Dance Party 2011!

Invitations are out and 8 people are booked so far. The night is January 20th and the place is Capital City Dance. The theme of our dance lesson, ok it's not quite a dance party, is undetermined. We've gotta be willing to go with the flow ladies. We're not doing hip hop, ballet or Latin for sure. Something current modern and raw!

I trust the boys at CCD. My daughter has been dancing with them for over a year now. They are so great with the kids, the atmosphere is casual and the dancing impressive. Ours will be a little less impressive but fun just the same.

Ready to shake it ladies?

Someone reminded me the other day that we have done belly dancing, Latin dancing, and Zumba. I do like to dance. Someone on the Evite list responded that they had 'more dancing' as a resolution for this year. I'm happy to help her reach that goal.

A New Year for Us SpinMamas!

After a glass of Sangria, a few appies and chit chat about everything including hoarding, our youngsters, our ailments and good fortune, we finally got around to putting a schedule together for this year. It's posted on the right and definitely a work in progress.

Doreen also shared with us an update on her new business Consider It Done Downsizing, Hired Advocates for Seniors on the Move. She's so excited about the prospects of helping elders and their families at a new crossroad. So exciting to see a friend find a new space in the world. Yahoo Doreen Jans! and her partner Laurie Kizik too.

(Image: Peter Petie on Flickr)

Sangria Sisters Planning Session

We're planning the first half of 2011 this week. Anyone interested in adding suggestions before we put things together, please leave your thoughts here.

What would you like to try this year?

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!

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.

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.

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

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

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?

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.

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!!!

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!

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