MomManagement Approved....!

Moab, Utah

2006-10-24T00:52:00.000-06:00

Well I live in one of the very awe inspiring places in the world and I have just visited another... For some of the photos - I will post more as they come - http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/tracy_moland/album?.dir=3031scd&.src=ph&store=&prodid=&.done=http%3a//photos.yahoo.com/ph//my_photos Moab, Utah October 6, 2006 Well we are off – we packed up Thursday night, went for haircuts and got up and on the road by 6:00 am (or so!). We drove through to Pocatello, Idaho (where unfortunately we were one day early and couldn’t attend the Red Neck Nationals!). The drive was amazing taking us through so many different terrains from mountains to prairies to valleys to lava fields. There is certainly a reason that Montana is called Big Sky State – it is really beautiful! We found ourselves a great Best Western with a pool and hot tub, went to Applebee’s for dinner (now why couldn’t it have been a TGI Fridays by the hotel!), watched some TV and off to bed! October 7, 2006 Up bright and early again – it was great that the hotel had a continental breakfast including biscuits and gravy – what a bizarre combination! We drove through the dark for a bit and then emerged into Salt Lake City – again seeing new terrain – mountains but a bit different than ours here. We drove through some rain, a boring stretch across the desert and then found ourselves in Red Rock Heaven – wow. Just from the drive things are beautiful! We were so relieved to get into our cabin at http://www.canyonlandsrv.com/ – it was perfect 2 double bed/single bed bunks, chairs, picnic tables, fire pits and most importantly NEAR the bathroom! After unpacking we had some thoughts of going into Arches National Park http://www.utahredrocks.com/archesnationalpark.htm but decided to just hang out in Moab http://www.discovermoab.com/index.htm . We walked main street stopping in the bike stores – Poison Spider and Chile Peppers being the main ones! We then found our way to the Broken Oar where we had a great dinner (even though as the guide books says medium rare meat is hard to get!)! After walking back we basically faded (sitting in a car for 2 days is hard!) and were in bed by 8:30! October 8, 2006 Pat got up early and headed to the “Top of the World” http://www.4x4now.com/mttw.htm for a ride. I actually woke up bright and early and sat in the van and read. Moab starts to get dark around 7, with total darkness by 7:30 and starts to get light at 7 with total daylight at 7:30 (yup that is 12 hours of darkness which means a lot of night rides for the 24 hour race on the weekend!) We let the kids sleep in and I hung out with them until Pat got back. I got to meet the neighbors – from Denver and the 2 cabins beside us – from Calgary! The kids and I walked down and got lunch stuff and Pat came in around 1:00. We then headed off to Arches where we got to see and hike to the Balanced Rock, the North and South Windows, the Turret Arch, and were crushed to find out that the Delicate Arch – the most famous was closed due to above average rain – (Moab gets an average of 1 inch in October – by this point it had 3 (and wait there is the rest of the week!). The road was washed out, part of the trail gone and 12 people had to be brought out via helicopter. Needless to say we were crushed. Heading back to camp in hopes the Pepin’s had arrived, the kids were disappointed that they were there yet… but soon discovered the playground! Around 6 Terri, Todd, Sophie and Liam arrived armed with a Turkey – it was Canadian Thanksgiving after all! With a full turkey dinner done over a BBQ and camp stove we celebrated! We had a few beers and all headed off to bed! October 9, 2006 “It is raining out!” proclaimed Courtney-Lyn from the top bunk – “NOooooooooooooooooo” replied Pat. But alas she was correct… We slowly pulled ourselves out of bed and made an executive decision – we would go out for breakfast – seeing as it was pouring. The 8 of us headed over to the Moab Diner http://www.moab-utah.com/diner/index.html along with everyone else who had thoughts of biking, hiking, 4X4ing, or ATVing… The wait was worth it – we had a great server and great food! With a slight lull in the rain we decided to head back to Arches National Park and do the Devil’s Garden Hike http://roadtrip.beimers.com/day148.html . We got about 5 minutes in and the sky opened and the rain came down. After standing in a covered spot for about 5 more minutes we decided it wasn’t going to happen so got back into the cars (boys club and girls club). About 5 minutes of driving later, the rain stopped… so we turned around and went on the hike. We couldn’t do all of it as eventually the thunder was non stop… but we were out for about 3 hours! We saw the Landscape Arch, the Wall Arch, the Navajo Arch, the Partition Arch, the Pine Tree Arch, the Tunnel Arch and many more amazing rock formations and views. On the way out not only was the park closed to incoming visitors but there were rivers that were dry the day before (and again the day after). There were also waterfalls and I must say a red waterfall is amazing! With the rain coming down we decided to visit the famous Eddie McStiff’s for dinner. After a few appetizers, drinks and shared meals it was back to the cabins. We set up on the screened in patio in Terri and Todd’s cabin and geared up for Monopoly. We added a bit of twist that involved whiskey when you went to jail, community chest or chance cards. What else is one to do when it is raining and cold in the desert! Side note: the weather in Moab is completely unique – the days are generally very warm and the nights are cold… but if the sun isn’t out the temperature drops significantly and if it is raining… get out the winter coats! Later evening lead to one of the kids eating too many Pringles and throwing up in a sleeping bag, a girls and boys sleep over and the arrival of Bret, Gerri, Austin, Fran, Tim and Trina. Immediately the older boys created the biking plan for the next morning (based upon Pat’s pre-planning!) October 10, 2006 Up bright and early, Pat and Todd headed to Poison Spider to rent a bike for Todd. The guys then headed out to do the race course in the morning and Slick Rock in the afternoon (http://www.moab-utah.com/trails/gallery.html) . Terri and I armed with the 5 kids (Austin included headed to Canyonlands National Park http://www.nps.gov/cany/ and the area known as Islands in the Sky http://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/islandinthesky.htm . With Terri as our leader, Courtney-Lyn in good shoes we headed up and around. Our first stop was the Mesa Arch http://www.gcollier.com/Mesa-Arch.html , then on to the Aztec Butte where there were old granaries and all the group but Mats and I headed into them. They were incredible still with seeds and berries from the past. As we stood on the butte they traveled inside it and met us on the other side. The kids were amazing but I must admit I had a bit of a “height” scare a few times! Next we ate lunch up at the Upheaval Dome overlook trail. Wow what a view that was. Then it was off to the Whale Rock and then the moms were done. A full day with the kids we had enough and headed back to camp! Where Pat and Mike had arrived and we had a nice relaxing night. October 11, 2006 The guys headed out early to bike Porcupine Rim http://www.single-serving.com/USA/UT/Moab/trail/porcrim.php while Terri and I and the kids head off to Negro Bills Canyon (a supposedly constructed trail…) Well due to the rain we constructed a lot of it ourselves – included crossing the creek 5 times. http://www.moabhappenings.com/Archives/hiking0410.htm The Morning Glory Bridge at the end was amazing – unfortunately due to our afternoon plans we could only look at it rather than get right up to it. Side Note: The kids are amazing hikers! Apart from Courtney-Lyn’s shoe issues, WOW…. They are willing to do and try anything. They have often been braver than I myself have! With Courtney-Lyn and Mats and Sophie and Liam having such similar dispositions and well seem like copies of each other the dynamics were great! Austin is such a flexible and friendly guy that he had fun with both the boys and the girls! It is wonderful to be with such great kids. I am also so excited what the future holds for trips and hiking and traveling knowing now what the kids can do (and what I can do!) After lunch the Pepin’s and the Moland’s headed out for the Guided Hike of the Fiery Furnace at Arches. http://www.climb-utah.com/Moab/furnace.htm From climbing through arches to walking on cliff edges to having our feet on one side of the crevice and our body on the other – it was absolutely incredible. Courtney-Lyn words it best – “I have found that the harder and more challenging a trail is the more you get out of it!” and this was both hard and challenging and AMAZING! We headed back for burgers and hot dogs and football! Yup a highschool game! Our campground sided the field for the local high school and we got to see the Red Devils live in action. It was pretty neat to watch! We actually were able to enjoy a fire and had a great evening. October 12, 2006 We got up to a huge breakfast of sausages, bacon, and eggs. Then sadly we watched Terri and Todd pack up and head off. It always makes me sad to see them leave – we are so blessed with such special and wonderful friends. As the guys head out to ride (Flat Pass http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/flatpass.htm ) the kids and I hang out at the camp site. After a bit we walk into town with Austin and his Aunt Sandy. We do some shopping, check out local info and stores and then meet up with Gerri and Trina for a fun lunch at Zax. We slowly walk back and the kids play in the campground (did I mention the park is awesome!) I actually sort of convinced mine to swim – which meant Courtney-Lyn got her legs wet and Mats hopped in a few times! Most of the crew headed out for supper but Pat N., Mike and us cooked up a spaghetti dinner and hung out at the campground. We had a nice fire and a great visit as everyone joined us after their dinner. October 13, 2006 (Friday the 13th) Well one day of no hikes (but lots of walking) was enough for us. It was time to do something…. As the rest of the guys headed out to do the race course again Pat, the kids and I headed out to do a hike. Along the way we stopped to see some of the petroglyphs http://www.billandcori.com/moab/petroglyphs.htm and then went on to an amazing hike to the Corona Arch http://www.climb-utah.com/Moab/corona.htm where we used a chain to climb, went up a ladder and had the place to ourselves. What an amazing feeling to be so connected with such an amazing formation. It was so pure and quiet (well we also found the echo spot and was that ever cool!) In the afternoon, Pat went riding with the guys off to Gemini Bridges http://www.utahmountainbiking.com/trails/gemini.htm and the kids and I went and hiked the Slick Rock practice loop. It was really neat to see what the famous SlickRock trail is about! We had a great hike! The four of us had a great pasta dinner at the campground – spaghetti just never tasted so good! The rest of the crew returned from dinner and we had a great campfire… then it was off to bed with a big race in the morning… October 14, 2006 Rain Rain go away – come again another day…. Friday was beautiful – clear blue sky – and we woke up to dreary weather… We packed up and head up to the 24 Hours of Moab where – well this explains it best http://grannygear.com/Current_News/2006-10-17-Moab_Post-Race%20Communique.html “The (im)Perfect Storm By Wednesday before the race Moab's recent rains had set a 105-year rainfall record. The weather forecast was improving and the course was in great shape... then things changed. The weather pattern that had delivered two record setting "perfect storms" reemerged and created a third perfect storm that landed squarely on top of The 24 Hours of Moab. The race course had some of the scariest conditions ever encountered at this epic event. Racers on-course during the deluge experienced waist-deep flash-floods, chain-binding, brake-pad wearing mud that forced many into walking mode, gaping erosion ditches that seemed to appear out of nowhere and most dangerously of all, bone-chilling cold that brought many to near hypothermia.With the prospect of dozens of hypothermia cases and other potential injuries that would have overwhelmed the EMS response teams and put racers in mortal danger, the race director closed the course at 8:00 pm, Saturday. A decision was made to re-start the race in the morning and at 9:00 am, Sunday morning. The race was to be re-started using split times based off of the teams' finish times posted from the last laps from Saturday evening.” So in the cold and rain we hung out – thank goodness for Ed and Sandi’s 5th wheel where the kids watched movies (yes I gave in and let them watch a movie camping…). At least it was warm in there… as the day progressed our riders came in wet and muddy and there seemed to be no chance of the rain stopping. Mats raced the 24 minutes of Moab and came in second for his age! Woo hoo (he may have come in first but he was so far in the lead he thought he had gone the wrong way and stopped and waited… it was neck and neck at the finish!) After Mats’s race and with the rain coming down it was time to head back to town. The road had already washed away one time – so Pat drove us down and headed back up. The kids and I headed over to the Moab Brewery http://www.moab-utah.com/moabbrewery/ for dinner. With all the rain it was a 1 hour wait so we shopped at the nearby stores. I highly recommend this restaurant! We then headed back and I was a bit shocked to see lights on in the cabin. As we got closer the blind closed and I thought what – seeing as the van wasn’t there. As I cautiously headed in, there was Pat standing there – clean and dry… the race had been called due to hazardous conditions… so he came down with Pat and Mike in their 4 wheel drive for a warm evening in the cabin! He also didn’t think the van could drive down… and we weren’t sure when it would come out… aaaaaaaaaaagh! I hung out for awhile with Pat and Mike and it was off to bed! October 15, 2006 The guys got up early and headed back up to the race course – thinking the race would restart. The kids and I got up shortly after and as it was clearing up heading back to the Moab Diner for breakfast. We played Old Maid while waiting in line and at the table – I am the champion… Ask Courtney-Lyn who is the Old Maid??? When we got back sure enough there was Pat and Mike – the race was done. They could have ridden again but as Pat and Pat decided it wasn’t worth it. Luckily, enough work was done on the road that Pat was able to get the van back. We then headed up to the Delicate Arch which was finally reopened - http://utahpictures.com/DelicateArch1.html . This is Utah’s most famous arch and is on the license plates. It was a hard hike out to it but so worth it. The arch itself is just incredible and so awe inspiring. Although unlike the Corona Arch with the tranquility this was busy busy busy… We got back in time to head with the group to the Moab Brewery for dinner (again!) and had a nice farewell dinner. We got back in time to pack, load, and pack some more. We then relaxed for a few laughs and good byes around the campfire. October 16, 2006 (the longest day ever) We decided to head home in one day – which was and would have been fine – until we hit the snow and ice in Montana…. Which slowed our speed about 50 km per hour… Then when we were finally in Calgary – the freeway we take was closed (due to snow and ice and an 80 car pile up – why are 80 cars out there at midnight on a Monday night anyway???? OVERALL THOUGHTS: This trip was filled with amazing friends and laughter. Even when we were being rained on or plans didn’t work out quite as planned it was the people who made the difference. The incredible connection of true friends, amazing nature and no computers made for an incredible and amazing trip. The kids both say it was the best trip ever (even over Disney!)

