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This will be my last post about the BlogHer conference.

Honestly, I don't think anyone cares about it for days and days and days - so ... I will try to recap as much as I can - quickly - and be done with it for this year.

I went into this conference with several goals.

Some goals I met - Like ... meeting many of the bloggers that I have known for a while and wanted so badly to meet and also reaching out and meeting new ones as well. Like ... stepping way out of my comfort zone to take this trip alone - travel from Texas to California alone on a plane, take shuttles and taxi's stay in a hotel by myself, introduction after introduction to one stranger after another. Like ... networking as much as possible. Like ... attending as many sessions as possible and learning as much as I could about blogging. Like ... ENJOYING MYSELF!

Some goals I didn't meet. Like ... meeting EVERYONE! Like trying to feel comfortable in most any situation. Like ... putting on my best face - all the time. Like ... doing and seeing everything I really wanted to see and do. Like ... not taking enough pictures!

I did okay.

I'd have to say that I am 97% satisfied with the whole trip. And that 3% I was not satisfied with was ...

How lonely I felt when I would return to my room after a long day. My great big beautiful room with the king sized "Heavenly Bed and Bath" - the one with the great view of the city from the 7th floor - the one that I had all to myself with a desk and large TV and my own bathroom and bar and closet. I so wanted to be ecstatic when I would walk through that door each evening to retire. Instead - I immediately noticed how quiet it was - how alone I felt. I wanted to enjoy every moment of solitude on this trip and smother myself selfishly in the lavishness of it all and I was surprised to hear the ... silence ... and not be happy about it. I missed my children and their NOISE! And ... a certain cowboy to share that big bed with!

And ... I'll just be honest ---

You CAN NOT bring 1000 women (a few men) together and expect it to always be delicious coffee, scrumptious chocolate and rose scented bubble baths! NOPE! There were certainly moments - that is for sure.

I won't go into those moments that happened to me - specifically - but ... I will say:

• Some people I thought I was going to love - I DIDN'T!


• Some people I was sure I was not going to like - I LOVED!


• Some people I thought were a certain way - WERE NOT!


• Some people I assumed were another way - WERE PLEASANTLY BETTER.


• Some people I expected to accept and include me - DID NOT!


• Some people I thought I would definitely want to embrace - I CHANGED MY MIND ABOUT!


• Some people are SOCIAL IDIOTS and need to take some CLASSES!


• Some people are sincere and generous and kind and fabulous!


• Some people need to learn how to hide when they are rolling their eyes at you!


• Some people need to go to etiquette classes.


• Some people need to try to be more positive and stop the damn whining and complaining all the time!


• Some people need to stay away from the BLOGHER CONFERENCE if they are not there to meet and talk to other blogging people - UGH!

Okay ... that's enough being mean. I AM SURE that some of these things others could say about me as well.

One of the things I loved about meeting so many of the women I have only known through their blogs is that I now have a face and personality and voice to associate with the words I read on their blogs - VERY COOL!

I also enjoyed seeing how people were so different than I expected - taller or shorter or prettier or uglier or smarter or funnier - very interesting!

It was also fun learning their real names or their children's real names. And learning where they live and more intimate details about their lives than they are willing to share on their blogs.

As far as the conference goes ---

BlogHer did an EXCELLENT job - in my opinion - at organizing (WOW!) this massive conference! The food was excellent - the accommodations were wonderful - the parties were fabulous - the sessions were informative and useful! And ... the sponsors were impressive! I think the conference was everything I hoped it would be and so much more and WELL worth the money and time!

And then ...

There was San Francisco!

I did not get to see much of the city, but our hotel (The Westin St. Francis) is right downtown in Union Square and every time you stepped out on the street, you were right in the midst of everything. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing and feeling how ALIVE the city is.

On Sunday morning, I took a taxi (by myself) down to Pier 39/Fisherman's Wharf. I saw Alcatraz off across the bay, The Golden Gate Bridge through the fog, the sea lions lounging in the water, the outdoor market, the wonderful shops (did a little shopping) and after I had seen as much as I had time to see, I stopped by the small little restaurant that my sister recommended and had a bowl of clam chowder and a shrimp sandwich - THAT WAS DELICIOUS! I'm so glad I made time on this last day to go down to Pier 39 - it was a treat!

Here are some of the pictures I took:

The founders of BlogHer speaking to the 1000 attendees.

Sesame Street was at the conference and had their own room. You could go there and meet the Muppet's, Grover and Abby Cadabby, and also meet the fabulous puppeteers behind those fantastic characters. It was very cool!

They also allowed time for people to have personal tapes (free) made with the Muppet and I had one made with Abby for Alexis, as Alexis' Birthday is coming up at the end of the month. Abby talked directly to Alexis and sang Happy Birthday! It was very COOL! I also got Abby's autograph for Alexis.

A San Francisco trolley car outside our hotel. Is there anything cooler or more fun than this these trolley cars???

China Town - from my taxi. I learned that China Town in San Francisco has the largest population of Chinese anywhere in the world - outside of China. And, that there is also a China Town in Oakland, CA.

Pier 39 - duh!

The beautiful shops on Pier 39.

The fabulous market on Pier 39.

Of course I had to stop in the Ghirardelli Chocolate shop - WOW!

I made it to Fishermans Wharf!

The view of Alcatraz from Fisherman's Wharf. It is not as close as it looks in this picture - I zoomed in so as to see it better.

The foggy view of the Golden Gate Bridge from Fisherman's Wharf.

Here are some of the ladies from the conference - lounging in the sun. Sorry - not really!

This was one of the most delicious lunches I have ever had! My sister begged me to try and go to this little restaurant down on Fisherman's Wharf and so I did. It was so DELICIOUS. My sister said, "Go there! And ... if you can figure out how to bring that chowder and sandwich back with you on the plane - DO IT!" Honestly - I'd almost fly back to San Francisco just to go back, sit at this little restaurant and eat this lunch again - looking out across the bay! It was the PERFECT ending to a fabulous trip!!

Thanks for tolerating my ramblings about the conference and being so thoughtful and encouraging and kind with your sweet comments. It was quite a great experience and I hope we ALL can go next year. I have not heard where it will be, but I plan on attending and I hope you will too!

I'm home.

My plane came in late last night and my husband and Courtney picked me up at 11:15 p.m. When we got home the kids were ALL awake and so I passed out gifts and we sat in the kitchen and talked to nearly 2:oo in the morning.

I think they missed me!

I have SO much to tell about the BlogHer conference and am planning on gathering my thoughts and putting together a post to wrap up my trip. I just have to say right now that I REALLY wish that all of the bloggers that I have become acquainted with over this past year - had been there for me to meet in person. I was fortunate to meet MANY of the bloggers that I have come to know and that was VERY COOL, but ... I could list 300 more of your all that weren't there that I REALLY WISH HAD BEEN!! That was, for me, the most exciting part of the whole conference - meeting people and getting to know new people.

I am EXHAUSTED and plan on spending the day catching up with my kids, my house, my husband and unpacking and such. It was a very long 4 days but I just LOVED every minute of it and am SO GLAD I WENT!!! I will post some more pictures and details of the trip soon.

