Lazy Saturday was had.  I watched downloaded episodes of Judge Judy for a lot of the day.  "Um is not an answer, sir!"  Gotta a love it.  It's so refreshing to see someone in a position of authority forcing others to take responsibility of their own actions.  A trainee asked me the other day if it gets depressing hear the sade cases on the phone everyday.  I thought for a minute and said, "I actually get more depressed by the number of people unwilling to take responsibility of their own actions". 

Ben and I went for a walk through the woods this afternoon then had some dinner.  He's now playing with his Linux computer and I'm downloading IM clients.  I haven't used IM in a long time and I thought it might be fun.  If you have an AIM of LJ talk name let me know!  We can chat! 

We also went to FYE today and I purused all of the TV episodes I would love to own on DVD.  Here is my list:

Star Trek: The Next Generation

Golden Girls

Seinfeld

Charmed

Xena Warrior Princess

Columbo (already own all)

Friends (I own most of them)

Firefly

La Femme Nikita

Any other good ones I should know about? 

Ben picked up my mom and step-father from the airport last night at around midnight.  He drove them down to M-town and spent the night down there.  He's back up here now and we had lunch together a few minutes ago.  

I'm on the third day of this training session.  Training is so exhausting!  I enjoy training preparation, but the actual training not so much.  

You want to hear something crazy?   It SNOWED today!!!!  Yes, tomorrow is May 1st and it snowed today.  Not a lot and for a very short period of time, but it did in fact snow.  Vermont is nuts!

Ben and I looked at CCNA (his certification) jobs last night and there were ANY in Vermont.  Everywhere else in New Englad there were a ton, most paying at least $50,000/year.  Looks like we might be moving.  Probably not until next spring though.  It makes me a little nervous when I think of moving, but it would be best because Vermont has very little job opportunities, and the cost of living is very high.  We'll take it as it comes. 

My new training class started today.  I have three men and one woman, an unusual combination.  It's rare to have many men in the social services industry.  They're a talkative group.  

I had a slice of my homemade bread slathered with butter and honey for breakfast.  Mmm!!  Sooo good!  

My house is a mess!  Ben and I have been rather deliquent with the housework lately.  As soon as we're done chauffering everyone around I'd like to get the house in order and finish the spring cleaning.  

I applied for a new job today.  It's a state job and I applied because it would take me above $40,000/year and because it might be fun to do something new.  It was a difficult decision for me to apply because I really love working here.  I love the people here, I'm respected, and valued as an employee and a member of management.  Unfortunately it's a small project so I've pretty much reached the ceiling as far as upward mobility and I can't see myself doing this position forever.  I have to tell my boss today that I applied because she'll end up getting a call from the state asking about me and plus I want to be honest with her about my plans.  

It's drizzly today.  I didn't bring a lunch so I'm thinking of getting a steak taco.  Mmm...steak! 

I went to a public Beltane ritual this evening (a little early, I know).   This was a different group than the last ritual I went to.  It was much more informal than the last one and with twin two year olds running around it was a lot more chaotic.  I enjoyed the meeting, though I think I will be doing a more serious ritual for myself later on.  I really enjoyed meeting these new people and it was a joy to talk about my spirituality with like minded people (in real life!!).  Hopefully we'll all stay in touch!  I still think I'd like to meet some people who want to get together and talk regularly about paganism and learn and grow together.  

Ben did a lot of chauffering around today and he just left for Middlebury with my sisters whom he picked up from the airport this afternoon.  He'll stay with them tonight and I'll stay with them tomorrow night.  My sisters are nearly 17, but their friends aren't the most trustworthy.  

I baked bread today and it turned out really good!  It's 100% whole wheat bread.  I made the dough in the bread machine and baked it in the oven.  It was super easy, but I felt like it was missing something.  Part of what I enjoy about baking bread is getting my hands in there, kneeding, stirring, and shaping.  There's something almost spiritual about baking bread and I lost that with the bread machine.  Don't get me wrong, I'm still going to use it, but maybe I'll bake it by hand sometimes too.  

I played my flute for the first time in a long time yesterday.  Bet you didn't know I was a flautist, did you?  Actually I've played the flute for 12 years and I was very good in high school and college.  I was accepting in the college wind ensemble, but I ended up quitting for whatever reason.  Anyway, I played again yesterday and had a lot of fun.  I mean my mouth and arms hurt, but it was fun.  I think I'll keep it up. 

I created a rosary to use with the prayer beads I made.  It's based on another rosary I found online somewhere.

 

Rosary

 

Earth:

            Blessed is the Earth, plants, animals and stone.

Blessed are the quiet forest glens and majestic mountains

Allow me to share in your strength and wisdom

            Allow me to grow with the grace of an Oak, rooted and strong

            Give me purpose, stability and the will to try.

 

Air:

            Blessed is the Air, so cool and clear.

            Blessed is wind that breathes life into all things

            Allow my words come with ease and clarity

            Allow my mind to be sharp and free of dark clouds

            Give me the ability to have positive ends spring from all that I say and do.

 

Fire:

            Blessed is the Fire, briliant and bright.

            Blessed is the flame of creation and destruction  

Allow my passion and will to burn with strength and power

            Allow me to rise from the ashes with new inspiration and purpose

            Give me the spark of creativity that I may never stagnate

 

Water:

            Blessed is the Water, flowing and free.

            Blessed are the crashing waves and bubbling springs

            Allow me to be cleansed by your sweet flowing waters

            Allow my life to flow strong and true

            Give me flexibility and persistant strength that I may course through life

 

Spirit:

            Blessed be the great spirit Tree of Life.

            Blessed be the spirit guides, cat, dragon and wolf that attend me

            Ancestors of the past, I give thanks for your assistance

            May you always give me the comfort and guidance of your presence

 

Goddess:

            You who are the Queen of the Gods, the lamp of the night

            The creator of all that is wild and free;

            Mother of woman and man; lover of the Horned God

            And protectress of all humanity. 

            Descend, I pray, with your lunar ray of power

            And bless your child with peace and wisdom.

 

 

 

God:

            Ancient God of the forest deep

            Master of beast and Sun;

            You with the shining spear that lights the lives of all beings

            And encourages the seed of creation to burst forth into life.

            Descend, I pray, with your radiant sun to warm the heart and

            Strengthen the mind of your child.

 

Final Prayer:

            May the elements of the creation, all pervasive, omnipotent, eternal.

            May the Goddess, the Lady of the Moon

            And the God, Horned Hunter of the Sun and

            May the powers of my guides bless this place

            And this time and I who am with you.