All I want to do is be somewhere else

This really has to stop. I am just staring at my screen with nothing on my mind. I have no work yet I feel like I must make it to the end of my contract since I like to finish what I started. But my mind is turning to mush while I wait out the hours.

So painful!

I am thinking of what I want to change in life now that I will have more free time. I am going to get my bike out of the basement and start riding it again! I also want to walk more and maybe even start to go swimming. I will return to the library to catch up on books I have missed since being on the Eastside of the city. Candles will be made everyday, but now, I can start to love it again. I never stopped loving it but I did feel overwhelmed!

I need a serious spring cleaning in my room and car. I will be spending much more time with my animals, I feel like I have been ignoring them lately. And hopefully, I will be able to see my Nephew, the love of my life.

And one last thing, I will Blog more! I have been so bad about blogging lately. So my dear readers, I will be back and better than ever. Oh and one last thing, I now have the time to set up a shopping cart and my account on Etsy! This is so exciting and something I have been wanting to do forever. So look out for new updates!

The waiting game

Only three more days until my new life and all I can do is wait. I am not very good at waiting. I keep staring at my computer wishing that I could just run out of here and get to the studio. But I am a good employee and I will finish up my time here so that my coworkers lives are not affected. But I just want out!

This change is going to be strange at first but really good as well. I will have more me time, more time to spend with my beloved dog and family and more time to make and SHIP candles. So excited!

So I am leaving my current gig which has been a great experience and I am ready to do something new. But in between this time, I will focus on the candles and the fact that Spring may come soon enough to the Northwest! All I can say is, I look forward to days spent outside in the sunshine, taking long walks and relaxing.

I also have a feeling that there are more changes coming in the future. I can feel them before I know that they are exactly. I am not searching nor trying to create something but I am allowing it to come to me which is the BEST place to be.

So over the next few months this blog may get more personal as I spread my joy about everything that is happening in my life, my company's life and the life of those around me!

A Shout Out

One of my goals this year was to get mentioned in The Seattle Times "Girl About Town". Every week I read her column and think, I can't wait for the day when I get a shout out from this Girl About Town.

Well, along with everything else in my life, start small in my motto. So below is the small mention in this weeks "Girl About Town". However, not only did I make the candles for the Seattle Opera Gala, I also made the candles for the Dinner Impossible episode that will be airing this week. So I got almost two mentions. While you read this, just keep thinking..... Start Small!

"THE SEATTLE OPERA GALA'S "Springtime Serenade" at McCaw Hall was home to the 10-pound swag bag, chock-full of soy candles, gift certificates, flower and vegetable seeds, cocktail recipes, opera CDs and even a blanket. Turns out there is, in fact, a person assigned the title of "Swag Bag Chair." Who knew? In the spirit of the evening, each table setting featured a "blooming aria" — a line of opera printed onto card stock and pinned into a live fuchsia carnation. .

New Changes

The world is never ending with changes. I am learning how to roll with everything and just keep my focus on my candles, my health and my love for life.

I have a job change coming up, which is actually really good because I need a bit of a break from my double life I am living right now. I am exhausted and ready to put all my energy into my company.

So as of next week, I will be taking long walks, making candles and being grounded in how amazing life is.

Plus, I have a super cute new hair do thanks to my friend Lindsay at 7 salon in Seattle! I love it.

Whoa Nelly

Just when I think life might slow down, the Universe says HA! to me.

I just received a huge order for candles. We are talking in the hundreds. So now I am forced to stop being so lazy ( yeah right ) and get to work. I know this is a good problem to have but sometimes I am just so whiny! I just want to be lazy and do nothing.

So if you need me in the next month, I will be either at work, sleeping or in my studio.
I just want to tell all my friends now, that I am sorry I never get to see you anymore. I promise to oneday take you all out and thank you for having such a distant friend. You are all so good to me!

Seeds of Compassion

This last weekend was an amazing weekend for everyone that was in Seattle. Not only did the Dali Lama come to town but also Archbishop Desmond Tutu was here as well.

I watched the city change for this weekend. The sun came out, the traffic was slow because 150,000 people came to see these men. But there was an air of hope and kindness that circled the city. Everyone talked about how amazing it was to see these men, how it made them really think about compassion and how funny these men were. They show their emotion and that allows them to be able to reach out and help people.

I hope this conference will continue and expand. It touched people's lives and should be an everyday event. We should all be more compassionate and laugh more.

Saturday in Seattle

Wow!

