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it’s like they know us

I have regular conversations with my mommy friends that usually include; “UGH! I love having kids, it is the best thing ever, but  I’m so tired! How do all the rest of the mom’s have it together more than me? How can they look so good running out the door? Their kids listen to them all the time!”

Yeah right.

My typical response is something along the lines of; Dude- you must be crazy if you think anyone, especially the busy mommies of the world “have it all” together! I guarantee those fellow mommies have shoved every last toy, dish, piece of trash or laundry in some random closet or drawer and kicked it closed to give the facade of clean, as they run late out the door to drop their kid off late to school, too. 

To all you mommies out there: I really wish you would realize how amazing you are and cut yourself a break once in a while!

Thinking of the above conversations, I cannot stop laughing over here scrolling through this website. One mom, sick of looking at the perfect picture life of other mom’s and their families in pristine white clothing, clean houses and other not-so-realistic snapshots, just seeming to have the most amazing of days, created this website to poke fun at the ridiculousness of that notion.

I love it. What a great gimme a break, share of hilarity!

How do you cut yourself a break?

#RealLife #NobodysPerfect #ALittleBitOfDirtNeverHurtAnyone

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career day talk, year two

I was invited to speak at Robious Middle School in Virginia again for their Career Day this week:

Career Day talk

Robious Middle School

(I’m sandwiched between a funny sales guy, a high-energy teacher, and a sweet and sassy fire marshall. Not bad company for a Wednesday lunch:) We were just a few of the 30+ speakers on hand.)

The thought that kids who are between 12-14 years old might think I am the slightest bit cool is pretty great. (Let’s just assume they did.) It was a blast and honor to be at this school. Funny though, I found that once again, more adults (teachers and administrators) thought I was cool, than the kids did. I love having conversations with parents or teachers who say “I want to do what you did/are doing!” or “Um…do you mind if my daughter/son calls or writes to you?”

Um- yes please! Call me! Write me! Send a bird!

One particular teacher this week (who happened to be a writing teacher) was a welcomed and helpful force in my room of 25 antsy kids as I was on my soapbox. She occasionally piped in with something like; “Listen to that kids? Passion! That’s what makes you great at a career! That’s what we talk about all the time.” She was fantastic, she got it, and I am thrilled to know there are still teachers like her out there. After my talk was done, she came up to me and asked if I minded if her 25 year old daughter contacted me. Of course! I’ve heard time and time again from parents of 20-somethings, that they have these super smart and driven young adult children who “just don’t know what they want to do.”

Rest assured supportive, yet concerned parents; This “no idea what to do” is a positive big deal: Your 20-something has officially stepped out of the American Drone Zone. (Wahoo!) They’ve jumped off the gerbil wheel that’s labeled “This is what you do now.” They’ve taken a plunge into a pool that’s full of maybe a tad bit scared but actually really excited fellow troops, who are proclaiming; I don’t know exactly where I want to go/what I want to quite yet, but I know one thing for sure and the automated have-to life is not for me! 

Your kid will be fine. In fact- better than fine. They can think for themselves, they value their happiness, and they don’t want to be like everyone else. That is totally awesome. They will figure it out and be better in the long run for jumping ship into their own ocean.

Some advice I gave the middle schoolers. Can be applied to all humans:

1.) Concentrate on what you’re good at, not what you suck at: Challenge yourself to try things that are hard for you, but if you genuinely don’t like something, if you pretty much still stink at it even though you’ve tried and tried- walk away and focus on your greatness. You will become a master and the opportunities are endless. In short: Stay in your lane. 

2.) Stay top of mind; Keep showing up. Want a job at that place that isn’t hiring? Want to learn from that person or company you think is the bomb? Tell the company why you’d be the best ever at that job. Tell the person you admire why you think they are awesome and why they inspire you. Send a resume, send a video, send a chicken, send flowers, send a note, send yourself showing up at the door waving and smiling. I promise as soon as there is the need for a hire or room for an intern- they will think of you first. In short: “They” will find it impossible not to love you and want you around. 

3.) Never be afraid to ask: Those who ask shall receive. I was mortified as a kid when my grandmother shoo’d me up to various counters asking if the store would still honor an expired coupon, or if they offered any discounts. Embarrassment central when you’re 8 or 10 years old, but you know what? – nearly every single time, I was met with a “Sure! We can do X,Y,Z” response. Just speak up; when you stand up you stand out. In short: You get what you ask for. Seriously. 

Here’s to encouraging ship jumpers! I can’t wait to keep doing it again, and often

What advice do you give?

#DoWhatYouLove #ShipJumpersUnite #CareerDay

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HAPPY 6TH BIRTHDAY BLUE LOLLIPOP ROAD!!!

Oh what a ride it has been! One little post started it all on October, 16th 2008 and here we are 6 years later!

Many adventures:

Life on the road

…and much hard work on all of this, has taught me to love more than I ever knew possible, live more than I was already trying to, and dream bigger than I already knew I could. Thank you to all of you who have followed, loved, and supported me all these years! I hope I have inspired you to live like you mean it.

Here’s to always trusting your instincts, chasing everything that you’re curious about, and and never settling for anything less than what sets your heart on fire.

