Hayley + Allan

What a lovely couple of days enjoyed with a lovely couple of humans.

Hayley Barry is an extraordinary hand lettering artist from Provo, Utah whom I happened upon on Instagram about two years ago. I was immediately in awe of and inspired by her intricate and pristine works of word art.

A year ago, when it came time to revamp our Panic-Free Pricing book into an e-course, I suggested to my co-author, Becca, that we include Hayley as a guest contributor, sharing her wealth of knowledge on the subject of pricing for mural projects. She was a complete delight to work with, writing an entire chapter and providing amazing video to support her material.

This past August on Instagram, Hayley asked her audience where she should host her next Hand Lettering workshop. I (not so) jokingly sent her a message reply, “How about Ottawa, Canada!?”

You can imagine my squeals of delight when she replied, “I’d love to! If you can secure a minimum of 12 participants, I’ll come!”

After working out the details, and selling not only the minimum of 12 spots, but selling out all 25, Hayley booked flights for her and her husband Allan to spend the weekend in Ottawa, starting with our workshop Friday night. Not only was this to be Hayley + Allan’s first trip to Ottawa, but their first trip to Canada!

The anticipation of this weekend has been not unlike that leading up to Christmas morning. Waiting for them to arrive at the airport yesterday morning was like waiting for Santa! My heart was racing and my palms were sweaty! We all did a little happy dance upon first recognizing each other—them at the top of the escalator, me at the bottom. People must have thought we were long lost cousins, or completely bonkers!

After their overnight flights, Hayley + Allan were just about ready to ground themselves in their AirBnB, so we headed that way taking the scenic route, stopping along the way for quick hellos with a mutual friend, and a bite to eat in trendy Hintonburg. While they rested, I headed to ALE—Amberwood Lounge + Eatery—to set up. (Handy that I work there part-time as the Event Administrator!)

Hayley + Allan arrived with Becca at 4:30pm, followed by 16 of the 25 workshop participants for an early dinner. The workshop began at 6:30pm, and was jam-packed with hand lettering knowledge, tips, tricks, and techniques—sprinkled with Hayley’s charm and humour to keep everyone giggling.

By 9:30pm we were all exhausted and ready for bed. Becca drove Hayley + Allan home, and we confirmed plans to meet up this morning for a full day of Ottawa sights.

We started this morning at the National Art Gallery, followed by a stroll through the Byward Market, landing at The Aulde Dubliner for Hayley + Allan’s first taste of Poutine! We then visited The Original Giant Tiger, as a bit of a gag—before taking her calligraphy business full-time, Becca worked in the Interior Design department of GT, and had requested Hayley take a selfie, should one cross her path.

To rest our legs a bit, and take full advantage of the season, I drove my guests to Gatineau Park. We made it to Huron and Champlain Lookouts, where Fall Rhapsody did not disappoint!

Farewells were bid at about 5pm, as I left them at their AirBnB with suggestions for places to explore during the rest of their time here before heading home Monday morning.

Our bittersweet hugs goodbye felt so much more connected than our excited hugs hello. Time and memories shared brought the three of us closer together as friends, and Utah has officially been added to my wish list of travel destinations!

I have been reminding myself constantly of the magic in this entire experience—from admiring a young artist’s work, to saying hello, to collaborating on a project, to inviting her to travel to lead a workshop, to touring them around my beautiful city, to becoming friends.

Some people frown upon social media for the lack of connection and withdrawal it seemingly causes in real life relationships. And while I don’t necessarily disagree, I also see and embrace the opportunities it offers for connections I wouldn’t have imagined without it—real, intimate, authentic connections.

What a lovely couple of days enjoyed with a lovely couple of humans.

Wordless Wednesday | Cuba 2019

xox
Joanne

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this story. Feel free to leave a comment and let’s chat!

Hola!

Tomorrow at this time, Quinn, Jake, and I will be on our flight to Varadero, Cuba.

This trip is a promise I made to my boys way back in 2010—the last (and fourth) time I travelled to Cuba. I promised them the next time I went, it would be with them—just the three of us. They were nine and four then, now 18 and 13.

