Let's See What Takes Root

Ladies!

I need some inspiration from you. A year ago, we were over 100 names on a list. Many of you attended a variety of events and many of you did not attend but you were keen to be invited to the events, especially the shopping night.

Now, I need to know what you want to be a part of? I don't want SpinMamas to die but I need other people to help me breath life back into it.

Do you miss SpinMamas? What would you like to do? Maybe I should just turn this into a blog about the hectic lives of women in the hood and what they do to have fun with life? What do you think? Share you thoughts insights and ideas. I was derailed and I need your help to set a new path.

I have added a poll just to see if people are interested in events but until the end of April I'm going to just start blogging and see what happens. We'll call this my SpinMamas experiment. Let's see how we can change the shape of what Janis and I started in July 2006.

So I'm Not Doing So Well Yet

Believe me ladies when I say that I have very good intentions but things haven't quite come together yet. But don't give up yet. I'm going to give it one more try later this week to get my SpinMama mojo back.

Patti

Resurrecting SpinMamas

I'm bringing SpinMamas back to life this year. I miss you ladies and all the different activities so if you are interested in coming along for the ride again this year, please join me.

As a few of you know, my mind wasn't into SpinMamas last year because of a sick friend, Jennifer Webster. Almost 5 years ago, Jennifer was diagnosed with cancer. She has attended several SpinMama events in the past. Over the 5 years of her sickness, she went into remission for almost a year but for most of 2009 Jennifer was in St. Vincent's long-term care facility. She passed away December 31st, 2009. In memory of Jennifer, I have started a photo collage which I call '365 Days of Joy -2010'. I also feel that it's time to resurrect SpinMamas.

I will be cleaning up the email list shortly so expect an email which you will need to respond to in order to stay on the list for upcoming events.

Here's to 2010! It's time for a little more fun!

Patti

Details on Shopping Night Coming Soon

Quichua World Market will be hosting our holiday shopping evening this year on November 25th. More details to follow. Mark the date and take a quick look at Andrea Tomkins recent blog post on gift shopping at Quichua.

Lost My Way but Not Forgotten

Ladies!

A few of you have been asking me 'what's up?" I have to admit that I have been consumed with starting WhyHire.me, among other things. Every so often I think of wrapping things up, throwing in the towel, and just calling it quits but I can't seem to bring myself to do it.

I think instead I would like to say that 2009 wasn't the best year for SpinMamas but that I would like to try and give our little gang new life in 2010.

Let me know if you are interested in staying in touch and what you would like to do in 2010. I'm looking for some input and a little push to get me going again.

It's been too long, Patti

Yoga to Drinks

Yoga on the Beach has been cancelled. The weather just hasn't cooperated. We've had a little rain on the beach in past years but the weather is just to unpredictable.  So, yoga plans are off and drinks at Trio are on. 

More plans soon,  Patti

4th Annual Yoga on the Beach

Ladies!

Hard to believe that we have been holding SpinMama events for 3 years. I have to admit that I have been lacking in 'events' over the spring and early summer, but I just couldn't have the summer go by without 'Yoga on the Beach' with Donna Davis.

Invitations have been launched and I await your thoughts and input.

Hope you can inspire some mojo ladies! I don't think I'm ready to give up on SpinMamas. I just need a little inspiration.

Patti

Bowling Babes

Twelve of us sported those funky shoes and tossed a few balls in the gutter (Whoops, that was just me. No actually that was a few of us). We started at O'Connell's, very small 'rustic' pub not far from the GCTC. The beauty of O'Connell's is that it's attached to West Park bowling lanes and Fil's dinner. They are all owned by the same people. Which means you can buy your drinks at O'Connell's and bring them into the bowling alley. How progressive is that? There was even some entertainment when we made our way back to the pub after our game of bowling.

What's next this month - Not sure! Been busy trying to launch a new business idea - WhyHire.me.

Looking for easy suggestions - simplicity is still key! Ideas?

