Monday, December 3, 2012

Corla's 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways

Being a business owner for the past 16 years and being raised by parents who were also business owners, I learned the importance of supporting local businesses.

I am excited to be supporting my fellow local Swift Current businesses to get more traffic to them online and hopefully more traffic through their doors.  Each day we will be giving away great prizes.  Most are available only to those who could pick them up and use the services right her in Swift Current.  There have been a few businesses that would be for anyone in Canada but if they are a Swift Current business please make sure if you enter to win you can pick the prize up by no later than the 20th.

Day 1 Giveaway

Glass Slipper Spa

I can speak from personal experience that Cindy and the staff at Glass Slipper Spa are friendly and knowledgeable.  The facility is beautiful and offers many services from spa treatments to jewelery from fellow Dragons' Den business Hilberg and Berk to Dermalogica skin care products.  They offer a wish list service where they will call you significant other for Christmas, Birthdays or Anniversary and give him help in the perfect thing to buy for you.

Enter to win Eye Lash Extensions.  Look beautiful this holiday season with Eyelash Extensions.  The newest service at Glass Slipper Spa.  

$175 value. 


4 Ways to enter
Like Glass Slipper and post on their wall.
Like Glass Slipper and share Glass Slipper on your timeline.
Like Glass Slipper and post a comment on this post.
Like Glass Slipper then comment on my blog www.thecircushouse.com





Thursday, November 29, 2012

Annual Christmas Tree Lighting

 Tomorrow the first ever "Swiftys" will be announced on Swift Current Online.  One of the categories was "Best Community Event".  You know I love contests and voting so I voted for the Christmas Tree Lighting we will find out at 8 am tomorrow if it wins.  We always have so much fun there.  The weather maybe cold but the hot chocolate, Christmas Carols, roasting marshmallows and the smiles on the kids' faces all warm the heart and more than make up for the cold toes. 

The girls waiting for Santa to arrive.  Ellie was watching Santa get out of the fire truck while Olivia poses for the camera.  
Kelsey was part of his school choir that sang at the tree lighting.  Very proud mom standing in the bushes to photograph the back row. 

 This kids just ditched us to stand by himself for the sleigh ride.  I sent Olivia to check on him and she tied up his toque for him.  Then when he put the strings in his mouth she yanked them out simultaneously yanking lose his first tooth. 
 The kids did a great job singing to a large crowd. 
 The fire fighters handed out marshmallows and we warmed up around the bonfire. 
 Ellie found herself hypnotized by the fire. 
 With the line for Santa being very long I thought Ellie would like to go say hi to Mrs. Claus.  What a nice lady!  Lots of hugs.  Ellie tried to sweet talk her into helping her skip to the front of the line to see Santa. 

 We got hot chocolate from the fabulous Golden West Radio Station. 

 Here is the picture of the horses and sleigh.  This is what happens when your flash hasn't fully recharged. 
Here is one of the perks of shooting in Raw as underneath there is still a lot of information on the file that you can use if you utilize the fill light slider. 

 This is the picture I will show Ellie when she is grown up and tell her we waited in line so she could sit on Santa's knee when in all actuality we did not because her mom and brothers are social butterflies that could not stand in line for too long because we might miss something.  Thanks again to all those involved in making the Annual Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting a success.  It is the kick off to our holiday season and we love it!  We hope you win the Swifty!!!

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Redefining Success- Still Making Mistakes by W. Brett Wilson

Redefining Success- Still Making Mistakes by W. Brett Wilson


 I was running out to my van the other day to take Ellie public skating, when a black package poking out of my mailbox caught my eye.  I was so excited and surprised to open the black bubble wrap to find a signed copy of Brett's book inside! I sat in the lobby of the rink reading the book written by my business partner and mentor and was reminded how lucky I am to be an entrepreneur who can enjoy the balance of time raising my young family while running a business and having a career. 

The book came with a eraser that said "Still Making Mistakes".  