Quite honestly, even though I have wished a thousand times I could have taken them sooner, I think now is the perfect time. They are old enough to understand the value and opportunity of this adventure, and young enough to appreciate our time together (I trust I have raised them to always appreciate our time together 😉). I am so proud to be able to make this happen—so looking forward to the laughs we will have, and witnessing the wonder in their eyes as we tour though Havana, their amazement at the sights + scenes, and their appreciation for the local culture, and my love for the country and its people since my first visit in 1998.

This will be my fifth trip to Cuba, and by all counts, the most special.
✨☀️👩‍👦‍👦💕

xox
Joanne

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this story. Feel free to leave a comment and let’s chat!

Time to shift.

Wow. What a year it has been. And not just the almost-year it’s been since my last post {sheepish grin 😏}, but 2019 so far. In January, I was completely fired up before and during my Thailand trip. Things settled down after my March women’s art retreat weekend, and have remained oddly quiet since.

This quiet stillness coincides with my recent “single” relationship status—something new for me. It’s been over six months since my five-year relationship ended, and I honestly cannot remember a time in my life when I was single for this long. At age 47, it’s an odd feeling. Sometimes I am refreshed and inspired by my new found “freedom”. Other times I am desperately lonely and longing for someone with whom to connect.

For the last twelve weeks, I participated in a business coaching program which included three 60-minute in-person energy healing sessions. I believe in the power of energy, so this portion of the program was the selling feature for me. Jessica was able to tap into my true energy and listen to messages I have been telling myself which simply aren’t true. Like “nobody loves me”, or “I will never amount to anything.” As quickly as she heard these messages, she was able to heal them. And, while the impact of her healing isn’t always felt right away, I can certainly sense a strong upward shift in my overall sense of self, empowerment, and trueness. It may take several months for a complete integration, though I can say with confidence, I am feeling so much lighter and brighter these days, and my energy is picking up for all things inspiring and creative.

If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll have noticed my quiet. I currently have two accounts—@indetailcreative and @liveyourspiritnow, and have been drawn to share less creative work on inDetail, and more “this is me” on Live Your Spirit!, simply because that is what resonates with me these days—little snippets of my life in the hopes that my moments inspire others to take time to celebrate or time to be still.

Developing Live Your Spirit! has been on my “if you could do anything” agenda for ten years—helping people tap into their true selves, and find ways to shine through everyday moments, even the difficult ones. My belief is that through creative play—any kind of play—and joy, and pleasure, and laughter, and even tears, we can find our lost selves again, and nurture ourselves, and live the lives we were meant to, as light and loving creatures.

Here’s the thing… I haven’t been living my Spirit.

How can I possibly develop and share a program with the world, when I haven’t put myself through it? When I have not been honouring my own Spirit? Nurturing her, holding space for her to shine, and explore, and inspire myself. How can I truly guide others to this connection, when I have been feeling so disconnected myself? (Sidenote: You’ve gotta read Lost Connections, by Johann Hari)

Thanks to some very real friends (you know the kind that shake you out of your slump and let you cry on their shoulders, leaving mascara on their shirt?), and the power of energy healing, meditation, self-care, journaling…, I am in a shift phase. I feel it. I am feeling the urge to create, and share, and inspire myself, and the magical part? I’m giving myself permission to do all of this without needing it to answer the question, “How will this make money!? ” Whoa. Pressure off.

So my plan (notice I’m not using the word idea? I’m amazing at ideas—that’s never been a problem. It’s working the plan to make those ideas reality where I tend to fall short.) is to get #outofmyhead and #intotheworld. And I’m inviting you to come along.

My main Instagram account, @indetailcreative, will soon be rebranded as JoeGirl, and I will share stories, posts, and links to JoeGirlTV live streams and videos on Twitch and YouTube. I will be writing more here, and am sketching out thoughts for a “Live Your Spirit! with JoeGirl” podcast. Yes, lots of ideas, and for the first time in a long, long time, these ideas feel right. They feel strong and powerful. Like their time has come, and I am ready to embrace and implement them! I am finally ready to get out of my own way and make it happen—for me + for you.

It’s time to be JoeGirl.
It’s time to Live My Spirit!

It’s time to shift.

xox
Joanne

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this story. Feel free to leave a comment and let’s chat!

Oh, and by the way, none of the third-party links in this post are sponsored. I just really like them.

