No Means No!!!!!

Hey all. Hope you are all having a terrific week. I have been having a pretty decent week so far. I am feeling grateful for all that has been given to me and even for some of the not so great things that have been given to me. 

They say that everything happens for a reason. To find the good in every situation, even the bad ones and, insert any random cliched quote here, on and on. I have been making a conscience effort to try and be more positive since my marriage exploded. At times it has been very, very trying. I have been managing as best as I can which is all I can really expect. However; saying that, I do have to say it has been one crazy, trip when it comes to men and dating, or not dating. 

I am learning that there is a lesson to be learned in any situation, whether it be good or bad. This past month I have been doing a lot of soul searching, re-evaluating past relationships and looking at them in a different light, so to speak. Trying to change the thoughts from "I'm not/wasn't good enough" to "I am worthy". Seeing where I possibly went wrong and what was there to learn from the failed relationship. 

I won't go into all the gory details but I do have to say thank you to OC Casanova, who showed me that I should be proud of my geekiness. and that I need to work on my boundary settings and sticking with them. Thank you to Goth guy for helping me discover that I am not a casual fun kind of girl and I want a real relationship and not just friends with benefits. TO showed me that someone could want to just spend time with me without having the goal of getting in my pants. That I was worth spending time getting to know and showing me that I was beautiful and wonderful. I will be forever thankful for his friendship. I am thankful to Stittsville for showing me that I shouldn't live in the past and there are two sides to every story. 

A big thank you to my ex for showing me that I am stronger than he gave me credit for. I am capable of making decisions on my own and get things paid and the teen fed. He showed me how to appreciate what really matters and what doesn't. 

Now I come to the entire point of my post. I recently had a guy I know tell me that it is not his fault he can't keep his hands to himself when around me because I am too hot and he can't help himself. SAY WHAT?????? 

I saw red with this statement, trying to wrap my head around it. I felt like he was basically saying what rapists say about woman asking for it because of how they dressed. Even if a woman was walking around naked in front of a man, it did not mean he had the right to touch her or have sex with her because she was naked. It is called self control. It totally burns my buns when I hear comments like "She was asking for it because of how she dressed" or "she is a flirt and wanted it". Why should woman suffer because some men have no self control? Also some men seem to mistake politeness as an invitation for sex. Since when has politeness meant you wanted to sleep with a person? I have seriously had guys think this. It boggles the mind, I tells ya. 

NO MEANS NO! Period. 

He can't help himself because I am "too hot" Oh please. I have told him time and time again not to make advances toward me. Sometimes I wonder if he gets off on it. I have said No nicely, I have said No firmly, I have said No in down right hell b*tch style and he comes out with this "I'm too hot and he can't control himself around me" (insert eye roll here) I weep for humanity if this is male mentality. 

He didn't see what the big deal was, actually thought it was a compliment. To me it shows he has no respect for me as person. 

How would you react if someone told you that they couldn't help but try to manhandle you because you were too hot? 

I am not even sure where to begin with trying to figure out the lesson to be learned in this. I am sure in time it will come. For now I am content to be grateful for the lessons I have learned already and for the lessons I will learn in the future. 

Hugs and Smoochies, 

from the Madhouse 

<3 Arawynn <3 

Doctor Who Hair Sticks...

I have been bitten by the crafting bug lately and most of my ideas seem to be revolving around Doctor Who. I love Doctor Who. I remember being spooked by the Classic Doctor Who music when I was really young. I did watch the 8th Doctor in reruns when I was pregnant for my son and home alone all day. 

I really got into the series with it's reboot ( I know, I know there are many that don't view it as a reboot but as a continuation) and I have seen every episode several times since. I loved 10 and Rose and then Rory and Amy and The Doctor and River Song. I am so looking forward to the 50th Anniversary episode and seeing both Matt Smith and David Tennant  together in one episode. It should be epic. 

To get in the spirit and show my Whovian Pride. I decided to make something that I can wear. Nothing to drastic since I don't want to scare my co-workers more than I already have with my decorations. I decided to make some hair sticks to stick in my hair, when I am wearing it up. Best part is they can double as weapons if someone attacks. I am all for multi-purposed items. ^.~ 

I have already posted a somewhat how-to over on Cut Out & Keep. Feel free to head over and check it out, Here

Action Shot

View from the front

Up close and personal

Bow ties and Fezes are cool :) 

I am pretty proud of them. I hand painted both while I watched a Harry Potter marathon with "the teen" a couple of weekends ago. I am bad at actually getting things up and posted in a quick time frame. Usually because something in the madhouse distracts me. Like the sudden urge to paint chopsticks up so I can wear them in my hair :P  

My next plan is to make TARDIS curtains for "the teen's" room. They replaced our windows so I had to take down his old curtains and decided they needed to be updated. 

