Chi Chi has a hard life! lol! Not!
I have recently changed his main course a bit. Now instead of getting chicken mixed in with his food he gets ground beef instead. He loves it and eats like a little piggy.
Chi Chi has a hard life! lol! Not!
I have recently changed his main course a bit. Now instead of getting chicken mixed in with his food he gets ground beef instead. He loves it and eats like a little piggy.
TAURUS (Apr 21 - May 21)
Your week ahead: Venus is in your sign now. That's where you want it to be. According to ancient tradition, it's where Venus itself wants to be. The brightest planet in our solar system has its natural home in Taurus. This all bodes well for your love life, your financial situation and your ability to see inventive new solutions to annoying old problems. This week's opposition between Jupiter and Venus is good news too. Though it is bound to create a drama, there will be a lot of action and excitement this week. There will be plenty of trouble too. Embrace it with a positive attitude and you may yet find that it all works to your advantage.
Cainer is so accurate! I love him and have read his scopes for years. I dread the drama and trouble he predicts for me this week. I woke up feeling anxious this morning. I have already received 2 drama loaded text messages from 2 different people. One I shall completely ignore and the other I will tread with care when I reply.
Truth be known, my little corner of the planet is quite beautiful and serene. Lol! yeah right! No, that is mostly true. Anyway, going to muster my positive attitude so I can begin embracing...
]]>Pretty much right out of high school I went to work in a state run mental hospital. I worked with chronically ill adult patients. Some of them were very dangerous and had even killed people, but instead of getting sentenced to prison they got deemed criminally insane and given a life long sentence to the psych ward.
Anyway, not all the patients were dangerous. Josie was not dangerous, yet she was never coherent. She was a large black lady in her 50s. I have always found large black ladies to have that special mothering energy and a special way of telling it like it is. There have been many times in my life where I wished I knew someone like that to confide in and seek advise from.
The main thing I remember about Josie is she would say, “Lord have mercy! Lord have mercy!” She always said it twice and she said it with a specific rhythm. I always liked the way she said it. It was nice. So recently I have been using Josie’s special rhythm and have changed the words to suit me. I believe mantras are very helpful and shape our thoughts so I have begun to say, “God has blessed me! God has blessed me!” I say it out loud when I am walking down the street. I say it in my home and one day I will say it in front of others as I clasp my hands together as Josie did.
Thank you Josie where ever you are dear one!
This is not Josie, but the lovely lady does embody the energies that I so admire.
]]>The thing is that I have not wanted to share because I am working on, well, better word is focusing on some things and when you share you dissipate the energy that is building to bring the focus/intention about. So please forgive me.
Things I can share are:
I went on a great date recently. One of the best dates I ever had. We laughed and had a wonderful time. We started at a Thai restaurant in Soho about 2pm. Then we went and saw “Paradise Now” at the Curzon. Then we ended up in Hakkasan, a fabulous restaurant that in some ways felt like a spa.
The other night I was invited to attend a dinner at the French Restaurant I designed. Max Clifford and another couple were there and we all had dinner together. I enjoyed Max’s company and found him to be a nice guy. You would of thought I would have loads of questions, but I am not into celebrity. I was fascinated by him none the less and the life he has had and is having. He teased me about the way I held my fork when I cut my duck. He also knew about Chi Chi.
I continue to read material that inspires me. Currently I am reading Power vs Force by Dr. Hawkins. This book is amazing! So true the insights there in!
I am seriously considering about re-joining the gym. Funny thing is when I share this with people they say in shock, “But you do not need to lose weight!” Now, why is it people think the gym is for weight loss. I have never gone for that reason. I go for cardio work out and muscle definition. Hello!
Life is great! Countdown is 9 days until I turn 40!
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I am having a lovely time with myself now!
For a while I was in a very unhealthy and toxic relationship (non-romantic) and situation. I began to pray and ask the Universe to please get me out of it! I can be so smart and clear, yet I like everyone else am prone to unconsciousness and sometimes it is hard to wake up and smell the coffee and also it can be challenging to face the truth. In hindsight though, I wonder why it was so hard. Anyway, truth now accepted.
