Monday, October 15, 2007

My First Swag!

The goods.

There are times in my life when I look back and wonder would it just have been better if I wore a sticker that said "excuse me, I've lost my mind" so that all the people who I attempted to have semi-intelligent conversations with would give me a free pass.

True, the Seattle Mom Blogs hostesses, the blogging super stars, were incredibly nice, and real, and smart and whoa, did I mention nice? And gorgeous? And all of the other writers were so, so, so incredibly cool and interesting and funny and fun and gorgeous. And the Method gals did an awesome job of keeping us entertained, hydrated and fed while making us laugh and sharing the benefits of using cleaning products that will not create a new species of 5-eyed salmon or 3-headed babies.

And even though I felt like a complete dork (I think that this has to be a valid "first timers" response to meeting fellow bloggers in real, REAL, life) I was so amazed at how together we all seemed, despite all of our differences.

Glancing around the room full of "mommy bloggers" I could see that we came from all different walks of life. Our ages were different. Our bodies were different. Our blogs and the number of children we had were different. Our politics were different. Our views were different. Our hairstyles were different, as were our clothes. Our voices were different. Our families were different. Our jobs were different and so was our lack thereof for us stay-at-homers. Our laughs were different. Our goals were different. But all those differences didn't divide us, not at all.

Here we were, all of us sharing in this incredibly exciting exchange of ideas, learning about each other, sharing this similar thread that I hope will tie us together for a long time to come. In fact, even if someone didn't necessarily share all the same views as someone else, there was no point being made of it. We were all there for the same reason. We were all there to support each other. We were all there to learn more about this seemingly anonymous world in which we share some of our most private thoughts about motherhood and everything else that life throws our way.

And looking around the room, looking around the party full of beautiful, intelligent and fascinating women, I found myself in awe of this place, in awe of them, all of them. Each, in her own little way contributing to something good, something worthwhile, something that matters. Because blogging isn't just a hobby, or a way of keeping a diary (at least not for me). It has become part of me. And for the first time, I shared the real me (even if I was nervous) with the me on paper, the me that my friends and family know already.

And it felt good. Really, really good.

So, to all you SMB out there, this one's for you:

A room full of beauty and talent - that's Jenny in the middle!


And this one:

See, I'm so nervous, I can't even keep my eyes open! Maybe my cucumber-lime-mint mojito will help! And if not, I can always guzzle my champagne cocktail . . .

And this one:

Linda, of course!

And this one:

This is blogging superstar Kathryn, isn't she awesome?

Oh, and let's not forget this one too:

Because nothing, nothing cleans like a mother!

21 comments:

Family Adventure said...

Looks like you all had a great time!
- Heidi

Mamacita Tina said...

Glad you had a wonderful time and got to meet some incredible women. So, you're a double fisted drinker, ZOIKS!

kirida said...

It was really nice to meet you Carrie. You weren't a dork at all!

Kyla said...

I am thrilled you had a great time!

Girlplustwo said...

how fabulous is this! glad you had so much fun.

Bananas said...

You were awesome and totally lived up to (very high) expectations. :) I loved meeting you and can't wait for the next party!!

LindaJ said...

Am I always that shiny? For the 9,000th time you were not a dork..I don't hang with dorks.

Kellan said...

So glad you had a good meeting - sounds like fun. I liked this post - well written. See Ya.

Anonymous said...

You were way nice. Glad you had a good time!

Anonymous said...

I just read about the meet-up at Absolutely Bananas - I am so wishing that this country didn't have so much space in between its coasts! I hope us East Coast Mamas can meet up with the West Coast Mamas soon. Maybe BlogHer '08!

Jane, Pinks & Blues

Erin said...

Carrie, love. love. loved meeting you! I can't wait to do it again!

flutter said...

That looks like SO much fun

kimi said...

can we party again this weekend? it was SO nice meeting you. sorry I took a picture with your eyes closed. I'm fired.

OhTheJoys said...

It looks like fun!

An Ordinary Mom said...

This was one of the best write-ups I have read so far! I love the mood and feeling you captured :) !!

When is that next party going to be?!?

Kathryn Thompson said...

I love this post! You put into words what I was feeling about the vibe in the room and although I've been to a few blogging get-togethers already, this one was the best. There's something awesome aboutt his group of women and I'm glad you're part of it. P.S. The shirt looks fab on you. Can I say "fab"?

Becky at lifeoutoffocus said...

too effin cute!

Isabel said...

I thought I left a comment...but now I can't see it. Am I going crazy?!

Anyway, the party was fun. Next time I promise to move around the room a little more. And maybe, NOT BE SO DAMN LATE!

Tabba said...

I'm so jealous that there is nothing like this going on in my area.

Looks like a wonderful time!

painted maypole said...

fun!

the shirt is hysterical!

Glad you enjoyed merging the 2 selves....

Ann(ie) said...

I'm a big moron. I'm coming next time. I AM!!!!