Thank you

community support = awesome

What a happy surprise to arrive at my office today from the Bank Of Bennington!

Scholarship Donations

One of our alumni friends works for Bank Of Bennington, and now for 2 years in a row, they’ve matched her donation to the Blue Lollipop Road Memorial Scholarship fund. Now that’s what I call awesome! I dig companies who do good.

Thanks Bank Of Bennington! Your support helps give students the opportunity to travel and see a world they might not otherwise have the chance to.

#Community #DoGood #PlayItForward

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today is the day; play it forward 2015

Huge thanks to The Bennington Banner for this article about our event today!

Play It Forward is so much bigger than just a soccer game. It is about bringing people together, honoring loved ones no longer here, and celebrating memories and time together. It is a reminder about what’s important, where we came from, and is meant to inspire us all to truly live while we are living.

All hands in

This is year four, and I can’t believe it! Countless hours and efforts have been put in and I as I type this with a big smile I could not be more proud. I am humbled and honored to host this event, and so thankful for all the love, support & help from so many friends, family, alumni and community members.

BLR Play It Forward 2015…here we go!

Remember. Celebrate. Live.

#PlayForwardGiveBack #StrongMojo #Community

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stuffed with thanks

I’d like to think I live a life of thanks giving. I wake up everyday, think about why I started Blue Lollipop Road, and why it is so important to me to do work that matters and be around people I love. I’m constantly reminded that time is precious and as I’ve written recently- I’ve thought about my own fate more lately than ever. Not a bad thing- just a holy sh*t thing; I’m not getting any younger and I have more and more of a desire than ever to live as much as possible. “They”, those people that told me years ago “Time passes even quicker as you get older- just wait.” They were right! I believe them now.

The Thanksgiving Holiday for me this year was a “Friendsgiving” once again. If you know me, you know I love my family more than anything, but I sort of boycotted the holiday stress/expensive/madness/freak-out/travel/shop/expectation-fest years ago, so I don’t usually spend any actual holidays with my blood. We talk nearly everyday in some fashion, we make a point to see each other several times a year, and well- if I can pat us all on the back for a second, I think we all have our priorities pretty straight about that. We don’t want to fight traffic, we don’t care about gifts, we’d rather spend the 100 bucks on 5 breakfasts out at our favorite diner when we visit back home, we save up and buy the gas or (much cheaper off-peak time) plane ticket to travel to see each other, and when we get there, we usually do little more than hang out, take walks, and chat over coffee and a treat of some kind on a patio together.

I’m so thankful for my unconventional family.

Back to this years’ turkey feast at a friends house, we set a pretty table:

Thanksgiving dnner

…and took in a pretty sunset:

A view from turkey time

Lucky us.

Of course my family and I were having a photo text-off about what we were cooking as I enjoyed time with my friends. Love technology for that. If only Thanksgiving day text messages came through with those delicious food smells…

How do you celebrate the season?

#AlwaysThanksgiving #FeastWithFriends #Framily

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365 days of blue lollipop road; day 26

1.26.14

Today is my Mom’s birthday!

Because #1 she’s the best Mom a kid could have, and #2 she gave me life, this BLR is in celebration of her:

To all the amazing Mom’s out there who teach us to live authentically, those who cheer us on to believe that absolutely anything is possible, and those who support us to never give up on any of our dreams…we thank you!

Love you, Mom. Thanks for being the best. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! 

This is what my road looks like today. What’s happening on yours?

#BLR365 #LifeOnTheBlueLollipopRoad #MyMomRocks

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the world’s best auto shop

Wallace Automotive in Richmond, VA is the shop where I’ve had all of my Honda’s serviced for years now. Every last person in both their locations has treated me like gold since day 1. They are by far the best in the business. I’m no longer living in VA, but I make sure to schedule time to have work done anytime I pass through town, and I always get continued love:

Wallace auto love for the BLR-Mobile

I always like to give props to any company that has consistent service like these guys. Thanks for keeping me safe and sound during all these years and my gazillion miles on the road, Wallace!

What company treats you like gold?

#Honda #HondaService #WallaceAuto

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it’s blr play it forward event kick-off day!

Wahoo! Could I be any more excited? It’s been go, go, go since my arrival back from the Adirondacks and I am loving every minute of it.

Today is Friday July 12 and time for Play It Forward round 2!

I’ve picked up jerseys (pink and blue) for registered alumni, and the t-shirts (white) we will be selling tomorrow:

2013 BLR Play It Forward jerseys and tees

(Kids white tees $10 and adult white tees $15.)

I’ve picked the lollipop supply (Thank you for the donation for the second year in a row Willy’s Bakery & Variety Store!):

Blue lollies!

(We might force you to eat one when you come to the field tomorrow:)

I’ve picked up the farm fresh goodies. (Thank you for the donation for the second year in a row Clear Brook Farm!):

Clear Brook Farm Veggies

(Of course I had to test out a couple of my recipes last night. Twist my arm sampling such yummy locally grown food! Guests at Howard Park tomorrow get ready for some good healthy eats!)

Clear Brook Farm Veggies

Clear Brook Farm Veggies

I have the Vermont Voltage coming tomorrow to hand out free tickets to their July 17th Premier Soccer Club game at Apple Jack Field:

Vermont Voltage Logo

Finally, We have picked a winner for the 2nd Annual Blue Lollipop Road Memorial Scholarship that’s awarded in honor of teammates Maria Green and Brandy Brown who we lost in 1994. This scholarship winner will be announced at 1pm tomorrow during the Strong Mojo Summit at Howard Park before our 2pm Alumni Game. I’m thrilled to give another travel scholarship to a deserving current female soccer player from my hometown, and I can’t wait to reconnect with all the inspiring alumni who come out to play, and all the great old friends, teachers, neighbors, and other wonderful community members who come out to support BLR!

