Pregnant and Swine Flu

I am not pregnant nor do I have swine flu, but one of my lady's that I am doula-ing for who is DUE in a week and a half got swine flu. Saturday I went over and gave her a Raindrop Technique treatment. I called her today and she is feeling great- nearly whole again! It is such a relief knowing that she can have the strength and health to have her baby.

If you or any of your family members are sick (even if they are quarentined to the home) there is hope. I can help you. Don't let the sickness get any worse than it has too. I can work on infants, children, adults, elderly- anyone and everyone. I am quite optimistic about staying healthy during the fall and winter months!!

If you have questions or need more info call or email me at anytime.

I got a forward yesterday of 30 random thoughts. I got a kick out of these ones:

As a driver I hate pedestrians, and as a pedestrian I hate drivers, but no matter what the mode of transportation, I always hate cyclists.

Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

How many times is it appropriate to say “What?” before you just nod and smile because you still didn’t hear what they said?

I would rather try to carry 10 plastic grocery bags in each hand than take 2 trips to the car to bring my groceries in.

You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you’ve made up your mind that you just aren’t doing anything productive for the rest of the day.

I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.

I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

WE

This weekend I have spent some time watching Hallmark and WE (women's entertainment). On WE, I watched Under the Tuscan Sun. I wanted to hide in the closet during the scene when Diane Lane's character, Frances is dancing and chanting "I've still got it." Gross. Embarrassing moment aside, I really love the overall message of the movie.

Quick synopsis: Frances's husband divorces her. She didn't expect it. Her friend offers her a trip to the Tuscany with a group called 'gay and away.' She accepts. While there, she purchases an awesome estate/cottage. She has ups and downs and manages to make all of her wants come true.

Here's what I love about it, we all go through those downer times in life. Then an opportunity arises. We reject it. Thankfully we have a moment of clarity and faith. Soon thereafter, if not immediately, we find ourselves accepting and embracing. Our thoughts are 'this is scary and exciting but I am doing it NOW or else I never will.' Don't you love you those moments?

My 'scary and exciting' moments are clear. Here are some to mention: 1. Switching colleges last minute: I said no to Utah State and hit up BYUI even though I had a scholarship at Utah State. 2. Deciding on massage therapy. I was on a Saturday drive, passed by the facility, and said I am doing this. No looking back since then:) 3. Meeting Damien Rice. Sure I tripped and fell on my face while going up to meet him, but I did it, and as an added bonus I hugged him! 4. Going to Colorado for massage gig. I was only gone for 7 weeks, but learned a lifetime of lessons and managed to fall in love with Colorado. 5. Doula training. I had no money. I offered a smoking deal selling massage gift certificates and worked the rest out with my trainer.

I pray for more moments in my life when my heart is racing, I have total faith, and No idea of how the details will pan out. But totally stoked. To me, this is what life is all about. And to think, this post came to life because of a WE movie event.

Pics from trip

All of these pictures were taken by Heather:


Beautiful sunset


Me and Ella getting warm by the fire


Lake Michigan


Duck Lake Channel


Me eating blueberries

Trip to Michigan

Top 10 Highlights:

10. Mr. Scribb's Pizza: Chewy cheese. Tasty. Not as good as I remembered, but still delicious

9. Whippy Dip ice cream: Specifically the black and white cone and turtle.

8. Driving the rental car: I have never driven in Muskegon before and it helped me get to know the area really fast.

7. Docks and channels: We like to watch the big ships go through the channel. Actually so does everyone else. Surprisingly, there are people who sit in their cars and watch the ships for hours.

6. Checking out the real estate: We drove through the town looking for 'for sale' signs. This was a daily activity for us. Our relatives want to lure us into moving to Michigan :) Also, as a whole, our family is curious. Who doesn't want to know what every house in the town looks like on the inside? Prices are incredibly cheap! As Lori would say, "they are giving away houses." Lori found a decent house for $5,000 in the heights (rough neighborhood). Who knows what the interior looks like, but the real estate agent said that she has sold houses for as low as $2,000 in the heights. OUTRAGEOUS!

5. The blue tube: We found a tube on the beach. The last day we were there, I saw the owners deflating it. I wonder what they thought when they saw us using their tube everyday??? It was great though!

4. Blueberry picking: I love blueberries. They were beautiful this year. Some were seriously as big as quarters. The nice thing about picking berries yourself is that you get to eat as many as you want while picking them :) Lucky for me I found wild raspberry bushes too. I ate my fair share of berries for the week.