Patti

Last Minute Decision - Let's Bowl

I received a few emails about movies or dancing but nothing to spur on an outing.  I have been busy with piloting our new business concept, WhyHire.me over the last few months.  But the month is coming to a close and I feel the need to make something happen.  So, bowling it is. No birthdays required (many of us have been there) and you get to wear the funky shoes.  Details to follow in an Evite shortly.  Sometimes last minute is the only option.

Any thoughts on golf?

What's Your Poison Ladies?

Are you up for a Movie at the new renovated Mayfair Theatre on Bank at Sunnyside or a night of dancing at the Velvet Club in the Market?  Very different events but note that both are easy for me to organize.  We can have 2 or 20 SpinMamas attend.  This winter has been busy and I need to keep things simple.  For those that were interested in indoor rock climbing, my apologies.  I will put it on the list for a future event.  For now, simplicity is key.

Dancing would be March 12th or 19th and the movie will depend on their schedule which is not out yet.  

Look forward to your responses,  Patti

Winterlude?

Eight of us battled the wind and the blustering snow to skate from Dow's to the Bank Street Bridge.  We did get to see the gallery under the bridge which was lovely and I for one enjoyed the exercise, fresh air and girl time. 

The funny thing was that you would have never known it was Winterlude.  There was hardly a person in site, the bar was empty and we had the igloo to ourselves.  But enjoyable none-the-less.

I think it's time for new skates.  Scary thing is I can't find the other skate.  I had them on yesterday.  Go figure!

I really have to start wearing that bloody camera around my neck.  No pictures again.

FREE LIfe Coaching - From me!

Last weekend I attended a 3 day course in Toronto put on by the Coaches Training Institute. My motivation is the project I am working on at Algonquin College, WhyHire.me.  I realized that although I am teaching students about social media tools for personal branding that coaching is part of the process.  Off I went to learn more.  

The life coach I have used over the past year on and off plus two other's I had met, all trained through CTI so I felt it was the right direction to go.  Off I went to Toronto for the weekend.

I'm now looking for a few 'FREE' clients so that I can practice my skills.  Any interested SpinMamas (or your friends or family) that would like to be my guinea pigs?  Our sessions will be 30 minutes long every 2 weeks.  The goal is to make your life more fullfilling.  Do you have an area in your life that isn't quite up to 'snuff'?  We can focus on career, relationships, family, friends, fun and recreation, money, personal growth and almost anything else.  

Coaching is not counselling.  My role is to support you in finding the solutions to your issues and helping you be more accountable for the actions you need to take in your life.  So far, I have a client writing a book outline, another analyzing what happiness really is to them, and another client is working their way through making their needs a higher priority in their hectic life.

This is soft sell ladies - I'm offering up some FREE coaching for a limtied time.  Anyone interested, please send me a note.  

Rave Reviews for Tempting Providence

Thirteen of us showed up to see 'Tempting Providence' at the GCTC.  I was surprised to hear that none of us had yet been to the new GCTC location.  We were all very impressed.  We arrived early to enjoy a relaxing beverage before the show.  Encore, run by Thyme and Again, is a beautiful restaurant on the group floor.  Although I was the only one that grabbed a bit, I can say with complete commitment that I will be returning for lunch some day soon.

The play was delightful!  I love the strong characters, the Newfie feeling, the simple costumes, and the dance with the table cloth.  It was mesmerizing to see who the 4 characters were able to turn a table, 4 chairs and a table cloth into all the sets they required.  Wonderful acting but also very entertaining in the way they produced their environments.

Myra Bennett was definitely a women I would have enjoyed having a kitchen party with.  And to all the SpinMamas that joined me, thanks for the company!

Patti 

Transcending: Words on Women and Strength by Kelly Corrigan

This video keeps popping in my mailbox from different women in my life.  With over 3 millions views, I think it's safe to assume that it resonates with many women with regard to the power of our friendships and our spirits.