Saturday in Seattle was amazing. It was so warm and sunny and being outside was a requirement for all in this city. I saw the baby gorilla at the zoo, had an Orangutan smile at me, watched my nephew fall in love with snakes and spent time with my family. It was a perfect day.

And now I am back in the candle making mode and have to make up some time that I missed this weekend. I have a lot of work to do this week and late nights will happen, but I really can not complain since I love everything I do.

My nephew now has a name for me and can ask my sister for me when he misses me. I am so proud!

Another great thing about Saturday? My 10 pm walk in the park with my dog. The moon was bright, the water was glowing and it smelled like heaven. The spring frogs are out and the plants and trees are starting to wake up.

The Sun is Out

Spring is finally here!
When the sun comes out all I can think about is health and wellness. I get so motivated to be outside moving and eating only fresh foods. I love the spring and summer in the Northwest and look forward to a new summer full of wonderful things.

Today I am starting my spring cleanse. I will be cleaning my house, cleaning my studio, cleaning my body and cleaning my car. I spent Monday at a Spa getting my monthly salt scrub and detox wrap. I feel amazing!
Today I start my spring diet. I eat really well in the winter time but now is the time for all fresh fruits and veggies. I am so excited to start a new routine for the new season.

This weekend is going to be full of family and candles. My aunty came into town and it has been so wonderful to have her around. All my huge candle deadlines are coming up this week so I will have some late nights but I am not worried at all. Deadlines are no longer a problem for me. In college I hated deadlines. I was never good at them and always waited to the last minute. Now, I start early, do something everyday and always set my deadlines early in case anything happens. It is amazing how different life is when one is so full of passion for what they do. I enjoy all deadlines and feel great every time I hand off my candles.

All fired up with no where to go

So now that I looked at the first house I wanted to rent on Queen Anne, I am all fired up with no where to go. I have thought back on this house and as much as I wish I could rent it today.

It is just not the right time yet.... Or maybe it was not the house. It was really cute and funky but I need something a little bigger and more fixed up. But the front room had 12 foots ceilings.....But it had such small bedrooms........

This is how my brain is working right now. The back and forth of my realization that I am ready to get my own place for my lovely animals and company. This next step feels so right for me at this time.

I also am trying to get a good college friend to move out from the East Coast and experience the West Coast for awhile. She just got a new job so I am her plan b. But I wish I was her Plan A. I want to take yoga classes with this friend and just hung out. She is a fellow young single friend so spending time with friends and living with them is still an option.

Ok... I will stop with my wishing and get back to work. I know that in the next 3 months I will have my dream home so I am going to have fun designing it now.

How I miss blogging

Things have been so busy lately that my blog has fallen to the back of the burners. I am so sorry!

I miss blogging. I miss posting pictures. I promise, soon enough I will get back on the blogging wagon. Soon....

Odessa's Herbals is in need of a bigger home. I have started the house hunt this week. I would love to move into a craftsman house and be able to host private candle making parties. I think tonight I will work on a treasure map for this vision. I can't believe I am getting to the point of growing so large as a company that I must get a bigger place. But I am also really excited by all this wonderful energy and experiences.

So as I start the house hunting treasure map, I will share my dreams and visions on my blog to get that energy out there. What better than all my loyal blog readers positive energy helping me create this vision?

Top 10!

Long time....

Things have been moving so fast lately. Along with it being Spring in the Northwest and it still snowing, I have had many orders pouring in while still trying to get my energy back.

I found out yesterday that my candles are in the top ten best sellers list at Glassy Baby!!! This warms my heart so much. I love that people are connecting with the tea lights I make and that Glassy Baby is very happy with them.

The Food Network show Dinners Impossible that has Odessa's Herbals tea light candles in will be aired on April 30Th at 10 pm. I can't wait to see this show. I know the wedding was amazing but I am excited to see Kelly L. Moore and others on TV.

Speaking of Kelly Moore, she is the event planner for the Seattle Opera event coming up at the end of this month. I received an email yesterday asking about Tea Light candles for the tables at the Gala. This means I will now be able to share twice the love since I am also making the candles for the swag bags being given out.

And speaking of swag bags, I will be in the Swag bags for the Girl Power Happy Hour happening this month in Seattle. They are doing a Green event and thanks to my switch to American made soy wax and only organic essential oils, I am moving towards being a green company. Once I can buy a building, I will be adding Solar Panels and moving towards being totally off the Grid!!!

