2007 My year for Success

Tonight is New Years Eve and there is a full moon this week.
Per my tradition I will be having a sacred fire and setting intentions for 2007.

The theme this is My year for Success!

I was rereading my blog post from last new years eve and I must say that operation "Emily loves 2006" was indeed successful! What a year of lessons and interesting forks in the road and yet, I come out of 2006 with a deeper love and respect for myself than I ever knew possible.
I decided the best way to share love with other's was to start with myself. I loved myself enough to let people go from my life that were unhealthy, I let work situations go that were very negative and I let my past resentments towards my parents go. In the end, I learned to love and respect myself and what is best for me. And I learned to forgive and heal!
I now feel and treat myself with only love and positive thoughts which means that I can now freely share love and energy with people in my life.

After doing some thinking about 2007 I realized that this next year for me is about working and success. I have finally found that passion that everyone seems to be looking for. I have found my calling and way that I can help other's all in one. All I want to do now is share this passion with as many people as I can. I love making candles, I love creating oil blends that will help to heal and create positive situations in life. I love the peace I feel when I make a candle and the excitement I feel when a customer writes to tell me of how their life has changed.
With all this energy I want to dedicate 2007 to growing this company, touching as many people as I can and sharing my gifts with everyone I can. I want to become successful in my job and my career but more importantly, I want to become successful in my life. I want to feel like everyday I am making a difference and I am where I want to be. I want to focus on growing my view of this world and realizing what is truly important to me, not what other people want for me but what is important to the core being of me.

So I embrace you 2007 for letting me see the signs of how to create the most successful year I can and I intend to follow through on every action you present to me.

Holiday weekend of candles

This Holiday weekend was filled with candle making and sleeping.
It must be the weather or the end of the year energy but I am exhausted right now.

But my dream life has been very active. Last night I dreamt that I was speaking with two women who work at the company I work for. They were working on a Spiderman outfit. This morning as I was driving to the Bus, the author and creator of Spiderman was on NPR. I was shocked and I have stumbled upon Spiderman twice on the Internet without looking.

So now I have to figure out what this means. What does the spider stand for?
I am pretty sure I am not going to be come a superhero or cartoon author so I think the symbol of the spider is what is important.

That is about it for now. I am so exhausted I need to just work, clean my house and keep making candles.

The NYC Story

I have a little down time to tell everyone about my trip back east.
It went better than I could have or did think was possible.

I received so many orders, so much support, excitement, appreciation and respect from everyone I met. People that were strangers already knew about Odessa's Herbals and wanted to share their stories with me. They all felt very connected to the candles and to my company. It was truly amazing.

I also am proud to say that my candles will be coming to a store on the east coast very soon!

There are more events that I can not talk about yet, but, could truly lead to an amazing journey for me.

I feel so grounded and amazing when I made products. It truly feels like my calling. I love the fact that I can help other people. I think that is my main motivation for doing this work. I want to help people create better and better lives for themselves. I think this lovely energy translates into each product that I make. I hope when someone is lighting a candle, they feel the love and energy I put into that product for them.

Ok, today I am working on a new wax recipe so I must get back to the kitchen but I just wanted to thank everyone that I have met in the last month. You are all angels to me!

Whoa Nelly

NYC was amazing and the energy has not stopped.
I feel like the universe is throwing open doors right now and I am just hanging on for the ride.
The amount of vistors to Odessa's Herbals has more than doubled in the last two weeks.

I am posting a new picture and I will have to write more another day since I have to take some pictures of the candles for a possible article.

All the candles are wrapped and my bags are packed

I can't believe it. Last month when I had the flash to go to NYC, I had no idea how I was going to do it. I also had no idea how I was going to make over 30 candles to take with me as gifts for all those attending the conference.

But now, with 24 hours to go.... Everything is done.

I finished the last of the candles, I shipped everything, I packed my bags, I am all ready to go.

This is one of the first big jumps I have taken off the intuition diving board. I am really excited to see what comes of it, if nothing else, it will be great to see family and friends.

What a weekend!

Where to begin?......

This truly has been one of the best weekends I have had in a long time.

First, Friday night I went out with my new coworker to LOLA. I hope I have mentioned LOLA before because it is my new favorite place to hangout in Seattle. We then met up with another friend of mine who is the product manager for a really awesome magnet company. She took us to the opening at Fancy-Schmancy-Pants for Trish Grantham. Trish is truly a new hero of mine. She was so much fun to talk too and has such an amazing story about how she got started as a painter. I hope to buy one of her pieces in the next few months. Please check out her website and support her. She rules!!!!!

We then went to a benefit at Vain in Seattle for a dear friend that was diagnosed with breast cancer. Vain was lovely enough to host the event and benefit which was a hit!

I had so much fun on Friday night I never dreamed that I got top it but then Sunday I finished all 40 of the candles I need to ship to NYC. I had three friends come over and with the help from my lovely mother, we were able to wrap and box up all the candles and they will be shipped in time for the conference. The best part is that I do not have to rush to finish the candles on Tuesday night. I still have three more days until I go to NYC and I can now relax. We were also able to play cards, have breakfast and lunch and play a few board games while wrapping all the candles. It was a perfect day.

The new packaging for Odessa's Herbals is wonderful. The packaging is still a work in progress but I am very proud of how the candles will look when they are delivered to NYC.

New Website!!!!

I was so inspired today that I have finally created my website.

Please take a look and let me know what you think.

More will be coming soon..... But at least this is a start.

In My Dreams

My new goal for the next year is to have Odessa's Herbals products featured in two magazines and on Craft Revolution.com. This by far one of the best and most inspirational websites I have been too in a long time. I LOVE it.

Also, I will be opening a new ETSY account towards the end of December.
You will be able to find it here.

I will let everyone know when it is up.

One more thing to inspire everyone today. I have a new hero. Her name is Diane Kappa and she is a fabric designer. Her website is located at www.dianekappa.com and I hope one day to meet her. Her pillows are beautiful to look at, are designed with amazing colors and the intention of her company is one of pure love and creativity. I think I might give her a candle one of these days to help her towards her goal.

Last night I went to Lola's in Seattle. This is one of my new favorite hangout spots. It was snowing and I was drinking a lovely glass of Red Wine. In my bag I had a beautiful Orange Courage candle with me. For some reason I was compelled to give it to my waitress the candle as a gift. I have never met someone randomly and just knew that they needed one of my candles, until today. She had a little artist waiting inside of her that needs to get out and play. We did not talk too much about the candle but I know she needed it and I know it will help her.

Candles ... Candles

This weekend I made 20 candles and I had the best weekend ever. I was able to spend time alone, working with essential oil, wax and energy.

What made the weekend even better was the snow that arrived on Sunday. I kept singing holidays songs out loud. Ahmi, my dog, spent almost all day outside. She loves the snow. The poor cats had to stay inside but they got to sleep on the bed so they were not complaining.

This morning my commute was 3 hours long. I took a nice nap and felt very safe on the bus inside of driving my small car.

I will see some friends tonight from high school. They are the first people I have seen since I graduated over 10 years ago. It feels good to connect with people again.

Working

I am at work today. It is so nice and quiet, I have my door closed and am listening to This American Life over the internet.

Thanksgiving was peaceful this year. I spent some time yesterday giving thanks to the universe and thinking of all my loved ones who have passed on.

My theme for this week is Ghosts and Spirits who are sill around. I have such a wonderful story to write about how this became my theme, which I will write later this weekend.

The candles are back

I am in the midst of making 50 candles by the holidays.

It feels so good to cook up candles again. The candles are getting more powerful and lovely.

My new candle is called Intentional Wealth. This candle has been inspired by Colette Baron-Reid. It is sage green and glows yellow at night. This candle is a two fold candle. First, it will help you to clear blocks that you may have in attracting wealth. You will notice areas in your life where the blocks are and be able to process them. Then, the candle will help you to attract miracles that will help you to realize how wealthy you truly are. It will also help to manifest material things, but more importantly this candle will open your spirit to how rich the universe is and how important it is to never live in lack but to share the abundance.

Vincent J. Barra

My new hero is Vincent J. Barra. He has an internet radio show on Tuesday from 4-6 pm pacific time and I never miss it.

