THE AMUSED LIFE BLOG

Before you say anything. I read tarot, but when I want clarity at times I like to go to another reader to get my mind out of the reading/interpreting work and just let it flow through someone who's not me. It's like counselors seeing other counselors...it's something you SHOULD do. I have to share that I just had what will be my annual reading/guidance session with Ash Mac and I'm going to be going for my check up in 6 months; and I'm honestly honored to spend this time with her. Last year, she met with me right after my car accident and pretty much laid out the landscape ahead with a lot of clarity and I told her that everything fell into place, not like I expected but it was the right thing and what I needed to have happen. [1] If you haven't had a reading from Ash, please consider it. Honestly it's like meeting with someone who genuinely wants the best for you but lays down those cards and gives it to you straight. She's a very cued in and atuned spir...

If this 2020 taught me anything, it's that what happens in my four walls are 1001% my responsibility. I've allowed overworking and over-engaging in distractions to keep me from participating in some small way from bringing the holidays into my home. I mean we do the traditional food basics on the high-holy-holidays of Thanksgiving and such; but no decoration. No specific traditions. Something that I realize now was a gift my mother gave me as a child. What I mean by that is, the creation of household traditions and decorating for a holiday gave this growing girl a sense of wonder. Holidays were extra special because the person I loved so much made them special. The traditions were steeped in family and home. The sense of love was so real and now reflecting on everything I and others have survived in this year, it's time for me to forge some beloved traditions of my own.  I think I didn't do this sooner because I've been silently grieving the reality that having a ch...

The Thursday Tunes playlist is dedicated to everyone who's doing everything they can these days to stay hopeful and positive and happy. This is for you...click the ALBUM COVER to go to the playlist! Enjoy.

Today's Spiritual Sunday presented me with a childhood friend requesting a card pull...of course, I would do anything from people who are important to me and I'm honored to do so. So I meditated on her and the blessings that we've reconnected through the positive aspects of Facebook and this is her card pull.  PLAYFULNESS The playfulness card reminds us of our childhood, when we were more free from worries about any impending doom. We built sandcastles in the sand without worrying when the next wave would come and destroy our creations. We remember a time when we knew and realized that life was more of a game than we realized and we chose to life it unashamed without thinking of what anyone else thought.  When this card shows up in your world, it's a sign. It symbolizes that you are ready for something refreshing to come into your life and your world. Something is on the horizon and you are prepared to face it with innocence, joy and clarity...when you proceed in that m...

A TALE OF TWO COOKIES Fall is in full swing in Tennessee, and the comfort of iced/spiced oatmeal cookies has moved into my mind, so in my budget-minded mentality I was determined to get some deliciousness in my gullet. Right now I'm just trying to get an idea of what store brands really bring the yum to my tum. This week's head-to-head is between Market Pantry's Iced Oatmeal Cookies and Kroger Brand Iced Oatmeal. So who came out on top? FIND Kroger took the prize and unfortunately Erik didn’t take a photo of the packaging but we’ll make that happen soon. They have the right amount of crisp, yet slightly soft and have a good layer of icing that’s sweet and stands out. Plus they were $1.00 this week so...you know that’s too good a deal for good taste! FAIL Market Pantry from Target’s iced oatmeal cookies are not bad at all, but honestly the taste just didn’t stand out. So it was easy for Kroger to take them over. They were much softer than Kroger’s and the iced taste wasn’t v...

Each Sunday, I am going to put to use my Master's in Pastoral Counseling and Divinity to good use and actually open myself up to helping others who just want either one of the things I am good at. Reading Tarot (I'll get to your judgement on this in a second), and Prayer. Now before you get all high and mighty on me. Yes, I have my roots planted firmly in my Lutheran upbringing as the parables and storyline I connect with most as a human in my faith. However to say I'm 100% Lutheran is inaccurate. In every way, I am truly more Unitarian Universalist and that knowledge came from my years of learning in a Catholic-Founded graduate school known as LaSalle University.  In my first class towards my master's degree, I remember stepping outside and calling my mother on break. "Mom, I'm not okay and I don't like this."  What's wrong? "Well they want you to actually really think about your faith in this class, like break it down and understand what...