            One could feel like kicking in the walls…I chose to focus my attention on a car that I may be able to win…Taylor was nice enough to come by and do the video…I mucked it up the first time and he was nice enough to come back and help me fix it…The yard is in full bloom, but camera is working when it wants…the dogs have been encouragable and making me a little crazy…Dad’s hawk has been tearing up his back porch, it is my feeling she is missing him…So if it seems I am a million miles away, it is because I am…my head is just swimming and it will not be long before it gets close to sane again…

 

Thanks for understanding,

Dorraine

Feeling A Bit Ornery

 

Hey Honey,

How are you? I know I promised to slow down in May- I just have goals I need to reach and it will have me working crazy for a while…it means a lot to me that you understand

AmericanBoudica Publishing is about to grow…our fourth book in the Boudica Series will be out in about 2 weeks on kindle…we are also getting ready to come out with another children’s book…Chris and I have both enjoyed summer as time to share our talents with a few friends…it has been inspiring to see all the work being done

Nature’s Power and Energy has been hugely busy…we have wrapped up phase one of testing (this had me kind of sad) and phase two will start sometime in August (this has me really excited)…we are getting new equipment- it is coming from all over and is due in from now until the start of August…YEA…the hard part has been to find someone to build exactly what we need…this takes time…I feel like the horse kicking at the stall walls…innovation or being an innovator is a bitch…lol

I know you think I have lost it, but I am opening another company…Girly Pirate snack vehicles will soon be operational around Pasco County…I am running through permitting and licensing now…I feel this will be a good add to my marketing mix…I promise to explain more soon….let me get more of it put together and I swear to fill you in...lol

Keiser Graduate School is challenging  and really put one’s brain in a blender…lol…currently the class is Marketing Management...the group I am in with are really deep thinkers, I feel privileged to be learning with them…I spoke to my counselor from Student Services at Everglades who suggested I put together a site to showcase my talents- Girlypirate.com is what I put together…what do you think???? It took me a few weeks to put together...

 

In the Circle we are ready to welcome Litha on the 21^st…yellow, green and blue candles will be lit around the pool…it is a time to be thankful and relax…I will be having a potluck pool party...please let me know if you wish to attend…I am planning for fun

The Sunshine Paddle has begun updating the website…we are getting ready for next year’s run on the coast of Pasco County Florida…we are putting together framework for the 2015 on the Coast of Pasco and 2016 run on the east coast of the United States…it is a hive of activity…though I have been to Hudson twice to practice, my camera has been not working and I need to get a new one or find someone to fix this one…

Mom is letting me use her Galaxy Tablet so when I serve residency I will have a way to stay in touch…the Pasco Economic Development Center, SCORE and Small Business Development Center have set me up with a mentor and grant writer…hit the ground running- more like mock 2 with my hair on fire…I am putting in for grants and funding- for more than one country

My brother will soon have back surgery and Dad is up helping him…the yard has been my job this summer…it does not look like when he does it, but mostly it has survived…yes, I am aware it is need of weeding…I just do not have 5 extra minutes and am doing what I can…Walter likes his new job…mom has been quilting and watching ‘Ellen’…at times she really cracks me up

As we watch the breakdown of the family unit- we are watching society crumble…how can one stop it…the answer is simple…the family unit can be fixed…stop worrying about gay or straight…with the number of orphans- we are looking for good couples and or good people…a parental unit is two people…spanking s child is NOT beating- it is discipline…rules and teaching basic ethics starts at home…children are children, parents make the money thereby make the rules and need to keep children in line- unless that child is getting HURT my advice is to stay out of it and let parents be parents…people used to tell me I was strict when I raised my children...ALL 32 children alive have been to college and live on their own…though we have been through hell and back- I love all of my kids and have helped when asked, have to admit that does not happen often…those that have children ,have been good with them…awesome kids are more than a blessing, they are hard work…they use their brain before weapons…if you work with children, please focus on those you are charged with and not your phone or tablet…it is what you get paid to do…most of the recent gunman were young- ‘he felt he was neglected by so and so’ is what the news says…so is your problem really the gun or the kid who felt so alone, he needed to pick it up…just saying

May we get time to hang out soon:)

Blessed Be,

Dorraine