I have to say that I am very impressed by this intuitive reader. He is very good at getting to the heart of a callers issue and helping them.

He also suggest keep a list of 100 goals that people want to create in life. I started my goals this morning. I was very surprised to realize how much my goals revolved around forgiveness of people from my past. I thought my goals would revolve around work, material possessions or traveling. But no, they were about forgiving myself, forgiving other people and realizing how successful I already am.

I look forward to listening to all of Vincents show's and to oneday meet and talk with him.

Please listen to his show and give him a call sometime. It will change your life.

Lesson for the Day

I read this quote this morning that has really inspired me to think differently.

"The Universe wants you to achieve all that you desire, and when you align yourself with the Laws of Success, it will do everything in its power to help you on your way--- but desperation and urgency are deal breakers. This isn't because the Universe wants to prolong your yearning. In fact, just the opposite is true: It wants you to enjoy your life and engage in a different, higher vibration now-- and stop waiting for some vague happiness to come in the distant future. The best energy happens when you let go of urgency and engage in trust, when you rid yourself of despair and choose peace in the present instead."

Oh, this quote just made me weak in the knees and almost shaky. It is true, I have been living in the past too much lately and also living in the vague future of happiness.

This was the lesson I took away from my Sonia Choquette conference yesterday. Live in the present, live in the now and be totally happy and positive about this moment.
I will admit, I had a pretty good time at the Sonia talk. I laughed, I even danced and sang. I would have like to have had more time to interact and give readings to strangers, or have had her give readings but for what she presented yesterday, I was happy.

I am busy this weekend making intentional wealth candles for my seminar in NYC and reading the book that Sonia gave me yesterday. It is raining again in the Northwest so I must stay busy inside.

Friday Night

There is nothing better to do on a Friday night then clean my house, let go of old energy and clear up any blocks.

I have never been that concerned with cleaning in the past. But lately all I want to do is clean, recycle, donate and let go of everything that I do not need anymore. It really is the best way to heal energy that might be negative or stale.

Tomorrow I will be seeing Sonia Choquette and then I am off to the weekend home to make wonderful candles for my friends in NYC!!!!

Theme of the week

CUT THE CORDS

This is my theme/ lesson for this week. I have some cords that are still connected to heartache and pain from years ago. I have done a lot of thinking this week and I have realized that I really need to let go of the pain, the dreams of these people coming back to me and allow the universe to bring me better energy. I still have energy in me that feels these people are the only people who will ever love me, but if this is the truth, why did they leave?

I feel like I need a healing. Maybe it has to do with the sudden death of my best friend who came into my life at the same time I was attached to this past love that I can not get over. But, for me to be myself and be whole, even the psychic side, I could not stay with this person. He would never except my psychic side.

But I know this cord is still going strong and I need this to end. I need to let him go, I need him to let me go or I need us to get back together and work through all these issues that are still out there.

Any guidance is needed because I feel like I am in a energy traffic jam.

But on the good side of things, my candles are stronger and more powerful. I am making a huge batch of intentional wealth candles this weekend. These candles are inspired by Colette Baron Reid.

Closer to NYC

So I signed up for the NYC conference today. Next week I will buy my ticket and then next month I will be taking a vacation, seeing my family and getting to meet a new hero of mine. All in 5 days.

I am so excited!!!!!!

This morning my one of my best friends who now lives in Sweden called to tell me how much she missed our women's group from last year. We were talking about starting a new virtual women's club on line. So if anyone is interested in joining our online club, let me know.

I figured I would post theme's for the week, writing topics, and book suggestions.

I will provide more details as I get a better understanding.

Next week I am going to see Sonia Choquette speak. She has been a long standing influence over my life for the last ten years and I have never seen her speak. I am interested to see her but also a little shy about it. I know she has music preformed at her events and wants people to dance, which is fine for most people but for me, it is just not my thing. Not saying that I am out of touch with my body or soul. I just connect in a different way then she does. I will let everyone know how it goes next week.

PHARAOH

Today as I was driving home in the blackness I almost hit two dogs.
I was so worried that I pulled over and went after the dogs. I was able to get one and I lost the second one.

One dog was a black lab with no collar on, the other one was a black Doberman pinscher. The Doberman was the dog I was able to get a hold of and took to my car. He had a tag on so I drove around for awhile looking for the second dog and then finally gave up. Pharaoh (the Doberman) laid down in the back seat of my car or got up and gave me kisses on the cheek. He was so sweet and lovely. I knew the two dogs knew each other and Pharaoh was so worried about his buddy. I took Pharaoh home and when the man came to answer the door he looked at Pharaohs collar, which was in my hand to make sure I had the right house, and the man looked very worried. I asked him if he had two dogs missing and then quickly reassured him that I had Pharaoh in my care and he was alive and safe. I also let him know where the other dog was located when he got away.

The man thanked me and said that he was amazed I not only caught the Doberman but actually put him in my car. He said most people were too scared of the dog to pet it much less put it in their car.

I was driving away thinking to myself, I was never once scared of this dog. I was worried and wanted to get him home safe, but never scared.

I guess I don't fear dogs. I don't go out of my way to pet all dogs, nor do I approach dogs I should not but I never fear dogs. Usually dogs love me and want to sit next to me. I can't imagine being scared of any dog. They are so sweet and lovely.

Pharaoh did not want to leave my car. He knew he was in trouble, he jumped in the back seat and laid down. I trusted the man and knew they were not abusing the dog so I gave him back. But now I realize how lonely my life is during the week without my dog. I love dogs. And I had never met a Doberman before, but I really liked that one.

In other exciting news, I started making candles again and they are getting even more powerful with energy. I am excited for this weekend. I plan on getting more supplies and making as many candles as I can for the Holidays.

Reasons why I feel cranky

This evening I had a bit of darkness wash over me.
On the way home I was trying to figure out why I was so uncomfortable and down.

I realized that one reason is I have not set any intentions lately. I got so wrapped up in my friends death that I feel like I sort of fell off the positive wagon. I need to also some some writing in my journal and some dreaming.

So tonight I am going to set some intentions, write in my journal and figure out what candles I want to make this weekend.

I have been doing some reading and investigating on new aromatherapy mixes for my candles and I feel my energy and fire really coming back to Odessas Herbal's. I am so excited to get back into the workspace of creating intentions.

Update for NYC

My candle is burning strong and tall. I dreamt of NYC last night and I received an email this morning with more details about the event.

It is a one day event that is priced within my budget. It sounds really interesting and would leave me time to visit with my relatives in NYC. Plus, I would get to meet new people who have the same interests as myself!

Now to check the airline flights!!!

This intention is coming closer and closer to me.

Theme for the week

Today there has been a common theme for me.

The theme is, I need to go to NYC for an intuitive weekend workshop and I need to make it happen.


I have not felt a pull like this in a long time. I picked up two books from the library about candle magic, both books written by women living in NYC. I then read about Colette Baron Reid doing a conference there and I decided, I need to go see her.

So I made a candle to help me get the courage and finances together and I know in one month I will be visiting NYC and meeting wonderful new people.

I can't wait!

With a loss comes a lesson

With my best friend gone, I now realize how important it is to let everyone and anyone in your life know they are important and you love them.

What I miss most about my best friend are things that I did not even realize I would miss. Like having someone to call right when I get out of work and wanted to laugh, or when I was feeling blue I knew he would be there or having someone I could spend a whole day talking about nothing with and feel so good..

Today I wore all green. I am deep into my heart Charka right now. I am trying to balance my heart and get through this hard time.

I know I will see and talk with Shaun in my dreams. I know he will always be with me. I just wish he could have stayed around longer, I wanted to grow older with him and always have someone I could make laugh.

Shaun also taught me about unconditional love. I never saw him mad. He always accepted people for who they were and never spoke a bad word about anyone. He had such a big heart and an old soul.

Rest in Peace

Today my best friend died.

Rest in Peace Shawn Taylor.

I will always love you and miss you more than could know.

15 hours a week of free time

With my new job, I now have 15 hours a week of free time. No more 55 hour weeks for me!!!!

Isn't that strange? That I could look at a week in terms of hours of free time? I never thought that would be me. I am a hard worker but I do have my limits and 55 hour weeks in a job where I am not happy is a huge limit for me.

