Words to live by ....

QUOTES!! I love Quotes .. as if you haven't noticed that by now .... and I particularly like this one.... I mean really, who hasn't had their share of struggles? (and if you haven't, well kudos to you - we need to meet for coffee because even though I am on the right path, there are still some hurdles I need to get over!) but this quote gives me hope .. hope that 'this' is worth it .. worth the juggling, the late nights, the self-doubting ... hope that while I might be struggling to make things 'work' - I am making progress.

I've recently teamed up with Opti-Mom (www.opti-mom.ca)to bring her fabulous events to Hamilton - definitely making progress with the event umbrella of Inspire Marketing - but also to get some really cool events happening here in my home town!! Stay tuned for an Event Schedule - hammer-style - to be posted, I promise you will be glad you did!

In addition to the making money side of Inspire, (someone has to support my Starbucks budget...) I am thrilled and very excited that 'Read to Succeed' is getting ready to launch. Our 'give back' to this great community of ours is about to take off. The next few months are going to be no strangers to struggles - we have a tight and aggressive timeline - but I am confident that all this hard work is going to be worth it! Books, kids and our community - what better way to give back.

So when you are struggling with what life throws at you - remember that without it, there would be no progress.... Believe in you!!!

Amanda
Inspire Marketing

Success doesn’t come to you…you go to it. -Marva Collins

Happy New Year! ~ 2010 already...WOW!!!

I'm not one for making resolutions - and that should come as no surprise to any of you by now! What I am doing and have done in the past, is make some promises. Promises to live my life the best way I can, and in turn, hopefully some good, positive, things (maybe even changes!) WILL happen. Last year I made a cute little reminder of the important things in my life ... it was a great way to remind me..keep me focused if you will, of what really was important.

Success doesn’t come to you…you go to it. -Marva Collins ... pretty powerful words right? You bet your Starbucks loving booty they are!! And I am going to print them out and post them EVERYWHERE....yes, that is right - E.V.E.R.Y.W.H.E.R.E.! Why? Well because 2010 is the year that things are going to happen - and to quote our dear friend Dan - 'if I had $1 for every great idea I had....' you get the picture - enough talking over my Machiato's, now is the time to put those ideas into action!

I've been doing a lot of research and drooling over some awesome sites I've stumbled across (think paper heaven....ahhh..bliss!) and now, more then ever - I am Inspired! So no resolutions for me - nope, not even to reduce the amount of trips to my favourite coffee shop! - but some pretty powerful promises. And you? I challenge you to make some promises - you will thank me in a few months!! Look out 2010: the future is so bright, we have to wear shades!

Amanda
Inspire Marketing

Go Go Go Go!

"Go, shorty
It's your birthday
We gon' party like it's your birthday
We gon' sip Bacardi like it's your birthday
And you know we don't give a (bleep)
cause it's not your birthday!"

Not that I'm a huge (or any kind really..) fan of 50 Cent - but IT'S MY BIRTHDAY and last Saturday night we did party - like it's my birthday!! Homemade Chinese food dinner made by my friend Christina, then we all headed over and rocked Ray's Karaoke like it was nobody's business!!!!

So it's December 22nd, 3 days before Christmas, and it's my birthday .. yup, I know what you are all thinking 'geesh, that sucks...' and I know my Parents think that is what I think too .. that some how (I think) I got ripped off growing up with my birthday being so close (3 days...) to Christmas ... So this blog is going out to them. And Brent. Why? Because they've made sure that even though my birthday is so close, I've always had a party, I've always had separate presents to open - that aren't wrapped in Christmas paper - and that I celebrated like it was the middle of June (or February, you know cause it would be more convenient then ....)

I have some pretty awesome friends - and family - and because of them having a birthday 'so close' to Christmas is pretty cool .. all that extra attention and stuff... you know us Capricorns, we love attention!!


".......Go, go, go, go, go, go
Go, shorty
It's your birthday
We gon' party like it's your birthday
We gon' sip Bacardi like it's your birthday
And you know we don't give a (Bleep)
cause it's not your birthday!...................."

Amanda
Inspire Marketing

'Christmas (or Holiday..) Card List' .....

Christmas (or Holiday..yeah I am being PC here..) Card list ... or what I like to refer to as the Popularity contest!! This is two-fold as well...you know - if you receive a lot of cards then you MUST be popular right?! And if you send a lot - well then that makes you the Uber popular person too - I mean really, you have so many people on your list that everyone is rushing to their mailbox in anticipation of seeing YOUR card in there ... well that is what I like to think when it's my card in their box!

