Wait, what? Christmas is Tuesday?

Oh yeah. It is almost here! I have been a bad blogger...but I have been taking pictures of everything I've been working on! Promise!

I am so busy with some possibly life changing things...that I can't divulge too much information on. One has to do with absorbing pretty much every second of my free time, and has been lots of fun. The other....well.

I promise after the new year I will share.

For now...I will share some instagram photos....and maybe a couple pins of my Christmas projects.

We did our first 5K It was so RAD! 

Our Elf, Star has been VERY busy!

Oooh, and look at this Blackberry Pie I made! Soooo yummy!

Hope this day finds you well in the mood for some holiday fun! Let me know what you've been up to!

~Share your bliss!

<3 Cassie

A Post Thanksgiving Aloha Affair!

So first, I'd like to say Happy Thanksgiving to all! I know that living a happy life means being thankful for everything we are given in our lives daily, but it sure is nice to have a day to devote to sharing our thanks with those that help make it such a wonderful life, indeed.

Annnnnd, second, I'd like to say Aloha to everyone joining my lil Bloggie Thingie from the Aloha Affair Blog Hop. I am so green in all things dealing with blog sharing, but I am so happy to learn! I've found some great blogs to peruse and hope y'all like what I have to share as well!

So, in hopes of keeping this post short, and sharing the love here are a few highlights from our Week of Giving Thanks, and the Aloha Ladies.

**Update** It just dawned on me that some readers may not know what a Blog Hop is...okay, in a few words. You join up with other bloggers to share your hard work!

The way it works for this one, there are a few hosts that you really should follow because they have put a lot of work into making sure this thing run smoothly, and then you click on the link down there, after all the images of all the blogs to join that says "Click here to enter" enter your blog info and a cute thumbnail, and get the linky code, put in your HTML code...and there you have it!   **Update over, for now. If you have more questions, just ask! I don't bite too hard! <3

The weather was so irresistible, we had a delightful time eating outside! 

Not sure if I was going to pick his nose, or if I was saying I'm thankful for him. ^_^

Of course, I had to make Kettle Corn for our movie marathon!

Even a leak couldn't dampen our spirits! Khloe, that cute lil pooch, was so interested in the repairs!

~Rolling through life to the rhythm of love...share the bliss!

Halloween Projects

I have to admit. This week has flown by! The 'lil guy just finished up a class at church so we're going to have quite a bit more free time now. Thank goodness!

I haven't finished all of the projects for Halloween-between meetings for the Hubs and helping a friend out with the kiddos.... well. I've got a lot to catch up on this weekend!



Project # 1

The Cheesy Ghost! I talked about doing this one in my last post. Or did I? No...I didn't! And this was one of the easiest ones for us to make with stuff we had around the house. Well. I did run out of Starch and had to get more. But it was super easy, and usually I would have everything on hand! Okay, so here's the site I found the tutorial on...she has some fun stuff over there!

Ok. so you need:

A Styrofoam ball (and I used a skewer to push in the ball so I didn't have to jam it onto the bottle)
A wire hanger you don't mind untwisting
A Juice Bottle, or something to prop up your Ghost
Cheesecloth-depending on size and height of ghost
Some felt to decorate the face (if you want)
An old towel
A hairdryer (if you're crunched for time) It helps speed the dry time, but can hurt your design a bit

Step 1: Disassemble the wire hanger and wrap it around the neck of your bottle. Bend the ends to form little "hands" so the cheesecloth doesn't get snagged, and bend the form into a sort of ghost like shape. Then using the skewer, attach head to bottle. (the instructions I read said to put the styrofoam onto the bottle, but I found that if you left the ball wrapped, or wrapped it in cellophane the cheesecloth was easier to remove so jab in the skewer and just let the 'head' rest on the bottle top. it works beautifully and you can reuse your ball for other things!) 

Step 2: Find a place to dry your ghost, lay out your towel, and then drape your cheesecloth over the form. I bought a large section of cheesecloth and trimmed it to fit over the form.

Step 3: Spray the cheesecloth thoroughly with starch, and let dry. I tried speeding up the process with a blowdryer, but it blew the arms and made the first figure look strange, I preferred just letting it dry over time. On top of the oven was best-while we were baking it kept it warm and dry.

Step 4: Add a face with felt or stickers or whatever if you want. I liked how it looked just with the cheese cloth, but later on we added a sticker face. Then display it and enjoy!

Project # 2

Shrunken Heads! These were soooo much fun! Look at that guy!

Isn't he just creepy!? I love the "hair" and this was something our lil guy helped with.

Even the Wolf could help!

Okay...so I found this one on Pinterest and it was before the secret boards came out, so I didn't mark the pin that I used. If you want it I can get it, but um, well.  Yeah, I doubt anyone asks for it!

All you need are apples, a cutting board, cutting tools, an oven some water and lemon juice!

Step 1: Peel the apples. Doesn't matter what kind. I just bought the cheapest there. Bigger apples make bigger heads, and different kinds make different color heads in the end. For the first one we just used the same kind of apples.

