Sheer Bliss

Having your expectations exceeded is such an exciting thing.  And that is exactly what happened for me this weekend while attending a blogging conference called Blissdom.

My husband, the concrete, analytical thinker that he is wanted to know what I learned in the sessions.

I learned a lot in the sessions…I learned how to be introspective in the writing craft wisdom workshop, I was inspired during the opening keynote, I discovered I have veered {slightly but noticeably} from the voice I want my blog to have.

Those things were important and I am glad I was able to explain all that to my husband so he could be comfortable with the ROI of the conference.

But, I learned so much more that can’t be measured and in some cases, by those that don’t do what I do online everyday, can’t be understood.

I learned that when you get a group of women together, excited to have the opportunity to dress up but regretting their shoe choice, we will tuck our skirts beneath us and get comfy.

Photo credit of Casey

I learned that you can have a roomie, whom have only conversed with on Twitter and Facebook, and feel like kindred spirits {inserting Anne of Green Gable speak} immediately.  Frelle, you rock!

I learned that God will position you to meet and speak with exactly the women you are supposed to. And that He will use the impromptu chats on the floor at the (in)courage party to confirm what you already knew you are supposed to be doing {but had been putting off due to fear}.  Thanks, Emily.

I remembered that although I enjoy looking at, cooing at and holding other people’s babies, I am fine with being done with that stage of life.

I discovered that if your flight gets canceled due to the blizzard of the century and you decide to rent a car and drive home, Jessie is the gal you want to ride with {but be warned that she will have you laughing so hard you will not be able to see the speedometer through your tears and the Virginia State Police don’t take kindly to going 79 in a 65}

Thank you Alli and Barbara for putting together a phenomenal conference and to all the sponsors that made it possible- you rock too!

Thanks to Aircut for sponsoring my trip!

This post is linked to Tuesdays Unwrapped and Musings of a Housewife

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Technology and Marriage- a match made in?

I haven’t participated in Wifey Wednesday, hosted by To Love, Honor and Vacuum in quite a while.  But when I read Sheila’s topic for the day I knew God was sending me a message.

I have many friends (in real life) who complain about the amount of time their hubby’s sit in front of the TV, surf the ‘net or engage in gaming (online or video games)

I can’t relate to their issue…but boy, can my husband!

About a year and a half ago, I stumbled across a blog and the rest is history.  I am hooked.  I love blogging.  I love writing.  I love reading other’s posts and connecting with other fabulous women through the internet.

That is not a bad thing.

It becomes a problem when I allow the computer to become an idol in my life.  When I allow Twitter or Facebook updates to become more important than my marriage.  When I say “just give me a minute” as my children clamor for my attention.  That type of behavior is a bad thing.

All the enemy needs in our life is a foothold.  Yes, I feel called by God to engage in the activities on the ‘net that I do (with the exception of Bejeweled ).  However, I have felt convicted since last fall that I was sending a (albeit unintended) message to my family that they are not priorities in my life by needing to look up from my laptop to give them my attention.

So, I did something about it.

I prayed and asked God what I needed to relinquish (some writing commitments, a radio show and a website), what I needed to cut back on (twitter, facebook, time spend blog surfing) and I set a schedule.  This new way of doing things has worked for me since the fall.  As a matter of fact, I have been blessed with several new opportunities that fall within that schedule!  Go God!!

When the internet is a source of income Starbucks money there is a certain amount of time networking, maintaining relationships and actually working that needs to be done.  It is a lie of the enemy that you can do that without a plan and not negatively impact your family.

I set hours for my computer use.  I don’t have the computer on after the kids and hubby get home unless they are otherwise occupied.  I take Sunday’s off from posting.  I plan posts ahead of time (this was hard for me, as I like to write as the mood strikes but I got used to it).  I have said no to opportunities that require me to be online in the evening.

It is possible to juggle (notice, I did not say balance) this unique world of blogging, internet marketing and social media.

Do you agree?  Do you struggle with this?  How do you handle this special juggling act?

Monday Mingle

Getting back into my blogging groove since the holidays and since it is Monday- it is time for Monday Mingle, hosted by Eighty MPH Mom.

