I'm still here (and there and there and there)

I fear my blog's feelings my be hurt.  Real life has been large and in charge these days and I fear I can't give bloggy my undivided attention just now.  I'm hoping she'll forgive me. 

I guess that's the cycle of things.  Ebb and Flow and all that.

2010 is turning out to be the year of Epic Aromatherapy Education.   Here's my travel/class agenda so far:

January: Florida 3 day workshop - Chemical Component Blending

February: Florida 5 days - Advanced Graduate Aromatherapy Program

March:  Florida 5 days - continuation from February

April:  Florida 5 days - Advanced Teacher Training

May:  NY 5 days - participate in Aromatherapy Certification Program as part of my Advanced Teacher Training (I'll be offering this class through my own aromatherapy school in the Spring of 2011)

June:  NY 5 days - continuation of May class

July:  NY 5 days - continuation of May/June classes

July:  NY 3 day workshop - Aromatic Blending.  This one I'm taking as fun play weekend with my husband!

In addition I've been doing case studies, working on taking Liz's Garden Aromatherapy to a new level with branding and building a web presence.  And now I'm in the process of creating an aromatherapy school.  I'm working on a name for it and welcome ideas.

And, of course, life marches on around me.  Our precious Bean visits every weekend and we do things like go sledding, throw stones and just be in the moment.  My massage practice supports my education habit and once in a while I remind James that he has a wife by cooking a nice meal or going on restful retreats.    I try to keep my own inner child alive by working on my soulcollage(r) cards and my artjournal.

Fragrant Fridays will still appear (when you least expect it) and I'll continue to share all my experiences along the way. 

So please be patient dear blog and all my wonderful readers if I don't post and don't comment everyday.  I'm still here and still reading, enjoying and being nourished by your wonderful blogs.

And I don't remember when I've been happier.

Rest, Renewal and Delight

James and I spent a tranquil weekend in this little building at The Hartman Center in Milroy, PA where we attended a Peaceful Weekend Retreat.  The retreat was designed to follow nature's lead into stillness, quiet and inner reflection.  There were fourteen participants.

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Much of the weekend was spent in this common room in meditation, yoga stretches and gentle Qi Gong movements.  The yoga just about did James in.  He tried one session then opted to walk in the woods which is more his style of 'yoga' anyway.  I surprised myself by being able to sit relatively still for the meditations. 

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We spent considerable time gazing silently out the window at this restful winter perspective, connecting with trees, snow, shadows and the few critters that would briefly show themselves.

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There were contemplative art activities which we did as a group and there was free time for me to play in my art journal.  There was one activity that I found insightful.  We walked around a table covered with photographs of winter.  We were to choose the picture that we felt drawn to.  I chose a snowman with spruce "hair" and bits of tree in it's "hand".  I've been examining my playful nature and whether it gets in the way of teaching.  From this photo, I got the message that it's okay for the plants and I to be playful in the classroom on our journey of teaching about essential oils.

(CLICK ON PHOTO FOR LARGER IMAGE)

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Each evening from 9 p.m. until 9 a.m. we were in Noble Silence.  No speaking, no gesturing, no eye contact with the other participants.   James teased me that I would probably burst after one hour.  I did okay until Sunday morning when I began chatting with James at the breakfast table.   He just looked at me, amused.  I suddenly remembered and clasped my hands over my mouth.  My intentions were noble, if not my actions :-)   Within a short time, Jen, Joleen, James and I began to get squirrely at which point we disintegrated into the Noble Silence Rebels.

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We ate all vegetarian, gluten-free, organic and very delicious

meals in this restful dining room

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It was good to be away from cell phones, computers, TV and other outside influences that bombard us daily, removing us from ourselves. 

 

The Face Emerges

My husband surprised the beejeepers out of me Friday evening when, with no forewarning or announcement of his plans,
he walked into the kitchen looking like this:

It turns out there's a nice face under all that beard, complete with dimples.

 

Why is it that boys, of any age, have to ham it up for the camera?

Before

After

We both think the droopy hat goes better with the brush.


I know this won't last so I'm enjoying it while I can. 

My non-conformist husband

One of my favorite aromatherapy students, Jennifer Cifelli, has become a good friend of my husband (James) and I.  She and James speak frequently on the phone.

Last Saturday, James went to the mailbox and came back to the house clutching a package and sporting a mischievous grin.

"I got a present, I got a present" he sang.  "Oh? What is it and who is it from?" asks the wife.

"Jennifer made me something" he said as he tore open the padded bag.  He looked inside, gave a little whoop and pulled out....

...this hat.

Now if you know my husband, you'll also know that wearing something like this isn't unusual for him.  He's a 47 year-old hippie and known to sport some bizzare outfits.  Once while we were walking a street fair in NYC he bought a sarong, took off his jeans and put the sarong on right there in the booth.  He said it was cooler than his jeans.

He really loves his new droopy hat and when I asked if I should expect dreadlocks, he just gave me a wink.