Hello everyone! I hope everybody had a good Independence Day. I took the kiddos camping. My sister was camping and invited us along so we packed up the tent and blankets and headed out to go camping. I think I'm getting a little old (ok, just out of shape!) to be sleeping on the cold hard ground! Actually, it wasn't cold at all. Just very hard! After 2 nights of sleeping in a tent on the ground I was very glad to be back in my nice cozy bed!

I did enjoy the sleeping outside, though. It was so nice to sit by the campfire in the evening and and just enjoy all the outdoors. It was NOT overwhelmingly hot so it was a very nice trip. We got to go swimming, go to a carnival, visit some flea market-type shops, and cook out. The kids loved it! I was so glad I went even though I had debated on not going. Now I want to go again! Next time I believe I'll purchase an air mattress! LOL

Recently a friend that I grew up with had a baby and came back into my life. She is 39 and just had her 4th child. A baby boy. He's so tiny! He was 2 months premature but he's doing well. Little fellar only weights 4 pounds! He's just so perfect, though. My friend has had a very difficult life. I'm hoping he will help bring some stability into her life and she'll take responsibility and stay away from the negative influences she's had in the past. She seems to be getting her life together and I am sooooo happy for her. She's a great woman who deserves more than she's ever been given.

When she got back in touch with me we had not seen each other in approx. 6 years or so. She was surprised at how my life has changed. We both had very difficult childhoods and have been through a lot of the same situations. Abuse in childhood, domestic violence, etc. When she went to my MySpace page she asked me if I had become Gothic! LOL I told her that I had just given in and decided to embrace the "Witch" in me at last! That I no longer hid my Pagan beliefs but enjoyed them and flaunted them. That I had found my Goddess within and that I was now a daughter of Gaia. To my relief, she accepts me as I am and does not dispute my beliefs. I think she actually received some hope from seeing me and how much I've changed since embracing my Path choice.

When she first came over she had me read her cards. She was definitely impressed with my ability and has begun to tell everyone how scary accurate I am! She's even bringing friends over for me to read theirs. I don't want to go into too much of her personal life but I will admit that she's had some addictions and she is recovering from those. I am hoping to give her hope and positive energy that she may succeed in staying away from those influences. I believe she is on the right path and I am sure she will succeed this time. Please keep her in your thoughts for me, and her preemie son. It's much appreciated.

After seeing her again I spent a lot of time thinking about how much my life really has changed. She noticed the calmness and peace within me now that I never had previously. Although being a single parent is difficult (to say the least) I am happy with it, myself, and my life. I am truly blessed to have my children, the wonderful home I live in, the family and friends that love and support me, and the Gods and Goddesses that are with me in every way.

I just want to say thank you again to all of my wonderful friends. Those of you that I know in person whether I've known you for years or only a short time, and also all of my new friends that I've met through Xanga. No matter how difficult things get for you try to always think of at least 3 things that you are blessed to have. I try to spend more time now concentrating on my blessings than on the negative factors of my life. I've found that no matter how bad things get, the blessings completely outweigh the negative! What a wonderful feeling.

I did take some pictures camping but not very many. I'll try to post some soon. For the first time in over 5 years I wore a 2 piece bathing suit! I felt so sexy, confident, and feminine! My last doctor appointment put my weight at 145 pounds. I was so happy! My weight has not been so low for a long time. I'm very happy with my figure at the moment. I don't care to lose anymore weight. I'm happy where I am. Being 5'8" makes me pretty tall for that weight. I actually had to go buy some summer clothes because I didn't have one pair of shorts that wouldn't fall down when I put them on! Hehehehe Ok, ok, ok, I'll stop bragging now!

I'm off to visit you. Brightest Blessings to all.

I finally have my memorial altar put up. It looks so nice. I took a couple of pictures of it. I hope you can see it.

Now I need to get some more pictures of my loved ones that have already moved on. I only have 3 photos right now. The first picture is clearer but the second picture shows how it looks when only the soft lamp is lit in my room.

When I first got it set up I felt this calming peace come over me. I lit a candle to honor those that I have lost and said a blessing. I could almost feel their presence with me and felt the warmth of how they were touched by my effort. It was really nice.