Louisa's Musings

How I feel about David

2010-11-21T20:16:00.001-07:00

Sudden Light

I have been here before,
But when or how I cannot tell:
I know the grass beyond the door,
The sweet keen smell,
The sighing sound, the lights around the shore.

You have been mine before,—
How long ago I may not know:
But just when at that swallow's soar
Your neck turned so,
Some veil did fall,—I knew it all of yore.

Has this been thus before?
And shall not thus time's eddying flight
Still with our lives our love restore
In death's despite,
And day and night yield one delight once more?

by Dante Gabriel Rossetti (1828-1882)

2010-09-21T16:35:00.002-06:00

On Barthes

Ideas are fed to me.
Opinions that were supposedly thought out.
Concepts from theorists
Making sense of this world.
And now I must glean reason
From their (non)sense.

I muddle through.
Faking it
While self-aware youngsters prattle on
In comprehension.
My brain has been sleeping for
Ten years.

Comatose. Entertained by pop culture.
I am a derivative of idiocy-
A product of my culture.
Oh! intelligent brain of my youth,
I have let you fester in a
Quiet pocket of reality TV infection.

I am shocked awake by
Electrodes of thought.
Synapses connect,
Bulbs of deeply buried ideas
Light up the mushy grey.

Four weeks in
And there is hope.

8-31-10 & 9-21-10

this was written for my frustration about a French theorist from the 40s, Roland Barthes. Read his stuff, you'll see.

my poem--I found this & love it!

2010-08-03T16:11:00.001-06:00

Louisa

By William Wordsworth

After accompanying her on a mountain excursion.

Written at Town-end, Grasmere.

I met Louisa in the shade,
And, having seen that lovely Maid,
Why should I fear to say
That, nymph-like, she is fleet and strong,
And down the rocks can leap along
Like rivulets in May?

She loves her fire, her cottage-home;
Yet o'er the moorland will she roam
In weather rough and bleak;
And, when against the wind she strains,
Oh! might I kiss the mountain rains
That sparkle on her cheek.

Take all that's mine beneath the moon,
If I with her but half a noon
May sit beneath the walls
Of some old cave, or mossy nook,
When up she winds along the brook
To hunt the waterfalls.

all that glitters is usually cheap crap unless you're rich

2010-07-31T16:01:00.001-06:00

Ok so the title will possibly make sense once you're done reading this entry but probably not. I have found that, much to my embarrassment, I love trashy reality TV. I always have wanted to be one of those "smart" TV watchers. You know the ones: "I only watch TV for educational purposes. I watch Discovery & the Earth series & spend my summers with the Peace Corps.". Ya know, dorks. Jk. Not me! I happen to be involved with one of these dorks. David is now fascinated with the "Through the Wormhole" series about the Universe. Now, don't get me wrong, it's very exciting learning about quarks & strange matter & how the Earth could be eaten inside out by a black hole the size of a pearl. (yawn). But I'd rather watch bitchy women yell & fight on "Real Housewives of NYC" or as my friend Kelly & I affectionately call "The Bitches of Madison County".
I found a new treasure yesterday. "You're Cut Off" chronicles ten pampered, rich-bc -mommy/daddy/hubby-are-rich women get cut off from their families to learn what it's like to live like the upper class. No, not the middle or lower class, the upper. So they go from the top 1% to the top 5%. How tragic. They had to clean their mansion, they had to cook their own meals, they had to figure out how to open & turn on a computer! Seriously! How is it that we still have people like this? My favorite part was when an "expert" told one of the girls that her $2,000 Louis Vuitton clutch was someone's house payment & he got blank stares. "What's that? (giggle vacantly) "Where are the maids?" I'm fascinated with their stupidity & yet disgusted with myself all at the same time. So, even though that glittery diamond tiara one girl was wearing might be worth thousands, it's just calling attention to the cheap crap underneath it. I vote she takes it off & I watch Jersey Shore. : )
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My favorites