Cheers to you all,  Patti

Kayla's Review of Tempting Providence

My daughter and her classmates saw Tempting Providence today at the GCTC.  Kayla and her friend Natalie though it was a great production.  The girls were very impressed that it was the true story and they loved the Newfoundland actors that told Myra Bennett's story.  They were very impressed with how a limited set was used and they found the story interesting and at times very funny.

Kayla and Natalie gave Tempting Providence 2 thumbs up.  

I hope the 13 of us that are attending the production next Tuesday night will feel the same.  For those of you that are joining me, I will have a glass of wine in hand at 7PM at Encore, the cafe on the main floor.

Cheers!

Thought you Might Be Interested In .......

Candlelight                      Labyrinth Walk

Come make this New Year's Eve a little different by walking the labyrinth, indoors, 

in the company of friends and neighbours. 

December 31st from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.

Dovercourt Recreation Centre

411 Dovercourt Avenue
R.S.V.P. labyrinthevent@gmail.com

Please bring pot luck cookies 

and a little contribution towards the cost of the evening.

Thanks to our sponsors Dovercourt Recreation Centre,

 Bridghead Coffee House and Produce Depot

Best Wishes for a wonder-filled New Year

Barbara Brown & Vanessa Compton

Happy Holidays - Looking forward to 2009

I don't know about you, but 2008 was not the best year for our family. We're definitely looking forward to turning the page on our calendar and launching ourselves into 2009.

I hope to plan a bevy of fun activities for the SpinMamas. Please send any suggestions my way and I'm looking for a fairly easy (about an hour) snow shoe hike to a shack in the Gats. Suggestions and input would be appreciated.

Enjoy the season and see at least 12 of you at the play on January 20th. More on that in the New Year!

Enjoy!!!

Looking for Mendi Ideas

I really want mendi (henna tatoos) done on my hands.  Maybe because I'm turning 44 over the holidays and I need to rebel in the smallest of ways.  Any ideas on how to incorporate mendi into an event?  Mendi and martinis?  Thoughts and suggestions please!

It's Over!

I'm thrilled that 50% of my Christmas shopping is done and I hope many other SpinMamas feel the same way.  

We didn't have as many people as I had expected but those of us that were shopping seemed to be having a good time.  What a fabulous way to knock things off your list.  As you can see, it was very taxing at times.  Yes that is Janis having a mini-facial at Harnn & Thann.

I was having such a lovely time that I forgot to take more pictures.  Poor Janis keeps ending up as my 'feature' SpinMama.  She's such a good sport.

Thanks to all the stores that opened up and treated us so well (as you can see).

Invites for our theatre night will be hitting your email accounts shortly.

A few of us will get those wonderful calls tomorrow telling us that we have won prizes.  Good luck and please let me know who the luck recipients are.

Tonight's the Night!!

I have to admit I really didn't want to set up this event. But as I talked to some SpinMamas and the store owners, I got my SpinMama mojo back and now I'm pumped. Start at any store, bring friends and hope to see you for a drink at Trio afterwards.

Our hosts include;
Mrs. Tiggy Winkles,
Harnn & Tann
Truffle Treasures
Kitchenalia
The Village Quire

Their doors are open from 6:30 - 9:00 pm tonight.

See you tonight!!

They're Ready for Us!

Today I popped in to see our 5 local retailers that are hosting our shopping night next week. They are excited to be a part of the 3rd Annual SpinMama Westboro Shopping Spree. 

Fady at Harnn & Thann will be offering discounts, a door prize, sushi and quickie facials. Warren and Allison at Kitchenalia are bringing in several gourmet suppliers to serve up a variety of tasty treats for us and he has another great prize lined up this year.  Susan at the Village Quire has many boxes to unload and display before we come. She's throwing in a very cute reindeer wreath holder in as a door prize.  I've definitely putting one of those on my list.

Please remember to bring bras or panties to donate to the Capital Panty Raid.  Bras can be slightly worn but must be clean.  Undies must to new and can for male or female and for any age.  There will be laundry baskets at all the stores where you can drop off your donations. 