3. Duck Lake Channel: My favorite spot. Duke lake is usually really warm, calm, and clear. I love to float on my back. It is so fun to spread out on the lake and not get crushed by a wave. Although, don't get me wrong I love that too. The channel flows into Michigan Lake so I can get some waves too.

2. Aunt Elka: Elka lives in Indiana, in a gorgeous beach house on Michigan lake. Its the southern tip of the lake. Translation: significantly warmer water than in Muskegon. She and my Uncle Fuzz designed their beach house. It is really big and spacious because Fuzz was in a wheel chair toward the end. The house also has an elevator which was a hit with the kids. It was my first time there. I could tell that my dad really enjoyed being the house and visiting with Elka. The last time my dad went to Michigan was for Fuzz's funeral. The house has a lot of fun memorabila from their last house. Elka is really fun, relaxed, and social. She is the cool Aunt everybody wishes they had :)

1. Hanging out with my family: bbqs, lunches, drives, boat rides, beach days, bon fires, exploring the town days, visiting, laughing SOOOOO much, remembering, and loving each other.

Who loves quizzes?
This is a tough one: http://www.gorgeouslygreen.com/quiz/
I answered most of the questions incorrectly. hahaha

I pledged

Over the span of my life I have read several books that require action. I usually don't participate in the action part of books because I tell myself I will do it after I have read the entire book. I don't remember afterwards to go back through and do the activities and exercises. That's not the point, now is it? Why waste my time reading if the info is going through me? So I have started actually doing some of the things the books encourage.

Right now I am reading Gorgeously Green by Sophie Uliano (which I purchased at the deseret industries! Talk about a green start!) I am pledging to live a more gorgeous and green life.



The Gorgeously Green Pledge:
1.I commit to cutting my beef consumption down by 25-50%. I will prepare at least three meat-free meals a week. Meat production has a very heavy eco-impact.
2.I commit to buying organic, seasonal, and locally produced food whenever possible. I vote with my dollars and want to support sustainable producers.
3.I commit to cooking at least three meals a week at home so that I can save money, my health and the planet.
4.I commit to reducing my food waste by 50 percent by sticking to my eating plan and my shopping list and by using my leftovers.
5.I commit to growing something edible (even an herb will do!)
6.I commit to recycling my paper, plastic, glass, and cans, and to buying recycled paper products (paper towels, napkins, and toilet paper) to preserve more trees.

After reading through the list, don't you think its possible that everyone including you could follow this pledge? I think so too.

A Must See

Some of you may not believe or may not care, but its HUGE and its effecting your DNA, your health, and your future: it's called food. I know how easy it is to buy pre-packaged food or to buy the cheapest things at the grocery store. However, if we start demanding better produce and general products then my guess is we'll get them!

Mutant Message Down Under

I read this book in high school. I really liked it. I found it at the Deseret Industries and couldn't refuse. WOW! I missed so much of the message the first time around. I suppose this is the type of book you can pick up every 5 or so years and re-read. If you haven't read it, read it! It is slightly controversial :)))

Pics from doula training

I just joined Twitter today and found these beautiful pics from my instructor. Thank you technology. By the way, does anyone know how to use Twitter because I don't!


Eating some yummy snacks on day one. Still a bit reserved, but definitely happy.


>
Day two: I was pregnant here on the birthing ball getting some doula support!


Group picture on the last day. We were all chummy and friendly by then:)


We are the 'V' ladies because at the end of the training vagina was just another word.

Feminist Explosion

Normally I am a feminist, but for the time being, I am a 'super-feminist.' Thank you doula training. Anyway, at my training I learned about a site http://www.owningpink.com/ I read through it quickly. I like what I have read so far. I really love the article, The True You: Are You Living an Authentic Life? It brings up good points like: Do I express the real me? Do I even know who that person is? Self Expression is really important for me because I spend the majority of the time introverted.

My mom has a scripture up by the computer that says "And verily I say unto thee that thou shalt lay aside the things of this world and seek for the things of a better." D&C 25:10

Life is totally a learning a process for all of us! I know that I spend too much time being a product of the world. I am not! We are all God's creation. We are all so different and unique. Let's find our authentic selves and stop trying to "fit in" with the world's expectations of a good wife, good mother, good daughter, good mormon, good student, good woman etc... Finding the true you and learning to express her is among the better things. Own your pink!