2010-07-25T16:38:00.001-06:00

So far my favorite things since I've been eating healthy are:
Celery sticks with hummus or peanut butter.
Silk brand soy milk. (especially chocolate).
Spanish Rice-a-Roni with black beans & chipotle peppers.
Uncle Eddie's Vegan Cookies (these are very easy to pig out on & I'm working on portion sizes too so they aren't in the house too much) : (
Organic "Oreos". (same rule as above applies)
Wheat meat as ground meat in dishes or as meat balls for spaghetti. (still gotta get the brown pasta)
Veggie burgers dressed up like a hamburger (way more flavor & lighter feeling than beef)
A wheat protein called seitan with Chinese style stir fry (pronounced say-tan & yes I've already thought of the irony that it sounds like Satan. Lol. It tastes like chicken. Honest! Can Satan say that? : )
Knowing that I have saved several animals lives & preserved resources! Good feeling!
Knowing David supports me & Sage is vegetarian now bc of my example-excellent! Even Graham likes the vegan food!
Now go enjoy one of these treats!
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come with me...and you'll be...in a world of pure imagination (or just a vegan world)

2010-07-21T13:53:00.005-06:00

So I figure I'll just let you guys know more about my journey into the vegan world. So far, so good. I'm learning about the wonderful world of whole grains and plants. I'm relearning to eat! It's crazy. I have been so ignorant about the delightful world of actual food, not processed, refined, and enriched (put chemicals back in since we took all the good stuff out) "food". For lunch I ate yummy Spanish rice with black beans, a raw carrot!, and corn on the cob (without the butter and salt!) Now for those of you who know me this is huge! I was a sugar fiend. But sugar turns me into a b****. The other day I ate some delicious crab cream cheese wontons (I caved) and within an hour I was so angry it was scary! So...even though I still crave that white powder, I know better than to indulge. If any of you have thought about going vegan, check out the book "The Kind Diet" by Alicia Silverstone (or her website for free-yay!-www.thekindlife.com. Yes, that's the girl from Clueless, which I think is so cool because I have loved her ever since that silly movie. She has really good information and guides you step-by-step as you take the plunge. Anywho, I am happy to say that I really don't miss any meat or dairy (sugar is still tough) and I am becoming friends again with fruits, veggies, grains, and yes, even the gassy bean family. =)
Til next time,
Lou

been a while

2010-07-13T20:02:00.002-06:00

So I always do this. Leave for a while, then come back. Kind of like my life. It goes in spurts and phases of different interests. The summer has been interesting. David's two kids have been here. Sage is 10 & Graham is 9 on Thursday. I have never had children living with me and it has been a hard adjustment. And, just like I thought, as I'm finally getting used to it, they are going back. Well in a month, but still. Four weeks isn't very long. Hope all of you have been well. I'm sure I'll talk to you again soon. =)

drumroll please...

2010-04-06T18:22:00.002-06:00

Friends,
I am happy to say that my business website is officially up and running! Woohoo! Check it out at www.medicinehands.us

Thank you, Will! And if any of you want some website development, email my talented brother @ willaustinrm@gmail.com

it's been a while

2010-03-31T23:21:00.002-06:00

Oh my goodness! I haven't written on here in a while. Not that nothing interesting has happened (well it hasn't really). But I feel I should update everyone on what's going on. I am yet again headed back to school. This time for my BA in English. David is encouraging me to go and is being very supportive. That is so wonderful and different! I was always discouraged from going when I was married. He thought it was a waste of time. But that's no longer relevant! I have a fabulous, loving boyfriend who wants to see me pursue my dream of finally getting my Bachelor's. I am so excited! And I am also writing again. Like actually working on a story that I started long ago. It is so fun! To be paid to do this will be amazing. That is my goal: to be a paid writer. What writer doesn't want that? lol So, Kim and Jana, I will be sending you snippets of it to read so you can tell me what you like and don't like, etc. =) Well that is all for now. Love ya and good night!

the world is transformed!

