Living in 3D

Some epiphanies happen as an 'a-ha' moment in time, while others evolve over longer periods. Most of mine happen to come to me while I am running. I believe this is because I slip into a different level of consciousness while I run. I allow my mind to open up and receive what God has for me. Some do this with prayer, meditation, a walk in the woods, or even just sitting on the porch swing looking at the natural world.

I remember one particular run last year when I was longing to become faster. For the four years I have ran consistently now, it has not been important to be fast. I had been completely satisfied with myself for 'just getting 'er done'. I could do it, and had proved I could do it. I realized that just maybe I was slipping into a place of contentment...or was it complacency? My mind went back and forth between, 'Hey, I am out here doing it and that is good enough, as a matter of fact-a lot of people don't even do this!' and 'Candy, up your game girl, don't you want to be better?' It was then that I realized, yes it was ok, and even good to work out at the level I was. But, do I want to be just ok, or do I want to be a little more than ok? This wasn't to say that I needed to train like an elite runner, but to just be a little better...whatever that meant for me.

Quite an amazing thing happened to me as a result of this thinking. I realized that I needed to up my game in all areas of my life as well. Do I want just a mediocre business? Do I want to be satisfied with my limitations in my personal life and relationships? No! For a very long time I have known being balanced and holistic is the way I've wanted to live my life. It seems to have always been one-dimensional though. I struggle with being able to improve on more than one thing at any given time of my life.

My life splits off into three areas: Business, Personal/Family, Physical. It's a Trinity! Body(running), Mind(business), and Spirit(personal/family). Being at the top of my game in all areas is challenging, but when I am able to do this - I have to tell you it is the most incredible experience...It isn't easy, but it can be done. Opening up my mind to acceptance and opening up my heart to accept it with grace is key. Knowing I can change my thoughts, behavior, and yes even my feelings in any given situation. This applies to all three areas of my life. It's a gradual process and never-ending. I may take two steps back after taking three steps forward...but I am still moving forward! I may even fall down...but I can always get back up if I choose to. Evolving towards excellence, not perfection. And who wants perfection anyway? If I were perfect, I would have no goals. The beauty and reward of reaching my goals is in the 'reaching'.

So, I think the 'a-ha' moments are really just the beginning. As exciting and eurphoric as those moments can be, unless we put them into action, they will disperse into the air as useless miniscule particles. Opportunities come and go all the time. We can all think of times in our life when we have let good ones go. What we do with them is what really matters. But sometimes we are just not ready. We can ready ourselves though, accept and put into action ones that are given us, or reject them, satisfied with being 'just ok'. It's our choice. But don't worry, they won't be wasted. Those opportunities will recycle and find people who are willing to put in the hard work it takes to bring them to fruition.

When I do lose out on an opportunity to be a better mom, wife, runner, or even take my business to the next level, I try not lose heart or beat myself up (too much), but rather be open to the next new one to come along and grab it by the horns and enjoy the ride.

Happy Hour in Your Shower

I just couldn't resist telling you about our newest soap creation....da da ta da.....Margarita Lime! I have been wanting to make this soap since last year, and had originally intended for this to debut last summer. I tested it, thought a lot about it, but it never came to fruition. In my head, I knew exactly what it would look like, and was hoping I could recreate my vision of the soap version of a lime margarita.

I think we have lift-off of a very hot item here. As long as the color doesn't cure into a murkish green, it will be absolutely perfect. The scent is sophisticated and ever so divine. This isn't your daughter's bubblegum fruity lime scent here. It is fresh and tangy, but not too sour. Tequila, lime...and don't forget the salted rim. We are talking south of the border Happy Hour in your Shower Baby!

This will be perfect for bridal showers and girlfriend nights! Hmmmm....I may even make a limited scrub and light oil body spray to go with it...wah ha ha haaaa. The mad scientist in me is getting crazy just thinking about it.

We have a while before summer is upon us again, but just making this soap yesterday put me in a summertime mood. If it made me feel this good just making the soap, imagine what it will be like bathing with it. Oooo La La.

Christmas....Now Valentine's Day????

Hello Everyone,

I am so sorry I have not updated this blog in so long. Time slips away so easily these days. The holidays were spectacular! We had our best season so far! Thank you to all of our customers. Thank you for believing in our product and service.

We have been so busy since the last blog post. We have a new local retailer, Allegiance Health. We were also able to give $100.00 to the University of Michigan Childlife program; and we have been super busy re-stocking all of our soaps and products. It is hard to believe we had nearly 1,000 bars of soap at the beginning of the holiday season and at the end of the year we had under 200!!

We are now ready for Valentine's Day. We have the adorable Pink Crush soap, plus our Pink Aloe collection that is both pretty and pink. If you are looking for a practical luxury gift for your guy, we have plenty to offer with Wooded Olive, Soothing Sport, Brigadoon, Irish Moss, and more.

We can package everything up for you in our free gift packaging, or you can choose our premium gift packaging as well.

