If the ring fits...

I was sleeping in bed 3 days ago. My mother arrived to take care of my child, as usual, and woke us, as UNusual. I had my hands over my head and felt that my wedding ring was on my finger. I looked at my hand and it was not there. As my waking mind knows, I haven't worn, or been able to wear, that ring since September of 2005, when I was 3 months pregnant. I stood up, opened my jewelery box, found it and put it on.

Last month I squeezed it on, but couldn't get it off very easily and put it back. Somehow, my body and soul knew that my ring would fit. Isn't that interesting? My husband and I were separated... physically for 1 year, but emotionally for much longer. And it is only recently, since February, that I have been "falling in love" with him. And since I was away last weekend for almost 3 days, that I really like him and love him. Cool, hey?

Another cool benefit of my 3-day absence is that my big man and my little man are way more into each other. Everything used to be me with a little monkey hanging off my leg... or father throwing child in front of some dvd or other. I like the new thing.

Hubby started taking the product about 3 weeks ago. He turned to me the other day and said "I don't know what's wrong with me... I just keep craving salads!" He is a total OCD neat-freak. But i have noticed lately that instead of being an angry neat-freak, he's a happy neat-freak. It's so much more like the prize that it should be now!

He just casually stumbles in an hour ago and says "O really wants to talk to you about your stuff." Meanwhile, last month, he totally came at me with challenges and negativity from P and O because they were asking him questions to which he didn't know the answers. I learned never to get someone else to give the gift for you, and always get hubby to say "I'm not sure about the answer, why don't you talk to [me] about that?"

So I say "Oh, is that so?"

All I know is that I have lost body bloating, the inflammation and swelling in my hands is almost gone, and my heart is ready to be married and in love again. Sweet!

June 28/09 - Conference Take-Aways

1. OUTCOME - HELP PEOPLE - health and wealth
2. MESSAGES
1. The gift is invaluable - Don't give lightly
2. The opportunity for growth is limitless
3. The decision is the power
4. Liberate my relationship to money and success/abundance
5. Frequency of communication is what builds relationships (15 x 2mn > 30mn x 1)
3. INITIATIVES
1. Be impeccable with my word
2. Listen (Duct Tape)
3. Be more social (no tv)
4. ACTIONS
1. Talk to hubby and son about my 1-yr commitment and make our vision boards
2. Focus on 3 associates - M, H, D, N, Mn, S
   
3. Wed night leadership calls
4. Drop 1 day at work October - hours to A
5. Find fibromyalgia and/or chronic fatigue survivor to talk to sister
6. Find Spanish-speaker to talk to H
   
7. Full family team event Thursday night
8. Email Diamond (done)
9. Business cards (done)
10. Website (waiting for it to go live)
11. Email W about S (waiting til NF)
12. Email H about T (instead, bought and shipped)

Plateau or recovering from the Grind?

I have been feeling rather level for the past 2 days. It's been a bit odd as i have been experiencing such energy and enthusiasm for the past 3 weeks. On Monday, 2 days ago, i went with a friend and hiked a short, ultra intense local hike after work. It's called the Grouse Grind because there are no switchbacks, goes straight up and up for 1 to 1.5 hours. we did it really quickly in 1hour 6min! I jogged to work today and barely made it the 6km in 55minutes where i had been doing it consistently in 45. I have only jogged it twice in the past month including today.

But things are looking great. I got a compliment today that i'm looking slim. I am going to conference in a couple of week and am looking forward to the excitement.

Thanks for tuning in.

I'm in love.

Week 5.

I feel like i'm 10 years younger. That would be 28! Granted, I am not playing ultimate frisbee or mountain biking and injuring my body, but i'm movin' around... riding my bike and jogging sporadically. Here's how i feel: I am not watching tv and raiding the kitchen every night. i'm not even eating after supper. i think i was starving to death on crap food! i'm not interested in coffee. I am having more and better sex than i have in years. I am sleeping solidly 6-8 hours each night and i feel energetic. My excema is almost gone. The itchy times come and go so there is some scratching when i eat the trigger things. my gums don't hurt anymore (i am flossing regularly so i know i am happy and my hands aren't hurting). I don't feel angry (much :) ). Oh, and how could i forget? I have lost about 5 pound and that bloated feeling. How great is that?

