Lady and the woods...

The new job is going well. They are keeping me busy which is good. Of course being the new kid on the block everyone wants to know your story. We all know I don't give up my story easily I have to decide if you are worth my story. They all want to know where I got my training, a few have seen me in action during couple massages and say things like, "Wow you have a very different technique!" and I feel them staring at me through the dim lights as I am trying to focus my intent on my client. I did however get a great compliment the other day from a client I worked on. Near the end of her massage she asked how long I had been practicing. I told her the truth that I had got my training six years ago and worked full-time for two years on it, and then took a hiatus for the past three years. "Well I certainly couldn't tell you had taken a break for three years. I feel wonderful!" I was very flattered to hear that, after being out of practice you always wonder if you still got what it takes. Apparently she liked my work so much she went to the front desk and told everyone who was up there, that I gave her the best massage she ever had! I was back in the breakroom preparing for my next client and one of the therapist comes out and says to me "I just heard one of your clients say you gave her the best massage she ever had" sounding surprised. All I could do was my nervous laugh. I don't take compliments well..lol. Right after that one of the receptionist came up to me in the hall and introduced herself. Said she just checked that client out and she left very happy, and she wanted to come meet me. Next day I had what felt like an off day. They happen, and maybe the universe is saying take your time don't grow to fast.

There is one therapist there, (there are about 20 or so total that work out of this place). I was told he books months in advance and that he was leaving and the other therapists were all upset because he brings in business and they won't get any of his clients because they all prefer him. I met him and he has a great energy about him, he made me feel the most welcome compared to the others. It can be a cut throat business at times, but if you are any good at what you do and you keep your nose clean and stay true to yourself you can go far. Sunday was his last day after having invested years in this place. He said it was time for him to move on and do his own thing. As I was cleaning my treatment room before my next appointment, he came up to me and asked about my technique, so I told him what I find works best for most of my cases. He asked me "Would you mind if I referred some of my clients to you?" This was a HUGE compliment. Being the new kid and being that I have been there a week and this guy is seasoned and in demand, for him to put my name on his short list with one other person to refer to I was in shock! He then introduced me to one of his regulars and told her to come see me and see how is goes. He explained that as soon as I said one particular thing ( I forget now) about my treatment style he said I knew you would work for my type of clients. I told him, that those are large shoes for me to fill, but I would give it my best! Then he said something that really resonated with me and hadn't given much thought and it was so simple. He looked at me and said "It's all about your intent." He's right it really is. I had forgotten that is the most important key in bodywork.

The signs are pointing in a direction, I just hope I like where it goes! I still have my doubts about myself, but that keeps me grounded in away, and I can't gauge yet how most of the clients are perceiving me, as one guy said that he has been in four times and had four different therapist eachtime, and everyone is different, but mine was the most different. So I keep hearing! I don't know if that is a good thing or not, and I didn't have the guts to ask for clarification. I must say I feel more at home when I get in the treatment room and get to work, and eachday gets a bit better.

Yesterday was my only day off with the husband so we decided to go for a nice hike. Paul found a nature preserve about 45 minutes away south east of here. So we packed a picnic and hopped in the car for a Sunday drive. You had to park at this family owned and operated "U-Pick" farm. Honestly there were no signs of the trail anywhere I guess that is how they preserve the land is you really have to know what you are looking for. We got a map and headed down the road past the peach orchard and between the corn fields and the soy field was a tiny brown arrow, that was the key to the trail. (Can you hear me now?)

You had to cross wetlands, and walk on planks through certain parts, and it was pretty humid in there and wet. I was slipping on leaves since they specifically said don't' wear shoes that will tear up the soil. Which makes sense I guess. You could tell not many people ventured in there lately. There was one other couple and they said they were only going as far as the wetlands. The further we got the more spider webs we walked into. Paul was ahead of me and he would be screaming and acting like some invisible man was trying to grab him. It was funny the first time, until it was every so many feet, and he was whipping his bandanna ahead of him to make sure he didn't walk in them but then I would get them on me! Finally we were so far in and I had had enough. I can get down with nature to a point but you really had to watch our step and Paul would take a step and then little frogs would fly across my path and I was worried about stepping on one. They blend in with the twigs and leaves so well that would have made me feel awful. We also saw a salamander and a giant hawk or eagle flew past us at one point which was pretty cool.
Finally I had to go to the bathroom so bad there was just now way I could go on. And there is no way this lady is going in the woods. No way! Paul convinced me to press on a bit further, I think he thought I was making up an excuse to get out but it was the truth! When nature calls! We came to a clearing on the ridge which I didn't even realize until that moment we were on a ridge and got a nice view of the Rhappahanock River.

We started to walk back out and just in time as it was drizzling, thankfully the trees sheltered us quite a bit. Eventually we made it back to the U-Pick farm. It really is a cute little place, they have a country store so we got some cool items there. You can feed the goats which I enjoyed. Paul got himself a fresh blackberry slushy and we sat in a couple of rockers on the patio and watched the clouds roll by. The main attraction was this giant white long bearded goat who looked like a goat version of Gandolf from lord of the rings climb up the ramps in the sky and eat his treats. It was hilarious because he was sitting on the lowest platform when we left for the hike and people were sending treats up the pully system and he would just be like "Yeah I will get it later thanks." Then all of the sudden he must have had a huge pile by now, you see him get up and the crowd of kids and adults run over to watch him. Who would have though that would be the highlight of the day!