I am a trained doula

I went to a doula training this weekend and loved it. I couldn't have imagined a better experience. I left the training feeling empowered, educated, and interwebbed with women. Our bodies are divine, capable, and strong.

One thing that really amazed me is how many different options are available to us while giving birth. I want everyone else to know their options too.

Also, I need to attend three births to become internationally certified. So get pregnant or if you are already pregnant consider me as your doula.

10 most embarrassing massage questions

I found these questions and decided to answer them myself:
(http://inner-harmony.gaia.com/blog/2009/2/10_embarrassing_massage_questionsand )

1. Do I have to take off my underwear?

YES (just kidding). Your comfort is the most important thing. But honestly it makes it a little easier sometimes with garments.

2. Do I tip the therapist?

YES Leave a tip. Even if your strapped for cash. Utah is known for being terrible tippers. Law of karma- it will come back to you

3. What happens if I sleep and drool or snor?

Its totally okay. Sometimes its nice when people sleep:)

4. Will the massage therapist be in the room when I take off my clothes?

NO you are in the room alone. Once I asked someone if they were ready for me to come into the room and they said 'uh huh', but he/she actually said 'nu uh' and I saw some nakedness. Lesson: be clear or you might have a similar experience

5. What if I get an erection?

It does happen. Believe me it is uncomfortable for both parties. I would like to think it is controllable, but I have been told otherwise. So, basically what really happens is we both ignore the elephant in the room.

6. If the massage is too soft or too hard should I speak up?

YES speak up! I am not a mind reader

7. If I am self conscience about an area can I tell the therapist not to massage there?

YES most people are embarrassed. We are a society that is so afraid and uncomfortable with our bodies: blemishes, fat, hair, scars, etc.. I have seen it all and you don't need to be embarrassed, but speak up if you don't want to be touched somewhere.

8. What if I fart?

Once again, it happens. It is really embarrassing. Side note- I had a client that couldn't hear and I used fart all the time while massaging him/her. So sometimes your therapist does it too.

9. Do I talk to the therapist or stay silent?

It doesn't matter. Usually excessive chatting is a sign of nervousness. My rule is that I will chat back, but I don't encourage chatting because this is your time.

10. How do I know if my therapist is legitimate?

Most therapists have his/her license displayed in the office somewhere. If not, you can request the license number ahead of time- its public info at dopl.gov

Does anyone have any embarrassing questions that weren't covered?

Extreme Sale

I am selling massage gift certificates for the next two weeks. What brought on this EXTREME sale?: I quit my day job, I am moving this month, car registration is due this month, and I want to attend a doula workshop so I can certify. If you like getting massages, giving massages as gifts, or can't say no to a good deal this is your day (well actually two weeks)

Massages:
one hour: $40
3 one hours: $105

Reflexology:
3o mins: $25
3 3o mins: $60

Prices to match any budget!!!


hahaha- thought you'd all like this pic :)

In the Old Testament there was a huge plague killing the population. Moses prayed and here is his answer in EXODUS 30:

22 ¶ Moreover the Lord spake unto Moses, saying,
23 Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels,
24 And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of aoil olive an hin:
25 And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil.

The Lord gave Moses an essential oil recipe to protect him and his family and they survived.



Another example, the black plague (Bubonic virus) that killed 2/3 of Europe. There were a group of thieves who dug up bodies or found dead bodies and stole all of their valuables. When the King finally captured these rumored 'mystics' he discovered they were spice merchants. They were able to rob the dead bodies without catching the plague because they doused themselves with several spices and herbs. Google 'Vinegar of the four thieves' for the full historical record and recipe.




THESE TWO ANCIENT RECIPES ARE AVAILABLE AT YOUNG LIVING AND I CAN GET THEM FOR YOU. THEY ARE CALLED EXODUS AND THIEVES. PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY FROM VIRUSES, BACTERIAS, AND FUNGI.

CHALLENGE: NAME TWO MODERN DAY DRUGS THAT CARRY ANTI-VIRAL, ANTI-BACTERIAL, ANTI-FUNGAL PROPERTIES, CAN BE USED BY BOTH INFANT AND ELDERLY, DON'T HAVE SIDE EFFECTS, AND AREN'T POISONOUS.

I realize that modern day epidemics are in fact dangerous. I also know that God knew what plagues were going to be and created herbs and spices to combat them. For me, its a matter of trusting God and his creations. I don't stress and I don't believe there is any disease, plague, or epidemic that God can't cure.