Sue’s Weblog

The Current Special

August 20th, 2008

Last Day

Well, Today (8/20) was the last day of the 3 identical 2fer specials. If you missed out on the 6 massages for the price of 3, or 4 for the price of 2 or 2 for the price of one- depending on how many specials you could have bought for yourself, be sure to check my blog fairly regularly, so that you don’t miss out on the next specials.
We’re coming up on Winter Holidays. Now would be a great time to buy gift certificates: Buy One, get another at 50% off, from Oct. 1- Dec. 31
You can reserve them ahead, for a further discount from now until Oct. 1.
You can pay thru paypal, or by check thru the mail, or email or ph. in your C.Card #.
Be a friend to a friend and pass this on. Your friend can get the same deal and if they mention that they got it thru you, you will get kick-backs in the form of further massage discounts.
Enjoy!!

Team Boudicca will be performing at Relay for Life, after all, on the 14th. We will make an appearance simplified from what we had originally planned. My family and I will be camping there, and hope to see many friends from the community there, as well, but Team Boudicca’s “Skeleton Crew” will be on site, only, and only for a few hours.

I hope that you will all enjoy seeing us there.

Posted in Random Ramblings, 2fer deal, Deals N Steals | Comments Off

Change: The only constant; And more MASSAGE DEALS

August 11th, 2008

Well, it looks like Team Boudicca may not be at Relay for Life, after all. I’m terribly sorry if I’ve disappointed any of my readers. I’m especially sorry if any of my readers are as disappointed by this news as I was when I heard last night that many of my team mates are finding themselves too stressed right now, with everything else that’s going on in their lives, to take on the task of helping to make the Relay enjoyable for other participants.
Sometimes we all bite off a bit more than we can chew. Lord knows I’ve done this before, myself. On the other hand, if they’re really all that stressed by all the other things going on in their lives right now, then maybe it’s time for them to take a time out to focus their attentions on other people and causes bigger than any single individual. Sometimes doing so actually takes us out of ourselves so that we can come back to our hum- drum- work- aday lives and see where we’re over-programming ourselves, or using some hours of time unwisely.
Little changes can make all the difference. I recently changed the direction of the massage table in my office. Doing so did something to change some of my thought processes, in that first week after I’d done it. I came up with some very creative ideas for Toast Master speeches, and marketing techniques.
I also find that when I change my sleeping position in my bed, my dreams change………….in a big way. In some positions, I’m more the main character in my dreams, and in other positions, my dreams are purely conversational. In still other positions, I struggle more in my dreams.
So the lovely dream of Relay for Life is gone, for the moment, but not forgotten. My teacher and team leader has promised me that we will all be better prepared for it, next year, and because of the extra preperation, the team will be less stressed, and will more quickly, easily, and willingly get our collective act together, and be at Relay for Life with bells on.
There is still the Ren Faire at Casa de Fruta to plan for. Casa de Fruta is in Gilroy. Please be sure to watch my blogroll for more info. in the near future, because my “team” will probably be there. It’s in the works, now, and we should be there somewhere between September and November. We don’t know our dates specifically, but I’ll fill you in, as soon as I can.
I’ve recently added some new links to my blogroll. You should check them out if you’re interested in keeping busy by participating in other events around Sonoma/Marin. There is a huge variety of things to do, and if you were to check every link, you would find that you had at least 3-4 choices of different events to enjoy each day of the year. You may even want to put one of my links in your list of faves, so you can subscribe to it or click on it, at any time. Just remember to come back to my blogroll once in a while for more great links, and info. on what I’m doing w/ Troupe Boudicca, on an on-going basis, because I fully intend to be a perpetual student of belly dance and massage, and become a household name as both.
Now, if you’re wondering about my next massage deal, you’re in the right place. A friend/coach recently suggested that one day a month I should offer massage at the easy going price of $35/hr. for those who are feeling the mighty pythonic squeeze, these days that is our broken (by Bush) economy.
I believe that I will simply pick a day arbitrarily out of a hat, for that. I am going to say that it will be the 3rd Fri. of every month. My hours and massages will be the same, but the price will be a bit more affordable on those Fridays, for the sake of stressed out students, single parents, and anyone else who can just use a break on a good massage. Please pass this on to anyone that you think would appreciate the information.
As always I give discounts for referals: 10% off your hour for one friend that comes to me and mentions your name; 20% off for 2 and 50% off for any more than 2 referals that come in for a massage saying that you told them to come to me.