Step 2: After peeling apples soak them in water with a little bit of lemon juice. A tablespoon or two will suffice. 

Step 3: After soaking the apples a bit-the lemon juice method helps to keep them from  browning- carve them into faces.

As you can see- they don't need too much detail... and if you are wondering where the scraps are- well. It was apple, after all. I ate every last piece that I carved away. ^_^

Step 4: Turn your oven on to no higher than 175 F. Put the apples on a wire rack, and stick them in the oven. After about ten minutes turn the oven off and let the apples sit over night.

The next morning they should look something like this

Don't worry if they aren't completely dry. The process really depends on the moisture levels and slowly drying them out. If you need to put the oven up to 175 again for a little while and let them dry some more. Just make sure they are not squishy when you pack them up for next year! ~I actually will dry ours a bit more before packing in plastic baggies for the attic. I'm interested to see what they'll look like after ebing in the attic for a year! 

He was my favorite. I loved the tuft of hair on his face and his nose. So cool!

Oh, and a great way to add some life is by placing cloves for their eyes after they've dried and rice for the teeth...my hubby liked this look better than the rice and cloves...maybe next time!

Here's how I displayed the creepy shrunken heads. I made some Monster Munch for Halloween (careful, that stuff is addicting!) And I had a burlap sack from some pistachios we bought in New Mexico so I put some tissue in the bag, poked some toothpicks in the heads and arranged them in the sack. Easy schmeezy! 

Project # 3

Head in a jar! Oh this was super cool! It was a bit harder finding a head big enough for what we wanted and malleable enough to fit in the jar I had...but we did it! 

Creepy, huh? Super easy- You need a jar, a head and some hair gel. We bought the green gel from Target that was super cheap and a head from a Halloween store that was supposed to be put on your lawn. I stuffed it with some plastic bags, stapled it into a round shape and stuffed it in the jar. The directions said to spray paint the head, but we just sharpied over it. It worked!

Some other stuff was included in our Ghoulish festivities, and if I get some time I will post some of those recipes. But for now, I need to go pump out some words for my Nanowrimo book.

Thanks for reading, and let me know what you've been up to! I'd love to see some other bloggers and their projects!

Affordable Halloween and Fall Decor

So we all want to have ghosts and ghoulies and all things spooky this time of year. Frankly, decor isn't really in our regular budget. Once in a while, when I find something practical, useful and affordable we add it to our  Little House of Love. But switching out decor for every season, isn't quite something we've chosen to spend our money on, so I have to get creative. Utilizing nature and sales and craftyness when at all possible. So here's what is on my list of things to do for the Fall/Halloween season!

Oh yeah. I'm excited about this one! We are having to make a couple modifications, but I think it will turn out great! If you wanna see the details here's the site! I'm not too sure on the lighting aspect of the whole thing, but we'll see. And I will do my best to get some detailed pics up after the weekend! But we're planning to use an old pickle jar, the four dollar head and about 2 dollars worth of hair gel. And if we had gone to Dollar General I'm sure we could have gotten the hair gel for much cheaper. Not sure tho. I don't use gel.

These lil' creepos are in the oven as I type. Oh my goodness it was so much fun! And the fact that you can eat what you scrape away made it that much more enjoyable. A great activity to do while listening to some spooky music with the kiddos! Easier than carving pumpkins, and a good way to get them into the decorating aspect of it all. We bought the cheapest apples and all we had to do was carve them and soak them in some salted lemon water. Super duper easy, and super duper cheap! Also I have a little trick I'll share when I do the tutorial...it lets you eat more of the apple, and well. I think it will help with the display aspect of the project. The great tutorial I used is here.

Okie dokie, so those were the kind of easy schmeezy ones, right. Well....the other ones I'm planning on doing are too! I know...get on with it, right? Okay.

So we're planning on doing a little party for the spookies. Really, we just want to hang out with our friends and enjoy some time together. So yeah... I want some decorations to make the house a little more festive. I have tons of construction paper laying around the house, so I'll be utilizing some of the huge stack to make this guys:
.

Aren't the precious!?!? They come from a sweet little blog that I've gotten some great advice for organizing from: Organize Your Stuff Now She has a no-nonsene, budget friendly way of organizing and decorating that I love. Maybe I should join one of her link parties. ^_^  She used scrapbooking paper, but I will use construction paper...because I have the motherload from my education classes. >.<

What else...goodness if I had the time I'd be doing all the stuff I pinned to my new spooky board. So fun!

Oh yeah, I almost forgot these guys. I still have to find some glow-in-the-dark paint...

I think they will be cute lining our walkway to the house! Hello Lucky provided this idea! Again, I'll be changing a few things up in hopes that they will be something we can use next year too!

And to revisit a couple things I've done in the past....

This was a lunch for Shi, and it had bones, ribs, and pumpkins made from carrots! He loved it!
I think I'll have to make him one or two to assemble this year. 

How could I forget these!?! They were so fun! And simple with things we have at the house. Always!

Let me know what gets your spooky bone crafting! I will have plenty to show next week! Time to go check on my shrunken heads!

