My two days of rest!

I stopped blogging for a reason. I have had many “baths”, many cups of teas, many prayer times and moments, many meals, many conversations with locals and the owner, Laurie Cox. I thought I would be on my computer a lot more, and that is not so! This makes me happy! I am writing even into the later hours of the night tonight. This actually makes the title seem pointless; it’s been three days since I posted.

Friday I got here, you read how excited I was, and then it’s as if the days have flown. One person I talked to on Friday said, “You are going to get so bored!” Nah, this is my jam….this is how I roll these days. I have stayed busy and resting at the same time. During this time I knew I was committed to my two clients for coaching. I love being able to still “work”, yet rest and “do what I want” while doing the coaching work. The coaching work consists of emails, texts, and short calls. One client, who is helping me ground myself in starting this business requires a little bit more words and those calls could run up to an hour. Which I love, blessed to be able to have from this little piece of Heaven on Earth, and to be available to someone with full attention and commitment to my client.

I posted pictures of just the first floor, but on the Stroppel Hotel website there is a great gallery of pictures that look better than mine. The owners at least photographed the upstairs and rooms. I didn’t even get that far; too many other things to do! The photos on the site don’t have pictures of the new bedding added recently. Let me tell you something….this building might be from 1880, it might need some paint and some fixing up, but the foundation is good and strong. Add the brand new bedding and I fell in love. The mattress pad is a fluffy, two inch thick, covering to the bed that makes me feel like I’m on a cloud. The sheets and comforters are bamboo. Heavy, but not too heavy. I feel warm and snug, but not over heated at night. The weather is just like any Midwest weather around. It was cool the first day, frigid at night, then there has been some of the highest temps this season. Tonight, as I am typing I can feel the wind coming from the North. This only means I will be feeling the cooler temps coming on tonight and into tomorrow. I saw it’s supposed to be down to 36 degrees tomorrow. Yep, definitely Midwest weather. Thank goodness I packed all seasons in my bag or I would have been running around naked (Which I wasn’t…hehehe) the last couple of days. As for the cold, I already knew I needed jeans and sweaters, so those were packed already before really preparing.

The “plunges” are amazing. I will continue to only do the 107 degree “plunge”; I am still only up to about 12 minutes at a time in the water, and I am pushing my personal limits on that time. Laurie stated that there were some locals who can stay up to 30 minutes in the 110 degree “plunge”….What?! For me that wild, but when it’s cold here in the winter it’s the best thing ever. I feel light on my feet, I feel more relaxed, and for some reason my prayers are stronger, more focused, and bringing me more rest or information. Along with the “plunges”, Laurie, is working out the details for spa packages. She has asked me for feedback, suggestions, and support for getting clear on her vision. This is an absolute honor. The spa packages include different amount of “plunges” at different prices (like Buy 5 get one free), or extra, big, fluffy towels, slippers and the best additions are the massages and massage therapists available when called.

First night here I requested for Laurie to contact as many of the massage therapists available. I wanted all different kinds of techniques available to me. With it being Easter weekend I was for sure the requests weren’t going to be filled until Today or Tuesday. Two women, who do different techniques and have two completely different styles were available Saturday afternoon and then Monday-Thursday for me. Since there aren’t many people here now, and me being the only woman around doing spa items, it was as if I ordered these services, and got them at my beck and call. Tina and Aminga, both wonderful, strong, talented, women came Saturday when called. I was on the massage table for four hours straight. It was the best massage therapy I had ever received in my life. Both women worked different areas at different times. I felt like a Queen for those four hours. There was hisses, ah’s, oh’s, crying, pain, release of pain, relaxation, talking, and when I was done I was in awe of both of these women. Each stating they had never done a session that long, loved working with me, and said, word for word, “You must be someone important to be able to call both of us in to work on you.” I asked, “Isn’t that normal massage sessions for you?” Oblivious to the fact that not everyday does two people work on one person for massage therapy. They stated, “They had never done that type of massage session before; ever.” I giggled and thought to myself, “well that’s how I roll.” What an ego booster if there ever was one. And I must stay humble; I can only be “important” if I continue to stick to my commitments, goals, integrity, and schedule with my clients. They keep me humble, they remind me “I don’t know everything,” yet still see the changes happening for them so quickly with our work together. They remind me of my true calling – to serve others while loving myself, loving them, and moving forward in a positive way.

Conversations continued about businesses, journeys, prayer times, visions, and that all of us were on a journey to be guided by the Holy Spirit. The talents that came to the table, the stories of loss, grief, divorce, children, grandchildren(not me; thank goodness), pets we have, the journeys we’ve had in the past two or three years collided into laughter, support, love, and clarity for going forward in each of our lives. I have had great experiences with female friends and sister-in-laws, but this was as if I was adding three more to my family. Different cultures, different backgrounds, different educations in all of these women, yet all left their vocations to pursue lives that they LOVE! Love in the spirit, love guided by God, Love for other women and men, and it was freaking amazing!

More has happened, more will come, and I need to rest now. I will write more tomorrow. Love, Carrie!