A "Simple Misunderstanding"

Today I feel like divulging a little something about myself that some people may not know. I am a Pagan, more specifically I follow the Wiccan traditions. I don't like to tell a lot of people about this because it often causes what I like to call "simple misunderstandings" or when people are too ignorant or set in their own ways to accept someone elses beliefs. For the record Wiccans (yes we often refer to ourselves as witches) don't sacrifice kittens, or put curses on our neighbors for trampling our rose bushes. We are kind and heartfelt people, we worship nature, the Goddess and God not the Christian deity of Satan. In fact unless someone chooses to worship that said deity we don't believe in the concept of "Hell" or "The Devil". And if they did choose to worship that deity they would not be considered Wiccan.

We also don't wish harm on anyone or any living thing. We can't turn people in sex craved maniacs, or make a man leave his wife for you, so don't ask. We worship nature and all the creatures that inhabit it, even the plants rocks and trees. Oh, and we aren't hundreds of years old either, because that would defeat the purpose of reincarnation. Yes, witches believe in reincarnation, and we reincarnate "up" meaning that once we obtain what we are meant to in that life time we die and our souls are released to next level of life. Now, whether that means we become humans after animals or plants after human I don't know, I don't really think anyone does.

Now this doesn't mean that my entire life revolves around being a witch, yes it is a big part of who I am and who I identify myself as but its not my entire life. I do have other interests outside my religion, just like everyone else. Nor does it mean that I am a constantly black wearing, mysterious creature of the night who attends black masses. No, I prefer jeans and t-shirts and my trusty generic converse sneakers. I am a nature conservationist in that I want to save our Mother Earth for myself and future generations by doing my part and asking others to do theirs. I mean we all live on this planet and we should take care of her ya know?! I'm also not a vegetarian, I like meat and eat it on almost a daily basis. Is this wrong? Maybe, but I have to be who I have to be and who I am is someone who likes meat.

Well now that the facts and "setting straight" is over I feel that I must pose a fear that I've had as of late. My daughter when she gets older will begin to have friends (as is normal) outside mine and my husbands religious beliefs. I'm afraid that if word gets out that Mommy and Daddy are Pagans then Evangeline's "friends" (and parents of said friends) will begin to shun my baby girl for something she is probably too young to understand. I know how people can be when it comes to the unknown, and lets face it Wicca is a very secretive religion. Although, there are ways around this... The internet. Anyways, I don't want my baby girl to feel like its her fault that her "friends" don't want to play with her anymore. Nor do I want her to feel resentment toward her father and I for what we believe. What do you think I should do to remedy this? I could really use some help so if anyone out there would be so kind as to lend some advice I would be very grateful. Thanks.

Blessed Be
Amanda

Why the hell am I so tired?

Okay, its like this. It seems that no matter how much sleep I get or the quality I always seem to be tired. Why is that? I know maybe I have a sleeping disorder or something. That was the first thing that came to my mind. My mother had sleep apnea when she was overweight (and lets face it I could stand to lose a couple of pounds). I don't have insurance so I can't really afford to go to a specialist to figure out what is wrong with me. All I know is that I don't like having to nap when Evangeline does or sleeping really late when Zach has a day off just so I can get up and then still be really tired. I really don't know what to do. I've tried over the counter sleeping aids (Tylenol pm) but those don't seem to help.

I've also tried getting on a nightly routine. You know, watch about an hour or so of T.V. and then take a hot bath to relax me so I can get to sleep some where around 10 but that doesn't seem to be helping at all. Maybe its because Eva still doesn't sleep completely through the night all the time. I mean she has gotten better (knock on wood) but she isn't completely ready to sleep through the night. All I know is that with me being so tired all the time, I'm lazier during the waking hours. I don't want to clean, or do laundry, or go outside (mostly cause its still too cold where I live and we live in a kind of scary neighborhood), or really do anything at all.

Maybe its that I sleep too much and my body is used to sleeping all the time. I don't know. Anyways, Eva is stuck in doors while I try to stay awake. Oh, and caffeine? Forget it. I can drink an entire 2-liter of Mt. Dew and still go to sleep. I'm running out of ideas. Maybe I will just have to suck it up and pay out the money to see my doctor. He will undoubtedly give me sleeping pills, but they won't help. My doctor is kind of a quack who doesn't do his job. Maybe he is as tired as I am all the time. God, I hope not! Anyways, I will try to get a good nights sleep and be more awake tomorrow. Maybe then I will have something more interesting to talk about.

Amanda

The Moogle Coffee Shop is open for business!

The Moogle Coffee Shop! also known as Kupo Coffee, heh get it?! Kupo? Yeah I really hope that by creating this blog no one will steal my great idea for a nerd themed coffee shop. I know the royalties alone would kill me but hey if I ever win the lottery! This is basically my introduction blog so there won't be too much in it that is relevant.

Lets start with about me (like most people do). My name is Amanda, I am 22. I live in Oregon's capital, Salem in case you didn't know. I am engaged to the love of my life Zachary, and we have a beautiful daughter, Evangeline. I grew up in very small town South East of Salem called Scio. If y'all know what I'm speaking about Holla!!! I only say this because most people don't know where the hell Scio is. More on that later. I'm a Sagittarius and I like surfing the web, anime, gaming, being with my wonderful family and friends, and caffeine.

Now about this blog. Not a lot to say, its pretty much whatever strikes my fancy at the moment. It could be about politics, recipes, new video games, or just my outlook on life. I don't know that I will get many readers but hey, I can try right. Besides this is really for me. Any how I will get out of your hair and let you get on with the gettin' on. Oh, and I love random knowledge and facts so expect a lot of those.

Amanda