2010-03-05T10:01:00.000-07:00

Look what we woke up to! I love the snow! Just wish my day off was today. Lol. Oh and look at the fun things I made the other night. I got in touch with my inner child & just played. It was refreshing!
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a new chapter in my life

2010-03-02T09:26:00.002-07:00

So there is a new chapter about to begin in my life. I am following my dream that I've had since I was a little girl-to be a writer. I don't even care anymore if I never become famous (although isn't that most writers' dream?). To be able to just get my words out there and get paid or touch a life will be amazing! I love the whole process of creating, imagining, and putting it all together to make sense. I've dreamed of being a poet because they have such wonderful insights into life and the funny things it does to us. My hero right now is Tina Fey. She is so funny and so successful at what she does. I admire her a lot. So...there you have it. I will still be massaging and keeping those gifts alive, but I know as I write and use the gift I've hidden I will enjoy life and what it brings even more. I will be doing something I've avoided out of fear for ten years at least! That's a long time to live in denial of a gift God gave me. Happy Day everyone! Smile and live with passion!

drumroll please...

2010-02-25T10:36:00.004-07:00

And now for the business cards!

2010-02-24T12:04:00.001-07:00

Hi! Here is my new logo for my private practice/doTerra oil business. I love it! It was designed by my fabulous cousin, Melissa! Check out her blog. It's down the page a bit called "I saw the elephant". She's hilarious too. Love ya, Mel!
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howdy

2010-02-17T09:08:00.003-07:00

So...David's Jeep got broken into again last night. Well they tried. Broke the lock on the driver's side door so he has to replace that. Jerks! And I'm wondering what bad karma he has still. B/c they don't bother my car.
In happier news, I'm getting everything in place for my private practice. It is so exciting to think I will soon be my own boss! I love massage, I love doing intuitive healings, I love using oils. I love it all! How lucky am I that I get to do what I love for my job? Extremely I'd say. Peace out, peeps!
PS. Homework for the next week. Think of one thing you're grateful for each day and be aware of how happy or peaceful, etc. it makes you. Have a good day!

Lou
Isn't this baby funny?

2010-02-13T18:54:00.002-07:00

Happy Valentine's Day! (kisses)

and life goes on...

2010-02-08T22:06:00.007-07:00

Well, it's been a bit and I thought I would say hi to all my friends out there. Thanks for reading these! Let's see, I've been getting everything in place to get my private practice going again. I've changed the name to Medicine Hands, which fits me better than Vitality Massage Therapy. I just need a place to rent, some hot stones, some essential oils, and I'm good to go! I'm excited to start this with Erica. (You can see her Facebook page down the blog a little). Things are good with life. I've begun writing again. Instead of freaking out about whether or not it's good or publishable I'm just creating. It's way more fun and more productive. It's been so long since I just sat down and created characters and a plot without the nagging feeling of "this is crap" whispering relentlessly to me. Anyway, when I come up with something more clever to say, I'll write again! Good night!
Oh and check out my new business website: www.mydoterra.com/medicinehands
I know, shameless self promotion, but it's free! Medicine Hands' website will be up in a few weeks. Sleep tight!

2010-01-28T22:36:00.001-07:00

Make a Smilebox photobook

essential oil class

2010-01-28T13:31:00.002-07:00

Anyone who is interested, let me know by Sunday night. Thanks!

an eggcelent mishap

2010-01-28T10:31:00.003-07:00

So...this morning I thought I would boil some eggs for the rest of the week. They're a yummy, healthy protein snack. Well, I didn't set the timer bc I thought "I'll remember them." Yeah, um, I am known for being forgetful. So forty minutes later I remember. Put them under cold water, shake one, still runny. Crap. Well, it is 8 eggs, don't wanna waste 'em. Put them back on to boil, again, no timer. Duh! An hour later, relaxing in the shower, it hits me. Eggs are boiling! Not to worry, since they're probably ruined anyway. I finish my shower, go check the eggs, barely enough water to cover the bottom of the pan! So I crack one to see if these little babies can be salvaged. They can! Amazing. You can totally screw up something as simple as boiling an egg and they still come out right! Salt, anyone?

A new adventure!

