Where I get all mushy and hug the internet

I have been blogging for 3 years and have had several occasions to meet bloggers in real life. Every time has exceeded my expectations and created lifelong friendships, partnerships and just plain fun. This weekend was like all those experiences on speed.   Mom 2.0 was my first conference and I feel like Julie Andrews spinning in the Alps. *without the guitar* It started with a road trip to Houston with Laurie (Tip Junkie) in an anti-minivan vehicle provided by Chevy. We were talking so fast and furious that we ended up drowning out OnStar driving directions which resulted in multiple re-calls to OnStar.   We are pretty sure there was a collective sigh of relief in the OnStar information center when they saw that we finally reached our destination.

I knew Laurie and I were kindred spirits when we both ordered breakfast for lunch at a roadside Denny’s. Laurie and I were rooming with Amy (Mom Spark),  Jyl (Mom It Forward),  Jenny (Jenny On the Spot), and Rachael (Today’s Mama) – not pictured.

 Seriously, it doesn’t get much better than that. But it does!   Because the halls, conference rooms, bathrooms, restaurants, elevators and bar were FILLED with bloggers.   Bloggers who squealed in delight during introductions and hugged spontaneously. I met several of my very favorite people in the world for the first time – Rachel, Cammie and Loralee. As a cosmic sign of our bond, Cammie and I showed up on Friday for the conference DRESSED EXACTLY THE SAME…with NO prior arrangements.

Oh, and I declared my love for The Bloggess in person because who knows when that opportunity will arise again and it seemed slightly less creepy than my usual twitter declaration. The Beet Jello was well received…if well is a relative term.

 

 

I really don’t think there is any question of my reigning chunky jello dominance. The speakers were great.   The round table discussions engaging.   The access to really amazing, smart and influential people was incredible.   There was a lot of talking, card exchanging and hugging.

But what I loved the most was all the laughing…