Vermont

April 10, 2018 In Cool companies, De-lish, Do good, Food, Great companies, Links, North Carolina, Operation Charlotte, play, Projects & Organizations I dig, Thank you, Vermont

this is how two vermonters celebrated today

Ben & Jerry’s FREE CONE DAY! I had to get a photo of the 40th Annual poster on the window as we waited in line:

Not surprisingly, the place was packed, but the line moved fast. The wait gave me just enough time to play around with a magnet board meant for the kiddos:

Coffee Coffee Buzz Buzz and Chocolate Therapy, please!

(See what we did with the cone wrappers there?:)

It’s nearly 8PM now, so this glorious ice cream give back event will be over by the time I press publish, but don’t worry, it’ll be be back again. In the meantime, grab yourself a pint of your favorite flavor at the grocery store. You can cozy on up with your buttercup, and listen to the great story of Ben Cohen & Jerry Greenfield, and how they started their delicious frozen empire on NPR’s How I Built This.

We love you, Ben & Jerry! Thanks for loving us back and showing it.

#DoGood #GiveBack #CelebrateEveryday

January 11, 2018 In Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Photos, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Travel, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin

celebrate everyday: day 10

1.10.18

I took this photo at the DMV today:

…and I had a shockingly easy, helpful experience. (See?! There’s hope for everything!)

The license plate is always the first thing I look at when I see a car. Still. Since I was little, anytime we drove anywhere, I would look for plates from states I hadn’t seen before, and daydream about where the people inside the cars were going. I would wonder about what these places looked like, and fantasize about going to them someday.

I’ve spent time in all 50 states and 19 countries at this point. Seeing this wall yesterday made me feel that fire inside I love, for adventure and the possibility of everything out there, to see, be, and do. I still believe “travel” is the fastest route to your truth; Putting yourself in any completely foreign/uncomfortable/new environment, staying flexible, and figuring out how to independently navigate is incredibly empowering.

Today I celebrate possibility in the unknown, and all the magic that can happen when you take a step towards life to somewhere new.

Today is the day. The road awaits. Where are you going?

#StartDriving #LifeOutsideTheDroneZone #StepOutside

*Feeling stuck? Overwhelmed? Ready to make a change? Call me! (804.339.6514) I can help.

January 8, 2018 In BLR Play it Forward 2012, BLR Play It Forward 2013, BLR Play It Forward 2014, BLR Play It Forward 2015, BLR Play It Forward 2016, BLR Play It Forward 2017, BLR Reunion Soccer Weekend 8/18/12, Blue Lollipop Road Memorial Scholarship, Inspiration, People, Photos, play, Strong Mojo, Thank you, Uncategorized, Vermont

celebrate everyday: day 8

1.8.18

Today is January 8th. Teachers’ Day/National Teacher Appreciation Day is not until May 8th, so I guess I could’ve waited to celebrate and shout out to my favorite teacher until then, but I don’t like following the rules (shocker), so I choose today instead. He knows I’m not a rule follower, so the fact I just sent him this image I saved recently won’t be a surprise:

Quiet and shy have never really been my thing. My poor teachers. I always respected them (if mom ever found out there was any disrespect…whoa), but boy I know I had to have been a chatter-boxing pain in the you know what to have in class.

Thank goodness for teachers like Mr. B! (Now “Charlie” because I’m an adult, but I’m still not used to calling him that.) This man somehow had the magic that so many awesome teachers do, to keep kids like me on task back in the day when I was distracted with things like laser backgrounds, boys, and acid wash:

Flash forward from the 1989/1990 school year and now since the beginning of BLR Play It Forward, Charlie has come out to support me. We always have a lunch date (his wife included) during the week when I’m running around doing event prep, where we talk about all things life, then come the big day, we get our annual photo together. The first year in 2012, I was showered and clean after our alumni game at the art gallery that was part of our celebration:

…every year after that, not so much on the clean side, but smiling all sweaty from soccer and being in good company of course. 2013:

2014:

2015:

2016:

(Five for five in the pouring rain and thunder!)

2017:

Notice anything besides the fact that we look younger ever year? 🙂

Charlie’s shirt was never planned, he just happened to wear the same one on year 2 and 3, and then it became a thing.

It feels pretty special as an adult, to become friends with your teacher. Especially your favorite one, and especially because you get to simultaneously apologize to them for being mayyyyybe just a bit stubborn back then (who, me?!), and thank them, for being a positive part of shaping you.

Today I celebrate teachers! The grossly underpaid set of amazing people responsible for corralling all us monkeys and enlightening us, even when they’d probably like to throw us in detention for a week for being sassy little things.

Who always shows up for you? Send them a thank you note. Continued support from people who see promise and believe in you is a seriously big deal.

Thanks, Charlie! A million apples for you.

#LoveYourWork #TeachersRock #Community

*Want to send thanks to someone and don’t know how? Call me! (804.339.6514) I can help.

January 7, 2018 In Inspiration, News & Updates, People, Photos, Today Is The Day, Uncategorized, Vermont

celebrate everyday: day 7

1.7.18

This announcement is happening today:

This is my brother.

Proud is a vast understatement for how I feel about Brad. He defines selflessness, hard work, generosity, integrity, kindness, and bravery. I wish there were bigger words, but I’m not sure they’d ever be big enough for describing how and who he is. He is undeniably one of the greatest humans ever made.

Today is a HUGE day for Brad. And all of us. Today is about standing up, speaking up, and truth.

Today I celebrate people who do the right thing when nobody’s watching. Those humble heroes like Brad, who are always loyal, fearless, and continuously look outside themselves to lead with love.

Maybe it’s time to stand up for things you believe in. Today is the day. What are you waiting for?

