Message from Ladybug Totem

Several months ago I was prepping windows in my living room for a fresh coat of paint. I saw something red, black and rather strange in the top corner. It was something like a wasps nest at first glance but it was red and black ... as I came closer the image that my eyes were having a difficult time identifying came clear once I realize the the black spots were not holes but dots on the backs of about 8 lady bugs clumped together. I was amazed to say the least; what a pleasant finding! But I had moved into the house in August and this was a day in December ... pondering ... what were they eating in order to live in my house? I have no plants in the house and certainly no aphids for them to eat. So I moved them ... and painted my windowsills.

Well, several weeks later I found that the lady bugs moved back -- they are back on the window again. And guess what? This corner of my house, in Feng Shui, is the wealth and luxury corner. Cool place for ladybugs to be hanging out for no apparent reason. My kids and I use the area of the house for curling up with a good book and reading and we now call it ladybug corner.

Well, today April 6, I took the kids out for something fun, first I thought we'd take a hike and have a picnic, they wanted to to go to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, but I really wanted to enjoy the outdoors. It was a warm day today and rain is due for the rest of the week. Then I remembered a beach that I had never been to an was told by a friend that there is tons of sea glass at this beach. That sounded perfect and that was were I took the kids.

Now guess what? Yes, we found tons of sea glass BUT we found two ladybugs on the sand! Again what a pleasant surprise and what an unusual place to find not one but two ladybugs!

Later in the day I took the kids over to the Farmer's Market in Pacific Grove. This market began last summer and today was our first time to this market. Shortly after our arrived this very cute little terrier came up to say hello. The owner was right behind her. After we oohed and awed over this sweet dog, her owner tells us her name is Ladybug. "Okay", my mind tells me, "look up ladybugs. There is a message here for us".

Over the years I have learned that when I hear or see things repeat, a form of my intuition is communicating to me. The following is what I learned about ladybugs today. It all feels true for me and my family (the three of us). And I think it is so darn cool how things work around here -- there are messages for us everywhere! Life is good, really really good and it is meant to be this good.

Sources: www.sayahda.com, www..starstuffs.com, www.linsdomain.com

Ladybugs are about metamorphosis, growth and manifestation of thoughts and ideas. Our wishes begin to be fulfilled. Higher goals and new successes are possible. Worries begin to dissipate. New happiness comes about. Fall and Spring are the most abundance times for a person with a Ladybug totem. Ladybug also cautions not to try to hard or go to fast to fulfill dreams. Let things flow at their natural pace. In the due course of time, wishes and desires will all come true. Ladybug's life spans are about four weeks. Several generations are produced each summer. This links the energy of the ladybug to renewal and regeneration. Those with this totem are usually family oriented with strong morals and social values. Because the life cycle of an adult ladybug is short, it teaches us to release worry and to live life to the fullest. When it appears in our life it is telling us to let go. Ladybug teaches us to restore our faith and trust in the greater spirit - God. It initiates change where it is needed most. When Ladybug appears it is asking us to get out of our own way and allow the greater spirit to enter. An adult ladybug can consume several thousands of aphids and other scale insects within a few months. Because of its diet the ladybug often has parasites and those with this medicine often need to take care of their digestive system. Now is the time to examine eating habits. Ladybug has a protective quality, keen instincts and in spite of its size it appears to be fearless. The ladybug reconnects us with the joy of living, teaching us to transform and release our fears and return to love. "ahhh", Julie

Winter Solstice

My kids and I went to my friend's winter solstice party tonight. I enjoy going to parties ... any time of year. I like to mingle and try new foods, but I really like listening to other people's stories about whatever is it they are willing to share. I just like to listen and get a glimpse into the lives of others.
... Anyway, have you ever been to a winter solstice party before? this is my third one --same friend who has this celebration every year. This year the winter solstice will occur on Sunday December 21 (tomorrow). I don't recall the exact time but it only takes an instant marking the shortest day or longest night of the year -- depending on how you wan tot look at it. Then from that moment on days get longer and night are shorter until between June 20 and June 23 when this reverses.
Many of the guests at the party took part in a little celebration around the fire pit outside; throughout the evening we each wrote down a piece of paper the thing or things we want to release from our lives and then on a different piece of paper write down what we each invite into our lives. Then we gathered around the fire and released and invited -- placing the papers into the fire. Some people shares allowed. It was lovely!
I wrote:

"I release all energy blocks that are a disservice to me and I invite positive energy to flow through me enhancing all my intentions that serve me".

I know it sounds broad and somewhat ambiguous, but it really does mean something to me.

Happy Winter Solstice!