So many fabulous books in my hands now. I am currently reading The Holographic Universe by Michael Talbot. This is one of the most fascinating books I have ever read and is truly inspiring. Simultaneously I am reading The Attractor Factor by Joe Vitale. Both books stimulate wonder and expansion of consciousness and thus expansion of possibilities.
And then there is the book many people are trying to get their hands on now. The Cosmic Ordering Service by Barbel Mohr. All major book stores are waiting for its arrival and I surely look forward to reading it.
My vibe is high and I am happy! Whoo hoo!
]]>But what about when you believe one thing and the opposite of that belief slaps you in the face? Does that happen?
But what about this? What about when you act “as if” what you believe is true? What I have discovered is the “as if” principle is very powerful. For example acting as if everything is going to work out and making decisions and plans from that place. Whenever I have done that it has worked out and I have done it with big life stuff not little stuff.
Right now I am faced with doing something I have never been good at and never wanted to even try. Yet, I do know I can do it, but it will contradict a behavior pattern I have had all my life. I know that sounds cryptic, but here is the deal. You attract more flies with honey than with vinegar, yet sometimes the vinegar is what I want to give to certain flies, even the flies that can help me in some way.
One of my spiritual mentors used to tell me things like, “ You are letting the honey pour out of your beehive.” Or “ You need to put honey in the hive so the bees will come.” The honey being self contentedness and creative activity. I always liked that…put honey in the hive and the bees will come.
]]>
Oh yeah. That's right.
Still spinning on Earth.
Finally beginning to like it, well off and on anyway. LOL!
Nah, I think it is a wonderful ride!
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This is me and Eugen. You can read about Little Eugen in my mom's blog.
This is Loudie getting love on my sister in law Jenny's lap.
This is Little Thing also known as Thinger. She is a sweetheart when she wants to be.
This is my brother Jamie, his dog Daisy, and my sister Julie. Julie also has a boxer named Jet. Boxers are great dogs!
Little Thing and Sojourner also known as Snake.
My baby, Chi Chi.
Well there is a taste of some of our family. Some are missing from this archive, but I hope to have digital pictures of all missing parties soon!
Valerie
“When you are truly inspired by some great purpose, some extraordinary project... your mind transcends its limitations, your consciousness expands in every direction, and you find yourself in a new, great and wonderful world! Then those dormant forces, faculties and talents inside you become alive, and you discover yourself to be a greater person by far than you ever dreamed yourself to be." ~Patanjali
Compliments of Englightened Beings
]]>“Hardship does not build character, it reveals it.”
I like that. I really like that!
I feel grace and dignity are the way through hardship, though sometimes not chosen until after the temper tantrum.
]]>
Life is amazing!!!
You just have to ride the wave when it comes! If you ride it the high is so real! If you fight it you gasp for air and may sink.
So here is the deal…
Evolution again.
Something happened recently and maybe it can be seen as good and maybe it can be seen as bad. But that is the mundane way of looking at things.
Something happened recently and for the first time I genuinely felt that I owned my life. Ok, on the surface what happened was “bad” and if I told you about it you would say, “Oh how horrible! That is too bad.”
But you know what I have finally learned? Well, maybe I did not learn it at all, maybe I evolved into knowing it. No matter what happens I can own it and embrace it because it happened to me and it is my life. Maybe I can’t explain this well, but it is an amazing feeling.
In the past I would of cried and been devastated for days to come. Yet, over the past few weeks I have been asking the Universe to release me from a certain situation and I got my wish! One thing I always say is, “Do not concern yourself with how the Universe gets you from A to B.” Thank you Universe! My heart is full of gratitude for me and for the Big U.
Speaking of the Big U! I found something I wrote about a year and half ago. It is what Abraham-Hicks calls “Placemat”. On one side of the placemat you put what you are going to do and on the other side of the placemat you put what you want to Universe to do. The Universe, long ago, fulfilled everything I put down. Here is what is was:
Things to do ~ Valerie
Research and select a course of study that ignites my passion and inspiration.
Make contact with schools and do necessary applications.
Apply for student visa so I can stay and study in London.
Get together all necessary documentation for visa application.
Things to do ~ Universe
Help me!
Guide me to the people and course of study that is in harmony and support of my inspirations and desires.