Inspiration 365: Day 54

[ Yes, I skipped a few days. Forgive me. ]

Today was Quinn’s Grade 5 ski trip to our regular hill. I volunteered to join the class as a parent helper, but was {don’t tell anybody} not particularly looking forward to the outing. “Why?” you ask. While I do love skiing and the outdoors, and I love spending time with Quinner, there were a few potential issues that were making me wince a little.

1.  The weather has been so mild all week, even raining at times, I was anticipating lousy conditions. Considering I had to pay for my lift ticket, I didn’t want to be forking over my pennies to ski in slush or on ice.

2.  Quinn is considered an advanced skier for his age group. This is his eighth year on skis, and his fifth in the racing program. He knows his stuff, knows the trails, and often goes skiing on his own without supervision. Most of his school friends are hockey players, having never clipped a boot into a binding before. Two of these guys (I’ll call them A-boy + H-boy) were assigned to my group to make our foursome. While I love teaching kids and working with them, I was not sure how we would all have an enjoyable day. Either Quinn would be bored on the easier runs, or his buddies would be frustrated and not able to keep up.

Quinn and I opted to drive to the hill instead of taking the school bus (more of that good ol’ quality time). We arrived about 45 minutes ahead of the class. While we waited another NINE schools came, resulting in about a thousand kids, of various skill levels, all ready to ski.

Once everybody had their tickets and gear, we were told to go to the star test station so the kids could be qualified to ski safely. A-boy had been on skis once or twice before and, as an avid hockey player, understood the science behind weight-shifting, balance and speed control. H-boy had never been on skis, and rarely on skates. These big planks on his feet made him stumble and fall simply getting from chalet to rope tow.

The hill was clearly ill-equipped to handle so many kids. The few instructors there weren’t so much teaching as they were herding kids through tow lines, hollering at them to “Keep going! There are too many kids here to hold up the line!” Poor H-boy stumbled on his first attempt to grab the rope tow. I exclaimed to the lift operator this was his first time on skis. “Oh! Well then he should be over THERE!”, pointing to a station where kids were learning how to STOP. Oh, there is a process here! So H-boy and I went over, while Quinn and A-boy proceeded to acquire their star with ease.

After six attempts, H-boy passed his stopping test, but not before frustration and defeat set in. He told me several times “I suck” and “I can’t do this”. My heart sank, but I encouraged him to keep trying. I took him over to the Turning station for his next step. He rode the magic carpet, while I skied uphill to meet him at the top {it’s a mild grade slope, at best}. Again at the top, there was a line up of kids waiting to go down, weaving gracefully through pylons, and who were expected to make turns and stop successfully at the bottom. There was zero instruction, only crowd control. “How can you expect kids to keep going, when they don’t even know what they are doing!? Most of these kids have never been on skis before, let alone know how to turn!” I said {forcefully, but not yelling}. “Hey, I’m the only one here. I’m doing what I can” was his response. “Well shuffling them down the hill is only going to result in a pile-up and potentially injuries. These kids need to be taught.”

I took H-boy to the side and tried to show him how to shift his weight in order to turn. He just wasn’t getting the hang of it. He toppled over at every attempt, becoming more frustrated each time. You know that point, when you just feel so lousy, you don’t even want to try? That’s where he was.

I looked up and saw Quinn patiently waiting, clearly bummed, but also feeling sad for his friend. It was now almost noon, and Q still hadn’t even gone down the hill. I approached their teacher with the situation. She suggested she might be able to find another group of kids at H-boy’s level with whom he could learn to ski. Feeling awful about his first experience, I agreed this was the best idea given the situation.

I thought about H-boy all day, wondering how he was doing. I learned that he spent the three hours after our last turning attempt just sitting in the lodge.

At about 3:30pm, I saw the teacher at the bottom of the hill. She caught my attention and was thrilled to tell me H-boy had decided to get back out there and try again. She pointed to the top of the wee rope tow hill, where I saw him prepping himself for another run. I waved, and he waved back. From fifty yards away, I could tell he was beaming with pride.

I had promised his Dad I would take photos and video, so here was my chance. In the time it took me to haul my iPhone out of my pocket, Quinn, A-boy and Q’s BFF L-boy were on their way up the rope tow to ski with their buddy (I’ve known all these kids since they were four years old. They are all such wonderful boys).