Investment Club Meeting: December Holiday Party

The investment club had a regular meeting and annual holiday party this evening. Out of the 15 guests from last month's Open House, there were seven prospective new members who attended this regular meeting tonight (first of two meetings they are required to attend). That is such a good feeling to see so many interested -- that tells me we are group offering something very worth while!

At our December meeting we always vote the new officers in for the New Year. I will remain the treasurer. Our current secretary will remain as secretary. We will have a new president and new vice president -- which speaks volumes about the personal growth of these two ladies! ... And we got a lot of business done! I love productive meetings like this one.

Our hostess for this meeting had hidden a Christmas fairy in her living room and for whomever found it she had a gift. I found it! She gave me a book called Green Investing, A Guide to Making Money through Environment-Friendly Stocks by, Jack Uldrich. I'll read it and let you know what I think of it.

And we did a journaling activity this evening. All of the members agreed -- we were pleasantly surprised by how all the guests tonight openly shared their results of this journaling activity.

Another Successful Yard Sale

I am so happy to be getting rid of so much. I am the type the does not like to accumulate items and I do go through closets on a regular basis, but when moving it really forces me to let stuff go -- I love. I had another yard sale today. This will be the last one because I need to move by the end of the month! Made another $300.00 today, I'd say that was a success! Yahoo!
And I have to add that a very cool thunder storm came through today -- made for a nice way to end the yard sale!

Today I "Pray to God and Row to Shore"

Some days only appear to be bigger challenges than they really are.

Fact: Today I woke up with a little anxiety knocking at my door. I have $30.26 in my checking account and I do not have a job lined up. What am I going to do about that?

There are others facts about today that I am acknowledging and am grateful for: Today I have a roof over my head, food in the cupboards, PG and E is paid, my children and I are healthy and I am resourceful. And if I really think about it, I am even grateful that I have that $30.26!

But I still need to do something about it! So I choose acknowledge the anxiety, and tell it to go away. It does not serve a purpose today to have any anxiety.

I walked in my first half marathon (13.5 miles) in Sand Diego June 2007 with and organization called Team in Training. I was walking down the highway about 4 miles from the finish line when I looked up to read a huge banner hanging on an overpass. It read: "Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the goal". Wow! It struck me! Could life really be that simple? Do I focus my attention to the hot air, tired feet, the chitter-chatter in my head that wants to doubt, those around me who are struggling or those who are passing me? Or do I remember I have been trained by coaches, I have plenty of water, electrolytes and some carbs with me, I am in a rhythm at a comfortable pace, doing great and with every step I am closer to my goal? It was amazing to experience the two perspectives in an instant. It was a learning moment about perception and attitude. Obstacles are there if I look at them, pay attention to them, focus on them. And they really don't appear to be so important or intrusive if I focus on the goal and the good things around it.

Today all is well – really! I will “Pray to God and row to shore”. This means, I will go through my household belongings and have a garage sale to generate some cash. Meanwhile, I will go look for a job!

Purging and Sorting

I have never liked clutter, yet it has always seemed to build-up around me. I went through a bunch of our belongings. I took four loads to St. Vincent de Paul! I took some of the kids clothes and toys to a local re-sale shop. I found some items I think are worth selling on Ebay. I have sold things before on Ebay it is fairly easy. It is a hit or miss on getting a good price, but at least I don't have the clutter and the items are being enjoyed by others. And I will have some much needed cash in my pocket!

I signed up for a community garage sale I heard about from my friend Holly. The garage sale is set for Saturday, May 17.

Then there is Craigslist, what ever doesn't sell that I think is worth $5 or more I'll put on Craigslist.

No job yet. The job I really would like to have is a part-time office assistant position at my kids' school. But the HR committee told me that they filled the position last week.

First Steps to Grasp the Changes Ahead

I am creating a new life. I am looking forward to it, yet it is change.

I am getting a divorce after 16 years of marriage. My husband moved out of our house about three weeks ago. We decided that he is going to take most of the furniture. I just don't want what we have accumulated over the years. He has moved out but most of his belongings are still here. My kids and I have to move out too. We rent and the house is going to be placed on the market. The kids and I have until the end of June to find a new place (and I may have some opportunities to be creative with that 'deadline'). Anyway, during this transition of dividing up the household, my main my goal now is to spend some time calculating how much money I will need to create each month to run my new household and set a budget in place.

I have my own checking account -- we have already closed all of our joint accounts a few months ago. The bank I bank at offers online banking and I love that feature, but I want to keep track of my money using a program. So another goal I am setting now is to set up my checkbook and track my spending on Quicken.

So that is where I will begin: #1 Set time aside to determine how much money my kids and I need each month to live #2 Set up my bank account information and budget plan on Quicken.