2010-01-24T11:13:00.002-07:00

Hello everyone! Guess what? I'm opening up my own private practice again. Woo hoo! I love working at Massage Envy and still will be there while I build up clientele. I'm so excited! My business name will be changing to something more fitting for me. I will offer Hot Stone, Swedish, Reflexology (I will offer Reflexology as outcall as well), Reiki, Aromatherapy, Theta, and Psychic Readings. And even greater news, my friend and long lost sister, Erica, will be working alongside me. We are excited to support each other and offer healing work to the clients who cross our path. Love ya, Sis! I will keep you all updated as the business comes along.

winter, oh, winter

2010-01-19T21:54:00.004-07:00

So I've been enjoying the last two days' fair weather. It's been great! Life is good. I sold my apartment lease, I'm getting going in Paralegal classes, and I've been busy at work. Life is abundant and good. How is yours going? Do share!

Baby Jesus was found

2010-01-11T09:11:00.001-07:00

So I was laying on the couch this morning watching Home Improvement (I have a rough life. Lol) & guess who appeared? Baby Jesus from my mini Nativity! Crystal must have decided to break him out of hiding & bat him around a bit. I swiftly & deftly maneuvered him out of her grasp & he is now safely tucked away with his mother, father, & all the other little friends. And Crystal is watching the birds at the neighbor's bird house. The torment she must go through being stuck behind the glass. : )

(see how tiny he is?!)
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Betty returns!

2010-01-10T21:33:00.000-07:00

So instead of relaxing today I got bitten by the cooking bug again. I made banana nut bread & muffins, pot roast with potatoes, chicken noodle soup, & two loaves of made-from-scratch white bread! I'm tired now & David is rubbing my feet! I also am pretty sure I sold the lease to my room at my old place. Yay! Good night!
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Robbed!

2010-01-07T22:51:00.000-07:00

Ok so I'm getting sick of whatever thief we have around our apartment.
Last month David's cd player got stolen out of his Jeep and he goes
out about once every hour to smoke so they had to be quick. Then last
week the little, dumb garbage can I put out for him to put his butts
in got taken! Who wants that?! Apparently not our thief because it
was back that night. Well tonight we found out our storage unit in the
basement got robbed. A $60 utility fan, 2 standing fans, 2 headsets
for use in planes valued at $350 each, plus computer equipment.
Sneakthief was kind enough to leave our empty boxes. How thoughtful.
Jackass. Guess you really can't trust people.

Apt woes

2010-01-07T11:51:00.004-07:00

Well I've had no biters on my apartment. Does anybody know of anyone looking for a place? Let me know!

later today...

2010-01-05T20:55:00.004-07:00

Well it seems like I'm always behind in liking things. I fell in love with Ryan Shupe and the Rubber Band today. Especially their song, Dream Big, that was popular a few years ago. Their music is so upbeat and positive. That's my goal this year: to listen to happy music that makes you feel good and want to move. So send me your favorites please!
Also, does anyone want to go see New Moon with me and my friend Erica? I haven't seen it yet. *gasp* I'm thinking a late show this week or next. Let me know! Who wouldn't want to see that hottie again? Team Jacob, by the way! Edward is a LOSER for leaving her!

2010-01-05T13:13:00.001-07:00

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Christmas with Kimmy

2010-01-05T09:59:00.001-07:00

Well Kimmy came to visit for a day a couple weeks ago & it was a lot
of fun to see her, if only for a day. We went to see the Christmas
lights on Temple Square. Being a Utahan for 12 years I just wore a
hoodie & was fine. Kimmy has gotten soft from years of mild weather in
Virginia & now Houston. : ) She was a little cold. Love you Sis!

Hi!

2010-01-05T00:26:00.001-07:00

This is me a week ago being Betty Crocker. I made chicken noodle soup, bread, muffins, and shortbread. Yesterday I made nothing! lol It comes in phases.
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school days, school days, good ol' fashioned...forgot the words to the song

2009-08-27T22:09:00.000-06:00

Well I am officially back at college, you three followers who read this! It was good. Other than realizing traffic is terrible in SLC @ 730 am & that I deserve different walking shoes it went great. I am taking Intro to Mass Comm & Reporting for the Mass Media. I already get to read like 250 pages by Tuesday! Baptism by fire, eh? Good times, good times. Oh & men who can't decide if they want more but don't like when you call them a friend need their heads checked! Nitey nite world!

i gotta feeling

2009-08-22T15:54:00.001-06:00

Have you ever had that feeling that things will be ok? Even though your world crashed down around you from your own choices? That's where I am right now. It's been four months since Josh & I separated & two since we divorced. We're both moving on & I'm in a good place now. But I still can't help feeling shock every now & then, knowing the comfortable, albeit unhappy, marriage we had & life we lived is over for good. I miss him sometimes & probably will for a while. I miss what I wanted when we first got married. I'm not sure where my life is headed or what I even want, so I am taking it one day at a time, seeing what I create. Ciao.