There's nothing better than a best friend!

I just found out that one of my best and dearest friends from my college days is moving to Portland. He got a wonderful promotion and is moving next month. I can't wait to be close to him and able to see him more than once a year.

Ahmi and I just got back from a lovely walk. This new blackberry is causing me to take too many pictures of my animals. I must stop... I think I need cell phone therapy.

Is anyone else going to see the Dali Lama in three weeks?

I had to get a Blackberry

This weekend my phone broke. I had to upgrade and I am now the proud owner of a Blackberry. I am not sure if this is a good or bad thing. I am slowly trying to let go of being too wired and just relax. On the other hand, I need to be connected to the Internet for my company. So what's a girl to do?

I had a bunk weekend. It simply comes down to the fact that I do not have a clone and there is just too much for me to do. I am going to have to get better about my schedule on weekends and during the week.

I created a couple of new products this weekend and I am excited to announce the information about them soon.

Another Big Something....

This last Wednesday I had a really great meeting at the W hotel in downtown Seattle. I came away from this meeting almost floating with excitement. I have another very exciting announcement to make but can not yet......

This is bigger than my last wonderful announcement and I am just so excited about this opportunity I can hardly sleep at night. I have a lot of work to do in the next few weeks to prepare but look out.... Odessa's Herbals is hitting the big time.... Soon enough!

Full Moon on Friday

Every month I keep up with the moon cycle. This is due to the fact I live in the Northwest and do not use curtains on my windows. It is always too dark in the winter to use curtains, you lose the precious little light we get. In the summer it is just amazing how much light we do get that I don't want to shut it out. Usually this works well for me. I live on the 2nd floor and face the sound so I don't need to worry about privacy too much.



However, every month close to the full moon I am awoken by this bright light at 1-3 am in the morning. The moon shines right in my window and onto my face. At first I did not enjoy this late night wake up call. But as the months go by, I realize how special this system is. I feel so much more connected to the Seasons, the cycles and the earth / moon relationship. I enjoy feeling like I am being blanketed in the moon light at night.



The moon cycle also affects my evening walks with my dog. Once a month it is like someone turned a spotlight on my walks. Of course, half the month it is very dark and cozy.



I will be outside late into the night on Friday enjoying this full moon.



There is one thing that upsets me. I have been seeing billboards around about a company shinning ads onto the full moon. If this is true I am going to be very upset. I do not want the precious moon to become a billboard. What company thinks they have the right to do something like that?



I will keep you posted.

Back to the Studio

This weekend was a very busy weekend with large orders coming in. I had a lovely weekend of making new candles and fulfilling orders for new customers.

The one candle I am super happy to make is the new candle for the Seattle Opera Gala happening next month. This is a lovely spring candle that will make everyone excited about the new and fresh flowers coming up.

I had a great Session with my coach Elaine yesterday. She helped me clear some old wounds out and brought some new energy in. Working with Elaine has been a very powerful experience and one that I look forward to continuing. Every time I talk to Elaine, changes do not happen over night but they always clear up in really calm ways. In the past, I have had experiences where energy work causes blowups in my life. In the end, I know these explosions are for the best, but at the time they are just so hard on everyone around. This has never been the case with Elaine which is why I always go back to her. She helps usher in new changes in a protected way.

I look forward to seeing how our work yesterday will unfold. What she said made so much sense to me. The best part is, Elaine always seems to mention things that are happening without her knowing it at the time. I had made a candle a few weeks ago for myself but had yet to burn it. Yesterday Elaine mentioned the color and scent of the candle as something for me to think about. I looked right at the candle I had made for myself a few weeks earlier and realized it was time to burn that puppy (candle)!

Not only do I make intention candles for others, I always test them out on myself first. I will hopefully have a new candle with a great story to tell everyone about in the next few months!

My New Bed

It if officially spring in my bedroom! I took off my winter duvet last night and made my bed up in my new bedding shown above. Organic cotton and good energy is what this bed is all about.

In other news, my poor kitty is suffering from an infected leg. He just got back from the hospital and tonight we are keeping it low key together. He really wants to be outside in the sunshine but will compromise by sitting in the open window and enjoying the sunshine on his face.

Keeping the LA feeling

I have been keeping my LA feeling alive. Each night I have been taking Sea Salt and Epsom Salt baths, everyday I am filled with fresh foods.

I feel so good!

