Several years ago when I lived in San Francisco, I went to see AMMA, known at the Hugging Saint. I waited for several hours to receive a hug from her. There were literally hundreds of other people who were there for the samething. I can still feel the loving energy that filled the room where she was. She had an entourage with her and they too gave off a loving energy. It was a wonderful experience. I think about that now, because I find it amazing that this one person can radiate such a wonderful feeling and cause so many people of all walks of life to want to not only be in her presence but to get a hug! This woman clearly demonstrates how being connected to the "source energy" can become a beacon of light that others are drawn to.

I put together a video vision board a couple of weeks ago. It has pictures of flea market booths and artistic/vintage shops. I used to sell vintage/ artsy stuff in an antique mall and I also sold at flea markets. I want to get back to that, so I put it in my vision board. Today, I made a payment to pay for booth space to sell at a flea market/art mercantile market this Saturday! I was driving by an interesting looking artsy shop last week and my intuition told me to go inside right away so I followed my intuition and went in to the shop and while I was looking around I found out that they have a mercantile flea market the first Saturday of the month. I am sooo excited! If you are near Fullerton, California this Saturday, stop by, I am the 6 foot tall red head with the big smile on my face, cause I know I manifested this!

Hope you are manifesting good stuff! xoxo Inge

Dear Nacho;
I am glad to have known you and I am happy you were a good friend to James. You took this saying to heart and really lived it:

"LIFE'S JOURNEY is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "Holy shit, what a ride!"

Your favorite movie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpHIIE9Lois

Rest in Peace.
xoxo Inge

I am reading Louise Hay's book, "You Can Heal Your Life". There are so many great ideas in it and I find myself reading it every chance I get. It got me to thinking about connections and "wake up" moments, as she likes to call them. If I think back on it, I did have a few but I guess I did not really see them as "wake up" moments. Oprah calls them "Aha!" moments.

I have a metal bird sculpture in my courtyard that I bought at a craft fair a few years ago. I love anything bird themed and have been known to stop my car, get my binoculars from the trunk and bird watch migrating birds from a parking lot. Hence, my nickname Ingebird. I got to thinking about this particualr metal bird today because of the story behind it, which when I bought the bird I did not appreciate the significance.


The artist made the bird and others like it from a burned out car. She cut the metal pieces up and made something new. What made this bird special was the fact the car belonged to her and her husband. He car was destroyed in a fire that also claimed her home. She lost her belongings in a huge fire that claimed many homes up in Northern California several years back. She took a terrible situation and made something beautiful. What someone else would call junk, she saw art and specifically a bird. Now that's an "Aha!" moment!

Hope you have an "Aha!" moment today and don't forget to laugh out loud!

xoxo Inge

One Year Anniversary

John and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary today. We have been shacking up for twelve years and married for one. We decided last year to run down to the court house and get married. We really didn't need the piece of paper but since we are no longer spring chickens it made practical sense. We really are lucky to have found each other. We each have our own eccentricities, had a similar childhood, and understand each other. Believe me, living with someone who has ocd is not easy no matter how mild the case. I call John Mr. Magoo, if you ever saw the cartoon you know what I mean.

We took the kids to the dog beach and ate tacos for our anniversary lunch. I think everyone had a good time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYd-1SvQEzE

Hope your day was fun and you laughed a lot!

xoxo Inge

Lots of things going on right now. Somedays, I am on an emotional roller coaster. The job thing is finally coming together. I mentioned the other day that I got hired to be a caregiver a couple of weeks ago. I got 2 days of work from them and that just is not enough for me. I was offered some shifts but they were not working for me... mostly 24 hour shifts for 4 days at a stretch. I would literally be living with the client and not able to go home. Well, you know I spent 3 months away from my family last year not to mention the 2 week long jaunts I did several times looking for work before I finally moved down here when James broke his leg and then I was gone the 3 months. I figure I can always make more money but I cannot make more time. And time with my family, human and furbaby are much too important.

I answered an ad for massage therapist in a chiropractors office, going to farmers markets and stores as part of a promotion for the chiropractor and I got it! The pay is much better and since I have 6 years experience I have more opportunities to get back into that line of work. I stopped working as a massage therapist when we moved to Chico because the pay was so low. I guess those college students at Chico State have better things to spend their money on besides massage. I just decided to go back to restaurant work and did not think about it again seriously until I saw the ad. The hours conflicted with the caregiver position though... I was waiting for a job to start... the hold up was with the family... they were deciding when I was to start. First it was last week, then Monday of next week and then they did not know when and I was left hanging. Not a nice feeling for me who has issues with patience anyway. Everyday I don't work is another day without pay. So when the chiropractor's office called this morning to find out my availability again I told them any day they wanted and then I called the caregiver office and quit.

I start this Wednesday doing massage which I love and I am great at it. It is 3 to 4 days to start but then who knows...

