The year is ending

Oops, I haven't been keeping up with my blog. I have had a fairly busy couple of weeks. Christmas was nice. Spent the day with 2-sets of friends. Ate and drank too much. Had way too much wine and champagne and felt it the next day!

Have had several sets of wonderful couples at the adobe for anniversaries and as XMAS presents.

Today I took the day off and went to my favorite place, Ojo Caliente for the day. I ran into some old clients there. Small world.

Tomorrow is NYE. I have had a good 2009 and can't wait for an even better 2010! Thank you to all of my guests for making Your Private Adobe the special place it is.

Your Private Adobe, a place to heal in Albuquerque

Sometimes I need a day or two off to run errands, pay bills, clean the house, do paperwork and to rest my hands and body. This was my weekend. I went to a very fun holiday party on Saturday night. It was interesting how we all came together with such diverse backgrounds. I laughed so hard I cried at the White Elephant Gift Exchange. I think I even made some new friends, and maybe a new client or two! Today I am nursing a dear female friend after her surgery. She will spend the night healing at Your Private Adobe. It gave me another idea of income. Your Private Adobe, a place of respite to spend a day or two recovering and healing from minor surgeries.

Albuquerque's Decadent Day Spa

A member of my TNT Networking Group's husband bought her a Your Private Adobe Gift Certificate for her birthday in October. She had bought him a certificate for his birthday last summer. She just got around to using hers. She loves her wine and toted a bottle in hand to the adobe. She has been too numerous spas throughout the country and on her travels abroad. She raved about Your Private Adobe and promised to tell everyone she knows about the location, the service, the massage and the amenities. She commented she was in and out of a state of consciousness throughout. She loved it while being wrapped like a cocoon in a peppermint, cocoa, and coffee combination scrub and body mud. She was nearly asleep when I leaned over and said" would you like wine or water through a straw"? She burst into laughs! How decadent is that? To be a your private spa and sip wine out of a straw while being wrapped in such aromatic and cooling products? The entire room oozed of these awesome smells! I have to be careful and not use to much peppermint in the winter. It does give you a cooling effect and makes your skin feel alive! If too much is used, you do feel a bit chilly. But then you can sit in the outdoor hot tub to warm back up. It was a beautiful watermelon colored sunset as she relaxed outside, sipping on more wine and warming up in the tub. She plans to return as a couple for her anniversary in March! But I have a feeling they both may become "Club Adobe" Monthly Members.

Hedonist visits Your Private Adobe Day Spa in Albuquerque

In eight years of giving massages, the holidays have historically been my busiest. Since I tend to provide more relaxation and pleasure, many of my guests like to treat themselves over the holiday season. Most of my business this week has been returning friends. It's wonderful for them to visit Your Private Adobe again and again and try more of my exotic treatments once they get comfortable with me. It's amazing to see the transformation in men's skin after the exfoliation, oil treatments and body wraps. It's so noticeable! With women, I don't notice so much as their skin is generally more soft. One of my clients is a pure hedonist! He absolutely loved the Pizhichill package! I could have poured hot oil over him all day long and it not been enough. hehe The Pizhichill is definitely for those who enjoy intense pleasure! He was one of the one's who I could see a distinct difference in his skin. He was here for hours and a little light headed so I gave him a snack of Acai Berry juice, cheese and crackers. He's another client who said he never visits the same place twice!

I had another client today get light headed during the massage. I swear, I think people get so busy they forget to eat. Massage can lower your blood pressure and sugar levels, so it's important to have eaten within a couple of hours of body work. But don't come see me on a full tummy either!

I put out the word, I was looking for an angel investor for my B&B. But no one is answering my prayers! So the reality is I don't have the funds necessary, nor the credit scores to get this going yet. It is still a goal for the future, but more like 2-years away. I would needs someone to purchase the B&B outright and give me a nine month reprieve of no mortgage payments and a remodelling stipend before I would even consider such a project. It took me about 9-months to get Your Private Adobe going once I moved it, and it needed no remodelling! I almost exhausted my savings; that was scary and I don't want to go through that worry ever again. December 1st was my one year anniversary, but I didn't officially open until August 1st, 2008. Your Private Adobe has come a long way in a short period of time.

How do I make my dreams come true?

Another busy week. My friend Danny from Denver arrived earlier in the week. We had a lovely visit with another friend, lots of wine, fun, and dinner at Antiquities. My favorite restaurant in ABQ. I love the Filet Mignon! I also had Danny, the friend who found the property for me, and a girlfriend who has owned B&B's in the past all look at the property for sale. It is my dream, but the reality is how am I going to get financing or funding? They all agreed it is a gem with lots of possibilities. It would be a awesome opportunity for an angel investor. My problem is start-up costs. I know how to make money. I can envision it becoming a small country club and me selling limited memberships to CLUB ADOBE. I can imagine my guests coming over several times a month just to relax, sit in the hot tub, lounge by the salt pool, or swim laps; in addition to monthly spa treatments. I guess those who have money thrive when the economy is down. Especially when you can purchase distressed properties that will be worth a fortune when the economy turns around. The four of us had a business luncheon after the meeting at High Noon. I love the margaritas there too!

My networking group, TNT, had our holiday party at my place last night. It was a small turn-out, about 16-people, but we had a blast. Especially the White Elephant part of the party.