~Rolling through life to the rhythm of love...share the bliss!

Nostalgia on a Thursday Night

I was reading an article I found online about what to buy a person when they first get a new home. It was broken down into lists depending on culture and regions. I was intrigued at the simplicity of the list for the new German kitchen, and had most of the items on that list, whereas on the "American" list I didn't have even half of the list.

Of course, we aren't the typical U.S. or "American" family. One income, small house, no credit cards...living in our means...if you are familiar with my blog then you know. I try to make our pennies stretch and our dollar, well it gets around.

So...back to the list. For the American household the list was:

Cast iron skillet
Dutch oven
Charcoal grill
Heavy-Duty food processor
Kitchen cart w/built in butcher block
Sandwich press
Roasting pan
Deep Fryer
Knife Set

Now, I am no gourmet cook...but none of these things were in my kitchen when I first started out on my own. Not a one. I didn't get a Cast Iron Skillet until this summer, and we just bought a dutch oven a week ago. I have a measly two cup food processor that I rarely use, which screams like a banshee if I put more than two frozen bananas in it to make my Banana Ice Cream. I have some knives, only one really nice one up until my Birthday when I was gifted a couple more. We do have a grill, it is propane...I think of Hank from King of the Hill every time I think of grilling on propane.

I don't think I ever want a fryer in my home. I can fry things in my wok...and well, fried is not a word I want in our weekly food rotation. A roasting pan would be nice, but frankly I'm not sure I want to store something I would only use once in a blue moon...our space is so limited. Which brings me to the kitchen cart. Yeah...no room for that. But once we finish our porch I think I will get one so that it will be easier to take things outside. Do I really need to discuss the sandwich press?

Yeah... didn't think so.

So the list for Germany:

Einkaufskorb- a Shopping basket
Frühstückbrett- small breakfast board used for breakfast or snacks
Potato Masher/Ricer
Cheese & Fruit Knives
Coffee or Tea Pot
Salad Bowl
Beverage Tools
Cloth Napkins & Napkin Rings
Pots & Pans

I have everything on this list except the Breakfast boards and the Cloth Napkins and Rings...both of which I would love to have, just haven't found ones that I like yet.

Well...scratch that. I have found some Breakfast Boards that would be really awesome...

Haha, so true. Nothing beats coffee or breakfast brought to bed, tho.
(For my Non-German Speaking readers:
It means; If you want breakfast in bed, then sleep in the kitchen!)

I think this one is just pretty! Even though I'm not a surfer...

And this one...oh my. A bit harder to explain in English, but here goes.
The first part says "Men are easy..." but if you add the anders it changes the meaning to
"Men are just different"
Get it?
Got it.
Good.
Now I want to buy it! ^_^

So as I'm looking over the options on google, I see something that I didn't realize. A dear friend of mine actually sent me one, and I didn't even realize it! I have a Frühstückbrett! From Germany! That makes me so happy. And...another wedding gift might just work as one too. ^_^ We received a cute little cutting board with an engraving on it. Awh...soo scratch that too! I do have a couple. Now I just need to find some good, affordable napkins and napkin rings. Then I will have a proper German Küche (kitchen).

Daily I use the tea kettle, and my knives...I don't think I would regularly use a sandwich press or a dutch oven. That's more for restaurants and camping, respectively.

Of course this is coming from the woman who doesn't have, nor want a dishwasher. Our water is so hard it would spot everything and that would drive me crazay!

What are your necessities in the kitchen? If I left something out let me know. I'm always up for a new idea for making life simpler....I think an immersion blender or dough hooks for my hand blender would be fabulous!

Thanks for reading! I hope you'll share your ideas and blogs with me!
~Cassie

Bad Bad Blogger.

Oh I have been so bad! Where did September go!?

I was working on my posts with the Challenge...and BAM! Happy Birthday to me. Then the world got crazy busy, and well...I haven't blogged.

So I guess I can do a bit of an update....

First I will finish the questions. I will give the short version and not go too far into them because, well...the main reason I lost steam on it was the last questions weren't really that intriguing for me.

So here goes, and then I'll be back to my blogging self...

Day 26 : Have you ever thought about giving up on life? If so, when and why? No, I don't think giving up was ever an option.

Day 27 : What’s the best thing going for you right now? The best thing going for me? Well...life. I love my life, and all the people that make it better.

Day 28 : What if you were pregnant or got someone pregnant, what would you do?Day 29 : Something you hope to change about yourself. And why. Luckily I can't get others pregnant....um but if I was to become pregnant, well I think I'd worry about having space in our cozy little house of love. We don't exactly have the set-up for another kiddo!