What are you doing to live like today is the day?

#BLRBirthday #LifeOnTheBluelollipopRoad #DreamItDoIt

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read this

I dig this portion:

“There’s no reason for you to be contemplating the cosmic significance of your life while sitting on your couch all day eating Doritos. Rather, you should be getting off your ass and discovering what feels important to you.”

…of this article. Well, I dig every portion of this piece, actually. What an awesome and truthful bunch of words. Thanks for being a no bullshit writer, Mark Manson! Oh if the world had more like you.

I hope if you are reading this, you will pass it on.

What feels important to you?

#ThingsThatMatter #Truth #TodayIsTheDay

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this cracks me up

I’d have a million dollars and be able to give that million dollars worth of  money away in BLR Memorial Scholarships every year if I had even a penny for every time someone rolled their eyes and commented “Oh god- all you friggin Vermont liberal hippies!”- when they hear I am from The Green Mountain State.

Actually, I’d probably have two million. That’s why this article cracks me up.

Over the years, when people ask ridiculous things about the assumed maple syrup farm I must have grown up on with my Subaru-driving parents, I’ve gotten accustomed to sassing back with some part of; “No, we didn’t make make maple syrup growing up, Mom never carted us to town from the farm in a Subaru, my Teen Beat posters did not live within the walls of my room in our ski chalet, and I’ve never been cow-tipping. I’ve also never ridden a moose. Ben & Jerry were not our neighbors, and Phish did not play at my high school parties.” (I wish!)

Ahh- yes the stereotypes and stories that go along with all home states. Fun. As I sit here happily clicking these keys with the door open on this warm North Carolina day, Vermont is where my heart will always be in the summertime.

What a perfect way to intro to a snapshot I took just a few short weeks ago while I was back home:

ILOVERMONT

ILOVERMONT.

Where do you love?

#Vermont #LifeOnTheBlueLollipopRoad #Home

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“i’ll figure it out”

I love when friends send me articles like this. (Reference post title the author’s #4.)

Of course the travel & adventure part of this womans’ story are inspiring and invigorating in that I-wanna-go-out-and-do-those-things-right-now, but the best part of this is lesson is that she took action when she had an aha moment. She started really living, and didn’t just crawl under her bed.

We all know life is short, but it seems like we just don’t live like it is. I vote for more of us to wake up with that carpe diem- life is short-let’s do it now attitude, rather than not. Whaddya say?

After wrapping a 3rd Annual BLR Play It Forward Event, I’m more than ever convinced that spending time with people I love like these:

VT playing tourist

Green Mountains

…and doing work that means everything to me:

BLR Memorial Scholarship Award

BLR Play It Forward 2014

Soccer rules at BLR

…(just to share a very few)- is what’s most important. The rest of life- can always be figured out. Read this article, pass it on, then ask yourself; If you could spend time with who you wanted, and do work that really meant something to you- what would you be doing?

Find your Blue Lollipop Road.  Today is the day. What are you waiting for?

#Inspiration #BLR #TodayIsTheDay

*Above photos taken in Vermont during my stay for BLR Play It Forward, 2014

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quote of the day

Rainy, gloomy Saturday at home base. Missing the road & wishing I was on a bigger adventure than I am at the moment. In an effort to fight off that Groundhog Day feeling and to stay inspired, I click on a the Roadtrip Nation series on PBS. (Can’t get enough of RTN. It’s going on 15 years I’ve been a super fan.) On this episode, road-trippers interviewing Rick Moonen, Chef/Owner of Rm Seafood:

“Find out what really drives you. Find out your passion, because It’s what you’re going to do best at. It’s what you’re going to kick the covers off on the next morning, you know- out of desire. If you don’t have the desire, how are you going to succeed?”

Ahhh…yes. Amen Rick! Love that, and agreed.

What makes you kick the covers off in the morning?

#FindYourBlueLollipopRoad #WorkThatMatters #Inspiration

 

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hometown support for the 3rd annual blr play it forward event

Yay for The Bank of Bennington! They matched a donation to the registration fees our alumni friend Kristen Fisk (a bank employee) paid. We love alumni and companies who support BLR Play It Forward & the BLR Memorial Travel Scholarship Fund.

Thanks Kristen and Bank of Bennington!

How’s your business giving back?

#PlayForwardGiveBack #Community #BLR2014

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i’m going to disneyland!

Ok, I’m actually going to Jazz Fest in New Orleans next weekend, but it sort of feels like I’m about to go to Disneyland! Like a little kid on their birthday, I’m super crazy excited. I’ve wanted to go for years, so as a just-do-it kind of girl who doesn’t like to wait for anything, I’m thrilled to finally knock this one off my travel adventure bucket list! (Side note; I’ve been running a little extra to prepare my body for a beignet feast and dance party like you read about.) Best part, we are road tripping down to the deep south- and you know how much I love a road trip. New Orleans or bust! Get ready for some photos and stories here. Travel Di is back in action with the all-new Blue Lollipop Road.

Here’s to BLR 2.0!

What makes you feast and dance?

#Jazzfest2014 #Travel #NewOrleans

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