Giving Thanks: The Mabel's Labels Ladies.

Say that ten times fast.

I didn't go to the BlogHer conference this year. I had planned to. Bought my conference pass (early bird or die, yo), booked my room at the Hilton, looked into flights... I really thought I would go. But I didn't. I'm not sure if it was my depression, new job, Max's ups and downs, not wanting to ditch Scott, or perhaps my keenly honed mama intuition somehow knew that Cameron would pick THIS weekend to come down with a super crappy summertime cold. Who knows? Bottom line, while all my favourite lady bloggers were tweeting about the incredible sessions and meet-ups, fondue dinners and cocktails, I was washing couch cushions smeared with a myriad of bodily fluids and nursing a sore knee.

boo and sad face and many, many head shakes about what coulda woulda shoulda been.

I mostly missed the great hang it would have been with the ladies of Mabel's Labels. You see, last year, I was lucky enough to win a trip to BlogHer in my favourite US city Chicago with them. It was a total blast. I felt like an honourary member of The Mabelhood. Julie, Caitlin, and Mumby - these chicks know how to party. Add to that my best friend (and freshly wed) Jennifer was also there and it was pretty much the perfect weekend.

Caitlin, me and Julie getting our tiara on last year:
From the sounds of it, this year the entire Mabel crew went to BlogHer, so I really, really missed out. Ah well. At least Julie was kind enough to email me and tell me that they missed having me there. That made my day. They have been really good to me all around, sending me samples of their new products for the kids, sponsoring Team Maxwell for our Autism walk 2 years running, and hooking me up with opportunities like Traveling Mom. So, next year, I will go to BlogHer. Anyone need a roommate?

Mabel Loves Max.

Okay folks, we're updating the ante for fundraising efforts for the Walk For Autism this Sunday (6 days to go!!). Mabel has thrown her hat in the ring and has donated a camp/school pack for us to raffle off. Here's the deal - if you sponsor Team Maxwell you will automatically be entered to win! And don't be saying "I don't have kids so I don't need it either" because everyone needs labels. Even Scott has labels (with soccer balls).Yesterday I had someone tell me that I should cool it on my fundraising efforts, that hitting my goal of $5000 for Team Maxwell was more about my ego than about raising money for Autism research, and that $100 here or there wasn't going to find a cure for Autism. Just so we're all clear, that is complete bullshit. It isn't about my ego, and it does matter. We should all care. We should all turn our pockets inside out for this cause. I don't say that because this is "my" cause. I say that because Autism is the biggest and fastest growing health crisis facing our children today.It's easy to look the other way if you don't have a child with Autism, or if you aren't close to someone with a child with Autism. On the outside, Max looks like a regular kid. If he's having a "good" day you might just think he's a quiet child who has some strange habits and doesn't really interact with other kids. But if he's having a hard day, then there is no doubt that he has huge needs. There is no doubt that we need to do more to support children with Autism, and their families, that we need to figure out what is causing Autism and how to best treat it. I implore you not to look the other way and shrug off Autism. You many not be affected by Autism currently, but one day you will be, the numbers guarantee it. 1 in 70 boys is now being diagnosed with Autism. That is mind blowing and terrifying. On a lighter note, if you donate, I'll give you a big hug and so will Max! Maybe I should have started with that!! Max and I give great hugs!

Prepping For BlogHer.

I had the pleasure of visiting the Mabel's Labels offices today and seeing where the label magic happens. It was wonderful to finally get to meet all of the ladies I've been emailing with and chatting with over the past 6 months. Funny how we all have these online relationships, and when you finally get to be know each other "IRL" (in real life), you just kind of pick up and continue on. I love that!
The Mabel's ladies - Mumby, Caitlyn, Melissa and Melissa took me to a local restaurant (can't remember what it was called for the life of me). We are all super excited about BlogHer - and Mabel's has some amazing plans for the convention. We nailed down some technical details (like, which parties we are all going to), you know, the really important stuff. Seriously though, we did talk about tweeting, blogging, networking, and bowling.

I ordered a triple decker grilled cheese sandwich with bacon and tomato, with fries for lunch (and a diet coke, natch). They proceeded to order healthy wraps and salads, making me feel like an A1 Junkaholic. Mind you, when our lunches came, they were all sorry they didn't get on board the grease train with me. Since they weren't feeling like having their pictures taken, I photographed their lunches instead. Fair warning ladies - you better be ready to work the camera in Chicago, I will be taking pictures, and I will take no prisoners!

Lunching With the Ladies From Mabel's Labels.

One week from today I'll be getting ready to go to Chicago for the BlogHer convention. I can't believe that it is almost here! It feels like a lifetime ago that I won the Mabel's Labels BlogHer contest - so much has happened since then. But here we are in mid July, and another adventure is coming my way.

Tomorrow I'm going to meet all the ladies from Mabel's - and I'm getting a tour of their office! I'll take lots of picture, maybe shoot some video and get the deets on the big trip. I can't believe how much is going to get packed into 3 short days. Also, I can't wait to see Jennifer without the kids! Is that bad?  I have a feeling this is going to be a great trip, both personally and professionally!