Posted in Random Ramblings, massage, supporting parents, ToastMasters, Deals N Steals, Boudicca, dancing, Relay for Life | Comments Off

DON’T TOUCH THAT DIAL!!!!!!!!

July 25th, 2008

Relay for Life is coming up, (SEPT. 13-14 2008) and will be at the Casa Grande High School Track in Petaluma. Ren Faire is coming round again, and will be at Casa de Fruta, (Sept.-Oct) I’ll be at both, in my guise as a really confident belly dancer. Yes, “guise” would be the word for it. I love it, and as long as I’ve been practicing, (3+yrs) I’m still more confident that I have much to learn than that I’ve learned half enough.
I’m really hoping that all my readers will feel free to join me (or come to heckle me) at both events, and I’m hoping even harder that my readers will help me get the word out about these two great events, because they both benefit great causes.
Relay for Life is all about raising funds for cancer research, and is sponsored by the ACS. (Amer. Cancer Society). Ren Faire is all about promoting the continuation of historical studies through re-enactment which can make it fun for everyone. When we buy something at Ren. Faire, like hand tooled leather goods, or other handmade crafts, our money goes to individuals instead of big businesses, and these individuals take pride in their work, and love what they do, and the money stays within the community a bit longer.
When you come to Relay for Life, be sure to pick up one of my glossy post card style coupons that will entitle you to an hr. long massage for just $49. If you buy a raffel ticket for one of my team’s gift baskets, the deal is even better, because among the treats you will find inside, will be a Gift Certificate for a FREE hr. of massage.
If you come tell me that you read this blog, and brought a friend to the event, You’ll both get a free half hr. of massage. If you bring 2 friends, I’ll give you a whole hr. of massage, and your friend will get a free half hr. All you have to do is bring a print out of this blog, when you come, to remind me that you came to the R4L. (Relay for Life).
You do the math. ;P (Winky laughing grin).
Ta.

Sue.

Posted in Random Ramblings | Comments Off

July 4th……….Again.

July 13th, 2008

The 4th is about patriotism, to most folks. I get that. At the same time, saying that it’s only about patriotism is a bit simplistic. When many people come together, in the same place, at the same time, to celebrate the same thing, inevitably, there’s a sharing that bursts spontaneously into existance, rather like the huge vari-colored lotus blossoms of sparks that hit the sky, when a wick is lit.
We sit on the lawn of the fairgrounds in Petaluma and our kids share toys, before the show starts, and we share snacks or even just small talk. Sometimes we go to our family home and share our kids across the fence, as they migrate from one patio to the other, or from one dinner table to the other, because our son won’t come in without the little girl next door.
So maybe it’s not just patriotism that we’re celebrating, but community, as well. After all, a Nation is simply a conglomeration of its small communities.
It’s too bad that our great Nation’s governing body seems to be forgetting the true make-up of it’s constituency in favor of those who can pay for special consideration, namely big businesses, like drug companies and the military.
How often does your government official invite your son or daughter in for dinner, because he or she is friends with his or her son or daughter? How often do they engage in small talk with you, as you and they watch the kids sharing beach balls on the beach?
Come home, Sonoma/Marin. Build up your own business, as well as those of your local small business people, as opposed to the big businesses that have our government in their back pockets. The big businesses don’t need our money. Our neighbors do.
I’m going out to shop my neighbor’s yard, Tomorrow, for some tie-dye tee shirts, instead of going to Macy’s or Mervyn’s. I’m going to do that, after I’ve given a massage in trade for some spa products distributed by one of my other neighbors. Yes, she distributes for a larger company, but when she and I trade product for massage, the government gets nothing of that transaction, and maybe I’ll pass on the product to a friend/client, later, turning them on to the product. My distributor friend gets something out of that scenario, too.
We all win, this type of transaction, except for the big businesses and government which is arguably a big business in and of itself. If more of us participated in even a small amount of barter and trade type business, eventually, our smaller businesses would be the ones with the money and power to influence our government, which has become something other than By The People, For The People, and created an interesting dichotomy attached to the celebration of the 4th of July.