He was so excited coming down the hill. My heart sang at the sight of his huge grin as he sailed by me. “This is awesome! I’ve never gone that fast before! Well, except for that time I was in an airplane, but that wasn’t ME! I love this!”

We were so close to the end of the field trip, and time for the kids to be hustled back on the bus. I told the boys to stay where they were, I would be right back. I headed over to the teacher and asked her if I could keep H-boy with Quinn and I, and that I would drive him home. Seeing how excited and pleased he was, how could I put an end to his fun knowing I could give him the opportunity to continue? After speaking with his Dad, she gave me permission to keep him under my wing a little longer.

H-boy couldn’t believe his ears. “Thank you!” I made him a deal that if he could come down the learner’s hill three times without stumbling, I would take him on the chairlift for a few runs. He did it.

This little boy who was so devastated only a few hours earlier, was now wishing he could ski all night, and every day until Spring arrives. I felt so proud and thrilled to be able to give him this experience.

We proceeded to go down the easiest run four times, his turning and control improving each attempt. Quinn was so patient and encouraging, cheering H-boy on as he went along. He was exactly the kind of friend I always hoped my kids would be. I was proud of him too.

It was soon five o’clock, and time to go. We all could have easily stayed until 10pm close, but I had promised his Dad that H-boy would be home by 5:30pm.

We were all fired up from this amazing afternoon. What a transformation—a brilliant display of courage, perseverance and determination.

H-boy, you are awesome and inspiring. I will be happy to bring you skiing with us anytime.

{ Psst… I love to receive feedback on my posts. Please leave your comments whenever you feel inspired to do so! }

Inspiration 365: Days 44–47

Let’s forget days 44, 45 and 46. They were dark days. Yesterday particularly, as I spent most of it in bed with what I tend to call “gut rot”–in medical terms, diarrhea. A slight stomach bug, I’m sure, but uncomfortable to say the least.

Those days are gone. Let’s focus on today. For today… was awesome.

I decided early last week to book this week off at the Centre to focus on my plan to breathe new life into my design career. Design truly is what I do best, and is currently the most profitable way for me to single-handedly support my family.

The plan for the week was to continue work on a few modest design projects already on-hand, and spend as much time as possible reconnecting with former clients, and connecting with potential new ones. Due to delays in progress, and the—ahem—gut rot, my week’s plan has been somewhat kyboshed (sp?). Today made up for it.

Today I enjoyed an inspiring lunch date with fellow creative, Justin van Leeuwen. Justin is a local commercial photographer, whom I have been following on Twitter for months now, maybe even a year. I stopped him on the sidewalk one day last Summer to introduce myself, as we had exchanged tweets online a few times, but had not yet met IRL (in real life). In my efforts to expand my local creative network, I thought of Justin right away. Knowing his favourite lunch spot, I asked if I could join him there to talk shop. “Hell yes!” was his response. I knew right away this was going to be good.

I imagine Justin has no idea how influential our lunch conversation was. Here are but a few of the key points I took away from our time together:

• You can’t expect to find inspiration and creativity stuck in the same routine, within the same four walls, day after day. You need to explore, watch movies, surf the web, take workshops, travel, meet new people… Get out there.
• Up your rates. Prospective clients take you much more seriously, and value your work more, when there is a larger investment. Don’t be shy. Charge what you are worth.
• Network, network, network. Just keep talking.
• Do what you love. Your enthusiasm, passion and drive will bring the work to you. Once people know you are out there, doing it full-time, you will be flooded with work.

http://jvlphoto.com/pixelpost/index.php?showimage=950

Thank you, Justin. I anticipate many future chats with you. You are über cool and I appreciate your time today so very much.

After such an uplifting lunch, I was all fired up. When I am fired up, I explore and strut my stuff. On the way home, I decided to pop in to one of my favourite neighbourhood exploration spots: St. Vincent de Paul—a second-hand shop, not unlike a Salvation Army Thrift Shop. I wasn’t looking for anything in particular, but figured I would be drawn to the housewares. I love picking though vintage table- and service-ware. I did find three little gems: a wide-mouthed Mason jar for 69¢, a sweet painted red tin bucket for 59¢ (perfect to house my collection of pens, markers and paintbrushes) and a turquoise and green glazed pottery bowl vase for 99¢ (just waiting for this Spring’s harvest of my Grandmother’s Peonies). I was excited by these three bits on their own, but continued to browse the rest of the store. Books, racks of clothes sorted by colour {clever!}, furniture… and hmmm, I wonder if they have any boots here.

