Good Signal, Good Coffee - How Sweet It Is!

Sunday mornings are good when there is a good signal for Internet access, a good hot cup of coffee and loved ones nearby. I've finally relaxed enough to have an old fashioned Sunday morning which doesn't have to do with work. I've been trying to release some of my responsibilities so I can have a life and I think today I am starting to feel the benefits . . . finally!

Yesterday, I fiddled around with my website and added a FusionBot search my site function to http://www.thecrystalgarden.com/. I have 2 close friends who revel in such accomplishments so I sent them an email titled, "Nerdette Gone Wild!" It strange to me when I observe myself being over joyed by such an accomplishment. Now you can type in a keyword and find all the pages within my site that relate to that keyword. It'll be a great help for customers who want to find a particular event. We have so many and now the site is much more user friendly.

I've attended yoga classes two days in a row. Now I'll be off to the gym to continue my self-care. It makes me think of Cheryl Richardson's new book called Extreme Self Care or something close to that. It's on our shelves at the shop. I can see it in my mind's eye in the hallway on the north wall facing out. I have taken the title and applied it to my life. Thank Goodness!

I am making a play list on my ITunes so I have fun music to listen to while working out. I'm going to download my new CD, Think Good Thoughts: Positive Affirmations for Everyday Living, to listen to while I work out as well.

. . . 'tis the Season!

Aaaahhh - the joys of the Holiday Season. Or is it just a shopping frenzy? I am so grateful to have The Crystal Garden which is definitely a sanctuary any time of the year yet at the holidays it seems to be extraordinarily special. I've shopped in person and online this year. It wasn't too bad because it appears I either pick the right time to go into a store or people aren't buzzing at the mall this year due to the "shrinking economy."

We must be doing something right at The Crystal Garden. It isn't shrinking at all. It's expanding daily. This year's numbers YTD are definitely up over last year. So why is my business doing well? I'd have to guess because of our genuine intention to serve and help people have a happier more fulfilling life. I say "our intention" because it's not just me! It's my whole staff. Every single one of us - Pam, Dawn, Tecia, Chrissy and myself - we all want to assist you. Not just shopping your way through the store (although that's great and thank you) but to help you feel the love and well-being that each and everyone deserves.

People audibly sigh when they enter our doors. We maintain a "no cell phone zone" and usher people out to take their calls on our front sidewalk with our live lucky cats. They return to continue their shopping with their cell phones silenced so everyone enjoying the store can have a respit from the sounds of cell phone rings!

It also smells so good inside The Crystal Garden. Our customers comment on that all the time.

Many people come to visit with Sha Nay, my blue and gold macaw. She is definitely a character and quite good looking. But Mikael, the white dove, is also a phenomenon! Mikael is 19 years old, flys around the store and laughs and coos. This peace dove has a new trick. He sits on top of the earring spinner rack, removes the peace sign earrings from the earring card and then looks at you and laughs! What a kick!

He's no ordinary bird!!! We love all our animals.

Anyway, it's time for me to get ready for a yoga class. I'm going to try to take today to rest. I'll be working straight through til Christmas. Aaaaaa . . . tis the Season!

Merry Christmas!

Thoughts on Being . . . . Superwoman!

Mama Mia! I am constantly amazed at how much I get done, how much work I still have yet to do, how much more I accept to do, and how much I want to just sit and read a good book under my favorite quilt.

One of my staff at The Crystal Garden has convinced herself that I don't sleep at night but instead, plug into a wall socket to recharge as I keep on going. My best friend, Melissa Applegate, thinks most humans can do only 20% of what I accomplish. So, now I'm bragging a bit, yet it feels good to pat myself. I can hear my mother from the Other Side saying, "Margaret, SPS! Self Praise Stinks!" The thing is - I'm not so sure it's a compliment to be over-the-top the way I am with working on so many things.

There is a downside. I love to garden and despite my distant admiration, my garden continues to bloom and grow. I know some weeds would like to be pulled. I also know it's time to feed my plants their fertilizer. (For those of you reading who don't know - I live in South Florida. It's good to fertilize when the weather cools down - it's 77 degrees! HA!)

Lately, I have been pausing to attend my yoga classes. I have a great instructor, Mary Rosi, at my store, The Crystal Garden. I like the realignment the class provides to me. My body feels stronger, my mind is clearer, my emtions more balanced and my connection with the spiritual realm is reinforced. It makes for a better yoga practice when Mary suggests to dedicate the practice for that given class to someone or something that is important to you. This is a very effective tool. I've dedicated my practice to my manuscript, Crystal Consciousness, which is soon to be published by Llewellyn Worldwide. You may want to get on my mailing list so you can be in on the first copies that hit the shelves. Sign up at info@thecrystalgarden.com

I've also dedicated my practice to my father, Al Lembo, who is 95 years old. WOW! He's an amazing man and I've learned so much from him. If it wasn't for his generosity, financial support and constant you-can-do-it encouragement, we all wouldn't have The Crystal Garden today. So cheers to Al Lembo and my mother Antoinette. (She's guardian spirit now . . . .) I believe I got my super powers from my family heritage. My father always had many jobs going on at the same time and so does my brother today. It must be coursing through my veins to accomplish all that I do.

Yet I must say, I really love it! I'm very creative and I feel I have a mission. I know I only have a specific time frame in which to achieve it so I have to hurry up and get it done. I am Divinely Guided so I can't ignore the responsibility to serve my fellow humans.

• I know I must continue to publish books, oracle decks, spoken audio CDs and more.
• I know I must assist my fellow retailers, authors, vendors on a national level by serving as President for the Coalition of Visionary Resources.
• I know I must run my father's businesses to ensure the funds to care for him and preserve his work for my sister, my brother and I.
• I know I must be a good friend and partner to my sweetheart Vincent.
• I know I must be a good family member to my cousins, neices, nephews and more.
• I know I must be a good friend to my friends.
• I know I must be a good manager and leader for my staff and the community.

So, I'll stop and plug in for a while, re-charge and revitalize!!! I don't look too bad - actually I look marvelous! I'm smiling at YOU!

Truth be told, I'm off to my chiropractor and then to Macy's. See I do stop and play a bit!

Many Blessings,

Margaret Ann