Other Doctor Who projects I have made are "the teen's" birthday cake last year. As shown here. Not my finest work, but still pretty cool. 

There will be more geekery crafts to come. Please check back often :) 

For now I must go do domestic things. Still wishing for my fairy godmother to come and take care of all the chores so I can go to the fancy dress ball. Someday....until then...

Hugs and Smoochies 

<3 Arawynn <3

I am Woman, Hear me RAWR!

Hi all. I know I have been a bad girl and not been updating as much as I should. Things in the Madhouse have been absolutely crazy. More so then usual. 

Over the last while I have been to see The Rocky Horror Picture Show in a theatre, complete with shadow cast. It was an amazing experience and I am so glad the wonderful Amy Jane invited us all to experience it with her in her final days in this fair city. I have to say the shadow cast was pretty awesome too, but finally getting to see Tim Curry in all his glory on the big screen was awesome. I would have his children if I could, but I digress. 

I have been doing some organizing in the Madhouse. It is in desperate need of it. The inmates are growing restless with all the chaos. I have been purging, as well, which my inner hoarder is irritated with but I am trying this new thing out and trying to find my Zen. So far it has been working. A slow process, but I will get there. 

I have started daily affirmations to change the negativity my mind tends to gravitate towards. Mostly at night, prior to heading off to dreamland. I have to say they have been helping. I wake up in the morning feeling much better and greatly refreshed. 

I have been learning to count my blessings each and every day. Focusing less on what I don't have and more on what I do have. Learning to let go of things I no longer need and no longer serves a purpose in my life. Something I have always struggled with but I do have to say my mood has greatly improved over the last few months and that makes me feel content. 

I have been trying new things. Again something completely out of character for me. I am a creature of habit, for the most part, and I have been making a conscience effort to take myself out of my safe bubble and explore this amazing world we live in. 

I have tried Pad Thai and discovered I love it. I have learned to use a drill and  I have begun to learn Tai Chi. I learned a few weeks ago that I have arthritis in my knees but I am not letting that discourage me in the least. I have so much to live for. 

Last but certainly not least, "the teen" is doing well. He and I have been spending a lot of quality time together. He still seems to insist on his vampire tendencies of not going out in daylight so I have begun to find ways to get vitamin D into him. What is it with teenagers and sleeping all day and being up all night? Mind you I was the exact same way in high school. Must run in the family. 

In the words of John Lennon ~ Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans. ~

I am living in the moment, as much as I can. The past it gone and the future has yet to arrive. The present is here and it is indeed a gift. I am blessed. 

Hugs and Smoochies from the Madhouse

<3 Arawynn <3

Thoughts On Being Yourself

I love this woman. She never fails to cheer me up when I am having a lousy day. 

The teen and I watched this video and she makes some excellent points, which I think both of us needed to hear,  and I wanted to share her wisdom. 

If you aren't already subscribed to her then I definitely suggest subscribing. If you haven't heard of her then I have to say "What is wrong with you?" I kid, I kid. 

Seriously though, check her out if you haven't already. Like I said, she has an amazing ability to cheer me up on days I need it and maybe she can do the same for you. 

Hugs and Smoochies from the Madhouse

<3 Arawynn <3

HAPPY CANADA DAY!!!!!

Happy Birthday Canada. Sending a shout out to all the Canadians around the world. Proud to be Canadian <3 

Mini Vaca and Other Journeys.

Recently I got the chance to stay in a Corporate Suite. It was only for a night but it was amazing, nonetheless. 

Here are some pics of the gorgeous suite, which had a kitchen, washer and dryer and a huge bathtub. Didn't get a pic of the huge bathroom. unfortunately but it was huge.  

View of the entrance

View of the balcony area.

Super comfy bed. It felt like I was sleeping on a cloud. 

The entire place looked like it had been furnished from IKEA. Not exactly my style when it comes to living areas but I appreciate the beauty and simplicity. It was nice for a change. 

The couch, not so comfy but the bed totally made up for that. Totally wish I had been able to stay for longer but had to go back to normal life. Well normal for me. 

I am currently on a mini vaca from work. Monday is a holiday for us Canadians, it being our great country's birthday and all. So I booked off Friday and Tuesday so I could have an extended weekend and I am so glad I did. 

Friday morning I woke up way too early for it being a day off from work, so I could head out to IKEA for breakfast. I am not a cooking breakfast, kind of person. It is so much work and clean up for a good one so I like to go out for breakfast on the weekends. IKEA is perfect seeing as it is only $1 for the regular breakfast and $2 for the Deluxe breakfast. Awesome price and it is pretty tasty and filling. 