Today’s questions are:

What is the neatest/coolest car you have owned (I have to include a picture)

The other two questions: Have you ever been to San Francisco? NYC?

Are you planning to attend BlogHer?  Did you attend last year?

So, watch the video below for my answers =)

A little bit ’bout me…

I borrowed this blog game from Tami at Hearts Make Families.

As if y’all wanted to know any more about me, right?

Here I go….

1. What color is your favorite hoodie? Red (My Maryland Terrapins hoodie)
2. Do you plan outfits? Most of the time.
3. What’s the closest thing to you that’s red? A Christmas catalog
4. Did you meet anybody new today? Yes, I met my friend’s new boyfriend, Michael
5. What are you craving right now? chocolate, of course!
6. Do you floss? Yes
7. What comes to mind when I say cabbage? Yum Yum, my mom’s ham and cabbage soup.
8. Are you emotional? Sometimes more than others
9. Would you dance to the taco song? I have never heard the taco song so I don’t know- not much of a dancer
10. Have you ever counted to 1,000? I have
11. Do you bite into your ice cream or just lick it? who bites ice cream?
12. Do you like your hair? No but the style is convenient for me right now.
13. Have you ever met a celebrity? Yes, Rosie O’Donnell (a loooong time ago)
14. What are you listening to right now? the dog barking, my son’s video game, America’s Funniest Home Videos and the sound of me typing
15. Are your parents strict? Depends on what year it was…
16. Would you go sky diving? No way in Hades would this girl jump out of anything moving!
17. Would you go out to eat with George W. Bush? I wouldn’t have much of an appetite but…
18. Is there anything sparkly in the room you’re in? the heart on my puppy’s dress
19. Have you ever been in a castle? Yes, when I lived in Berkeley Springs, WV I visited the Berkeley Castle- really cool!
20. Do you know your neighbors? I know our neighbors and love some of them
21. Have you made a prank phone call? No!
22. Do you own a gun? No but my hubby does
23. Can you count backwards from 74? I would certainly hope so….
24. Brown or white eggs? Doesn’t matter
25. Ever been on a train? Yes….
26. What year did you graduate? I dropped out when I was in 10th grade (1996, was pregnant with Jared) and got my GED in 1998.
27. Is your hair curly? Straight, no matter what I do
28. Last time you cried? a few weeks ago when I was having a pity party for myself
29. Ever walked into a wall? More times than I care to admit
30. Do you like your life right now? I love my life.  I feel blessed to be alive, watch my kids grow up, be Mike’s wife and experience everything God places in my path.  There are moments, in my flesh, when I wish I wasn’t sick but then I remember there are so many people worse off than me and I shift my focus back to my blessings.
31. How often do you talk on the phone? I am not a phone person.  I answer it (if I feel like it, to be honest) and speak as briefly as possible.  What is that about?  No idea.
32. What is your favorite animal? My mini schnauzer puppy, Chloe is my favorite pet.  I love pigs though, have since I was a very  little girl.
33. What was the most recent thing you bought? birthday presents for my best friend’s kids
34. Can you hula hoop? I use to…haven’t tried recently
35. Have you ever crawled through a window? yes… ’nuff

So how about you?  Feel free to copy and paste and answer these questions on your blog OR choose your favorite and answer in the comments!

I blog because…

This is my first time participating in Fill in the Blank Friday, hosted by The Unexperienced Mom.  I decided to join in this week because I love the sentence we get to complete.

I blog because…

• I needed an outlet to vent and share when I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2008.
• I have grown attached to my online friends and love writing for them and reading what they write.
• I get lonely at home by myself most days.
• I loooove to write and have so much to say.
• I enjoy sharing my life with others (I’m an internet social butterfly)
• Blogging is a great platform for ministering to others.

There are probably a million more reasons that I just can’t think of right now.

Why do you blog?  Why don’t you blog?  Tell me!