I had a lovely visitor to the studio a few nights ago. The bride from the taping of Dinners Impossible that I donated candles for, came to visit my studio to buy some candles. It was such a wonderful evening. We talked, came up with new candles for her and got to know each other. I am so grateful to have been able to help her have had her dream wedding!

Spring has finally come around to the Northwest. Every morning I am waking up earlier as the sun is shinning earlier. I am filled with wonder as I watch the plants start to bloom and grow their new leaves. Ahmi has been excited to be able to sit outside without needing a rain coat and the cats are laying in the sunny windows and spending more time outside.

The many meanings of Detox

I just realized the other day that I have been using the word Detox lately without stating that I am not detoxing from Drugs or Alochol. I was talking with an old friend about how I went to LA last weekend to detox and they gasped. I had to back up in my conversation and assure them that I was not detoxing in the LA movie stars kind of detox. Nor was I having any mental issues. This form of Detox is letting my body heal while flushing out all remaining infections or just plain junk I have inside from being so sick.

I laughed at the thought that people out there might think I am detoxing the other way. That would be so out of line with my lifestyle at this point.

I am off to make candles this weekend. I am so excited. I have not been to the studio in almost a week and I am missing it big time. I have a guest coming over on Tuesday which is also the day I start pilates!

Ladies Who Launch at Glassy Baby!

Last night I attended the monthly Ladies who Launch meeting at Glassy Baby. It was amazing to think that one year ago I did the incubator in Seattle for Ladies who Launch while my company was just starting. One of my goals was to work with Glassy Baby or at least give them some of my candles.

Last night I talked about how I met Glassy Baby and I am now their official candle maker. It is a great place to be for me personal and for my company. Glassy Baby was the company in Seattle that I wanted to work with the most. And now here I am, one year later. Talking about how excited I am to be working with them.

I got a new Eggplant colored Glassy Baby last night which I love!
I finally gave into it since every time I went to Glassy Baby I would pick up this color and think " Oh, I love this color. What is it? Oh wait... It's Eggplant." So I finally bought myself a treat while watching fellow ladies who launch purchase my boxes of my candles from Glassy Baby. It made me smile and feel all warm and fuzzy!

My health is finally on tract! I can not even describe how much better I feel after returning from my trip. Now that I feel better, I just keep thinking how bad I felt over the last two months. It was awful!

Starting this month I am signing up for Yoga and Pilates. I have health on my mind and I want to get in top shape so that I do not get ill for a very long time. It is time for me to return to Yoga Life and Maya in Seattle. Two studios I adore taking classes in.

I might be falling in love with LA

Just what my body needed.

LA has been an amazing treat! Just what my body and soul needed. I have spent the last three days being pampered, eating amazing fresh food, spending quality time with friends (old and new) and just enjoying a new place to explore.
Yesterday my special treat was a trip to the Bodhi Tree book store. This has long been a place I wanted to visit. The books store was OK. Not really a style of place I would want to spend too much time. It was too heavily scented and cramped for my personal style.
But, I did end up meeting two amazing women and talking with them for almost an hour. It was a good example of being in the right place at the right time. I am looking forward to seeing how these women play a part in my life as I move into the future and a new phase of life. These women inspired me to start coming to LA on a regular basis and meeting other like minded woman. The Bodhi Tree has a really good book selection. I don't want to say it is not worth the trip, because actually, it is really worth the trip. I was just hoping for something a little more modern and less old school hippie. What's wrong with creating a place that takes all the knowledge and resources of the Bodhi Tree and placing it into a very clean, calm and nicely designed atmosphere? Maybe there is a place like this in LA that I don't know about? All suggestions are welcomed. I just thought The Bodhi Tree would be a bit more modern and LA. But alas, I did end up buying three books, spending over an hour there and really enjoying my visit.
Next stop was Dr.Tea's tea garden. Now this is exactly the kind of place I wish the bookstore looked like. They have a beautiful back yard patio with fans, trees, a wonderful water fountain and just good energy all around. This was such a lovely setting for my friends and I to really talk and connect. I hope everyone that takes a trip to LA with stop by this shop and just take a few moments to relax into the ritual of being quiet, drinking tea and just enjoy the feeling of being centered.
The M Cafe was another special treat that I was at first a little nervous about but ended up falling in love with. Of course the cafe was a bit small and could have been a little better at creating a calming environment but the food was delicious and it is the first time I have eaten Macrobiotic food and just fallen in love with it. Everything was so fresh and the flavors jumped around in my mouth. I could not finish my meal because fresh food always has a way of filling me up in a very comfortable and happy way. The rest of my trip has surrounded meeting new people, getting to see old friends and reconnecting with them and doing a lot of person journal work. Due to my health, it has been a while since I took the time to journal so this weekend has been a blessing for me in terms of writing and just being kind to my body.