After breakfast I headed to the bed department because I am in need of a new bed since "the teen" has destroyed mine by jumping on it. My mattress smiles when you look at it which is not happy for my back. After sleeping on the bed in the Corporate Suite I wanted that mattress and figured since the entire place looked like it had been furnished from IKEA that I would take a chance. I was right. Managed to find the mattress I want and even a bed frame, not a canopy bed like I really want but still pretty. Going to do some more checking around before actually purchasing anything just in case, I find a better deal somewhere else. 

After IKEA I headed off to Chapters to check out the discount book tables. I am a sucker for cheap books. I managed to find a few I was interested in and it was under $10 for all three which is awesome. 

All three books. 

This was only $2 which is awesome. I flipped through it and it is full of awesome tips and tricks 

Planning on using the Tattoo book as inspiration to come up with my next tattoo. I am just trying to decide what I want and where on my body. 

I also hit up Teavana to see about picking up a tea brewer because my tea ball is just not cutting it when I want to make more than one cup of tea. Being summer and all and having picked up this awesome fruity tea for iced tea I needed something larger. I managed to luck into a sale. So I got a tea brewer for under what I was willing to pay for one. Score. Looking forward to brewing myself up some iced tea. 

30% off is awesomeness. The lid also screws in and is air tight so I can store it sideways in my fridge 

I also hit up the dollar store to pick up some air tight glass jars that I can wrap in decorative paper for my loose teas. I almost died at the price of the tea tins and figured I was crafty enough to come up with a cheaper alternative. I picked up four jars and I am going to use some scrapbooking paper I already have at home to cover them with. A future blog post in the works there. ;) 

It was an exhausting but fun day. Ended it with dinner and a movie with "the teen" at a friend's house. We watched Kickass and ate pizza and had great fun. 

You need to cherish little moments. Life is short and we are blessed to have all we need and to have friends in our lives that we can hang with. 

Hugs and Smoochies 

<3 Arawynn <3 

The Teen Strikes Again...

Sometimes I truly wonder what goes on in his head. 

This past Saturday I made a trip to the library. I love the library, it was my home away from home while I was growing up. I see people all the time with e-readers but I choose to make the trek to the old school library and get actual books. I love the smell and feel of books. You just can't get that with an e-reader, but I digress. 

I decided instead of heading out in my normal jeans and tee with flip flops I would don a new dress I had purchased on a ridiculous sale. It definitely is bolder than I am used to. I tend to stay in the blue, greys and black ranges when it comes to clothing. But this dress just spoke to me. It has been hanging around waiting for an occasion to wear it so Saturday I decided to let it out of my closet for some air. 

Oh course you can't have a pretty dress without some pretty accessories so I picked out this beautiful vintage style, triple chained necklace and pretty butterfly earrings. My hair was up in a messy bun with pick roses in my hair, along with one of my butterfly headbands. As well as this cute little butterfly handbag I had purchased at a thrift store.  Yes I am addicted to fond of butterflies. 

I came down the stairs looking positively fabulous and the teen spots me and says " why are you so dressed up? You got a date or something?"  

to which I replied "No, just felt like looking pretty today, I am going to the library" 

"Ok Mom, you know you can tell me if you are going on a date".

Again I state I am just going to the library and I don't have a date. and he exclaimed that you don't get dressed up to go to the library. That is just silly. 

I asked him why not? Why can someone not get dressed up to go do perfectly boring outings? Why wait until a special occasion to get dressed up and look fabulous? Especially when you work in a job that you basically have to wear jeans and a t-shirt to because it is messy and you wouldn't want to ruin your nice clothes. 

He walked off shaking his head still believing that I was going on a date. Really must sit that child down and have a chat with him *lol* 

I had a wonderful outing. Picked up The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. Almost halfway through it now. A friend suggested it to me, as he is reading it and thought it would be helpful for me. The teen and I have watched the actual lecture on Youtube as well. Such an inspiring man. Definitely won't be taking anything for granted any longer. You never know what may come. 

When I got home from the library, the teen saw the book and said " Oh you did go to the library" Somehow he was in shock. Yes it might be a tad strange to get dressed up to go to the library but the way I see it, why wait till a special occasion. Live in the moment. Why wait till a special occasion to wear that favourite perfume you love? 

Did I get some strange looks while out and about in my fabulousness? Certainly but I am learning not to care so much what other people are thinking. I should care how I feel and do things that make me happy. So I will proudly don my bright pink dress and butterflies because it makes me feel good and I am not hurting anyone. 

I am hoping the teen can learn you don't have to have a special occasion to look nice, or to do nice things. I think that is something lacking in society. So many save things for the right time but what if that right time never comes. You have wasted all that time waiting. Just do. :) 

Hugs and Smoochies 

<3 Arawynn <3