Posted in Random Ramblings, massage, supporting parents, business | Comments Off

Additions and Subtractions Addendum

June 14th, 2008

http://www.sonoma.winecountry.com/special_interest/current_events/jun.html
Just added the above link to my “Sue’s Fun Picks”. It’s a great place to look for fun stuff to do all over the bay, actually, and not just in Sonoma, as I said in my description. It’s a great place to find places to stay as well, while you’re doing some of the fun stuff that you’ll find there.
You’ll also come across some of my own listings, on sonomawinecountry.com, as I’ve just registered with them. I strongly suggest buying into their site. It’s quite inexpensive, to advertise w/ them, at the bronze level. Only $25/yr. Their bronze package has a lot of benefits to it. They offer Silver, Gold and Platnum packages as well.
Hope you enjoy looking.
If you haven’t checked out my fun picks yet, there are some links that are really worth clicking, for a good chuckle.

Posted in Random Ramblings, http://www.sonoma.winecountry.com/special_interest/curr | Comments Off

Additions and Subtractions

June 12th, 2008

So my oils workshop cancelled, and I’ve added a new link to my site: Boudicca. This link is really a blast, as it’ll clue you in to performances of my belly dance teachers troupes; the one in which I’m a member, and the one in which I’m not, as I’m not yet instrumentally trained, and the other troupe is her band.
Performances by her troupes, and her events that include open floor dancing, are almost always local. (Sonoma County). You should definitely check out her blogroll, too, because it will turn you on to other sources of info. on performances, and festivities that are usually dance/music oriented: http://boudiccamusic.com/links.htm
Another addition to my list of current deals and steals in terms of massage is my current 2fer. Actually, I’m currently running TWO 2fers: Mothers Day and Fathers Day.
These TWO 2fer deals are identical, and the total cost of ea. deal is $70.
If you schedule for both deals, at the same time, I’ll discount the two deals so that the total cost will come down to only $130, instead of $140.
If you want to get in on either of both of these deals, just call before the end of July. I’ll run the same deal for 4th of July, and you can schedule anytime before Aug. 20th.
Another way to get a free half hour massage, anytime, is to sign up for one of my workshops. If you convince a friend to come along, you get a free hour, gift certificate, as the 2 of you walk in the door. You’ll also get a chance to get more connected to your community of local business women. Just ask me, if you’re interested in attending a Connections/Parent Pack meeting as my guest.
ToastMasters is great, too. It’s a small handful of really fun people who want to improve their speaking/leadership skills/confidence, in a warm, welcoming environment. We give eachother only constructive criticisms, as it’s not a classroom astmosphere, and after the second meeting of the mo. (the 3rd Th of ea. mo.) we go to Finbar Devines, for more fun and good food.
And speaking of food……..
If you’re like me and my son, and you have Celiac Disease, contact this woman, and ask about the seminar on the 28th: Jennifer Iscol info@northbayceliacs.org
Tell her that Sue Hirsch referred you.
Celiac Disease is a condition that causes your body to re-act badly to the ingestion of gluten. It’s a bit like having an allergy to wheat, but it’s a bit more complicated than that. When we eat anything with the protein that’s found in most flours, like wheat, white, barley, oats, rye, spelt, or kamut, my son and I have some real problems. It keeps us from being able to assimilate and use nutrients properly, after that, for almost a month. It strips the cilia from our intestinal tract, and then the cilia have to regrow.
Celiac Disease if often misdiagnosed, and can cover a whole host of symptoms. If you having problems with dairy and sugar, Celiac Disease could be at the root of those problems, and can trigger neuropathies, later in life, such as Alzheimers and ADD/HD and symptoms of what used to be called “retardations”.
Serious stuff, so if you have any suspicions, get a blood test, then have your kids tested, too. It runs in families.
Luckily, living gluten free is becoming easier, all the time, because it is becoming more commonly known, and the specialty grocery stores like Whole Foods and Trader Joes are keeping up by stocking up on products labeled as Gluten Free. If it says “Wheat Free” that doesn’t necessarily mean “Gluten Free” so WATCH IT!
There’s a great Magazine, that will get you started, because it has a good/bad foods list in the back. The Magazine is called: Living Without. It includes stories, letters to the editor, a Q and A section, recipes, the latest research and resources, etc.
The truth is that once you read this magazine, then do a bit more research and consciencious shopping, in the right stores, you won’t really be “living without” your favorite foods.
Enjoy!!

Posted in Random Ramblings, massage, Gluten Free, 2fer deal, Great sites, business, Connections, Parent Pack, ToastMasters, workshop, essential oils, June 12, Deals N Steals, gluten, celiac, Living Without, Boudicca, dancing,