Side note: I have been looking for boots for, oh… about three years now! The perfect boots at the perfect price have been very difficult to find.

Until now.

A rack of shoes and boots appeared as I turned the corner out of the furniture section. It shone as though illuminated by Heaven. There they were. A pair of patent leather, er, vinyl, deep plum knee-high, 2-inch heel boots. Glorious. Oh! What’s this? Just my size? To quote the lovely Justin van Leeuwen, “Hell yes!” They slid on my feet and over my {rather husky} calves like butter. The price? A mere 800.

800 cents, that is. Yes folks, these most delightful boots were $7.99. I don’t know who St. Vincent de Paul was, but today he most certainly is the saint of all good things at amazing prices. SOLD.

But wait, there’s more. There was another pair. This time black, with a longer, slightly squared off toe. A higher heel this time, more Stilleto than chunky. Like butter again {no way!}. This pair only $6.99.

I grinned from ear to ear when the teller rang up two pairs of boots, a tin bucket, wide-mouthed Mason jar and pottery bowl for a grand total of $17.35.

What brilliant day. The evening was topped of by Marshall exclaiming that he had the night off. “What does your tummy want for supper?” PASTA. I needed something starchy to absorb the acids that had been wreaking havoc on my gut the last 48 hours. I suggested we pick up To Go meals at Parma Ravioli, just at the end of our street. In the 18 months since we moved here, we had not yet set foot in the doors of this establishment. Pasta is not a regular item on our meal schedule. The shop was gorgeous. Stunning take home meals for under $15. Fresh pasta and homemade sauces to prepare at your leisure. Shelves of gorgeously packaged olive oils, tomatoes, dried pastas. Everything an Italian grocery should be. I chose grilled chicken breast on egg noodles with a mushroom cream sauce and grilled peppers. Marshall chose grilled pork tenderloin on a tricolour Fettucine in rosé sauce. Both meals amazing.

I love days like this. Doing my own thing. Being productive, engaged… inspired.

{ Psst… I love to receive feedback on my posts. Please leave your comments whenever you feel inspired to do so! }

Inspiration 365: Day 31

It’s the last day of the first month of the New Year. I wished somebody I hadn’t seen since early December a Happy New Year today, and she was taken aback. Is it too late to wish somebody a Happy New Year? She seemed to indicate today was the last possible day to wish it, as January is all but over.

I think it’s never too late to wish anybody a Happy anything. You are wishing them prosperity, good health, wellness and love.

Funny. When I began writing, I had no intention of going in that direction. I had planned to show you the papier maché masks Cierra and the boys made last night. Tonight’s contribution to the project was another layer of paper strips, left to dry overnight so they can be painted tomorrow—assuming tomorrow is a “snow day” as anticipated, based on weather forecasts of freezing rain.

Can you tell which mask belongs to which face?

{ Psst… I love to receive feedback on my posts. Please leave your comments whenever you feel inspired to do so! }

Inspiration 365: Day 30

Some days there are too many highlights to choose only one to feature here. Today was one of those days. Here’s my list of inspirations since I woke at 6am…

6:00am… Céline’s email. {Thank You}

6:50am… The first moments of sunrise as I arrived back home after driving Marshall to work.

7:00am… Rocking out to the Burlesque soundtrack as I drove. Damn, that is feel-good music.

7:30am… The way Quinn leaped up from his chair to approach me for a good morning hug when I arrived at Andrew’s this morning.

11:30am… Tara’s first chest + back workout on her next program. She pushed though some ego moments and won the “I can’t do this” war. You ought to feel it tomorrow, Babe. See you Wednesday for core + legs!

2:30pm… My girl EmVee walked in the door, whom I haven’t seen in a few weeks as she has been admirably putting in loads of overtime to put away for her RRSP contribution. She was all glammed up with a leopard-print scarf, looking so fine. So great to see you, Melissa!

