Go Mickey!

"Around here, however, we don't look backward for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new things, because we're curious...and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." - Walt Disney

Hmmm

I found this among my writing notes…there's a song in there somewhere.

"What I thought was lightning in a bottle was me getting struck.

Taking me to the chair would've been better than death by a thousand cuts.

Where pain never ends and praying never stops."

Blabbin' about Biotech

I'm proud that I did not pass out as I spoke to a room of tech people about the importance of investing in communications early at UPenn's Innovation Center. 

This was a challenge for me, after 20+ years in the business, I'm comfortable with providing what someone else should say and cringing in the corner when they go off script. 

Best convo ever

Me: would you go to a NFL game with me?
Bestie: of course.
*pause*
Bestie: you didn't say an Eagles game!
Me: way to catch that!
Bestie: yea, no to an Eagles game. 49rs, Bucs, yes!

Ugh, adulting.

Reason #5,340 that adulting sucks. Having a 7 am client announcement and needing to be in Philly by 9:30 am tomorrow. Stupid work getting in the way of my Birds home opener!

Also, I put Jason Kelce on the same level as dogs…if you don't like him, there is something wrong with you.

And finally, wtf is Belichick doing at the Linc? Is someone running behind him with sage?

Smooches,
G

Cutting the cord

After realizing that my cable bill was rivaling my car payment, I made the decision to cut the cord. I know, I am years behind, but I successfully negotiated my contract for 11 years to include way more than I should have. So much so that when I went to cancel, the Xfinity guy was shocked that I had so much for so long.

My biggest pet peeve, I hate ads. Largest worry - how do I watch my Birds?!

Well, one problem is solved. I cut my bill in half and am ad free. The Birds though…that is another work in progress.

Boom, clap!

In the wise words of Shania Twain, let's go girls! 

"A recent ABC News/Ipsos poll has the gap at 18 points the 12-point gender gap from 2020 and the 11-point gender gap in 2016. If women continue to turn out to vote at a higher rate than men, like have in every presidential election since 1980, it could cost him the election."

Smooches,

Childless Dog Lady

Tis the season!

Football season that is!! Yay, Taylor's boyfriend and Go Birds!

August and everything after

What a crazy, fast summer! It's been a whirlwind. Celebrated so many friends and closed out the summer with an amazing dancing and drinking fiesta to honor one of the best people I've had the privilege to know.

A brutally hot summer, but so much fun.

Spent time with my family and time with my peeps. Capped off this weekend with an amazing night with my favorite little man and his parents. 

It was too short as always. Life seems to move so incredibly fast, but I try to savor it all. It may be a quick car ride or a night out but all of it matters. 

You won’t find moments in a box. 

Smooches,

G

Dorothy

The bottom line is, in life, sometimes good things happen, sometimes bad things happen. But honey, if you don't take a chance, nothing happens. 

Dance like no one is watching

Really. Just do it. No matter how young or old. Wear the silly hat. You know I subscribe to this theory, but as I sit on the porch and think about all the times I have danced, by myself or with partners, I can't recommend it enough.

Background…I spent this afternoon down the shore being a surrogate partner for my dad at a block party bc my mom isn't up to walking or standing.

Life stinks when you have a partner that is young for their age and another that is older for their age.

I'm happy to oblige my dad, especially since I have to do a speaking engagement soon and the thought of that makes me cringe.

We have a great time as a team but my social battery is definitely drained!

The image

Spark Joy

I've thought about this a lot, even talked about it with my therapist. (If you're just tuning in, I'm a huge proponent of therapy and have had my current therapist for the last 11 years.)

The world these days, just plain sucks. Everybody is mad at everyone and everything. People drive angry, talk angry. It's so easy to join in - too easy. There is no pleasing people.

Recently, I had a wonderful lunch with my boss and he told me about this theory he heard recently that resonated with me. The crap in your life can be put into three circles: what you can control, what you can influence and what you have no control over.

I can't control the majority of the world's outside anger, but I can influence it. So, how can I do that? Sparking joy…or trying.

Saying good morning, even if it's not returned. Smiling, despite a smirk. Sending goofy gifts to people who need a good laugh.

We just need to make the world better by being our best selves. It's all we can control and hopefully our influence will create the change we want to see. There may be people who thrive off this current state of chaos and anger, but I'm willing to bet that there are more people who just want to live in happiness and peace.