I have to say - I woke this morning very tired - mentally and physically! I also woke up very happy. Content.

You have got to love a country - a WORLD - where you can be in San Francisco in a beautiful hotel in Union Square, in the morning - drinking coffee with friends ---- then down at Pier 39 looking across the bay at the Golden Gate Bridge, while sitting at a darling little restaurant eating your clam chowder and shrimp sandwich (YUM - WOW!) at noon ---- and then back in your very own kitchen sitting at the table surrounded by the children that you love the most in all the world ---- all ... in the same day.

I not only feel very grateful for this experience - I feel gratitude for my life - for the marvelous country we live in - for my sweet family. I also LOVED California (my first time there) and I LOVED San Francisco. I can't wait to go back!

I hope you all have been well while I have been out of pocket and am anxious to get back to visiting and ... BLOGGING!

I had a busy day here at the BlogHer conference. In and out of very interesting and informative sessions, meeting lots of people, picking up free SWAG - FUN!

I have thoroughly enjoyed meeting so many other bloggers. Being so close to so many women (and men) that have so much in common - is just too much fun! I have been so lucky to meet so many fabulous people. I can't begin to list all the people I have met, as I have made A LOT of effort to "work the rooms". I told my sister today on the phone that she would not have recognized me at this conference - stepping so far out of my comfort zone - making myself get up from my seat and mingle with one group of bloggers after another. I have been very proud of myself for all the introductions I have made and feel honored to have met so many wonderful people. I SO JUST WANT to sit and let people come to me - you know - that is my nature --- but, it doesn't work like that here. There are so many people that you have to go out and meet people or you might never interact and I didn't come all the way out here to go home and not feel like I have met a ton of people.

At the cocktail party tonight - held down the street from our hotel at a nice club - I met Janet (Three & Holding), Sarah (Slouching Over 40), Jen (One Plus Two), Shannon (Rocks In My Dryer), Megan (AllMediocre.com), Amy (Amy In Ohio) - amongst bunches of other wonderful bloggers. I also had the opportunity to meet two of the writers from the TNT TV series Saving Grace and one of the actresses from The Closer as well (I can't remember their names right now - but it was very cool and they were very nice!), and also many of the TNT execs that were with them. I also met one of the Editors of Redbook Magazine and a writer for the New York Times.

It was so much fun and the food was great at the party.

Here are a few pictures from today:

I FINALLY met OHMommy (Classy Chaos). Here she is with JCK (Motherscribe). They are both fabulous women and I have loved both their blogs since I first began blogging almost 1 year ago. If you've never visited their blogs, you really should go and visit as they are two of the best writers on the web!

OHMommy (Classy Chaos) and Me - Isn't she darling! She's just as nice in person as I ever imagined she would be!

Kelly (Don Mills Diva), OHMommy (Classy Chaos) and me - I think we look very happy to be at this conference and I know I have been so happy to meet both of these women!

JCK (Motherscribe) and Slouching Mom (in the purple - can't see her in this picture) mingling at the cocktail party.

If you have ever visiting JCK's site - you know she loves her fishnet stockings! If you haven't read her stories about her fishnets, you need to go over sometime and read them - they are very funny. She looked fabulous tonight in her cocktail dress and fishnets - SMASHING!!

JCK and I at one of the sessions earlier in the day. Yes ... I have a sun dress on, as I am FROM TEXAS, but I wore a sweater all day long, as it is cold here! I took off the sweater in many of the conference rooms, as it got HOT. That sundress came in handy, except, of course, if I had to actually venture outside. It's beautiful weather here - but ... just a little chilly.

Had to show this picture of JCK because she looks so pretty and so happy. I think she is having a great time and I am too!

This is just some of the SWAG that I have received:

Look at all this stuff. Some of it I will keep and take home and some I will put in the "recycle room" they have set up. I can't believe all this stuff - the books and goodies! And ... I haven't even gotten all the things they have been giving away. I don't know how I am going to get all this stuff home - I may have to ship it.

This is a picture of the little SWAG gift bags I brought to give away. It's an On The Upside pen, tiny blue bag with KISSES candy inside and my blog business card attached. I made about 300 to give away and have about 50 left - so that tells you how busy I have been mingling and passing out cards! Alexis has to be given TREMENDOUS credit, as she helped her mommy make all these cute little gift bags and she was a fabulous helper! She would eat a candy and then stuff 2 in each bag - she would eat a candy and then stuff 2 in each bag - so CUTE! She also helped punch holes in the business cards and tie the ribbons. I have told everyone I give the gift bag about how Alexis helped me make them and they love that story! She's my sweet girl!

Since I have been here - my family has called many times to check in.

My sister wants to know how everything is going and wants me to make sure I visit San Francisco some if I can - I am going to try tomorrow and Sunday morning.

My Mom has called to check in also and to offer continuous support and advise - THANKS MOM!

Billy, my husband, calls to make sure I'm enjoying myself and update me on the kids.

Chloe called me to ask me where something was. YES --- I'm in SAN FRANCISCO and the child called me to FIND SOMETHING FOR HER! I was happy to oblige - cuz ... it is my JOB TO FIND ALL LOST THINGS - after all!

Little Billy called to say, "Hi Mom." I miss that boy!

Courtney hasn't called, but I'm sure she meant to.

Alexis called and left a message on my voice mail, "Mom, will you call me when you can - when you get this message," in a very tiny little voice - so sweet. She went on to say, "It's me - Alexis." I called her - my precious girl. I miss her!

Oh, Yes --- these are the red shoes I wore to the first cocktail party - just had to show you. They hurt like hell - but they are DARLING shoes - HA!

Hopefully I will have more pictures tomorrow.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Thanks for checking in with me and being so supportive about my visit here to San Francisco and my attending this conference. I TRULY wish that you all were here so that I could meet all the bloggers I love so much!!

See you soon - Kellan

I survived the first mixer last night. Well ... the first two mixers. BlogHer put on a very nice cocktail party on the 32nd floor of the hotel - FABULOUS room and view and it was really cool to mix and mingle with so many bloggers. I met Dawn (Because I said So) right off. She's darling and she's TINY! I imagined her taller, but she's little and very nice and funny! I met many other's as well - too many to mention. There was also a second cocktail party called "The People's Party", put on by Motherbumper, One Plus Two, The Bloggers, Oh, The Joys!, Izzy Mom and Velveteen Mind. It was great fun and lots of people showed up to both parties! Far to many to meet and remember their names - that's for sure!

The cocktail parties were a way to start meeting bloggers and exchange cards - it was LOUD and a bit exhausting - trying to make your way around the room (something I'm not all that good at) and meet everyone. It was FUN. I met BOSSY and Kelly (Don Mills Diva) and many others. VERY COOL!

I am at breakfast right now - looking forward to a long day of sessions and I might slip away this afternoon to see some sights - if possible. I have yet to meet OHMommy and am looking for her in the crowds as I type!

Hope you all have a great day.

I WISH YOU ALL WERE HERE WITH ME!!!!!