2:50pm… Kelly + Craig arrived to deliver some goodies from home for Cierra. Kelly, your eyes always melt my heart a little. You are so extraordinarily beautiful. Thank you for our first 16 years of honest answers and sage advice.

3:50pm… The strong possibility of an Interior Design/Decorating contract for an exciting client. Stay tuned…

4:00pm… My boys as they hopped off the school bus. Never a moment more beautiful then when I lay eyes on them after even a minute apart.

All evening… Cierra’s magical engagement with the boys as I frantically worked to meet a graphic design deadline. She had them making papier maché masks of their own faces, washing up, and playing Go Fish while she prepared supper. Thank you, Sweet Girl.

6:30pm… Oh yes, the Fondue Soup was amazing!

9:47pm… Finding a quarter on the ground outside as Marshall and I took Marley out for her last pee of the day.  Thank you, Universe!

Now… Bed. Looking forward to spectacular dreams tonight.

{ Psst… I love to receive feedback on my posts. Please leave your comments whenever you feel inspired to do so! }

Inspiration 365: Day 28

There is nothing quite like when a child who is not yours snuggles in beside you to watch a movie.

Reveals to me that children express emotions freely—love, fear, anger, pride.

Why do adults hold back? Where did that inhibition come from? At what point in our development do we begin to retract our expression and turn inward, or express false emotion?

To what gain? Or more importantly, to what loss?

Thank you, Sweet N, for the genuine, unabashed demonstration of admiration tonight. You taught me a lesson I won’t soon forget.

{ Psst… I love to receive feedback on my posts. Please leave your comments whenever you feel inspired to do so! }

Inspiration 365: Day 26

• This morning’s sunrise as I headed West.
• Silly voices with Jake.
• Guilt-free chocolate additive for smoothies.
• Working though some ego-based blueprints with Jackie.
• Tara’s completion of the Foundation Program.
• The prompt for GNOv3.
• Editing JoeGirl.com to feature Design, Illustration + Live Your Spirit!™.
• Nutiva Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil.
• Tea with Tara.
• Tara’s new skirt.
• Marley’s meek curiosity.
• The imminent return of my girl Cierra tomorrow.
• Sleep…

{ Psst… I love to receive feedback on my posts. Please leave your comments whenever you feel inspired to do so! }

Inspiration 365: Day 25

Growing up, I had one really, really good girl friend, and at any given time, two or three other girl friends I could occasionally call or hang out with. I tended to have more guy friends, and often felt more comfortable around them, as I was much of a Tomboy myself (for example, spelling my Jo, with an ‘e’ since the age of 8).

It wasn’t until launching JoeGirl that I really became focused on women, thereby attracting more women into my life. In the last 18 months since opening Marshall’s, I have become very good friends with over a dozen women—any of whom I could call at a moment’s notice to join me for a drink, a meal, a shopping spree, or a good cry.

One of those women is Chantal. Gorgeous, real, humble, sweet, spirited, tender Chantal. {I do believe she is the most beautiful woman I have ever met. Seriously. People Magazine has yet to feature anybody more stunning than this girl.}

After being unable to attend each other’s fortieth birthday party, Chantal and I agreed to set a lunch date. Today was the day. Given recent events and a rough start to my day, I walked the 100 paces from the Centre to Back Lane Café, wondering how my mood was going to pick up enough to be anything more than mediocre company.

As soon as I saw her face, my lugubrious mood lifted immediately. We caught each other up on our recent goings-on for no less than thirty minutes before even placing our order. Seems we have been leading similar lives, struggling with similar issues, battling the same ego wars. It was refreshing and uplifting to share our wins and losses with somebody who has really been there. And yes, we cried.

I practically skipped back to the gym, beaming with an optimism for my future—the okay to feel what I have been feeling, and the confidence to surge ahead with my dreams.

Chantal, you are extraordinary. Thank you for walking into my life, and welcoming me into yours.