Walk Now For Autism: Mabel's Labels Camp Pack Winners!

As promised, Cameron selected our 2 winners for the Mabel's Labels Camp Packs. Watch the video to see if you won!

We Did It! $4000!!

Earlier this week, when we hit the $3500 mark for the Walk For Autism tomorrow, I decided to raise the team goal to $4000. At the time, it seemed unlikely that we would actually hit $4000, but I figured it was worth a shot. Well, we did it! Team Maxwell has raised $4005! The team page shows that we have raised $3895, but I have $110 in cash donations to turn in as well, which puts us at $4005. Thank you to everyone who sponsored us - we will make you proud tomorrow. Stay tuned for walk pictures, video, and of course, the results to the Mabel's Labels Camp Pack draw!

Also, if you still want to donate, feel free - the Autism Speaks site will be accepting donations throughout today and tomorrow.

All Quiet on the Team Maxwell Front.

Check out our Team Maxwell t-shirts! My über talented friend Christopherr Mendoza of Designmojo designed them for us. Thank you Chris for the kick ass shirts! If you are planning on walking with Team Maxwell on June 7th, I need you to let me know by Sunday night as I will be placing the order on Monday. Also, let me know your size (or else I'll just have to take a wild guess and you may not like what you get).

Team Maxwell has had a great week fundraising for Autism Speaks Walk Now For Autism. Our goal is to raise $3000 and we have raised $2200 in only 5 days. So, a HUGE thank you to everyone who has donated - you are wonderful human beings and we appreciate your support! Also, you will be entered into the draw to win 1 of 2 Mabel's Labels Camp Packs!

If you check out the Toronto Walk For Autism homepage, you will see that I am now in the Grand Club (anyone who raises over a $1000 automatically becomes a member). Now we need to get Scott in! He only needs $481 in donations by June 1st! So, giddy up folks, let's help Scott out here! If you've been planning on making a donation, but have been putting it off, I implore you to do it this weekend and make your donation under Scott's name.

Thank you Thank you Thank you. Together we can beat Autism. Correction - Together we WILL beat Autism.

Support Team Maxwell & Win a Camp Pack!

Hey, have I mentioned that we're participating in the Autism Speaks Walk Now For Autism? I have? Well shoot, then why haven't you donated yet? Come on - you can spare $20 for a great kid like Max. Shoot, you can probably even spare $25!Great News: The lovely ladies at Mabel's Labels, who are HUGE advocates for Autism, have thrown their support behind us! They are donating 2 Camp Packs so we can run a Walk Now For Autism Contest. The contest works like this - you donate to Team Maxwell. On the day of the walk, we will run a draw and select 2 winners (it will be super scientific and involve a bunch of names on little scraps of paper). Max will officiate to make sure it's fair. Cameron will pick the winners from a hat. I'll film it and post a video so you can see it isn't rigged. If you have already donated (thanks!!), not to worry, you are entered! If you haven't yet donated, well, you need to go and show us some love for your chance to win. And if you are thinking "I'm kid-free, I don't need no stinkin' camp labels" - I'm sure we can switch them up for something else, like a kick ass Neat Freak Combo or something like that.

So, please donate. And if you do so anonymously, email me so I know to add your name to the draw!

Keep Your Friends Close and Your Stapler Closer.

I probably shouldn’t admit this in such a public forum, but I have a thing for office supplies. Meaning, I fancy really nice, top notch pens, rulers, paper, notepads, mechanical pencils, paper clips, scissors and staplers. If my work doesn’t happen to supply my preferred brand of a specific office product, I will bring my own from home. Yes, I’m that particular, specifically about my stapler. But my stapler - it isn’t just any stapler. It has a special history. It is a burgundy, Swingline stapler. And how do I say this nicely? No, you CANNOT borrow my stapler.

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Ten Things I Learned My First Week Back At Work.

I survived my first week back at work. I’m not going to lie, the mornings came early, the days were long, and most nights I fell into bed not long after my kids. But I made it, and I learned some important lessons along the way.

Ten Things I Learned My First Week Back At Work:

1. Coffee tastes better when you don’t have someone pulling on your pantleg. So does lunch.

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Thank You Mabel's Labels!

When the ladies at Mabel's Labels found out that Cameron is starting daycare next week, they were kind enough to make up some labels for us so that her stuff doesn't get lost! How nice is that? They also sent me some Mama cards and labels for my recycling bins. And they didn't forget Max either - I just haven't had a chance to label his gear up yet. So, thank you Mabel's Labels, from your #1 Blogg(h)er.

New Invisible Sticky Labels.

The ladies at Mabel's Labels have outdone themselves with this one. They are launching a new product just in time for spring: Invisible Sticky Labels. How do these labels work, you ask? Using ultraviolet technology, Mabel's Labels has created a label that is invisible to the human eye. These Invisible Sticky Labels only become visible when touched. At all other times the labels are completely undetectable - talk about useful (wink). These Invisible Sticky Labels are only available for a limited time, so make sure you check them out.