So, even though I'm not a huge believer in being a germaphobe or needing to use crazy amounts of hand sanitizer every time I walk in or out of a building, I see that they are popping up all over the place!  Sadly, they are all loaded with alcohol or other nasty stuff that I do NOT want my kids slathering up with.  So, I am bringing in the big guns....the NATURAL route!  Please help me welcome one of our newest products to our line....(drum roll please)....Clean Well's Hand Sanitizer!  That's right, it has the same germ killing abilities of its nasty competitors, but without the nasty!  It's based on a fantastic blend of Thyme and other essential oils and has been proven to kill 99.99% of the scary stuff it was tested on....in 15 seconds!  Take that!  And, take away the sting of little open sores when alcohol hits it, take away the smell of the nasty chemical cocktail and take away the dry skin and danger for kids!  Love it!  Can't wait to show it off to everyone!

Now those who really just can't imagine handling money without sanitizing right after can do so without a bunch of other concerns taking the place of germs!

What's In Store is my vessel to bring alternatives that are sustainable and better for the planet and those of us who really would like to live healthier on it!

Isn't it incredible that we, as a nation, can escape the trials of the economy and the stresses of regular life for that 17-day period to watch in awe as atheletes worldwide put themselves out there, in a way most of us could not imagine excelling to, and make each country proud.  There were several points that will leave historical marks in both happy and sad ways for the individuals working toward their goals and the countries they represent.  Our own certainly had its historical moments:  first gold on home soil, most golds EVER, the skater showing such bravery and committment (I can't even put it into words) getting out there in front of all eyes watching right after losing her mother, everything.

Well done Canada!  Well done world!  Let's use this as a jumping point to keep our enthusiasm and do great things with Olympic spirit!  We can make change....each of us has the ability to do great things when we want it bad enough!  Our atheletes showed it in their committment and their passion....we can show it in our choices we make day to day.

I am really anxious and excited about having my own brand of shampoo, conditioner and body wash to release.  It is completely natural, no icky stuff whatsoever!  It is earth friendly in every way right down to the label, it is health conscious and effective, smells nice without having nasty fragrance stuff in it!  Now the question, what on earth should I name it?

I really need some suggestions, because so far every name I have come up with, my strategist HATES.  I want to bring it out.  I want to make this fantastic product available for people to be able to enjoy the positive effects and know that this product does everything right for the earth and for those of us who still need it to be around for our children and their children.

Please take a moment and send me ideas.  reseller@whatsinstore.ca is the e-mail address.

I look forward to many fantastic ideas.

Okay, with a title like "Ask It Five Times" you might think I'm going to write about my kids and their persistence with asking something over and over until they get the answer that they want.  Well, that is no where near what I'm thinking about tonight.

I met with a wonderful business associate who is helping me to make a difference in how I approach business.  He asked me why I want to be in business.  I of course replied with the usual starry-eyed answer...."I want to save the planet".  He asked why I want to be in business....I answered "to encourage people to choose healthier products that aren't full of chemicals".  He asked again, why I want to be in business....I felt kind of on the spot, like I was expected to give the "right" answer....but again spoke from the heart, "I want to make a difference"  He asked again, why I want to be in business..."I want to help the children who don't get to decide what products are used on them....by educating their parents and caregivers and providing better products to choose."  Finally, with all of my passion pouring out and my pulse quickening, thinking I'd missed something somewhere he pointed out to me that in order to keep doing the things that I am doing I needed to want to be in business to make money.  Then he asked me why I needed to make money....I understood immediately:  "to keep doing it."

For so long I had been ignoring that factor.  Not wanting it to be the reason for being on my noble quest...but, in all honesty, it is the thing that will enable me to do much more.  Surprisingly, I started to think about what amazing other ventures I could take on once What's In Store dot ca really blossomed!  The ways I could make changes that were truly significant!  The opportunities to teach my children and all the people around me that we can make so many differences that improve things for many if we really let our passions be led with purpose.  When you take a moment to look at your passion, take a moment to dream about where it could lead you...  It's exhilarating!  It's exciting!  It's possible!  Then I realized that there was nothing wrong with my business becoming successful financially because that would lead to being a greater part of the solution.....which, of course, is my favourite reason for wanting to be in business.