I'm now getting ready for another Couples' Spa Session. This will be their second time in weeks and his third visit. I asked he if she would prefer I massage her this time so she can try out my massage. She said she would come alone and try out my magical hands. In the meantime, she said, "I put her husband to sleep". He is constantly thinking and can't turn his head off of business, until he comes to Your Private Adobe. I guess it's a compliment when I can put a client/guest to sleep!

Quiet day at the adobe

Yippie.....I finally got my new desk and a beautiful Oriental Armoire that was slightly used off Craiglist. I also purchased a used, custom made library shelf. I really appreciate the craftsmanship. No screws or nails were used and it fits together like a puzzle. Now if I can figure out how to paint it, it's been urethaned so that might be difficult. If it were painted red it would look awesome. I hired Erika from my networking group as my Personal Assistant to help me with this project. She did an awesome job and I hope to use her for more projects as I can afford her services.

I had the day off, yet was still very busy. Met a friend for an extended breakfast and had a handyman to help with a couple of projects around the house. With this large of a house, I need help! Some days I just need to let my hands rest too.

I went shopping today and got a new pair of casual boots. Size 5 1/2 is hard to find so the selection is limiting!

I have my dear friend coming from Denver soon. I see Danny almost once a month and I really enjoy my visits with him. We have dinner plans at Antiquities.

Personal service provided at Your Private Adobe Day Spa, ABQ

It's been another busy week for me. I had several days off and three 14-hour + days. I love it. My clients are going away very happy. I finally got to see 2-ladies the concierge had sent from one of the nicer hotels downtown. They were from the South and absolutely raved about Your Private Adobe. It was one of their birthdays and she said it was her best birthday ever. I really do go out of my way to provide that personal service. I offered them champagne from my personal stash as a birthday gift. And even took them one by one to St Clair's for dinner afterwards. I hated for a taxi to have to pick them up for such a short trip. The birthday girl commented that she felt like she had entered the home of a goddess. I guess because of all of my female nude art I have been collecting for 20+ years. Some clients I haven't seen for months, even years have come out of the woodwork. Didn't have much time for any socializing, just pure hard work this week. I went to see my intuitive counselor today. I haven't seen her since May. She said some interesting things about my life.

Gift Certificates for Spa Treatments in Albuquerque

Be sure and check out KRQUE, Channel 13, Holiday Shopping Guide. I have a small ad there. I also want to remind my friends that you can buy a gift certificate right off my website and print it out to give to the receiver. You can choose a dollar amount, or a service. Remember, the receiver can always pay the difference in what you gave as a gift and what the price is on the menu. It's the gesture of giving, not the amount! I have a few packages listed under services, or I said, you can chose a dollar amount instead. Go to my website, www.YourPrivateAdobe.com, at the bottom of the home page is a "Gift Certificate" icon, click then follow easy instructions.

I also would love to plead for reviews. There is a place to put a review on my website under "Google". You can also Google "Reviews Your Private Adobe ABQ". When you do a search there is Spafinder, Joy of Spa, Switchboard Yellowpages, Spa Emergency, Yelp, and Merchant Circle. These reviews really help my business! So I would appreciate you taking the time to write an honest review about your experience at Your Private Adobe one when you have a chance. I want to make sure I am here for many years to come!

Drying rose petals

Yesterday I was swamped, and today it was quiet. I had one of those nights where I tossed and turned and was too excited to turn my brain off to sleep. I question where I get my energy sometimes, and remind myself I get it from the earth. I actually get re-charged when I give massages and have learned to harness that energy. It is a spiritual practice for me. A guest last night said my massage produced some unusual sensations and thoughts. She commented it was, "earthy and native". Not sure if that was a good thing or not for her. hehe

I went to Synergy Networking Meeting for lunch today. I couldn't believe it, there were over 40 people there. It was really different but fun and I met some interesting people. Even though my business is good, I still have to remain in that marketing mode.

I was suppose to go to the Best Of Burque hosted by Albuquerque Magazine with my best friend tonight. She ended up cancelling on me at the last minute. That's okay, I was tired and had lots of projects to do around the house instead. There is always the never ending loads of laundry! Made a pot of green chili stew too. It was a weird recipe and totally different from what I usually make. I needed to clean out the pantry and the fridge.

My kitchen looks like a florist! I'm am drying dozens of beautiful rose petals I use for the foot soaks and baths. The scent is intoxicating and loving.

Where to get a PBJ?

I saw a guest for the 4th time within a month. Obviously he likes my massage, atmosphere and the amenities I offer. He booked for an extended massage and wanted to spend pre and post massage time soaking. He was extremely stressed out due to having to lay off some employees later that day. Since it was during the lunch hour, from 11:30-1:30, he asked if I could make him a PBJ. That's a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for those readers who do not know. I said I would come up with something. So while he was showering and getting re-dressed, I whipped up a grilled ham & cheese sandwich and a salad for him. I think I have a client for life now! It's that personal service I provide that is rarely found in our day and age. It's one reason that makes Your Private Adobe so special and unique! Maybe I should start offering this on the menu. I can purchase a sandwich and salad at a nearby store so I don't have to worry with the hassles of being a caterer! Besides, I can't compete with Karen, my chef! I know she can't come deliver just one sandwich anyway.