It has been crazy busy here at AM Event Coordination, which is a great "problem" to have! I have been super lucky to have spent some time working with a few different local non-profit groups and an awesome local business this week, and although it has kept me running, it is so rewarding!!

Earlier this week I got to spend an evening helping the Creston Valley Arts Council with their Facebook page. It was a fun couple of hours getting the page going and sharing tips with a great group of ladies. The most rewarding part was definitely seeing how eager they were to take pictures of the artwork on display at the Chamber of Commerce building, and to post them to the new page! I've been following their posts now for a few days, and they seem to have posting and sharing down to an art... pardon the pun!!

Next up was an hour spent with some amazing young people at the Creston Valley Youth Network. They have a few great ideas for some awesome events, and I am honoured to have been invited to talk to them about how to get their events planned and executed. We spent a great hour together, and I was so impressed with these young people! I just know their events are going to be awesome, and I may have found some future employees in the process! Stay tuned to see the events they are planning!

And last but not least, I have been spending a bit of time with fellow entrepreneur, and owner of Creston's own Serene Spa assisting with the one year anniversary celebration of the Spa! The "Manicure and Mimosa" event was so much fun! I loved seeing all the ladies smiling and laughing while being pampered, and just had to book my own appointment because I did not want to miss out. It was such a great way to celebrate such an awesome milestone and achievement! One of my favourite things was the way the colour theme throughout the spa just did not stop. The balloons matched the cake pop which matched the napkins, even the massage chair was on point!

Sometimes it seems I am so busy that I don't get a second for myself, but don't worry about that! I also had a blast this week hanging out at some local businesses just for fun! I spent an awesome evening with my friend Brittney from Knittables hanging out at Fly in the Fibre for their Night of Inspiration, and I was so inspired, I took on the challenge of knitting a scarf and a toque before Christmas. I'll be heading back to Fly in the Fibre for Knit Nights on Tuesdays for the foreseeable future to make sure I can meet my goal! While there, I got to sample a delicious little bite of fall made by Luv at First Bite. I just can't get over her teeny tiny little gingersnaps, and am totally stealing the idea for my own Christmas party!!
I also lucked my way into finding my zen at William Tell Estates with a couple of hours of grape picking yesterday morning! The air was crisp, but the sky was clear, and it turns out I really love picking grapes. I somehow managed not a sample even a single one, but I did treat myself to some of their hard cider when I got home, and it was the perfect end to a pretty great week.

I have to say, I feel like the luckiest girl in the world doing the things I love doing every day. This "job" feels more like a treat, and I am so happy to be able to have been able to meet and work with such amazing people in and around this community. I love finding the event in every single day, and I cannot wait to see what all the tomorrows bring!  

I had the honour and good fortune of attending a gratitude event tonight. I did not participate in the planning of this event, and so had the luxury of witnessing the itinerary from the sidelines. I am the type of person who believes she can handle everything. If I don't know something, I will learn it. I am able to think and analyze and process and figure things out. I have to say though, this event is one I would have struggled to plan, and so the sidelines was by far the place I should have been. 

This gathering of people took place in a beautiful traditional building. The setting was stunning. The people were stunning. I was moved beyond belief. This was not a "fancy" event. There were no decorations, no balloons, no sparkles, no fancy lights. The speakers were eloquent and spoke from the heart. Their words were genuine, filled with emotion. Every person in the building listened with the appropriate level of awe and respect. The children were so well-behaved, from the very youngest, who was barely walking, to the older ones, scattered throughout the room. Traditions and customs were explained to those of us who had not already experienced them, reminders were given to those who had forgotten. At one point, I heard a young girl, about six years old, translate a word from the traditional language into English, and that moved me. And after the "formal" program, we ate. Not a catered meal on china, but a potluck, supplied by the community and their guests. The food line moved efficiently and respectfully. Elders were offered help, and were allowed to go first. Food was taken in portions that showed people were clearly cognizant of those coming behind them. The buffet line wasn't managed in any way, but it was organized naturally through a genuine respect for the well-being of others. 

By now you may have guessed where and what this event was. It doesn't matter really. What does matter was the experience of that event, the feeling in the building, the respect shown by every person there. Personally, I learned new things, and I felt the emotion along with the community. When I plan an event, I am always thinking about the experience I am providing, and this event definitely was an experience I will not forget. I am so fortunate to have been able to be a part of it. 

I recently spent an amazing week celebrating my birthday with Mr. AM Event Coordination in sunny Palm Springs, California. Every year when I turn thirty, he takes me on a vacation. People tend to laugh at me when they find out I celebrate my birthday week, and not just one day, but I love my birthday, and what better way to enjoy myself than to draw out my fun for as long as I possibly can? 

I realized that I don't only draw out my birthday. I tend to make every celebration last as long as I possibly can. My wedding was not just one day of wedding, we had a party the night before to actually enjoy and spend time with our guests, and we had planned to spend the day after the wedding continuing the celebration with friends and family, but the Canmore, Alberta weather gods foiled our plan, and although we had gorgeous weather the day of the wedding, a winter storm set in from Canmore to Saskatchewan the next morning, causing most of our guests to head home earlier than planned. I am the kind of person who decorates for Christmas on December 1 (I would definitely start on November 1 if I thought I could get away with it). I buy Christmas and birthday gifts months in advance, which just starts me planning things that early too (I already have Christmas presents stashed all over my house). 

Spending a week or more celebrating something important to me makes me happy, and I think all celebrations should be drawn out if possible. Forget Christmas day, let's just sprinkle Christmas around for a month. And only celebrating your birthday on one day a year, and sometimes that day is a MONDAY? NO! Celebrate for a week. Celebrate your half birthday! Celebrate your wedding anniversary, and the anniversary of the day you met, and your dog's birthday, and the day you got your fish. I guess what I am saying is... there is something to celebrate every day, so let's do it. I'll even help you plan the party!  ;)