BTW - There are 1000 conference attendees - Mostly all bloggers, but some are corpoate sponsors and representatives from the media and such! Very cool and lots of people!!

I am headed to the BlogHer Conference in San Francisco from Thursday through Sunday.

I am planning on posting everyday I am there - updates on what is going on, who I've met, interesting or funny stories.

I'd love to be able to keep up with all of my readers and blogging friends while I am away, but I don't imagine that will be possible.

I hope you will still check in with me over the next 4 days and I will be back to visiting you all early next week.

Have a great week and weekend - see you when I get back!

PS - I want to thank every single one of my readers and friends that are always so kind to me. I appreciate every visit that you make to my site and the time you take out of your lives to read my silly stories, involve yourselves in mine and my family's lives and for the heartfelt and wonderful comments you leave. I can't tell you how lucky I feel to be associated with so many fabulous women.

Three things!

You know I'm going to San Francisco - right?

I am.

To the BlogHer '08 Conference.

That's right!

I am going - Next Thursday!

• I've never been to - well, anywhere - by myself - let alone to a conference where I will be meeting lots of other bloggers. Famous bloggers. Bloggers I admire and worship. Bloggers I have "known", but have never met.

• I don't know what to wear. I always over pack. I do not want to come off gaudy or frumpy or nerdy or ... OLD! While ... I AM OLD - I do not want to come off - OLD! There will be sessions. There will be cocktail parties. There will be leisurely get-togethers in the evenings in my room (HA!).

I'm only going for 4 days - look at all these clothes!
But ... my packing moto is - If it fits in the suitcase, it gets to go with me - so ... it is likely all going!

• I am going to be meeting BLOGGERS!!! I know - I mentioned this - but ... I WILL BE MEETING SO MANY OTHER BLOGGERS!! I will be meeting her and her and her - and many, many others.
  

I am excited about this trip.

I am nervous.

AND ...

I am not equipped, socially, to handle this.

I'm not!

I'm good with people I know and not so good with people I don't know.

Ask my sister.

She's the social butterfly in our family - not me.

Never was!

I am going to do my best.

Use every trick my sister ever taught me.

Talk to people - smile - shake hands - ask lots of questions - offer personal information, blah, blah, blah.

I have little confidence that I will actually pull it off, but ...

I'm going!

I'm going to San Francisco and I have a room to myself (YIPPIE!) - a KING SIZED BED - NO KIDS for 4 days - NO nothin' about kids for 4 days except talking about my blog and hearing about other mommy blogs - NO household chores - NO yard work - NO office work - NO answering the phone in my house because I am the only one that ever does that - NO running kids all over the world to get to games and practices and classes and sleep-overs - NO making meals and washing dishes and clothes - NO making sure the animals are fed and the bathrooms have toilet paper and soap - NO picking up shoes and trash and dirty clothes ... NO PEOPLE AROUND THAT I KNOW!

I am not good with people I don't know.

I know - I said that.

But ... I'm not!

I never say the right thing.

I'm seldom very interesting.

And ... I'm thinking about taking this little stroller like thing to lug all my stuff around.

Seriously.

One of those grocery pull-along carts - OLD WOMEN use - those OLD WOMEN you see waiting at the bus stop - you know.

Yes...... I'm thinking about toting one of those along - to lug all my stuff. Like my laptop, binders, camera, batteries, business cards, purse ... HOW WILL I LUG ALL MY STUFF without one of those OLD LADY grocery cart thingys?

But ... if I do - everyone is surly going to think I am RIDICULOUS! Did you see her - she was pushing one of those OLD LADY grocery cart thingys - she looked RIDICULOUS - that On The Upside chick!

But ... I gotta lug my stuff!

I know I am over thinking this.

I tend to do that.

When I'm nervous - or scared - or out of my element.

Think - think - think - think - think ...

PLUS ... I now have only 6 days ... to LOSE 28 LBS!

*sigh*

Wish me luck!

I'm liable to have lots of stories when I come back or ----- more likely ----- you might very well be reading a few RIDICULOUSLY REVEALING STORIES ABOUT ME on other blogs!

When I wrote yesterday's post, it was right after I had had my interview on WOAI (San Antonio Living) and right after I'd seen Dooce on Good Morning America and Nightline.

I have to say - I was a bit aggravated after seeing Dooce on Good Morning America. I just wanted to wring Kathy Lee Gifford's neck for being so stupid and uninformed. I don't think I am alone in my perception of this interview - that it did little to help people further understand blogging or to shine a good light on why we blog. I thought that Dooce held her own, but I was also a bit aggravated that she did not jump out there and put Kathy Lee Gifford in her place. I would have loved to have heard Dooce a bit more aggressive about her position (while I understand why she did not).

I did, however, love the Nightline interview - it was FABULOUS!

So many people left some really great comments on my post yesterday, I thought I would highlight some quotes from each of those comments. Who better to describe the positive aspects of blogging than a bunch of seasoned bloggers!

Mamarazzi said: "Blogging has made my life brighter and better ... just from the people who touch my life and allow me to touch theirs." She also said, "and FINALLY I did not feel so alone anymore."

Joanna said: "Reading what other's go through - their ups and downs, helped pull me out of depression. I don't click too well with other people, but in bloggy world I find my peeps."

Karen said, "We share about everything, support and encourage each other and laugh and cry together. Those that don't understand just don't know what they're missing."

Angela said: "I do love blogging. It isn't easy finding friends in this world of ours. Plus, I love talking about my son."

rthling said: "One of the greatest things about blogging is meeting people I would not have otherwise met. Blogging helps us find common ground and reminds us we are not crazy for loving our kids so fiercely. And to top it off, we have an outlet for pent-up creativity."

Denise Wheeler said: "I love bragging about my kiddos." She also said, "I have made some incredible friends in my blog world."

Dani said: "When I started blogging, I had NO idea the joy that I would derive from it." She also said, "I was really just writing for the fun of it and so the my words would be somewhere for my daughter and maybe someday for my grandchild/children to read."

Bichonpawz said: "I love the new relationships and friendships I have formed through blogging."

Yvette said: "I think it helps me to have a stronger focus on my family and the things we do in our daily lives, because I'm always looking for the story. I have also met some amazing blogging friends." She went on to say, "We are an amazing group of women!"

Kelli said: "I just might consider printing this post and handing it out to those c"clueless people".

Are You Serious said: "I'm fine with being a mommy blogger."

Elaine A. said: "I started blogging just to keep family and friends up to date on the comings and goings of our family and now it has become SO much more for me. I had no idea what a wonderful community it is and now I do."

Leeann said: "I vent, I cry, I whine, I cheer, I smile, I laugh, I brag ... all through words and pictures. I am leaving a legacy for my children. The day to day things that would get pushed out of my memory ... I have forever written down. To me - that is priceless."

Mighty Morphin Mama said: "I have to say that the family of women that I have found here, the women supporting and uplifting one another has been the biggest and most wonderful surprise about blogging for me."