Now that i am in love with this stuff, i can't imagine living without it... no matter how much it cost. I really want everyone i know to feel as good as i do. My dream is to help my sister get her life back. But I don't think i can do anything until she comes to me. She has chronic fatigue/fibromyalgia and chronic pain. She is only 36 and lives half a life. Here skeleton is degenerating because she hasn't got the energy to do any impact movement. She's like an astronaut on a space station with no gravity. My heart is broken every time i think of her lately. Before i couldn't bear to think of her because there was nothing i could do... but now, i feel like this could help. My mentor who is a naturopath has had amazing results with autoimmune trouble such as chronic fatigue and HIV. But she is trying some new meds and can't interfere with the trial period. I know she is also sick of trying things and sick of getting her hopes up and dashed again and again. And she worries that the insurance company for her LTD will see her being more active and trying to get better and cut off her income. I just want to cry. I will just wait instead. Then she will see the other people around her change and she will have faith in something again.

We are going out of the city tomorrow, so i must rest up.

BTW, i just organized all of the paperwork in my whole house. There was a lot! It sure is great to be able to tackle such things!

Thanks for tuning in.

Pssst. Ya wanna buy a letter "L" ?

Remember that shifty muppet on sesame street that was always sneaking around pushing stolen letters? Then grover says, in a charactistically loud voice, "A letter "L"?!?" and the sneak freaks out "SHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

i have just received my marketing materials... my "gifts," which are the samples we give in order to let people taste and learn enough to decide if they want to try the product for a longer time. The next step is a 90-day trial with a 100% money-back guarantee.

i have been struggling with the innate notion of, and aversion to selling. it's pretty funny that i, who didn't sell any of the chocolate bars in high school, yes, i ate them. All of them. It took 3 weeks, ok? Anyway, I, of all people, have opened my life to this line of business. I have been trying to slip it into the regular action of my life. I haven't found my authentic way yet.

after speaking with one of my mentors (an automatic bonus of this type of organization! he called me just because he thought of me and because i'm new), he told me that, in this business, i have the opportunity to work on my own mission. i get to work towards what i think is good, toward my health and freedom. I get to make my life into all that because i deserve it because i am sharing health and wealth with anyone and everyone in my life. i get to do what comes naturally: helping people feel better. what is cooler or more real than that? so instead of going out of my comfort zone... which i thought i would have to do, i actually have to get really really INTO my comfort zone. i imagine the discomfort will be in the semantics of expressing my joy and enthusiasm in a way that isn't scary. :)

that was all very deep. here is what i am experiencing with my body:

i feel energized. my 3.25-yr-old has decided that he likes his room and is sleeping there all night, so i am sleeping well once i get to sleep. i am having a hard time getting to sleep because my mind is both excited and terrified about launching this new venture! Even so, I am getting anywhere from 6 to 8 hours of real sleep, and i feel really great.

i have lost about 2 sizes in 4 weeks. i am eating better. as i said before, i have the energy to buy fruit and veg, prepare it and eat it... and my cravings for crap are a fraction what they were.

my skin is being very interesting. a month ago, it was on full alert all the time. i didn't know what specifically made it worse or better. i was always tired and felt stressed out, not for anything particularly unusual that everyone doesn't have... just really not peaceful. i am certainly allergic to stress. now, i am getting periods of clearness where i can wash my hands and put on moisturizer without wanting to cry. it clears up to about 80% for a few days, and then i hit one of the triggers: nuts, dairy, soy... on friday night, i was a the neighbour's and playing with the kids and sitting in the grass. i went home and had the worst attack i have had in a month. i had to get in the shower and burn it so i would stop tearing it up with my nails. But i learned not to sit in the grass until i cure this weakened immune system and my allergies go away.

my hubby says that he has been in a bad mood for a while and is bickering with me, waiting for me to blow up. And i'm not. And i said "Really? I hadn't noticed." I had noticed that he was getting angrier than usual because i wouldn't dance in that stupid game we used to play. Huh.

i don't want to be too graphic, but i have only ever been a one crescendo type of gal. i have been having at least 2 every time... that would be twice in the past week. i wonder if i can find multi? Is 2 multi?

the bottom line is this, i was ready and asking for a change. and my openness and positivity have invited this opportunity. i have taken the initiative to change my attitude and my life is falling into place... conspiring to my success. For example, my child just happens to decide 3 weeks ago that he feels safe enough to sleep in his own bed, in his own room? i, all of a sudden, have extra money to splurge on nutritional product? i magically apparated at least 3 intelligent, experienced, inspirational mentors that are helping me learn how to be a leader? NO! None of these things happened without my deciding to ("agreeing to ...") become healthy and wealthy. Yay "Law of Attraction"!

