My Soul Space.

I am choosing to recognize the need to invest in myself.
Not anyone else.
Not my family.
Not my friends.
Not even my children.

I need to take the time FOR ME. (It's why I've recently started yoga and meditation classes, and started to learn more about aromatherapy and Essential Oils. See my blog here.)

I've always known the value of honoring yourself, enjoying the time I spend, with just me, myself and I.

I embrace solitude. I crave the quiet times. As I get older I recognize the importance of these times for just myself.

Sadly, all too often in this busy world of ours, most people don't stop long enough to breathe, let alone find time to really invest in the person they are and are becoming. I'm secretly hoping I can attend this, this-coming March.

I have a dream. One day, I want to own and operate my own business.
Yes, I'm putting this out there. I am. Why not? What do I have to hide, at my age?

I want to run my own business. I want to feel that satisfaction and enjoy the process.
I haven't figured it all out yet, but I know I want my business to focus on TAKING THE TIME FOR YOU. So you can therefore, invest quality time into the ones you love. It all starts with you.

I'm not sure whether my business will be a brick/mortar store or an online store, but I already have a name.
The name I am thinking of -- is SOUL SPACE. (or something similar)

This is how I see it:

• a building with lots of light and wood floors and ceilings. Ambient light. Real green plants and bamboo inside.
  
• incense wafting through the air, and calming, peaceful music playing. (think the Soundscapes Music Channel!)
• perhaps a massage studio with licensed massage therapists on staff, as well as yoga and tai chi teachers to help people de-stress and unclutter their lives. A yoga studio/meditation studio on site.
• a reading room, filled with holistic and self-help books for people to read free of charge while they sit and enjoy a hot herbal tea or a glass of peppermint or lemon-infused water. Yoga magazines abounding.
• a room dedicated to the art of handwritten letter-writing. A lost art in this day and age. I would love to bring it back. Sell handmade notecards and letter papers, sealing wax and wax seals, and have pens on every table -- for people to take a breath and just communicate the old-fashioned way with people in their lives. An on-site postal drop off, complete with stamps for sale.
• an area of goods for sale. Wellness items such as yoga mats and yoga blocks, water bottles, health bars, Ningxia Red samples free for the taking, vitamins and supplements, incense, and yoga music and relaxation cds. Books for sale. Bath and body items for sale, such as handmade crocheted bath poufs and washcloths, and wonderfully scented handmade soaps from my dear friend DeShawn Marie! Aromatherapy and essential oil aids such as therapeutic neck wraps, eye pillows, mists, and terra-cotta pendants from here. Other bath and spa products such as loofahs, back scrubbers, and aroma-infused bath salts. Scented candles for sale and essential oil-infused wax tarts.
  

Tell me, would you come? Would you visit?
-----
Enhance your life with Young Living Essential Oils.
Click here to learn more.

GREAT Holiday Gift Idea -- Luscious Soaps!

Imagine getting a different handmade vegan soap in your own mailbox every month! Talk about a bubbly dream come true!

I've already signed up.. how about you?

I love handmade or homemade soap the very best, it is so much better for your skin than all those other soaps in the marketplace today and they smell so good! In fact, they smell good enough to eat.

Deshawn's Handmade Vegan Soap of the Month Club

Scents include:

1. Peppermint Rosemary
2. Gardenia Chamomile
3. Perfect Rose
4. Cedarwood Lavender
5. Grapefruit Orange
6. Creamy Cucumber
7. Lavender Patchouli
8. Chai Tea
9. Oatmeal Almond
10. Lemon Slice
11. Ginger Lemongrass
12. Rosemary Lavender
13. Lavender Orange
14. Tea Tree Rosemary
15. Eucalyptus Chamomile
16. Orange Vanilla
17. French Lavender
18. Sea Salt Kelp
19. Lilac Rose
20. Vanilla Coconut
21. Frankie Baby
22. Green Tea
23. Sandalwood Forest
24. Limoncello
25. Mint Julep
26. Jasmine Jubilee
27. Hippy Girl
28. Lavender Cloud
29. Anise Clove
30. Eucalyptus Lavender
31. Orange Spice
32. Sugar Lime
33. Orange Rose

Check out Deshawn's Handmade Soap of the Month Club. You may find something you like as well as a thoughtful gift for someone on your holiday gift giving list!

Deshawn's Handmade Soaps are pretty too!

Go see for yourself and be sure to let your friends know!
-----
Enhance your life with Young Living Essential Oils.
Click here to learn more.

Handmade Soaps Anyone?

Love love this uber-talented soap-maker!
Wow, her soaps look amazing!


I can't wait to order some just for me!

