Best Shot Monday: BlissDom ‘08 in Nashville
It’s an honor to be a part of a great online magazine like Blissfully Domestic! When I was signed up to be a contributor for Photo Bliss I never imagined how this would affect my blogging essence. This weekend I learned exactly how much it would be affected.
I went to BlissDom’08 in Nashville, Tennessee; what a wonderful treat this weekend was! The conference was sponsored by EPSON and they went all out for it, so THANK YOU, EPSON.
I met so many great ladies. I listened intently to all the information they gave out, and it totally reaffirmed my place in the world of blogging, as well as life. I learned that I have to go after what I want to get. I learned that there really are so many warm, caring, talented, creative, real women in the world of blogging. It was awesome.
Olivia stayed with our neighbor while Papa and the boys came along. Michael wanted to drive so that I wouldn’t have to drive in the wee hours of Saturday morning. Another blogger, Ramblings by Reba, from the Atlanta area came with us. She and her husband came up on Friday night, and I made a dinner of Cowboy Casserole, Corn, Mashed Potatoes, and Yeast Rolls. I also made a cake for dessert.
We rolled into the parking lot of Hotel Preston around 7:40am, and promptly found a bathroom so that I could change into my conference clothes (the clothes I almost forgot at home, hanging on the dresser.) As I put on my make-up, at the sink, a petite beauty walked in.
“Playgroupie!”
“Secret Agent Mama!”
We giggled and then she ran off to the potty.
Soon after that the Mrs. Fussypants, herself, came in. She said, “Are you with the conference?” and I nodded. She was trying to get me to tell her who I was, but all I had to do was make a finger gun, point, and shoot. She new immediately. I hope she knows how beautiful she is.
I said good-bye to my boys and entered The Pink Slip, only to be greeted by the most fabulous smile from Robin (Penseive.) This woman has the ability to just make you feel loved, welcomed, and at ease. She was the first person that I met from the conference (save Jennifer and Alli, in the bathroom.) I got my name-tag secured, filled out my name for the give-a-way, and went off to find a table.
Then I saw Jenny from Mommin’ it Up. Then I saw Dawn from Kaiser Alex. Then I saw Colleen from Mommy Always Wins. Then I saw Kat from Sassy Irish Lass. Then I met Barabar Jones, at the breakfast table, from One to One Network. And this went on, and on, and on, and on. I saw familiar faces, and also unfamiliar faces that were bound to become familiar faces. Saw some precious babies, too. It was a grand experience. One that I will treasure.
The first name was drawn for some fabulous jewelry by Mrs. Fussypants (Alli). She called out “Michelle,” and I was thinking that it was me and was all jazzed. This set the stage for the drawings. I think every “Michelle” in there won something. Janelle won the fabulous Epson printer, and I was quick to point out that JanELLE sounds like MichELLE.
Right before lunch Lotus showed up. I spotted her from across the room and when she made her way over we hugged a big ole lovey-dovey bear hug! It was awesome. One of my favorite moments. I can still remember the first email I ever sent her and now here I was hugging on her.
I got to chat with new friends like Amy in Ohio. Her weight loss has totally inspired me. Her Cincy crew is just awesome, too.
After a little coffee break Jenny, Rebecca, and I went out to take some pictures in the lobby, where the light was a tad bit better. I came back, got my laptop, and headed for a plush corner to disconnect a bit. By this time my feet were hurting and I was kinda feeling overwhelmed. I needed a few minutes to sit in comfort. Alli came over to me and handed me a beautiful necklace and earring set. I HAD WON!!!! I was so stoked it wasn’t even funny. My name was pulled from the pumpkin bucket while I was out of the room, and the general consensus was that the prize was still mine even though I wasn’t there at that moment. I am fairly certain all Michelles won a prize that day. All Michelles and a Janelle.
After the Keynote Speech by Lynn Terry we gathered for cocktails. The Blisstini was super delicious; I could have had more than two! I had some great conversations, and then we broke until it was time for dinner.
Dinner was absolutley divine. There was a little mix up with times and shuttles, but it all worked out in the end. I carry away from that time some great conversations with great women.
This weekend gave me a taste of how everyone feels about why they blog. I know why I blog. It’s my creative outlet, but it’s also a way to reach out. I don’t have very many “in real life” friends that I can call over for coffee, but I have a whole blog-o-sphere full of people/women that I can get to know and befriend. We don’t all have the same ideas about politics. We don’t all have the same ideas about religion. We don’t always see eye-to-eye, but we certainly support each other as individual spirits. We support each other as parents. We support each other in our bloggy existence. And we are worth every ounce of support that is given and received.
Lynn Terry said something to the effect of we are where we are because it’s where we want to be. I’m taking that sentiment and running with it.
Links for BlissDom Attendees:
Nester of The Nesting Place
Lynn Terry of Click Newz!