Scrubbing Bubbles

2006-09-18T00:49:00.000-06:00

Well I have the cleanest showers and it is thanks to my automatic shower cleaner - http://www.ScrubbingBubbles.ca . I have had mine for over 2 months and it works! Information: Scrubbing Bubbles® Automatic Shower Cleaner is a new breakthrough cleaning system that automatically sprays cleaner to eliminate the build-up of tough soap scum and mold & mildew stains. The cleaning formula combines with the water on your shower walls to begin working immediately. With daily use, your shower will be visibly cleaner and stay that way!

HealthPod Baby

2006-09-18T00:37:00.000-06:00

After meeting the co-founders of the HealthPod Baby (http://www.healthpod.ca) - b.l.i.s.(because life is special) I was excited to receive my copy of the HealthPod. I highly recommend this for all parents! Your children’s health is in your hands! Have you ever taken your child to a health appointment and forgotten some of the questions you were going to ask, or scribbled down important information on a scrap piece of paper only to lose it a short time later? Are you confident your babysitter, nanny, or other caregivers know everything they need to if your child requires medical attention when you’re not there? If your answers to these questions aren’t what you’d like them to be, take heart. HealthPod Baby has you covered.

The BEST pictures in the world!

2006-08-04T07:24:00.000-06:00

I can take pictures but Lauren captures life - have a visit to her website and be amazed! http://www.laurenlevine.com/Home.html Lauren, thank you for sharing this with us all!