The other thing that is staring John and I in the face daily is Olive, my Chihuahua. She is 17 years old (I am guessing, woman like to keep their true age a secret) and her heart disease has progressed. She collapsed last December and has been on meds. Lately we have been taking her into the vets to be checked out and her stomach has to drained of fluids because her heart valve is not closing properly. We were told in December that the meds would not cure her but they would buy her time. We took her to be drained last Saturday and Sunday night she was getting bloated again. She is also taking a diuretic which makes her pee alot but lately she is not peeing as much as she did a couple of months ago. Tomorrow we take her back to the vet. I hate having to put her through the ordeal of getting her stomach drained. I know it has to be painful. The last time she had a bruise for a couple of days. John says it doesn't hurt her but I don't believe it. She is a tough broad and just because she does not cry out does not mean it is not painful. I was told in the animal kingdom that they do not cry out in pain because it is considered weak and if she was in the wild she would become food for a predator which sees her as weak. The vet says even though she has health issues, she is doing good and not ready to go yet. Still, it is something I think about and try to prepare myself. I do not want to waste a lot of time on it though because I want to focus on the time we have together. The present moment. I haven't seen an expiration date on any of us so no one knows when any of us will cross over. I want to enjoy each day and not upset her by constantly checking on her breathing. I am sure she is living in the moment and not worrying about how much time she has left. If there is anyone out there in blog land who has gone through this I would appreciate any input you have.

Hope your weekend is spent in the moment and full of laughter.

xoxo Inge

Your Burning Daylight!

FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS!!!

xoxo Inge

Happy Saint Paddy's Day!!!

Hope your day is fun and don't forget to laugh out loud!
xoxo Inge

"Diverse Cultures Pray for Peace"

I like to read Ode magazine and I came across an article that I thought might interest you.
http://www.lapaixherbfarmproducts.com/PeacePrayers.html
My favorite prayer is the one by Ellen Bass http://www.lapaixherbfarmproducts.com/peacepoembyellenbasshtm.htm

Hope your prayers are answered and don't forget to laugh out loud!
xoxo Inge
p.s. It's a new moon tonight, don't forget to write down your desires and burn them ... make sure you do it in a safe place, please!

Sunday Funnies!

Have a great day! and don't forget to laugh out loud!
xoxo Inge

I got a temp job today but the boss was a real dog!

Hope your day is fun! Don't forget to laugh out loud!

xoxo Inge

I was listening to the radio the other night and the DJ is that the correct name these days? Anyways it was NPR and that person was interviewing someone who had worked for an occult publishing company. This person mentioned that on her desk sat a "ghost in a jar" which was given to her by her employer. That got my attention and I guess the DJ as well. He asked her to elaborate about this "ghost in a jar". She gave a brief description about it and it's supposed origins and then mentioned that they were sold on eBay.

So when I got home I had to look it up. At the time there were no "ghosts in jars" for sale but there were plenty of "haunted" things for sale. It seems that a big seller is haunted dolls. They fetch a good price. I read the background of these dolls and why the owner considered them to be haunted. Now you know I am a believer in the paranormal. I have had a few personal experiences, but some of these stories just seemed to me to be... well... stories. But these dolls were selling! Now, the business side of me got to thinking... I should run down to the nearest Salvation Army or yard sale and buy some dolls and write a good "ghost story" to go with it. I sure can use the extra cash and who knows maybe this could be my new career... selling haunted dolls and some rings that used to belong to an old aunt who used to be a practising witch. wink. wink. BUT... then the spiritual, moral or whatever you want to call it starts talking to me (in my head) that if I decide to go into this biz adventure then Karma will catch up with me and one of those dolls will strangle me in my sleep! This needing to do the right thing so Karma doesn't kick my ass is cramping my style!

I got this picture from their blog.

Yesterday, I went to another home care agency in Orange, California. I figured it would be a good idea to sign up with at least 2 agencies to make sure I get steady work. To be honest, I didn't "click" with this one. It was a group interview and those of us chosen to go on to the next round will be called back on Monday. I am amazed that these type of agencies pay so low! They expect a lot from their employees but are only willing to pay the minimum. Don't they understand the idea "you get what you pay for"? Here is an example... the pay is $110 for a 24 hour shift, because the employee will be sleeping there. But anyone who has cared for a sick and/or elderly person knows that they don't sleep and neither will you! I calculated that the hourly pay is less than $5 an hour, before taxes to work the 24 hour shift. The pay is more for regular hourly shifts. I am not available for 24 hour shifts... because of the low pay (I am worth a lot more than that) and I will not stay away from my family for that long. Being away from them for 3 months straight last year was enough for me! Never again! I know the people who own these agencies are charging the clients double of what the employees are making. I understand they have bills to pay... but! it is my belief that everyone should be paid a living wage and anyone living in California, especially Southern California needs to earn at the very least $10 an hour! Now that I have got that off my chest...