We kick-off the weekend of fun events tonight at the Welcome Back Party at 7pm at Madison’s Pub and Brewery, so come one and all! Husbands, wives, partners, friends, soccer players, non-soccer players, everyone from the community is invited! Madison’s has agreed to donate a % of bar sales after 7pm back to Blue Lollipop Road! Yay!

Tomorrow night (Saturday) we have Celebration Cocktails at Pangea Lounge at 8pm to wrap up our weekend. Pangea has generously offered to donate 10% of all sales from BLR Play It Forward event traffic, so please come out to join us for some specialty cocktails created by their staff just for us!

Donations from all of you out there during the year are what keep BLR/BLR Play It Forward/The Blue Lollipop Road Memorial Scholarship Fund going and growing, so a huge thank you to everyone for such amazing support to help this dream come true again in 2013! Together we can encourage people of all ages to stay curious, to maintain a healthy & active lifestyle, and to be fearless in pursuit of goals.

Here’s to a most fun and memorable weekend for the whole community!

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invest in yourself: travel

The past few weeks have been exciting with the announcement of the 2nd Annual BLR Play It Forward Event and working on long-term goals for the Blue Lollipop Road Memorial Travel Scholarship. One of the recipients from last years scholarship sent me a note and photos last night from a trip she took recently and used some of her awarded funds for. (I hope to share with you all soon after I get permission from her.)

Getting a “Hi Diane! I’m writing to share photos and stories about a trip I just took with some of the funds from my scholarship!” – made me smile from ear to ear with the same pride I imagine a parent feels the first time they watch their child doing something kind for someone when they think nobody’s watching. It is my dream to be able to encourage young people to travel for education and self-empowerment. I know from experience that supporting anyone, at any age to travel or experience a new place can change a life and offer perspective like nothing else can. I am so incredibly thankful to all the strangers who donate here, and community members/alumni who contribute to the Play It Forward event so I can keep this scholarship going. THANK YOU!

The 2nd Blue Lollipop Road Memorial Scholarship will be awarded again during our alumni soccer game at Howard Park in Shaftsbury, VT on July 13th this year and will be gifted to a current female soccer playing student at Mount Anthony Union High School for:

*Participating in a MAU student exchange program;

*Taking a “Gap” Year between graduation and post-secondary education; and/or

*Going on an adventure travel trip intended for personal growth.

I can’t wait to get the applications back this year to see what ideas, ambitions, hopes, and dreams these girls have for exploring the world and learning about themselves. I have goals to expand the BLR Memorial Scholarship nationally in years to come, so I’ve been researching quite a bit about student exchange/travel in the US. I’ve learned the following facts from the guidance department at my former high school. They are shocking:

1.) “We have a lot more students come to us then travel abroad.” (Why do other countries encourage travel as part of their education, and we in the US do not?)

2.) “I’ve have only seen about 5 students in 12 years spend at least one full semester abroad.” (What?! About 5 students in twelve years?!)

3.) “Limiting factors are cost and the desire to graduate with their class rather then take a semester or two abroad and not earn credit.” (Again- what?! I can see a financial limiting factor, but taking a semester abroad to complete schooling in another country doesn’t count for school credits in this one?)

4.) “Vermont considers any student who takes 5 years to graduate as a drop out. This means those that take a year to do exchange then return are considered drop outs from our school. Schools in Vermont are punished for encouraging exchange opportunities.” (Is there another way to say WHAT?! This is ludicrous- particularly for a progressive state like Vermont.) 

These findings make me even more driven to open the minds of American parents and schools on how travel benefits personal growth and independence.

Here’s to encouraging travel for education and self-empowerment. Here’s to encouraging travel for perspective. Here’s to encouraging travel as an investment in OURSELVES. If we don’t allow or encourage the chance to experience other people, places, cultures first hand- how can we expect to live in and create a well-rounded, appreciative, and tolerant society?

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we supply the mojo

Check it:

BLR Play It Forward is a feature story in the Bennington Banner today! Read the article HERE.

We are thankful that our hometown is excited and supports our event. 2 weeks from today we will be reconnecting with old friends, reminiscing , sharing life experiences with local youth, honoring lost friends, and playing the sport we love. We can’t wait!

Thank you Bennington Banner for a great article!

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thanks for the thanks!

Last week was like summertime at the cottage in Upstate NY + a huge road trip + warmth and sunshine + flip flops and sundresses + booty shakin’ + soccer + running + Vermont in the summer + prosecco, cheese, fresh coffee + laughing until my stomach hurts, with Oreos, Nutella and blue lollipops on top. (I could go on!) In other words, last week was REALLY fantastic- just like some of my favorite things in the whole wide world that I just listed above.

Why?

Because I was in a big ol’ awesome travel article on Forbes.com?

Yes!

Because I have had buckets of family, friends, readers, supporters, fans, followers, strangers, and other pouring in to thank me, congratulate me, send love, support, and tell me they are proud of me?

Of course!

Because the mission of Blue Lollipop Road to step towards life keeps spreading, and I see that by fearlessly doing what I love for all these years really does make a difference and inspire people to do the same?

Most definitely.

Finding that thing for yourself that makes every once of your body want to scream with joy from the rooftops- that thing you do all alone, in silence for hours, and love it so much that you lose time is awesome. When you don’t care if anyone else might think you are weird, freakish or geeky for loving something as much as you do, you’ve you know you’ve found your thing.

Blue Lollipop Road is my “thing”, and I am so happy to be able to continue to share it all here and elsewhere. Thank you for sharing back and appreciating what I have to say!

Here’s to running towards life because you’ve only got one…

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