The soundtrack of my life

Music has always been important to me but not in the way that I was a geeky band kid or the lead in the school musical. More in the way that I have always related to songs and made them "my song!!" as in, "OHMYGAWD that's MY SONG!!! WOOOHOOOO!"

Yeh. Just like that.

I wonder if it's something that girls do because I asked Big Daddy if he ever did that and he just looked at me like I asked him to have a threesome with Colin Farrel. That would be, uh, no.

When I was 12, I had a group of friends who were instrumental (no pun intended) in the path my life eventually took. The summer we went into grade 8, we went to every movie imaginable: Stand By Me, Shag, Dirty Dancing, Eddie & the Cruisers, La Bamba... the list was endless. I had a real affinity for 50s and 60s music and made it my mission to get my friends to listen to Del Shannon, the Supremes, the Chordettes and Buddy Holly. They indulged me although they all had their own personal favourites.

In highschool, I was a fan of NKOTB. Yes. I admit it. I thought Donnie Wahlberg was hot. But that was when I began my love affair with R&B although techinally I guess it began in junior high because half of the music I listened to was the original R&B.

The transition between highschool and college became my night club phase where I loved Shaggy (Oh Carolina), Shy Guy (Diana King), and any other bump & grind music where I could strut my stuff and feel like I was the hawttest babe on the dance floor! I think I even had a temprrary love affair with country but I try to block that out.

As my tastes in music (and men) evolved I found myself listening more and more to rock, old rock, new rock, whatever got me pumped up.

As I look back now, I have come up with a soundtrack to my life! And how fun was that???!!!

Indulge me whilst I share it with you!

Stand By Me - Ben E. King

Time of My Life -

Big Daddy's Birthday Bash!

The villain of the magazine is turning the big 4-0 this year and we know you wanna help him celebrate!

April 30-May 3 is the dates we are looking at for a couples getaway to Big Daddy's most magical place on earth! LAS VEGAS!!!! WooHOOO!!!

The guys will go to the Las Vegas Speedway and indulge in one of three available pkgs. They will do this FIRST thing in the AM so that they are somewhat sober :)

As I get details together I will let you know...

T.

Oprah and me

I am following Oprah's "Live Your Best Life" week. For the past year, I have not lived my best life. I have drank too much, thought more negative thoughts than positive, gained WEIGHT (a TONNE!!) and neglected my family for the sake of the magazine.

Looking back over this past year, I see things about myself that I don't like. So what's my plan? Well, this week, I plan on watching Oprah and learning as much about living my best life as possible. Each day I will try to incorporate a new good habit. I am desperately trying to manage my time better so that I do have family time.

On Sunday, I planned my family's meals for the week. I made my shopping list and followed it to a T! Last night we had roasted Lemongrass chicken (super YUMMERS!!) and tonight I am making Thai Coconut chicken soup with the leftovers. Even Big Daddy noticed my babysteps to a better me.

I know I won't implement every change I want to make but I will try! My health, my sanity and my family depend on it.

So there you go.

Step one: set goals

Step two: make a plan

Step three: believe in me :)

I'll keep you posted!

Happy New Year...

So what's your resolution? Got any? It's 2 days away from the "big day" that is suppose to change your year... do you care?

Me, not so much. I have a list of things I need to do but the stroke of midnight isn't going to automatically kickstart that list.

What a year it has been ... we were named Marketer of the Year by the Spruce Grove & District Chamber of Commerce, we are coming out every 2 months, our new image was launched, I completed my first year on the board of directors for the Spruce Grove chamber... the team has also changed. Jody went on maternity leave in November and Daina gave her resignation in December. As Shrek says, "Change is good, Donkey!"

Dawn, Tyla and Alison have taken on some big roles with the magazine and I look forward to their enthusiasm and spunkiness!

2009 is going to pose it's challenges but this is one badass publisher who eats challenges for breakfast! I like the idea of starting the Hear Me Roar feature and look forward to reading more of What Really Pisses You Off!

Personally, I truly plan on cutting up my day into chunks and taking some of those chunks to regain my life. I miss my old self and need to get some good mental breaks in between all of the craziness that is MOM Magazine.

I am thankful for the last year but as always, look forward to starting fresh in 2009. I don't hold on to the past ... I never have and don't plan on starting now.

The Jan/Feb issue hits the streets next week and I am so pleased with it because, design-wise, it is our best so far. I say that every issue but we continue to evolve and improve in every aspect.

I did cut some columns and will continue to do so as the year progresses. I want to inject some fresh content to keep you interested and it is the only way to do so. If there is a column you want "saved" then let me know. If there is a column you want cut, do the same.

As always, I look forward to chatting with you. If you haven't already, join our Facebook group to keep up to date with what we do!

Cheers!
Tamara

What really pisses you off?

It's a new rant feature I'm introducing and holy crap has the feedback been GREAT! I know that there is a tonne of shit that makes me mad... don't even get me started on women who pee all over a public toilet then leave it for the next person to clean up! WTF is up with THAT?!

Anyway, I think this feature will be a hit! Since I sent out the message on our Facebook group this afternoon, I've had 10 responses. And I didn't even have to offer a fantabulous prize in return! Hot damn!

If you didn't get the message about our new feature, here's your chance! Email me and let me know what really pisses you off?!!? Be sure to include your name, last initial and town/city where you are from.

I look forward to reading your rants!

Merry Christmas!
t.

Super Sonic Gin & Tonics

Wowzer, Bowser! I had my very first (of a few) Super Sonic Gin & Tonic with our new sales diva Dawn at the Joeys in Sherwood Park. It was a luncheon that turned into a crazy-ass bonding session. You know those sessions... the ones where you and your new BFF share every detail of your life? The one that bonds you together forever because you know too much about eachother?

Yep, it was awesome! An afternoon I truly needed. Thanks Dawn! :)

Most moms I know don't get the opportunity to be - as my 3-year-old says - "just girls," or take an afternoon and do something completely gratuitous and selfish and inappropriate.

Any mom - working or not - knows that a weekday afternoon of indulgence is nearly impossible but if the opportunity presents itself, I say GO FOR IT! Your stress levels will drop, your coping skills will increase and you can reminisce about goofy things you did when you were dirrty and single!

Because when you get home and there's loads of laundry, a mountain of dishes and supper to prepare, you will be thankful you took some time for yourself to be "Just girls."

Try it! You might like it.
:O

t.

Busy weekend ahead

There are a couple of major events that MOM Magazine is promoting!

Straightline Funiture and Interiors is having it's 5th Anniversary TODAY! Saturday, Nov. 22! Join them for fun, prizes, music by a jazz pianist and be sure to check out their AMAZING stock! I reccomend those Wood Wick Candles... only$34.99 but save $5 with a coupon from the Holiday Madness issue of MOM Magazine.

The Tri-Community Festival of Trees is this weekend! Kick off the holiday season with some time at this kid-friendly event. Save $1 off admission with the coupon from the Holiday Madness issue of MOM Magazine.

These are two events I highly reccomend you check out.

In Sherwood Park, there is a Women's Wellness show at the Chamber office. Shop for all things that make you a hawt mama! This event runs from 1-4 p.m. TODAY ONLY!

I've got 19 work days before we go to press again so if I start updating my blawg and it isn't making sense, I will apologize in advance!

Have a great weekend and be sure to check out these events!

t.