Moving Forward

Today we're having our first real snow. It's actually sticking to the ground and on the roads. I guess this is what they call "flurries" up here in the North - back home it was defined as just a spitting snow that didn't really stick or accumulate. First year driving a vehicle with 4wd. And anti-lock brakes. I hate anti-lock brakes, just about paniced when they kicked in for the first time this morning! But the 4wd counters the need for them some, so I imagine I'll be a pro within the month. At least I'm used to driving in snow, though not as much.

Very excited - yesterday I sent in my application to join the AODA and begin their candidacy program. I got an e-mail back saying I'd been accepted! Yea!! Now I'm just waiting for the initiation information to come through. I will start my first year of study on Yule, which is December 21. There are 7 spirals available to study, and the AODA wants it's first years to pick one to focus on, though I am welcome to choose more. I already had a list of things to study this next year, so that made it a bit easier. I will be really starting my education in herbalism. I hope to eventually have my own greenhouse where I grow my own herbs and to branch into alchemy as well. It's amazing what can be cured without the processed pharmaceuticals! I also plan to study runes. I'm thinking this would fall under the spiral of Divination, but if it doesn't, well that's ok too. Finally, the "easy" one I'm going to pursue is that of Poetry. I'd eventually like to study all 7 spirals, and that's one that does come easy to me so I may as well cut myself a little break on that. In addition to all that, I also want to really learn Ogham and will of course need to learn the basic stuff as well. I'm very excited but need to remember that this is for after Mother's Night (December 19th). I have other things that need my attention first! Focus, focus, focus!!

Today I think I'm going to work on getting the house in order (again - what is it about 2 young children that can demolish a house so fast??) and start my baking! Tonight we have a bonfire that should be fun, tomorrow is the girls piano receital and dinner at the in-laws. And so the insanity begins! Once things are better in order, I'll probably take some pics and post of the things I've done so far. I'm still working on my alter, but it's coming along pretty nicely!