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

Soap For Hope Kick-Off!

Yesterday...marked 4 yrs. ago that our oldest son was diagnosed with cancer.

Today...September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and we are kicking-off Soap for Hope! We have Chocolatte' and have added Caramel Taffy Apple as our Soaps For Hope for this season. This year we will give part of the profits from these soaps to the Childlife program at the University of Michigan's chemotherapy infusion center. They are in need of some teen items. The children's infusion room is centered on young children, but teens and some young adults get their treatment in there as well. The treatment days can be extremely long starting in the early morning hours and sometimes not ending until evening. Having games and electronics for this age group will surely help to at least pass the time. Go to the website and purchase Soap For Hope today! The Caramel Taffy Apple is in curing, but will be ready soon. You may pre-order!

We support CureSearch also, and would like to share with you what they are doing for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Our son, Jonathan, is alive today because of the research that has been done through organizations such as CureSearch. Years ago, our son's cancer had an under 5% survival rate. Today, because of research dollars, it is upwards of 80% overall. We want all childhood cancer treatment to have this kind of success and better, because 80% is not good enough when children are still suffering and dying from the #1 disease killer of children. Please take a moment to read about CureSearch's Virtual Walk for 12,500!

Want to change your life? Talk to a child with cancer.

Want to honor a child with cancer? Join the Virtual Walk for 12,500 during September National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Ask anyone who has heard these words, “I’m sorry … your child (your brother, your sister, your grandchild, your nephew, your niece, your classmate, your friend, your neighbor, your student)… has cancer” and they will share with you stories of strength, courage, hope, and about the urgent need for a cure. Children with cancer change our lives and our world.
For many more than 12,500 reasons, CureSearch is launching a national campaign for September: The Virtual Walk for 12,500. The Virtual Walk for 12,500 is an online effort to unite people across the country and around the world in the fight to conquer childhood cancer.

A contribution of $10 will honor one child and help us reach our goal: One individual virtual walker for all of the 12,500 children diagnosed each year.

One Goal. One Month. One Person.Can Make a Difference in the Lives of All Children Diagnosed with Cancer.

Money raised through this event will support the lifesaving research of the Children’s Oncology Group. The Children’s Oncology Group (COG) is the largest pediatric cooperative cancer research organization in the world. All of the leading children’s hospitals across the US and Canada are COG member institutions. Together, we are committed to conquering childhood cancer through scientific discovery and compassionate care.

The path is ready, the goal is set.

Reaching our goal of 12,500 will only happen with your help. Please join us today.
www.curesearch.org/12500

It won’t be easy. We need you to spread the word. Post a message on all of your social networking sites (facebook, my space, caring bridge, care pages, blog pages). Send an email to all of your contacts today and again next week. Help us reach 12,500!

Join the Virtual Walk for 12,500. www.curesearch.org/12500

We can’t do this without you.

Want to share your reason?

Create a “One of the 12,500 Reasons to Walk” video and send the link to info@curesearch.org. We will post the videos on our YouTube Channel: http://host.curesearch.org/site/R?i=V6hEPpG-qZSWxhBZtTOgNg.. and share on our blog page: http://curesearchnccf.blogspot.com/

Walk for One!

Track the progress: http://host.curesearch.org/site/R?i=UKeynR_Av4uU7wc5Li2uMA..