To me, the most precious reward of blogging is the sense of community it provides. I can interact with witty, funny, caring people thousands of miles away and share the commonalities of experience or learn about lives I might never come to understand if it weren’t for the blogosphere. Through blogging I’ve discovered fellow political geeks, lovers of books and partners in crime. While reading blogs, I’ve laughed, I’ve cried (it’s better than Cats), and I’ve learned that no matter how different or ridiculous we might feel at times there are others out there who are brave enough to let you know that you aren’t alone.

“Overall, I thought I’d left alot of that fear-driven, decision making behind me. But as I look at my life, I realize I’ve deluded myself. The painful, ugly truth is that I’ve been too scared of rejection and failure to seize opportunities.”

These are the words written by Lisa.

I was lucky enough to get to spend time with Lisa this summer at BlogHer after months of reading her blog Midwestern Mommy. Lisa is the kind of person you like immediately. She has a warm smile and such a comfortable sense about her. She didn’t have to expose her inner self-doubt, but because she was brave enough to do so I feel a deeper connection to her and a little less alone in the world.

And my community grows.

As a way to thank Lisa, I nominated her post “Just Call Me Chicken” for a September Perfect Post Award.

For the list of all of this month’s nominees, head on over to Petroville or Suburban Turmoil.

PS–I’d like to also thank the kick-ass J. over at Absolutely Bananas for nominating me this month. She’ll probably never know how much I really appreciated the nod.

“I’m grinding my teeth instead of sprinkling glitter.”

Crafty Chica discussing the stress of the busisness side of her art rather than enjoying her craft.

“My stuff looks like deaft people would love it–it’s all glitter and…”

Amy Sedaris talking about her craft projects (PC as usual).

“Personal blogs are legitimate.”

Kris Likey during Digital Exhibitionists or Chroniclers of their Time: Will Naked Bloggers Make History?

“I don’t want to hear ninety seconds on an issue. I want to hear it discussed.”

Elizabeth Edwards on why she likes to get her news from sources other than the mainstream American press.

Before I went to BlogHer I commented without abandon. I never considered whether or not a blogger visited my site. I never considered how they were catagorized in the hierarchy of the blogosphere. I just left a comment when what I read moved me to do so.

Many times those bloggers would come visit my site and leave a comment, many times they didn’t. I didn’t keep a tally. Certainly, I felt I had developed a community with those whose blognames were regular visitors to my inbox.

Then I went to BlogHer.

Don’t get me wrong. The conference was good. It introduced me to many terrific women whose words I would never have had the privilege to read had I not been there. And boy, if I hadn’t attended I would have missed out on pulling my turkey out of the oven each week (you know I roast one every week for Sunday dinnner-HA) with my new Butterball pot holder.

All that said, I find I’m not looking at blogging quite the same way.

There were cliques. There was a hierarchy. There were snarky comments and “once over” gazes. And I kept looking over my shoulder to see if the principal was coming down the hall.

And that was diappointing.

The beauty of blogging has been for me the opportunity to get to know writers without the filter of appearances or “neighborhoods.” In the blogosphere, I felt I could get to hear about another’s experience in a way I might never in the “real” world.

I’ve resisted writing about this for fear that people will assume I am just the bitter, “dork” in the corner (okay I was) who no one would talk to. I tried to just let it go and move on with blogging in a way that was good for me.

But I’m having a hard time.

Maybe it’s because of my feminist leanings, of my approach to the world, but I don’t think women do each other any favors by knocking each other down…by judging each other because of their decisions…by setting themselves apart to feel better about the choices they have made. We only become stronger together if we support each other.

Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.

I’m noticing whether someone has visited my blog now. I’m considering whether or not I should leave a comment. I’m thinking about cutting down my reader list. AND I HATE THAT.

I don’t know that what I have to say on this blog is really all that profound or all that important. And I don’t know if it’s worth doing if it means having to be aware of these things.

Details soon–as soon as I can process it all.

Being home is wonderful! Nothing compares to the giant hugs and kisses.

While I’m thinking about what to say about BlogHer, please visit WhyMommy.

WhyMommy was going to join us this weekend, but due to Inflammatory Breast Cancer had to cancel her trip. I can tell you that she was missed. Having roomed with her best friend, I can promise you that she was missed terribly.

Her physical absence did not prevent her from generating conversations in Chicago though. The message is getting out. WhyMommy is using her experience with this most aggressive form of breast cancer to make more people aware of it. And for that, I bow to her.