The Shape of a Mother TM

2006-07-27T08:26:00.000-06:00

The Shape of a Mother TM I received a phone call from a journalist the other day to comment on this site - I checked it out and I was impressed. Just as the Mom Management idea is to make sure Moms do not feel alone in their journey of being a Mother this looks at the idea that as a Mother our shapes change... Thank you Bonnie for helping so many Moms feel they are not alone. The Article: Website fetes stretch marks and postpartum bodies Canwest News Service Thursday, July 27, 2006 Byline: Misty Harris Source: CanWest News Service Calling the postpartum body one of society's greatest secrets, a stay-at-home mom is helping women reclaim their sagging skin and stretch marks as things of beauty. Every day, Californian Bonnie Crowder posts new photos of women as they appear post-pregnancy on her website The Shape of a Mother (shapeofamother.blogspot.com). Her goal is to empower women by curbing the shame many feel about baby-created body changes. Only three weeks into operation, the site is attracting up to 14,000 visitors a day, as well as dozens of submissions from moms grateful to share photos of themselves some clothed, some unclothed and their stories of self-loathing, discovery and acceptance. ``This website isn't really mine, it belongs to every woman,'' says Crowder, a mother of two. ``It's almost like a step of healing or therapy to submit your own picture and your own story and get them out there.'' After her first child was born, Crowder says she was torn between wanting to be proud of her body's achievement and feeling ashamed of her ``zebra stripes'' and sags. ``I did think I was different, that it was my fault,'' recalls Crowder, referring to the fact she was already overweight when she became pregnant. ``I realize now that even a woman at a healthy weight, her body changes in ways she couldn't imagine (after childbirth). And it's just not fair to be shocked by that.'' She says the goal of The Shape of a Mother is simply to show fellow mothers that ``normal'' comes in all shapes and sizes. Judith Stadtman Tucker, a leading mothers' issues activist, believes the site offers an honest counterpoint to unrealistic mass-media representations of the postpartum physique. ``We get this sense of shame, that there's something deeply wrong with us if we're not able to mold our bodies to this ideal,'' she says, noting that moms who don't ``snap back'' a few weeks after labour are characterized as lazy or not taking care of themselves. ``My hope would be that this site doesn't create an opening for that (type of criticism) in the blogosphere and that people respect its intent.'' Stadtman-Tucker, editor of The Mothers Movement Online, believes The Shape of a Mother may be misleading in that it primarily depicts women whose bodies have undergone more extreme transformations than most. But on the whole, she praises it for allowing mothers to ``connect around their shared vulnerabilities.'' Tracy Lyn Moland, the Calgary-based author of Mom Management, counts herself among the website's new fans. ``I got tears in my eyes going through it,'' says Moland. ``We're so used to seeing airbrushed pictures I like that these are real women. It makes (mothers) feel they're not alone.'' Critics of the site, however, believe Crowder isn't showing postpartum bodies in a balanced light. ``Some of the women (pictured) have rolls upon rolls hanging off their hips frankly, I don't think that's from childbirth,'' says Laura Stratton, who welcomed her first child just 13 days ago. She has already lost 20 of her 35 pregnancy pounds and plans to enrol in ``baby and mommy boot camp'' to drop the rest. ``I'm a big fan of exercising and making your body what you want it to be,'' says Stratton, who lives in Toronto. ``Even with stretch marks, those women could do something about how they look. If you've gained 75 pounds during your pregnancy, that's kind of your problem you've eaten your way into it.

MommyClub

2006-06-22T00:50:00.000-06:00

Mommy Club is MomManagement Approved - Michelle has created not only a fabulous website fiilled with incredible information but also amazing opportunities for Moms. From family focused events to Mom only moments it meets the needs all Mothers! Currently the group is Calgary based but Michelle is looking to expand! Check out the site and contact Michelle for more info - every city and every mom needs a Mommy Club! http://www.MommyClub.ca Mommy Club™ is the ultimate resource and community focused on helping Calgary women create and maintain balance in their lives. Not from Calgary? Bring this fabulous opportunity to your city! Mommy Club Playgroup Share the experience of Play! Join our South or our North Calgary Mommy Club Playgroup. Membership Overview Share the experience, join today for only $39 or pay per event you attend starting at only $10. Events Check out our calendar of events, including adventures, cooking lessons, speaker events, book clubs, and more! Community Meet-ups NEW: Meet Moms within your community and gather for coffee dates, playdates, movie nights, pot luck dinners and more! (Please note that you MUST be logged in to view.) Knowledge Space Read articles from local and international experts such as Ann Douglas, Trina Read, Tracy Lyn Moland, Tara Corbett and more! Mommy Club™ Membership Card All members receive a Mommy Club™ Membership Card with their membership which enables them to Experience MORE for LESS...see how it works! Mommy Club™ Savings Directory Check our the fabulous discounts from over 100 companies ... Experience MORE for LESS! Are you a company looking to offer a discount to our members? Read more... Gift Certificates Not a mom and want to give someone you love the gift of balance, connection, adventure and knowledge? We have your gift!

Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

2006-06-14T08:12:00.000-06:00

Hello I am BzzAgent MomManager - based upon recommendations by BzzAgent JavaUme I recently learned about being a BzzAgent. The website is based upon the amazing strength of word of mouth marketing (if you haven't you should read The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell http://www.gladwell.com/tippingpoint/index.html). My friend started talking about an awesome book Anybody Out There? by one of my favourite authors Marion Keyes http://mariankeyes.com . Then she told me about being a BzzAgent and of course I always wanting to learn more and love the idea! So I am recommending you all check out the website - http://www.bzzagent.com/index.jsp and consider becoming a BzzAgent - (or using the company to Bzz your product!)

Fisher Price

2006-06-12T22:44:00.000-06:00

I have just recently agreed to be the Fisher-Price spokesperson for baby shower gifts for Calgary. I absolutley love love love their website. It is filled with fabulous ideas, information and the toys .... Well the toys bring me back to my childhood. Some are more advanced but so many are the same and bring back so many memories. I highly recommend where ever you are to watch for the campaign and if you have any specific ideas or favourites on Baby Shower gifts please respond and let me know! These are my favourites - http://www.fisher-price.com/ My favourites are the Classic gifts - the ones I remember as a child and to this day I still see kids finding as their favourites! You can comment here or email me throw www.TracyLynMoland.com I can't wait to hear your ideas!

Create a Personal or Business Mission Statement

2006-05-03T05:05:00.000-06:00

For many of us creating a mission statement is a difficult task. I highly recommend the Franklin Covey Mission Statement program. It is a guided, step by step program on their website that is easy to use and helps you create your own mission statement. Please take a look http://www.franklincovey.com/missionbuilder/ as this is highly MomManagement approved!

Find Balance

2006-03-01T22:37:00.002-07:00

I was asked to write a website on life balance - it was then taken and edited and came out AMAZING! I am very proud to support Whirlpool in their reaching out to the women of the world to help them find balance. Please take a few minutes and visit http://www.FindBalance.ca and listen to what you read! Tracy Lyn

Canadian Living...

2006-03-01T22:37:00.001-07:00

I love love love magazines but I also am so tired of too much paper and too much stuff! I love the idea of being able to read my magazines online! http://www.canadianliving.com/CanadianLiving/client/en/today/DetailNews.asp?idNews=230590&bSearch=True Approved online and offline!

The Time Crunch Guide

2006-03-01T22:37:00.000-07:00

My favorite time management guide has to do with boxes... Juice boxes - time management - NOPE no connection originally until Tetra Pak asked me to help them create a Time Crunch Guide http://tetrapak.ca/download/time_crunch.pdf for busy people who eat! Of course I can do that - we did a great job of the guide and well the products are amazing.... What can beat a recycleable container that brings food and cold temperatures to a lunch kit! LOVE THEM!

Time to start anew....

2006-03-01T22:21:00.000-07:00

I am excited to annouce the MomManagement Approved Symbol. Watch for products, ideas and information to receive the MomManagement Approval. What does MomManagement Approval mean? Based upon Tracy Lyn Moland's best selling book, Mom Management, the items, ideas and info given the MomManagement Approval has been approved by Tracy Lyn and her team of experts (Moms from all over the world in all stages of Motherhood!) Everything must must help Mom in her success as a Mom!

Bowling....

2006-01-27T09:02:00.000-07:00

This is a response from my friend's blog http://diaryofamother.blogs.com/ - OK.... You have to hear my bowling stories... LOL... for those that don't know me - Pat is my hubby, Mats my son, C-L my daughter - so the kids LOVE LOVE LOVE to bowl and we have gone a few times. Pat gets worse everytime - the kids get better and I - as always am completely inconsistent - strike one turn - gutter the next.... BUT last time Pat - we were playing with bumpers - so there is no gutter and he found the flaw and got gutter balls.... he is SO OOOO bad we are never allowed to go again ! LOL

In great sadness

2006-01-13T16:30:00.000-07:00

I am so sad today. A dear collegue of mine passed away last weekend and today I attended the hardest funeral of my life. While I was not as close to her as my grandparents - they were older and that is what happens. Sherry Kerr was 43 years old and the widowed mother of a 12 year old son - who is now an orphan. The tears and the youth in the church were both overwhelming. See below for some comments I wrote earlier: Already widowed, her death left her 12 year old son as an orphan. The saddest part of the day was watching him. He is surrounded by loving family and friends but with no parents or grandparents it makes your heart ache. There was not a dry eye in the chapel and it was quite a prominent crowd. It was also a very young crowd. Sherry and her business partner and best friend Ellen have built a very amazing magazine and resourse for the parents of Calgary. They did a wonderful piece on our FindBalance website. As always with every sad moment comes learning. Seeing a friend pass away at 43 really reminds everyone what life is about and what life balance really is. In her brother's comments he mentioned that Sherry had all take out restaurants on speed dial and a clean house was - well wasn't! Yet her relationships with family and friends were incredible. She died snorkelling with dolphins in Hawaii with her son. Sherry knew how to live and I hope to see her memory inspire others to live rather than exist. This is really what balance is about - life and living it. I ask you all to go out and live, to truly look at what is important in your lives and who is important. When we know these answers the rest of balance falls into place.