Oh yeah, the Spa day was amazing! I got two body treatments and my skin feels amazing. I feel less toxic and much more relaxed. I can't believe it has taken me so long to realize that spending the time and money on body treatments is a requirement for me to feel good inside and out. I feel more grounded and content with myself, my body and my life. It truly is a sacred gift that I want everyone to try at least once. It will change your thoughts, your patterns and how you view your amazing body. We all should love ourselves more and treat ourselves!

So I return back to the Northwest today with new energy and excitement for what i am doing. I can't wait for the Ladies who Launch event Tuesday night at Glassy Baby! It will be so much fun to see everyone and reconnect with them. Plus, now I can show everyone the new tea light candles and just be amazed that 1 year ago, I had just started my Ladies Who Launch incubator and now, I am returning having started to make my dreams a reality.

On My Way

A little self care is good.


This Thursday I am flying to LA to visit some old friends and spend the day at the Glen Ivy Spa.

I am so excited to spend a day in the sunshine at their hot springs getting hot stone massages and other treats for myself. After three months of intense sickness and what felt like a total body shut down. This is a much needed vacation for me.


I am also very excited to get reacquainted with some friends from high school. My high school class had 30 kids in it. This by today’s standards is tiny. We had all been going to school for what felt like forever and as much as I may not have liked them in the past, they now feel like family.


I have not been to LA in 18 years so I am pretty giddy about getting to know the city again. Coming from Seattle, LA has always seemed like a super weird world. Think, Earth Girls Are Easy. But from what my friends tell me, it is actually a really great place. I wonder what I will think? I know that my candles will be a big hit there and I am very excited to bring samples down for everyone to try.


I am a little bit sad that I am going to miss the monthly opening of the Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab, but alas, just another reason for me to visit LA in the future!

Scrabble and New Candles

In honor of this month and because I have been thinking a lot about soulmates, I made my new soulmate candle this weekend. The best part?
This is not a soulmate in terms of romance. This is soulmate that fills your life with love of all kinds. This is the person that makes you feel like the greatest person in the world because of who you are. This person moves through life with you and keeps you smiling and laughing.

The other candle I created this weekend was in honor of a company that I never lucky enough to purchase anything from but spent many hours lost in their little hand drawn catalog. Halcyon Her Company was the name of this little mail order catalog company and I wish I could find out what happened to them. The candle I made is a tribute to the magic of this company and of dreams coming true. The life I used to envision in my head while I looked at this catalog is starting to come true.

If you know anything about this company or the woman Zelda who used to own it, please contact me.

The other wonderful thing I did this weekend was play scrabble with a good friend. I was never a scrabble fan but now I can;t get enough.

Walk with Ahmi

Tonight was cold and crisp as Ahmi and I walked along the cliff overlooking the Puget Sound. It was good to be walking outside. My energy is coming back and I am finally starting to feel a little better. In fact with every night this week my bed time gets closer to normal. Only a little bit longer until I return to my normal high energy level.

I am very excited this week to be having lunch at the Rainier Club with Nicole Vogel who is the publisher of Seattle Metropliantan Magazine. She is a local hero of mine and I can;t wait to hear her speak.

This weekend consisted of making Tea lights and new pillars for the spring time. I will add some photos soon. Once I get my new digital camera.

Food Network, Seattle Bride and Girl Power Hour

So many new things have happened in the last few weeks. It has been busy!

The filming for the food network show that had my tea lights was a huge success. I will keep everyone posted about when the show will air. This experience has also lead to my company getting a little note posted in an upcoming issue of Seattle Bride . Again, I will keep you all posted about this.

Another positive note is that I was introduced to a great group in Seattle called Girl Power Hour. This is a monthly group of women that want to bring networking and women in business to a whole new level. I am very excited to announce that some of my products will be featured at one of their upcoming events. I am also meeting with the two ladies who started this group to help them create a custom candle for their cause. The Girl Power candle. In the next few months they are highlighting Green companies and since Odessa's Herbals has worked very hard in the last year to become green, I am super excited to join this event.

My health is finally improving! It has been a long month and I am not totally healed yet. But with a cancer scare, a horrible infection and a bum knee.... It has been a long road over the last two months.