So, thank you to those who choose to actively support companies, like www.whatsinstore.ca in the effort to do more about the problems our planet faces.  Cheers to you!

So much is going on recently:  Our very own brand of personal care products about to launch (a wonderful experience and sign of all the hard work and dedication, research and determination to provide my customers with real alternatives that work without harm to the environment or chemicals that could potentially harm us), working with a professional to help me position What's In Store in this ever-so-competitive market, kids stuff, work stuff, new ventures, new products that I've discovered recently and we will be marketing (soapnuts, ecotractionTM, etc.) along with the array of other fantastic things I've already been showing the world through www.whatsinstore.ca.  A lot going on.

All of these thing are so exciting!  Then, tonight, I attended a celebration dinner for an environmental project that is of huge proportion that I'm really excited to be even a little involved in - the announcement tonight blew us all away....the committment behind this huge renovation/undertaking that will turn a wonderful old building into a leader in green technology!!!!  A place where the community can learn and use!  Awesome!

Then....amidst all of the excitement.....I get notified that my brother is in the hospital with swine flu.  On oxygen.  Compromised respiratory system due to excessive smoking....I will wait....please keep us in your thoughts, and if you are people of faith, please keep us in your prayers.

Well, despite the "fall back" in time....it is now 11 pm - I must head to bed.....for tomorrow, it starts all over again.

Thanks for lending me your ear.....or should I say your eyes :)

I realized today that it is also a way to spread the word about things we believe in, but at the same time find myself reluctant to be fully and completely vulnerable or exposed in this format.

I RT (which means ReTweet for those who don't use Twitter - that is posting someone else's thoughts on your own note so that people who are interested in your thoughts will see that other person's too).  Anyway, I RT today about Tori Stafford's dad riding his bicycle across Canada to raise money for Child Find related organizations!  A very noble quest and probably a great way for the father of this sweet little child to do some grieving.  Then I clicked on the link....he's not wearing a helmet....first thing to enter my mind.  Not that I'm in any way less impressed by his journey, but really wishing that he'd wear one so that all the kids that see him making this trip see the importance of wearing one.  Example setting.  But I didn't say a thing about it....

Then I went on to one of my favourite people/groups to follow: Inhabitat.  They always seem to have the coolest stuff on their tweets with links to so many amazing environmental issues and progress.  They were tweeting today about how a company is making spray on solar panels!  Right away my radar went off!  But out of respect for them, I went to the site to check it out....then I came back and felt well within my power to tweet that I didn't think this one was environmentally friendly, that it contains nanoparticles - I didn't get to include my other concerns for it because you only get to tweet with 140 characters....and quite frankly I didn't want to have to write several notes.

So, why did I not mention anything to this grieving dad?  Perhaps it is just based on the personal piece here.  I'm thinking that it was a matter of recognizing his pain driving his mission while the other stuff was just another green thing that came across my screen.  Personal relationships and real people still have more impact on how we respond to things we encounter....for most of us anyway (I believe).

Well, I'm off to get the things that need to be done in my little world.  Happily, while I'm cleaning my house I will know that I am doing so with the products that are the best for me, my family and my planet.

Christine McKague

What's In Store

www.whatsinstore.ca

Then, one day, my son said to me, "well, why don't you have your own stuff then?"  Amazing how children can see through all the stuff that adults can't seem to scrape out of the view finder!  So, that is what I'm now considering! 

I've been communicating with some fantastic minds in this industry who understand that I want more than just another organic product, I want sustainable, completely conscious, with no reason to question anything, I want it all....right down to the label!