Thankful For

It is times like these when I ruminate about why I take my son to school every morning and pick him up every afternoon instead of letting him ride the school bus. And oh, how he wants to ride that big yellow taxi and be a big boy! It is tempting. I would have quite a bit more time in the mornings to get going with work, I wouldn't have to stop in the middle of work to go pick him up, and I would also save tons of money in gas.

So what's the big draw? Two words: Quality Conversation. I have had so many conversations with my boys about life while sitting in the driver's seat. Our 2000 Dodge Caravan's inside walls could tell stories about all of the memorable substantial chats that would otherwise not have taken place. We have chatted about issues including academics, friends/bullies, in-depth spirituality, sex(when appropriate), peer pressure, spelling words, and at times life questions that have left me jaw-dropped speechless. That's quite a lot of content for a 10-15 minute drive!

This morning in the symposium--ahem, I mean, van; Keegan(my 1st grader) and I discussed what we were thankful for. He is sure he will need to think about this for a school project at some point in the near future, so we needed to do some research into the subject, LOL! All the basics came up: food, shelter, jobs, health, etc.

I can't help but get a little blubbery when thinking about what I am thankful for. I have a good life. A seriously good life! My husband is my rock, Jonathan will be cancer-free for a year next month, Conner is an extraordinary young man turning 14 tomorrow, Keegan keeps me joyful and young, my mom is my biggest fan, and I have many friends who are supportive as well, and...I love my work. What else is there? Right here in this moment, it is all I need.

Life is crazy, scary, and wonderful. I am so thankful for those 10-15 minutes, twice a day to have had the privilege to explore all of this with my boys at one time or another.

Thanks for letting me share this you. Be on the look-out for the next post with pictures of the new holiday soaps!!

Until Next Time,
Candy

Getting Greener

We research cost-effective ways to help with the environment. One recent change is in our shopping bags. If you come to shows, or pick an order up locally, you will see a change in our bags. We have purchased nice kraft handle bags that are 100% recycled. We will continue to do what we can and still keep it economically practical for us, and for you.

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Sedona

Ahhh...memories of Sedona. I will never forget our trip to Sedona. What a place! All of its mystery about vortexes and the beauty of the red rocks. We were mesmerized and fell in love. We still dream of returning someday. The inn where we stayed had a beautiful view of the mountains that was unbelievable!

For a very long time we have wanted to make a "Sedona" soap. We tested fragrances and clays until we found just the right combination. We think that you will agree this is truly a mysteriously fragrant and interesting soap. Sedona is curing and will be ready in about a week. I will definitely have it available at the Fall Women's Expo here in Jackson next Saturday.

Please stop by and see us. We will have free soap samples and the fall soap line available. We also have a cool newly designed soap saver. Jody (my husband) has been working on some improvements. The new design is still made of cedar for its natural water resistance and provides for more air circulation still keeping the soap high and dry.

Fall is now creeping upon us and we are ready! We have our Caramel Taffy Apple, Pumpkin Gingerbread, and Autumn Earth. Oh, we mustn't forget our BOO! soap for Halloween. BOO! is the same soap as Autumn Earth, only in cool spooky packaging for a unique gift that is sure to be a hair-raiser!!

Until Next Time,

Candy

I Was Featured!

I am happy to say that I was featured today in the Indie Beauty Network's newsletter. I was interviewed yesterday morning after I had "twitted" about my 11 mile run on Sunday. Donna Maria, the founder/owner of The Indie Beauty Network, is starting a series of articles about the "fit indie". Ironically, am currently training for a half-marathon. She wanted to know all the particulars of how I got started, what motivates me, and how it translates for the good in my business.

As some of you know, I started running in 2005 to train with my husband for the Phoenix Rock and Roll Marathon as part of fundraising for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in honor of our son. I decided early in training that if he could endure all that he has without complaint, I can endure the pain of training for a marathon. A relatively small thing compared to what he was going through at the time. I didn't realize the all around good that would come out of this for me personally.

Running means more to me than getting and staying fit. It is definitely a big part of my life. It helps me in many other aspects of my life including stress relief and feeling good about myself. The endurance and determination aspect of the sport has also transferred over into personal areas of my life, like helping me be a better mom, wife, daughter, sister, friend, and business person. Many runs with my music have produced what may be called epiphanies in my life. Most are little helps, but there have been a few times I feel God has revealed to me simple truths that were hugely significant for what I was dealing with at the time.

You don't have to be fast, or even win races to be a runner, thank God! There is no competition, unless you want it. I would say that running is one of the most inexpensive and uninhibited ways to get fit. You strap on a pair of good running shoes and hit the road, path, trail, or treadmill. When people seem amazed at the long distances I run, I do tell them that although it isn't easy, it is very achievable, and if I can do it, anyone can. Start slowly, and allow yourself plenty of time to get acclimated before upping your speed or distance. I guess I better add that you may want to check with your doctor first before starting any fitness program(the commercials are ringing in my ears with the fast talk at the end).

Please comment. I do moderate comments, but only for the sake of spamming that may be inappropriate. Let me know your secrets for getting/staying fit. Is exercise "just exercise" to you, or does it help you in other ways as well? What other things do you do to take care of yourself?

Until Next Time!
Candy