Life on Swisher Hill

Oh why do I do this?

2010-01-21T23:43:00.002-06:00

You all know I've recently started a course in Herbalism. I'm having a bit of difficulty making time for studying but I know things will surely settle down here before long. I'm hoping to finish up the reading on the Nervous System this weekend and then settle in to get my first homework out of the way. And I'll go out to the storage area and bring in some baby food jars so I can make small amounts of some tinctures, which is also part of the homework. The course is self-paced so everything's cool there.

What makes me wonder about my sanity is that I've just signed up for the first class in a course of banking studies. I'm interested in furthering my banking knowledge and I need to do more work-related development. I know that this isn't something that I'm going to be dedicated enough with to do this with a self-paced program of study so I signed up for the instructor-led online course. I'll have a lesson and homework assignment each week as well as some self-evaluation quizzes. I know I haven't recovered from surgery yet - my stamina level is in the basement and I tire easily, so I'm hoping I haven't taken on more than I should have right now. Especially with summer coming up and I'm going to have to do my own yard work this year because it's just too costly to keep the yard crew coming.

I've always been an optimist though and "It'll work out," or "We'll make it be okay," are phrases that people hear me say a lot because I truly believe things will always work out and be okay. Even if it doesn't seem like it at first. SO, it'll all work out and it'll be okay. I'll do what I must to keep up with the banking classes and I'll use the herbalism study as a reward. In other words, no tinkering in the mad scientist's kitchen until the banking is done!

I'll let you know how that all goes...

Productive Saturday, Lazy Sunday

2010-01-17T18:09:00.002-06:00

That's sort of how weekends are supposed to be though, right? Yesterday I had the oil changed in my car, got a haircut and manicure, got some new duds and some jewelry to go with them. And I had jamocha almond fudge ice cream at Baskin-Robbins. I haven't had ice cream there in ages. I think the last time, I had like 4 ice cream cones in my hands and the ice cream dropped off of one of them right onto the floor. I was dumbfounded and I am sure that there are still people talking about how they saw a woman lose the ice cream from her cone at the mall.

Today I'm not doing much of anything. I was going to clean out the fridge but that urge was overtaken by the need to watch some movies from Netflix. I watched Sunshine Cleaning and then The Hangover. They were both okay, but only okay. Maybe I'm a tough audience or maybe it all depends upon my mood. Probably if I was with my friends having some beers The Hangover would seem more funny that I found it today. But Bradley Cooper can have a lost weekend at my place anytime! I absolutely must see the A-Team Movie. Yum; he makes me drool.

I received my lesson book for my herbal studies and have made some small headway in the reading. I need to read all of the stuff about the Nervous System and then I'll be ready for the homework. Yes, I said "the Nervous System." I need to know how different parts and systems of the body work so I will understand how various herbs affect them. These lessons aren't all about making teas, ya know!

My studies in herbalism have met with a fair amount of scorn. I think people don't know what herbalism is or don't know that it's "real." Until the American medical community embraces the properties and powers of herbs more widely it will be an uphill battle. America is woefully behind on recognizing and including herbs as an accompaniment to standard medicine. But I think there is some progress and hopefully someday more people will think it's cool and there will actually be a place for herbalists alongside traditional medicine.

My mom thinks studying herbalism is some wacky thing that is a waste of time and money. Hooey, as it were. My boss sort of snorted and said, "I hope you make a lot of money at it." I told him I won't make money at it - this course of study is something I want to do because I WANT to learn it, not because I think it's going to make me rich. Personal enrichment and fulfillment is very important to me. Way more important than chasing the money train. I guess that's why I'll never be rich or even particularly comfortable in my life. But I have simple wants and needs and those folks who want to scoff and laugh are welcome to it. I know what makes me happy and what nourishes my soul and it isn't taking some classes that don't interest me. Will this boost my Employee Performance Review and make me more marketable? Nope. Is that my main focus? No. Let's not forget about the Work and Life Balance. This is part of my life balance and that is a very important thing. I'm doing this for me. :-)

Catch you on down the road.

Welcome 2010!!

2010-01-02T14:29:00.005-06:00

I heartily welcome the year 2010 because it's really time 2009 was behind us. It seems that 2009 was an extraordinarily rough year. As I look out the window at the bright and shining day I hope that the new year will stay bright and shining all the way through. Of course that bright and shining day is deceiving, it's 0 degrees out but it's shiny! I'm sure, just like the day, there will be some unpleasantness along with the brightness but I fervently hope the good outweighs the bad.