Karen Meg said: "It helped keep my mind from going to mush, and a big, big bonus was "meeting" wonderful women like you, on the web." She also said, "But their (our children) stories are also our stories, and I'd like to one day be able to show these kids that my blog is a love story about them, and to them. And my husband too, whether he really likes it or not. But mostly to myself, because right now in my life, it is something that I enjoy. And moms, women, are allowed that in their life too."

Kim-d said: "My life has been enriched by blogging in ways too numerous to mention." She also said, "I cherish my blogging friends, and I feel that back from them. That's why I do it. It makes me a better, happier person."

Dawn said: "I do think that Mommy Bloggers are a community with a great deal of power ... precisely because we support each other."

Suz said: "This for me is just an outlet to remember all the little things in my life that I will forget one day unless I write them down."

Tabitha said: "I never dreamed when I started blogging that I would love it so much!! I have made so many great blogging friends, and am more than happy to be a mommy blogger!!"

Julie said: "I am so happy that I have so much of the kids' lives documented, which is the main reason for blogging."

Jenn @ Juggling Life (http://jugglinglife.typepad.com/) said: "I believe someday our kids will be so happy to have these anecdote's available to share with their children."

Kari & Kijsa said: "We are moms, and bloggers too! Yea for both."

Amanda said: "No matter where you are in the world, it's nice to read that other people (mums) are going through the same things as me. Mommy bloggers rule!"

Bonnie said: "I can tell you this, I am glad to be a part of it. It is validating, rewarding, satisfying and I LOVE it. I really feel it has helped me to be a better person. I have been pretty sick this past week. Knowing I am going to write about it on my blog later helps me to be more positive about the whole experience. The support from other people is so bouying and sustaining."

Kaci said: "I tried it a while back, but then deleted my account. But, after reading Leah's blog, I said I'll give it another shot. I love it ... and hope to never stop."

Jen said: "Look out world because here come the mommy bloggers!" She also said, "I feel honored to have met such a great group of women."

Sharon said: "I have found friends that I love dearly and may never meet until we step into the other side of eternity." She also wrote, "I am proud to be called a mommy blogger."

Carl & Kathy said: "It's a way to keep in touch." She went on to say, "I've met fellow bloggers like you and I've been enriched. And I've enjoyed the creative outlet and the comments that people make. It's an all around positive experience."

Rima said: "I agree with all your points."

Melanie said: Blogging has been amazing for me. I was so lonely, staying home all day every day by myself before I started to blog. I've made some great friends, people I really consider to be my friends and I am a proud mommy blogger!

Rosemary Bogdan said: I was in a bookstore when I passed a book called, "Blogging for Dummies." I picked it up thinking, what is blogging anyway. I bought the book and read the whole thing. My older children were very amused. Are you going to start a blog, Mom? I said, maybe. I thought this would be good for me. I could learn more about computers and also practice my writing. After I finished the book I told my oldest I still had no idea what they were talking about and that I was going to read it again and see if I could glean more. He said, "Mom, don't do that. Just start your blog. You'll learn as you go along." And I did. (Although I still have a LOT to learn.)I love being a mommy blogger although I do also write on topics sometimes...Love your blog.

Nicki said: I think its awesome that blogging allows parents to tell their stories, brag about their ideas, vent their frustrations, and exchange information with others. It definitely makes the world a smaller, and more friendly, place!

So ... there you go. There are some of the reasons people (mommies) - blog.

I think Karen Meg said it best when she described one of the reasons why mommy bloggers blog. She said, "I'd like to one day be able to show these kids that my blog is a love story about them, and to them."

Me too, Karen Meg - Me too!!!

Why do you blog?

This question is often asked of me and even if it is not asked, it is often the question on people's faces and in their minds when they find out that I have a blog.

I know that most bloggers know what I mean. I'm sure you are also getting this question and these odd looks and sarcastic remarks.

People don't understand blogging. Bloggers get it - of course, but those that have never visited a blog or had someone explain to them what a blog really is - are clueless.

And - most of these "clueless" people - because they are unfamiliar with what blogging is, find it all a bit ridiculous. Am I right?

Before I began blogging (9 months ago), I was not familiar - at all - with blogging. I was one of the "clueless" people. Since becoming a blogger, I find that I become a bit defensive of blogging when I run into someone that questions its relevance or criticizes my motives or dedication to it.

Blogging - for me - is a way to communicate the events of my life through creative and interesting stories - through creative writing. I get tremendous satisfaction out of finding fun stories, formatting and writing the story, publishing the story and then having people respond to my stories. I also get a great deal of satisfaction out of how blogging documents many events in my children's lives - in all of our lives. I also enjoy visiting other blogs and reading the stories of other people's lives and becoming friends with other bloggers.

I spend a lot of my time blogging about my children and therefore I have fallen into the category dubbed Mommy Blogger.

I'm okay being called a Mommy Blogger.

I know there are those that find the term degrading or something, but not me. I think we are a strong group - a group made up of many very intelligent, creative and fascinating women that happen to be mommies and also happen to be bloggers. Some of us are SAHMs. Some of us are professionals. We are all pretty much blogging about our families, our kids, ourselves, our friends, our neighbors and neighborhoods, our vacations, our kids' schools, etc ... I am proud to be called a Mommy Blogger. There is nothing more powerful than a group of women. And, what makes us even more a force to be reckoned with is the fact that many people don't even realize that. Many people underestimate mommies and they certainly underestimate Mommy Bloggers.

I say - let them - let them underestimate us - it only gives us the advantage, because we ALL know that we are not a force to be taken lightly.

Every time we write and publish a story - we have power.

Every time we connect to each other's stories and lives, we become stronger.

Every time we visit and comment on other blogs - we become united when we support one another.

We are a bunch of mommies that blog - and we have a lot to say. The fact that we are listening and supporting each other ... is huge.

Women supporting other women - that is what we are really doing.

We are writing too - do not forget that!

Every single story and every single post and every single word and sentence and punctuation mark ... means something to the blogger that posted that story. Some stories are silly and some are poignant and some are brilliant and some are touching and some are my stories and some are yours.

We have a lot of stories.

We have a lot to say.

We are saying it loud and clear and we are saying it through our blogs.

I am happy being a blogger.

I am a Mommy Blogger and I am okay with that!

What about you?

Kellan, from On The Upside, in the green room at WOAI TV Station on Tuesday, May 13, 2008.

On the set, waiting to be interviewed by Leslie Bohl Jones. Story featured as "The World Of Blogging" with primary emphasis on Mommy Bloggers, featuring local Mommy Blogger, Kellan, of On The Upside.

Meeting Leslie Bohl Jones (WOAI TV - San Antonio Living Show) for the first time. She is strikingly beautiful and such a talented professional. I was so excited to meet her, as I have watched her show for years and she is just as beautiful and smart in person as she is on TV every morning.

Using my hands to talk a lot about blogging! Leslie was very kind to point out the positive and rewarding aspects we bloggers enjoy about blogging and made this experience very enjoyable. I could have talked all day with her about blogging.

And, with all that hand waving, I do believe I got my points across.

If I can figure out how to upload the video of this interview (which featured not only the interview, but quite a bit of footage of my children at our home), I might put it on my blog. For now, all I have are these lousy pictures my mom took with the cell phone camera.