Do better, be better. Our world depends on it.

Smooches!
-G

Epic weekend

I have a new definition of what "epic weekend" means. Nothing earth-shattering happened, but it was a good one. I had a super busy week filled with doc appointments, work and dinners, but I was ready to go this weekend.

I had so much fun celebrating all the birthdays of my friends and some belated for me as well. It was also a blast going to see my boyfriend's movie with one of my besties which included me sneaking in a homemade infused cucumber vodka and watermelon juice cocktail. Another brunch with my 1/3 and her mom, followed by an amazing nap. I never used to be a napper, but since I've gotten Holly, it can be necessary to accommodate that she's an early riser with too much energy. 

Closed out the weekend with another birthday celebration, even more amazing food and of course, my little man, who I adore. 

Many laughs and good times were had... 

I also build things now! My new end tables are nice and sturdy. Yay.

Life is good atm.

Smooches,

G

#Grateful

Today, I'm grateful for my fish-fluencer brother-in-law and his amazing ability to catch tuna... and the awesome marinade that makes everything delicious.

They Do Exist!

I was given glimmers of hope this weekend. Hitting a record third time on the beach this season, I drove up with the Tweedles (my loving nickname for my sister and her bff, bonus big sister). Typical commotion ensued as we secured a street spot and my sister was backseat driving telling me to throw on my hazard lights as we waited for the people leaving the spot. 

We got to the insanely crowded beach and were trying to cram ourselves in a tight spot when two young dudes with skim boards said "hey, you can use this spot." It was so sweet that I offered to watch their bag while they surfed, which they were thrilled about. 

After a few hours, I had dog mom duties to tend to and didn't want to break my record of no sunburn so I went to head home to leave the Tweedles to their own devices.

I get back to the car and realize with all the commotion that I forgot to turn my hazard lights off. A slow motion "oooooh fudge" came out of my mouth because I knew what was going to happen, or not happen. Dorothy did not start. 

Screwed, I tried to call for help and, of course, Dad was on his way. But, I asked a young couple with a kid if they had jumper cables. No luck. Now overly hot and SOL, I tried my emergency car service when I looked up and saw a guy waving down to me from his balcony. I hung up and he yelled "still need a jump?" In more ways than one, but... yelled back "Yes!" He said he and his friend would be right down. 

I scrambled for a minute because it's not normal for me to open my hood, etc. I have a decent working knowledge of cars thanks to growing up surrounded by my boys, but not hands on. 

These guys pull up in front of my car, and even the first guy struggled to figure out how to unlatch my hood. Thankfully, he got it, then they hooked up the cables and yay! it started. I thanked them profusely, offered to pay them, but they were just two nice guys looking to help.

Of course, after all this fun, the Tweedles finally reach my car and their first words were "they were cute!" I hadn't even noticed because i was too busy trying to fix the car.

So, yes, there are still nice dudes out there in the world and sometimes being rescued feels nice when you're used to doing life solo.

Bubbly

Someone once told me, "You can have anything you want if you ask for it."

That's not true. But, if you don't ask, then you'll never know.

I've been struggling for a while to ask for something. I asked for a ton of advice from just about everyone. I still didn't have the nerve.

Today, the opportunity presented itself and was happily surprised by the outcome. This was after much coaching and a nice kick in the ass.

The best advice beyond you have to ask to know, was pretend you're asking for someone you love. It takes people who know you better than sometimes you know yourself. Who know that you would do anything for them before yourself.

Guilty as charged.

Find a poet

You know what, sometimes you just want to shoutout… I did it. I did as much as I could with what I could. Everyone around me is awesome and I'm so grateful.

Pondering

Is it fair to say that Imagine Dragons is the 2010s version of Nickelback?

Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about…

Awh, I know you think I'm about to quote the movie, but the answer is…football.

 

I have one of my best friends to thank for my sports Tourette's…and along the way of this crazy life, my love has only grown deeper, my voice louder and thankfully, my knowledge deeper.

 

I love a lot of football movies, but the perfect blend of the sport and my greatest love, friends, is captured in 80 for Brady.

 

If I make it that far and ever recover financially, I would recreate that movie with my besties in a heartbeat.