Author:bluelollipoproad

September 27, 2010 In Uncategorized

vote for my friend jill!

Jill is up for the 2010 Richmond Mom Makeover! She sent out a big ol’ email in May about her 40th birthday approaching and her desire to get back to her wedding weight. She launched her own website so family and friends could follow her progress. She’s been doing great! (Even signed up for and has been training for her first ever triathlon- go Jill!)

Her 40th birthday is in a few weeks. Wouldn’t it be a great surprise for her to win the makeover she’s been nominated for? VOTE HERE. There are only 3 days left!

Jill has been a friend for years, always makes me laugh, and is the life of the party. I’m not even sure she knows that she was one of the key reasons I got through a very hard time in my life some years ago. I will always love and respect her more than she knows for that. She has two of the cutest kiddies ever and a great hubby who is one of my dearest pals too. They are a busy family like so many others, so this makeover would be a great treat for her.

VOTE FOR JILL CAMPBELL NOW! (Please only vote for Jill. On the voting page there is the option to vote for 3 people, but we want our Jilly to win:) I will post photos of the big makeover here if she wins!

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September 27, 2010 In Uncategorized

why napa?

Lots of reasons. Several people have asked me this when I was hell bent on heading to NYC. Don’t get me wrong, the city is always in my heard and could quite possibly be in my future, but for now; sunshine, quiet, relaxed, beauty and west coast lifestyle is what I am choosing. This place is also providing me fantastic opportunities (lessons and connections) in social media which is exactly what I need for BLR. (Not to mention amazing wine and cheese I get by default too!) There are very few times in my life I have truly stopped and just taken care of me. Since leaving the east in July and arriving in Napa I am doing that. I need it right now.

A reader just sent me an email with this quote. It fits well for me and my time here now in Napa:

“I’m tired of running after my dreams, I’m gonna sit here and wait for them to catch up with me.”

I’m personally taking a breather and letting my outside catch up with my inside. I don’t think enough of us allow ourselves to do this.

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September 25, 2010 In Uncategorized

under construction

What? Again?

Yep.

Life’s a moving target (at lease that’s what the commercials say) and I am not one to sit around. Please be patient while the next phase of Blue Lollipop Road is born. Put the kids to bed, grab a shot of tequila, a cold compress, or get your ear muffs out. This one is going to be a doozy. No fear, I am all about the butterflies and rainbows, but it’s time for the gloves to come off and for me to sass up my writing on a much more regular basis than I have been. I’ve behaved myself way too much here and quite honestly I feel like a bore. I’ve come a long way baby, full monty blogging starts now. Take me or leave me:)

So? Posts moving forward will have more of things like:

*Lots of eff-bombs. (The word fuck, but maybe with a * in place of the “c” or something sometimes. I mean, my Mom reads this after all. Hey Mom! Love you!-You fucking rule!)
*Funny signs accompanied by offensive captions
*Tips on how to get into castles and get free dinners with people like a bunch of old frat dudes
*Tearing the American Corporate Culture a new one for it’s absurd and antiquated systems
*People, places and food as usual (but probably with a lot more; What? People pay to eat this crap? I can make this better at home!– and similar comments
*Me tripping over my own two feet on a regular basis and calling myself on it
*Actually telling the full on dish when I have a hot make out session with a 25 year old boy, instead of skirting around the story
*Why I have been called asexual Di in the past
*How I need to lose this flipping 10lbs I packed on while on the great Alaska or bust trip this summer, but I live in Napa now for gods sakes! As if I’m going to give up the cheese and bread and just drink the wine alone. PSHAW! (Guys like a little cushion- right?)
*How I am going to pay off the $27k (yes, that’s TWENTY SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS) of debt before my 33rd bday. I have 10.5 months. It’s ON. Anyone need a hooker for the night? (Come on now- I tease ’cause I love. Err, actually…)
*Unpopular opinions and thoughts in general- about a lot of stuff

Anyone interested? Ok, that’s what I thought. See ya back in a bit.

Lets get ready to rumble.

***Side note to lots of friends and family~ I know you have called, emailed, texted, etc. weeks ago. You are sweet and I love you for real. I think about you every day. I’m sorry I have not communicated back. I have no excuses other than I am getting my own life for the first time ever and that means you might be a casualty for a small period of time because I simply do not feel chit-chatty with humans unless they are in person with me right now. This is a good thing, I promise. I need and want to continue this whole getting my own life and not worrying about everyone else’s thing because it’s actually pretty awesome. Schwat?! I know! I’m concentrating on me because I have learned that’s not selfish, it’s just smart, fun, makes you feel confident and starts getting you out of $27k in debt. Wahoo! High-fives and ass-slaps all around.