Hello again!

2009-03-29T23:20:00.002-06:00

Well I'm back. I've been cleaning my house today! And organizing my library. Woo hoo. Yeah I know not very exciting. But I did have some exciting news this weekend. I got to massage Arlo Guthrie! I know, no one's ever heard of him, unless you like folk music, but he's a famous folk singer, played at Woodstock. His dad, Woody, wrote "This Land Is Your Land". I've always loved that song. Anyway, Arlo was super nice and even gave me a hug after!
So...I finally feel like I have a space to write. I've been neglecting creating it because I've been scared to write. What if it's not any good? is my constant thought. Well, I have finally told myself, no one has to see the crap and even if they do, so what? I can only get better! So...I finally have my little library/creative/music room all set up (I just need bookshelves) =) and I have my computer at the ready. All I have to do is sit my butt in the chair and do it! That's usually the hardest part, huh? Well have a good week!

Louisa

Hi!

2009-03-08T21:19:00.001-06:00

Well I haven't written in forever! I still have Christmas stuff up! I'll get on that soon. I've been enjoying this nice weather; even went for a walk today! Anyway talk to ya soon.

Lou

Truck ride

2008-11-27T17:35:00.001-07:00

Well I'm going on a truck ride with Josh & even though it's only 4:45 it's already getting dark! = ( The picture might not be the best but I have better ones on my digital camera that I will post later. We had a yummy Thanksgiving dinner at Josh's parents. I took the famous Cranberry Ice that his family loves as much as mine. Well talk to ya later!

Hi all!

2008-11-22T21:11:00.000-07:00

We just went bowling & it was so much fun! We went with Josh's mom, two sisters & their kids, & my brother, Will. I scored really crappy but it was still fun. This is our nephew Carter dressed like a pirate. Josh won him a bunch of tickets. How cute.

Just chillin

2008-11-21T21:16:00.001-07:00

My brother Will is here (there he is just hangin out!) And there's our kitty, Cristal. Isn't she cute? I just made oatmeal cookies for the first time in forever and it's so fun to be baking again. Talk to ya later!

Louisa
www.louisajane.blogspot.com

Well all is not lost!

2008-11-19T14:13:00.003-07:00

Daniela hasn't changed as much as I thought. I was confusing her with another character in a new story I'm working on. Daniela is still a middle class American with a feisty, independent personality. So I only have to change some of the interactions between her and Adam, the hero. So I'm happier AND it's coming easy. I just gotta do it.

Writer's Block

2008-11-19T12:13:00.007-07:00

Well this is how I feel today. Or I guess I should say, what I feel like doing.

I'm beginning to write again, and the story I'm working on has totally changed. The heroine, Daniela, is completely changed from when I started the story a few years ago and I have like 72 pages I'm just going to have to scrap! I'm so frustrated!

Why can't my writing just come easily so I feel like this?

Ha! Yeah right! It seems like it has to be dragged out of me-fighting, tooth and nail from my flesh. Maybe someday it will get easier, right? But not today.

Just an update

2008-11-12T22:42:00.008-07:00

Hello. Well I'm giving myself till Thanksgiving to get everything settled and moved in. There are so many boxes of stuff in our garage that it's overwhelming. So I'm taking it slowly. Our new kitten is working out wonderfully. She doesn't scratch our furniture (she uses her scratch rug!), she uses her litter box, she cuddles and then plays by herself. She's perfect! So my sister Jana wanted to know why the first pictures of our house were of Cristal, but that's just because there were boxes everywhere else! Here are some more pictures of the gorgeous scenery of northern Utah in Autumn.

New addition

2008-11-10T13:41:00.000-07:00

Hi there! This is Cristal & she will be our foster kitty for a while to see if she is a good fit for Josh & me. I got her at the Cache Humane Society. Isn't she cute? And she's really sweet!