I thought you all - my fellow Mommy Bloggers - would appreciate that I am doing my part to get the word out about the good work we are doing! I did my best to explain why we love blogging, what a fine community we have created and how fortunate I feel to be a part of it. It was a lot of fun.

(Okay - Rachel (From The Land Of Monkeys and Princesses) says I should tell you to go to http://www.woai.com/ (or http://www.woai.com/mediacenter/local.aspx?videoid=541862). (Channel 4 News) and then go to "videos" and then go to "Living" category and view the video that is titled as "The World Of Blogging").

As most of you know - I have teenage twin daughters, Courtney and Chloe.

My girls are juniors in high school and fixing to turn 17 this April *sad face*.

One of the things I have most enjoyed about having teenagers around my house is seeing the friendships they have developed with other kids their age. They often brings their friends to our house and I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know all of them and being around this great group of kids.

One of the friends my girls made this last year at school is a girl named Becca. Becca is a year older than Courtney and Chloe (she's a senior) and yet they have become especially close and my girls just love her. They played basketball together for their high school's varsity team and hung out a lot after school and on the weekends (she's coming over today, as a matter of fact). Becca has not only been a wonderful friend to both of my girls, but a fabulous influence. I know they are going to miss her tremendously when she leaves in the fall to head off to college at Texas A&M - but we are all very proud of her and wish her only luck and happiness and love.

The reason I tell you all this is because I found out this morning that Becca has started her own blog called The Leaves On The Ground.

Becca

It would be so nice if you went over to welcome my special friend, Becca (The Leaves On The Ground) into this wonderful blogging world - show her how much we love teen bloggers and encourage them to be part of our community.

-

This is a contest

There are all kinds of mothers.

There are working mothers.

There are stay-at-home-mothers.

There are grandmothers.

There are mother's-in-law.

There are good mothers.

There are bad mothers.

There are famous mothers.

There are infamous mothers.

There are historic mothers.

There are f-other m-uckers.

Then ...

There are ...

Those mothers ...

That BLOG!!

There are no other mothers like BLOGGING MOTHERS!!

Am I right?

I am a BLOGGING MOTHER.

And ...

Being a mother that BLOGS, I am always - ALWAYS - A.L.W.A.Y.S ...

Looking for the next BLOG story.

I am.

So ...

I am on the phone the other day.

Just so happens I am on the phone with another BLOGGING MOTHER.

Not just any BLOGGING MOTHER, but ...

A FAMOUS BLOGGING MOTHER!

She and I have become friends over the past year or so and we recently decided that since we both plan on going to the BlogHer '09 Conference this July in Chicago (WOO HOO!), we would room together. After discussing this and finalizing our decision to do so, we talked on the phone to settle some reservation-making details.

During the course of our conversation - after talking a bit about her life and a bit about of mine - after discussing the conference and hashing over details - after about 10 minutes or so into the conversation - something happened.

Something happened on her end of the phone.

It was funny.

It made me laugh.

I said ...

"You know I'm going to blog about this!"

But ... I then assured her that I would never do that - it would stay just between us - I would never blog about her life on MY blog - never, never, never!!! It's an unspoken rule. I'd never do that.

She gave me permission to tell this story.

So ...

While we are on the phone, I can hear her kids playing in the background. Every so often, one will come close to her, ask her a question, she will answer and off they go back to playing - leaving their FAMOUS MOM BLOGGER to her business.

Then ... her boy child comes back, "Why do you have your helmet on?" she asks the child. "Do you want to wear your helmet? Well ... okay," and she returns to our conversation.

"He wants to wear his helmet?" I ask.

"Yes," she says.

"Are you outside?" I ask.

"No ... he just likes to wear it - so I let him wear it."

I don't need any further explaination to this - I get it.

She goes on to tell a VERY CUTE story about how one evening they took the kids to dinner and the boy child insisted on wearing his new helmet and how she - the FAMOUS MOM BLOGGER - felt sure that people in the restaurant surely must have thought that he was a "special" child. (She needs to write that whole story on her blog - it's a great story.)

So then ... after she and I talk another minute or so, the boy child returns and she says, "What do you mean you dropped your popcorn? Where did you even get any popcorn?" she explains to me that he has popcorn spilt and there are bits and pieces of popcorn all in the grooves of his helmet - I get the visual.

Then she says, "I'll make you guys some new popcorn," and she goes about putting the bag in the microwave - all the while continuing our conversation at the same time.

A bit of time lapses - the popcorn is done and given to the kids - we continue to talk.

A short time later, the boy child returns again and she says, "I see you spilt it. That's okay, just pick it back up and put it in your bowl - it's okay - you can still eat it. Just put it back in your bowl," she is trying to convince him and I am imagining him standing there - eyes wide and tearfilled - looking at the popcorn on the floor - looking up at FAMOUS MOM BLOGGER - but I never hear him say anything so I believe she is convincing him. Then she says, "Or ...... just sit right there and eat it off the floor."

It was at this point that my BLOGGING MOM radar went off!

I tried to ignore it.

I tried to turn the radar off and just giggle through the moment, but ..

I could not help myself ...

I said ...

That famous line we MOMMY BLOGGERS are known for ...

You know the one ...

I said ...

"You know I'm going to blog about this!"

Now ...

I'm going to offer a list of BLOGGING MOTHERS and give you the opportunity to guess which of these moms is the MOTHER BLOGGER that told her boy child, "It's okay, it won't hurt you - just eat the popcorn off the floor."

Who do you think it is?

Kat from Seeking Sanity

Karen from The Rocking Pony

Karen Meg from A Day In The Life ... One Glass At A Time

Holly from June Cleaver Nirvana

Elaine from Miss Elaine-ous Life

Rachel from From The Land Of Monkeys And Princesses

Kami from Kami's Khlopchyk

JCK from Motherscribe

I love this story because - I have been known myself to encourage children of mine to ... eat food off of the floor.

I know there are mothers out there that might very well frown upon a mother that would encourage her child to eat food off of the floor - but - I am not one of those mothers.

I get it!

I've been there!

I've done it!

I LOVED IT!

On the upside ... This is a contest. Leave me your guess in the comments and you will be entered in my contest to win a $25.00 gift card to Target. I know - I don't normally do contests, but I thought it would be fun guessing which mother said this. You don't have to be right with your guess - you just have to choose one name and leave a comment. I hope you take the opportunity to visit all of these women and try to figure out who it was. I will leave the contest up through Friday (1/23/09) evening, 9:00 p.m., and then on Saturday sometime, I will announce the winner and also let you know which of these bloggers gave me permission to tell this story (and who it is that will be my roomie in Chicago for the conference).

I really appreciate the comments on yesterday's post - BOY are you guys a bunch of smart and classy women!!!! I just loved reading all of your thoughts and experiences about blogging.

I did want to make a few things clear. I love blogging. I am also in a really good place with blogging and seldom feel the frustrations I did when I first started out. I have a pretty good following and get my share of comments - I am not complaining. I also have made some of the most FABULOUS friends!