Merry Christmas!

2005-12-21T06:46:00.000-07:00

Well it is the first day of winter and I am excited to say it is getting hot here! Nothing like above freezing temperatures for xmas eve and day! (I wish we could have the warmth and the snow!) For all those people who say it is so cold in Canada - well they are wrong! It isn't quite like Florida but hey we have real xmas trees! We are on to the final countdown - I spent a few hours last night going thru gifts making sure everything was even and I had enough (or too much). Just a few more things to pick up and a lot of wrapping and that is that! I am really impressed with the selection of gifts this year - it is much more practical yet also fun. Things like amusement park passes, room accessories, etc. (even pants for my son who is not going to like that!) Our cat is bent on destroying the tree again this year. I see him sitting right now deciding "to climb or not to clmb" We have the can of coins to scare him away as nothing else works.... wish us luck! I am so excited Terri http://www.mapleleafsolutions.com, Todd and the kids are coming for an evening! That is like a huge xmas present in itself! A day at the zoo with my best friend and kids - yup gotta love it - love our zoo as well - http://www.calgaryzoo.org/ Friday night is Pat's annual Risk Tournament and our cul-de-sac carolling party! Christmas eve we are off to Pat's folks for a fun evening - oh, I need to see what I can bring! Sunday we are up to Santa, gifts, stockings and then driving up to Edmonton. It sure is nice I don't have to cook a turkey and it will be fun to see Kyler on xmas. We are looking forward to it. Home again on Boxing day and off to Michelle and Steve's for their annual boxing day party! It is always a lot of fun! And now kids are about up so I guess it is time to work!

Courtney-Lyn's Bedroom redecoration

2005-11-27T11:45:00.000-07:00

Check out our re-decoration of Courtney-Lyn's Bedroom! Courtney-Lyn and I have been going thru her room and have gotten rid of a lot of stuff and we also painted. We are now in the process of putting it back together but here are some of the pictures so far. Also a picture of c-l's hair cut!

One month to go!

2005-11-25T08:11:00.000-07:00

One month to go - can you believe it? I am not sure I can! Wow!! Actually I have started to get in the mood and am having fun. We are doing some amazing redecorating in the house. I have had spring fever as of late - of course, setting record temperatures in Calgary and wearing tshirts sure helps! I did some really neat decorating of my bathroom - will post some pictures in a second. I am now working on getting some paperwork done and more organizing. That is truly my gift for this xmas - I want to get things in order and control. I am working towards simplifying my own life and work. Writing articles and organizing before xmas and a new book after! I also have been enjoying having mom visit. she is going thru some interesting tests and is staying with us for them! http://www.hoffmancentre.com We are adding some great new tips on the http://www.tipsEmoms.com website so make sure you check that out! Time to get to work!

I love FindBalance.ca

2005-08-21T23:49:00.000-06:00

Wow this is so cool - I love the Find Balance.ca info! It is realy and applicable - wonder who wrote it... LOL.... Love the boards Pat and Ellen! Please enter the amazing contest - I know you are all amazing women! http://www.findbalance.ca/best_of_balance.htm

FindBalance.ca

2005-08-21T23:47:00.000-06:00

I am a regular writer for Canadian Living.com ! Awesome - please check out my info!

Rain Rain... go away.. or NOT!

2005-07-26T02:27:00.000-06:00

Well it is raining again! I have seen more rain in the last bit than a long long time! I am up updating my Ironwife blog - www.ironwife.blogspot.com - Pat had an awesome race this weekend! I am so proud of him... I am now just up.... I should be asleep but what I thought would take a few minutes took a few hours! go figure - time on the internet is NOT normal time at all... Well I have gotten over or survived is a better word for my Harry Potter night. Those are amazing books and you can't get around them... Had a fun day today - did a photo shoot for Whirlpool - Know what - i have had enough - night!

I need to talk - Harry Potter fans must have read the latest....

2005-07-20T00:04:00.000-06:00

Ok, I don't think any one reads these BUT in case and if you read Harry Potter books - and haven't read the latest (amazing book btw) .... go away til you have! x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x Ok I think I can talk now... I am in a hotel room - finished the book in the hall in tears...I as an author am in awe - these are people - my friends and family - not characters... I am so glad i bought and read the book b4 the rumours! Ok ... I don't write so well about grief... but I am absolutely overcome - I also loved the book. It almost has helped me put a perspective on life... i think i am about to do some writing...

Waterslides

2005-07-19T11:20:00.000-06:00

Well here I sit at the MEdicine Hat lodge watching my kids play on the waterslides... oh have no fear I have been out for hours last night and will again be out for hours today. Just getting caught up! Amazing how much work you can get done when you are not at home! I actually have been finding that I enjoy not being at home more - not sure what it is about there but it feels stuffy and overwhelming. Maybe all the crazy action lately of neighbors.. who knows... Maybe it is me not feeling so good about myself and in my skin lately... maybe maybe maybe/?? who knows... time to write...

tipsEmoms

2005-07-09T12:02:00.000-06:00

I am so excited to have a fun new project on the go! Christine Louise Hohlbaum http://www.diaryofamother.com and I have created the 10 second tips for frazzled moms on the go - tipsEmoms! http://www.tipsEmoms.com

Other than that - hmmm what is up? Kids are out of school for the summer, we are up visiting Grandma Irma in Edmonton. Pat is still busy training for his ironman!!!!

Time to play ski bo!

Whirlwind Weeks

2005-05-31T23:47:00.000-06:00

Well it has been an amazing few weeks - about 4 to be exact... In the month of May I have been from home (Calgary, AB, Canada) to Phoenix, Denver, Dallas, St. Louis, Detroit, Bermuda and Spokane..... Wow! It has been pretty amazing. I started with a Mother's Day Gift Idea Media tour which was amazing. I got to go to Phoenix where I got to visit my friend Kelly Ann. What a treat to get sent to work in a city where a friend lives - and it gets better - I got to spend 3 nights in Denver where my bestest friend (as my daughter would word it) lives. Terri (http://www.mapleleafsolutions.com) is my hero and web designer and the best friend around - and I got to stay with her for 3 days. I did work there - TV http://9news.com/newsteam/christiansen.asp with our Pi Beta Phi friend. We had a great time just hanging out. I sure wish Calgary and Denver were closer!!! Then it was off to Dallas where I stayed at an amazing hotel for a whole 11 hours.. or so... yup in and out of an amazing city that quick! Next stop was St. Louis where I stayed much longer. The hotel was a renovated historic hotel (give me a new one anyday ) but the staff where amazing. I also got to go to a baseball game and got a free ticket! Nothing like running into someone giving one away on the way in! Fun game, warm night, and a great atmosphere.... And more to come, I am off to bed!

Wow! I did this! List!!!

2005-04-17T22:42:00.000-06:00

I need a Wow I Did This List... I have realized lately that I am so busy focusing on what I haven't done that I need to celebrate what I have done - I think we all need to do this - it helps us move forward and do more! So please comment back with your Wow I did this list! Been on over 400 media interviews including: Vicki Gabereau, Living it Up with Ali and Jack, been to NY, Philadephia, NY again, Chicago, Denver, Bermuda, Florida, Toronto, Halifax, Winnipeg, Vancouver, Victoria, Ottawa, Kingston, and lots of other place - plus endless other phone interviews I have been in (or will be) Chatelaine, Reader's Digest, Women's Day, Pregnancy magazine, Good Housekeeping Online, Western Parent, Calgary's child, edmonton's child, canadian families, and many more I have written 2 books and have 2 more isbns about to come out I have met many neat people I am the spoksepserson for johnsonville sausages and xyz... oh i wish i could tell I have travelled all over, been in hotels, been to NY city on my birthday... I have made money, friends and books I am ready for bed.. more to come! LOL

Happy Birthday to Me....