So this weekend I relaxed, clean my garden, went for a midnight drive to the top of a mountain and watched shooting stars and then had breakfast with a group of friends.

But more importantly, I am learning to enjoy myself again and not be stressed out all the time.
It is so easy to get catch up in the stress of corporate life and to forget that we are on this earth to take care of it and enjoy it.

What a difference!

I just got back from my first day on the new job.

Whoa nelly!

Compared to my last job, this new job is like a field of sunflowers.

I can't believe how different the company culture is. Where at one company you were suggest to not talk with your co-workers at this company collaboration is all the rage.
This new company actually brings in expert speakers to talk with the work force about change and how best to handle it.

I do hope I make a good impression. I really enjoy the new place.

Except, now I am downtown and close to the shopping area so I must not get tempted!!!!
Actually, it will be fine. Now that I have less stress and I am in a much more positive company, I am just feeling so blessed.

Winter has come upon us very quickly and I am feeling like just jumping in some cozy clothes and sitting infront of a fire. I also want to eat spicy foods and drink warm apple cider.
I love the fall.

Today is a day of forgiveness

While I was taking an aromatherpy bath this morning and letting my mind wander, I realized that I was forgiving people from my past who had hurt me. Not only was I forgiving them, but I was also sending them love and prayers for a healthy and happy life.

I felt a burst of love and positive energy in my body because I realized that I had just let go of a lot of pain and suffering I was causing myself. I forgive those people for the wrongs that they did in our relationship and how they reacted to them. I do not take the blame but I realized from my end of the situation, I was ready to forgive, forget and stop any negative emotion I might feel about them.

This will help me release a lot of old baggage and prepare for more loving people to come into my life.

So my theme for today is forgiveness and peace and purification. I feel more pure now then I have in a really long time. I am letting go of things that I had no idea I still was keeping bottled up inside of me.

Also, one of the best parts of forgiveness is the confidence that comes afterwards. I am that much better of a person for accepting the pain I had caused to someone and forgiving them for hurting me.

The love of my life right now

This is my nephew Dylly bean and I think he is the greatest. I love this little guy so much.
I will really miss spending so much time with him since I start work again but at least now I will be a little closer to him on a daily basis. And his mother (my sister) is my best friend in the whole world!

Amazing bloggers

Wow!

Today I feel like I hit the jackpot. I found two amazing and inspiring blogs that made me very excited and feel all warm and googly inside.

These are women who are actively being positive and wanting to share their journey with the world.

Be Alive Believe Be You

The Silent K

I hope to join their book club so I am dusting off my copy of True Balance and going to reread it right now!

Cleaning out the garden

As I was doing my fall cleaning in my garden, I realized that I have been blogging for a year now.

Wow!!!

What a year it has been. I think this year I have truly grown and come into myself. I have started to open my psychic work to the public and I have become grounded and confident in myself.

I am at my Saturn returning and I have not only embraced it, I have turned it around to be a guiding light in my travels.

Happy 1st Birthday Odessas Herbals!!!!!!

Several HUGE Lessons

Wow!

This last month has provided several huge lessons from the universe. I still feel like at times I need to pinch myself or remind myself of the quote from Sonia Chouquette " How good can you stand it?"

1. This last month I learned that I do not need to be a victim. This translate into the lesson of if you don't like a situation then just leave. For the last six months I had been very unhappy at my job. The department was a bad fit for me. The work was interesting and the people outside my department were really nice but my department was like the negative bat cave. I finally realized one night that I could leave. I did not have to stay and suffer. I could find another job and trust that the universe will provide.

Which brings me to lesson 2.

2. The universe will provide if you trust enough not to try and control anything. So basically, last month I left my job with nothing lined up. I was just so happy to leave the company I was at that I knew I had made the right decision. Every morning I woke up thanking the universe for the fact I did not have to return to work. I took a vacation, I stayed up late and woke up later. I relaxed and stopped thinking about work. I did a little ceremony and let go of all work related objects I had. I never questioned the universe but truly followed my intuition and gut about getting out of the work situation and allowing something better to come along.

Something better comes along....Lesson 3......

3. Yesterday I received an offer from a company to work in it's product development group. This is a dream job, department and company. How could it have been this simple. I start on Tuesday. I never once worried about finding new work. I did not once get down on myself or beat myself up over leaving the previous job. I did not take the last job personally. This whole time I remained completely positive and excited about myself, my future and my gifts. I did not allow fear based thinking to enter my mind. I just allowed everyday to happen and to see what gifts the universe brought to me.


New Moon tonight!

Tonight marks the new moon and I will be out in my garden, celebrating my much earned lessons and preparing intentions for the next phase of my job life. I really want to let the universe know that I give thanks to them. I also want to give back. Right now I am being called into providing service for others. I do not know what form this will take yet, but I am ready to give to others and the universe, for I no longer live in fear but in abundance!

Isle of Iona

Many years ago I lived on the Isle of Iona in Scotland.
This island is a very scared and powerful place to people of many religions. The history tells of a pagan religion here but Iona is also where Saint Columba landed after leaving Ireland. Along with living on Iona, Saint Columba also brought the books of Kells to Iona.

I visit Iona ever couple of years. It is great to see old friends and make new ones. I love this island with all my heart. That's why my dreams last night were amazing!
I was back on Iona. This dream felt so real. The sounds, the smells and the hugs I received from many of my friends in my dream makes me want to go back to Iona right now!

One of my intentions for the future is to live in Scotland. This country is so intense and magical! I know one day I will live in Scotland and live everything about it!

This weekend

I am super excited for this weekend.

One of my hero's and she might even be my favorite person of all time is coming to Olympia.

The Dirt Girl from Wild Carrot Herbals ....Jody Berry is coming!

Jody will be at Radiance in Olympia on Saturday for an instore demo.

I can't even express to my readers how much my life has changed since meeting Jody. She has one of the biggest hearts and positive energy of anybody I have ever met. She is truly my hero, plus she is an amazing business owner and Gardner to boot!

If you ever get a chance to try or buy Wild Carrot Herbals products, please do! This is one company I endorse and support with all of my heart. Jody really does give back to her community and the earth.

Tomorrow I am going to visit the new school I want to attend. I will provide more details as they come but for now I can't wait.

Compass of the Soul

This morning I was looking through some old emails when I was drawn to a newsletter from Lynn A. Robinson. She is the author of Compass of the Soul and other books on energy, intuition and how to live a divine and authentic life. I own several of her books but had not read any of them until this morning.

The part of Lynn's newsletter that really stood out for me was a quote from Oprah Winfrey on how her key to success is her intuition.

"My business skills have come from being guided by my higher self or my intuition. I am who I am today because of... Intuition, my ability to feel what is right for me and allowing that to be the strongest guide in my life. Intuition is akin to God.
It is akin to being led by that which is greater than yourself. My intuition, my intention and my passion have allowed me to be who I am and will take me to higher ground..."

When I was reading this quote, I was also thinking about the fact that I have a major decision to make right now. My intuition is tell me to go for it but my rational mind and my fear are telling me to just go out and get a "real" job. I was calling the new school to make an appoitment when I stumbled onto this quote.

I have to say, I do admire Oprah for living an authentic life and for her service in helping woman all over the world do the same.

I know that this new life path I want to take will allow me access to helping people and become more of a teacher than a student. This is a scary transition but one I am ready to take. I also have to thank the universe for the last few years of what at the time seemed like darkness but was truly just a time of learning who I really am. Reflecting back on the last five years of my life it all makes sense, the loss of jobs, the loss of friends, the pain of growing into my own identity and the loss of important relationships that were holding me back. I really believe that we are all being guided by the divine and everyone high and low point in our lives are just lessons waiting to be discovered and cared for.

So for this next few months I have two intentions I will be focusing on.

1. I intend to create a larger community for friendship, growth, support and celebration.

2. I intend to follow my intuition and signs from the universe instead of making fear based decisions to please other people.

I also signed up for 4 evening classes this month in Olympia on Aromatherapy and gardening by astrology. This is a very big step for me and one that was in response to my intentions. I will keep the blog updated on other actions I take to help foster my intentions.