I would say that the most frustrating thing I experience now with blogging is the guilt I feel about not being able to read and comment on all the blogs I would like to - there is just not enough time in the day. And, it's not just guilt but I also miss visiting sites that I truly would like to keep up with - I miss hearing about what is going on in everyones lives.

And ... I do get a bit frustrated with the whole competitive thing. I am competitive by nature and I have to constantly remind myself that it's not a game. And, if it is a game - I am just not likely smart enough to figure out all the tactics it would take to win. But ... I do try to use all the tactics I have figured out and apply those often to help me achieve more success. And, I definitely rely on my writing. It is what I ultimately hope attracts readers and keeps readers here On The Upside.

It feels like a game, sometimes, though - doesn't it? Especially with the whole comment thing. Not only are you completely aware of the number of comments someone else has on their posts - but you are also constantly aware of your own comments - how many you got yesterday - how many you hope to get tomorrow. It's CRAZINESS! I have honestly considered closing my comments for good - but, then realize that it would cut me off from so many new readers and an easy pathway to their blogs (this is how I find so many new blogs I love to read) and also cause me to possibly lose some of my old readers - I couldn't have that! I don't want to lose readers - I don't think any of us do. What's the point of having a public blog if you aren't interested in attracting readers? I think every one of us that has a publicly viewed blog is interested in drumming up new readers and traffic. I know I am. And, the more success you have at it - the more and more you want it. It's like a drug.

What I want from my blog is for it to be a place where I can write my stories and where I can offer those stories to people who are truly interested in reading them and truly interested in me and my life. I have to admit, I honestly find it very difficult to decipher the difference. It's just not possible to determine why people come to your blog and why some stay and why some leave. You can't even be sure if people are actually reading anything.

This leads me to one other thing that bothers me about blogging and bloggers. It's knowing that there are a certain percentage that care nothing about other bloggers and their blogs. These are those bloggers that are only concerned about building their traffic and popularity - and not at all interested in supporting other bloggers. I was distinctly made aware of this fact when I went to the BlogHer '08 Conference last year in San Francisco. It was very evident that most of the bloggers there (myself included) were primarily interested in finding out ways to improve their blog traffic and recognition - not so much interested in networking (while I thought I was) (and we were all there to meet each other - that was a BLAST!).

So ... this made me realize that that is likely true of lots of bloggers and then therefore, while it is a respiratory relationship - I visit you and you visit me - in a lot of cases it is probably not "real" or "honest", in that you can't know or trust that those (bloggers) that visit your site are there because you are truly a good writer or saying things that they find impressively interesting. The only bloggers that can pretty much guarantee that their traffic is legitimate "readers" is those A-list bloggers that have reached the status of A-list because they have proven that they are either great writers or offer content that is unique or irresistible. The rest of us are simply playing a game of Russian roulette - hoping that those that visit our sites will realize that we are a blog worth reading - regardless of what they get in return.

Would I like to be an A-list blogger? The answer is - YOU BETCHA! I would love to be considered the BEST - who doesn't want that? I don't know if that will ever happen and if it doesn't it will not be the end of the world or the end of my blogging - I love blogging and I love my blog. But, I know I am not alone when I admit that I would love to be one of those bloggers that knew for certain that it was my writing and true friendships that was what was sustaining and building my traffic.

I know so many bloggers that visit me are my friends and are sincere when they take the time to come by my site, read my stories and either leave a comment or not - I KNOW they are. I'm not saying that any of the people I know are these un-attached, self promoting type bloggers. It's the primary thing that keeps me blogging - day after day. Knowing that I have found one of the greatest circles of women in the blogosphere. We support each other and I hope you know that I sincerely care about you and your families and I care about your blogs! I wish I had more time to visit and support you the way I sincerely wish I could!

I don't know what got me off on this blogging tangent this weekend - I guess I just wanted to know how you all feel. I guess I just wanted affirmation that I wasn't alone over here - hoping for the best and feeling like I'm sometimes swimming against the current - striving for honest relationships and striving for success.

Unfortunately, blogging is just like everything in this world - achieving success doesn't always just happen for the good guys. Sometimes, the good guys are left in the dust while the rule-breakers are sitting pretty at the top of the heap. And, if you think there are no rules in blogging - you are fooling yourself. There are plenty of rules and it's one of the things I pride myself on - following them as close to the letter as possible. It might not pay off in the end - but, I will always feel proud that, if it gets even better than it is, I achieved success - the right way.

I know it might seem unlikely and it might even be hard to believe, but ... I wish you and your blog the same amount of success that I wish for mine. There is room at the top for all of us. Well ... those of us that aren't willing to walk on the others to get there! And - I don't want any whiners when we get up there either - I'm sick and tired of hearing all the whining. You want my help - ask for it. You want to succeed - get out there and do the work. You want good things to happen for you - then be good to others.

One day - if and when I get to the top - I hope you are still around because I will not look down on you, I promise. I will, however, offer you a hand and do whatever I can to pull you up there with me. And, if you get there before I do - I hope you will not look down on the rest of us either. There are enough A-list (and plenty of B-list) bloggers doing that already!

-

I read a post on someones site recently where the blogger said something like, "Blogging isn't real - it doesn't mean anything." Or something close to that.

I couldn't have disagreed more!

I think to some of us - it means a whole lot. I know it does to me.

I have been blogging for a nearly a year and a half and it has been a tremendous blessing in my life. A place for me to write - which I love to do. A place to document my children's lives. A place where I have found a community of friends. It has been tremendously positive.

But ...

There are certainly things about blogging that I often find frustrating. I know I am not alone, as there are millions of bloggers and we all encounter many of the same issues from day to day.

I'd love to hear some of the things you find frustrating or that make you angry about blogging.

Do you take it too seriously - like I sometimes do?

Do you take things too personally?

Do you get your feelings hurt?

Do you feel rejected and sometimes snubbed?

Do you feel competitive with other bloggers?

Do certain bloggers bug you?

Do you feel like blogging is honest?

I have one of those Follow Me thingys in my sidebar. Recently I noticed when someone stopped following me. I have had people stop following me before and just ignored it and not worried about it. But, this time, I happened to look through my followers to see if I could figure out who it was - I was just curious. I don't keep track of who is there and who isn't, so really - I might be wrong about who I think it was, but I believe I figured it out. Truthfully, I was angry and very tempted to go right to that person's site and stop following them. I really wanted to. But ... I didn't. I decided not to hold it against that person - it just didn't matter.

This is the sort of stuff I HATE about blogging! I hate not knowing why. I hate that I take it so personally. I hate that I truly believe that that person stopped following me out of meanness. I HATE all that stuff!!

I also get a little miffed by those people that have the Follow Me thingy on their site - but don't follow anyone else. What's up with that? It's like on Twitter where they pick and choose who is follow-worthy. I still follow some of those people, but honestly it bugs me! Surely I'm just as follow-worthy as they are?!

I've even considered getting rid of that Follow Me thingy on my site - I think it is just another way for bloggers to feel bad about themselves!

What are some of the not-so-positive things you have experienced in blogging? And, if you have been lucky enough to never have experienced anything negative - please let me know the positive things you love about it.