I had planned to make soap to kick in the new year - and the new shoulder, but you know, laziness overcame that plan. But I have my blend written down here on a scrap of paper from a Netflix envelope and I will get it done before long. I chose essential oils that are symbolic of some of the things I hope the new year brings: Health, Happiness, Prosperity, Love, and a little bit of Protection to keep us safe. I'm going to bring in a bucket of the snow that was out there basking in the light of the full moon as the year rolled over. If I have to I can freeze the snow until I get around to using it. Yes, I'm weird - I will freeze snow!

I am off to a good start in one respect, I signed up for a course in herbal studies. I've chosen The Science and Art of Herbalism by Rosemary Gladstar. You can read more about the course here http://www.sagemountain.com/science-art-of-herbalism/course-overview-and-curriculum.html . I am really looking forward to this course of study; traditional herbal healing has been an interest of mine for a long time. I think it will be very fulfilling and make me happy to further my knowledge.

I also hope to visit with The Twisted Sisters, Tina and Maryanne, who are into herbs and soapmaking and other things I like. Tina is going to help me with my plant identification because I think I'm okay on making things with herbs but I'm not confident that I'm identifying them all yet. I am quite sure I walk over really good stuff every day!

And on that note, I'd like to mention that as I go along I'll hope to be taking some photos of the herbs I find in my yard as well as those I am hoping to get planted.

Happy New Year to you! Stay safe, happy, healthy, and WARM and take a moment, while you're sipping a hot drink, to visit the blogs listed over there on the right. >>>>

Those Three Little Words...

2009-12-20T13:42:00.001-06:00

I've been noticing a trend lately and it disturbs me. Since it disturbs me, I'm passing it on to you. This may be part rant but I think of it as social commentary or maybe one of my famous 30 second lectures, so here we go...

Since when did the words, "I love you," become a get out of jail free card in relationships? How have we let this happen? I've seen too many instances lately where one person will do something wrong and during the discussion they'll throw out, "But I love you." Does saying those words mean that everything you do should be forgiven? Oh hell no.

Saying those three little words the first time should be some kind of assurance for the future. An assurance that you aren't going to treat someone badly, cheat, or indulge in any of a number of types of dickery that you know are wrong and disrespectful. Saying those three words does not give you license to do the opposite!

Everyone screws up now and then, that's a given because we're human. Humans are far from perfection. Our imperfections just happen and sometimes we make mistakes because of them and hopefully then we learn from them and don't repeat the mistakes in the future. When we make mistakes and have to have those crucial conversations about our actions, there are other three word phrases that should be used. How about:
I am sorry
I was wrong
Please forgive me

Those words are words that show some regret, remorse, and acknowledgement of bad behavior. Those are words that can build a discussion that may lead to growth, forgiveness, and a deeper and better relationship. Those are words that show you want to learn from your mistakes and not make the same one again.

Using "I love you," as an escape hatch is unforgivable. Loving someone is not a license to treat someone badly or show them disrespect. Those aren't the actions you bestow upon someone you love. Using the words in that manner shows that you have no idea what the phrase truly means.

Here's a heads up: When someone loves you they don't treat you with disrespect and keep putting you in bad situations over and over again. Someone who loves you will be supportive, want to keep you safe, and will share your everyday mishaps and disappointments as well as your victories and happiness. They don't leave at the first inconvenience.

Wanting someone to share your life and love with is a pretty basic element of human beings. We all want that but let's not let those three little words, when uttered by someone who is treating us badly, overshadow our common sense and self respect. We might not be able to stop some people from using "I love you" as a get out of jail free card, but we can damned sure stop accepting it as one.

Hello...ooo...ooo

2009-12-20T13:34:00.000-06:00

I hear an echo! And small wonder, too since I haven't been around to blog. Thank you to the two folks who are following the blog. It's much appreciated, especially since you don't get a lot of action out of me!

I've deleted all of my past posts and in retrospect I probably should have just archived them but what's gone is gone. We're not looking back, we're looking forward!

I recently had surgery on my shoulder which was a necessity after a fall I took around the first of August. The surgery was performed on Oct 27 and now we're in the recovery phase. I'm back to work and am attending therapy 3 times a week to regain use of my right arm. So, there will be no soapmaking for a while. But I have lots of other things to talk about so we'll concentrate on them for a while. Here's a warning to people: I am not always the most PC nor the most delicate flower in the garden in my ways so if you have an aversion to swearing or plain talk, well, you've been warned. lol