I found the book to be a reflection of Brett himself.  Equal balance of business, family, friends, and philanthropy.  The book is full of inspirational stories.  Brett shares insight from his business life, his personal life and why it is so important for him to pay it forward.  I have been so fortunate to witness all of those things first hand.  He has been an amazing business partner from the very beginning.  He offers advice when requested, he has connected me with so many amazing people and is always encouraging. 

Here is the link to the book's website where you can get a copy of the book, T-Shirts or signed prints!

Page 157-158 Brett talks about Snappy Socks!!
Pat and I were so excited to go to Saskatoon for the Pitch Party last week.  I will post pictures soon from the fun event!!

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Sunday Football Funday!


Four years ago I was watching the last game of Levi's football season and I had to leave to go to a photo ordering session.  I missed him winning the city championships.  After that day, I decided that I would not work on Sundays.  It was one of the best decisions of my 16 year photography career. 

So when Kelsey and his Inferno team took the field for the final time this season, they were ending an undefeated season and I got to cheer them on to victory!!

Grandpa and Grandma were there to watch and we all snuggled together to keep warm.  
 The trophy presentation.


 Proud player.
 Frozen little brother who sat in the truck for most of the game and every time he opened the truck door the truck alarm went off.

 Congratulations to number 51 and coach Pat on a victorious, undefeated season!  I was so glad to be there and cheer.

Monday, October 29, 2012

Monday Morning

monday mornings
 
good morning sleepy heads
time to get up
mom where r my jeans
mom its dress up day i need to dress from a specific decade
where is my old dance costume poodle skirt
thats two years old it will never fit
just be a hippy
sign agenda
toast 
cereal
pack your lunch
wake up your brother
wake him up again
Leviiiiiii get up!
 where are your winter boots
why did you leave them at school
I have homework need to interview someone
where are my library books
my recorder
missed the bus
need a ride
need $5 for hot lunch
can i get a book from the book order
did you remember to  bring your stuff for swimming after school
i love you be a good student make good choices
have a great day your ride is here
love you too.....
coffee

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Snappy Socks on the Today Show!

Today the lovely Lilliana Vazquez from Cheap Chicas featured Snappy Socks on The Today Show.  The show reaches approximately 5 million viewers!  It was very exciting for us and we hope it opens even more doors for our product. 

Check out the segment.




Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy


More about Liliana:
Website: www.lillianavazquez.com
Blog: www.cheapchicas.com
Tweet me: @CheapChicas

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Poppy Day

Yes I am the Queen of contests.  If you have a minute and are on facebook if you could vote for my picture.  The winner receives $10 000.00 and their local school also receives $10 000.00.

Thanks! 


Poopy Day link.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Grey Cup 100 Train Rolls through Swift Current


The Grey Cup 100 Train Tour rolled into Swift Current this afternoon.  Pat, Ellie and I stopped by for lunch.  Yummy M+M burgers. 



"The train is wrapped in iconic Grey Cup images and the cars include a high-tech showcase for the Grey Cup itself, a museum car that captures a century of Grey Cup history and a team car that celebrates today’s teams and athletes as well as the CFL’s bright future. 

Each location will include appearances by either current Rider players, coaches, staff, alumni, Cheer Team or Gainer the Gopher.  " (taken from the Rider website)



 The local middle school band enter "trained" everyone waiting to climb aboard.  The wait was only about 5-10 minutes outside. 
 The atmosphere was very festive and the volunteers and staff made sure everything moved along efficiently! 
 Inside there were a number of interesting facts, pictures and equipment and uniforms from the good old days. 



In the second there were touch tv screens where you could find a specific year and see the program, ticket, team picture and the name plate from the cup. 
 The 1966 team with my Dad Cliff and Uncle Wayne. 
 The name plaque from the trophy. 
 Outside we had a chance to pose with the cup and see my dad and uncle's name up close!  The staff takes your picture and will email you a copy. 


Such a proud moment.  Even though my Dad is gone I feel like my kids can have a piece of him through the legacy of the 1966 team and that their Grandpa is part of Canadian history. 

