For those of you who stumble across my page from where ever or however, if you want to send a friend invite, don't send a blank or the standard invite. If you are doing those cell phone ring tones, don't even bother sending an invite, you will be rejected. If you are also advertising some sort of dating/sex site, don't bother sending an invite either. Home pages WILL be checked!

I want people to tell me why they want me on their friends list. Be creative. Although I am Wiccan and say so, doesn't mean I'm into Satan (Wiccans don't believe in a Satan/Devil, that's a Christian thing), not into sex orgies (Wiccans don't do that either), don't practice Dark Magick (Most Wiccans don't do that either) nor do I practice what you see on TV or what Magicians "seem" to do. I don't want to be added as a friend just so you have a "Witch" on your list either. I, nor most Wiccans, practice any type of Magick on other people - espeically not those who are unreceptive. So, no, I will not put a spell on someone you don't like or hate. No, I will not kill, maim, or hurt another person nor will I help you get the love of your life to marry you (especially if that person has no feelings for you). I will, however, help out a friend in need. Notice I said "friend" not aquaintance.

Okay, that being said, if you truly want me as a friend, then make sure you say that AND stay in touch with me. Don't just add me to a list so you can have hundreds or thousands of friends and then never talk to me again. I may not post often, but usually when I do, it's something important. I do check up on my friends, I do read their blogs, and I do read their comments and I will comment back. If someone has ANY questions, ask before you invite!

Oh, one more comment about invites.... I have a boyfriend/fiance. I don't need anymore. I do not cybersex, I do not get naked on cam, I do not want to see YOU naked on cam, nor do I want people looking for "naughty" chats. I WILL NOT accept invites from people looking for that sort of thing. I am not a 45 year old woman looking for a younger man that is into "mature/granny" ladies so you can get your "rocks" off. If you have that on your web site, you will be rejected.

Are we all clear on the subject now? GOOD!

Early this morning, my sister and I got a phone call from our mother. Early morning and late night phone calls are never good. She called to tell us that my son's half-sister had died from a drug overdose last night. Not much else was known, but an autopsy was being done. I called my son to tell him the news. The following is what he wrote in his blog after hearing the news. I thought I would share it with my friends, family and others who read my blog. My heart goes out to him and the family. She left behind a 2-year old daughter.

From my son:

There are many ways to awaken. The sound of a ringing phone is not one of my favorites. Not when it's your mother on the other end asking you to sit down. Not when you learn that your 21-year-old half sister died last night of a drug overdose.

I didn't know her that well. My memories of her span from a 2 year old who loved her brother even though I considered her a nuisance at the time, to 9 years old with a week's worth of memories that coincide with the last time time I saw my father, to 19 as she holds her baby girl and we're little more than strangers, but she still gave me a hug goodbye as she left.

Relatives that knew her better kept telling me I wasn't missing much, but I was. I missed out on being a brother, on so many memories, on being a proud Uncle. I may not have liked her as a person, but I know I loved her as a sister.

What hurts the most is that I won't be able to attend the funeral, to pay my respects, and comfort my family. Never before have I felt so isolated. I feel so angry that the one person who could help me get there won't because of expense. I have to be 'understanding' but inside I'm raging.

Maybe the worst is knowing I'll be ok. I'm not grieving like her mother or her sister. I feel so horrible that I'm not devastated. I'm sad. I almost broke down in tears once it finally sunk in, but I know I'll be fine. I'll have a good cry, scream about missing the funeral, and genuinely feel sorry that I wasn't a better brother. My rational mind knows it works both ways. She could have tried to be a better sister, but I can't think that way right now. All I can see is what I should have done better, that I should have tried harder.

But I'll be ok and right now that sounds so awful.

I have asked family members on both sides to keep me informed of any proceedings. I already plan to hold my own private remembrance at the time of her funeral if I can't attend the real one.

To my friends and family, please be careful. You mean so much to me and I don't wish to lose you as well.

Goodbye Danielle. May you find the peace you couldn't find here.

Here it is, February already. Been smoke free now since Nevember 2007. Amazing, huh? I can't believe it! Still crave one every now and then, but it passes rather quickly. My sister and I will comment on it and then kind of laugh about it and go on with whatever we were doing.

February is a pretty big month for me. My son, my sister, two of my best friends all have birthdays in February and then there is Valentine's Day. Oh, and my dad and his brother have a birthday in February. Theirs is on the 8th. Everyone else I mentioned is on the 9th. So, Annie, Allen, Ed, and Jan.... Hope you all had a great birthday on the 9th. Dad and Uncle Jerry, hope yours was great on the 8th.

This year I have reason to celebrate Valentine's Day. With the love of my life in my life, that is plenty of reason to celebrate. At least in my opinion it is. lol Although we'll be miles apart, I know we will both be in each other's thoughts all day, if not all month. lol I love him dearly and will miss him dearly on Valentine's Day as I won't be able to give him anything special like a hug or kiss. Oh well, though, right? There will be other holidays to celebrate together once we are together, right? I keep looking ahead to those times.

I will try to make it back here on Valentine's Day to wish everyone a good one. Until then, everyone of you take care of yourselves and your loved ones.

Brightest Blessings to all!