Click here to view her fun blog (always tons of giveaways and gorgeous pictures!) and click here to visit her Etsy shoppe where she sells her soaps as well as here on her very own website!

Oh my, this girl is talented!


Check out her SOAP OF THE MONTH club here!

Her soaps look amazing, and whether you sign up for one soap/month or three -- you won't be disappointed! Getting three soaps a month, I think is the better value, free shipping, and you'll always have beautiful soaps on hand to use or give away as gifts!


Perfect!
Everyone uses soap!
Why not pamper yourself a little bit?

Love these soaps!
---
Enhance your life with Young Living Essential Oils.
Click here to learn more.

Wellness Retreat in March?

My new home away from home!!
Soulista Pilates and Yoga Studio in nearby Moorhead MN.

I absolutely love this place!

Earlier tonite, was their Holiday Open House, and it was really fun to visit, see some of my yoga instructors, and get a free 10 minute massage - aaaah!

I really love what this place represents!

A healthy lifestyle. Holistic healing. The arts of Yoga and Pilates and mindful living. They say to leave your worries at the door and enter in!
Here here is what I say!

Soulista offers Pilates, Massage, Yoga and Meditation -- all under one roof - my personal favorite class that I attend weekly is Meditation and Mindful Living, with Gina Sandgren. She is one amazing lady, and already, I look up to her and all she's accomplished in her life. She knows how to carve daily time out of her life, for just her. To meditate. To be still. To unclutter.
I want to get there too.
------
Right now, they're planning a spring trip to Costa Rica in March of 2010. 10 days by the ocean, all-inclusive with daily yoga, meditation and inspiration! Ohhhhh, how I would love to go to this -- just not sure my pocketbook would allow it, working only 20 hours/week!

Here are some of the details of what they are offering!!

• Costa Rica Yoga and Wellness Retreat, March 10-20, 2010.
  
• All inclusive, 10 nights including accomodation, taxes and 3 meals/day! For only $950! Airfare is extra! ($300 deposit needed to hold your spot, Payment $650 due by Jan 15, 2010)
• Whole, plant-based foods
• Daily yoga and meditation
• Thai Chi
• Wellness Workshops
• Motivation and Inspiration
• Wellness and Weight Loss
• Intimate 20 person setting
• Cabana style accommodations
• Weight loss through optimal nutrition
• Nutritional therapies for healing
  
• Holistic Nutrition and Mindful Eating

Inspired by nature, pristine rainforests and untouched beaches, Costa Rica is an ideal retreat destination. It is our intention to give you the opportunity and the tools to connect to a deeper sense of wellness and mindfulness, playfulness, and pleasure. This all inclusive Retreat will combine yoga, meditation, organic whole foods and an unparalleled experience of true relaxation in an eco-friendly sustainable environment. Enjoy a private cabana setting, nestled in the rain forest, just a short walk to a secluded beach.

Who wouldn't want to do this??
I think I might seriously consider it. I know with my current job, I could definitely pay the $950 by Jan 2010. It's the extra cost of the airfare and taxes that would have to be paid for later that I would have to believe for.
10 days of complete relaxation in a new environment. Aaaaaaaaah, I know I would love it.. love it love it love it!
I'm gonna start believing.

----
Enhance your life with Young Living Essential Oils.
Click here to learn more.

Today is Nov 11th. It's Veterans Day.

I just wanted to write a little note today.

To say THANK YOU to all the people that are veterans and to all the brave men and women serving overseas.

The sacrifices you make, are valued by me.
You make the world a better place.
---
Enhance your life with Young Living Essential Oils.
Click here to learn more.

More Movies.

Movies movies.
There are so many great movies made out there!!

I enjoy watching dvds of movies, at home, and love watching movies in the theater too. Nothing like the big screen!

Tomorrow, two GREAT movies in my book - are being released on dvd --

1. UP by Pixar Studios! Such a great movie.. even if you're not a fan of computer-generated movies, this one will move you! Such a great story.. had me laughing and crying, this one really touched my heart..
   
2. THE UGLY TRUTH starring Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler. Loved this movie.. I saw it twice in the theater and both times, really enjoyed it, all about the differences between men and women!
   

I love both of these movies for very different reasons!
Will I get them for my at-home movie collection?

Probably.
Why not?
When it's a movie I love, why not watch it over again? Makes for a great evening of entertainment.

What are some of your faves on your shelf?
----
Enhance your life with Young Living Essential Oils.
Click here to learn more.

Open House at Soulista - This Thurs, Nov 12th!

Holiday Open House:

Thursday, November 12th , 2009 5:30pm – 8:30pm

From the Soulista website,

Stop by meet our instructors, take a tour and learn more about the services offered at Soulista. We will have tea, wine and snacks!

