a life coach

my daughter
So I went and hired me a life coach. Not two days ago it finally occurred to me that I need professional help in my life. What part of life? The doing part. I have the best of intentions, be it house projects, my home business, or workouts, but I seriously struggle with following through. I get hyper-focused on something and let everything else fall by the wayside. Then I burn out. That leaves a trail of unfinished business and one overwhelmed woman. It's taken me all this time to realize that nothing is going to change unless I do something drastic.

I could simply determine to do better, but it occurred to me that the bravest and most proactive thing I could do is hire a life coach. This is not something we can afford, but can I really afford to risk wasting any more precious time? What if this step ends up being life changing?

I stumbled onto a Christian life coach who resides in the lovely province of Alberta. Her services are actually VERY reasonable and she offers more than your average life coach out there. Many offer limited e-mails per week but she welcomes unlimited e-mailing. Here's what she says about how she views her role as a life coach:

"My mission is to coach women who are in a season of life in which they are seeking new direction, a fresh start, challenging opportunities, spiritual growth, a new vision for using their giftedness and passions, and that by God’s power will help them become more of who they are meant to be, living life in all its fullness." ~ Jenell Pluim

Jenell and I spoke on the phone yesterday and at the end of our conversation, she asked if I wanted time to think about partnering together, or did I want to go ahead and get things started. The only appropriate answer was: let's do this!! She was so warm and understanding. She was easy to talk to. I think we're going to be a great fit. She ended with praying for me, and wow that truly blessed my heart.

"Not to dream boldly may turn out to be simply irresponsible." ~ George Leonard

a different kind of church critic

"As a pastor I hear a lot of emergent leaders talk about what is wrong with the church. It comes across as someone who doesn't love the church. I'm a pastor first and foremost, and I'm trying to offer a solution or a model of what church should look like. I'm going back to scripture and seeing what the church was in its simplest form and trying to recreate that in my own church. I'm not coming up with anything new. I'm calling people to go back to the way it was. I'm not bashing the church. I'm loving it." ~ Francis Chan, author of Crazy Love

Here's an amazing evangelistic video with Francis Chan. My daughter's only word at the end was, "wow". I plan to watch more of his stuff at YouTube.

my secret life as an organic & DIY beauty advocate

random photo via google.com
After 16 much loved years of being a stay at home mom, I've taken up a part time job. Yup. I'm a working girl now. Sure I'd rather stay home and pursue my creative endeavors to generate an income, but a regular income is tres tres nice. I know Jon appreciates it immensely! Still, in my heart of hearts, I'd rather generate an income through creating because goodness knows I can come up with the ideas. Working part time allows me lots of free days to do that and once the kids are back in school, I can dedicate some time to that.

My new job is a fun one. I'm a "Cosmetician Trainee". That's what's on my name tag. Yes, I work as a drug store cosmetician, and I love it. It's been a fantastic way to transition back into the work force. I'd always wondered what I'd end up doing to help with the bills after the kids were old enough. And let's face it, that's what this is, a means to an end. But I feel blessed to be able to go to a job where I'm interested in what I'm doing. The perks of getting free unused testers for makeup I can't afford isn't too hard to take either. I also work for and with a fantastic group of people. That's more than half the battle won.

I immediately, albeit temporarily, got swept up into the world of department store brands (translation: the brands that offer hundred dollar miracle creams). Still, there's a huge side of me that is anti-chemical, anti-preservative, anti-carcinogenic, anti-let's-get-your-skin-dependent-on-this-by-weakening-the-skin's-metabolism-through-breaking-down-its-natural-responsiveness.

Thankfully natural and organic brands are slowly but surely making their way into your local drugstore. Ones like Dr. Hauschka and Alba Botanica. I'll most likely become the go-to girl for those looking for a more unpolluted, healing and restorative approach.

random photo via google.com
In our house, my pattern sale money is my mad money. Yay! Paypal plus Ebay are great bedfellows and I tracked down some fantastic stores on Feebay that sell organic carrier oils and essential oils. I plan on making my own facial oils and my own deep conditioning hair masks. I love DIY beauty! Not only do you get a superior product, you save yourself literally hundreds of dollars. Yes you have to become knowledgeable about the science of skin, you have to formulate, mix, experiment, and store properly, but as my good friend Wendy says, it's "sweat equity".

My mailbox is now awaiting the arrival of palmarosa oil (stimulates cell regeneration), frankincense oil (for dry skin, wrinkles), lavender (tones and balances skin, promotes healing), and a few other essential oils. I also have some near legendary rosehip seed oil on it's way. It's the only natural oil that contains natural Retinoic acid (Vitamin A acid). It's a "dry" oil and is easily and quickly absorbed by the skin. It encourages cell regeneration. Sign me up.

"What we apply to the skin is just as important - latest tests have discovered that chemical substances may be found in the urine within 30 minutes of application of the skin. It is important to nurture the skin and encourage harmony by adopting an holistic approach, that is by treating the skin as an integral part of the whole body." ~ Lorraine Sutton

I hope to phase high hazard products out of my family's lives (rate yours here: Environmental Working Group's "Skin Deep" Cosmetic Safety Database). This weekend we bought a large bottle of paraben-free "Yes to Carrots" Shampoo from where I work and so far I love it! It gets rave reviews at MakeupAlley.com. I admit I have some practically new Redken, Joico, and Infusium 23 hair care products that my frugal side says I need to use up before I totally convert. :o(

Side note: I've happily resorted to making my own Vitamin C Serum that I use every night. It's super cheap, and is well loved by many DIY'ers!