Susan of Working Moms Against Guilt
Jennifer of Playgroups are no place for children
Janelle of Junk Food 4 The Soul
Robin of Pensieve
Jenny Rapson from Mommin’ It Up!
Lori of Front Porch Legacy
Colleen of Mommy Always Wins
Ashley at Mrs. 007
Shannan of Mommy Bits
Jordana of Curmudgeonry
Amy of Amy In Ohio
Dawn of Kaiser Alex
Alli aka Mrs. Fussypants
Lotus Carroll of Sarcastic Mom
Kat of Sassy Irish Lassie
Rebecca of Ramblings by Reba
Karla of Looking Towards Heaven
Tsh of SimpleMomBlog
Megan of VelveteenMind
Moriah of Please Pass the Salt
Malia of live.laugh.love.
“TX Poppet” of Canned Laffs
Heather of Queen of Shake-Shake
Mrs. CPA of Mrs. CPA
Laurin of Laurin and Kelly Talk
Jamie of Blonde Mom Blog
Arianne of To Think is to Create
[If I have missed your name and link, please let me know and I will give appropriate link-love!]
This entry was posted on Monday, October 20th, 2008 at 4:33 pm and is filed under Blissfully Domestic | Photo Bliss, General. You can follow any comments to this post through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
I believe you had a grand time. I would have been to overwhelmed I think. This is all still to new to me. Some of the names you mentioned I’m familar with, others are new. I’m glad you won something and that you learned something and that you had a grand time doing both.
Add me!
Like I have to tell you, but those pictures are beautiful! Of course, you had some lovely subjects!
I’m so jealous! Sounds like a wonderful time.
On my blog post about BlissDom, I forgot to include the lovely anecdote which would have read, “I was sitting in the stall peeing and talking to Secret Agent Mama and I was like, ‘I’m gonna blog about peeing while talking to Secret Agent Mama!”
The whole thing was awesome, buy *you* my dear, were a highlight for me. love ya!
Oh my, these photos are beautiful. :)
It was such a pleasure to meet you & have the opportunity to talk more after the event. I have to say… your photos are fabulous!! What a talent!
Hope to see you again in February :D
Sounds like a party I would have loved to crash! When we finally do meet, can you do the finger gun point-and-shoot to me too? (even though I’d know right away who you were).
It’s funny: I was glancing thru the pics and was like, “HEY! That’s Playgroupie!” Funny how that works, you know? I’m so glad you had fun & that you won goodies.
How long did it take to do those links??!
Shhh… I borrowed them!
Oh, I’m envious. But I’m so happy you had such a great time. And really, when we meet, there will be more than two cocktails :P
Those photos are wonderful. You really captured the event! I would love to be added to your list. :) See you in February, hopefully.
It looks like it was absolutely fabulous!! I would have loved to have been there.
Mishelle, you are so cute and LOVELY in person – I had such a great time this past weekend!!!
You will now get 100 hits from me as I browse around to all the other ladies’ blogs. :-D
See you in February!!!
Jealously stinks. I am soo jealous it is oozing out of me.. your pictures are beautiful.. I did not expect any less. I am so happy you were able to have such an amazing time.. The blogging community really is beautiful..
I’d love to be added!!
p.s. you are an amazing photographer….love the pictures
Incredible photo-wrap of our Blissdom day!! – and – thanks for the link love!!
I hope to see you again in ‘09, but until then I’ll be browsing thru your awesome blog!
So good to meet you too! Great photos – I wish we had gotten one together – that is something I always forget at these things.
But I have a feeling we’re gonna meet up again real soon! Blissdom 09 – February.
I would have loved to be there. Just to have met you and Lotus would have been enough to justify the trip!! It would be like me meeting a celebrity! hehehe If I’m ever down your way, I’m gonna let you know. And if you are ever anywhere in Indiana…let me know!
That sounds like such an awesome time! What fun to be involved in a big bloggy conference. I was disappointed when our Atlanta BlogHer event was cancelled. I so want to go to a big get together!
I also want to get together again with you & those fantastic kids of yours! Hugs!
How cool is that? Sounds like a fabulous time was had by all!
Looks (and sounds!) like you had a fantastic time at the event! I’m curious to hear what you thought of the books that were in your swag bag. Stop by my blog and let me know!
No link and no shots of me but I SWEAR I was there. lol ;P
I still love you anyway…
first off. THANK YOU for linking me up for WW! I really really really appreciate it.
mostly though….I’m so sad I am so far away from the blissdom fun. :( I hope someday…I’ll be able to swing it and go to a good conference like that. wow. Thanks for sharing your experience. :)
It has been such a blast to read these all, and can’t wait to connect with everyone IRL for the next one. Thanks for posting….these pics are beautiful!