Finding Beauty...

Mostly I don't like graffiti but there's something about this picture that I absolutely love! Probably has a lot to do with the colour of the paint. What do you think?

Shifting Gears...and listening to the universe!

My most frequent phrase used these last few months is, "I guess the universe has other plans for me". I thought that things would look different right now. I thought I was ready to move on and do something new. The universe had other plans. But, you know what? That's ok. I'm rejuvenated and excited about the future again. I love what I do and maybe I just needed a kick in the pants to let me know that I'm not quite done on that journey. In the meantime, I'm not putting my life on hold until...
I used to do that around my weight: I'll wear that swimsuit when I'm thinner, or I'll go kayaking when a miracle happens tomorrow and I lose 20/30/40 pounds.
I'm moving forward with some other projects that will only enhance my life and make me a more happy, healthy and grounded person. I'm more focused on the goals and clearer about the path. That's gotta be a good thing - right, universe???
Check out my "Pretty Please Boutique" page on facebook.

10 Years Ago a Dream Was Born...

10 years ago at the beginning of October, bodacious was born.
10 YEARS!
that's just under a quarter of my life.
it's 1/2 of the time i've been with my george.
it's 10 years that changed my world.

i never knew what the business would look like or how it would grow.
finding our first location, selecting the name (so exciting!), painting our new digs (gotta find those pix), our first sale (we still have the $5 bill framed) and thinking this was the best.store.ever!
and it was...to us (which is all that mattered).
we were revolutionary in what we were offering women and we heard that feedback all the time.

i never imagined the successes we'd have or the experiences we would share.
i also couldn't have known the challenges that owning your own business would bring.
sometimes it's REALLY hard. (today is one of those days:)
it's been a phenomenal roller coaster ride - just when we thought we had things figured out, a new challenge would present itself and make us rethink the plan. and we did. we grew with the business and it (along with the customers) guided us through. we worked through our fears and maintained a friendship through some very trying times.
but...that's life, isn't it?
it's a roller coaster ride through experiences that hopefully help us grow and become wiser and better functioning human beings.

there is a new chapter being written now.
our bodacious baby is nearing it's teens and needs some love and gentle guidance.
i'm not sure exactly what the plot is or how this book/adventure will end for me.
time will tell.
in the meantime, i'm going to appreciate the blessings and the growth and the support.
your support helps a lot!

One more sleep...

Well, it's been 5 sometimes long/sometimes shockingly short weeks since I saw my George off at the airport to go on his 900 km pilgrimage in Spain. I didn't know what that separation would feel like or if the time/distance might make me feel differently. I guess my biggest fear was that it might make him feel differently.
Well the good news is, I believe it has done that to us both. Even before he left, there was a new sweetness there in anticipation of our separation. In our time apart, that feeling has only deepened. Through our facebook "chats", I believe we've discovered even more about our love and friendship. It's that, yes, we want to continue sharing our lives together and that experiences shared are even that more precious!
I'm certainly not suggesting that he wishes I was there for his walk. That was his journey...his dream. But I think the knowing that we'd be together at the end helped him too. Tomorrow I will fly to Madrid to meet the love of my life! I can't wait. I believe there are great things in store for us both and we are blessed to have our love and desire to share those together!
Ciao for now, my friends! Thanks to all for your love and support.

Oh yeah...Go Spain Go!!!

gibsons marina

it's hummingbird season!!!

after hearing many hummingbirds whizzing around our heads during our walk around the block tonight, i finally took the hint and filled up our feeders. i think it was a bit too late tonight but i'm sure they'll be back tomorrow morning for their fill and i can't wait! happy sunny days to you all. i hope to be back and a bit more consistent...but you never know:)

the posts are coming...

i got a new camera on the weekend! my old one broke about a month ago. i was considering taking the leap into something bigger with more options but loved my old one so much. just being able to always have it in my purse whenever i was ready to capture the moment (and i thought the picture quality was really pretty good!). so, this is just a new and improved version - bigger zoom, more pixels and some other updates. and...it's a really pretty blue:)
i haven't been inspired to blog because i haven't been able to take any pictures so...look out - i'll be back soon with some updates.
in the meantime, check out this site/workshop. i'm considering signing up for the fall course. looks pretty fun and inspiring!http://www.mondobeyondo.org/index.html

Lazy Sunday...

Hello friends! George just asked me why I don't blog any more so I thought I'd post an update on my whirlwind life these days. Things are moving fast and furious down at Molly's Lane where we set up a Bodacious booth in April. Last week I moved into an even larger space and on September 1st, we'll be setting up in the largest available space there as the woman who is currently there is vacating. I think it's almost as big as our Vancouver store and much less expensive so...very exciting and a great new challenge! In the meantime, I'm trying to get the word out here on the coast that we're here. Yesterday, that meant a first ever fashion show with a new friend/co-vendor, Verna (who's also been kicking my butt at boot camp:). Here are some pix for you.


We've also been enjoying getting to know some new friends. We've had a few weekends in between guests which left some time to actually get to know some locals. Lots of events including Gibsons Jazzfest, Sunshine Coast Youth Idol, frequenting the oyster bar down at Gibsons Harbour called Smitty's, and last night after the fashion show, we shared some wine, dancing and laughs with friends while listening to music in the park. So much better than I could have even hoped! Last weekend we even managed to go for a couple of quick dips in the ocean with my brother and his family. (quick because it was freakin' cold!!!) We've found our new favourite spot down at Robert's Creek beach and I can't wait to have a sunset dinner there sometime soon. Today however, is a dedicated lazy Sunday. A bit of housecleaning just so I can enjoy being here but that's about it. We did get to meet our new god-puppy (we're the god/dog-parents), Bean, this afternoon just after our lovely friends picked him up. Wheaton/poodle cross - soooo cute!

And that's about it - for now. How the heck are you?

Feeling Groovy...

I've had a hard time smiling lately. I hadn't even noticed it but now that my mood has shifted back to normal, I realize that I just went through a bit of a low spell. To look back at it now, it feels like it was some kind of protective sheild I put around myself in order not to be hurt but I have no idea why. Yesterday and today I feel like I have some new energy - smiling easier, laughing and even wanting to dance around the house. Funny when you're in a funk, sometimes you don't even know it. I know that I have no reason to complain and I'm not. Maybe just the crazy changes through the worst winter in 40 years somehow caught up with me - but anyway...I'm back and it feels so much better! There are crocuses coming up in my garden, the buds are sprouting on my brand new lilac tree and my family is coming to visit this weekend. It's all good! I'll post some pix once I get my own computer back (hopefully tomorrow). There was an amazing sunset coming home on the ferry last night!
Happy hump day to you!