The me that blogs and talks to crowds of people circles the me that wears my pajama pants to the store.

The me that plays social media roulette circle the me that once had coffee with other parents of very sick kids.

Sometimes the worlds crash headfirst.

Social media shares a drink with a parent who lost a child. CRASH!

Uber-liberal blogger is chatting up conservative PTA parent. CRASH!

CRASH!

CRASH!

I loved it!

I don’t know. It may be because everyone was just being nice. If they were, it was great. Keep lying for me!

Mt worlds could not have crashed in better ways.

There were glittery, sparkly pieces left.

I swept all the memories away to take out later and just savor.

You can read about the difference between “I CAN’T” vs “I HAVEN’T, YET”

THANK YOU, RON!

and I thought you were no more than a pretty head of hair

Infographic Design by Killer Infographics

You can read how to play Food Bingo 

If you want to go VOTE for my BlogHer Voices Of The Year submission, here it is to check out.

I was with Jackie (my helper) and Julia (my friend with the best curly hair) and my new wheelchair Bertha.

My regular wheelchair is a manual chair.

Bertha is a powerchair.

It was my first conference with Bertha. No idea, but the stirrings of the independence she gives me.

We hit Nashville.

A UTI hit Jackie.

Julia had plans that I WOULDN’T encroach on. Like dinner. And sessions. And passing kidney stones on the last night.

FYI, when the stroke victim in the wheelchair is the healthiest person in the room, you got issues.

I decided to do this conference on my own.

I could do this.

I DID do this.

It was the first time I confidently maneuvered the labyrinth that is the Gaylord Opryland by myself.

It was the first time since my strokes I arrived at at party when *I* wanted and left when *I* wanted.

It was the first time since my strokes I had a conversation in the hallway just because the person found ME interesting.

It was the first time since my strokes I truly went out on my own.

Yes, I got lost. But just once.

I was willing to ask for help when I needed it. I wasn’t embarrassed.

It was four years since I was attending Blissdom as a newbie.

But I definitely experienced a lot of things as a special brand of newbie.

From 12/11-12/17/2011 you can get a $5 Award Card with any purchase of $50 in-store or on-line.

Let’s say you didn’t win the last giveaway.

You have a second chance!

Go to any Kmart store between the dates of Dec 11 and 17, and spend at least $50, and you get a $5 Award Card.

Aldo, if you bypassed the madness that was Black Friday/Cyber Monday check out the sales Kmart will be offering their online customers THIS Monday and follow @Kmart and @Kmartdeals for more information.

And I get to give you a chance to win a $100 Kmart gift card just for being awesome.

But you HAVE to be awesome.

The contest winner will be picked by random.org on 12/17.

TO ENTER: leave your answer in the comments area : What’s your best shopping memory, as a child or adult?

Optional extra entry (1 or 2): put this message on Twitter or Facebook and leave the link in the comments

“$5 award card w/purchase at @Kmart. I’d like to win the $100 gift card @AnissaMayhew is giving away at http://tinyurl.com/6ud94pp”

Limit (1) $5 Award Card per transaction. Award Card redeemable 12/5/11 thru 12/9/11 unless
prohibited by law. Layaway purchases receive savings off the layaway contract instead of an Award Card. Award Card amount / savings applied and pro-rated across all qualifying items for the offer, including qualifying items purchased in addition to the minimum requirements or limits of the promotion and will be deducted from any refund. While Award card quantities last. Qualifying online purchases will receive an e-gift card, via email, no later than 12/15/11.

*Includes regular, sale and/or clearance-priced items. Excludes gift cards; non-merchandise;
concessions; federal or state regulated items; alcohol; tobacco; fuel; items behind the pharmacy
counter; prescriptions; prior purchases; partial-paid special order items; cell phones and accessories; Lands’ End; Two Hearts Maternity; Scrubology and Sears merchandise rung on Sears registers within Kmart. Purchase requirement calculated before taxes and after other discounts have been applied and must be made in a single transaction.

Disclaimer: Statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. None of the products / services offered on this Web site are intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

This contest is sponsored by Kmart.

WINNER