I'll keep you posted!  It may happen sooner than we think!

Wish me luck!

Well, here's a deep look.

I just got back a little while ago from the visitation of a friend.  He was only 41.  Died suddenly....leaving behind his wife (whom he often spoke of with such love and admiration when they lived near us) and his 2 boys (whom he beamed with pride over and valued in visible ways).  

I promised myself I would not fall apart and cry uncontrollably...even though I don't do death or grief well.  Never have.  At first that seemed easy enough because when we walked in there were loads of people chatting and there was laughter about.  I felt relief....then I saw the picture board...the happy family shots, the happy man....the happy couple.  Oh no!!!!  Look away!  I moved on....I didn't want to look there.  Then I spotted his youngest son....he seemed okay; playing a video game while about 4 other boys looked on over his shoulders....I'm okay....Now I enter the room.  The casket is way at the other side....good.   Then I see them.  His wife and their eldest son.  They are looking rather weathered by the event,....of course, but I feel a sense of gladness at having a chance to see them.  I make my way over and try to stay composed.  She hugs me and thanks us for coming.  She asks if her son remembers us....he kind of does, but it's been a while.  She thanks me for the online condolence and asks about the kids.  Then when she moves to my husband I look over at the coffin.  There he is....41...and gone.  I am back to fighting tears....I know that they have done their share of shedding tears already and are presenting this strong figure to everyone to make it through this event., so I really don't want to fall apart now and upset them and risk making this more difficult.  So, after a short exchange we head out. 

I leave with a sense of emptiness.  Yet a hope that there is more beyond here.  Life is such a fantastic gift and to enjoy it and embrace it is something that means something.  So, to lose it....to just stop...to end being able to enjoy it is really too much to bear if there is nothing more than that.  I believe there is more.  I may not know exactly what else there is....we don't get that kind of knowledge without losing this piece, so I can wait....

If you have found our information helpful or would like to see us grow in our efforts to make more health conscious and environmentally friendly products available to all, then please take a moment to vote for us.

The link is provided below and will take you directly to the page where you would submit your vote.  You will actually also be included in a draw for prizes as a voter as well.

Thank you for helping us to continue our efforts to educate, and provide better choices for all areas of life in our one-stop-shop!

http://www.momentrepreneuraward.ca/MomBio.aspx?momID=105

Regards,

Christine McKague

What's In Store

www.whatsinstore.ca

It started without notice at first, some messages that popped up about sad things going on, my own child's challenges that I can't do much to help with, then I read tuesdays with Morrie....wonderful book, well written and very moving account of a man's journey toward death and the experiences of the man sharing that journey: some parts very much stinging my memory of my own father....then I heard the news of a young boy who lost his mother and how his extended family is planning their events to help him cope with his grief and make a life as his goes on.  All very sad....all affect our hearts even though they may not directly affect our lives. 

Now, the good thing that follows a rain is the promise of a brighter day ahead soon.  The growth that comes from the rain.  The fact that sometimes we need the rain....we need to be brought to awareness that there is a lot more going on out there than the mundane tasks of our work and life in our small part of this very large world.  It does us good to take a step back and look at things from other people's perspectives.  Then we can put aside some of our small issues and lend a hand, an ear or a shoulder if the need is there. 

Life is precious, each living thing on this earth is precious.  We all need to remember to stop our busy cycles sometimes and take a look around and see where our efforts might be more needed; whether it be comfort for one in need, planting a tree, cleaning up a littered area, whatever.  It's okay to work busily at your own life, so long as you don't forget the big picture...that life does not exist solely in your small sector and each of us has a purpose and a value....each of us contributes to making this place better if we choose to. 

A wonderful sermon I heard recently was a reminder too.....(plant your seeds and when you least expect them to flourish...they may just surprise you with their growth. )Then I realized....in order for some seeds to grow, sometimes there is rain.

Let's all take care of this wonderful planet and each other.