Mabel's Label's Super Cool "Blogher '10 Contest"

An electrical storm is going to wipe out the Internet – and because as my husband puts it, I am on twitter 27 out of 24 hours a day – I saw this update!! Wipe.out.the.internet! Yes I had to ‘shush’ the kids and focus intently on this…

My Dear God.. Action Plan – Call my Starbucks on Locke St. to verify they are still in business (check!) I mean really – this could quite possibly signal the return of coffee shops that require me to use their drive through for a pretend cappuccino (shudder), not allowing me to lounge in their lovely, comfy chairs, sipping my beloved Grande, non-fat, Vanilla Latte with caramel drizzle, laptop open to some very important websites, while blissfully ignoring Abby and the twins…

After assuring me my latte will be waiting, as always, the next equally frightening revelation came to the fore. I will actually have to make friends face to face in the school yard when dropping off and picking up the kids…not just through my computer screen…and you know what this means? Yes, I will now have to put on some makeup and fix my hair!

I am however sitting comfortably with the knowledge that my other passion; Scrapbooking will not be affected.. and what a huge relief that is. Yes, I can cut and paste very comfortably without my laptop…besides, I really hate having to clean my keyboard when glitter gets on it…

After having some time to digest this news, I think I’m going to be ‘alright’…knowing that I will still have my Starbucks, being left with no alternative but to spend more time with my husband and children, and that there will also be more time for friends, I say this: Bring on the storm!

Amanda

Submitted for the Super Cool "Mabel’s Labels BlogHer ‘10 Contest"

I love Mabel's Label's - not just the labels, but their people ...
let's hope I get the chance to represent!!

On "Anyways Friends" and others in our lives...

Thursday night means TV time for me (okay...Wed night too!!) but there are few shows that I do eagerly anticipate watching - yes I will admit that Greys and Private Practice are two of them. I'm not sure why I watch them though - as I end up reaching for the Kleenex box every single time.. but I suppose this is a good thing - because they are making me think by triggering these all-over emotions!

On last week's show there was a Wedding .. okay a pretty significant one: a teenage pregnancy prompted Wedding, but I won't recap the show here .. www.ABC.com does a pretty good job of that already - but I do want to share my thoughts on the father- daughter speech: where he referred to a memory he had of his daughter as a little girl, saying to him that he was her 'Anyways Friend' ..

An 'Anyways Friend' - by Sam:

Is the one person in your life whom,
no matter what you say or do,
no matter what they've been through with you,
will Love you anyways ...

Kinda like those commericals when they tell you some obscure fact about a person and you go 'huh' afterwards right?! Yeah, that's what I did too ...

So it got me thinking about my 'Anyways Friend' .. all the other friends - and people I thought were friends... in my life. How timely too, as yesterday (Sunday February 21st, 2010) in the Guiding world was 'Thinking Day" - because in the last few weeks I've been shown some true colours and real motives of some people I did consider a friend.

Yeah I'm upset and disappointed - but this is all part of the big picture right?!

As I sit here an think about all that is going on and all that is yet to be (hey isn't there some poem about that?!!) I am so grateful for My Anyways Friend, and all my other real and true - old and new - friends that are a part of my life.

I watch Abby making her new little friends and it takes me back to a time when all it took to be a friend was to want to play in the dress up / play kitchen with them .. how simple and easy it was! My hope for her, Ashlan and Reid is that they too are blessed with an 'Anyways Friend' and a few other true friends that make all the other disappointments seem as insignificant as they should be....

Amanda
Inspire Marketing

To My 'Anyways Friend':

Here's to the nights that
turned into mornings, the
friends that turned into
family, the dreams that
turned into reality, and the
likes that turned into love ..

Groundhogs, Tigers and LOVE? OH MY!

Happy February! (yes already...time IS going by fast...) and you know what that means right? GROUNDHOG day!! why am I so happy about this you ask? Well for one, it's a day that everyone can celebrate along with me - you know, where each day is the same?! ... get it?! ha..okay dokay..I guess it does lose some of it's meaning when I have to say 'get it?' .... but regardless, I'm hoping we see the critter - or do I not want to see him?! - all I know is that I DO want Spring!

Maybe the Tiger will chase him out (or keep him from coming out?!) and bring in Spring? February 14th, 2010 marks the start of the Chinese New Year - and it's the year of the Tiger: perfect timing for people born under this sign - for the tiger is a sign of courage, and people with this sign are said to have a lively temperament, are outgoing, truthful and affectionate...they rarely hide their feelings! Great for someone who loves Valentines Day......

I don't know if I was born in a year of the Tiger - I'd like to think I fit that criteria, good or bad, but do I love Valentines Day? no, not really..... well not the part that says we need to spend too much money on flowers, chocolates and anything else you'd like to get for me dear husband (Starbucks gift card)...but I do love the part about it that lets me make heart shaped cookies and cute little treats for Abby's JK class - something we can do together - and use up all my pink card stock!

The timing also allows me to make a Feast for two, at home! So if you're like me and really not that fond of waiting in super long lineups for an over-priced dinner you were rushed through, then I encourage you to create a romantic dinner - that will let you keep your Starbucks budget too!!

Need some inspiration? Join my Facebook page: Inspire Marketing and take a peek in the Discussions area, you will find great recipes, ideas and events that will Inspire that inner groundhog or tiger!

Amanda
Inspire Marketing