A clean office

Last January I moved into my wonderful new house.
I love everything about this house except for my office. I never unpacked I think out of fear and then I started working my 55 an hour a week job and I had no energy to unpack.

Meanwhile, my office got to the point where I could not even walk into it. Every other room was in great shape and the summer was wonderful. Yet my office which has windows on every wall was sitting there messy and empty.

But today I decided I was ready to unpack, clean and let go of all items that are not in line with my energy. I am now thinking I need a rug for my office and a little heater and maybe.... A comfy chair!

This room will become my office and my creation room.

I guess I have fall cleaning. I am ready to let go of almost everything I have in my house that is out of alignment with who I am and who I want to become. Look out salvation army... I will b donating as much as I can!

Dreams

As I have talked about before, I am paying more attention to my dreams. This started right before I left my job when I woke up with a pretty strong message on what to do next in my life. (More to come on this in the next two weeks)
It has become a strong theme when right before I left my job I started to work on Julia Cameron's book Vein of Gold.

Every morning I write my three morning pages which is Julia's first lesson. Each morning my pages fill up on themes, images and signs from my dreams. This has been very interesting for me to jump head first into my subconscious and watch myself work at blocks, learn lessons and sort through energy that is attached to me. What has started to happen is that my dreams are becoming stories to me. Last night I had a dream where I referenced this Asian Market that had been in my dreams a few months ago, which then caused my previous dream to flood back into my mind. So I now must think if this market is one I had been to when I went to China as a child, or is this market one I will be going to in my future? This market also is a sanctuary in a big city like New York, which makes me wonder why I am dreaming of being there? I lived in NYC for almost 2 years in 1999. Or is this a city I will oneday live in?

It is so interesting to really pay attention to the subtle signs and lessons from the universe. I feel much more grounded and secure since I started really looking at what was happening in my life. But mostly importantly I don't feel like a victim nor am I scared.

Time to make candles

Now that I have gotten over my cold and I am settled back into my house.... It is time to get back to work.

I am going to sign up for aromatherapy school and start to look into skin care schools.

While I was away on my trip, I had such powerful dreams. I was lucky that I had just started to read Denise Linn's book "Secret Language of Signs". This book was very helpful to me while I processed some old energy blocks from my childhood as well as realizing that my dreams had told me what would happen at my job before it happened. It is funny how signs happen in our life and without the patience to notice them, we truly miss the opportunity to live our most positive life. I recommended Denise's book and radio show on Hay House. It has caused me to pause and truly look at the small details of my surroundings.

So last night as the moon is becoming darker every night, I did a ceremony to release myself and my energy from my negative job experience. I burned all emails from my job as well as released all blocks put in my energy field from that experience. I also realized that this was a very important and necessary experience so I took thanked the universe for my positive experiences and allowed happiness to fill all other areas.

I have three candles burning right now, self courage, grace and new beginnings.

On the new moon, I will have a fire and set my new intentions to lead a authentic and positive life in both areas of my life, work and home life. My new subject for this blog will be how to have a successful balance between home life and work life. This is a very important subject for people who are intuitive and want to live the most authentic life. This topic will also become much more main stream as the younger generations start to enter the work place because the younger generations are no longer content with the current imbalance between work and life outside of life.

I will be updating the blog later today with more lessons I learned on my vacation and why being our most authentic selves really does matter in the universe.

Back to the wonderful west coast

I am back in Olympia and ready to share my journey and pictures.
Except, I have a terrible cold and I need to rest.

I promise to update this weekend.

I can't wait to share all the wonderful photos and stories with everyone!

Blogger.... Sometimes you make me cry

Oh blogger....

Why do you have to shut down after I have written a wonderful post about sitting in my new extra large hooded sweatshirt next to the wood stove in the log cabin, up in the blue ridge moutains of Virginia?

Why do you have to take away my words about how my future is changing and that I realized what I want in life and what my family members want for me are very different. I realized I wanted to share my gifts of community, herbal knowledge and intuition with people and I am no longer going to push my dreams out of the way to please my family.

Why do you have to turn off when I write about how tonight is a full moon and the moutains where I am located are very magical and there is a stone circle near my stepfather's house I like to do energy work in.

So blogger, I ask you... .Why do you not save these wonderful words?

But I am happy and very glad for this break. I can now see a future that makes sense to me and every morning makes me want to get out of bed.

When in doubt go East

Today I booked a flight to go back to Virginia. My Stepfather's mother passed away last night and I want to go home and support him.

I also miss the east coast very much. I grew up on both the west and east coast so no matter where I live, I always miss the other side. This will also be a nice vacation from the end of my negative job and a time for reflection.

I have so much to do before I leave but I will stay in touch via the blog.

Also, I am rereading the Colette book. I can not believe how much her story has touched me. The idea that living a more powerful life full of truth can be like living a sober life, if you do not take the self care time everyday, that you fall off the wagon and can cause missed guidance, really speaks to me right now. I feel like my job was falling off the spiritual wagon I was on and I am just so happy to be back on track and getting ready for my next journey.

A must read

Today I spent the day drinking tea and reading on my back porch. This was some must needed relaxation time for me because spirit and the universe has finally redirected my life.

I read Colette Baron-Reid's book. This was an amazing and inspiring story of Colette's journey with becoming secure in her intuition and with her gifts to give readings. This book was also very helpful for me as I transition to a different place in my life.

I would recommend this book to anyone who love's auto-biography's and needs a little help in trying to understand why life has curve balls and how to remain positive during those dark times. Plus, I just love Colette's energy and her radio show on Hay House. She is so fun and loves to laugh which makes her gift feel that more authentic to me.

I don't know if I would buy the book from Amazon.com because right now in life I feel that Amazon.com is the walmart of the internet. They are a large cold company that does not deserve any of my money. So I beg you, find a small independent book store or order this book from Hayhouse.com. We need to support local shop's and companies that treat employee's as the wonderful humans we all are.

Too little too late

Great News!

I quit my corporate job!!!

And I have never felt better.

I did it last friday on a very positive and powerful day. The equinox, the new moon and an eclipse all happened the day I realized I was not living my best life.

I have two more weeks before my last day, I did not want to hurt my group, and then I am FREE....

And so happy!

I will be doing some contracting work and I will also be making candles and spending time cleaning my garden out before the winter.

I am just so happy to have my life back.

October will soon become my favorite month

This is the month where I am leaving the situation that has caused me much distress and I will be open and free for the universe to previde better options for me.

I can't wait. Once I realized I did not have to stay at my job I felt all the dark energy suddenly lift away.
I can focus on myself again. I can learn, I can make candles, I can give readings!!!!!

I can get back to what I need to do.

It's funny because as soon as I realized I was free, I stoped wanting to take my ADD medication that I started again because of this job. I no longer need that. I was only taking it in hopes that it would change me, but who wants that?
Not me.

So I now must make amends with all who has had to suffer my intake of negative energy.

I love you all very much and I am sorry!

Wow

So it has been a month already...
Phew. This summer has been pretty amazing.

I made a decision last night that has totally changed my energy. I feel alive again. I can't wait to start sending out my resumes.
It took someone talking about following their gut and not staying in situations that make them unhappy to realize that I do have choices in my life. I don't have to remain in something that is not a good match for my energy.

I also have noticed that my energy level is starting to match my coworkers which is not good at all. I need to work some place upbeat and creative, where fear does not run the show.

So I am putting my energy and intention out there to have something new lined up by Oct. 31st and to make it to the design conference in NYC the weekend before that!

Dyll Pickle

Much has happened since I was last able to blog. Mostly exciting but some draining.

Here is my wonderful nephew that was born almost two weeks ago. He is the first baby in the family and hopefully not the last. I have already been able to rock him to sleep twice (I have what my family calls, baby mojo). He is so sweet and perfect.



Next up on the new changes report is that this week I spent 6 hours interviewing for a new job in the company I work for. This job would truly be a much better fit for me. I would be able to put to use my skills and interests and get paid for it. I want this job so much I would gladly pay to do it just to learn for the woman who could be my new manager. I know I was the last person to interview for the job and I had already made it to the second round without even interviewing in the first round. But alas, I am learning to be patient and stay positive. An endless lesson for me!

