Friends: "Is your blog locked? I've tried to get into it and I can't." Me: "Yeah, it's locked" (raises eyebrows shyly) What is the deal? Well, I'll tell ya. I just can't get over myself. It's taken a long time to get to this point, and now that I'm here it's been hard to just do it. Basically, I've become accustomed to holding back some of the details over the past year. Not intentionally, but when I was stricken with hyperemesis and ptylism (hyper-salivation) last February, I was left unable to talk, read, sit up, or even have company, without getting violently ill. For the first trimester, my husband kept folks around us updated on my status with email updates and posts on Twitter and Facebook. When I was able, I did too. Unfortunately, a few here and there posts was as much as I could do. As I look back on what I experienced last year in words (posted and emailed), I get emotional. I feel vulnerable, embarrassed at times, and I become shy. I went through A LOT! Verbally, when it comes to my story, I have diarrhea of the mouth. Ultimately my goal is to educate other women on the odds of having hyperemesis during a pregnancy and also share what is being done these days to manage it. I also spend my time volunteering with the Sidelines Organization as a buddy supporting other women on bed rest going through what I went through. Still, I am hesitant to share my written words, or the written words of others. I just can't get over myself! (will people understand me?) I now have a new appreciation for other bloggers like Casey (Mooshinindy) or Stephanie (Adventures in Baby-wearing) who continue to let it all hang out everyday. They write and share with no reservations. At BlissDom a few weeks ago I sat there in the Hallmark Inspirational Writing workshop and thought, "Wow, if they can share THAT, why can't I?" The answer: I can! I am now letting it ALL hang out! I've filled in the gaps, and replaced them with MY story (well tidbits of), and I'm starting again from here! I'm hoping that everyone will understand. I'm hoping that you understand! Here I am world, CAN YOU READ ME? (Thinking) Wow, that felt good!
Last year I did not attend BlissDom. When I found out about it, it was already too late to sign up and I had other plans to attend the Go Red for Women casting call in Nashville.
This year, I planned NOT to miss it!
- My bliss
- My blog
- My conference
- My connections
- My learning
- My life
I was all on the idea. I had no expectations going into it other than the information provided to me by Jessie (@vanderbiltwife). I called her at work just to ask her about the details.
She told me just what I wanted to hear.
BlissDom was for bloggers, and I needed to be there. At first, when I got online and saw the price of the conference, I did a double take. I thought to myself, "Hmmm expensive, or investment?"
I decided it was definitely an investment!
It didn't take too long to convince hubby that I needed to go and see "what bliss is!"
I'm glad I did!
Bliss is:
- Being at a conference with 500 awesome bloggers and everyone just getting it!
- Hanging out with the folks I connect with online everyday
- Listening to advice on doing what I love to do
- Being encouraged to share my life in my small space in the blogosphere
- Having Cover Girl do a "smokey eye" makeover on me
- Telling people I'm a "Mommy Blogger" and everyone just getting it
- Standing at the velvet rope as Harry Connick, Jr belts his heart out in my face
- Being educated on how to do things better
- Building relationships in real life (IRL)
- Loving to blog even more
- Making connections with others bloggers
- Having one big pajama party movie night with karaoke
- Defining my niche
I had a amazing time. I learned a lot. I met some awesome people!
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