2005-04-06T07:25:00.000-06:00

Well I am officially in the second half of my 30s. I am now 36 years old! Or years young! The first half of my 30s has been unreal - I went from being a sahm to being a best selling author... and having been on or in over 400 media outlets.. woo hoo WHAT IS NEXT? Which is actually a question that has been plaguing me a lot lately - I set some HUGE goals and accomplished them all... While this is huge cause for celebration (which is something I don't seem to do well - I just keep upping the bar and go after more!), it does make one go WHAT IS NEXT? What else can I do? What do I want to do? It almost seemed easier to accomplish the impossible when I didn't know I could do it- know I knowand that scares me even worse... I also am just not sure what to do next... I did make a few neat steps this week - I registered 2 isbn numbers... for new books - one my Quotes of Inspiration Journal is ready to be approved today - I get to see the proof, #2 - well I have to write that one!!!! I think I will work on my collage over hte next few days.. get things moving in my mind again! I had a great bday - my mom came down and we had a lot of fun. She certainly does not seem like a women dealing with lung cancer. I can only hope that means she is fighting it... we had a great time, went to the gym, BBQ steak, hung 0ut - on MOnday. For my Bday - we worked a bit in the morning - my father in law came by for a visit- then we went for a nice long walk where I got a new outfit - a trendy boucle suit. I LOVE it! Then we picked up the kids, went to swimming lessons that didn't occur because of a code brown at the pool - why oh why do parents let their kids in the pool w/o a pool diaper.. are they NUTS... then it was off to Boston Pizza - our family favorite restaurant for a great supper! Home to beautiful weather and a few games of Skip Bo - I won the first and made Grandma MAD so had to have a second! LOL... then finally off to bed. It was a great bday overall. Pat called - and left me a great card. Wasn't even sure if he would! :) Drove the new Honda Odyssey this morning when I took Mom to the bus to go home - it is nice nice nice. The kids love it - neat features and drives well! Looking forward to more trips in it!

Hmmm. got a lot done today...

2005-03-30T16:30:00.000-07:00

Some days I get so darn much done - even tho the kids were home screaming and whining all day. They are on spring break and we were going to swimming but get this - my 6 year old son had sore muscles... it was quite funny (in a loving sort of way)... basically he has been on the swing the last few days and obviously hasn't used his hamstrings that way all year... He was in such pain and just didn't understand the muscle thing - that you have to walk it off. I felt so bad for him... finally he got out of bed and sure enough about 15 minutes later was much better... BUT he refused to go swimming! We are going up to spend a few days with mom tomorrow so had all these things to get done...including hours on the phone.. GET this... I download the top gun theme for my cell phone ring and it somehow messed up my phone. Now when I try to change rings it turns on and off... the ring on it is one I have never heard of before and the help desk had no idea how to fix it! Also on the phone with the tax department and get this... they called to tell me I OVERPAID.... wow..... I was very impressed!!! I have been dreading the call (we have been playing telephone tag)... I was so relieved. I couldn't imagine how I could owe more but that is usually why they call!!!! Also got some great contacts for book sales... yah yah yah... I am so ready to move on and come out with edition 2 or something different... but we still have some to move before I am willing to do that.. Somethings just make no sense to me... like how to find a salesperson for a temp position. I need someone who knows the parent market - who has contacts in home party lines, parenting stores, basically any company that markets to moms - or has them as a main client. I have a product that moms love, gets incredible media and am offering excellent discounts (meaning the buyer can get great profit or have a fantastic giveaway...) and the seller will get a great commission... but I still can't seem to find a person to help with this. Some of my ideas for clients are:

Home Party lines - the book is perfect for helping Moms with a business create their BUSINESS MAP... the ideas help them find time for business, be better moms and has received great feedback. One line of Discovery Toy reps has bought over 400 copies and I receive incredible feedback from the Moms using it.
Banks/insurance/businesses - that want to reach moms but don't really have a product to give... I have received books from banks before with a sticker about them donating it and a brochure in it. I really appreciate it.
Fundraising Groups - People are tired of buying chocolate, popcorn, etc. The usual fundraising products. This is a great great fundraising option - if a group was to sell 300 books they could make over 1500 in fundraising. That is 3 times what our hockey team made on their big fundraiser which was a lot of work
Associations/Societies - I think that places like cancer society, ADHD, parents of triplets, etc would love to receive copies to give away to Moms dealing with the issue as a way to take care of themselves so that they can be there for everyone around them. OR they can use it as a fundraiser - or a company like above could buy and give away as a donation/write off
Businesses - could use it as a way to entice people - get a book if you buy 3 packages of this or that, get a book if you test drive a vehicle, view a showhome, etc.

Anyway, my ideas are endless but my time isn't. I also need people with the right connections - connections open so many doors...

Plus i have to get this done with before my husband - oh nevermind too much of a story....

AND I finally got the quotes and went to print with the PRINT Edition of Quotes of Inspiration! It will be a journal/book with a quote and room to write! I am so excited and can't wait to see it!!! We have been talking about it for awhile but to have it done is so awesome! Link to the quotes is on my main page.. .although get this - we moved the ezine to a ezine company to make it easier... well all of a sudden places alike AOL say I can't send to people - it comes from the same email to the same email. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

OH well.. that is the internet for you!

Can't wait til the next few days... need to try to treat them as a day off. I am still struggling between days off and working from home.. trying to find the happy medium... I know all the right answers but at times it really does seem to always be there.. especially when there are some big t hings weighing on your mind. We will spend time at WEM http://www.westedmall.com/ , go swimming, visit friends and relax!!! Looking forward to it...

Time for a meeting...

Why am I Awake???

2005-03-25T07:01:00.000-07:00

Ok, so you know how it goes... the first day to sleep in and sleep late and all that jazz and here i am on the computer at 7:00 am... got here awhile ago.... why oh why do we wake up on the days we can sleep in... OMG am i turning into my parents..... won't go there.. nope had an exciting few days.... but i can't tell that a big company is considering me to be their spokesperson for a national campaign.. hee hee... ooops forgot i was here.. have been chatting... NOW I am shocked... the USA doesn't honor Good Friday... I thought they were a religous country and well - I was shocked that stores are open here in Canada - I can't believe it isn't a holiday... so weird.... ok.. off the bandwagon, time to go drink coffee!

Off to Aggie Days... Yee Haa...