Provide ways and means for me to attend the course of study of my choice. Handle the financial requirements of tuition, fees, and living expenses.
Acceptance to the course of study that is in my highest good.
Visa application approved.
Help me to acquire all necessary documentation and resources for visa application.
This was 100% achieved! It does not take money for things to happen. I personally never acquired any money to make the above happen. Never get hung up on money or think it is the source. Money comes from Source.
I have used several tools to get what I want and the main thing is to know what I want. Then intend it as powerfully as possible and let go so the Universe can bring it in. Never watch and feel like you are waiting. Know it is coming.
I love you all!
Valerie
Several months ago a friend of mine asked me if I would partner with him in turning a failing restaurant around. I know nothing about the restaurant business, but I know quite a bit about people and marketing and I do have style.
Anyway I was crazy and said yes. It was a failing Persian restaurant and I suggested we make it a French Bistro and appeal to the largest market possible. He said ok and then we began. The vision I had for my role was to do all the interior design after the previous interior was demolished (bars etc). Then I would focus on marketing etc.
Well, major snag. Yes, the people. I would love to share the details, but I must be discrete. I will say that I have discovered that restaurants tend to be divided. The kitchen and the floor have power struggles and perhaps most of the time the kitchen comes out on top.
Anyway I am trying my best to keep everyone focused on shared positive intentions, but the truth is I prefer to be an artist who has an excuse to be crazy myself.
]]>Crescendo
Numinous
Womb
Spa
Debacle
Crème Brule
Vibrancy
Finesse
Intention
Botox
Magic
Phallus
Oblivion
The “F” word followed by “off”
Yes
Design
Hyacinth
Clever
Cutsie
Sound
As If
Words/Phrases I don’t like: because of their definition, connotation or sound.
Yob
Vegetable
Labor
Porn
Landlord
Try
I don’t care.
The “C” word
Military
Terror/Terrorism
Celebrity
It can’t be done.
Prostitute
Patience
Abuse
Closed
Gastronomy
Budget
When I first moved to London from Paris I house shared with a friend of a friend. I thought I would just ride the Euro Star over and find a flat in no time. Wrong! It took me 2 months. The guy I house shared with got a crush on me and instead of being kind he acted out in controlling ways.
Anyway I finally found a place. My first landlord was as sweet as pie. He let me pay him cash for rent, which was great for me because at the time I did not have a bank account here. He was a dream landlord.
Then I moved and had another great landlord. This landlord had a team of builders so anytime maintenance needed to be done they came the same day. He never bothered me for any reason and he had an office with a secretary who handled everything.
Then I moved and had horrible landlords. They lied, cheated and refused to do necessary repairs and repairs required by law. You never want a broke landlord!
Now I have moved again. I have lived here a week and a half. The landlord is obsessed that he receive my rent on time. He even wants me to set up the standing order for the rent to go out a week in advance of the rent being due. He has sent me emails asking me to confirm that I have set the standing order up.
I am thinking he has had bad experiences in the past. Or the fact that the flat has been empty for some time because he has refurbished means he is at a deficit financially. Sigh, another broke landlord.
But no no no! It will be ok. He can have the rent early and hopefully he will not be obsessive on any other matters.
All this has ignited a turbo charge under my desire to own my own home! Watch me do it!
]]>What is up with all this racism? There have been times in my life I have gone months or years without hearing or reading a racist slur. Now it is an almost a daily occurrence.
Rac*ism n. (1936) 1 : generalizing one group of people by believing simplistic stereotypes of that group. 2 : Individual racism – individual acts that overtly reflect racist attitudes/beliefs; racial slurs, jokes etc.
The pay off to being a racist is: 1. Not having to take responsibility for your lot in life because you have put all the blame on the targeted group. 2. A false sense of superiority (that masks a deep sense of inferiority) because you feel you are at least better than the targeted group.
~V.Alexander
Collective fear stimulates herd instinct, and tends to produce ferocity toward those who are not regarded as members of the herd.
~Bertrand Russell
Racism isn’t born folks, it’s taught. I have a two – year old son. You know what he hates? Naps! End of list.
~Dennis Leary
No man has ever been born a Negro hater, a Jew hater or any other kind of hater. Nature refuses to be involved in such suicidal practices.