Day 30 : A letter to yourself, tell yourself EVERYTHING you love about yourself Everything I love about myself? Um well, self...I think you are creative, and love the logic mind that overpowers all negative emotions. I love that you are a natural bullshit detector, even if that creates issues with those who like to spew B.S. like nobody's business. I love that you are real, and let people know what you think, because the only people that get upset about you telling the truth are those who live in lies. I love that you like to try new things, all the time-even if that means you get a little scared something might not work out. I also love that you are a teacher at heart and are always looking for ways to try and make others lives better. If only you could figure out how to reach those who don't think they want your help... I love that you are in a boot camp now, and whipping  your booty back into shape. Be sure to keep it up, and love that body more! ^_^ Keep on writing, even if you are the only one reading it and be sure to keep writing down those crazy awesome dreams of yours! 
That is all for now...recipes and other stuff coming soon! Yeah buddy!
How about a Montage Monday, Tell it like it is Tuesday, and a Foodie Friday? Or perhaps a Delicious Donnerstag? Well....I'll figure it all out soon enough!

For now, this lil stone is rolling to bed!

Thirty Days of Truths: Day 25

Day 25: The reason you believe you’re still alive today.

I often wonder the reason. I have heard people say it's because they have some big thing planned for their life, or because they haven't lived a full life...

I'm really not sure. But if I had to say there was a reason it would be my soul mate. My love. I stayed alive long enough to meet him, and I hope to share a long life with him. I know how much he needed a strong, resilient, loving woman to be a Mother to his son. He needed a partner that understood and encouraged him, and he needed a soul that matched his to share his life and great love with.

I want to be that couple who's love is so deep they pass into the next within hours of each other. I want to see our children grow up into wonderful people full of life, love and spirit.

Yes, I also want to have my dream of a novel published, read and loved...but as long as my family knows they meant more to me than any pipe dream, I feel like my life is worthy and well lived.

30 Days of Truths: Day 24

Day 24: Make a playlist to someone, and explain why you chose all the songs. (Just post the titles and artists and letter)

Ok. This is all about being true. And even though I grew up in the age of tape cassettes and CDs I wasn't one to make playlists. I have one that I remember making and it was for myself. It was my nighttime music.

Not for anyone else, but for myself. So I'm not really sure if I should go ahead and make one, or just talk about the one I made for myself.

Oh wait. I take that back. I did make our lil guy Shi one when Jon and I first started dating...it was a bunch of soothing nightimey music to help him relax at bedtime. :)

So, I've made a couple.

I'll start one for the Hubs.

1: Landon Pigg: Falling in Love in a Coffee Shop
~We met at our local favorite Coffee Shop, and so naturally this song is one of "Our Songs"

2. Moldy Peaches: Anyone Else But You
~Because you are my full time best friend, and I don't see what anyone can see in anyone else but you, my love.

3. Elton John: Your Song
~You request this at our favorite Piano Bar, and anytime else it is romantic. Life is so wonderful while you're in the world...

4. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros: Home
~Because I've never loved no one more than, nothing is sweeter than, nothing pleases me more than, I've been everywhere with, and Home is when I'm alone with; YOU.

5. Dave Matthews Band: Crash
~The song is just hot and so are you.

6. Colbie Caillat: Bubbly
~You make me feel this way.
7. Michael Buble: Haven't Met You Yet
~I remember watching this video right when we met, and thinking: How many times were we just an aisle in the grocery store or a room in the coffee shop away, while living a block away from each other!?

8. Adele: Someone Like You
~Because I know all the girls that lost you are wishing they just might be lucky to find someone like you. But I got you. Lucky me! <3 <3 <3

9. Stevie Wonder: You Are the Apple of my Eye
~I think of my parents every time I hear this song, and I am reminded of how strong our love is because of those before us that showed us the way. Forever you'll stay in my soul.

10. Ellie Golding: Your Song
~We heard her version on that night. Yeah, you remember. <3


So that's my playlist....for my love. I liked this challenge. Reminders of our love. Those are always good. I am sure he can think of more. ^_^ Sorry if I forgot a few that were more meaningful.

Just a few more days! I think I can, I think I can! 

Thirty Days of Truths: Day 23

Day 23: Something you wish you had done in your life.

Getting towards the end of this challenge...it has been fun, but I really am missing posting some recipes and things I've found. I think next time I blog a challenge it needs to be more along the lines of things I would normally do.. but OK. Here I go!

When someone is talking about something they wish they had done in their life, it reminds me of an older person talking to a young'un reminiscing and encouraging the young person to be sure and follow their dreams. So let's get this straight: I'm not an old person, and I know I have lived quite suitably for a person my age and seen and have done a lot. I am not complaining about what I wish I've done and in any way remorseful of my choices or decisions. They have put me in a wonderful place and I would not want to be anywhere else right now. I love my life.

So I'm not wishing for a different place, or a different experience, no. That would mean I would not be sitting here in my favorite coffee shop with the love of my life and maybe more. It would mean I wouldn't have a sweet child that, while the pains of birth were not my own to know yet, but the joys and challenges of parenting are a wonderful experience I've been given the pleasure of knowing.

