What a great day this has turned out to have been. Firstly after my morning coffee I had the pleasant surprise of receiving a package in the mail from a friend who recently left Canada to conduct research in Bali. This will help me out greatly with my own research. Thanks so much Chris and Kris you guys rawk!

Then.....

Last week the girls gave me a salon gift certificate for my birthday and today I had a lovely morning getting my hair makeover. The end result is a fun new cut, honey blond hair, and foil highlights. Thanks so much Salon 96! PLUS I found a pair of great fitting jeans!

Throw in sunshine and very warm temps and was an awesome day!

I came across this book at a local garage sale a few years back, and with a title like "The Miseries of Human Life" and a price tag of 50 cents I naturally could not resist adding it to my collection.

Although this book was written over two hundred years ago, many of the "miseries of human life" that are listed by the original author James Beresford are still very much relevant today.

While it is true that many of the books written during the 19th century could be viewed as stuffy or overly long by the modern day reader's tastes, I can assure you that this one is genuinely funny, and does give an interesting peak into life during that era, and how in some ways how little has really changed in regards to the human condition.

Feeling a little miserable myself today, but I'm putting that down to the very strange weather we've been having, and a head cold that keeps threatening to become nastier then it currently is.

I love looking through vintage pics like this one taken in London England, circa 1900. And I like to wonder what became of these people? They are so very young in this photo, and yet they have lived out their entire lives.

And what I wonder what was so interesting down there? I believe they would have been looking down into the Thames.

Image Credit: BBC Archives

A dark and spooky night. Taken last Halloween 2011.

Happy Photo Hunting! And thank you for stopping by.

Upcoming Themes For Gattina's Saturday Photo Hunting

February

4 twigs
11 vintage
18 circles
25 old

March

3 fluffy
10 power
17 creative
24 shoes
31 artificial

Mama Cat - She is very fluffy!

Happy Photo Hunting! And thank you for stopping by.

Upcoming Saturday PhotoHunt Themes:

February

4th ~ Flat
11th ~ Heart
18th ~ Point
25th ~ Loud

PhotoHunt

Photo Hunters

As I type this blog entry I am sipping on a cup of my morning coffee. It tastes especially good to me, because it is a fair trade product. "Fair Trade is a market-based approach to sustainable development, seeking to empower millions of disadvantaged producers worldwide while protecting the environment for future generations." You can read a much more in-depth article about it here.

I am far from perfect, but I do strive to be an ethical consumer. I buy fair trade products when available, and I will not knowingly purchase any product that comes from a factory farm even if it means spending a little extra money. I support local farmers, and try to only buy Ontario produce. I use water and vinegar to clean with instead of harsh chemicals. I rarely go to Walmart, and I won't buy my clothes there because I don't want to take the chance I'm wearing something that was sewn by child labourers. And I will try to buy Canadian made products because of our strong labour laws. I also refuse to shop at Urban Outfitters because of the extreme politics, and views held by owner/founder Richard Hayne that does not jibe with my own. I cannot morally shop from someone who financially supports staunch anti-gay politicians. I strongly support Canadian business, especially the small local independent shops. I buy second hand and thrift often.

I will, and have purposefully done without, non-essential items if it means my purchase will comprise my morals, and ethics.

I do all this because whether or not it is making a difference I personally feel better about the choices I'm making, and I do believe if we all shopped this way we would have a far fairer and more positive marketplace.

If you feel like I do you will want to have a listen to this radio program entitled Mr. Daisey and the Apple Factory. It is enlightening, and will have you thinking about the actual price being paid in order for us to enjoy cheap electronics.

Image Source

Wordless Wednesday

Neda Agha Soltan and I shared a birthday yesterday. She was an Iranian philosophy student, who was engaged to be married, at the time she was murdered. Her friends and family describe her as a bright happy person who loved to sing, although her singing lessons were kept secret because she lived in a country that forbids women from singing in public.

Had Neda lived she would have been 29 years old.

You probably know Neda as the woman whose death was viewed by millions around the world via Youtube and other video sharing sources. She was filmed while lying on an Iranian street bleeding out after being shot by a thug.

I don't care the politics behind her death, only that a beautiful young woman died senselessly and tragically, because someone felt it was their right to be careless with and take another person's life. No one has the right to do that.

RIP beautiful lady .... you should not be forgotten.

Photo Source: Facebook

Had a lovely weekend get together with my girls to celebrate 45 years since my exit from the womb. Matthew made me a delicious, double chocolate brownie cake, and I had my fave pizza with anchovy topping! I was feted, and will be treating myself to a day at an upscale salon as part of my prezzies! The only thing missing was my Dragon-born niece Emma, and my middle kiddo who is away at Uni, but through the magic of technology could be here in spirit!

My b-day this year coincides with Chinese New Year and it is the Year of the Dragon! It is a Happy New Year in more ways than one for me, and the Dragon, which is considered to be the most auspicious and powerful of the 12 signs of the zodiac, is also one associated with high energy and prosperity. With this in mind, and a generally positive feeling about 2012 I have promised myself that I will work towards accomplishing a few of my goals.

My main personal goal right now is to find meaningful, and permanent employment, perhaps even start down a new career path. I have been researching, and exploring different options, and now I'm ready to go after something new.

I would also like to continue working on my studies particularly those related to PSI and consciousness survival, and finish up some projects that I have put on the back-burner. As a sun worshipper, I will use this positively charged year to work towards establishing my religion

I'm going to continue working on my health and getting fit so that I can repel 20ft into a spider filled cave with my sister later this year. I realise, that last bit might not be for some people, but hey these are my goals, I don't judge yours.

And finally I endeavour to start blogging every day, even if it is just sharing a photo or two. I have allowed social media like Facebook to take up too much of my blogging time, and I've missed the creativity and control that having an online journal provides.

