I sooo tired…

Today is the moment … a pin point for celebration,  in the #365challenge2020 or whatever I call it .. you know the one – intense focus – where will I be this time next year?

I think I will just be tired… that’s it… tired.

Today is a milestone day, one I hope I will look proudly back on as the starting point of something very important.  It is part of my business plan and I am right on track….

Tonight I will hold the the inaugural meeting for the Alberta Public Market Organization.  It is much needed in a farmer’s market centric world.  I have collected an amazing table of talent, bright minds and wise counsel.  They will advise me on all matters public markets ~ for the benefit of those who operate, sell in and participate in public markets.

Each little step along the way was cataloged, but this day was a pin point and important milestone and all I can think of is how tired I am! Excitement woke me up at 4AM my brain swirling with a million thoughts, what needed to be done, what should be talked about…

It is always the same the big day comes and I am so damn excited I can’t get enough sleep to properly enjoy it!

Alas I will slog through, I know I will have some fun, be a little proud and be excited by all the next steps to come ~ even if that means a whole pile of work for me.

#justsayin.. my happiness project …#yegevents #yegliving #bizconyeg #edmontonevents #yegeats #yegbossbabes #yeglife #yeglocal #yegbusiness #yegmusic #yeggers #yegfamily #yeginfluencer #yegdate #yegmarkets #yeg #yegnow #nightmarketyeg #yeg #ladypreneur #ladyboss #yegbiz

A letter to myself….

Today, I wrote a letter to myself… part of my #365daychallenge2020 commitment.

I read some wise advice once about setting goals… I will admit at first I thought it was hokie; that is until I did it.   I have no idea where I read it, or I would give them credit… I am guessing the information was similar to advice you would find in other places.

The key it stated, was to describe in as much detail as you could the goal you wanted to reach, what it looked like, smelt like, sounded like, felt like.  Over describe it in as much detail as you possibly could….somehow this specificity  would focus you.  I guess because you knew exactly where you were heading.

As I typed the words to my future on the page it felt like I was writing the chapter of my life soon to come.  What was most interesting was what I saw.  I realized in a moment of self-awareness what was help along the way and what was not.  It brought a lot of sadness to me, when I had to face myself and realize I was choosing a lot “other” over me.  Other people, other activities, other thoughts, other feelings, other food, other time… the letter to myself has helped me focus on myself, I am learning to say  “no thank you” and now I know why.

Living my authentic life is deeply important to me, only I know what that truly means and no one else has to like it… I appreciate the freedoms I have and understand how different it could be, being a woman of color in a world that doesn’t always appreciate one or the other and certainly even more so together…. you do not have to agree with me, besides we can always discuss it when this life rolls into one of the next ones….

#myhappinessproject #yeg #bossladyyeg #nightmarketyeg #yegbiz #yeglocal #yeglife

Finally.. some new things on my list!

When I saw this lovely wall by Alisa Burke @paintyourworld I was so excited to add another new item onto my yearly bucket list… as long as I make it through the year what would I like to try, do, be explore… feel?

For a few years now there are items that continue to show up on the list… that’s ok because bucket lists have no rules.

…every year is a step closer to getting somewhere.  There is a place in your head where your passion, talent and happiness all intersect in almost equal circles on your venn diagram.  This is the place I see in my head… and it is a wonderful place.  Don’t get me wrong there are still things I will not enjoy doing … that is life, let’s be realistic.

Being a boss lady and growing a business takes time.  This year seemed more poignant as “50” seems like a big number in my head… thank you to all my friends of many ages who called me a ” still a baby”.   Lots of life to live they remind me.This year still felt different for so many reasons.  My life felt as though it was mine again, for the first time in a long time.  It felt good, I am my original self, mostly, not only in spirit but now in name as well.

Spending some time completing my yearly ritual, reflecting on how well I have been the architect of my happiness the last year, is always a time for sober self-reflection.  I never complete everything on the list, some things continue to be on the list because I still find them important, just need more time or the right circumstances to come together … eventually, while others fall off the list simply because I no longer find them important.

This year I did pretty good… if I do say so myself.  The key is to not over plan and mix it up with long-term goals and just makes me happy goals.