I love cards .. love getting them, sending them, designing and making them! So everyone - yes, all of you - in turn must LOVE getting them from me too right? RIGHT??!!

Ahhh, the popularity contest.... really - does quantity matter? Do you jump up and down when you open the card from your 'friend' you haven't heard from since..well last Christmas - and they live 10mins (or even 30mins for that matter) away? .. or the person who you know only contacts you when they are 1) trying to get information (that would be they are NOSEY..) or 2) pumping their ego because they have so many people on their card list that are waiting in anticipation to hear all about their wonderful lives .... no you probably don't .. but it's a nice gesture right? .. sure... we will go with that.

I've come to realise a lot of things in the last few years .... egawd!! now I'm sounding like I should be writing this from my retirement home (and not the one in Cabo that Brent and I will have!!) - but yes, I am getting wise in my (getting older) age.... what matters, or more importantly - what (who...) doesn't. Real friends, important family even great acquaintances. Life is busy - really, truly, honest to goodness BUSY - for all of us - and I for one can appreciate that - so these gestures are really great ... but what I suppose I am (trying) to say is that - sometimes a little effort in between (and I too should listen to my own advice..remember the procrastination post below?? yeah - I've got so many 'good intentions...') goes a long way... that way when after I open my popularity cards this season and say 'aww that was nice' - then deposit into Abby's craft box (hey don't be offended - it's a nice box!) well you won't be - offended..... because chances are those ones that make it to her box are because it really has been that long since we've heard from you.. and I'm not sorry to say that there isn't room on the same table for all the other ones (and there are a lot!) from the who(s) and what(s) that matter.

It's not too late for you to change what people do with your popularity cards next year - so when you are sending them out this year - follow through on your 'nice gesture' and pretty words you write .... it's not quantity - but quality. And because no post would be good without a plug - if you're looking for some cards to send out - give me a shout, I can create some beautiful ones for you - ones that even if they deserve to be put in the craft box - won't - why? because they are that nice!!

Amanda
Inspire Marketing

Procrastination!!

Oh yeah.. I am all too familiar with that word - Although I know I shouldn't be bragging about it!! So many things to do - yet I am quite content to sit here, sipping my latte, doing the square root of Zero (that would be nothing for those of you who are as mathematically challenged as I am...) and say - quite confidently too I might add - 'oh yes, tomorrow I will do that' ....

Projects around the house, for clients, things with the kids - all of them seem to be taking the back burner lately - to what? well me being lazy is at the top of the list. I received a call last week from UFMA .. you will recall who they are right? The kick my you-know-what place? yeah them .. seems it's been quite some time since I've been there too .. and the reason? (yes I was sick and yes Brent was away - In October!!) I've been lazy... yeah - that was pretty embarrassing giving that excuse..I was so caught of guard that they actually CALLED me to find out what was up - that even I couldn't think of something better then 'yeah, no excuse, just to lazy to walk the whole block to the class....even if it IS a big long block......'

Nothing like a dose of reality to snap me back into attention...that and realising time IS going by too fast.... Mid-November already?? Come on! I'm still wearing my flip flops and longing for Summer......

So what have you been procrastinating about? Well get to it will you - time is running out!

Amanda
www.inspiremarketing.ca

Giving Back...

Happy Wednesday!

Why Happy? Well that means this week is almost over - and I could not be happier...oh yeah, it's been 'one of those' weeks...Brent has been away for work and with the impeccable timing they seem to have - Ashlan was sick throughout the night on Monday. That meant I was up at 1:22am (yes, I did check the time...) and got a whole whopping 2 hours sleep that night ... but who's complaining right??!! So Happy Wednesday - Brent will be home tonight and I've got my fingers crossed that Ashlan is on the road to recovery....I heading away for a few days and want to be able to go with a clear conscious (Nana and Papa are watching them for us.....)

To add to my already rotten week; I received the news that the house I wanted (that already had a conditional offer) on would not firm up - did. Apparently Brent decided he didn't want that house anyways....so this news was in fact 'okay' ... no comment. But I got to thinking about all that IS good in my life - and this week .. hey, why not focus on the positive, I can't change what HAS happened, but I can influence (well strongly suggest?) what is to be.....

In the spirit of giving back I'd like to put the spotlight on a few local people / groups that I believe are Worthy of exposure.

"The Meaning of Home" Contest (Perfect timing no?!!) I've copied the body of an email that I received earlier this week - and I encourage ALL of you to spread the word about this fantastic Contest:

When asked, "what is the meaning of home?" everyone has a different answer. "Home" inspires a broad array of memories, emotions, thought and imaginations. As adults, we sometimes simplify the meaning of home to ‘where we live’. But ask a child what the meaning of home is, and the answer will amaze you.

