Marvelous Monday ~ How It All Started....And My First Giveaway

I've been told that I should write about how I got started, where the passion came from, what drives me to keep going etc. I am not one for talking about myself so I hope this comes out right. :D

Four years ago, in the blink of an eye, I became a single mother. The sudden loss of my husband brought my world to a stand still. It felt like the rug had been pulled out from under me and I was falling in very slow motion for what felt like months. But I knew I could be strong. I had my two beautiful girls (pictured below) to take care of and help them through this rocketing experience.











After about a year, I came to the realization that it was time to get out there, find employment and continue on. I knew my financial situation was becoming tenuous and I needed to do something in quite a hurry. My family suggested that I might want to take some courses at our community college since I did not want to go back to Legal Administration. I worked as a Legal Administrator for 10 years and I did not have a love for it. I looked into the courses and I found Crisis Intervention. A light went on in my head and I thought I can do this. I already had the legal background and to help people through the shocking and horrific moments of their life felt right to me. I wanted to share my knowledge with them, hold their hands and let them know that there is life after such an event. I completed the courses but by the end of the schooling I had another realization that I could not do this job. The thought of sharing people's pain day after day was starting to feel impossible. I felt horrible, selfish and guilty. Knowing that I could help but feeling that I couldn't because it would be to painful for me. In the end, my Professor was the one who eased my guilt. She said this job is not for everyone and she felt that maybe the courses acted more as a therapeutic aspect for myself rather than a career path I was supposed to take.

One afternoon, after having a conversation with a friend of mine who was experiencing allergic reactions to bath and beauty products, I went to the library with my daughter; I started looking for books on how to make natural products for my friend and that's when it exploded. I found books on herbal remedies, essential oils, natural beauty products, botanical creations. I was hooked. There has not been a day since then that I haven't learned something new about working with natural elements. And the rest, as they say, is history. I have grown so much over the last two years and Ethereal Beginnings is the result of that growth. Finding Etsy and opening my shop online is just the icing on the cake.

There have been a few bumps along the way of course (as I'm sure there will be more) but I always have come back to Ethereal. I feel it is my calling and now I have surrendered to it ;D
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Now on to the fun stuff. I am having my first Giveaway. The prize is my brand new Rose Anti-Wrinkle Cream (valued at $18.99). I haven't even listed this in my shop yet (will be later today!)




Based on this blog, I would like to hear from you. Below you will find 5 ways to enter:

~ Where do you see me and my blog in ten years? ~

1. Write an answer to this question in the comments and receive one entry
2. Follow my blog gains you another entry
3. Post this giveaway on your Facebook Fan Page and you get another entry
4. Twitter about this giveaway and you receive another entry
5. If you do all of the above and it will gain you another entry.

Please be sure to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win!! I almost forgot ~ you may enter this giveaway until Thursday, May 6th at 11:59pm (EST). Winner will be announced in Fantastic Friday's blog!!

Cheers and Blessings,