Friday, September 21, 2012

Splurge Group Ideas

One of the more frequently searched topics on my blog is ideas for Splurge Groups.  We are on our 3rd go around for our splurge group.  The idea is to have 12 members and each month one of the members is in charge of planning a fun activity.  Every month members bring $20 and the person hosting the event takes the money and then "splurges" on something for themselves.  Whether it is a trip to the spa, that new pair of boots you have been admiring in the window of your local store or wine and chocolate.  The main rule is it is not money to be used for your children's soccer fees, the water bill or groceries it is something to treat yourself.  At the next gathering you report in "show and tell" fashion what you spent your splurge money on. 

We have evolved to just bring a bottle of wine for the organizer instead of the $20 as it was sometimes a chore to figure out who had paid and who was missing and collect later.  Some groups have a type of treasurer and write 12 post dated checks.  Others pool their money and then go shopping and use the money they have set aside.  Any way you organize it the point is kid free fun for a few hours.  You must stay out until your children and husband are asleep and sneak quietly back to your home refreshed and recharged!

My last two times planning splurge were polar opposites.  The first was a time when everyone was quite busy and we were unable to find a date that worked so I secretly put together a small gift bag and a card.  I chose someone from our group and bought a few items I thought would be appealing to her, lipgloss a magazine and a few chocolate bars.  I put them in the gift bag and wrote on the card.  " Here is a little something to let you know I hope you have a great day.  Please pass this gift bag on to someone on the list of your choosing in the next week and fill the bag with something you think they would like. "  I listed all the girls' names and checked the person I had given the gift to.

It was fun to hear the reactions as each girl passed on the gift.  Whether they were having a bad day and the gift lifted their spirits or they were caught completely off guard and then were excited to pass it on I loved getting the feedback as the bag traveled around. 







The next time it was my turn to plan splurge just happened to be the same month as my  40th birthday so I planned an overnight trip to Moose Jaw.  I put up a message on Facebook asking for suggestions for great and different things to do in Moose Jaw.  After many glowing recommendations I made a reservation at Kergano's restaurant .  We had such a great time trying new drinks, appetizers and food.  

The staff was great at recommending and customizing.  For me they made a caramel machiato martini.  It had a chocolate covered coffee bean at the bottom.  Delicious!
 Some of the staff was Ukrainian so we enjoyed the dancing and perogies.  He almost lost his sunglasses!
 Then after we were thoroughly fed and watered the staff got up and entertained us with music.  Such a fun atmosphere. 
 They even let us join in and passed out instruments.  After seeing this picture I wish I would have brushed my hair after swimming at the spa. 
 If you go and visit when you are paying your bill you can look up and see where the crazy girls from Swift Current signed the bar after a great night of Splurge!  There were no tigers in the hotel room and I didn't wake up with any teeth missing but it was an amazing trip!


Please share if you have any ideas, stories or suggestions for splurge either here in the comments, on my facebook or email me at corla_rokochy@hotmail.com .  I love to hear about ladies starting their own groups!

Here is a link to Slice that I found with some suggestions.  Plan a Girl's Night Out

Friday, September 7, 2012

Cypress Ford


A new adventure has begun with Pat changing careers and he is now working for Cypress Motors
in Swift Current.  It is so nice to be able to stop in with a coffee and say hi at their beautiful new 
building and to have him come home for a visit at lunch time. He is really enjoying the challenge of a new position with a great organization. 


 
 Cypress recently celebrated their 1 year anniversary of their new building.  They business itself is in it's 20th year here in Swift Current. 

Pat and his friend and boss Jeff. 
 The high school football team the Colts was on hand for the fundraising car wash.  They drafted our two boys to the team to help wash the cars. 

 Dad shows the boys how it is done. 

The girls got to sit this one out. 
I took a picture to prove Levi was there even though he didn't want to pose for me.
There were prizes, hamburgers, cake and demos.  Ryan from the radio station was there covering the event.  He strikes a pose for the camera. 

 Patti was representing M&M and feeding the hungry crowd. 
 Pat and Ryan wait to go live on the air.