On that note, I want to let you know about an inspiring contest being held by Genworth Financial Canada and Habitat for Humanity Canada. Between October 5th and November 13th, they’ll be asking Canadian students in grades 4, 5 and 6 what ‘home’ means to them.
As an influential blogger we need your help in sharing The Meaning of Home Contest with your readers and their families.

Here’s an overview of how the contest will take place. Students in grades 4, 5, and 6 can submit their choice of written composition, essay or poem describing what ‘home’ means to them. There will be a First Place Winner and five Runner Ups.

The First Place winner will:
* Take part in the ultimate gift - a new Habitat home for a deserving family. Genworth will donate $60,000 towards the building of a new Habitat home in a community of the winner's choice*.

* Receive a high-performance Dell laptop with 80 GB hard drive, 3 GB RAM and an extended warranty, loaded with Microsoft Office.

*The winner will select from a list of eligible locations.

The Five Runner Ups will each:
* Help a family to get a home of their own. Genworth will donate $5,000 to a Habitat affiliate of the winner's choice - which will support the building of a new home in that community.

* Receive a $100 gift certificate to Chapters Indigo.

You can find the Meaning of Home Contest in the following places:

Website: http://meaningofhome.ca

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Genworth-Financial-The-Meaning-of-Home/128454964162



And what do you need to help make your home personal? ART! I'd like to introduce all of you to a very talented, local artist - and share with you the upcoming events that Gordon will be part of over the next few months:

The Jordan Art Gallery, an artist collective located in the picturesque Niagara village of Jordan, will be the locale for his next exhibition. Entitled "Citified", he will be exploring his usual motif through the use of pastel and paper. Opening reception is on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2009 from 2 - 4pm and will run until the end of the month. Admission is free and all are welcome.

Gordon has been invited to take part in the Art Gallery of Hamilton's annual Autumn Sale from Nov. 5 - 8, 2009. Held in the beautiful Joey and Toby Tanenbaum Atrium Gallery, this sale features a wide assortment of great local art as well as free admission to the gallery. If you would like to attend the opening preview party on Wednesday, Nov. 4 (6 - 9pm), RSVP GORDON at the contact below.

His super juicy Holiday Open House is coming up again and this year he has added an extra day. Drop by his house on Sat. OR Sun., Dec. 5 and 6, 2009 for wine, munchies, music and other festive activities. Located at 114 Stanley Ave., Hamilton, ON (near Locke St.)

The deadline looms for The Little Art Show, an annual benefit for the Artists Network in Toronto. The Artists Network is a resource centre/gallery run by artist-members through fees and donations. This year’s event will be at Mercedes-Benz Downtown, 761 Dundas St. E., Toronto on Sat., Nov. 14 at 7:30pm. Many dozens of works will be available for sale - bidding starts at $80 – and Gordon has selected an acrylic piece to donate to the cause. Special guest emcee this year is Canadian Idol judge Jake Gold!

Finally, Gordon is happy to announce his involvement with a new gallery, Venus Gallery – 15221 Yonge St. in Aurora, Ontario. He is particularly happy with the roster of artists, including John Ovcacik, Laurie Skantzos, Nava Waxman and Chris Hayes. Go to the grand opening on Thurs., Nov. 5 at 7pm!

www.gordonleverton.com
http://leverton.wordpress.com/
gleverton1@gmail.com

So while I am disappointed I won't be hosting Waborita and pool parties in our new house and pool this summer .. hmm perhaps I can convince the people that DID firm up to do it instead?! .. I am grateful for what I do already have - and encourage all of you to spread the word and support both of these Worthy initiatives. Good things come to those who bring me a Starbucks.. err .. those who wait and those who give without asking for anything in return.

Happy Wednesday!
Amanda
www.inspiremarketing.ca

Everyone has a Story....

I've been asked to write a monthly blog for a truly great website: www.wondermoms.ca , founder Tamara is a wonderful person which I am very fortunate to have crossed paths with; and even more flattered that she thought I worthy of including on her site. I'm going to be a 'Wonder Blogger!' .. hmm, I wonder what my uniform will look like?!!!

What is your story? ... Here is mine: juggling being a parent, wife, daughter, sister, friend, business owner and well I'm sure I've left many things out!! This is just the beginning....

The decision to become a parent was an easy one .. Brent and I knew early on in our relationship that we wanted to have children and when we got married in April 2004 we wasted no time (heck, we went to Cabo for our honeymoon, then Greece a month an a half later for work ...pretty hard NOT to feel inspired in such beautiful locales!!) so when we discovered that I had a bun in the oven that June we were elated! We told everyone .. and when I say 'everyone' I really do mean everyone.....even if they didn't care to know, they heard our great news anyways!