Sweet dreems.
v.

Kickin' it

Just want to pop in a quick note. I am learning to look for signs of improvement. It's funny how infrequently i actually check to see how i am feeling. Meaning, how the discomfort and disease came on gradually and felt normal. With those nasties leaving, i am still feeling like it has always been this way i.e. "good." Isn't that funny?

This week my friend had a baby and i have actually been able to help her in significant ways. I don't feel like i have done much of anything for anyone except for my child since he arrived over 3 years ago. It's great to be coming back to life!

I also stopped at the grocery store on the way home and felt neither burdened nor resentful of the pit-stop. I was actually really excited to pick up hemp protein for my smoothies (trying to figure out if it was tofu, rice milk, balsamic or dijon that have been bothering my precious skin), masa to make tortillas, 2 kinds of dried beans, dulce flakes for my salads, etc.

Parenting a pre-schooler can try anyone's patience... i am doing better lately. Thank god (or whomever).

OK. Now i really have to go to bed.

Thanks for tuning in. v.

And so it begins...

Tomorrow i am signing on the dotted line. My agreement to wellness will be official. I have been preparing for about a month but tomorrow i take the plunge... the proverbial leap of faith. I feel like i should be more nervous. But i am not alone and i have smart, like-minded people holding my hand, doing the work, guiding me and helping me. That's a pretty awesome feeling. i don't know where it will all go... but it can only be up.

Here is where i started a month ago:

Saturday May 2, 2009
Last night I decided to drop sugar – had 2 Turkish delight and that’s it. Today I attended a regional conference with Alix. Agreed to start taking the product. Told Hanan about my trying it and that I would let her know how it goes. She is also feeling fat and energiless.

Thought of my tag line: Agreeing to Wellness

My mama always told me, when i need to make a decision, make a list of the pros and cons. So here is my list of pros and cons:

PROS
• Get Vitality
• Make Money
• Work from home
• Residual income
• Can move to anywhere
• If you believe in what you are doing, you don’t have to sell… you are the product
• Share Vitality & Wealth with those you love

CONS
• Always thinking of “selling/recruiting” your friends – Particularly initially.

Ran to English bay with Omar. 55 minutes. Fast run from wind mobile to inuckshuck.

End of Day 1

Day 2

Monday May 4, 2009
Day 2 – had homemade brownie at work. No sugar in 1/2 a coffee. 1 Turkish delight

Day 3 - Inventory

May 5, 2009
Day 3 – I'm really excited to get started. I just realized 10 minutes ago (at 5 in the morning) that my feet don't hurt anymore. They were bothering me (big toe joint and plantar faciitis heel pain) since B was born. I have been jogging to work every tues and thurs since the 2nd week of march. I’m sure that's contributing to my depletion, aside from all of the benefits I am feeling from it. It's 6km and took me 55 minutes the first time. Now it takes 40-45, depending on energy level.

The night before the conference, I decided that I am not eating reckless sugar anymore. Like the mint in the sushi restaurant... I didn't eat it whereas usually I would have because it's there and that's what it's for. Now I want to have intentional sugar, no more than 1 thing per day... home made, etc. So far it's going really well. I'm so odd. I don't function on a "will power" model, I can only demonstrate "will" by making a decision. Once I do, then it doesn't take any will power (or very little) to follow through on the decision. Is that will power? I consider will power to be fighting against your own will. That never worked for me. Always had to change the will to suit the goal.

Boy, I sure have a lot of words for 5 in the morning.

May 5, 2009
Day 3 Part Deux – I wanted to record how I feel prior to starting.

Skin – excema on hands is fairly atrocious. I have been seeing a Traditional Chinese Medical Doctor for about 1 month. The redness is going down but the lesions are still pretty severe. Have been having terrible flare ups on my face (eyes, mouth). Pretty clear now, but 2 weeks ago was like Frankenstein. When we were in Mex in Feb, I had back-to-back cold sore attacks and heat rash/excema that would have ruined the trip if we had stayed a day longer.