I went to Old Town Orange afterwards. They have a mix of small independent restaurants and antique malls and shops. Public parking is free and who can beat that price? So, I got my "looking at junk" fix and found Country Roads Antique Gardens. Another blogger whom I look at has a booth there but I forgot who it is. The booths are numbered so I don't know the names of them or the owners. It would be nice if each one put up a sign that told us who they were. I am sure they have names. I did when I had my booth in Paradise... "Junkstylediva" and had biz cards available in my booth. Anyways, the mall was HUGE! I spent 2 hours looking around and ended up buying 2 chippy bunnies and a small chippy urn for Easter. All 3 items cost me $15 which I normally would not have spent but I decided that in order for me to receive money from the Universe I had to let some go. You know - what goes around comes around. Giving money to another small biz person seems like the right thing and they look cute sitting by my fireplace.

If your in Orange county, you must go to the city of Orange and stop into Country Roads... you won't leave empty handed!

http://www.countryroadsantiquesandgarden.com/

Hope your day is fun and don't forget to laugh out loud!

xoxo Inge

John and I watched the Academy Awards Sunday night... the whole thing! I haven't done that in at least 100 years. I must say it was interesting and watching Sandra Bullock win the best actress award was great! I think she is so fun and talented. It is refreshing to see someone so famous and doesn't take herself too seriously. I have met people far less talented and rich as her that thought they were "all that". I hope I can be like her when I grow up!

I got 2 days of work so far this week and I plan to go to another agency this afternoon so I have more chances to get work assignments. I took care of this sweet 80 something woman this week and I made sure to stay in the present moment a lot. I asked her lots of questions about her life 1. to keep her alert and thinking 2. I enjoy hearing people's life stories, especially how they met their spouses. I found myself being reminded of a very wise woman's advice many years ago when I was a waitress and that was " your golden years are now. Do what you want to do now. Travel, take a chance on doing something new, explore new things and ideas, because if you put it off until "retirement" you may not be well enough to do it". I heard pretty much the samething from J these past few days. She had a fun life and took chances and now she has wonderful memories. I made sure I was "aware" and listened to her...afterall, I attracted her into my life so I did not want to miss a minute of the lessons she had for me.

Hope your day is fun, don't forget to look for your life lessons and for goddess sake don't forget to laugh out loud!

xoxo Inge


"You can't help getting older, but you don't have to get old!" George Burns

Sunday Funnies!

I believe Peter Sellers was a comedic genius!!! I miss his humor...






Have a fun Sunday and don't stop laughing!
xoxo Inge

I showed up for an interview the other day. There were 3 other people there when I arrived sitting in the waiting room. I requested to use the bathroom... I didn't know how long the wait time would be and I hate sitting through an interview while my bladder is screaming at me... those of you in post-menapause know what I am talking about. Anyway, the office is small and so is the bathroom. The first thing I noticed was the empty toilet paper roll... but there was a roll of paper towels sitting in a basket on top of the toilet tank. I did my "thing" and when I went to grab the paper towels it fell into the toilet! Even though I grabbed it with lightening speed the roll could not be saved. Now what was I going to do? No more paper anywhere. I was able to peel off a 2 inch area that was not wet yet and took care of myself. But, I thought what will the next person do and you know there will be a next person. So I did what any self preserving gal would do... I sat back down in the waiting room and kept my mouth shut.

But, of course, someone, an employee or was it the hiring manager?... went in the bathroom. right after me. She was in there a good 5 minutes... I knew because I could here the bathroom fan. My head was swirling with different scenarios. What I did know is that she found the wet paper towel roll in the waste basket and she probably did not have tissue on her. Did she know it was me? Would she hold that against me? Why does this stuff always happen to me? Years ago I went to an interview and I used the bathroom before I went in. I discovered after leaving the interview that my skirt was tucked into the back of my pantyhose! Oh well! too late now to fret over it. Whatever happens - happens!

Hope your day is fun and don't forget to laugh out loud!
xoxo Inge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7L7_7d2SWBM

Are You Too Serious???

I rented "What the Bleep Do We Know" last night. It has been on my list of videos to watch. Well, my review of the video has to be What the bleep were they talking about??? Maybe if I had smoked a joint before I watched it I would have understood it... then I looked around youtube to see if anyone could explain what they were talking about..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQOIuibXn0Q

Now I get it!!!!!

Hope your day is fun and don't forget to laugh out loud!
xoxo Inge

I decided to get rid of the adsense I installed on my blog. I want to choose who I want to promote because I like them and I like their work. I came to this conclusion because the other day I was in a grocery store that I had never gone to and there were small television screens at the registers advertising stuff. I found it annoying and infringing on my space. I think we have way too many commercials and advertising around here. It just becomes "noise" to me.

Hope your day is fun and don't forget to laugh out loud!
xoxo Inge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5arXGwaP7c

Have you noticed there are more women talking on their cell phone while they are using the bathroom? The men may be doing it too but I wouldn't know because I don't go in there anymore. I am amazed how there seems to be nothing that is Taboo anymore.

Hope your day is fun and don't forget to laugh out loud!
xoxo Inge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZQW99UKla4