Now let's move to my garden where heirloom tomatoes are bountiful and so ripe they are splitting. I have already started to look towards what I want to grow next season.
I am starting to get my heirloom seed catalogs and I am very excited about having a house warm and sunny enough to start seedlings.

I have also been reading like a mad woman. Free books is not a good thing for me. I am like an candy freak in Willy Wonka's factory. Everyday I bring books home and read them.
I am almost reading a book a day. I have decided to start telling my wonderful readers what books I have been enjoying lately so that you will know I am relaxing and taking pleasure is something besides 12 hour days. As my good friend Vera mentioned on her blog, a new book that I read a month ago is now out on the market and a wonderful read. It is called Psychic Junkie and I read it in one afternoon. In fact I could not put this book down. I saw some of myself in this story but I also came to understand what a true gift I have. I am lucky to have never called any 1-900 psychic lines or gotten my palm read. My one friend that is very psychic and I could talk but it was never out of hand and I have been lucky with my friends who don't take advantage of my gift. I am so glad to have gotten to the end of the book where the author truly experiences that light at the end of the shadow side and ends up having a much more exciting and positive life than before. I highly recommend this book for these warm summer weekends.

I also just got an Heirloom tomato cookbook from Chronicle that I am very excited to use this weekend!


PS. The name of this post is the new nickname for my sweet nephew since everytime I have asked him if he is going to like dill pickles (which I love) he gives me a funny smile face.

Heat

Wow!
It is hot out here in the Northwest!
This heat wave weekend has been full of cleaning.

I have been doing summer cleaning and Yoga while sweating and watching all my animals lay around with their belly's hanging out.
I rearranged my bedroom and now at night I can smell the heat, the sound and the Eucalyptus trees outside my window. I feel like I am in California.

In other big news I am going to do my first Yoga retreat in September. I am very excited about this. It is going to be a weekend filled with organic food, Yoga and will be held on a very beautiful Island called Orcas Island in the San Juans. They have natural hotsprings and wonderful beaches.

Work is well. I am still standing up for myself and making friends. I am approaching my fifth month on the job and I can't believe time has just flown by!
In the next few days, I will be an Aunty and my board position has started.

Life is taking on a very grown up and peaceful feel to it. I will now balance working and my inner world in a nice way.

My tomatoes are almost ready to be eaten! I can't wait to share the wonderful food with all my friends.
I must go trim my basil now.

Learn from my mistakes

This has been my theme lately.
I have stopped being so critical of myself and I have decided to treat life like a science experiment or math problem. If you make a mistake, learn from it and move on until the desired outcome is reached.

This is a big shift for me. I used to be so frozen from fear and negative thoughts.
I feel free, mature and very grounded!

My other exciting lesson right now is to stop being a victim. I have taken a situation in which I felt victimized and I am turning it around to a place where I am in control, level headed and all emotions have left the situation. I understand what is happening, I know it is wrong and I am willing to walk away from it. I will not play a part in this negative cycle.

Oh, and I did Yoga today so I feel GREAT!!!!!

Starting next week, I might take some private lessons.
That is going to be great!

I love Yoga Life

After seeing Doreen Virtue in Seattle last month, I was inspired to start doing Yoga.
I found an amazing studio and signed up for the intro class.

This was my second week and I can't say anything more than "I LOVE IT".
The studio is beautiful. You can check it out here YOGA LIFE .
This place makes me want to quit my tech job and just do Yoga all day long.
I feel like I am having a midlife crisis. I want to work in a positive environment where I can have a perfect balance of work and personal life. But then I am too ambitious to not work in the tech world.

I know my path will become more clear and I will find this balance.

Sometimes you just need to relax

Sometimes I need to just relax and do nothing.

Ever since going to see Doreen Virtue I have been having a magical time.
I had such a great time at the conference.
It felt really good to be visiting with friends and connecting with strangers.

I was also able to give a very good reading to a lovely stranger that meant so much to her. I was able to help her connect with her parents.
It felt great to help her.

I am now relaxing in the heat wave we are experiencing here in Seattle.
Tomorrow I have my first meeting as a member of the board.

A whole new energy

This week has been amazing.
I am no longer stressed out. I am no longer falling for negative energy or letting it affect me.

I am carefree, excited, happy, friendly and confident.

AHHHH!!!!

It feels good to be me right now.

Next week I start working with the board. I am very excited about this!
I am also making friends at my new job and smoothing vendor/customer relations.


Tonight I am in Olympia and tomorrow I return to Seattle to see Doreen Virtue.
Then on Sunday I will watch the world cup and relax.

I will let you know how my conference goes this weekend.
I am excited to see how the energy feels and how I fit into it. Usually I am very cautious of this type of events but I am truly going tomorrow with an open mind!

Do you have world cup fever?

I must confess that I have world cup fever. Every morning I put my head phones on and dream I am in Germany watching all the games.
I have always been a world cup fan, from my French boyfriend my junior year of high school to watching the world cup in Italy with some old men. I have loved it every four years.

I think I might take the final day off work to watch it.

This weekend I plan on seeing Doreen Virtue on Saturday and watching soccer all day Sunday.

I need to really post more....

I am so sorry!

I really need to post more. At night when I get home I am so tired and uninspired that blogging seems like the last thing I would want to do.
But then I still read blogs daily and get sad when my favorite bloggers have not posted. So my new summers resolution is to blog at least three times a week!

Today I am getting my eyes checked because I need glasses. It is the sad truth. I am the last one in my family to get glasses. However, my time has come. I have picked out a nice pink and black pair that I think look good.



In other news Doreen Virtue is coming to Seattle on June 17th!
I have yet to admit this to anyone but I am going to see her. I am actually really excited to see what it will be like. Luckily for me, some friends from Portland are coming up to see her as well so I know I like 3 people who will be there already.

I am on the Board

I am now a board member on my first professional board.

It was a hard decision to make because I needed to figure out if I was going to move or not .
While I do want to move, I am just not sure it is the right time to leave this wonderful house and my family.

What also made me want to join this board in Seattle is that I know the president and I think she is really wonderful.

I will stay connected with Portland and that city is not off my radar. I just need to stay where I am right now.

I feel a great weight has lifted for now.

I hope everyone is enjoying this wonderful weather and don't forget. The solstice is soon!

The Best Day Ever!

Thursday I had what I can only call as the best day ever!

I went to see Jody Turner speak. Her new talk is wonderfully named "Brand is Dead".
She is a true inspiration and positive force in the design community. She is able to travel all over the world and report on what inspires her as well as communities all over.

We were able to spend some time together after her talk and is was refreshing to see that who she is on stage and in her career, is who she is in person. She is living her dream and helping to make the world a better place.

I truly admire her.
----------

In other news, I am cleaning my guest house out for my mother. She is arriving today and will be staying for as long as she wants. I have such a great relationship with my mother that I am just so excited to have her so close. I know she will be very happy out here. And my sister is now 8 months pregnant so she is excited to have extra help.

I have so many positive things happening in my life right now and so much joy I just want to share it with everyone.

Ok, back to cleaning!

Books

One great thing about my job is how many books I get for free.
I am getting a lovely collection of books that have just been released and I can proudly announce I have already read.

This weekend I read Julia Cameron's new memoir, Floor Sample. She is the author of the Artist's Way and Vein of Gold. Her new memoir is a roller coaster ride of the life of an intuitive and high sensitive soul. I enjoyed it but it was also a little sad. I began to wonder when will people like Julia or Sonia Choquette or even people like myself be able to have a part of society that we can call our own? Being intuitive does not mean you are crazy or have to have breakdowns. For some of us, it means we are just like everybody else, except we just have extra unusual lives. I love that I am following my dreams, that I am interested in business but I can also give you a very insightful and accurate reading of yourself and your loved ones.

One thing that did really inspire me was her rule of writing three pages a day. This adds up to 90 pages a month which in two to three months can mean a whole book.

I think that I might start working towards this goal. One thing I have always loved in life was writing and reading but the one thing that I am most nervous and shy about is my writing. So I think it is time to address this Shadow part of myself.

New Intention

I have decided I am going to stop stressing out about work.

The universe has something more in store for me so I am going to just relax and do the best I can.

