An Experiment for 2011

I've decided to try something new for 2011. It's time to turn this blog into a real blog. Instead of just posting about events and their outcomes, I'm going to add some new content, thoughts, ramblings and hopefully start some discussion with all you SpinMamas out there near and far.

My 365Joy project was a starting point for me. I have learned so much about myself, my values and how I have been affected by stress. I can clearly see what's important to me in the pictures I have taken over the year. And although I'm so happy the year is over and I'm thrilled I survived it, my pictures reveal a different picture. My pictures reveal a year filled with many moments of joy. That was the point of this exercise after all. My quick reaction to the year is 'phew it over' but when I look at the details of the year through my pictures, they tell a very different story.

What was also very interesting about this project was the absence of pictures in the fall. During that time, I was very stressed for a variety of reasons and my life became small. It's through this observation that I've decided to live a bigger life this year and I've changed my goal to 52 weeks of pictures this in keeping with my theme of 'doing less with more depth' this year. I really think that too many of us are skimming through life these days instead of diving in.

I do strongly recommend a photo project for everyone. It's not easy but I have to say it's been insightful on many levels.

What projects or goals are you ladies setting for yourself in 2011?

Wine Tasting with Our Own Sommeliers

With the help of our friends, Jacky and Mary, we tried another wine tasting. Heather provided a fabulous kitchen, Pam put together an amazing spread of tasty snacks and about 15 of us showed up to taste, talk, and learn about wine.

Jacky and Mary are both certified sommeliers from Algonquin. They share a variety of wines with us including Segura Viudas Brut Reserva Cava Sparking wine, Cave Spring Riesling (Ont) 2008, Toasted Head Chardonnay (California) 2008, Babich Pin Noir (NZ) 2008 and Errazuriz Max Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon (chile) 2008. I guess 2008 was a good year around the world.

Thanks to all that came out and those that made it happen. Cheers!

What a Ride!

Ten SpinMamas ventured out to Vals-des-monts for a moutain biking lesson with Dominique at Creative Wheel. What a beautiful fall day it was! We ever so slowly got acquainted with each other, our bikes and Dom's mountain. I for one was very surprised how quickly the inner mountain biker in me surfaced. Dom has a way to work slowly but methodically. She builds on skills, keeps things simple yet at the same time increases the challenge so you see the changes.

I will be back on the mountain soon. I loved the power and excitement of being on the bike and now have the confidence to call upon my inner warrior again soon. And it's always amazing to hand with the mamas, try new things and be together on our social adventures.

Thanks for coming out!

Mountain Biking With Dom at Creative Wheel

SpinMamas on Fat Knobby Wheels!

The beginning of a whole new love affair!

A fun day for SpinMamas to learn about the ABC of mountain biking with Dominique Larocque, founding director of the Creative Wheel Centre and LaRoccaXC Mountain Bike School.

9:00 am to noon

Instruction with Dominique - $20 per person + taxes.

Rental for the day - $20 per person + taxes.

Bring you lunch and enjoy the rest of the afternoon practising or just 'chilling out' around a bonfire.

Absolutely NO experience required!

Bring a helmet a cycling gloves if you have them. No worries if you don't. Wear tight clothing if possible and cover your arms. Fun, fun, fun!

The Centre welcomes you! Invites will be sent out shortly.

Eat Pray Love Movie Night

Sixteen of us gathered last night to watch Eat, Pray, Love together. We arrived a little early and chatted and got caught up. Many of us had read the book and a few hadn't. We talked about kids and work, our fabulous long summer and what's coming this fall. Us ladies love to chat!

I look at our time at the movie similar to Eat, Pray, Love. Most of us can't take a year and travel the world to discover ourselves and experience new cultures and people. Most of us have to find that 'escape' in the day to day. Going to this movie was my 'escape' and the movie gave me time to think about the importance of connecting with people around a table, of finding calm and tranquility, and of being open to love and sharing love everyday. So I guess now it's time to play a dinner party, get back to meditation and make sure I hug my teenagers everyday even when it doesn't look like they want it.

Thanks to the SpinMamas for coming out to join me. It's been a long time. There's power in we even if we are doing the ordinary.

SpinMamas is Back!

We're got a plan. Over a pitcher of Sangria, we planned the upcoming year of SpinMama events. Details will start showing up here as I receive confirmations and we start making bookings.

I have to thank Cheryl Brouse, Heather Dewar, Doreen and Jacky Jans, and Pam Dilworth-Christie for jumping in to help get things going again.

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