So with that typed out I decided to see what the online horoscopes are saying for me this year:

From cafeastrology.com in part my year ahead

"This year, you are more inclined to put your ideas into action than usual. Good energy is with you for debate and mental work in general. Your mind is more active and clearer. You may be involved in frequent lectures, debates, and discussions. You tend to express your ideas more powerfully. Adventuresome travel may be part of the picture. You may be more actively involved with young people this year.

This is a strong year for learning and communications. You are able to find new insight into old problems, and your thinking processes during this period are likely to be especially original. This is a good year for projects involving technology or New Age topics. A subject or even a person can be especially inspiring, prompting you to explore new perspectives.

The year ahead is one of personal new beginnings. Your love life is enhanced by willingness to open up with others. Your finances can grow this year with better management. Learning and communications are especially strong, as you are open to new perspectives and interests, and you can easily find motivation to apply yourself to mental pursuits."

and from Phil Booth's Official Astrology:

"A troublesome issue has been causing you enough anxiety to last many lifetimes. You’ll soon discover that there is far less to fear than you think. A certain process is actually moving in a positive direction and it looks set to gain momentum as this year unfolds. It is leading you to a personal transformation and a well-deserved reward."

Since it sounds good, and definitely works with my goals, and plans who am I to argue!

So Happy New Year to me and you, and let us hope it is a good one for all of us!

A more grown up Maya (last week I posted a kitten pic) checking out the fresh cut flowers. The smell of fresh cut flowers is bliss to me, not so sure about Maya who may just be following her animal instincts in having to examine everything new that comes into the house.

Happy Photo Hunting! And thank you for stopping by.

Upcoming Themes For Gattina's Saturday Photo Hunting

January

28 dark

February

4 twigs
11 vintage
18 circles
25 old

March

3 fluffy
10 power
17 creative
24 shoes
31 artificial

Upcoming Saturday PhotoHunt Themes:

January

27th * Fluffy

PhotoHunt

Photo Hunters

Wordless Wednesday

This cat toy, with its circular top brought much joy to our Maya when she was a kitten. Much like Maya herself brings us joy

Happy Photo Hunting! And thank you for stopping by.

Upcoming Themes For Gattina's Saturday Photo Hunting

January

21 animal
28 dark

February

4 twigs
11 vintage
18 circles
25 old

March

3 fluffy
10 power
17 creative
24 shoes
31 artificial

Upcoming Saturday PhotoHunt Themes:

January

20th * Bliss
27th * Fluffy

PhotoHunt

Photo Hunters

I have come across more than one American based blog as of late that are discussing FHA streamline refinance options as a way to reduce interest rates. I had no idea what this meant before reading through some of these postings. Mortgage refinance is one way I guess that people are staying afloat in these harder and scary economic times. And it may not be such a bad idea. Here in Toronto the housing bubble has far from burst, but one look through the current listings at Zillow.com shows that housing in the USA paints a very different picture. I would think that it would be a wise idea to get the lowest possible rates one can, and to take advantage of any refinancing options that might allow for that. This of course is based on my own opinion, and I am by no means a mortgage expert or specialist. If you are considering doing something like this best to consult with a knowledgeable party.

I wonder if real estate will go through the same bust here in Canada as it has in the USA? It would be nice if home ownership was put more in the reach of the average working person or if affordable housing was more the norm than the exception in our city.

I love dream catchers both as an object of art and because of their spiritual connection. My youngest shares this appreciation and one wall of her room is adorned with them. The beaded dream catchers you see pictured below are made by my friend Nancy aka Waterfall Insights, and not only are they beautiful, and unique, but are very much spiritually inspired.

Here are Nancy's own words to describe her creations.

"I don't follow a pattern or ready made design.. I find a bead, a colour combination, even a symbolic image in a stone and that starts me on my way. I'm channeling spirit in a way.. I get messages to bead a certain way or to add an element and then I'm told why and how that element represents spirit. It all eventually leads to the idea that is communicated in the Dream Catcher and that is how I find the names or themes of the piece.

If I'm working on a piece for a person I think of them and then let spirit take over to blend the elements to most help the individual or group in the most highest way.

I'm so delighted on how the final Dream Catchers turn out! and enjoy the adventure of letting go and letting spirit/God go to work!"

Some of Nancy's awesome work is currently for sale, and you can check out more through her Facebook group Symbolic By Nature. I strongly believe in supporting our local artists, and crafters, so if you are looking to gift someone with something beautiful, unique, and made with love I absolutely recommend you have a look at Nancy's dream catchers. You won't be able to find anything like this in any store. Not only is Nancy a talented artist she has also kindly assisted is some of my psychical research through the Ontario Ghosts and Hauntings Research Society and PSICAN so I can happily say these dream catchers are a special treasure.

I was sooooo tempted to just reuse this photo when I saw the two themes this week, but since I only just used it for combining the photo hunts a couple of weeks ago for the themes Lights and Surprise if I did I'd feel like I'm cheating.

So here ya go, my little cousin who is a pro wrestler with some of his wrasslin' bling

and my absolute favourite tree and its crazy branches.

Yes, I am a literal tree hugger. I love hugging trees and I am fortunate to live in area surrounded by many thousands of them. This tree, though, is my favourite.

Happy Photo Hunting! And thank you for stopping by.

Upcoming Themes For Gattina's Saturday Photo Hunting

January

14 joy
21 animal
28 dark

February

4 twigs
11 vintage
18 circles
25 old

March

3 fluffy
10 power
17 creative
24 shoes
31 artificial

Upcoming Saturday PhotoHunt Themes:

January

13th * Circular
20th * Bliss
27th * Fluffy

PhotoHunt

Photo Hunters