Something I do wish I had done...I've lived in another country, I've learned another language and have knowledge of a couple more. I've had good relationships and bad ones. I've had family issues to work through, and I've had the typical experiences I think make us human. Joys and fears, loves and losses, heartache and exuberance, sorrow and lust...I've worked hard and hardly at all. I've studied to ace an exam and learned the perils of failing. I've picked myself up from the depths of despair and learned to create an endless light in my life to keep me going. Romance, longing, travel, hermititude, partying....gosh. The more I think about it the more experienced I feel. So if I were to be at the end of my life and look back on the whole of my experiences...I would feel pretty fulfilled. The one thing I wish I would have done is journal more.

I recently found a few journals from when I was a bit younger. I'm still young. I know that...but it was so interesting to see my thoughts from times when it is hard to remember the daily occurrences. Hearing me talk about my friends and my family, about what made me happy then and my hopes for the future. Seeing a different person in the books of my life altogether.

So that is my one thing I wish. I wish wholeheartedly that I had written more of my memories down. I have a few from when I was in Fourth grade, more from middle school and many from high school. But college, it was rare for me to make time to journal. Maybe I can find my old stuff from myspace and facebook and make some sort of journal from that. I wasn't always as positive as I am now. I wasn't always the optimist, nor the happy-go-lucky gal I feel I am now. But one thing that rings true in my current life experience is that I've always enjoyed writing, poetry and prose. And the other thing that is still true is I think no one is ever really going to read any of my stuff either. Haha. One of my first poems I found written in my 8th grader writing, scratched out, and written in my 9th grader handwriting "Yuk! No one wants to read this!"

haha...Oh old self...current self understands. And loves your honesty. Thanks for the *cough* encouragement. Tee hee.

Thanks for reading- I'd love to see if anyone else is willing to do, or has done this challenge. Leave me a message with your thoughts! <3

<3 <3 <3 Cassie Stone
~Rolling through life to the rhythm of love...share the bliss.

Thirty Days of Truths: Day 22

Day 22: Something You Wish You Hadn’t Done In Your Life

I like to say that everything happens for a reason, and if something terrible does happen there is something to be learned from it. BUT... IF I had a wish and that wish was to take something back in my life I think it would be a moment of weakness on my part.

I had just broken up with my boyfriend of twoish years (he was a big lying, manipulative, controlling, cheating....I should have broken it off at the lying part...ti name a few of his attributes) Well I had just broken it off, and he ended up convincing me to go on one last little trip with him since we had it planned already. It was just for a day and I figured I could at least flirt with some hotties there. I know. Bad.

Well, against my better judgement I went. With a few ground rules. We weren't supposed to hang out with his friends (since they knew he was a scummy guy and helped cover his lies) we weren't there as b/f & g/f, and if we did see any of his friends we were supposed to say hi and move on. Well, of course...we ran into some of his friends and ended up hanging out with them. I was spitting mad, and made him take me home.

As we were leaving this big car show- an idiot driver tried to pull a u-turn in front of us and we tboned his big dual-lie truck going 50 miles an hour.

I ended up with a terrible concussion, a broken nose and many bruised bones (the doctor couldn't believe I didn't have more broken bones)

I missed so much work and it affected my classes quite a bit. I still wish I could take that day back. For months if I over did it I would have a nose bleed and I had such terribly swelling and bruising and cuts that I looked like a Klingon Clown with Down-syndrome for quite a while. Not to mention I couldn't wear a shirt or sweater that had to be pulled over my head for 6 or 7 months unless I wanted a nosebleed.

Of course the one thing I learned from that experience is that anybody who tells you and YES I QUOTE: "Your face is broken, not your arms and legs" in response to you asking for help with some laundry because you are in so much pain you can't even cry or sit up in bed without hyperventilating and having blood spewing grotesquely from your nose...is not somebody you want to waste your time and energy on.

Of course I did get a nice study abroad experience from the settlement from the jerk that hit us. The nice officer/sheriff that was at the scene, and witnessed the whole thing wrote him quite a few hefty tickets that proved his guilt in the matter. Thank goodness. And that trip showed me there were plenty of nicer fish in the sea!

So yea. That is definitely a day/experience/thing I wish I hadn't done in my life. Maybe I should sum it up with that set-up that first introduced me to him. Ugh.

Thirty Days of Truths: Day 21

Day 21: (scenario) Your Best Friend Is In a Car Accident and You Two Got Into a Fight An Hour Before. What Do You Do?

Um...well. As long as they are not dead- I think everything would be ok.

I'm going to be honest here, (that is the point of this Challenge thing, right?) and say that I wish I had read all of the prompts before committing. LOL But anyway...

The drama-I was never really one to play into all that drama stuff. I get enough baby-momma drama and I never really understood people playing petty games at the hopes of making themselves feel better, or whatever other silly reason.

So if there was a fight, it must have been about something serious, but if it is a friend then nothing is more serious than their being okay in a situation like this. So I would get to their side as soon as humanly possible and apologize for whatever stupid thing we fought about and continue being the good friend I should be.

Simple enough.

I need to post a few recipes. I liked those posts better anyway. LOL Maybe I should start a cooking challenge....hmmmmmmm

Okay, well. Nighty nite!

<3 <3 <3 Cassie
~Rolling through life to the rhythm of love...share the bliss.