The holidays are quickly approaching and it has been a challenging year in many ways for all of us. This is the perfect time to purchase a Gift Certificate for those you love. Soulista is the place to go in Fargo-Moorhead where you are able leave your shoes and stressors at the door.

Come in take a deep breath and enjoy a yoga or meditation class.

Do nothing and receive a massage or Thai Yoga Therapy session.

Aching shoulders and back? Take a Pilates class or private and learn how to move your body out of the slumping feeling we sometimes feel at the end of the day.

-----

I myself will be attending this evening and if you are local, I hope you'll take the time to come down for a visit.. Soulista is really such a wonderful studio.. and all the people there are the most wonderful! I know I can't wait!

Come and see what all the fuss is about!

------
Enhance your life with Young Living Essential Oils.
Click here to learn more.
----
Enhance your life with Young Living Essential Oils.
Click here to learn more.

Denver Was Great, But Now -- Home Sweet Home!

I'm back home fr Fargo -- although I had a great time in Denver, it's always good to get back home.

Sure the weather is cooler.
Sure there are no majestic mountains to the West of my house.
And all the new coworkers, new friends I met, we're all back in our respective States, at home with our families.

My trip was wonderful! I loved the sights of the Denver area.
I loved getting to know my coworkers and the law enforcement officers I work with.

It was interesting to learn more about my job here in Fargo.. and learn all about the BIGGER PICTURE. The trip helped to make me feel like a real part of the team -- everyone was so nice!

And the best part??
I have the day off tomorrow.. AND I'm getting a pedicure... AND it's payday!

Love it.

-----
Enhance your life with Young Living Essential Oils.
Click here to learn more.

In Colorado - First Day of Training!

I made it safe and sound into Colorado yesterday!

I relaxed in the hotel's hot tub twice yesterday, read and relaxed and got settled.

My co-workers arrived shortly after 4pm, so we ate together and hung out last nite in the bar area watching football and the Yankees. It was nice getting to know people I'll be talking to on the phone regularly at my job in Fargo.

Here is an outside shot outside my balcony outside my room.
I took this one yesterday, while the sun was still shining.. as you can see, most of the snow has already melted... sweet! (at least on the ground anyways!)

I'm up early this morning... although my alarm was set to 6am, I woke up at 5am, must be that time-change thing or something... had my shower, and I'm sipping coffee, ready to go! Gonna meet some of the guys downstairs for breakfast later and start my day!

Happy Monday everyone from Golden Colorado!
-----
Enhance your life with Young Living Essential Oils.
Click here to learn more.

On A Jet Plane Tomorrow!

Today has been a relaxing day.
Getting up around 4 am tomorrow - THANK GOD! for an extra hour's sleep tonite! - having a shower and finish adding to my suitcase then head for the airport around 5am. Flight leaves around 620 am to Denver.
Early early!!

Short two hour flight, then I'm getting a ride to my hotel.. hoping for a real early check-in when I arrive.. hope I get a chance to get in my room early so I can unpack and relax and maybe have another shower or take a nap to wake up! LOL

I'll be attending some training Mon-Wed, with my co-workers and meeting some people I've talked to on the phone, but haven't met in person yet! I'm looking forward to it. Should be fun!

Back on Wednesday evening.
Back to work on Thursday and Friday.

I have a feeling next week is gonna fly by.
I'll be updating and posting some pics when I can. (It might not happen till after I return home)
-----
Enhance your life with Young Living Essential Oils.
Click here to learn more.

Going to Golden.

Soon, very soon.. I'll be flying to Denver CO for a few days for some training for my job.
Looking forward to it, never ever been to Colorado before!


We're staying in Golden CO. Yeap.. that's where they got dumped on this week with all that snow... forecasts show temps there warming up.. so I'm hoping most of that white stuff will be gone by the time I arrive!


I fly in Sunday, and we have training/meetings all day Mon/Tue/Wed and I fly back on Wed evening. All of the guys from the office are driving down, I'm the only one from Fargo that's flying. It's a short two hour flight, so not that bad.

I'm looking forward to meeting in person.. some of the people I talk to every day.. people from North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Utah, and Colorado! Should be fun!

I'm even gonna try and meet a Facebook friend I haven't met yet, for dinner one night.. hoping to.. that would be way fun!


And I'll see if I have time to enjoy the hot tub, you never know! Note to self: Pack my swimsuit!

I'm looking forward to it! A few days away will be nice.
Plus I love meeting new people -- should be fun, despite the work!

(I am off to Soulista for my 5th Yoga/Meditation class this week! - love this place!)
---
Enhance your life with Young Living Essential Oils.
Click here to learn more.