As a first time mom-to-be, I am sure you can imagine how erratic my behaviour was. If you are single and want to become a parent, and are male, please read and take notes: yes your partner WILL go back to normal (whatever normal was)..somewhat.. but you need to tread very carefully and know that everything being done is 'for the sake of the baby... YOUR baby!!' heehee .. I bought books, I bought clothes, I bought food ... lots of it - but couldn't eat it sadly.. Then one day I felt different. Couldn't place my finger on it, but I knew that something wasn't right. I read all those books I bought for signs of what was normal .. what wasn't .. and then I went..gasp..online! This will prove to be a source of many sleepless nights as I will, no doubt, continue to read any and everything I can 'online' ...

I was nearing the end of my first trimester when I started to have this feeling, so when I started to bleed I started to freak out. We went to the ER and were able to bypass the waiting room crowd (I was crying pretty hard at this point and the intake nurse took pity on me, being a woman and perhaps a mom herself....) where we waited for 7 hours .. yes 7 hours to be seen by the ER Doctor.... Poor Brent, if you think I am a witch (hey, I've gotta keep this PG!) at times .. you really didn't want to cross my path then. There were no prenatal exam rooms available this night, so I was moved into the supply cupboard room, on an ambulance stretcher - apparently no beds were available either - for my 'exam' ... yes I was bleeding, no there was nothing they could do, please go home and if it gets worse, well come back. Thanks for nothing.....

This part of the story does go on, and unfortunately it doesn't get better.. I had a miscarriage and we lost the baby. To take some words from Ann Douglas and her 'mother of all pregnancy book' I felt like I was kicked out of this special club - only to be granted membership into a new one, one that you really do not want to be part of.

Having gone through this awful experience - and let's face it, it sucks. No amount of pretty words or cliche phrases 'it was meant to be....' made either of us feel better... but we did move forward, heal and grew closer as a couple. Brent is pretty amazing, and I am so grateful that it is him that I am on this journey with; I couldn't imagine it any other way.

After our hearts had time to heal we decided to 'try again' .. and were blessed to discover I was pregnant that December...Abby was born on August 9th, 2005 - and things have not been the same since! She is incredible - and one of the (3) best things that either of us have created...and I'm pretty crafty I'll have all of you know!!!

We thought that we were busy - you know, how everyone that has their first child thinks they are... HA! We decided that Abby should have a brother or sister.. because 'that would be really great.....' So when I was 20.5 weeks pregnant (yes, that is 1/2 way through my pregnancy...) we went for our first ultrasound .... to discover that 'there are two babies in there.....' Yup .. TWO! We were having TWINS.. a boy and a girl.. pretty amazing isn't it?!!.... (or if you are one of the many strangers that felt the need to offer your comment(s): 'oh no, poor you .. well better you then me...' Yes, I do have to agree, better ME then you - clearly...) Brent and I started to laugh... to say we were in shock .. well that was a huge understatement!!! That part of the story is actually pretty funny - but it's long - so I will save that for if you want to ask me all the wonderful details yourself !! We left the ultrasound in a daze.. and now more than 20 months later, I still feel like most of my time is in a daze!

There were some complications with their birth ... it was down right scary if you really want to know... after being on bed rest since just after Christmas I started to hemorrhage and had a placenta abruption which resulted in an emergency C-Section at 36 weeks - I delivered Ashlan weighing 5lbs9oz and Reid weighing 6lbs1oz on February 26, 2008. The following 6 months are a blur, not just because we were adjusting to life with a 2.5 year old and newborn twins, but also because both were in the hospital for 3 weeks - when Ashlan was released - then another 2 for Reid when he was transferred to McMaster Children's Hospital. All in all, there were so many things that were going on - during those first 5 weeks, and then next 5 months afterwards of out-patient treatment .. that first year is a write off... Yeah I am bitter - but I look at him now and I am so grateful that he is healthy, his heart condition is manageable and that for the most part I am just exhausted due to managing life with a 4 year old, 20 month twins and growing my business. Yeah I have to cook and clean sometimes too.....

So my story is far from over - and it's a good one; well we think so anyways! and I can hardly wait to get more of it in print!! Yes I'm busy, and yes I juggle many hats - and yes, I love my Starbucks and Wine and Wabo's .... you will soon have a better understanding as to why!

Everyone has a Story.... thanks for reading part of mine! ...... What is yours?

Amanda
Inspire marketing