Have a great weekend!

I started this Blog one month ago - Happy Anniversary to me, Happy Anniversary to me ...

I have to sing this song to myself because ... I'm sure there are few other bloggers out there that will do it for me. (there are a few and I DO appreciate them!)

I know this because ...

I have been visiting blogs for months. I have been reading posts for months. I read about dogs dying, infertility, new recipes, preschool issues, autism, adoption, refrigerators that are broken, junk drawer stories, contests going on, "gifted" children, ... I read everything. Some of it is informative and some of it is interesting. Some of it is funny and some of it is heart-wrenching. Some of it is just up my alley - and some it is not. Some of it is crap. But ... I comment to all of it - at one time or the other. Sometimes I comment to all of it - everyday. I visit a multitude of blogs, read bunches of posts and leave comments everywhere - A LOT.

I do this even though I have four children (2 in high school and 2 in elementary), 2 houses to take care of, a husband that owns his own business, at least 2 loads of laundry to do each day, bills to pay, being on the board of the PTA, volunteering at my childrens schools on various committees, keeping up with my yard work, making phone calls, taking children to and from parties, practices, meetings, and to appointments, taking pets to the vet, going to the grocery store, making meals, doing homework, getting kids to bed ... I do this to:

• Learn more about blogging
• Entertain myself
• Connect to the blogosphere
• Support other women and their sites
• Try to create links back to my blog

But ... I guess I am doing something wrong. Because I am not creating much of a following or getting a whole lot of support from other bloggers. I get lots of visits, but very few comments.

Look at my three recent posts. Look at my beautiful children. Why not just say, "They are beautiful, your children," like I do on so many blogs. That's all I need - just a little support. Just to know that there is SOMEONE OUT THERE.

I'm getting a bit frustrated, but I am hormonal today, so I am not going to say some of things racing around in my irrational mind. I'm just going to say - or sing: Happy Anniversary to me ... Happy Anniversary to me ...

On the upside ... I got an e-mail from my dad (regarding my NEW blog) just yesterday that said, "You're staying very busy and you are doing a good job writing. Love, Dad." He doesn't leave comments either, but with a message like this ... he doesn't have to. (And ... he's not a fellow blogger - I don't expect him to). Thanks Dad for your support!

I published a post yesterday and then I pulled it (I have since reposted it below).

I pulled the post because I offended someone with its content (and they let me know) and also because the comment they left - made me mad. My intent was not (nor ever is) to offend anyone and it makes me so angry when people take one of my stories and twist it into something that it is not - something mean and ugly.

A few days ago, someone left a comment on another older post that was mean and it not only angered me, but hurt my feelings tremendously. I deleted the comment, but have not forgotten the hateful words.

I don't mention the hateful comments I run across on older posts - I usually just delete them. Lately, it has not been so easy to ignore them.

Let me just say this - I never leave mean or hateful comments on any site. Even when I don't agree with the content of a post - I would never say anything hurtful or rude. If I don't like something that is written - I click out of the site and go on.

It's time for me to take a break from blogging. I have written a lot of stories and I have enjoyed writing every single one. I have many more stories to tell - but not right now.

I'm tired.
I'm hurt.
I'm frustrated.
I'm angry.
I'm not having fun.

I'll be back - when I feel happier.

Right now ...

I am sad.

Right now ...

I hate blogging.

Take care - Kellan

Note: I do not write this post for sympathy or even support. I write it to let you know where I am and hope you will be around when I come back. I know many of you are my friends - the problem is - I don't know who is and who is not. None of us do.

I have reposted the original post from yesterday - with a disclaimer (it's right below this post). I deleted the negative comment, as I have the right to do that and also because this person did leave her name and I am not interested in encouraging others to find out who she is or visiting her site.

Am I the only one that doesn't understand blogging? What does Blog mean, anyway? I think about "clogging"every time I hear the word "blog" and I don't even know what clogging really is. I know what clogs are, though, and this is where my mind eventually ends up - on a pair of clogs I wore when I was thirteen years old. At Ross (discount department store) the other day, I saw a pair of clogs for sale in the shoe isle and thought about - those same stupid clogs. Why is it that I can remember a pair of shoes I wore 30 years ago, but I can't sometimes remember how old I am or any of my teachers names in school? I can't remember where I put my things, why I go into certain rooms, if I washed my hair in the shower, what years my children were born, anybody's name, names of movie stars, what my grandmother's first name was, the exact date of my last period, to buy toilet paper and dog food, what channels my favorite shows are on, how to use my cell phone or have any idea how to do Algebra, long division (double digits) or percentages without a calculator. But ... I remember those brown, suede clogs!

I am officially losing my mind and it is at this point in my life that I decide to learn about "clogging" - I mean "blogging". On the upside - I know and remember - all my children's names and ages, the names of all my immediate family members, my friends' names, how to add most any problem and where I put everyone else's stuff.

I depend on my teenage daughters (The Twins) to keep me up-to-date on all the current lingo and technology. If I don't understand something, say about my computer, I don't want to learn it, but I depend on one of them to navigate through my problem and solve it for me. I only request their assistance in solving the problem - not teaching me how to do it (they owe me this!). When I asked one of them the other day what "blogging" was - they did not know. I was left on my own to figure it out. I think they are smart enough to use the "I don't know" tactic to get out of helping me (as I have been known to do in their lifetime) and reached the age where they feel comfortable using this tactic. After all - there is no way to prove that they really "don't know" something. I can say firmly, "You know," and they will retort with "I said ... I don't know." That's pretty much the end of that fight. That's why I use this tactic - you can just keep saying, "I don't know, I don't know," and there is no way for someone to convince themselves that they can make you - know. Anyways - they probably totally understand this "blogging" technology and they are just leaving me hanging out here on my own to figure it out for myself. That's okay - I'll figure it out. I guess you should be careful the tactics you teach if you don't want your children to one day use them on you.

This is my first blog. It is simply a place for me to go to write down some of the crap that is in my head. I imagine I will mostly write about my children - as they are the most interesting people in my life. I also have interesting family members and some interesting friends, so on occasion I imagine I might just write a little about them. I'm not all that interesting, but I suppose every now and then I can come up with something interesting about myself. Mostly, I intend to write about The Upside. I am a consummate optimist and while I certainly sit on the fence sometimes and just watch the world - more often than not, I have an opinion and it usually has an upside.

She was not a real writer.

She always wanted to be.

She had written a lot over the years.

She had even written 3 novels and was well into her fourth - none published.

One day, she sat at her desk and began to flip through the pages of the new Writer's Digest magazine she had received in that day's mail.

She came to an article written by a well known writer, wherein the author suggested that those that were published writers and those persons that were pursuing a writing career --- definitely needed to have themselves a BLOG!

And so ...

She - the wanna-be writer - followed the directions and suggestions of the famous author - went immediately to Blogger.com and created a blog - not truly knowing what a blog even really was.

She named her blog On The Upside, as that seemed like a good name at the time and it was something she often said in the course of conversations.