What I learned in Vegas

I will certainly have more to say about all the things I have learned while attending Blog World Expo and Sitscation this weekend but….there were some things I needed to say right away:

1.  Thank you to Tiffany and Heather for reminding me what community truly means.  The vibes at the Sitscation conference were so positive and supportive, I was truly proud to be in the room with such amazing (and giving and talented and….) women!

2.  Mommy bloggers (or whatever you want to call us) are passionate about causes we believe in.  Case in point, raising $900 for SpiritJump in one night (while dancing, mingling and oogling a brand new Coach purse).  We are truly a multi-tasking breed!

3.  Tip Junkie is quite possibly the sweetest AND cutest blogger I have ever met!  She also introduced me to the term “blenvy” which made me laugh out loud!

4.  I was reminded that I am more than a wife and mama to three boys.  It is important to remember that sometimes!

5.  Alli Worthington was full of wisdom- one nugget was this “personal branding can’t be fabricated“.  Remembering that what we do and say on the internet stays there forever should encourage people to be respectful and real (JMHO)

6.  I need to do my kiddos a favor and buy their url’s.  I would have never thought of that on my own (I’m a little slow :-)

7.  I learned that you can subscribe to a Twitter feed (and that I could just soak up technical knowledge from PHATmommy all day)

8.  Renee Ross is a fantastic public speaker as well as an all around rockstar (and she comments on my blog)

9.  Keep it Classy Jen did not know I had a momtv show!  You guys know I have a momtv show, right?  (Wednesdays, 1pm/EST The Invisibles)

10.  I need to be true to myself, my personal brand, my blog and my passion.  More on that to come!  And pictures too!

Thank you again to the gals from SITS for putting together a conference that was cozy, informative and fun!

****note to self, Blog World Expo was too much to add in. Stop putting so much on your own plate****

Take me as I am?

I am excited that Mike and I are boarding a jet plane to Vegas on Thursday.  I am attending Sitscation, parts of Blog World Expo 2009 and meeting with some great companies.  Since Mike and I have always wanted to go to Vegas and haven’t been away alone in more than two years we are extending our trip and making it a getaway for the two of us as well.  That part, I am really looking forward to.

But, there is an ugly truth I have been forced to face in preparing for this trip.  One I don’t like facing and tend to hide from my friends (on-line and IRL) as much as I can.

The truth that I have multiple sclerosis and sometimes it has me.

I had a great time at BlogHer ‘09, meeting my online friends in real life, hanging with Jessica Smith, the Whrrl guy.  I didn’t really stop and give my illness a lot of thought.  At the same time, my illness wasn’t bothering me that much.

But the last few weeks, MS has been kicking my butt.  I’m having some type of autoimmune reaction to something (doctors are so helpful at narrowing things down).  I have been covered from head to toe in hives for, ahem, 16 days.  I have been hospitalized, am on my second full week of high dose steroids (which have blown my weight loss out of the water) and look like a sun burned blimp.

I am not a vain person.  That’s not what this is about.  But, there is something very vulnerable in not being able to put on the “I feel fine” mask amongst people.

It’s almost funny because two weeks ago I spoke at a woman’s event about being authentic in friendship, not hiding the truth about ourselves from others but allowing our friends to love and accept us for who we really are.

So, I guess that is what I’m asking for this weekend in Vegas.

Look past the cane, the wheelchair, the skin rash, the puffy cheeks, the legs I haven’t been able to shave in 16 days and just see me, okay?  MS does not define me, I’m just Melissa, Multi-Tasking Mama.

(my online/IRL friends pictured above are @scrappinmichele, @extraordmommy and @sugarjones, I’m cool like that =)

Where or where has she been?