~Harry Bridges
Our thoughts are unseen hands shaping the people we meet. Whatever we truly think them to be, that is what they will become for us.
~Richard Cowper
A minority group has “arrived” only when it has the right to produce some fools and scoundrels without the entire group paying for it.
~Carl T. Rowen
Racism rests upon and functions as a kind of seesaw: the persecutor rises by debasing and inferiorizing his victim.
~Albert Memmi
Racism is something that people can transcend through friendship.
~Vincent F. Rocchio
Well.
I moved last weekend and it was the easiest and smoothest move I have ever done! That is saying a lot because I move a lot.
I love this flat! It is wonderful! My wardrobe fits perfectly in the bedroom and I did not have to exchange it. I have enough room in the bedroom for my meditation area and now every night after my bath I meditate and focus on things I find beautiful and desirable. That is how it is done. You have to feel it in order to draw it to you.
This flat is a cool place and I can do so many creative decorative things and I have already commenced my expressions. Finally a home I love and feel wonderful in. What a journey.
L’Intrigue is opening the Monday after this coming Monday. Everyday this week our Chef, Sophie, from Lyon has been preparing lunch for us. The food definitely has the Wow factor. So delicious!!!! We are so close to the end of the refurbishment and fine details the light at the end of the tunnel is now visible.
Auh!
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I realized today that the wardrobe I bought for my new flat is too big for the bedroom. It will fit, but it will take up too much space. I can return it and get a smaller one.
While thinking so hard about wardrobes and the size and styles of them I continued with the train of thought and I remembered something I had not thought about for years and even when it happened I did not fully appreciate it.
Last night I dreamed about someone I used to know. Though I have not seen or spoken to this person in a very long time we are still connected in some kind of way. We were interacting in the dream in a pleasant manner. Today I remembered how when I came to visit him several years ago one of the ways he prepared for my visit was he had bought me a wardrobe so that I could fully unpack my luggage and feel at home in his home.
I ponder wardrobes at the moment not as an object, but as a symbol. Perhaps a symbol of belonging.
]]>
I have been in some very tight spots in my life. Spots so tight that perhaps an anxiety med is warranted. I do it to myself really. I create cliffs to where I have to jump off in faith in order to move forward in my life.
What I have done in those situations is act AS IF everything is going to work out perfectly and it has! I do not mean to minimize, the truth is I have really put myself through it at times, but somehow I remember what really matters and what I really believe and I hold onto that and it guides me through.
So, back in December I told my landlords to piss off. They agreed that they should and let me out of my lease. I returned from the states in early Jan and have been looking for a new place to live since then. I have been too busy with L’Intrigue to look for a new place to live properly and then I got so very, very ill. They have rented out my home and the calendar days have flown by. I have to move out by the 14th and I have had no where to go.
Then something miraculous happened. I saw a beautiful place online, as I have many times. This time when I called the agent I was NOT told it was taken. Instead I was told it is vacant, has just been refurbished and is available for immediate move in. So I scheduled a viewing and to my surprise it has everything I want: all wood flooring, terrace, huge windows, high ceilings and fantastic location. Then (smiling) it got better. The landlord will be paying all bills including council tax. Of course the phone is on me, but no prob with that. There is also a large storage room that belongs to the flat.
I LOVE YOU UNIVERSE!
THANK YOU!
]]>What is one to do? I washed my sheets today because last night they got wet from my night sweats.
I wake up and drink limsip, though the doctor told me I should stop that and take paracetamol tablets instead.
I occupy my day coughing, sneezing and blowing my nose. I have a headache today along with the other symptoms.
I am afraid to go outside, not that I feel like it. Last time I was outside was Monday and that brought the fever back and the chills.
One day I will re-emerge into life. For some reason I am not in a hurry.
]]>
OMG!
I am not 100% but I do feel better. What a horrible illness!
I have really missed myself. The illness turned me into someone I do not like. I was a hybrid. No, actually I was a trybrid. A child, bitch, and zombie combo.
I have to move out of my flat in 2 weeks and I have not found a new place yet. I am not worried. I suspect I will make an offer on something in the coming week.
