Roll-On, Deep Relief, Roll-On

A few weeks ago I was fighting a cold. You know the kind: you wake up in the morning with a dry throat and spend the day hoping it doesn't turn into anything, only to learn by the end of the day that all that hoping would have been better spent on world peace.

This time, something as simple as a dry throat became so much more as it clogged the sinuses and created the sensation of an elephant sitting on my face, an elephant that starts kicking and stomping every time I attempt to bend over.

The problem with my colds is that it doesn't end there, my colds always travel to my weakest area - my ears.

I proceeded with my usual cold treatment of drinking extra water, Eucalyptus Globulus slathered over my neck and throat, and wish for more sleep. Oh, and maybe some cursing towards modern medicine for not figuring out how to actually cure the common cold.

Then I got my monthly Young Living order and even though I'd forgotten what new thing I'd decided to try, I was excited to see one of their new roll-on essentials oils blends - Deep Relief. It's actually formulated specifically to help with muscle relief because of the essential oil combination it contains (including peppermint, balsam fir, wintergreen and more); but, I figured it couldn't  hurt to put it on my neck along the area of Eustachian tubes in hopes things would start draining better than it had in a few days.

Immediately, I felt my congestion loosen and the pressure in my face relieve a little bit.

I can't say that it made my cold go by faster, but I can definately guarantee that it made it a little more bearable. And, it was nice taking off the cap and actually just rolling the oil onto my neck without having to worry about what might still linger on my hands after each time I used it.

Along with the cold symptom relief, it's also come in pretty handy warding off possible tension headaches after a long day of massaging.

It's safe to say it's another oil I'll make sure I never run out of.

Welcome, Katrina

A new year often spurs changes. Some changes are a result of things we didn't like of the previous year and we don't want to re-experience; other changes are just a way of moving forward.

One change Reconnecting will be experiencing is of the latter, a movement forward:

There were a handful of days during the last few months of 2008 I noticed a significant increase in business for which I could have used a little bit of help. After much thought, I decided it would be a good idea to contract another therapist to help with the occasional overflow of clients as well as assist with the increasing request of couples and/or friends coming together for a massage.

And, much as it always happens when we're accept-ant of change, I met Katrina who recently finished school and was looking for a place to build her own clientele.

Katrina graduated from CUP's Venango Campus 600 hour Massage Therapy Certification program in August of 2008.

Although she is currently an employee at a local care-giving business, she also offers massage on an on-call basis at the Clarion River Lodge in Cooks Forest. She's anxious to start building a regular clientele at Reconnecting and has already started seeing a few clients of her own as well as helped with a few couples/friends massages. All the clients that Katrina gains from her own hard work at advertising or from Reconnecting's overflow of business will remain her clients as long as she's contracted with Reconnecting (additionally, all clients already seen by Donna will continue to be considered her clients and only seen by her).


Katrina has a strong technique and a passion to learn through teaching and experience. She's not fully sure of where she wants massage to take her in life; but she's considering additional training in massage for Cancer patients.

If you've already seen Katrina for a massage and enjoyed it or felt better afterwards, don't forget to reschedule. And, don't forget to tell your friends and family.


Open House

We kicked off December with an Open House on the 5th, opening our doors at 12:00 pm and welcoming people well past 7:00.

The waiting area was adorned with a simple Christmas tree and our usual courtesy hot water and variety of tea. We added a table filled with apples, grapes, candy, crackers, and chocolate chip cookies along with some apple cider to quench our guests thirst.

After guests grabbed a bite to eat, they received a tour of our two massage rooms and tea room designed to accommodate group guests of four for spa or bridal parties; then we convened in the reception area for free paraffin hand dips as I answered any questions anybody might have concerning services, prices, or just about the business.

Before anybody left, I handed out little bags containing brochures, coupons, notes on upcoming events/specials, a business card, a magnet 2009 calendar, and a sample of home-made Lavender bath salts.

It was a small crowd that visited; but I feel it was successful as I got to see some old clients and meet a few new people I look forward to seeing again in the future.


In the Spirit of Reconnecting