So, I made the move to Wordpress. (My move was courtesy of Jessica at SuperNovaWebs.  Didn’t she do an awesome job?) And, I took advantage of the process to catch up on all the busy-ness going on in my life right now.  But, I have MISSED you guys!  This is my place to vent, joke, laugh, share my heart.  So, I am certainly glad to be back at my mama blog.  Let me catch you up on what has been going on the last two weeks in my life (and I would love to know how y’all have been too!  Although if you have a blog I have been trying to keep up with my Google reader as much as possible)

• I have been streamlining my ministry and business sites to solidify my focus on full-time ministry.  My main site for organizing, working from home advice, frugal living and just being a mama in general is Living Life by Design.  I would love for you to visit and tell me what you think (it is still undergoing some cosmetic changes).  This is also the home of the Frugal WAHM podcast I acquired on Blog Talk Radio.  The podcast covers all the topics mentioned above, from my professional and faith perspective.  It airs live on Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon EST and is available for download anytime.  We have some great guests coming up on the show as well.  You can get more details on either site.
• Of course, I am still doing my Sharing Our Stories podcast, live on Wednesdays at 11am EST.  I really enjoy that time with the listeners and have had some absolutely wonderful guests!  One of the guests was Jill from Forever ‘n Ever ‘n Always.  I had the absolute privilege of meeting her and her husband, Scott as well as their adorable brood last Saturday.  What a time of fellowship, friendship and inspiration.  If you have not visited her blog- Where have you been?  And for those of you that have, I got loved on by Gabriel, Noah sat on my lap, Jordan and Abigail talked my ear off and the boys colored pictures for Mike and I.  What a special day!
• God is opening doors for me to exercise my speaking and writing abilities all over the place.  I will be leading a 6 week Bible study (that God spoke through my hand) locally as well as virtually.  If you are interested in attending the virtual study Monday mornings in July, please contact me.  I have just a few spots left.  The topic is Faith, Family and Finances and will cover core biblical principles about our resources as well as practical tips on budgeting and living frugally.  In addition, I will be speaking at a wonderful online women’s conference called Dynamic Women of Faith TeleSummit.  You can find out more information by clicking here.  I will be speaking on Staying Fired Up for God (in the midst of chronic illness).  God is doing amazing things through the internet to reach women for His kingdom!  I am also scared to death and paralyzed almost ready to hit publish on my first book.  God is moving so fast I can hardly keep up.
• God has blessed me with the opportunity to attend the She Speaks conference, sponsored by Proverbs 31 Ministries in July.  My dad, stepmom and baby brother will also be coming in July as well as Jared going away to overnight camp for the first time.  Do you have a feeling I will have a lot to say in July?
• One of my other brothers and his girlfriend found out that they are having a boy.  Yup, more testosterone in this family. I am surrounded.
• I started my new MS treatment and so far have had very few side effects.  Praise the Lord for that.  They are still titrating my dose up to what it will be so please continue to keep me in your prayers.
• I also finished battling a urinary tract infection, got my blood thinner medication levels straightened out and my boys finished up the school year and are officially on summer break.

Whew!  When you type it all out it seems like A LOT!  But, I am back and looking forward to Wifey Wednesday tomorrow.  Oh, and I got those headshots done I mentioned a while back.  You can see one of the poses at my about page on the top of the blog. 

Happy Tuesday

What color are you?

Your result for True Colors Test – A Self Inventory…

SJ – Guardian (Gold)

Take True Colors Test – A Self Inventory at HelloQuizzy

I have taken this inventory before but was sending the link to a blogger I am coaching and thought I would take it again. My results were spot on in describing me!! Give it a try and let me know what color(s) you are!

New Look, Same Blog

Let this be a lesson to all of you non-HTML gifted, CSS ignorant, technologically challenged bloggers out there (unless I am the only one) DO NOT attempt to change hosts, blog design, etc without professional assistance!!! My wordpress blog is lost in cyberspace right now and while Momwebs and GoDaddy are being very helpful it is going to be a few days before I get it back and get all my old posts transferred, etc. Which is what got me in trouble in the first place. WP is just too complicated for me and I got tired of running to my blog designer every time I wanted to add something. With blogger I can pretty much figure it out on my own.

But, I missed writing on this site so I have set this up so I can get back to my blog. This is my favorite out of all of my blogs, probably because it is mine and not related to any business that I have. My personal, rant about whatever I want and brag about my family blog. And I have missed it. So, I am back. Don’t even want to think about what this has done to my readers- do they just disappear when your blog is in cyber limbo? Who knows? But, I’m here if anyone missed me