Gums – my gums hurt. I get a pretty doom and gloom every time I see my hygenist. I have started flossing more regularly. I would say about 5 times per week. That pretty good. But it hurts. It's really hard to do when my hands have open splits.

Vision – my vision is noticeably worse in the past 3-6 months. I need to buy some proper sunglasses as I have new damage that wasn’t there at my last exam 4 (!) years ago.

Allergies/Nasal Congestion – I don’t get colds very often, but I have noticeable allergies through the pollen season (since march this year). Symptoms are less when not having much dairy.

Allergic throat reaction – Today I practically choked after eating mango. My throat was very irritated in a way I have never felt before. Plus itchy mouth. Similar reaction to apples and almonds and some others.

Joints - My feet, joints and body feel better than they have in years.

Candida - Haven’t had a full-blown yeast infection since b was born, but I felt it boiling up a couple of times and zapped it with boric acid! Thank the goddess on that one.

Energy – on a scale of 1 to 10 for my life as a mother, I would say 6 the past 4 days. 3 a week ago. On a scale of 1-10 of a healthy, energetic person (like my mom) I would rate me a 4 now and a 1 last week. I would like to be a 9 on the Mom Scale of Vital Energy

Stress – I hate to put it on paper, but I suppose the pressure of moving, traveling to Mexico and re-starting the house there, trying to put B in his own bed (and the sleeplessness with that) as well as B’s endless cold (Easter to TBD) have been really hard. On top of that, work is running out of $ and I may be out of a job, Omar, too and 2nd job needing more help through their audit, I have been pretty worn thin. Plus I miss my magical chiropractor. I will have to get to that soon.

Sleep – what can I say? I have a 3-yr-old who doesn’t have any concern for anyone’s sleep, including his own. I must commit to going to bed at 10. And at 8 one night per week. That would help everything else.

Exercise – Since the 2nd week of March, I have been jogging 6km twice per week to work. I only missed last week because the sleeping was so bad. We often jog on the weekend, too. At this phase, it has been taxing, but I intend to change that imminently.

Supplements – I take 2000 Vit D, 3gr fish oil, 2 probiotic. Bought Greens Plus last week, about 10 day supply. Should hold me til new stuff arrives. Plus the Chinese herbs for wind and blood deficiency. I wonder if I need iron? Azfir says lysine prevents cold sores.

Relaxation – I watch tv and read. I would like to fit some yoga in somewhere. Maybe I will get the work gang to pick up meditation again??

Nutrition – has been pretty messed up until this week. There were hardly any f or v. too much sugar and simple carbs. Have started eating smoothies in the a.m. Greens plus. Carrot and celery with hummus for snack at work. Switched to rice milk for the time being however I am finding it too sweet. I have been sticking to 1 sugar per day. Plus a home-made treat a couple of times per week. Today I had a whole batch of popcorn. Not for every day, but it was ok this time.

Weight – not sure. I am more than I was in Sept 2007, more than I was before xmas 2008. I am less than I was on my birthday mar 31 2009. I would guess around 190-195lbs. But not sure.

Overall Feeling – Tired and depleted. Although I have been feeling more positive and inspired since Saturday. I am anxious to see what can happen… in every way.

Sex Drive – not terrible. Still on the low side

Beauty/Fashion – I’m putting in about 40% effort. I am having a hard time keeping up with shaving... stuff just keeps coming back!

Water – I am doing about 6 per day. Maybe should up to 8.

Goals

Goal – I want to be hot. I should weigh around 160-170lbs. That would be about size 10-12. I want to wear a pair of high heels. Even if just for a little bit.

Goal – I want to become an associate in July and sign up my 4 team-members immediately: M, H, N, D and/or J and/or R
I have to go to bed.

Mother's Day - May 10 2009

Yesterday we ran from home to English Bay again. I did my run on Tuesday but missed Thursday because B didn't sleep Wednesday night. So yesterday, we did the ~9km run in 55 minutes. I stopped at the Sunset Beach concession. There was a fair head wind. I am pretty happy with 55 minutes on a Saturday morning. Then we walked all the way back home. Pretty much a 20km round trip.

Wore fluevog 2 inch heels and feet didn't hurt. !!

I ordered the product on Monday. I am hoping to get it in the mail tomorrow. I feel like this is going to be IT.