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September 24, 2010 In California, De-lish, Photos

dinner at a castle

I try to be a vegetarian, but it just doesn’t work to well when someone offers you a filet like this:

Castle filet

(Grass-fed local beef tastes too good to pass up, what can I say?)…and with fabulous red wine and hilarious company like this? I’m all about it:

Our castle dinner table

I know, the waiter in the corner looks red-eyed and creepy like he’s going to kill us. (Darn red-eye photos!) He was actually funny and nice and brought me 3 chocolate desserts. Girls like boys that bring them multiple chocolate desserts.

Oh chocolate dessert

We had so much fun at the 50 year reunion of Phi Sigma Kappa last night, we are still laughing this morning. These are just a few photos. I have a video to come too. Also an after dessert port wine group photo with my friend/partner in Napa crime Erin and our new boyfriends who are all in their 70’s. All we had to do for this fun? Hand out a few name tags. What a great score.

It feels like I’m living in a carpe diem party everyday. I like this party a lot. I think I’ll stay.

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September 23, 2010 In California

i’m your holla back girl

The littlest things make me giggle.

I hope you all know that when you check back and there isn’t a new post it is never because I’m leaving you high and dry. Quite the opposite. I think about Blue Lollipop Road 24 hours a day. I have since the day I started it (and we are coming up on 2 year anniversary! Wahoo!)

Since deciding to stay in Napa 10 days ago (that is a story I still have to share too.) I’ve been networking, meeting, interviewing, working, organizing, feasting and running (as in jogging) my butt off. I’ve been the best kind of slammed busy. I at least wanted to sit down, say hi and give a teaser until I have some more catch up time this weekend. Just a few things out of the pile about these past yummy 10 days.

1.) Chowed down and hung out at a 2nd annual chili cook-off/Bocce Ball Tournament with a crew of new friends here. Bocce is the thing to do around the parts. Where else in the world would you have items on the wide open and shared picnic table like southwest braised lamb chili and cheddar scallion skillet cornbread accompanied by delicious wine mostly made by the people who there that were playing?

2.) I went to/worked at the Mighty Summit last Friday. Yeah; awesome. The top lifestyle bloggers and women in media were there. Big time funny, smart, and accomplished chicks who take social media to a whole new level. One in attendance bought a cat years ago from the animal hospital a mile from my parents house in Vermont. I love random connections.

3..) Off to this castle tonight to work at an event with my friend and now new roommie. I’m sure sipping some wine too. Yes, it really looks like this. Yes, all of Napa looks like this. I’m still waiting for someone to yell “That’s a wrap guys!” -and roll the scenery away as if it’s a movie set. GORGEOUSNESS everywhere.

The above is just a measly taste of my past 2 weeks here.. That means I’m in the right place for this point in my life. It was a 9k mile drive to get here, and what a treat at the end. Can you believe I have finally caught a clue at 32? Pay enough attention to myself, go where feels right and take advantage of all that’s offered and it’s like ping ping ping with awesomeness falling in my lap. Oh the learning curve.

I like it.

I like it a lot.

Off to unpack the rest of my car and hit the showers. What to wear to the castle…

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September 21, 2010 In Donations and Sponsorships

viel dank

(Translation; Many thanks in German.)

I’m running out of languages to say thank you in that use letters. (There are obviously plenty that use symbols but those are hard to make on my laptop alphabet keys.) In an effort to not be a repeat offender, I will be revisiting the languages I have already used and adding to the regular thank you translations to come up with some different options.

*Terrie~ Your donation was a lovely surprise and has been used to pay for some grocery store trips. Since staying with the lovely ladies I have been, we’ve cooked up some incredible feasts to enjoy time together and the amazing view from the house. Your generosity is much appreciated.

*Erin and Diane~ What a fabulous 11 days it has been and I so appreciate your hospitality and welcoming me. A comfortable place, DE-LISH food, great views and hilarious company? I’m in. You are never getting rid of me!

*Abby~ I cannot tell you how wonderful your message made me feel yesterday. It really made my day. If I ever question why I keep writing here, investing so much of my time, heart and soul and catch myself ever doubting my path, those thoughts quickly fade thinking of people like you out there that appreciate reading my random babble. Your words support what I know in my heart; This is exactly what I am supposed to be doing.

*Mom~ Thank you for being in my eyes, the definition of what a mother should be; The one human on the planet that no matter what, will love, support, encourage, protect and stand by anything and everything you ever want to be with a smile and a hug. That’s what you have always been and I love you forever. I can’t wait to see the day you start gifting yourself all the goodness you deserve and demand the respect you’ve taught us all to.

Time and time again I am shown that when you do what you love/what makes you happy, people and the universe always show up to support you. I believe that now more than ever and don’t take it for granted for a second. Cheers to steppin’ to it!

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