I had a wonderful BBQ this weekend. On Sunday we had a wonderful sunny day, so I went outside with my copy of Trust Your Vibes at work. I then made the decision to just enjoy myself and my skills and to have faith in myself.

I really must post some pictures of my garden. It is so beautiful.

I also bought 8 different kinds of heirloom tomatoes to plant this year. I can't wait!

One thing I am thankful for

The best thing about my job is the view from my window. I look out at the ferry path to Bainbridge Island and the Olympic mountains.
Sometimes it is so beautiful it causes me to stop what I am doing and just think about where the tide is at, to notice how the ferry pathways changes for each tide and to look at how amazing the Olympic mountains are.

It gives me perspective and a feeling of calm.

Another thing I like about my job is I enjoy how many different people there are on my floor and how friendly everyone is. I like to meet with people from other departments and get to know what they do.

So much exciting stuff

Today I feel great!

I took a problem at work, asked my inner guidance for help and found the solution right away.
It was a great step for my "gut instinct" at work.

I also realized that I need to buy a digital camera because my blog is less colorful without pictures.

Next weekend I start the candle making factory again.
I am now settling into a routine that will allow me time to focus on what's important.

Portland AIGA event

Hey everybody,
I helped bring a really great speak to give a talk in Portland, OR at the end of this month. The event is Brand and the Evolved Consumer.
The speaker is Jody Turner and she will inspire all you design heads.

I also believe that Jody uses her intution in her work and it is very exciting to see someone who can stand by what her "gut instinct" is telling her and have a success career at the same time.

I would recommend this event to anyone who is interested in design, art, the future of product development and anyone who is interested in being inspired about the future and the world.

I hope to see some of you there!

New Rule

This weekend I realized how much my thoughts run away from me. I will be focused on a simple task like weeding and suddenly I start thinking about work, friends, Portland or more work issues.
And I realized that I must stop thinking of work when I am not at work.

So starting today anytime I think about work when I am not there, I will gently remind myself of this new rule. I have so many other more wonderful things to think about.

Such as my friend who needed money this week and burned one of my candles only to learn the next day that he was going to get a bonus from work!

Or that I have been doing a lot more readings lately that have been very success and helpful for my clients.

Once I starting focusing on these things all my worries disappear. I think I am going through a big soul lesson right now about how even the smallest thought counts and it is time to really focus on manifesting my desires in each thought.

Also, my soul lesson right now is to HAVE FAITH...

Dreams

I have decided I need to keep a dream journal.
I realized tonight that my dreams are always about 1-2 years ahead of my life.

So now the fun part will begin. How will things change?
How will I be able to remember everything.

But I am excited to know that my dreams do give me chance at understanding my future more and myself.

I am off to bed!

The truth

Today was a good day.

I stayed very grounded, focused and got a lot of work done.
As I was walking home I realized how much I love the spring time. It is almost 8 at night and yet it is not even dusk yet.

I am working on taking the drama, negative energy and emotions out of my day so that I can just focus on only the things that make me very happy and positive.

SINGLES

Does anyone remember the Seattle from that movie Singles?

I grew up in this city and I just remember when I was younger how awesome Seattle was. We had Twin Peaks, Northern Exposure, Singles and grunge. I never thought I wanted to live anywhere else. I wanted to grow up, fall in love and get married in Seattle. I met people from all over the world and they thought Seattle was so amazing. I was almost famous with my friends just because I grew up in Seattle.

Then I left at the start of the Dot.com.

And I did not return for 4 years. When I came back right before the bust I was shocked. Seattle is no longer the city I loved. There are too many people, the housing market is crazy and I must say.... The music scene is no longer warm and fuzzy.

But then every once in awhile Seattle gives me little presents that make me realize how amazing it is. The fact that there is a year round growing season. The fact we have mountains and the Sound. The cherry trees when they are in full bloom.

Sometimes, I remember how much I love this city and I realize that there are pockets of energy still in Seattle that are amazing.

But I have learned from living in other places that I am ready to move on. I am ready to experience a new city. I am ready to fall in love all over again.

I got creative

Ok Universe, today I got creative.

We shall see what happens. I sent my resume to a company that I have wanted to work at for many years. It is smaller than where I am working now and more creative.

It is also in a city I have been trying to move to for awhile.

All day long I have been hearing.... Don't give up.....
And I promise I won't.

So I now ask for a little help and guidance.

Don't give up..... Get Creative

This has been my recent lesson.

All of my worries over my job and career are silly. The truth of the matter is that I have more control over the situation than I am giving myself credit for.
I am not stuck in this position forever.

Now is the time when I should trust my instinct and get creative. I need to put my positive life first instead of falling into a life style that is very out of touch with my own. This is part of my life lesson. I need to walk my own path and stay strong in it.

So I just keep thinking... "Don't give up.... Get creative"

What a divine lesson.

I am going to send my resume out to a few select companies and I am going to start focusing the positive path that I walk. I will also open Odessa's Herbals again. I need to get back to my divine gift that I can share and help other people with.

So if you have any desire for a reading or a candle please let me know.

Contact me by my email and we will set up a time to talk.

What an interesting day

Sometimes I am even shocked when doors close.
Or they become further away that I thought.

But then I also feel like my personal world, the world that lives inside of only me, has become bigger, more open and more intouch with nature.

So it is almost summer and I can't wait!

The northwest may lack winters, it maybe cloudy here for too many days in a row but the summers are amazing and I can't wait to relax!!!!

I will post more pictures this weekend.

Nothing much to report

Today was a good day.
I was able to stay grounded and positive all day long. It felt good and calm. Somedays are just days to relax and be calm and today was that day for me.

I wish that I had more to write but I am so tired I can hardly keep my eyes open.

Do what you love

That's my theme for the day.

Maybe it's because my job is not settling well, or maybe it's because the universe has other things in store for me but my attention has really been focused on the questions of what do I love to do and what am I good at?

I am good with people, I am good at being creative, I am good at reading people and situations, I have a natural interest in business and product development. And I am very interested in the proper balance of work and a life outside of work.

This is were my job and I are not seeing eye to eye. For me to be a productive employee I need to feel happy and settled with my life outside of work. That way I can come into work everyday excited, focused and energized. I now come in thinking, I just left here a little under 12 hours ago and I now have another 10 to spend here before I can go home and basically go straight to bed.

This is not healthy for me and the universe wants me to do what I love.

I will let you all know when it happens but stayed tuned. Something big is going to happen!

Here's to a wonderful day!

Here's what we did today in the yeard. I think it looks amazing and is much easier to maintain. However, no more barefoot gardening!

Wicked Site

I was having lunch on Friday with a group of friends who all went to library school and now all work together. They were talking about good site of data catagory systems....blah blah...

But then one of the turned to me and told me about a site call ETSY.
It is an international craft site where you can post and sell or buy crafts made all over the world.

I LOVED IT!!!!

So I thought I would share it with everyone. Plus it has amazing design features, check out the world map.

I am now going to spend the day out in the sunshine since the northwest has not seen the sun in weeks. I will be gardening and spending the day with my aunt who is leaving tomorrow to return to the east coast.

BOO HOO!!!!

40 hours with 10 hours to go

So, I have now hit 40 hours on my time card. Yep, it is Thursday night and I am about to go to bed. I have 10 more hours to the week and then 48 hours of free time.

It is so weird to think about my life in terms of hours. I have never been so aware of hours. I am not sure I care for hours. In fact, I kind of am ready for the flexible work plan.

But, even though right now my life is not as comfortable as I would like it, I have to admit my level of faith, my intuition and my manifesting beliefs are stronger than ever.
I can feel my new life already.

This is the first time in my life where I not only welcome change, I feel like my energy is really creating something more amazing.

I also talked with Elaine this week who confirmed everything I was feeling and thinking.

I know the direction I am going, I can feel it and I am ready.

Decisions

Here is a passage I turned to this morning when I was thinking about my future.

Decisions/Higher Self

"You're faced with many choices and aren't sure what to do.... Fortunately, your higher self can help you resolve these difficult decisions, especially if you're willing to let some of the balls you juggle drop to the wayside for now. The key to making the best choices is to simply follow your heart and attend only to what you care about right now. Focus on priorities that feed your spirit, and don't become overwhelmed by the demands and expectations of others.