Want to create your own 2020 bucket list?  Here’s some inspiration: https://castawaywithcrystal.com/100-things-to-do-this-year/

For me … here’s a few things #trina’sbucketlist2020 which is a mix of business and pleasure:

• Learn French (this one is a carry over) – I can only muddle my way through …poorly
• Launch this years 2020 NME experience
• Start the Alberta Public Market Organization (already under way)
• Paint a wall
• Upcycle some furniture to make me happy
• Photography class
• Get back in shape (its been a tough few years with injuries)
• Go to an opera (tickets bought – check!)
• Sing on an open stage (this is on my list every year.. for years, might need some singing lessons first #justsayin)
• Play guitar (another forever item – it has switched from Oboe, piano  to guitar… we will see)
• Enjoy my fav hot springs
• Plan a trip

What is on board for your happiness project this year?

#bucketlist #yeg #2020 #yourdream #bosslady #nightmarketyeg

A “tastevin” if you please…

I think I will make the Tastevin cool again… it seems only fitting for the Head Mermaid & Sommelier of night market right?  Besides how amazing would it look with my faux fur coat, and a long silver chain adorned with a small but tasteful Tastevin? #justsayin

The Tastevin was originally designed by a winemaker in Burgundy – where a high-level wine society called the ‘Confrerie des Chevaliers du Tastevin’ – was named after the tasting cup.

It is a relatively small, shallow silver cup or saucer, with a thumb-handle – which was and is used by winemakers and négociants when judging the maturity, quality, clarity and the taste of a wine – (typically from barrel in the cellar).

It was created to judge the clarity and colour of wine that was stored in dim, candle-lit wine cellars. There are references to the use of Tastevin’s in old manuscripts of the 14th and 15th centuries and the earliest English tastevin is dated 1603.

 

#yeg #nightmarketyeg #sommelier #wine #bosslady

 

 

Still Ticking On…

The weather reprieve has finally arrived and it feels so good.  The things in my world are still revolting… however last night I had a dream that I left my bag on the shore to go for a swim (I know who would do that), I had a weird swim with a boat, a stingray, whale and weird penguin that was green.

When I got back the tide had come in and I did not know where my bag was… I was freaking out because all my money was in there and credit cards and I had a few more weeks of travel left. Luckily there was a department in a cave for just that thing and the nice staff pointed to a pile of suitcases in the corner and motioned to look there.  (they did not speak English) and low and behold my bag was there! Lets see if things are turning around…. #justsayin

When the machines revolt…

I am not typically an astrology kinda girl… but I will have to admit this  month they were bang on.  My machines would all begin to revolt… and then they did.  Hot water tanks, computers, cars… they all started to act up… add the -40 o/c weather… and the machines had enough.

Cold weather brings problems… 4 day waits for tow trucks, 14 hour waits for call backs … slow or non existent buses.  This week I feel like a conqueror.  Letting life unfold is a tough thing for me.  A planner by trade, I organize people, events and words on pages.  Letting life happen is not part of my rule book.  Yes, I even plan for planning…

This week I let it go… I had some lovely dinners, I drank wine and sang with my friends, I worked, I slept, I lazed about, I let others take care of themselves …. and everyone survived.

This is a milestone week and I am looking forward to all it will bring….2020 will  be epic…. I have started my new book, the pages are blank and I am writing them one by one instead of a chapter at a time.

This is my year…. 10 years in the making.

This is the year that I will wear my hair big, take care of my mind and learn to say “no thank-you”.  This is a milestone year for me… turning 50 in a few short days makes you really think about where you have been and where you want to go.

The onslaught of queries as to what am I doing for my big 5 – 0 forced me to really think about what I wanted.  I planned a lot of parties for my birthday this year and nothing stuck.  Then one day I had an epiphany… the plans are not sticking because I do not really want to do them.  So even though I love to… no big party where I invite all the guests and do the work, no trip away that costs more than I really want to spend..even though I love keeping the memories, no #itsapieparty although that will be resurrected, likely for love day, my favorite non-holiday of the year.