{ Psst… I love to receive feedback on my posts. Please leave your comments whenever you feel inspired to do so! }

Inspiration 365: Day 24

Some Thank You’s are in order today…

• Thank You, Wayne. For saving my ass {again}.
• Thank You, Scott. For playing so sweetly with Jake this afternoon. I had not before seen that side of you. You will be a remarkable father some day.
• Thank You, Matt. For listening as I moaned about the state of affairs. You have become a great friend, and I look forward to spending more time with you in the future.
• Thank You, Cierra. For being strong. You are a bright light, surrounded by love.
• Thank You, Tara. For your text message smile this morning. You have no idea how much I needed it.
• Thank You, Kelly. For your trust. It speaks volumes.
• Thank You, Mom. For your encouragement. You always put it all out on the table. Raw and painful sometimes, but always offering tremendous growth.
• Thank You, Marshall. For giving and receiving so much love.
• Thank You, Quinn. For taking so much initiative this morning to help out. You are amazing.
• Thank You, Jake. For being the best junior receptionist Marshall’s has ever seen. I am so happy you are feeling better tonight. Sweet dreams, Little Bear.
• Thank YOU. For your regular readership and continual support. Now, if only I could encourage more feedback and comments. Are you really out there?

So… what inspired YOU today?

{ Psst… I love to receive feedback on my posts. Please leave your comments whenever you feel inspired to do so! }

Inspiration 365: Day 23

I didn’t write yesterday.

For all the wonderful things, people and experiences in my life, yesterday was a dark day. I went to sleep with tear-stained eyes and a heavy heart, my mind struggling with anxiety and fear. Not feelings I typically harbour, especially at the intensity at which they came on yesterday. So many rotten situations compounding at once. Of course, all opportunities for growth, though hard to see the light at the moment.

In hindsight, there were many inspirations yesterday:

• Jake’s sweet dialogue about the phrase Sunday Night… “Mom, the words Sunday Night don’t make sense. Sun. Day. Night. It frustrates me, Mama.”
• Quinn’s Kung Fu Panda 2 movie review for school, and A grades on two geometry assignments.
• Rave reviews to my latest batch of JoeGirl Cookies.
• Tara’s sweet thought for the day, about the gift of love.
• Hot bath + red wine.
• Nat’s offer of a contract project for the Westboro BIA.
• The quirky employment application questionnaire from a local design agency. Forcing me to think about myself in a completely different way. Not such a bad thing.

For the record, I am currently looking for flexible full-time, regular part-time, or freelance design contracts. As you know, my best work comes in the form of publication design, colour and type selection, organization and time management.

So… what inspired YOU today?

{ Psst… I love to receive feedback on my posts. Please leave your comments whenever you feel inspired to do so! }

Inspiration 365: Day 22

You want to hear something crazy?

I am friends with my ex-husband’s girlfriend on Facebook.

Yep. Wacko. I know.

The three of us went to lunch last November 11, 2011. As nervous as a teenaged girl on her first date, I wanted her to like me. I didn’t want her to be uncomfortable or uneasy. I simply wanted everybody to get along as adults should. We met under the guise of a colour consult, so I came equipped with 30lbs of paint fandecks, and she brought samples of her bedroom linens. It was the perfect—albeit unnecessary—ice-breaker.

I think Andrew was the most uncomfortable of all of us. He was fidgety and quiet. Likely thinking, “Oh my God, my worlds are colliding.”

Within 24 hours, she and I had connected via private message on Facebook. Within another six, we were “Friends” with Andrew’s blessing, of course. Ever since, we have ‘liked’ and commented on each other’s status updates, photos, links and shares.

What a wonderful situation—to not begrudge the person who now occupies Andrew’s heart, simply because society expects me to. I am thrilled for both of them… so deserving of happiness.

Thank you, Caroline. You inspire me.

So… What inspired YOU today?

{ Psst… I love to receive feedback on my posts. Please leave your comments whenever you feel inspired to do so! }

Inspiration 365: Day 21

Quinn + Jake are buddies most of the time. There are five years between them, so it is commonplace for them to disagree on things like what movie to watch (Pixar versus Harry Potter), what to eat (pizza versus Brie and Paté) or what crafts to make (those melting iron bead things or fine bead jewelry).

While it is obvious Jake adores his big brother Quinn, for the most part Jake seems to be a thorn in Quinn’s side (based purely on Quinn’s perspective, that is).