The stores are expecting us from 6:30pm - 9:00pm next Wednesday, November 19th.  You can start at any one of these 5 stores ; 

  Mrs. Tiggy Winkles - we all know where they are

  Harnn & Thann - just across the street from Tiggy Winkles

  Truffle Treasures - right beside Harnn & Thann

  Kitchenalia - closer to Athilone

  The Village Quire - across the street from Kitchenalia

All the stores will be offering 15% discounts, door prizes, and light refreshments.

I have warned Trio to expect a few dozen SpinMamas for beverages after our shopping spree. Trio is about 4 doors down from Mrs. Tiggy Winkles going East.

Looking forward to it!

The Shopping Spree is Coming

Invites will be out today.  Mark you calendars for November 19th.  Details to follow in an evite. 

Patti

A SpinMama Salute to Wine!

Sixteen of use braved the cold and snow to meet at Divino's Wine Studio last Wednesday for a little wine tasting with Kate Parson and her lovely assistant Jacky Jans, one of our own SpinMamas.  Divino's is located on Preston Street, north of Gladstone and beside the Sala San Marco.  They opened last spring.  The 'Studio' is clean and fresh and definitely designed for the wine aficionado.  I hear from several SpinMamas that it's a great place for a high-end meal or tapas.  I'm definitely going back.  I'm also interested in the wine tour to Italy but let's try Prince Edward Country first (maybe next fall - let me know if that interests you).

Thanks for coming out and learning a little more about wine with me.  Sometimes we forget to really enjoy the little things in life and I think wine falls in that category.  I'm often a swiller not a sipper.  I think the saying should be 'take time to smell the roses and swirl and swish your wine'.  You know what I'm talking about ladies.   I would love some comments from those that joined us.  I wish I had found a wine I loved.  I enjoyed a few and didn't like two of them.  But that's all in the learning.

Now that I'm looking at our wine choices, I'd have to say that quite of few people seems to enjoy the late harvest wine, Colio Estates, Vidal VQA 2006, $12.95.  I will be picking up a few bottles to give as gifts over the holidays.  It's a dessert wine.

I forgot to take pictures.  Someone remind me next time.

Play Date Changed from Wednesday to Tuesday

It has been brought to my attention that I keep scheduling things for Wednesdays lately.  I thought I should try a different night for the Tempting Providence at the GCTC.  We're aiming for a Tuesday in January.  Just letting you all know.

Westboro Holiday Shopping Spree is Coming - Wednesday, Nov 19th

Why shop at a mall amongst the masses when you can shop with the SpinMamas in our own neighbhorhood?  Our 3rd annual Westboro Shopping Spree is scheduled for Wednesday, November 19th.  This year will be spoiled by Kitchenalia, The Village Quire, Harnn & Thann, Mrs. Tiggy Winkles, and Truffle Treasures.  These local stores will be offering us discounts, refreshments, and door prizes.  Invites will follow on November 1st.  I just can't send them before Halloween is over.  It's just not right.

If you would like any other stores in the neighborhood to participate, please let me know and I'll see what I can do.

Tempting Providence at GCTC - January 20th

Invitations will be coming out for this event soon. Take a look if you are interested in coming to Tempting Providence. The play was recommended by a GCTC staff member. We may even stop by and do some shopping at Tueday's the Romance Store on the way to the show.

Patti

19 to Toast Preston Street

I have 19 Spinmamas ready, willing and able to join me on October 29th for wine tasting.  I have to admit that I was shocked when the 19 spots disappeared in 24 hours.  I have been told that I should make the connecting between the type of event and the level of interest.  Let me work on that.

If you didn't answer fast enough and would like to be put on a waiting list, please send me an email.  We always have cancellations.  We lead busy lives!

Patti

Wine Tasting in October

The invitations are out and I'm looking for some tasters to join me at Divinos at the end of the month.