2005-03-17T06:54:00.000-07:00

I am off to Aggy Days with my daughter today - I may even get to pet a pig or a goose! My son was there yesterday and that is what he did... he also told me about a dead goose... Must have been old Mom... LOL I am looking forward to it all except taking a lunch... yuk. I hate taking lunches but don't think the kids would appreciate (or the teachers) me running up to the concession for a hot dog... (actually maybe I will just ask the pig!... ) Last time we were at one of these things it was so weird - there was the cute little baby piglets surrounded by the Pork Producers who were giving out samples and recipes..... GOOD GOOD GOOD NEWS We got news that my moms tumor has shrunk... big time!!! From 4.4 X 4.6 cm to 2.2 X 1.5 YAH YAH YAH http://www.wbuf.noaa.gov/tempfc.htm A conversion scale for my American friends! She is doing so well - very very positive and very strong. Even when she feels bad she is doing so amazing... I am so proud of her. Let's see what else- I am still working on a plan to sell off the rest of Mom Management... it is such an amazing book however I am ready to move on. I would love if a big company called - an insurance company maybe - and offered to buy them all to donate to a wonderful cause - cancer, women in need etc. I think that would be so amazing! In the meantime I am plugging away at the plan - the amazing part is I can offer some pretty decent commissions for a few sales - in thousands... plus someone who buys them can mark them up and make a great profit... however i KNOW nothing about sales.. nadda and have no idea how to find the people to buy - hence the commission but I don't know any sales people YIKES YIKES YIKES.... Yikes I have a million browsers open... and I should be making lunches.. isn't should a bad word.. kind of lik try.. if i try to sell my books - well I will try but if SELL my books I will do it... I know I am blabbering but heck this is my blog... and I can blab if I want to!!! LOL.... My kitty is so funny - I can't see what I am typing because she chases the curser or the mouse... I have let her watch http://www.cattv.com/Catsweb/framesetB.html but she prefers to bug me... LOL.. We had a great BBQ a few weeks ago - check out the pictures http://www.svha.ca/webpages/tykea1/a104.html- these are on my sons hockey teams's website which is very cool. I am so proud of him - he does so well at hockey and loves it! I love the games - at least we still have hockey with the NHL gone... (if you have speakers onTURN THEM DOWN - lots of loud music here for the boys...) http://www.svha.ca/webpages/tykea1/index.html Let's see - anything else... well I have felt so overwhelmed as of late... I have so many pulls on my life that it scares me at times. I really want to just be there for Mom but I need to get things finalized with the books. I then am looking forward to some great media tours and presentations in the next few months... I also would like to have my house uncluttered... why oh why oh why does our society feel the need for stuff.. we have so much stuff.. and guess what the other day my son played for 3 hours with a box and tape.. .he made some cool things... yet we have all these toys.... drives me nuts. PLus what exactly do you do when things are done with - where do they go? I have 3 computer monitors, a computer (that is S......O...... S.....L......O......w), an old microwave, old toys, old clothes, etc.... no one wants this stuff anymore... plus papers... gotta keep this and that for 7 years...business stuff... yikes.. I keep getting in control and more comes... and email.. and mail... and stuff.... Ok I think this should have been named the whinny blog!!!! Hugs to all!!!!

Quotes of Inspiration - sample

2005-02-18T00:50:00.000-07:00

Quotes of Inspiration Welcome to your quote and action plan! Have a wonderful week!

You will find as you look back upon your life that the moments when you have really lived, are the moments when you have done things in a spirit of love. Henry Drummond

Happy Valentine’s Day! I hope you had a wonderful and loving day. I also hope that Valentine’s is not the only day of the year you share your love. Giving and receiving love is something that keeps all of us strong. It keeps us moving forward. It keeps us happy. It gives us hope. It improves our confidence. It brings sunshine to a rainy day.

There are many different kinds of love and all of them are important in our lives. There is love between lovers, family members, friends and humans in general. There is love for our homes, our belongings and our pets. There is love for the earth and the environment. There is the love we give and the love we receive. Most importantly, the strength we have to give love comes from love of ourselves.

Action for the week

See how many ways you can share love this week. Share love through words, through thoughts and through actions. Give love and graciously accept the love that is given to you. If everything we do is out of a form of love, imagine what the world would be like. Have a wonderful and loving week!

Tracy Lyn

Now is the time to book Tracy Lyn for a presentation for your company, conference or organization. Let Tracy Lyn guide you through realistic ways to move ahead in 2005. Through her life balance, marketing and Mom Management information Tracy Lyn is a sought after and popular speaker. Visit www.TracyLynMoland.com for more information

To subscribe to this mailing list, email http://www.tracylynmoland.com/mailing.html

Publication Information:Unless otherwise noted, all material copyright 2005 by Tracy Lyn Moland. All Rights reserved. Copies of this e-newsletter may be distributed without alteration electronically free of charge.

go go go go - I must stop

2005-02-18T00:39:00.000-07:00

I have noticed – well actually my Mom pointed it out to me – that I am not really listening to myself lately. I am always rushing from moment to moment, idea to idea that I am not paying much attention to what is going on around me. I know, I know – I talk about hypertasking, being aware of our time yet I somehow have gotten myself so crazy that .... lately i have burned my tummy on the oven while it was self cleaning, cut my hand opening a bottle... yikes yikes. I actually know I have to slow down - i have been running around and yet accomplishing so little. I know why I am doing it but that is no excuse. i have been trying to avoid thinking too much - i have some pretty overwhelming things going on in my life that i have been trying to escape. I actually have started to redo the activities in my book because I am in need of it. It is interesting to find oneself in need of their own advice. I really am at a very weird point - I have reached so many goals that I need to take the time to find and create new ones. I am also under some interesting stresses - my mom's cancer being a huge one meaning I am away from home a fair bit - trying to maintain my current roles while my role of daughter is much stronger. I also have made some changes to my book distribution and really would like to find a way to sell off some books and move on - I love my book, I love what it has done and still does for Moms and people in general but it is also time for me to move on. The ideal solution is to find someone to purchase a bulk order (for a great discount) and then I can move on to maybe writing something new, maybe get a contract job, maybe... hmmmm... not sure what else. I have started to work on calming down - and one of the big things is exercise. I have for some odddddddd reason allowed myself to get out of my usual exercise habit - now I have been still exercising somewhat but it is not the same. I don't sleep as well, I (well see above!), I don't eat as well... the last few weeks have been much better and I am so happy about it. I think it is time to find a new race to sign up for... I know I am blabbing tonight - I actually was starting to write next weeks Quotes of Inspiration (see my next post for an example...) and realized that i should just post some of it here - especially about the rushing around. I guess I am still doing it now... LOL... Anyway, I think I am going to use this blog again - more seriously to focus on calming down. So here goes!

Merry Early Christmas

2004-12-19T22:56:00.000-07:00

Well we had a wonderful night. My brother, his wife and 7 month old son are here for a few days (they live in Bermuda) and we had a pre-xmas weekend. We had a wonderful time - last night pat and i went to his work xmas party which was a hoot. he works with some really neat folks. my brother and crew (including my mom) watched my kids and they had a hoot! then today we started the day with hockey for mats - which as always was awesome. he is so good and loves it so much. then it was off to a baptism for pat's sister's new twins. that was nice - they are very cute little guys. finally we were home for xmas - we went for a walk, watched the movie Elf which was awesome and then had a fondue for supper! We exchanged gifts which went over very well on all sides and then finished with a chocolate fondue! It is great being together - you realize how important family really is. we all get along so well - i love my sister in law - she is a true friend. being with mom is so amazing it is hard to believe what is going on inside her body. we can only believe that she will fight it with her amazing spirit and attitude. i am feeling a lot better after a few weeks of crazy stress... thank goodness... well good night!

Wow life is even harder than I thought

2004-12-06T22:16:00.000-07:00

And guess what I am too tired to discuss it... I swear everytime i need to be here i have trouble getting in.. so i will be back!

just went to hockey

2004-11-21T10:03:00.000-07:00

It is pretty neat to watch my son play hockey - he is so cute out there - all these young guys and gals - falling all over! Mats is one of the better ones which makes me proud as a mom! I still have my wicked cold... yikes other stuff to do - more to come....................

Morning....

2004-11-21T08:02:00.000-07:00

Ok, more to come is here.... for a few minutes and then we are off to hockey. So after hearing the news about Mom I decided to do a bit of internet research - well that was probably a bit of a dumb decision because there is so much there and wow was I hit hard. I found out some pretty scary stats and some pretty scary thoughts went thru my head. I was on the verge of tears for a few days and knew that Mom needed someone with her (or was it me that needed reassuring). I headed up to her place to wait for the call - now we had a lot of fun waiting - we went to the world's largest mall and hung out- we shopped a bit, went to a cool restaurant for a few hours - had an appetizer, then another, then dessert, along with a few drinks! We then went home and played cards. Next day Mom had to work for a bit and then we went to a movie and played cards... I came home for the weekend with no call and no result but will go back up next week if necessary. which I assume I will need to do - I mean malignant or not - there has to be some decisions made around a lung tumor. Amazing though is how easy your priorities come into play when dealing with something like this .....

Well wow can life ever hit you hard and mke you realize it is real...