I spent a little time with myself and what I learnt was I did not need a party, because I am now living the life that I planned many years ago.  Among the tears, the unhappiness, being unsafe, in an unhealthy relationship, I planned my freedom choosing to be the architect of my own happiness.

I do not need a big celebration, everyday I wake up I am happy, that is a gift that I get each and every day.  It is not about the year or the milestone, it has been about the journey and I am almost there.

When you see me, with my big hair and with my bold clothes, acquired from second hand stores, know I have been reacquainted with my authentic self, I am happy, I am safe and I am free.

Got a couple more items on that list to check off this year… stay tuned it’s going to be EPIC! (to me at least …lol)

Keep it real… be yourself…this is what 50 looks like #justsayin

hugs

Trina Plamondon… see I even got my name back 🙂

31 days in one year

 

I had bought into the dream of revitalizing the downtown core.  I was in love with the idea.  That is usually a red flag in business.  Being in love with something does not always mean it will translate to other people loving it.  Strangers, friends and family love to give business advice… even when they have never run a business in their life.  Go to “Whyte Ave” was the cry… it is where the people are.  Although this was true, I was steadfast in my desire to want to support the growth of the downtown core.  Too bad the city did not feel the same way about me as I did them.

Each step was a another lesson in patience and inequity.  Farmer’s markets are beloved by the city and the residents alike. They have been romanticized in rose color glasses from a time that has long since passed.  The origin of a farmer’s market started to help FARMERS where people made and grew their food and needed a place to sell it.

E.g.

“a farm selling products, when
the products come from a farmer’s farm and the sale is
conducted by the farmer from the farm”

The intention of a farmer’s market is not for the cat lady making candy in her kitchen or the man making unknown dog treats from his toaster oven in his basement.  Yes, yes …there are a lot of amazing “home-made” , “home-grown” products and people out there.  I am just not clear how someone who makes dog treats at home can sell them in a farmer’s market but not a public market.  The kitchen has not changed…. just sayin’….TO BE CONTINUED

31 Days Open for Business – Year One

There are 365 days in a year.  My “doors’ had been open for business for a total of 15 days and I was ready to throw in the towel.  What I needed was some time to lick my wounds. I was fortunate, I could close my doors and go off to cry silently in a corner and not have to get up and do it again if I didn’t want to.  I think of that every time I walk into a new restaurant and I am the only one who is there.  They have no where to hide.

 

My memories from when I was a  little girl, as I lay in my bed dreaming, was about having my own business.  I did not dream about  princess dresses and a handsome knights to rescue me.  I dreamt of a powder blue power suit, with big shoulders and a Mercedes Benz.   I have tried many businesses over my years, I sold nutrition products and lingerie… online sales, flipping houses, putting together products at home, writing books, computer work. None were particularly satisfying or successful.  The first spark of joy hit me when I ran my first Christmas craft market.  My daughter was a baby, my spouse was finishing a second degree in university and we were dirt poor.  Sometimes I think our floor didn’t even have any dirt… that’s how poor we were.  My meager profits from the event paid for the our Christmas tree and some presents.  Something felt right….TO BE CONTINUED

66 6 isn’t always bad #4

The rest of the season did not go much better.  I had  a few more vendors and a few more people came and went.  I made a couple sales. Each Friday was another lesson in humility, patience and avoidance… just because you build it does not mean they will come.  Sitting in an empty lot with vendors staring you down because there is no one else to look at takes a lot out of a gal.

When I wasn’t at work or my side hustle, I attended events. Lunch and learn, networking, social media workshops. I was constantly asked “What is a night market anyways?”…not easy to explain when the idea in your head does not meet the reality on the street.  It is tough to be confident when the thought of having another unsuccessful Friday night market with or without rain was worse than eating glass.  They never tell you in business 101 that less than 1% of all new businesses start out the gate as a roaring success.  I kept telling people it’s a “market” at “night” seemed simple to me.

The season closed and breathed a deep sigh of relief.  I scheduled night market for 15 weeks and I completed 15 weeks. That was a success in itself.  I did not make any money, the summer almost stole my entire soul and I was sad, dejected and certain I was  never , ever in a million years going to do anything that ego crushing again.  Back to two jobs instead of three, I needed the sleep anyways….TO BE CONTINUED