Thirty Days of Truths: Day 20

Day 20: Your views on Drugs and Alcohol

Okay, so yes....I do agree with this statement:

...mostly. How about this statement: Just about anything can be bad if abused. Alcohol can be bad if abused. Simple as that. But it has benefits too. Same with drugs. Some natural herbs should be used as the beneficial herbs they are. I remember recently having a nice talk with Grandad about how he used to be able to get a certain green herb from the drug store. Yes, as a drug-but it was used medicinally. The History of Cannabis is interesting, to say the least.  I've also read there are many benefits from that particular herb. There must be if it is used in some forms of pharmaceutics-but those have side effects. And I really don't like taking any form of drug that has a side effect that can make a negative impact on my life. I had some extremely bad side effects from a prescription I was on a few years back, and I am quite leery of our medical fields. We workk ourselves sick, and then use that money to pay for medicine that keeps us sick? There is something wrong with that picture.

I choose life.

                                  

I think it is about education. Some people die from legal drugs, others from illegal. For the government  I think it's all about the big dollar...but that's a different discussion. Too deep for now. But yeah...

Just something to think about...

Of course, I'm not about to do something that would get myself thrown in jail (or inflict bodily harm)...so I'll stick to my alcohol. Oh wait....but aren't bath salts legal? Now THAT is messed up. No thank you. 

Yeah, I don't think the side effects are that cute.

Oh and I can't smoke anyway-my stupid asthma. So what was my point? Haha. I've never smoked a cigarette...and I don't ever plan to. I like being able to breathe.

So that's my day 20...

Thirty Days of Truths: Day 19

Day 19 : What do you think of religion? Or what do you think of politics?

It has been quite a long week and to get into either of these topics will take more effort than I have left in me. Our lil guy has been sick for a week now, and I am just worn out. So I will sum up my thought on politics with one image...

okay, maybe two....

Either way we're not going to get the outcome we want. Politicians have too much power and the game is old and drawn out. So I guess we just have to educate ourselves the best we can and choose the lesser of the evils.

I wish it was a more uplifting post for today, but there it is! Gonna go drink some water and get some sleep.

~Cassie

Thirty Days of Truth: Day 18

Day 18: Your views on gay marriage

I know there are a lot of people who would side with me as well as many that would say my opinion is wrong.

This is my opinion, and I am not forcing it on anyone. I knew when I started this blog it was going to make a few people upset- but I cannot go through life worrying about how others feel about my thoughts and words.

So that is my disclaimer for that.

Now, with all that said...my views. They are simple as is most of what I believe. I believe we are all born to be loved. We all deserve happiness, light and love, and how we choose to create it in our own lives is our choice. Until someone's love life interferes with mine I have no say over what makes them happy. Nor do I believe should anyone else.

Now, we could go into the religious reasons, or the studies done about how homosexuality can be explained through natural selection....and the study with the rats....but that's not the issue. The issue I am being asked my opinion of is marriage.

All I know is if I loved someone and I couldn't be at their side when they were in the hospital or file taxes together or buy a home together and it be ours...it would be wrong. And I am really going to have to stop writing before I go and say something that offends someone...I really don't feel like getting into a debate over it. If you disagree, feel free to leave me a comment with a link to your views. But please don't attack mine.

I believe all you need is love, and love is all you need...and if you truly were living in love you wouldn't want to keep anyone else from sharing the joy.

Oh, and the farce about protecting Biblical Marriage...well...how many biblical heterosexual marriages end in divorce and separation? How many kids are raised with fighting parents that would be happier and would be able to give their children more stability on their own? Just a few thoughts that come to mind when I think of the place our society is in these days.

<3 <3 <3 Cassie Stone
~Rolling through life to the rhythm of love...share the bliss.

Thirty Days of Truths: Day 17

Day 17 : A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.

Oh hands down, Eckhart Tolle. I first read  The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment  it was quite an amazing experience. I already was heading down a better path in life, but his words gave me the reassurance that these thoughts I was feeling were not just thoughts, but reality.

Even tonight as I think of circumstances out of my control and try to find new ways to release the worry and find trust in myself. I am only one soul, one person doing my best. As long as I can look at myself in the mirror and know I am doing more than my best, that I am doing all that I can to take care of my family and to be sure their needs are well met, then I know, in the end, all will be well.

One quote in particular resonates in my mind always 

“The primary cause of unhappiness is never the situation but thought about it. Be aware of the thoughts you are thinking. Separate them from the situation, which is always neutral. It is as it is.” 

By understanding a situation and separating my thoughts from the situation I find peace, and create the happiness with in. If you give power to that which you cannot control, then misery may take over, but by stepping out of darkness and into the light, joy and peace thrive.

From inside the maze it might be hard to see the path,
but it can be easy to get through!

So this book, and author changed my perspective on happiness. It isn't a destination, but rather the journey. My journey is one of love and light, I hope you, too can find the power of now and join in on this wonderful journey!

<3 <3 <3 Cassie Stone
~Rolling through life to the rhythm of love...share the bliss.