I have been so out of balance since I started the incredibly huge project of L’Intrigue. I miss going to the gym regularly. I miss my salon visits. I miss meditating regularly. Giving up all those things took a toll on me and I realize that they are too special for me to give up just because I am busy.
Sometimes things have to fall apart so that they can be put together again in a new and more pleasing way. 
I wanted to cry like a baby tonight. It is that weird feeling of being sick and wanting mommy. I wanted to cry for everyone. I wanted to cry for my grandfather who is gone. My grandmother who at 94 and is almost gone. I wanted to cry for my family and how they are so far away. I wanted to cry for a man I once knew. I wanted to cry for me, because why leave myself out?
So I cried.
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Only once a year do I have a taste for a quarter pounder with cheese. Today was the day. I indulged and I had some fat greesey chips on the side. I sipped an ice cold coke a cola with my lovely entree.
I am at home today packing for my upcoming move. Nothing is on tele in the afternoons so why not blog about my lunch? Hehehe!
Smiles
Val
The ideal Shiatsu massage is when you are naked under a very fine cotton sheet as opposed to just wearing loose clothing. The sheet is repositioned as the need arises, but it always stays over your body. Pressure points within the body are the focus and the person receiving the massage quickly enters a blissful state of awareness. Unlike Swedish massage that tends to relax you, Shiatsu massage energizes. Pent up energy is released and you can feel it happening during the massage; This resulting in an incredible feeling of liberation.
There is some kneading, rocking, and pressing on the body and the inclination to surrender your whole body to the massage, as you lay blissfully safe under the sheet, brings yet another level of bliss.
Some Shiatsu is done as you lay on a floor mat. I do not like this way. I prefer to be on a massage bed with a face cradle. I have yet to find anyone who does Shiatsu better than the people at Kabuki Springs and Spa in San Francisco. One of the wonderful things about Kabuki Spa is you take a Japanese bath prior to the massage so you begin your massage feeling clean and wonderful.
I have had a Shiatsu massage at the Royal Crescent Hotel in Bath, but they use the floor mat. I liked it, but lying on the floor in loose clothing is not my preference. I continue to search for a place here that comes close to the absolute bliss I felt at Kabuki Spa. Yet, massage tends to be like pizza. When it is good it is really good and when it is bad, it is still pretty good.
]]>Self Righteous: 1. Piously sure of one's own righteousness; moralistic.
2. Exhibiting pious self-assurance
lol! Well I am not pious, but moralistic? Yes!
I have stuff to let go of! The thing is when you have an opportunity to take a stand and you don’t, then the dis-empowered feeling that follows that choice feels worse that the consequences of taking the stand. You know what I mean?
As some of you know I moved in November into a lovely flat. This was to be a wonderful new beginning for me. Well, it has not followed such a story line. Instead it reads like cheap, scandalous novel for 99p on the table of a market stall.
Soon after I moved in I found out the hard way that there is not a managing agent for the property and the landlords refuse to make repairs, though the lease and the law require there be a managing agent and that the repairs needed (safe and functioning doors and windows) be done by the landlord. The landlords live in Australia and appear to be only interested in the income from the property and not the responsibility of respecting the lease and the law.
So I wrote a formal notice to the letting agent and the landlords stating: 1. The lease was breeched by the landlords and is thus null and void. 2. That I will not be paying the rent. (they have 6 weeks deposit). 3. I will be moving out.
Neither the agency nor the landlords had a satisfactory rebuttal because I was (self) right (eous).
Upon my return from the states the agency began harassing me with numerous calls a day for me to allow them access to show the flat in order to let it again. I told the letting agent that I was not going to be party to their conspiracy with the landlords to commit fraud against another unsuspecting member of society. I informed the agents that if they can produce evidence that there is now a managing agent to the property then I would consider its authenticity prior to allowing any viewings. You can imagine how they responded to that! The letting agent knows the landlords are in violation of the lease, yet they will still broker another tenancy with the omission of this information in order to victimize yet another and secure their commission.
To the agents nothing is more important than the pound note. To me a few things are more important than my peace of mind for it has been a fight.
Love to all
Val
Happy New Year to absolutely everyone!