Cheers!   Patti

We Survived and Thrived at LaFleche

What a blast! I'm exhausted and exhilarated by our experience at LaFleche Adventures today. Seventeen women, and my daughter Kayla, dragged ourselves to Val-des-Mont under heavy looming rain clouds to face our fears and swing in the trees. I have to admit the course was a little more demanding then I had expected but it felt great to be pushed mentally and physically.

Janis takes on a tree...


I'm eager for another adventure like this one. How about a canoe camping trip next year? Any takers?

Wine tasting details will be confirmed this week and Evites will follow. Please forward any other ideas you have for events.

Thank you to everyone that came out!

It's Time to Swing in the Trees

Adventure awaits us at LeFleche this weekend.  19 of us will be making our way into the trees this Sunday.  Car pools will be assigned later this week and we will post lots of pictures of our adventure next week.  For the almost 30 of you that told us why your couldn't come, thanks for staying in touch.

Time to Face Our Fears!

The invites are out and I'm pumped (Janis is on holidays but I know she will be pumped when she finds out I have booked it).  

Take a look at what's coming our way at LeFleche Aerial Park - www.adventurelafleche.com. YouTube also has some eye opening previews of what's to come.  Hope you will join us on a beautiful fall day!  Fall better be gorgeous after all the rain we've had this summer.

Our 3rd Annual Yoga on the Beach!!

Thanks to Donna Davis for leading our 3rd Annual Yoga on the Beach class. This is one of our favorite events. The combination of friends, yoga, beach, sunsets and drinks just works well together. We were lucky on all accounts last night. Donna recently opened up her yoga studio, Movement to Health, which is just above Gotta Paint at 360 Kirkwood.

Thanks to the 20 SpinMamas that came out and celebrated life with us!

Ommmmmmmmmmmm

African Drumming on the Beach was Amazing!

Our African Drumming with Kathy Armstrong from Baobab Tree was so much fun. I was amazed at how far Kathy moved us along in just over an hour. After this video we added bells and singing. I was also surprised how meditative and relaxing it was to drum. It was interesting how your mind would wonder as you watched faces across the circle then your hands starting doing the wrong things. It was lots of fun and although the beach was pretty much deserted, we did get a family dancing along to our beats. Thanks for coming out ladies!


(Please excuse the affect on the video, the kids have been playing with my camera. And a special thanks to Melanie for the show at the end.)

My Salute to Mother Earth

I can't believe I was the only one that made it out for a walk along the river. We are busy ladies and I won't take it personally. I really enjoyed my walk to Remic Rapids and I'm planning on making the trek every Saturday morning at 8:30am, if anyone wants to join me. The water was very high and I even met up with a wood pecker along the way. Missed you all and Happy Mother's Day!

Patti

Any other Suggestions?

I'm not sure if skiing is going to work out with these 'hot flashes' we getting.  Any other ideas? Simplicity is key.  We could always go for drinks and keep things simple.

We're Not Feeling Artsy - How about Skiing?

Janis and I had a pow-wow today and neither of us is feeling the need to create art this month. In order for us to move ahead with an event, one of us has to feel the pull, the urge, the desire. So, we are cancelling 'A Fine Mess' and we are thinking of a ski adventure on Sunday April 20th, weather permitting. There really hasn't been any spring skiing this year, and we're in the mood for wearing bikinis and skiing. Ok, maybe not the bikinis but a beer on a deck after an afternoon of skiing sounds fabulous. We will leave invites to the last minute because of the weather.

Hope we have a few interested ski bunnies and sorry about the lack of committment to art this time around.

Patti

Now We've Zumba'd!

I have to say that I was impressed with how many of us dragged ourselves out for some Zumba on Friday night.  At last count there were 22 little tushies shaking it during the class.  I must send out a thank-you to our instructor Shawn who wasn't feeling great but still came out to show us his sexy moves.  While many people were getting ready to head south, we were dancing to the music of Cuba, Columbia and the Dominican Republic without even leaving the city.  Tropical vacations are very overrated!  