Thirty Days of Truths: Day 16

Day 16: Someone or something you definitely could live without.

Well, let's see. Something I could definitely live without. Or someone....goodness. I didn't realize how hard these would be to think of.

Okay, something I could live without is fast food. If every fast food restaurant closed down today, even though today only has about 15 minutes left in it. I would be so very happy.

In High School it was cool to go grab a bite to eat with my friends, so that was really the only reason I ever went to fast food places then. But if I was left to my own devices I would be happy not going to them. Sure they are easy and convenient, but man. The way I feel after I eat some big greasy burger....just isn't worth it to me.

In college I hated the food at the cafeterias. I mean hated. Yes, loathed and despised. I actually got so sick because I wasn't eating enough food for my active lifestyle. I played lacrosse and worked and ran a few times a week...and a few greens and cereal just wasn't cutting it. Everything there was like walking through a fast food place. I was able to see a nutritionist on campus and prove that I could feed myself well enough to be exempt from the meal plan and that was the best thing that ever happened! I started cooking in the basement and baking and really that's when my love of food started. All because I didn't want to eat the crap that they served in the cafeterias that, to me, was just as bad as a fast food joint.

So if you are craving some fried chicken, or a nice juicy burger-come on over. I love making chicken and gravy....and Jon can grill a mean burger. Oh, and my fries...much better than those other places. And uh-there was a time when the gals at the burger joint I worked at would sing" Her milkshakes bring all the boys to the yard"

And they did. Have you ever had my Double Chocolate Blueberry Malted Peanut Butter Shake? No? I'm sorry. It is sooooooo good. Believe it or not, but this is the thirty days of truths challenge. And that is definitely the truth.

Ok, well....one minute to midnight. Gotta roll on to bed!

<3 <3 <3 Cassie Stone
~Rolling through life to the rhythm of love...share the bliss.

Thirty Days of Truths: Day 15

Day 15: Something or someone you couldn't live without because you've tried living without it

A couple years ago I might say my phone, but after working a few jobs where employers always think they should be able to get a hold of you even when you are off the clock I started to loathe having a cell phone.

I still rarely remember to take it with me-it just isn't quite the important thing it used to be, so that wouldn't be it...I would say my Hubby, but I've never tried living without him, unless you count the time  before we met, and well frankly, I don't think that time counts.

But something I couldn't live without...I would have to say my sight. And yes, I've had to live without it before.

That terrible year I was talking about on Day 13...I forgot to mention I got a staph infection in my eye from the hospital while my grandfather was there. I woke up one day and couldn't see. My left eye was milky white and my Mom wigged out. I had to have these special drops in my eyes every 30 minutes for 48 hours, then every hour for 24 hours and every 2 hours until the bottle was gone. Even in the middle of the night. And I HAD to make sure I didn't miss one dose or I would have been very lucky to get my vision back.

That was the worst thing ever. I couldn't read or write without my vision....so many things I take for granted every day. I know there are many who live without their vision, but if I lost any of my senses I would be in a different realm, and I would sorely miss it.

Vision being number one, probably hearing second, and the others tying for third...yeah. I don't even want to think about that. People who live without one or more senses are stronger than I think I could ever be. Helen Keller for sure....her story is amazing.

So that would be my thing....er things. ^_^ My senses.

Sorry it's short tonight. Need some rest.

<3 <3 <3 Cassie Stone
~Rolling through life to the rhythm of love...share the bliss.

Thirty Days of Truth: Day 14

Day 14: A Hero that has let you down (write a letter)

Okay, I can't really think of a hero hero....but this is the closest I can come to it....

Dearest Oprah,

I grew up watching your show and learning some great tips from you for a life better lived. I've enjoyed books from your club and have been entertained by many of the guests that have graced your stage. The wealth of knowledge you have shared with the world is admirable, and I respect you.

My assignment was to write a letter to a hero that has let me down. I would say you are the closest thing to a hero, other than my Mother, and Father-and they are good in those terms....as far as not being let-downs...so you come to mind.

I recently subscribed to your magazine, and was horrified at the content. While there were a few good stories, I felt the weight of commercialism and consumerism screaming from just about every page. There was even a section about affordable style...that was not affordable. I was so disappointed.

I am a modest person, living a modest life. As I would assume many of the women that read your magazine are. I was horrified at the clothing lines selected for advertising in the magazine! A $700 jacket, and some equally insanely high priced shoes come to mind first. One outfit on a page would cost more than I spend on my wardrobe in well over a year. Actually, this year I doubt I have spent $200 on my wardrobe (including stuff my husband has bought for me).

It is just that sort of message that makes this world such a difficult place for most. People are shown through advertising that they are "worth more" if they spend more on clothing and other things. That was the last thing I expected to see from a woman who tries to help people learn to live better lives through learning and living it to the fullest.

I would love to see your magazine tailored more towards the message of living well, and within your means. Rather than the message that screams "buy this, or you aren't going to be respected!"

