It was awesome.  Yesterday, just about all the fabulous people I’ve ever known gathered to help me launch my newest book Shut Up & Eat.  We filled the LCBO Event Kitchen to capacity (much to the concern of their event manager and security).  I’ll post more about it, but for now, I wanted to repeat the thank you speech I made, because it covers all the people I so appreciate. 

And when you read it in your head, remember to laugh out loud at my own jokes, like I do:)

Cheers everyone. And hats off to Mad Mary’s Catering, Ben McNally Books and Prospect Wineries as well. 

MY THANKS:

It’s amazing to me to see all of you here

Coming in to my launch from far and from near

It’s likely because you’re my friends, or so I think

But probably its more because you can drink

To my family, my kids, I’ve exposed every peeve

Sorry to Nic, Bri, Alex and Vic, but especially to Steve

Nicholas is 8 and he likes to clean

Don’t take away his Swiffer or he’ll get downright mean

Bridget is my hockey playing, karate girl too

And also the inspiration for my new/old hairdo

Alexander’s 16. And he thinks I’m just lame.

But he keeps it to himself cuz he always needs a ride to a game.

Victoria’s the oldest and she’s seen it all

And can’t wait to get back away to university this fall

And my Mum who’s been there for times high and low

And my Dad who’s so proud I scored the LCBO

I have a great publisher, the best of them all

Honestly can’t believe they still answer my call

Kelly Ward is the pr pro who always gives more

She responded “hell yes” when I said “I want the liquor store”

Daniel Rondeau, Linda Preussen, Jordan Fenn and Tom Best

Paula Sloss, Tara Roy-Diclemente, Rob Howard and the rest

Of the gang at Key Porter are always eager to go

With my crazy ideas – and next week we’re on Kobo

I’m so very lucky to have friends from far and wide

I’d like to explain just how worlds can collide

There are so many people to thank, I”ll just start

To my Sherwood Forrest girls and our Friday Drink Kart

My book club, the ChickLits are well read and fine

And look for us all to take the club soon online

Personally I think we’re all an A-lister

With a group that includes my very own sister

A core group of women, & 3 guys, are the hub

Of my fabulous friends at the Yummy Mummy Club

And all the way back to my days at the banks

My amazing CIBC and RBC Girls I give thanks

Some came by train, by plane, and yes even by car

From Hamilton, Peterborough, London– that’s far!

Ottawa, Oshawa, Kitchener, Waterloo

Hell even Bancroft let one get out too

My Tweeps are more than just that virtual friend

I know they’re all helping to make this a trend (ing topic on Twitter, hashtag Shutuplaunch)

And one that I’ll have to throw into the mix

My girl Cherie Lynn, with the best author pix

My partners in the world of todays busy Mom

Yummy Mummy, Wee Welcome, KiddingAround.com

AmotherWorld, Oh Baby, ParentsCanada.com

WomensPost, Best Kept Secret, and our own OptiMom

WonderMoms, OakvilleMoms, SavvyMoms, Urban Moms

It’s like there’s just EverythingMom

With Parent Central, ParentSource, GTA Parent and maybe

Mississauga Kids, The News, and a NewMarketBaby

My corporate and media friends are ones you would pick

Our relations are public, MS&L, Veritas and Weber Shandwick

Plus there’s Harbinger, Fleishman, Optimum all in my “top” file

Health & Harmony, Indigo, Chapters & Zeebu Mobile

Let’s get them all on the table

Hey that rhymes with Label (hey Mabel)

They all help me out with my goal of “look at me”

(Don’t forget Sunday 1:15 I’m on CTV)

To everyone here, friends, family & those who Tweet

The time has now come to just Shut Up and Eat