Ask your higher self to help you discern and trust in what requires your attention right now, and be willing to disappoint people. Your higher self assures you that what falls tot he wayside isn't important in the long run, despite the drama of the moment. The message for you is "Don't try to be all things to all people, it's a waste of time, and you'll surely fail."

This is exactly what I am feeling and needing to hear.
Sonia Choquette always has a way of doing that.

So I now ask my runners to help me leave one situation in a positive positive way, and to help me find a better place for me to be.

I also realize that this does not mean any manic quick action right now, but when the right time and moment presents itself I will be ready.

Your Heart's Desire Box

My friend Vera wrote about creating a dream box and then posted what was in her dream box.

At the end she asked the simple, yet, not so simple question of,
"What would be in your dream box"

Here my answers that I posted on her site:


I think my dream box would include:
Moving to Scotland.
Having a job as a design manager.
Owning a farm in the country.
Being married and having children.
Always having at least one dog.
Living an abudant life.
Being surrounded by wonderful friends and family.
Always having my intuition in my life.
Owning my own company.


So I am now turning this question over to my faithful readers.
Would would be in your dream box?


Ps. I feel better already.

Garden Party

Today has been the first day that I have been able to do some gardening this spring. It is a warm and hazy day, almost hot.

While I was in the garden I began to feel very lucky for this wonderful house and yard. I realized that for this garden to be able to survive I must care for it and appreciate it.
So while I was weeding I was sending love to all the herbs, vegetables and fruit trees we have because they are going to provide us with a wonderful amount of food this summer.

The other great part about today is that my dog can be totally off leash at our new house. So while I was weeding, she was walking around the garden checking everything out and tasting some of the plants. We discussed her not eating the blueberries but I know how much she loves blueberries so I am going to have to keep an eye on her about that plant. But it was just wonderful to have her walking around me while I gardened. Plus our yard is very private so I can be outside in my worst outfit and no one will see me. I may not do the nude gardening that the home owner used to do but I will be inclined this summer to garden in my bathing suit!

I am off to drink some cold lime water and get outside to do more work.

HOT YOGA

So this week I tried something new. I went with a dear friend to a hot yoga class.
At first I was worried because I am not known for liking heat, nor have I ever done Yoga before.

But I have to say...... I LOVE HOT YOGA.......

I felt so calm and peaceful afterwards.
Plus I felt detoxed!
The detoxed feeeling just added to wonderful feeling. I walked downtown after the class and had a tomato, basil salad and then went to bed. The whole time I just kept thinking, if I did hot yoga all the time I would only want to eat fruits and veggies because after spending 90 mins. in a really hot place you just want water and natural foods.

I think I will add to my list I made the other day:

11. Hot Yoga twice a week.
12. Start working on my heart's desire to move to Scotland.

Why Scotland?
Because this morning I saw an article about Scotland and my heart did a love flip.
I lived in Scotland a couple of years ago and I loved it. More than anything I have wanted in the last 10 years, moving to Scotland has been my number one desire.

This means, I need to start to research and talk to the people that send me "Move to Scotland" emails and make my dream a reality!!!!!

Slowing down

The excitement over the new job is now wearing off and my conference is all done. I have to admit, I am kind of bummed. I feel an emptiness of sorts. Like I went from a fast moving river to a bog.

I also feel the need to make some changes. Must be spring time!

So instead of moping around I think I will list some changes I would like to make in the next few months. This will help me to stop feeling so blue.

1. Start to exercise at least twice a week.
2. Make more candles.
3. Make more movies.
4. Clean my office at home.
5. Organize the new house.
6. Clean the yard.
7. Start to eat outside more.
8. Make new friends- Girlfriend are needed badly! - Please apply to my email.
9. Eat more raw food!--Thanks Vera.
10. Write more on my blog.


Ok, I am feeling better now. I think I can start some of things this weekend.

I had such an amazing week last week that I want to break down all the wonderful things and start to infuse my life with them.

In other more wonderful news... It is spring time in Seattle!
Bring on the long nights and the beautiful flowers!

Some of my moving paintings.....

So a couple of years ago I started to make video art. I was given a copy of a program called ONADIME. This is a music visualization program. I started to upload my photographs and film footage to create what I call a moving painting.
I did not want to make a music video and I would get so frustrated with people because you could never get them to sit down and just watch what happens.

I know that You Tube is not the best way to watch these since they are pretty small. But if you can just listen and watch you will get some sense of the meaning.
Plus if you really want I can send you a copy of DVD.

Below is one of my favorite videos. If you go to this link you will find a couple more. I plan on posting many more over the next few weeks.
Let me know what you think.


ME ON YOU TUBE

My first conference

So last week I helped to organize and set up a professional workshop. This was the first time I had volunteered for an organization on the professional level. I have to admit it- I loved it.

I was able to attend a workshop that was a little out of my price range, I got to spend quality with the people who presented the workshop as well as the people attending the workshop and I was also asked to join the board of the organization that put on the workshop.

This event was one of the most successful things I have ever done in my life. I felt great to be a part of this community and I am ready for more. It was also interesting because I now know I am growing up. There was nothing glamorous about this event. There were no superstars. Instead this was a room full of people who enjoyed what they did in life, who had a specialty and who wanted to learn more. And this aspect of it was what I enjoyed the most.

I guess maybe growing up in Seattle during the grunge area and then watching a good portion of my scenester friends become famous, my views tend to be a little skewed. For the last five years I have really worked on trying to figure out the difference between being happy and being cool. I am not sure both these things can happen at once. I have noticed that you can be cool without being happy but you can not be happy and cool without being happy first. Being happy, smart and interesting all leads one to being cool in my book. But by then most "cool" people will think you are boring. Which I have now realized, does not matter so much to me.

So needless to say, this event in Portland was one of the happiest and coolest things I have ever done! My views on what I want my life to be are changing. And I am becoming a smarter more talented employee while working towards my goal of working for myself.

Plus, isn't it always fun to make new friends?

On the road

I am off to attend a business conference call The Brand Gap in Portland, OR. I have helped to set this event up and I am so excited to attend.

I will give you all the wonderful details this weekend!

A few more picts

So the first picture is of my new Business card. Vera- I can send you one if you want. I needed to get a card for my conference this week. I am hoping in the next few months to get a better card but this will do for now.

The next picture is of a pair of shoes I have been wanting to buy for over a year. As I get older I hate paying full price for things, so yesterday I found the exact pair of shoes I have been wishing to buy and they were more than half off. I just could not pass it up.

I love these shoes!

Needless to say I am very happy. I also figured out a way to fix my camper boots so they will fit.

I am crying as I write this

Well not really but I got so excited about a pair of Camper boots that I put faith into them. Only to realize that all my years of weightlifting and biking around Wisconsin have left my calf muscles too big for the boots.

I have a business conference this week in Portland and I was so excited to be hanging out in my new boots that were more than half off the retail price. Oh.... Why can't companies make shoes and clothes for people a little bigger than a bean pole?

Besides that not much else is going on. I got some business cards made, I got a couple of new outfits for my conference and I went to an excellent lecture on product development and branding last night. It was given by Jody Turner who is President of Culture of Future an international company. It was a very interesting mix of design ideas from all over the world with a dash of optimism for the corporate future and agenda. There was a Q&A at the end of the lecture and it was the first time in my life that I knew so much about the subjects that I wanted to answer the questions.

Hopefully next week in Portland I will have three days of the same thing I experienced last night. I am very interested to see where this conference takes me.

So far so good

Ok, the job is going well. Of course I am exhausted at night and I feel at times my head is going to explode but what else can you do for your few months on the job?

A few weeks ago I wrote about working with Elaine on a energy healing that changed my life. Well, it is still working. I was asked to be on the board of an organization that I am very interested in. It would also be a great networking experience. I am not sure if I can join, I have to see what happens with this job and my energy level but just the fact that they asked made me feel good.

As some of you know, my last few years have been very hard in terms of life and career. I just could not get anybody to respond to me. Not even temp agencies was to talk with me. This is when I started working with Elaine. She helped me to move some issues aside, to clear up my energy and to look forward. I know she did more than this but since I do not know how she does what she does, I just know it works. So all I can really say is she helped me and whatever she does it works!

