Dan Simmons' "Drood"

I decided there was no better way to start this new year off than with a good, gigantic book. I picked Drood, by Dan Simmons. 

I had always meant to read this book since it was first published, but something else always came up or made me forget about it. Going over my to-read list on Goodreads one evening, I was in a rut over having nothing new to read, I saw this one in my list and ordered it.

I couldn't wait for it to come in. I just knew I would really enjoy this one! I can't believe I didn't read it sooner. Although this book really was not so much about Charles Dickens as it was about Wilkie Collins instead, I'm compelled by it and the entire story line is mind bending in that you have to sort through what is fact and what is fiction, simply because Collins is an opium addict. 

What appears to be paranoia or schizophrenia is laudanum and morphia fast at work, or is it? What events are real and what events drug induced? 

I like this book ten times more than Murder As A Fine Art, which I couldn't even finish because it bored me so much after about 250 pages. I couldn't find the characters realistic or intriguing. The author tried to make the female heroin stand out but instead, to me, she simply came off as overbearing and annoying. 

While reading this book, there were a few times I almost thought the author wrote too much, that it should have been a smaller book. I admit, now that I'm done with it, I'm pretty sad. I actually wish it would've been longer. I enjoyed reading this novel in its entirety. I feel the author is very talented and I really liked the ending and how this writer was able to bring these characters to life. 

I said Yes to the Dress!!!

We had such a great time dress shopping! We made it into a girls' day, we went to David's Bridal in the morning around 11:00 AM and spent a good amount of time there. I was so glad the whole bridal party was able to get fittings and find their dresses the same day I found mine, with the distance and everyone's crazy schedules it was nice being able to get it all done in one trip!

It's so funny how you can have this idea that you know exactly which dress you want before you even arrive for your appointment. I had two specific gowns in mind that I fell in love with when Is aw them online. I had one specific style in mind, and that was I had to have a deep sweetheart neckline, lots of beading and crystals, a pure white gown, and a mermaid fit and flare silhouette. However, I also had two styles in mind that I wanted (or, for lack of a better term, thought I wanted, but once I tried them on I decided I really didn't!) I just did not fall in love with them. I didn't even like them. Not even a little, and I felt shocked. I seriously thought either of these two gowns would be THE ONE. And I was wrong.

I first tried on the one I believed was my absolute favorite of the two. This one below.

But I hated it.

So I moved on to the "second best" one, this one:

Not only did I not fall in love with it, the material felt extremely cheap and fragile, and I felt more like I was wearing a hefty bag rather than a gown (that's how light and thin the material was), and I also hated how it folded underneath the hem, making it look like a marshmallow at the bottom. This picture was very deceiving :(. It turned out to be not what I expected.

And so I got really confused, and suddenly I wasn't sure what I wanted, because the specific gown I was really envisioning, to me, was non existent.

The gown I was picturing had a trumpet silhouette, a very beaded bodice, a lace up back, and flare organza at the bottom on the skirt. THAT was my dream gown. But I had yet to find it. The picture was in my head, but it just was nowhere to be found.

After trying on around 4 other dresses besides the first two, I felt hopeless. I never knew what that meant, I always thought girls were crazy for getting so wrapped up in gown shopping, but now I was there and I knew exactly why they felt this way.

I wasn't frustrated, though. Somehow I knew I'd find a gown, I would just have to be patient, and I told myself there were other bridal stores if I didn't find the one today, that was all right. No big deal.

Then I actually explained to my bridal consultant what I was picturing in my head. I went ahead and described it in every single detail possible. And then she pulled this gown.....

The instant I saw this gown on me in those mirrors, my face uncontrollably lit up and I smiled, and tears came to my eyes and I just KNEW this was THE ONE!! My mother in law cried with me haha. It was so sweet! I'll never forget this moment as long as I live.

I even got my cathedral veil that I really wanted! :)

After I picked out my gown, veil and shoes, we moved on to the bridesmaid dresses. It was such a new experience for me today, and I loved every minute of it! Picking out the bridesmaids' dresses was probably easier than the gown haha. Although I did have a vision of what I wanted for the bridal party dresses, too.

Melissa was a trooper! She made it through trying on several dresses before we found the ones for my girls, and she did it all with a smile :). 

I really had a moment of indecisiveness when it came to the bridesmaids' dresses, though. I was caught between two dresses Melissa had tried on, but then they just were not what I was envisioning.

 So on a whim we went browsing through more dresses while the moms went shopping and looking at dresses, and we found it! We found "the One"!! I am so excited. It looks exactly like what I was envisioning. The color is just perfect and my girls are going to look stunning in these!

I love my family so much and am so blessed to be married into this one! Because even after Gail and my mom said they wouldn't be trying on dresses 9they aren't fans of dressing rooms and wasting time trying on clothes) and said they were going to order them from Romans or something, they got into the spirit of it all and started trying on dresses right after me and my bridesmaids!

Mama Gail picked this gorgeous grey dress. I love the flange and the sparkle! She looks gorgeous!

