Retreat Restock Regroup Renew

Tomorrow my BFF is coming to my house for 30 hours of what we are calling a retreat.  The past few years we have had blast sessions while driving a long distance to discuss our goals and ideas for the following year.

This year we are mixing it up and getting serious about it.  My BFF just celebrated her 2nd year of owning her own manufacturing representative firm and I am embarking on a part time social solutions business venture while still working my full time job.  We both want and see better futures and need to set the wheels in motion to get there.  On top of the fact my BFF attended the Tony Robbins Unleash the Power Within seminar which I am looking forward to hearing more about.  We are ready!

I am hosting and have been researching what makes a good business retreat.  I think I have a good mixture of serious work, fun, music, games & more serious work.  Saturday the rewards  are massages by a dear friend who is also a massage therapist.   I have a loose schedule & a kick@ss playlist but ideas are always welcome.

If you have any favorite motivational quotes, ideas for brainstorming or experiences at a retreat please feel free to share in the comment section below.

Thanks!

Small Business Saturday Tampa Bay

I wanted to share a few local businesses that I really like and always manage to find that perfect something when I shop.  Besides unique items these folks offer incredible customer service. 

Starting off in Seminole Heights:

Brooksie's Market  Michelle is the owner of this unique store where you can find everything from local handmade scarfs, coasters, jewelry to fresh herbs straight out of her garden.  She has also started stocking fresh flowers.  You will always be able to find that perfect something!

Cleanse Apothecary's  Besides being in awe of Greg's shop I am in awe of his marketing skills.  He is fantastic with blending social media and marketing.  The wonderful smells in his shop will make you want to not only buy for your friends but you too! Shop today and get an additional 10% off.

Branching out into Tampa,  I can't say enough about

Groovy Cats & Dogs  Yvonne has been a great help in trying to get one of my dogs to stop scratching.  The poor thing has allergies and she really believes in a holistic approach versus the prednizone route.  Besides her expertise you can find all sorts of tasty concoctions for your 4 legged best friends.  

Crossing over the bridge into St. Petersburg we have

Adorn & Company   It is a jewelry store with more.  Like incredible smelling candles & Tokyo Milk products.  No matter if you are visiting St. Petersburg or live close by everyone likes to take part of the sea home with them and sea glass jewelry just arrived in the store!

100 Artist Show Need some color in your life?  This is the show to hit.  It is all about beauty.  Beautiful art in a beautiful location.

The Gift Box   This store is on Beach Drive.  Need I say more?  Well I do because I want you to check out Robert Neff's photography when you are browsing.  He takes wonderful photos of our area.

Feel free to post any other local businesses you feel people should know about in the comment sections.  

Happy shopping!

Ginny

Thankful

Thank you for your support and kindness.  Wishing everyone a day filled with what you are thankful for!

Ginny

Giving Thanks - Relay for Life April 5 & 6, 2013

I attended my first ever Relay for Life volunteer meeting a few weeks ago.  For those that may not have heard of Relay for Life (I hadn't) read this: Relay

My mom Lee, mother-in-law Merrilyn and dear friend Veronica all died of lung cancer.  My best friend's mom Toni, died of cancer.  It is sad to realize probably every single person in the world has known someone who has had this disease.  The good news is some people are survivors and there continue to be medical advancements to wipe out the many forms this disease takes.

Relay for Life is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.  It is 18 hours of fun, joy, laughter, tears, strength, hope, & love.  I already know I am going to need a case of Kleenex.

Here is how it works: there are teams, lots of them.  A team can have any number of members but each team needs to raise at least $100.00 to enter and each member of the team also needs to raise $100.00.  My boss doesn't know it yet but he is sooo donating!  Personally I think a team needs a lot of members because during every second of the 18 hours someone from the team needs to be walking/running the track.  This is to represent the fighters that can't quit fighting (more tears) because Cancer never sleeps.
 
My volunteer efforts are with the Relay for Life Seminole Heights team. I may try and get my own team together (consider yourself warned) not only because it is for a good cause but because I know my friends and I can come up with some unique ways to fundraise.  Even during the event each team will have a booth and offer bake goods or ?? to raise money.  One of my ideas is to offer a 5 or 10 minute foot massage for $5.00.  

 

I am also thinking of ways that my social media friends can join in if you so choose.  There is an amazing event just after dark called the Luminary Ceremony.  People  make a donation & and have their loved one's name & any wording or decoration, if requested, written on a luminary bag.  All the bags are lit and from what I have seen of the photos on Google it is very powerful (hello again Kleenex!). 
  
Another way will be to donate to my specific team and I will have that information on my next RFLSH post.  I am big on a lot of smalls make a large. Typically I am applying that to whatever I am eating but that is a different blog post. 

In case you are wondering where the money goes that is raised here is some good information.

During this season of Thanks my wish is that every daughter gets to stand beside her mom and celebrate the next big or small event in their lives.

Wishing you a day filled with what you give thanks for.

Ginny 








 

What is it?

I thought it might be fun to post a partial photo I took from something we have hanging in our office.  In fact we have one in every office here at a-fabco.  It isn't something most offices have and it always brings comments from visitors. 

Can you guess what it is?

What out of the ordinary item do you have in your office?

Small + Cute = Love

Friends of mine adopted two puppies a few weeks ago.  Last weekend I was able to meet them for the first time. Playing with puppies brings such joy and peace to my heart,  I thought I would share photos.  Next time I will try and get a video.

Hi! My name is Toby.

and I am Boomer.

Whaaaatttt? I am exceptionally cute!

I want to eat anything and everything!

 Have a great weekend everyone!

Election Day!

As a citizen of these United States of America  I am able to exercise my right to vote today.
  
Personally I feel it is my duty.  I thank the many women who fought and marched for this privilege 100 years ago.

New York City May 6, 1912

I thank my mom for instilling in me a responsibility to get involved.  To read.  To research.  When I first started voting we had newspapers & the TV news to learn about what each candidate stood for.  Now we have the internet & 24/7 cable news shows.  

Recently I was reminded, again, how precious this right & responsibility is.  I was having a chat with a friend through Twitter and she shared that the country she lives in has only been a democracy for 20 years.  20 years.  Her sense of pride & joy was evident. 

I will leave work and drive to my neighborhood polling station.  I have my sample ballet that I have spent hours mulling over the language in the 11 amendments that are on my ballot.  I will stand in line.

Today I am able to exercise my right to vote.  

Will you?