#VermontsNewWayForward #StandUpVermont #MojoWarrior

*Ready to take the plunge for something you want and not sure how? Call me! (804.339.6514) I can help.

*Added Monday January 8th:

1.) News article here on announcing bid.

2.) Peacock for Senate website here.

3.) Facebook page here.

January 4, 2018 In BLR-Mobile, blue lollipops, Honda, Inspiration, Links, North Carolina, Operation Charlotte, Photos, play, Sport, Strong Mojo, Vermont

celebrate everyday: day 4

1.4.18

Look what finally came in the mail!

Today I celebrate license plates!

It took me a LONG time to give up my green mountain state tags (and I sure didn’t want to), but imagine my delight to find a “Support Soccer” offering as an option for North Carolina.

Perfect. I think I’m in love.

You can take a girl out of Vermont, but you could never take her mojo away.

What are you doing to remember where you came from?

#StartDriving #AlwaysLookingUp #HondaLove

*Have you lost your mojo? Ready to make a change? Call me! (804.339.6514) I can help.

July 26, 2017 In BLR Play It Forward 2017, Inspiration, Links, News & Updates, Photos, Vermont

when your mom gets you

In pops this on my phone from the amazing, selfless woman who gave me life:

…along with “I saw this the other day and thought of you!” and a globe, airplane, and heart emoticon.

My Mother is so cute, and such a nerd. (See where I get it from?) I love that lady so much! The best is, she continues to encourage me to be exactly who I am and go for anything and everything I want.

I’m currently in Charleston at the beach on a client project that has been a big one and kept me all consumed the past few weeks and far away from computer and writing time. Oh my do I have some exciting things to share! BLR Play It Forward event news, upcoming travels, and a story of a random encounter with a person last night that totally blew my mind.

More than any other time in my life, this summer has proved to me 10 times over that if we stay open and authentic, spend time doing what we love, and share our experience and knowledge, the doors of opportunity will fly open.

When you take a step towards life, the universe responds.

I’m off to be dangerous. Won’t you join me?

#LifeOutsideTheDroneZone #Adventure #NeverStopExploring

July 7, 2017 In BLR Play It Forward 2017, Inspiration, News & Updates, Vermont

play it forward 2017 is here

If you’re in or near Vermont, I hope you will join us in person! If you’re far away, I hope you’ll join us in spirit. Most of all, I hope you’ll tell someone how much they mean to you, no matter where you are today.

#RememberCelebrateLive #StrongMojo #AlwaysLookingUp

July 6, 2017 In BLR Play It Forward 2017, Photos, Vermont

blr radio time…tune in tomorrow!

Once again my hometown radio station WBTN has offered up time so I can share about BLR Play It Forward! I will be on air tomorrow morning (Friday 7/7) around 7:45AM for about 30 minutes.

Please tune in on the radio at 1370AM, or stream live online here.

Each year I’m humbled at the amount of individuals and organizations who say “yes!” to me when I call, email, or walk in the door asking them in some way/shape/form to participate or donate, in support of this Play It Forward movement we have created. I messaged a friend today after running around town hustling to tie up last minute loose ends for our weekend and told her I have to figure out how to do more work like this! It makes me so happy that so many people always want to get on board. It is truly awesome.

Keep tuning in, joining in, and thank you all, from the bottom of many hearts.

#TalkRadio #PlayForwardGiveBack #ThingsThatMatter

July 5, 2017 In BLR Play It Forward 2017, Do good, grow, Inspiration, Links, Photos, Restaurants, Strong Mojo, Vermont

still hearing laughter

I’m currently sitting in my travel office for this week; the counter at the Blue Benn Diner:

I can’t get enough of this place when I’m in my hometown for BLR Play It Forward week each summer, even though I miss my coffee buddy so much.

I arrived in Vermont late Sunday night, and have spent the last few days reconnecting with some of my favorite people, and putting the final touches on plans for our 6th annual event that kicks off on Friday night. Sometimes I have to pinch myself at how ridiculously gorgeous this place I grew up in, is:

That’s view of Mount Anthony and the Bennington Battle Monument above. I took this photo from the town park where we will reveal our community give back surprise on Saturday. To say I’m excited and proud is an understatement. I’m trying my best to keep things under wraps as we complete all parts and pieces, but I really want to shout from the green mountain tops about the all the good heart and effort so many people have put, into making this special gift happen. I know the families of our girls will love it.

Today this article was published in the Bennington Banner.

REMEMBER. CELEBRATE. LIVE.

It’s so important to remember where we came from, no matter how far we might go from “home.” Giving back is key. Celebrating each day, and the happy memories we have, honors those we might not be able to see in person anymore. Living, realizing today is the day, to go, be, see, and do, is how we respect the clock that doesn’t stop.

Much of this life is so bittersweet. As we carry our bruised hearts around each day, I hope the voices of laughter that remain will always inspire us to keep arms wide open.

#AlwaysLookingUp #PlayItForward #RespectTheClock

June 28, 2017 In BLR Play It Forward 2017, blue lollipops, Links, Live the life you want to live, People, Photos, Restaurants, Strong Mojo, Travel, Vermont

a road trip is brewing…

I’m about to shout “Vermont or Bust!” and do what I love more than anything in the summer; ROAD TRIP!

I will get to see these little smiling nugget faces:

…who are actually not so little anymore, I will get to hug my family & lots of friends, I will get to have long relaxing mornings at my favorite breakfast diner and most importantly, I will get to give back to the people and the place that have given so much to me.

I hope you will join me with all your windows down, too, celebrating everyday you have in the sunshine over the next couple of weeks. Watch for lots of good stories from the road, coming soon!

#TheBlueLollipopProject #Travel #PlayForwardGiveBack