2004-11-20T20:32:00.000-07:00

So I am not sure how the heck to explain the last few weeks... first i went to Florida to speak at a conference which started, middled out and ended great but had some down points - for example - I was on national tv http:///www.dailybuzz.tv/ and that was awesome! My hotels were awesome! the people were awesome - the cold I got SUCKed big time and it seems to still come and go - I actually had to miss a few things I so wanted to do - like session with fav. speakers, dinner at my fav. restaurant with my fav. folk due to the cold - and the fact that I was speaking and thought a voice would be good for it! Ironically - the time in the room watching tv actually was beneficial - i don't watch tv at home = unless it is sports... so i got a lot of real life help from tv for my presentation = which went awesome! Ok then I was home - and if any of you were on my flight i apologize - i sneezed non stop and couldn't stop it. I am so sorry.... then home to life, decisions and a Mom finding out she has a lung tumor.. yikes.... and my dh and dd are home and i have to go - more to come

Wow.. Fast Company Fast 50

2004-11-01T13:39:00.000-07:00

Well I was in for a big shock today! Last week my friend was nominated for the Fast Company Fast 50 and asked me to comment on her page - I read her info and of course loved it so commented. I then read about what this was - Fast 50 and thought HEY.. I need to be nominated as well. It said to go ahead and nominate yourself so I took the bull by the horns and went ahead and did it! I got an email a few days later stating I had made it to the next round - which was actually getting posted on the site. I thought cool and then Halloween hit and I hadn't done much with it! Well guess what I get today - an email from Ogilvy PR (the firm that hired me to work with Johnsonville Sausages) that I was in the Fast Company ezine and that I was on their main page! Very cool. They chose a quote of mine: "In order to promote what you believe in, you have to step outside the boundaries." —Tracy Lyn Moland, Spokesmom, Johnsonville Brats Read the Fast 50 entry The Fast 50 To feature in the newsletter (I am trying to figure out how many folks it actually goes out to!) and put on their home page. Now I assume today is my only day there but that is still pretty darn cool!!! The quote that is - my submission will always be up! Here is my submission - http://www.fastcompany.com/fast50_05/profile/?moland82 Please have a look at it and provide a comment or rating. I was crushed to read the second comment there but well that is life. I answered the questions as asked and well when you are trying to win something you do want to toot your horn - maybe I over did it ! But maybe not... my rating is at 8 so some people must like it! Anyway, I better do some promotion of this cuz it is cool! LOL. Back to talk about halloween later!

Morning! Thanks for the views and comments!

2004-10-29T08:28:00.000-06:00

These are pretty neat! I however am back at the books and don't have much time! We have Halloween at school this afternoon, a block party tonight, hockey in the morning and then we are up to Edm to visit my brother who is visiting from Bermuda! and his 6 month old! Then home on Sunday for real halloween - oh yah we are also staying with friends in edm! I am crushed that the PowerMoms Cruise has been cancelled but you know what i had a feeling it might! Too bad a lot of people put so much time into it and I feel for them! I also am seeing the internet needs to be a tool in my life - not my business, not my life - so other than this - I am slowing down. This week I just picked up the phone and made some phone calls.... much better way to connect, much easier... and I think that maybe the tool to life! Real connection... (at least for me!) Anyway back at it!

Keep Smiling keep smiling...

2004-10-27T11:56:00.000-06:00

Ok, books are going a ok ... LOL a few weird things - like a check that i have the stub for, the proof it was deposited but can't find it on another place... or wait another one... weird part i s not missing money necessarily - bills paid but can't find the right documents! Better than thinking you paid and didn't! So am having family over for dinner tonight. Yup when I am busy I have company. House is a mess but oh well... they are coming to watch baseball not see my floors! I always get these looks in presentions when i say I vacuum AFTER company comes becuase they mess up my house! LOL... thing is our house is the popular one for parties so I don't think anyone cares or notices!!! Not like it is dirty anyway! Ok back at it!

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh...

2004-10-25T08:25:00.000-06:00

Guess what time of year it is? Yes it is Halloween but worse.. it is company year end... and this would be my favorite part of being a business owner... NOT ... book keeping and year end. yikes! I assume I will be here a lot doing what I told everyone in my presentation yesterday NOT to do! procrastinate and waste time! See yousoon!

What a Great Day

2004-10-25T08:00:00.000-06:00

I had a fantastic presentation yesterday morning! It was the kind I love to do - enough inspiration - talking about how time is a gift and we need to cherish while giving enough concrete tools so they had something to take away and try. The room was full and buzzing with energy. We may even have gotten up and moved a bit but we were squished in! LOL. It is the kind of thing I love to do (and yes my other post still stands) but this is it - the mix between inspiring but giving info. I don't want to stand up and inspire thousands of people - I will let the olympic athletes, the mt everest climbers, the cancer survivors do that! I want to give people real and practical info to make their life successful!!!! Anyway in order for mine to be it is book keeping time!

OK even weirder...

2004-10-22T10:05:00.000-06:00

GUESS when it showed up.. after I did it again! Oh well I guess you know how much I want it! LOL

oh i am bitter.. i did a huge- i want a job blog -and it didn't post! Luckity I had press save on some of it!

2004-10-22T10:04:00.000-06:00

Ok it is in words now - I do - I want a job! But a very specific one so I am going to outline it now: (this is in no order - just the pieces I am looking for!) Work 3 days a week 9-3 outside of the home. Put in the same time on the other 2 days but from home (or also time in evenings, weekends). Travel at least once a month for on sites with clients, to do marketing, to meet clients, to do media, promotions,etc. To be part of a team but a prominent part - I don't have to be boss but would like to be a team leader To make at least $60 000 a year To use my skills and talents that I have developed and love: - Marketing - helping create a marketing plan and executing it - Writing - being part of writing about the product (although I could do some of this on the side) - Presenting - while representing the company presenting at conferences, trade show, fairs etc - Media - I love being a part of media - I would love to represent the project on/in media outlets on a regular basis To work with my companies mission - Improving the Lifestyles of Moms Here is a bit of an ideal outline of what I want - above is the "details" this is the vision! I want to work with a company I believe in - a company that has a product that they are aiming at Mothers. I want to be a part of the planning stage - the how to - why is our product for Moms, why do they want us, how will we reach them, where are they, why do they NEED us, what need in their life are we filling - I want the answers to be something that I believe in (improving their lifestyles, reducing stress, helping them find more time, more enjoyment in life, learning to take care of self, etc) Once we have the initial plan I want to be an active member in the execution of it: So maybe I am part of the team that goes to mom shows, fairs, events, teachers conventions and uses the product as I speak and promote it but also solve moms problems. Maybe I am part of the team that goes across the country doing media - how to do this, how to cook that, how fill this need in life (doing a lot of what I am doing now but tying it all to the product) Instore appearances, mall events, conventions - all in promotion but having fun and helping moms have fun. Creating new products - like if it is a food - a recipe book that has ideas and recipes... all product based. Well at least I made a copy here… I want to be active in the media end, publicity end and marketing side. I have great ideas and knowledge and want to work with a team on all of this… I don’t want this to disappear again – with ½ my ideas.. grrrr…. Sometimes I don’t like wireless… I don’t want to work from home all the time – even with my cute kitty. I want to be out there, dressed up and working with a team. I want to be having fun while improving the lifestyles of mothers!

Just home from a friend's Dads funeral

2004-10-22T09:56:00.000-06:00

It was a beautiful occasion as they celebrated his life yet it is sad. She and her Dad were very close and watching her young boys getting so excited to see Papa on the slide show brought many tears. The hardest is knowing that our own parents are aging as well. We went to support our friend - we had only met her father a few times. It is interesting and such a part of aging. It is also a wonderful reminder to live life, to enjoy your fellow friends, family and things you do! I think part of death is reminder the survivors to live their lives!

I want a Job! Wait I want a contact!