I feel like Emily 2006 is turning into one of my best years ever!

It is 8:20 at night and I am sad to report that I am off to bed now.

I promise cowboy pictures and stories this weekend.

Little side notes

Ideo has long been one of my favorite companies. This article in Business Week from a couple of years ago helped me to realize that there is such a thing as creativity in the work place, and some companies are getting paid for work that I love to do in my spare time.

I guess you could say this article changed my life.


In other news, I will be going on vacation starting tomorrow. I will be unable to update my blog since we will be in the back country of Oregon. However, I will take plenty of pictures so I can show you just how far in the middle of no where we went.

I also start my new job on Monday. I am not nervous yet. Especially since yesterday I went to buy a first day outfit and I found a Cashmere sweater and Ralph Lauren Tweed jacket that cost $50.00 all together. I have never bought a cashmere sweater for 15.00 dollars but I have to say at those prices I would wear nothing but cashmere if I could. So far all signs point to yes, this is going to be a great start to my new job.

A long lost friend

Ok, so I have a little time to spare since I am on vacation this week.

So here is the link to my first blog.

The Diary Of Helen Wheels

I first started to blog in 2000. I read a New Yorker article about it and thought I would give it a go. It was wonderful! I loved writing and knowing that there were people in the web world that would read what I had written. I was the first of my friends to blog. Everyone thought it was a nutty thing to do but I knew better than that.

So I have taken a couple of years off from blogging. I started other blogs but never found the energy to continue. I think for awhile I lost my voice. Rereading Helen Wheels I am impressed with my writing. I just remember how lost and alone I felt in the Midwest and how writing in my blog made me feel alive and in touch with myself.

So I hope I can bring back a side of Helen Wheels for this blog. Helen Wheels was my secret side. She was the woman that dreamed big and could speak her mind. She was also very thoughtful and could express herself and not be scared.

I have a feeling after this posting this blog may get a little more personal.

It is true, as I have gotten older I do not feel such pain. That maybe because I am in a relationship my search is not as exciting but to be honest. I am now searching to grow up. I am searching to start my own business and to find work that I love. I am still searching for community, a house to buy and a place where I can be surrounded by loved ones.

I still have Helen Wheels in me, she has just grown up a bit. Gone on her wild days. In place is a greater sense of self worth and a brain truly worth it's weight in gold!

Nap Time

I took a rest today and this is what I saw when I woke up. This is Ahmi. She is my best friend. I found her almost five years ago at Evergreen State College. I thought I would give her to my aunt but that fell through because once I took her home she was mine. She would follow me everywhere I went. Nobody could get her attention if I was in the room. So I kept her. She keeps watch over the house and my two cats and in return I make her own food ( red peppers are her favorite treat) and I take her to the woods a couple of times a month where she can run off leash. I think it is a pretty fair trade!

A meatless lifestyle

Today I am starting a new month long vegetarian diet. Right around when I started this blog I also began to realize that my body wanted to stop eating meat. I am making this diet a month long because I do not want to feel like I can never have organic meat again. I just want to slowly move into this lifestyle. However, I am going on vacation this weekend to a crab feed so Seafood will be ok for awhile.

I have two cats and a dog. I love these animals more than I ever knew I could love a non-speaking mammal. These animals may not use words but I always know what they want. And they are smart, really smart. I then began to realize that all the cows I have ever met were very sweet and gentle. And chickens? Well I have never been won over by a chicken but I also get very grossed out when I drive by a chicken truck on it's way to a slaughter house. And last but not least, pigs. I like pigs, they are smart and make funny noises. Dirty, yes! But sometimes on a hot day the thought of rolling around in mud sounds good to me.

So, needless to say, the little voice in my head has been gently guiding me towards wanting to live a more organic and healthy lifestyle. The guidance has been very kind and soft with me. Reminding me over and over again that I love animals, I love the earth and I want to start taking care of animals and the earth, instead of eating tainted meat and non-organic fruits and veggies which will hurt you over the years.

Today is my first day on this adventure. As I prepare to say goodbye to my two best friends as they are moving to Sweden, I have set up a dinner date for us at the wonderful Vegan restaurant Bamboo Gardens. This is our celebration, goodbye and I can not wait to visit you next year dinner.
And it is a gentle start to a new lifestyle for me.

Taking much needed time

So I must admit that these last few months of not having a job have been stressful. I never lost hope but I often wondered what was going to happen. At one point I just gave the situation to the universe and admitted that I had no idea what to do next. At the same time I started working with Elaine from Clear Reflection Coaching .

After two session I knew my energy was changing. I suddenly understood myself better and I knew more about what I wanted. In one sense I felt like I had suddenly grown up but then on the other hand I also felt like a bunch of negative energy was lifted from me and I could now be what I had always wanted to be.

Two days after my last meeting with Elaine I had a week full of job interviews, all coming in on the same week. I went from not being able to get anyone to call me back and having no leads to suddenly having everyone call me at once.
One week after I started the interview process I had accepted an offer from a place I really wanted to work.

I look back at these events and I am amazed at how the universe had lined everything up for me. While I was looking for work I made sure that I keep a clear mind and I began to mediate more. I also started working on my blocks that were holding me back. I was ready for change and I was doing my part of bring it into my life. This is why I think I was able to get a job so quickly and have it be the one I wanted. Because I was finally ready to do the dirty work in my life so the universe could provide me with love and positive changes.

I now feel more connected with spirit and my life. I feel like I am glowing with happiness and love.

I am also thinking it is time to become a vegetarian and non-sugar eater. We shall see.

Life Coaches Rule

Today I met with two friends from Sweden who started talking about life coaches and how amazed they are that their friends in Sweden are starting to get life coaches.

In the last year I met my first life coaches. They are now friends and I have never been coached by them but I have to admit that I love what they do. They also have amazing energy surrounding them, I always feel like I can do anything when I am with them.

My favorite main stream life coach is Cheryl Richardson.
She has truly influenced me to not only want to change my life but to also take those action steps needed to change my life.

Also, her new book, The unmistakable touch of grace, inspired my latest candle called GRACE.
It is a wonderful candle that brings grace into your life and also helps you to be more aware of the grace that touches all of us.

The Search is Over

That's right my blog friends. I accepted an offer this morning for a new job. I am so excited!
The job offer was very nice. I get a free bus pass and I get a flexible schedule.

WOOO HOOO!

So I now can start Odessa's Herbals up again. I can create new products and I can finally afford to get my packaging done.

I can feel the stress rolling off my back.

I also want to thank Elaine La Joie who had truly helped me to reach the place I needed to be to receive this job into my life. She is truly an amazing healer and coach. If you have not talked with her I would call her as soon as you can!

Candles and Sodas

Well, I will admit it. I have not been making as many candles as I would like. Timing and resources are to blame. And the fact my energy has been focused on my job hunt.

However, I did create a new candle this week called POSITIVE CHANGES.
This candles is best for when you are ready for the changes in life that affect us all. From something as simple as a change in how often you do the dishes to something a little more dramatic as a change in career path or relationship. This candle can help you focus on the future because you know it is all for the best.

I have been using this candle in conjunction with other candles because I found it is a good partner to whatever intention I am working on creating.


In other news, I had my best job interview so far. It was only 4.5 hours long with four different people. But everyone was really nice and I know I did my best. I will let you all know the details as they come this way.

Something funny happened yesterday. I was at a friend's house when I noticed he had an extra new modern looking soda in the fridge. I asked him if I could try it. He reluctantly agreed that I could have it while telling me he is totally addicted to these new sodas and has to drink at least two a day. They are considered the healthy soda with great packaging. Viso. I tried it and it was lovely. Tasted very similar to drinks I had while living in Scotland. So here I am, sitting in my friends living room, dreaming of Scotland and all the wonderful friends I made there. When I notice a red box on the label. This is a caution label, turns out the drink I am consuming in a fast pace has as much caffeine as three cups of coffee. I announced this to my friends who were shocked but then did notice a trend between drinking those sodas and being very productive and coming up with "brilliant" ideas. It all came crashing down as he realized that the soda had caused some sort of unknown fantasy for him of himself.

But he said he will still keep drinking them so sometimes we just need a little help to push ourselves to be that brilliant person we know we are.