Moving

2008-11-06T09:22:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone! I'm slowly getting moved in. Our fridge & washer & dryer just arrived! Yay! And we'll be getting our living room furniture on Saturday. It's been overwhelming getting everything in place, especially with Josh driving & only home every other night. But it will get done & then I will put pictures up for you all to see. Have a great day!

First Night

2008-11-02T08:21:00.001-07:00

Well we spent our first night in our new townhouse. I can't believe it! I feel like I'm on vacation & at a hotel. =) I've got a lot of work to do in setting everything up & getting the rest of our belongings from my Grandma's but it'll go by quickly. Once I get everything settled I will put up before & after pictures. It's gonna be cute.
Even amidst all the chaos of packing & moving I felt like writing! It gave me an outlet for the stress of the day. It's a scene from my new story between the heroine, Andie, & her friend, Marissa, about the hero, Michael. Well talk to you soon.

Lou

a gorgeous fall day

2008-10-31T21:39:00.010-06:00

Driving around Cache Valley and Tremonton provided some beautiful scenery. Here's a taste.

2008-10-31T10:16:00.000-06:00

Look at the beautiful sunrise

Memories

2008-10-31T01:49:00.002-06:00

This takes me back to when I first started to really like writing. It's kind of embarassing how cheesy this poem is, but it won first prize in my school's little poetry contest. Have a laugh!

Dusk to Dawn

A splash of pink, a touch of orange
Mixed with deep purple and blue,
Lemon yellow all around-the sun is down.
Mother Nature has night cover the ground,
Sprinkling diamonds in the sky,
Placing the silver moon way up high.
The hours pass, and the yellow sun peeks out,
Melting the night away.

-Louisa Austin
March 19, 1993

Ahh..the good memories

2008-10-31T00:57:00.001-06:00

I really liked this artwork.

2008-10-31T00:37:00.001-06:00

Hi. Just seeing if this works.

2008-10-30T23:54:00.002-06:00

Well I am reporting again. I have been meaning to add Disneyland pictures, but I want to do it as a slideshow and I can't figure it out! It's frustrating, let me tell you. We are getting ready to move! I am so excited. We've been living in my Grandma's basement for 5 1/2 years and now we will finally have our own place. I started a new story about a high school baseball coach and a paralegal. I'm excited to see how they come together. Well talk to you later!

Disneyland Photos

2008-10-23T23:04:00.009-06:00

Disneyland!

2008-10-21T22:13:00.004-06:00

Hi everyone! Just had a wonderful time in Disneyland-truly the happiest place on Earth! I really felt like a little girl again with my fairy book and candy apple. It was so much fun going with Josh's family and riding all the crazy and not so crazy rides. I took my writing but didn't do any because I was too busy having fun. I will get pictures up soon. Talk to you later!

2008-10-13T10:28:00.003-06:00

Hi everyone. Well it's been snowing and cold. Yucky! I really don't like winter. But it's inevitable right? I don't have much to do today. Just a few massages and then I get to pack for Disneyland! I'm excited! I've never been. We're going with Josh's family and we'll be gone for a week.
I've been working on a few pieces and am reading a book about writing magazine articles. I want to break into magazine writing but not exactly sure how. So I'm getting advice from someone who's done it. The book is "Handbook of Magazine Article Writing." Check it out if you're interested in that. It's good. Well talk to you tomorrow. Gonna go write.

Jana

2008-10-11T19:44:00.001-06:00

Well last night I had quite the scare. My sister Jana was taken to the hospital for possible spinal meningitis. She's okay-she got released and felt better today. She has a wonderful husband to take care of her. Thanks Rob! I love you both. Check out their blog under my sisters' pages.

Today

2008-10-10T17:20:00.001-06:00

Hi! Today I have been working on this blog! I'm computer illiterate so it's been quite a process. I had to get up early to give massages and I am NOT a morning person. I have been currently getting ready to move to Logan and been taking a room makeover class. It's a lot of fun and I've discovered a new passion. Home decorating! Can't wait til I'm able to move in November. Well talk to you later.