I have returned from a long break in the states. It was an interesting trip. Sometimes things come full circle in life…
My first love (at 17) was Keith. After 20 or so years Keith recently got in touch with me. One day while I was back home he drove for 5 hours to come have lunch with me. We had a great time and to my amazement he looked much the same. He told me things that I had completely forgotten. He reminded me how he called me on his wedding night. He got married at 20 (he is now divorced). I had totally blanked that out of my awareness and hearing him tell me about it was like hearing it for the first time.
It is amazing how we can be so oblivious as to the effect we have on people and what a blessing it is to be able to hear it first hand.
Val
Finally an evening to myself. I go home on the 20th and until then there is so much to do. Once home I plan to relax, laugh, catch up on movie watching, and eat all that wonderful food that you can only find in Texas. Yes Texas!
L’Intrigue is the name of the bistro. Can you image how much there is to do in setting up a restaurant? First the interior of the previous restaurant had to be totally demolished and now the process of rebuilding. It is very exciting though! It must be like being pregnant and seeing signs of life forming such as face outline, fingers, spinal chord etc.
I will gladly post pictures, share website and extend invitations to the grand opening once we are up and running.
Dear Julie, I almost bought Wuthering Heights today, but skipped it. Has anyone heard of Ramtha? I am reading his teachings now and they are fascinating!!! He apparently lived 35,000. The book starts out with him telling his life story and it is very interesting. He tells how he became an ascended master. He is channeled through a lady called JZ Knight. He says he chose to channel through a person, as opposed to reincarnate and give his teachings, because we humans tend to idolize and worship the messenger. How true.
I have also started reading about NLP. That has been very helpful to me too. Yes, very busy trying to master my lower nature and live my life. I do not like the word “trying”. I will rephrase that and say, I am busy mastering my lower nature…
Chi Chi got an injection of the female hormone progesterone last week. The vet thought it might help subdue all of Chi Chi’s testosteronic (a word I just made up) tendency? Lol! Has it worked? Nope.
Ok. Big smiles to everyone. I shall fade back into my element now.
Designing the bistro is taking all my time. Usually a team of people do such a project, but in this case I am the team. It should be beautiful when it is done.
I could write about the mishaps etc…but I am too tired.
I am going to take a lovely hot bath in scented oils and then lay in bed and read. Chi Chi by my side. My little slice of heaven.
]]>Anyway a “Future Past” situation happened this weekend. What if in the past someone told me, “You will find yourself locked in and locked out at the same time.” I would think what a riddle and I have never been good at solving riddles.
I used to work with a spiritual mentor and she would give me fantastic readings, but she talked in symbols. Once she told me, “Do not react to a closed gate!” I then pondered and stimulated myself trying to figure out how exactly was I going to encounter a closed gate. BTW when I did encounter the closed gate I reacted lol! It does not always help to be forewarned.
So, this Saturday I unfortunately got locked in my bedroom. The doorknob would not turn. I was able to crawl out my bedroom window only to find that I was also locked out of my flat. I went back and forth through the window several times alternating between trying to jimmy the door open to throwing pebbles at my upstairs neighbor’s window in an attempt to seek his attention and assistance. It was a very weird situation to find myself in and most unpleasant. I knew it was temporary though. There is something about knowing an unpleasant situation is temporary that brings so much relief.
My neighbor finally heard me and climbed over several fences and then through my window with screwdriver in hand and unscrewed the doorknob and released us both. Auh the relief. I have thank you gifts to place outside his door to find when he comes home from work tomorrow.
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But here's the thing: When I create my day and out of nowhere little things happen that are so unexplainable, I know that they are the process or the result of my creation. And the more I do that, the more I build a neural net in my brain that I accept that that's possible. (This) gives me the power and the incentive to do it the next day.
"So if we're consciously designing our destiny, and if we're consciously from a spiritual standpoint throwing in with the idea that our thoughts can affect our reality or affect our life -- because reality equals life -- then I have this little pact that I have when I create my day.
I say, 'I'm taking this time to create my day and I'm infecting the quantum field. Now if (it) is in fact the observer's watching me the whole time that I'm doing this and there is a spiritual aspect to myself, then show me a sign today that you paid attention to any one of these things that I created, and bring them in a way that I won't expect, so I'm as surprised at my ability to be able to experience these things. And make it so that I have no doubt that it's come from you,'
]]>