Tonight the four of us snuggled on the sofa bed to watch Daddy Daycare. Usually Jake wants to be beside Mommy. Tonight, he wanted to be beside Quinner. No words were said to indicate this—merely body language. Throughout most of the movie, Jake was pressed right up alongside Quinn, and in several instances, climbed right up on him to lay in Quinn’s arms. Quinn embraced his adoring little brother, rubbed his back and hair, and simply let him snuggle. There were no bitter words like “Get OFF me!”, or “Mawwwwwm, tell Jake to leave me alone!”

Only love.

…What inspired YOU today?

{ Psst… I love to receive feedback on my posts. Please leave your comments whenever you feel inspired to do so! }

Inspiration 365: Day 18

“Sixty!? How can you possibly be sixty!?”

Those are the words I blurted out when my Dad answered the phone this morning.

“If you’re sixty, that means I’m forty… and that’s just not right.” He agreed.
Then, we BOTH agreed to stay 26 forever.

Happy Birthday, Dad.
I soooo love you.

…What inspired YOU today?

{ Psst… I love to receive feedback on my posts. Please leave your comments whenever you feel inspired to do so! }

Inspiration 365: Day 16

Tonight, I am inspired by the many strong, beautiful women in my life…

Kelly, for working so hard to promote my new business direction;
Tara, for listening and lending a new perspective;
Cierra, for being so passionate about raising awareness to her peers about safe driving;
Elsbeth, for her determination and perseverance;
Melissa, for racking up the overtime so she can contribute enough to her RRSP to avoid paying taxes;
Tali, for inquiring about a power lifting program for women {oh, yah!};
Clarissa, Karla and Jennifer, for joining my 6-Meal Dinner Club within three minutes of receiving their invitation {Don’t be offended if you did not receive an invite. This is a spin-off for the participants of last week’s Nutrition Workshop. I will offer more dinner clubs down the road.};
Céline, for opening the Centre at 6am today after buggering-up her knee last night; and
my Mom, Sharon, for yesterday’s encouraging words which echoed throughout my thoughts all day long.

Thank you, Ladies.

…What inspired YOU today?

{ Psst… I love to receive feedback on my posts. Please leave your comments whenever you feel inspired to do so! }

Inspiration 365: Day 15

It has been three sleeps since my inaugural Live Your Spirit!™ workshop on nutrition last Thursday night. In the hours that followed, I received nothing but positive feedback and encouraging praise from the five ladies in attendance. Another nutrition workshop has already been organized for a group of 12 participants later in February. My instinct to continue with a full series has been validated enough to spend much of this evening developing a complete line-up of workshops.

In additional to Nutritional Blueprints, future workshop topics include: Fitness Blueprints, Attracting Your Ideal Mate, How to Love + Be Loved, Attracting your Ideal Career, Parenting Blueprints, and Attracting Wealth.

I am so excited and inspired to develop these programs! With the information gathered at each workshop, I will develop my Live Your Spirit!™book series—a collection of lessons, questions, case studies and practical action plans for every aspect of life.

…What inspired YOU today?

{ Psst… I love to receive feedback on my posts. Please leave your comments whenever you feel inspired to do so! }

Inspiration 365: Day 14

Green Tea at Red Salon.

Also tonight, Marshall, Cierra and I have had (and continue to have) the most inspirational, motivational, “shit-or-get-off-the-pot-inal” evening ever. I love this life.

{ Psst… I love to receive feedback on my posts. Please leave your comments whenever you feel inspired to do so! }

Inspiration 365: Day 13

So, it looks as though our sweet guest Cierra has decided to stay in Ottawa. This means living with us until she can afford her own place {yahoo!}. In order to do so, she needs to find work. This girl—she’s amazing. At sixteen, she has more of a head on her than some 30-year olds I know.

In the 48-hours since making this decision, she has written two job applications, revamped her resumé, talked to the community center about volunteer hours and has a list a mile long of retailers and other businesses to approach about employment. I tell you, business owners will be foolish not to hire this bright, young woman.

Cierra’s “Don’t sit still” attitude will carry her far in this life. A life which will most certainly reflect her beauty, and reward her perseverance throughout her entire journey.

{ Psst… I love to receive feedback on my posts. Please leave your comments whenever you feel inspired to do so! }