My mom wants to lose weight before the wedding so she didn't decide on any specific one yet, but she found the style she loves and when it's time she will get it in her size. I think she looked beautiful in every single one she tried on, though! She can wear anything and look good! :)

So now I am waiting for my gown to come in (they didn't have it in a white size 0, so they had to special order it) so now I'm going to be anxious over it but oh well lol. I can't wait to try it on in the right size and see how it really looks!

Healing a Cold and Sinus Infection Naturally

Remedy for Colds/sinus infections:

Heat 16 oz. water, either over the stove, through a clean coffee maker, or your handy microwave. (Hey, I do use modern day appliances haha. I'm a witch, not a magician). 

Add 3 TBL. Lemon juice. Must be 100% lemon juice.

Stir in desired amount of real, pure honey. 

Sip this homemade lemonade (warm) throughout the day, refilling as needed, repeating the recipe above, and you should see a major improvement within 48 hours. From my experience it takes at the most 2 days for my illness to clear up after doing this. ;)

New Year 2015

As a pagan, when the New Year arrives, renewal, purification, fertility and new beginnings are so important to me. I am of a nature based faith, and am very in tune with the world and it's shifting of seasons. In fact, seasons are very important to me period. I may not "look" like the "type" but trust me, I am, heart and soul. My destiny, my goals, my lifetime and my fate is centered around the universe and it's many wonders.

Each season means something to me, not the ordinary "I can't wait for warmer weather" or "I wish there was less snow during the winter" but more that I look forward to each changing season for it's own unique beauty and miracles. How can you not? There are those who prefer the warmth, the sun, the ocean. There are those who prefer cooler weather, like Fall and Winter. I'm the type who prefers all the seasons, whichever season it is at this point in time, that is my favorite season for the time being. Because each season means just as much to me as all the rest, just in different ways, because they are all different yet all just as important as the other.

So, I've been preparing for Spring, and I've been starting this preparation inside my home. I recently boxed up, bagged up and got rid of a ton of things that were either cluttering up our space or just not useful for us anymore. Mostly clothes and toys, but some books and other nick knacks that no longer served a purpose or that we simply didn't need. It feels so great getting rid of clutter and extra stuff around here! I can tell a major difference already.

My next step was planning a layout for organization throughout the house. I started with the kids' room and worked my way throughout the home. Our bedroom needed it badly! Now that all the extra stuff is finally gone and out of the way, my next agenda is shopping for organizational supplies such as more shelves, baskets, containers, etc. I will post a bunch of pictures as soon as I get everything squared away!

We do plan on moving soon, so a lot of things I really want to do will be put on hold for our new place. But for now, organizing our closet space and other sections of the home will be at the top of my to-do list.

I also am revamping my wardrobe. Since having my second baby, I've lost so much weight that none of my clothes fit anymore! I now weigh 114 lbs. I am so happy to be at a weight I am comfortable with again. And my metabolism is very high still, so I still eat whatever I want. My kids also keep me extremely active! So I know that keeps me slim, too. I'm definitely plenty busy! :)

And I am also preparing for Ostara and soon after Beltane! I'm so excited! I love welcoming in the warmer months with these celebrations. And now that my son is older, egg hunting this Easter will be so much fun! I can't wait!

Christmas 2014

Christmas 2014 was amazing! We opened presents early in the morning, and had a yummy Christmas morning breakfast afterward! 

As you can see, Lukas really wasn't sure what to think when he first saw all the gifts around the tree. He is just getting to that age where he kind of understands about Santa and how the holidays work, but he still has a ways to go. It's still exciting seeing his face light up, though. :)

The most wonderful mess ever is on Christmas morning! ;)

The rest of the day we watched Christmas movies, and had hot chocolate! Well, I had coffee, of course, my caffeine addiction doesn't leave much room to drink anything else! Haha

We ended up taking the tree down that same evening because someone wouldn't stop trying to pull the ornaments and decorations off! Hahaha

Merry Christmas, everyone, and happy New Year!!! :)

- The Klichs

Christmas Eve 2014

Christmas is my favorite holiday! Mostly because I love the snow and cold of the winter season. But also because of the excitement and cheer! I love the spirit of the season. :)

We had a wonderful Christmas this year (as always) and it was so much fun because Lukas is getting to that age where he kind of knows what is going on now.

Here are some candids we got of our holiday memories!

Of course, we baked a bunch of yummy cookies on Christmas Eve. I feel like the oven is never off these days, between the salt dough ornaments among mnay other things it hasn't had much of a break haha.

Little man absolutely loved them!

I finally got to do the Christmas Box tradition this year for the first time. In this box is a Christmas book and Christmas movies, new pajamas for the kids, popcorn, hot cocoa mix, candy and snacks, Magical Reindeer Dust and Santa's Magic key (two other traditions we were happy to incorporate into our routine tradition!) 

Tim had to work Christmas Eve but was home in the evening, and we sat down to some holiday movies.....

.... Then, we all snuggled up cozy on the sofa together and read our traditional favorite story The Night Before Christmas. :)

After our story, Lukas took the Magical Reindeer Dust and sprinkled it outside.

And we did the usual tradition of leaving milk and cookies and carrots out for Santa and his reindeer. :)

And hung the magical key on the door for Santa. ;)

Now it's time to go to sleep so Santa can come!

Merry Christmas, everyone! :)