About us

About us.....

Hi my name is Cathy. Before I get into telling you the story about me and my family and how we got into the candle business I first want to give credit where credit is due. My dear friend Annie started this business in 1999. It was her mission to make it a successful business and be able to raise money for childhood cancer charities at the same time. She succeeded in doing just that in just 3 short years! Her mission was inspired by her beautiful daughter Erin who at the ripe old age of 26 months was diagnosed with leukemia. Annie managed to start the business while Erin was taking chemotherapy the first time around. Sadly, after 2 years in remission, Erin relapsed, once again with leukemia. It was at this time that Annie felt she could no longer do the candle making business justice and the idea of me taking over emerged. We had just lost our beautiful daughter Sabrina to cancer (rhabdomyosarcoma) and it seemed like something I would like to try. After a few months of Annie and I taking the "wait and see" approach it was decided that I would indeed take over. I will never ever take credit for starting this worthwhile venture but I feel blessed that Annie had enough faith in me to let me take it over. You can expect the same quality of candles and gifts that you got from Annie. If it's not good I won't sell it! Thank you Annie...for having faith in me and for giving me something to help fill the void that was left by Sabrina's passing. If you'd like to read more about Annie's daughter Erin's story visit her website at www.caringbridge.org/nh/erinsstory

Now about us. As I said, my name is Cathy. I am married to Jim and have three wonderful children, Samantha, Sabrina (who became and angel on March 17, 2003), and Travis, and one grandchild Justin who is 7 and all boy!

I love the idea of being able to contribute, even if only in a small way, to childhood cancer research and helping families that are fighting the battle, in any way that I can. I will continue to donate a portion of my profits to research and organizations that help families just as Annie did. This is a cause that is near and dear to my heart. I also plan to continue to offer the same quality candles that you are used to getting from Annie. If you've never tried one of our candles then you don't know what you are missing. Each one is special and unique in it's own way from it's name to it's scent. The business has grown from the original 9 scents to over 50 scents and I hope to be able to add more in the future. Each candle is tested and tested before it is sold and each one is handmade in my home by me. From time to time I may recruit a little help but for the most part it'll just be me, melting, testing, pouring shipping etc. I was blessed to meet so many wonderful families and form lasting friendships during Sabrina's 4 years and 7 month battle with cancer. These people are just like you and me....they are normal people that have been forced to deal with something that no parent should ever have to go through. They, along with Annie, have been and continue to be a major inspiration to me.

We also have another business that our family has owned and operated for over 40 years (44 to be exact). My husband Jim runs it now and I am there when I can be to do the bookwork. It's an auto business but not your typical one. You can check it out at www.alsmotorsinc.com. And so as not to get bored we have rental property. We have 14 residential units and 1 commercial unit. There is never a boring moment at our house!

Our daughter Samantha (Sam) is in college. When she graduates (in Dec. 2004) she will be certified to teach high school math. She has worked very hard to achieve this goal and we are very proud of her!

Our son Travis works with us at Al's Motors. Trav has blessed us with our only grandchild (so far), Justin, who is 7. We feel very blessed to have these 2 guys in our life.

Our daughter Sabrina battled cancer for almost 5 years but that's not what I want to be her legacy (and it's not what she would want either). Her legacy is the way she lived her life. Sabrina was a very strong willed, determined young lady. If she set her mind to something she didn't stop until she achieved it! She had a strong Christian faith, a huge heart, a deep love for animals and a jest for life. She was never one to "follow the crowd" but rather enjoyed doing her own thing her own way. I am thankful that God allowed me to be Sabrina's mom and to share her

Last but not least...being the animal lovers that we are, we have 3 dogs, 2 cats and an aquarium! Our 2 house dogs are miniature dachshunds and are the most spoiled, pampered little guys you could ever meet. Trust me though...what they require in maintenance they give back 10 times over in love and affection!

From our family to yours, God Bless you all.

This picture was taken in October 2002. It was the last family picture we have with Sabrina (our heavenly Angel) in it.

Meet Titus and Vito! Titus loves to help me make candles! He helps by laying right at my feet so that when I move I trip over him! Vito's not much on the candle business. He'd rather be basking in the sun somewhere.