2004-10-22T09:17:00.000-06:00

Ok it is in words now - I do - I want a job! But a very specific one so I am going to outline it now: (this is in no order - just the pieces I am looking for!) Work 3 days a week 9-3 outside of the home. Put in the same time on the other 2 days but from home (or also time in evenings, weekends). Travel at least once a month for on sites with clients, to do marketing, to meet clients, to do media, promotions,etc. To be part of a team but a prominent part - I don't have to be boss but would like to be a team leader To make at least $60 000 a year To use my skills and talents that I have developed and love: - Marketing - helping create a marketing plan and executing it - Writing - being part of writing about the product (although I could do some of this on the side) - Presenting - while representing the company presenting at conferences, trade show, fairs etc - Media - I love being a part of media - I would love to represent the project on/in media outlets on a regular basis To work with my companies mission - Improving the Lifestyles of Moms Here is a bit of an ideal outline of what I want - above is the "details" this is the vision! I want to work with a company I believe in - a company that has a product that they are aiming at Mothers. I want to be a part of the planning stage - the how to - why is our product for Moms, why do they want us, how will we reach them, where are they, why do they NEED us, what need in their life are we filling - I want the answers to be something that I believe in (improving their lifestyles, reducing stress, helping them find more time, more enjoyment in life, learning to take care of self, etc) Once we have the initial plan I want to be an active member in the execution of it: So maybe I am part of the team that goes to mom shows, fairs, events, teachers conventions and uses the product as I speak and promote it but also solve moms problems. Maybe I am part of the team that goes across the country doing media - how to do this, how to cook that, how fill this need in life (doing a lot of what I am doing now but tying it all to the product) Instore appearances, mall events, conventions - all in promotion but having fun and helping moms have fun. Creating new products - like if it is a food - a recipe book that has ideas and recipes... all product based. While I don't want to mention any products/names here I have a few in mind... I just need to get the word out and get moving on things!!!!! Because as I sit alone in my kitchen - even the cats are downstairs... I want to be dressed up, in an office working with people on something I believe in! i want to be a media figure, I want to work in marketing and I want to have fun! and be professional and help moms! Tracy Lyn Moland!!!!!

Dad is off today!

2004-10-20T10:23:00.000-06:00

Well I am just waiting for my Dad to come home from washing his car - which we will run over to storage and then for lunch and he is heading home - to Singapore. We were lucky to have him around for a lot longer this summer as he retired this year. He is also very anxious to get back to ONE bed, one life, and no travelling for a bit! We have had some fun visits but it is a good reminder for him to be leaving as we are getting cold!!!

Hee hee...I am in w/o trying

2004-10-18T16:44:00.000-06:00

Which is almost the entire point of this one! Although we could talk about the fact that it is freezing out! (well literally but not actually COLD as it could be! ) AND YES I live in Canada but we don't - no matter what you are about to say it is highly unlikely! Sorry to sound rude but I have been asked the worst questions... even by family - who wouldn't drive to see us in the winter (well ever) but figured we shoud be there for all holidays... and most of the road were on American soil (maybe a quarter of the trip was in Canada) My favorite memory was me saying you should come to our house next year - and they replied on those roads? and I said how do you think we got here? safely? Luckinly we moved after that and it was too far! OK off to other family memories... school photos- just picking them for the kids who get to choose from 2 poses.... we didn't have 2 to chose from - they take 2 of each kid!!!! There are a few that I wish that I had retakes - immediately - grade 5 being one! Oh my time to fly

Yikes...

2004-10-18T14:01:00.000-06:00

I am so frustrated... I am not even sure what I am allowed to post here but will pretend the kids are listening.... and that my eyes are fine so I don't see the typos! (thing is I feel them!) I am part of an online networking group that has offline networking events... well I went to one in a different city and made some great contacts. I thought we need one of those at home - so I started one. We had our first and then the ONLINE rules, policies etc all changed making it much harder to get our offline group going. People join and online networking is restricted (due in part to a bunch of annoying people who spam... but the rest ...) I am sure I would have never done this the way it is now! I wonder.... and am almost embarassed ... grrrrr... I hate to commit to something and then it change on me. I truly thought we would have this amazing group by October but we wont'... and I don't know how to fix it... I wanted to start a group I couldn't find but now I wanted a support system and now I feel like I am on my own.... and that isn't what I wanted. If I did - it would be different!

Oops I did it again

2004-10-18T13:58:00.000-06:00

Why is it that I come back and can't figure out where to get back in!!! Oh must be the blonde hair - and speaking of which I am so mad.. I spent all this money on brown and copper lowlights and they are all gone! They disappeared! Everyone wants to be blonde but if you are - you are stuck there! And NO I guess I can't really complain... Guess what I just realized my soul sister - I swear we are twins - or were somewhere in another life - maybe we were Egyptian Princesses? Or Goddesses? But we think alike, have written similiar idea books (here is .. http://www.diaryofamother.com hers) and guess what - she has just started a blog! Like me! Wow! Wow! Similiar time - oh i know it doesn't mean much to other s but I think it is an affirmation of something amazing! A true sister! So it is snowing here.. .yuk I am not ready for it! In less than a week we went from the entire cul de sac hanging out front - adults and kids to wearing boots! Now of course, it won't last but still... oh wait I know why. My brother who lives in Bermuda is coming to town in a few days and he always brings BAD weather - even in summer! yikes! He is looking at moving back - we may have to have some serious discussions on this issue! So the eyes are getting better - although today is a bad day - the snow maybe! I am not sure why but yikes! oh... drop time.. OH MY do steriod drops ever taste bad! YUK!

Tracy Lyn Moland - Author, speaker and consultant specializing in providing solutions to Mothers and those who sell to them.

2004-10-13T13:48:00.000-06:00

Tracy Lyn Moland - Author, speaker and consultant specializing in providing solutions to Mothers and those who sell to them. test

well here i am again

2004-10-09T13:21:00.000-06:00

we had a block party - block watch meeting last night which means lots of beer and wine. So none of us are full tilt today! LOL.. we did have fun tho. We are on an amazing cul de sac. we all know and like each other! k... not into this today! be back later!

Ok, I am so confused

2004-10-07T18:29:00.000-06:00

I created this and then couldn't figure out how to add more to it... LOL.. Ok maybe you are all laughing at me... I still can't see but I am excited... Well I can see better than I could - w/o glasses.. amazingly well so.. but the growth and adjustments are still occuring so life is a bit "odd"... I see but I see some fuzz. I can type very well cuz I can type in the dark. Thank goodness for my typing lessons on the manual computer way back when.. BUT unfortunatley for the typos you see = I can feel them but it is hard to read the screen to figure out where they are... I loved having a diary but hate a journal.. I write my thoughts rather than record...BUT I love to write... so I think this may be the thing for me. (if i could see it.. oh i am so tired of the fuzz... i am normal, on track, etc but i am still fuzzy... and it scared me til today when i heard from my frie nd tha t 6 weeks is norm.. whew...) i have also learned lately that we get what we want.. and i find that so interesting and we really need to defne very carefully WHAT we want. I wanted to be an author... well I am ... and i was wrong. i want to be a business person who wrote a book... that markets and attracts moms. I don't want to be an author... i love to write but i love people and I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE business. I am working as the spokesperson for Johnsonville Sausages and I lovee it. I love their product but I love being part of the team. I love doing the work and the planning and the whole thing. I would love a job as the "marketing consultant AND spokesperson for a product that imporves the life tyles of mothers." I want to be in the planning and execution stages of it! I also am so excited that my kitty is still small.. LOL this is my blog right.. and I can talk about what ever.. mostly to myself I assume? But we adotpted a kitten my niece found a few weeks ago - she wsa not really old enough to be w/o mom but w/o mom present we saved her. She was so small.. and now after being away for a day - doing a tv show - http://www.accesslearning.com/accesstv/pastshows/ help_archive.cfm I realize that she is still SO small... most people still wouldn't be allowed to adpot her... We are pretty lucky and well so is she! Anyway, I guess I need to go and check on the world. I do apologze about any type of typos... Sorry but well a good cause!

Something brand new for me...

2004-09-30T11:14:00.000-06:00

Well as I have just decided that I am going to spend less time online - I decide to start a blog.. what could I be thinking!!! I have found that I get too distracted chatting and surfing around the internet that I am not getting all my work done so.. here I am. Actually I need the blog today as I am heading off in one hour for corrective laser eye surgery. I am very excited and to be honest a little nervous. I think I am most excited that I will get to spend about 4 days laying around doing nothing. Mom is coming out to play with the kids and my husband is very helpful. I am doing some of what I say in my book Mom Management, Managing Mom Before Everybody Else http://www.Mommanagement.com- taking care of something for me - that overall will make me happier and therefore a better mom. I had a nice long look at the kids thismorning - just in case. What wonderful looking kids I have - 2 - my daughter is 8 and my son is 6. I have learned so much from them and from other moms over the last few years... Anyway, I have a McChicken craving - so before the surgery I am going to get a snack.. and then I am off. I don't expect to be back for at least 4 or 5 days.. but when I am I look forward to chatting...