The day was August 23, 2007 and one year later - I find myself extremely happy with my sudden decision to start a blog and grateful to the famous author for guiding me into the world of blogging.

I have written nearly every single day since I started my blog one year ago. I have published 360 posts over the last year. I guess I took 5 days off in there somewhere.

I have loved blogging.

I have loved writing, story telling - documenting the lives of my children and my family - through blogging.

I have loved the learning process of maintaining my blog and doing the work it takes to figure out ways to make it the best it can be. It is a lot of work, but ... I have enjoyed every minute of it.

I have been a SAHM with my kids for 16 years. Having this blog and investing time and energy and creativity into it has offered me a tremendous amount of pleasure and allowed me to find something that I enjoy immensely - for me.

I wish I had found blogging years ago. I wish I had been documenting my older kids' lives the way I am now documenting my younger ones.

I have made many friends. I had no idea, going into blogging, the wonderful community I would be associated with. I had no idea the connections I would make with people from all over the world. I had no idea what a blessing all these friendships would be to me.

Thanks for supporting me through this past year.

Thanks for your friendship.

Thanks for caring about my kids and my family and me and my writing and my stories!

My journey has only just begun.

I hope our paths continue to cross often.

I have enjoyed this first year and look forward to the years to come!

It has been really, really FUN!

As some of you know - I have started a second blog - On The Flipside.

I am enjoying this new blog and especially because I have had several fabulous Guest Bloggers. I have many upcoming posts that will also be featuring Guest Bloggers. I love having others contribute their topics and posts and if you have the desire to be a Guest Blogger On The Flipside - please look through your archives and find a post that might fit in over there (a subject/topic that asks a question or is controversial or has an interesting spin on the topic that maybe most people would agree/disagree with) or e-mail me with a topic you would like to post about. You can e-mail me at ontheupsideblog@aol.com.

Even if you don't have the desire to be a Guest Blogger - please go over and read some of the great posts and topics that have been featured.

ALSO ...

I have another blog I am planning on starting pretty soon - called On The Darkside. I have several ideas about what I want this blog to focus on ... but ... I would like to hear your thoughts. What do you imagine the focus will be?? I am curious to hear what you think.

Thanks to all of you that are my friends and loyal readers. I appreciate the time you take out of your busy lives to come by my blogs to read and leave comments - to say hello. I know I have not been by many of your sites in a while, but ... once school starts I am hoping to have more time to get back to visiting, reading and commenting - more often!

Have a great weekend!

Anyone that has visited my site over the past year, has been along for the fabulous ride I have had here at On The Upside - and I thank all of you!

My readership has grown tremendously and I have made so many great friends and met so many wonderful women and fellow bloggers. I am very grateful for the time that people take out of their busy days to come by my site(s) to read my stories and leave their heart-felt comments.

As most of you are aware, I receive lots of comments on my posts every day. And, I know you are aware of this - as you are probably one of the people that leaves me comment after comment after comment.

I - like most bloggers - enjoy receiving comments. It is our way of hearing what people think about our stories - our ideas - our writing - our families. It is very rewarding and it - above all else - is our link to one another. It's how we connect and bond and form relationships.

I - for nearly a year - have written on my blog almost every single day. My archives show that I have 431 posts. About 50 of those are drafts - yet to be published. The rest are stories that I have written and posted for my family and friends and new readers to read. That is a lot of writing and publishing for me - and ... that has been a lot of reading and commenting for you!

For nearly a year - I have responded to every single comment ever left on my site. There have been a few days, recently, where I was unable to visit, but before those days - I never missed a day where I would go back and visit anyone that left a comment on one of my posts. Some days 50 sites - some days 80 or more. And ... often - I would and do visit other sites on those days as well. On any given day - I probably visit 100 or more sites and leave comments on every one. I read posts and I comment. I've gotten to where I read very fast and I have gotten to where I do all of it very fast.

I have a system. If my system is running smoothly - I am able to keep up and it does not interfere much with the other duties, obligations and routines of my daily life. REALLY! I work the blogging in during the hours during the day that I can (early morning - late morning - mid afternoon and late evening) - usually about 4 times a day, I sit down and blog for at least an hour. Because I write my posts well in advance and keep them in my drafts - I am not necessarily pressured to write/publish - I just go to my drafts and pull a post that I want to publish for the next day. I do spend time writing posts - but usually I will write 3-4 posts at a time - leave them in my drafts and then I won't write again for 3-4-5 days later. This helps a lot.

This is what my daily spiral looks like:

These are two full spirals that I happened to have kept - but, there have been MANY more filled spirals over this past year.

What I do is write down the commenter's names on that day's post and then I go visit their site and when I have left a comment, I mark them off. I do this everyday.

I tell you all of this because I am considering changing the way I do things.

I love visiting other sites - I DO! I have done it for so long and visited so many, that it is not only a habit that is hard to break - but, if I don't visit some one's site for a while, I find that I miss them - feel left out of the loop - left out of what is going on in their lives.

But ... I am going to cut back on the number of sites I visit everyday. And, it's not because I don't want to visit - it's because I just can't keep doing it at this rate and pace.

I hope that people are coming to my site to read my stories. I hope that people actually DO read my stories. That is why I am writing them - for myself, my family and also for other's to enjoy.

I hope people feel that I have been a good friend - a loyal friend - as, I have worked VERY HARD at building relationships with a lot of people and it has taken a lot of time and effort.

I hope people don't just come to my site because they know I will come back and comment on their site.

I hope people will still come to my site and read and comment - even if - on that day - I can not get back to their site and read and comment.

I still plan to visit sites and comment (I am a COMMENTER - I like to leave comments) - I am just not going to do it like I am doing it now - to every single person that leaves me a comment - every single day.

Some days, I might do that - if I feel like it and have time. But - on days when I have too much going on or just don't feel like visiting every site - I am no longer going to do that.

I am sure I will lose readers because of this change - but, I hope not.

I will continue to write my stories on this blog and over at On The Flipside and I hope everyone continues to come and visit.

At the BlogHer conference I went to in San Francisco a couple of weeks ago, someone said to me, "Why do you do it? You don't have to do it."

I don't know how not to do it. I've always done it. I have so many people that are simply - true friends and I don't know how - nor do I want to - cut them out of my time and my life.

One last thought.

I'm very aware that not everyone wishes me well - enjoys my blog(s) or its success - cares a thing about supporting me - REALLY (the BlogHer conference - meeting bloggers I thought were friends - proved that - even though I sensed it - knew it, already). For those people - this is a moment I'm sure they have been waiting for. Wanting to see if my blog is really capable of sustaining itself - through my stories - through my writing - because people actually like it - and not merely because I reciprocate comments.

It might very well - crumble, and I might very well lose lots of readers - but ... I have complete confidence that I offer more than just friendship here at On The Upside and On The Flipside. I am confident in my writing and in my story telling. I am confident that even if I lose some readers - I will eventually gain others. I could be wrong. Only time will tell.

Thank you and I hope to continue to see and hear from you here On The Upside and hope you know that I will visit/comment when I can.

Also ... If you have time - go over to On The Flipside (my other blog) and enter my weekend contest.