Victoria Day - May 18 2009 - Day 7 on supplement

So, i think my hands and elbow are clearing up. We all have a cold, but mine is the least. Baby slept at Gramma's house on Saturday night, so Omar and i got a really good sleep. Last night was OK. So i feel pretty good today. Plus, it was really sunny and warm yesterday.

I am eating better and don't feel totally depleted any more. I don't know if it's because the product is making me feel better or if i know i am spending a lot of money on it and am making the extra effort for it to work. Either way, whether by chemistry or by inspiration, it's working.

My mouth and gums feel better. I had chocolate in the house for 3 days without remembering or looking for it. I didn't watch tv all week. I have started eating smoothies and salads. I think i am allergic to nuts. i don't know about peanuts. On Wednesday, i had supper with Dagne and ate cashews in my supper. Later, i had a terrible flare-up. My elbow was red, swollen, blistery and itchy as hell. Later, i will get my new photos for this document.

I cleared out the downstairs to prepare it for an office/sewing space for me. Yay!

May 19-20

Candida flare up - fixed with boric acid. ate too many dried tropical fruit at mom's and was eating a lot of sugar. Stopped the sugar binge and it cleared up right away.

May 23 2009 - Day 13 on supplement

Friday night and i am really tired but am really excited too. I met Wendy today on the phone and she really inspired me to give it a go. I am interested in Bill and his doings, I learned that you get your Team to answer the questions, I decided to go to the conference in june and to join at the highest level. I also spoke to preet this week and she was interested. Also i am on doula duty for Jodi's baby birth so i am pretty busy.

Here are some of my indicators of health:

I am flossing almost every night

I have chocolate in the house and am not eating it all.

I was chasing B on Hastings and wasn't getting winded.

Using ear plugs and sleeping better.

When i get the whole pack, i am going to get Omar on it too. I am excited to try all of the products. I invited Hanan and Preet to the presentation on Thursday night.

Wendy said i am in a really good situation and location for getting going quickly. We have the Thursday night presentations, we have Angie and Neil, we have a virtually untapped market in Vancouver and Canada and we are situated in the perfect market for Wellness and Baby Boomers!

good night!

Sat May 24 2009 - Day 14

I found out my weight at Dr Wendy's: 193.5lbs

Also, I have a modified list of my top 4: P, H, M, N, D and J. Some of them don't think it's possible at the moment, but I will give them time.

I just got the starter kit in the mail. i am going to check that out now.

v.

Friday May 29 2009 - Day 19 on supplement

I went to the Thursday night presentation yesterday. it would appear that all i need to do is bring people "to team" as Wendy put it.

here is what i am experiencing in my body:

• sleeping: I am up at 6am feeling refreshed.
• Basti is sleeping all night and Omar didn't snore last night
• aside from being awake at night with excitement and planning my career (I think I was worried)

• nutrition: I have been eating salads and smoothies every day. specifically, I HAVE THE ENERGY TO GET INGREDIENTS FOR, MAKE AND EAT fruit and veg.
• excema: back at 70%... it was down to about 40% through the baby delivering days (Sunday and Monday may 25)
• having noticeable triggers. it all used to meld together, but i am finally seeing (able to see?) the triggers in a really immediate way. Sugar, coffee, nuts and dairy are pretty much a ticket to a red, itchy, water-bubbly outbreak. Dairy further makes my respiratory tract congested for trying to breathe at night.
• Water, soap and moisture creams are still pretty difficult
  
• flossing: almost every night which means
• I am happy
• my hands are in satisfactory condition that the thread doesn't cut my skin
  
• energy level: about 7/10 for my life, 5/10 on the Mom/hummingbird scale.
  
• mood: Omar said that in his bad moods lately, he is acting out and waiting for me to blow up too, but I'm just not doing it. Hmm. I didn't realize. I am glad I have a witness for my changes.
• weight: Yesterday I wore a pair of pants that i haven't been able to wear comfortably in 3 months. Yay!
• Omar says: my face looks good and he thinks i'm happy.
• Kinked neck: I forgot that i used to have a kinked neck every month or 2 from about July through December. That seems to have gone away.
• sore throat: just not kicking this one, have had it all week. we'll see!
  

I want to talk about my business experience and plan... but not right now.

I want to start getting ready for the day while the bunny is still sleeping

**That's it for the record of the past. All future posts will be "real time." Thanks for tuning in.**