There is just a little over eight weeks until BlogHer 2007. I will be going to Chicago, sans kiddos, to tear up the town. The lovely Canape and I will be sharing a room, so I’ll have a place to hide when I just can’t shake Jessica (she swears she’s going to stalk me, but we all know she won’t be able to see me over the crowds that will surround her wherever she goes).

Anyway, the reason I’m so excited to be going (besides the fact that Canape is going to do my make-up) is the opportunity I’m going to have to meet in person (I hope) many of the incredible women I’ve gotten to know over the past ten months or so of blogging. They’ve made me laugh, cry, snort, think, recoil in horror, sing a song and cheer.

I know a trip to Chicago may not be in the budget for everyone, and if this is the case with you I want you to know how much you’ll be missed. There are still others that I know would like to go but might not have a spouse that understands how important this conference is to them (shout out to Shakey for being incredibly understanding on this point). For this reason, I’m starting a petition.

See, I want to see Janet there.

Mr. Wonder Mom needs to know just how important blogging is to his wife, what an amazing network of women you are and how many of us want to meet his magnificent wife (why should he get to keep her all to himself?). So please add your name to this petition by leaving a comment to this post. And if you need us to get a petition started for you, just send me an email.

What are you waiting for? Read the statement and get commenting already!

We, the undersigned, think Janet aka Wonder Mom is indeed wonderful and we would grately appreciate the opportunity to spend time with her in Chicago at the BlogHer conference. Please find a way to make it possible for her to attend. You don’t want an army of crazy bloggers after you now, do you?

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Signed,
The Women of the Blogoverse

The woman who first won my heart in the blogosphere nominated me?!! This silly blog where I let spew the inane thoughts clogging my brain? Shoot, I was just using it as an excuse to delay cleaning. I know, I know, Mom. I’ve been successfully doing THAT since before Al Gore invented the internet.

But check this out…

Thanks Karrie. I’m humbled that you’d even think of me. Can’t wait to lay eyes on you in Chicago!!

Happend so fast. Summer lovin’. Someone was having a blast.

Actually a number of someones.

Something about the pre-Fourth of July weekend must have been damn sexy in the late 60’s/early 70’s, because, as I’ve discovered cruising the blogosphere this week, there are a ton of last week of March babies running around.

For instance, there’s my British friend, a Pissed-Off Housewife and then Kristin’s husband. Speaking of husbands, Deb gets to celebrate hers with a husband who has culinary skills!

And there’s been some recent additions to this prestigious club as well. Check out the link. The sextuplets are ADORABLE!! And one of the kiddos over at the Circus is celebrating as well this week.

All fabulous people of course. You know how I know? Cause I’m one of them!

Thirty-six years ago tonight I was all warm and cozy, ignorant of the cold cruel world. Some time during the next 24 hours the kid–who I like to say was conceived in the back of a Trans-Am most likely to Led Zepplin–was brought into this world. Lucky for me there was an incredible women waiting for just such a baby to be born and ten short days later I was hers.
She’s been stuck with me ever since. Seriously, you should feel sorry for my mom.

Okay, enough pitiful attempts to garner some birthday wishes…we have some real love to talk about.

First, I still haven’t been asked to the prom, BUT I do have a date to BlogHer. I am going, and I’m happy to report that the southern darling Canape (pronounced in her language as can-I-pee?) has asked me and I have gladly accepted.

Are you so jealous or what?

I got the cutest girl at the event to invite ME. Can you believe it?! Yeah, me either. I’m so excited I can barely stand it, but more on BlogHer and my fabulous date later.

What I’m jazzed about at this particular moment is that we are just hours away from our first annual blog prom weekend!

Over the next three days the folks on the guest list to the right will be blogging about their prom experience, or lack of prom experience, or about proms in general (hey it’s the blogosphere–and I’m not that into rules). So join us if you’d like! And don’t worry about getting a date. You’d just dump them as soon as you got there so you could hang out with us anyway.

Tell me you’re coming and I’ll add you to the guest list. And Leah–there was no link to your blog in my comments. Email me the address and I’ll add you.

Oh, and there may be a prize, but don’t tell anyone.

Now dig out those pictures. Make new ones. Tell us about prom. And get around to meet all of the guests. Mingle dammit! That’s an order!

You wouldn’t want to disappoint a girl on her birthday. Would you?!