I had originally described Zumba as latin line dancing.  With one class under my belt, I would have to say that Zumba is more like latin aerobics with a big emphasis on dance.  Although we were definitely putting the dance moves together, I would have to say that most of us had a good sweat going.  It was a real workout and a lot of fun.  To me Zumba was aerobics with more sex appeal and more liberating because of the dance moves.  I especially liked the 'twirling' dance.  There is something about twirling with your arms spread out that just makes you feel like a kid again.  I'd be ready to sign up for a class if DRC schedules a session.

A few of us ended up at Milagro's on Wellington after the class.  It just seemed right to enjoy a class of Sangria after our quick trip to the South.

Patti

Our Snow Shoeing Trek under the Stars

Friday night's trek in Gatineau Park was truly wonderful.  Coordinating our shoes and car pools was a little confusing but I think the toughest part was just dragging our butt out of our houses on a cold Friday night.  Hats off to us all that hauled ourselves out into the woods.  Eighteen of us made our way to the Visitor's Centre in Chelsea.  To the left of the Centre we gathered at the 'shack' which was locked up and booked for a group of 50 which were ahead of us.  We followed the path past the old Visitors Centre and across the road.  Lee pointed us in the right direction and before we knew it were trekking up and down the rolling hills of Gatineau Park.  Our adventure took us to a look out at the top of a hill where we saw the lights of the village and stars above.  We were out in the woods for about an hour.  It was glorious!  Cheryl even sold a house while we were out there.

Some of us continued the adventure, in search of a beverage.  Believe it or not, about 8 of us ended up at Puzzles in Westboro.  Melanie and Raquel even took to the Karaoke stage and entertained us all.  I never thought I would venture into Puzzles but I guess you can go anywhere and have a good time if you are with the right people.  For future reference the regular Karaoke crowd is pretty good at Puzzles and I have a feeling we will be joining them on stage again.  A reminder to all, I'm a dancer not a singer.  I'm happy to be anyone's do-wop girl!

Patti  (pictures to follow from Melanie's phone hopefully)

Snow Shoeing, Skating or Knitting

The weather isn't looking very good for the end of the week so we may change the plans.  I will check the weather this evening and send out an updated Evite tomorrow morning.

Let's cross our fingers for consistent weather.  These ups and downs are killing us.

Patti

Curling at the Granite Club

It's been over 15yrs and I still fall over when I curl.  The nice thing to know is that I'm not the only one.  Thanks SpinMamas (all 20 of you) for coming out and giving curling a try.  A visit to the Granite Club is like a flashback in time.  I don't think the club has changed in 40 years and I love that about it.  Jolynn, Deb, Heather, Paul, and Josh were the curling experts that helped the rest of us out with our rules, form, and skills.  It took all of them to get us moving in the right direction (standing on two feet and curling the stones hard enough and in the right direction).

The concensus was to try again next year.  Now that we understand the game, we might as well work on getting the stones in the circle (what was that called again).  I know that most of us were getting the stones past the hog line by the end of the afternoon.  And a nice cold beer and a chat with the SpinMamas was a nice way to finish up our curling adventure.

I must also thank Christine Snow of Wellington Village Massage Therapy (613-761-5603) for donating our $5 1/2 hour massages.  I know that many SpinMamas will be calling her to make an appointment after pushing those muscles.  Chris is great, I'm a regular on her table.

We took some time to share ideas for future events.  Please take the time to answer the poll on this site.  

Patti

It All Started with Yoga in June of 2006

It's been many months since Janis and I started SpinMamas.  Our first event was Yoga on the Beach and we will end every year with Yoga on Westboro Beach.  We love this event!!!  It's beautiful, relaxing and Moe's is open for beverages and tasty snacks after class.  

Since Yoga on the Beach in 2006, we have visited Le Nordik Spa in Chelsea (we've gotta go back there), we have tried Belly Dancing and Latin Dancing, and we have held private shopping evenings in Westboro. A few of us even went for an inspiring walk in the woods and most recently we put on our sliders and tried out curling at the Granite Club.

Hope you can join us for our next SpinMama event,  Patti