I expected more from you and I was sad to have to cancel the magazine...more people could find happiness if they weren't running the rat race just to waste money on brands and labels. And if someone could help people to learn to live more simply-they'd sure be my hero.

Sincerely,
Cassie Stone



So yeah- that would be the gist. I would really want to say more to her. I really did respect her as a person really trying to make a difference. But that's the problem with this world. People say they want to change the world but once they attain the power to be able to, they forget their purpose and fall into the clutches of fame and fashion. A wise woman once said: “If you want to change the world, go home and love your family. Do small things with great love.” That woman is a true Hero to me, Mother Teresa~ Thank you for being the light in the world. I strive to do just that. I try to do everything with love, every small thing with great love.

Do you have a hero, that let you down? Or do you think I'm just silly for getting so worked up about the price of clothing in the magazine? I really thought I'd find something different within those pages....

Thanks for reading, I'd love to see some feedback! And let me know what challenges you are doing, or what you'd like me to do next! I'm almost to the half-way point!


<3 <3 <3 Cassie
~Rolling through life to the rhythm of love...share the bliss.

Thirty Days of Truths: Day 13

Day 13: A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough ass days. (write a letter.)

I am not one to obsess, or really rely on much other than me myself and I for comfort and such. I know what truly counts is what I create within myself, with that said I have definitely had some tough ass days, months....years... and although I can't say there was one particular band or artist that I owe my continuing presence on this Earth to...I can say that I do love music for its entertainment purposes as well as a great way to jam out when I need to get some stuff done.

I can remember a couple songs that resonate with a particular event in my life or time period of my life so I'll write a short letter to a couple that first came to mind:

Dear Blue Oyster Cult, and Chuck Berry,           (*is that an odd combination?)

I am writing this letter to express my gratitude for getting me through some tough ass times. And reminding me of those times each time I hear particular songs of yours.

Blue Oyster Cult you were almost the sole recipient of this letter, but I realized that Mr. Berry also deserved some credit for a certain song that appeared in a movie from my childhood. I will address your influence first.

A few years ago, I began what proved to be one of the most difficult years of my young life. While I am not about to say it couldn't have gotten worse, I know that is not wise, since I said it a few times that year and was proven wrong, and I am not too keen on being wrong, so I'll just leave that part out.

I lost a dear friend early on in that year. She was loved as family and knew more about me than I think I still know today. Her death impacted me greatly and I had a very difficult time accepting she was gone. My busy life at college had taken a toll on our relationship and I didn't see her as much as I should have in those years...I learned a very hard lesson.

While I was still reeling from the pains of her death another friend of mine was in a car accident and died, nearly a month after that I lost a family member, and then the next two months took two more people from my life. By the second death of that year I was fed up with crying and mad at the Universe. As well as myself. I retreated from friends and ended up not gaining many of those friendships back-

I had a cell phone and learned how to download new ringtones and ended up with quite the appropriate ringtone Mantra...

Laaa la laa la laa.

I have a flashback to that year every time I hear that song. The pain less now with the time that has passed, but the memories still strong. It was quite a blur of a year, and that song received quite a few laughs when people would hear my phone. I suppose part of the reason I chose that song was to help deal with the pain... but I think it also might have to do with my admiration of a certain SNL scene that still makes my sides hurt when I watch it:

Bruce Dickinson: I mean, really.. explore the space. I like what I'm hearing. roll it.

Haha, so yeah... Thanks Blue Oyster Cult. You rocked that song as my anthem that year!

(Now, after the reference to the Cowbell scene I might be the only person that remembers I included Chuck Berry in this letter...moving on)

So, Mr. Berry, may I call you Chuck? Chuck, that song Johnny B. Goode was, as most know, in Back to the Future, at the prom. That scene was playing on our family television during a very traumatic moment in my childhood.

I vividly remember it every time I hear that song, or watch BTTF...I was sitting on my Dad's lap and watching the movie, when my Dad, the eternal jokester, decided (I thought) to play one of his pranks on us. About the same time Marty McFly (Micheal J. Fox) saw his hand was starting to disappear, my Dad clutched his chest. I thought he was joking and doing his "Seizure" thing he used to do... when he didn't stop I knew something was terribly wrong.

A very long story short that evening ended with my Dad and Mom going to the hospital while I was in the arms of a very nice firefighter who stayed with me and my siblings until a friend of the family could arrive to watch us. I tear up now thinking about the chain of events and the worry I felt as a very young child.

I have always felt a deep connection with my Father, and not knowing if he was coming back scared me, as I'm sure it would most children.

Luckily he came home, and I still have my Daddy today...but that song reminds me of how fragile life can be, and both songs remind me to take the time to spend with those I love. We never know when they may be the last moments together in this life.

Thanks for the Memories,
Cassie

These songs/artists definitely strike up some vivid memories, and I don't think I will soon forget either episode in my life. And while I rely more on my writing and myself to pull myself through those tough ass times in life- I would like to think this all completes the task of the day. ^_^

Thanks for reading my ramblings!
<3 <3 <3 Cassie Stone
~Rolling through life to the rhythm of love...share the bliss.