Pete said this other day when we were talking about a lot of things that needed SOMETHING.

I have this site and Aiming Low that I’m building up.

25 writers I love talking to each day.

We’re organizing events at BlogHer and TypeAParent.

The freelance thing I do.

I’m building another site with Faiqa and Janet.

There’s meetings to build up the business-side of things.

I’m always mom to the three most fascinating people EVER.

I’m married to the one guy who makes a world with no coffee worth….well….no one could make THAT work, but he IS pretty cool.

Dr Pain.

Electrifying myself.

Making things that don’t want to still have to.

Then there’s the book I agreed to write.

Speaking at conferences and travel.

Sometimes I miss those naps. And stay up too late. Try to squeeze a few more minutes into my day.

And I’m tired.

I have to remind myself that my body can’t take constant pressure.

It can’t handle the reckless speed I used to throw myself into everything.

I have to be more careful.

I have to be selfish.

It starts with naps.

I will own them again.

I write here.

But I also write at Aiming Low.

Every now and then I do freelance writing at places like SheKnows, Women On The Fence, and BlogHer..

Some of those articles seem long.

Longer than anything I write here.

But, here, I have a thought and literally vomit it out onto my keyboard.

You’re also welcome for that lovely visual image.

When I write for Aiming Low or anywhere else, it takes time.

Sometimes it takes hours, sometimes it can take weeks.

Even now, I can go back to posts I wrote a year ago.  I feel the changes in the writing.  I feel the changes in me that had to happen.

Here, more than anywhere else, I feel I can write without my bra spellcheck worry.

Hey, mom. how’d you like that title? I came up with that JUST for you.

Not just “A” conference, but “the” conference.

Blogher.

Pete was stuck in a really tough spot.

We pretty much had to make a choice to go back when I didn’t handle crowds at all and I thought road signs were totally dangerous.

Luckily, most of that has changed now.

Hearing in large crowds isn’t great, but I don’t think that traffic cones might kill us.

I’ll be totally honest that I’m nervous like I’ve never been before.

I think of the people who will be seeing me for the first time.  I think of the gawkers, the starers, the look-but-pretend-you-aren’t-so-she-won’t-see-you-ers.  I’m just vain enough to worry about the fact that I won’t be wearing lipstick.  It will be odd when I explain the tape on my glasses.  I’ll be short in my wheelchair.

Then I think about the people that I have had the chance to meet face-to-face.

Comparisons.

The old pre-coma me, with quickness and wit, warmth and compassion. A need for patience when everything is RUSH RUSH RUSH.  I remember.  I’ve been there.

Will they be harsh?

I have no idea.  I hope not, but I really don’t know.

Not anything that would make or break my trip, but things that made it easier to go….things that made me feel prettier and more self-confident walking into a sea of new faces…things that made my trip just a little bit more fun. These companies asked me to be one of their ambassadors, to give their products a face and name and so I did, with much appreciation.

**This is where I tell you that I was supposed to take PICTURES of all these things…but I only remembered to take about twenty pictures the whole weekend…so, dear companies, I’m sorry I totally failed you!**

So, here’s the business portion of my BlogHer recap!! I know. Hold on to your hats.

Seriously? They let ME on the production floor of the Ford plant. While they were making cars. I mean, actually putting them together ten feet away from me.

They even let me try on their virtual reality gear that the engineers use to BUILD.THE.CARS. Yeah.  I’m totally cool like that.

I got to test drive and sample their new 2010 line and HOLY CRAP! Can I just tell you that coming home to my van that does NOT parallel park itself…does NOT send a warning when it senses a car in my blind spot or if a car is coming from the side that I cannot see…does NOT have the MyKey technology and, frankly, does not look like THIS little piece of heaven

….well, color me unsatisfied.

Ford wanted to know “What Women Want” in a car and it wasn’t all about pink interiors and cup holders…we let them know loud and clear that YES, we do want style in our vehicle…but we also care about the environment…we care deeply about the safety of ourselves and others on the road…we want to feel secure and know that our vehicle is dependable and trustworthy. And Yes. Cupholders are awesome.  But the next time I go to buy a vehicle I know that Ford is working to make their vehicles what I want and need them to be will weigh heavily into my decisions.

And you know what? When they asked me what my image of Ford is, I was totally honest and told them I had always known Ford as: Fix Or Repair Daily and Found On Road Dead.

Now? Ford Outright Rocked, Dude!

THANK YOU, SCOTT, KAREN and FORD!

I told you all about my fantastic Lane Bryant dress….this one….

Well, I was just dorky enough to NOT get a single picture of myself IN IT at the any of the parties…but REALLY? Does this dress need talked about anymore?  I can tell you that I felt wonderfully comfortable and sexy in it…it fit like a dream and I could not believe that Lane Bryant carried something so beautiful.

I just want to send a huge thank you to Ritter and Lane Bryant for giving me this opportunity to wear your product…..because I sure felt like I got more out of it than you did.  I border between too large for regular sizes and too small for plus sizes and I struggle to buy clothes.  Knowing that I DO have options at Lane Bryant is a wonderful thing.

THANK YOU, RITTER and LANE BRYANT!!

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The unspoken secret in women’s circles is what you’re wearing UNDER your clothes.  We are some crazy, secretive shapewearing fools…we try to suck it in, flatten it down and tighten it up.  Some work better than others and at BlogHer I got to try out Yummie Tummies.  They were so good that I even loaned one to a friend that *conveniently* got packed up and taken home with her….and I am a little bitter.

Because these things worked!  I will admit that after a night of dancing and admiring unicorn-shaped cakes, it was HOT…but nevertheless, it kept things sucked in that needed to be sucked.

Please no comments on my square butt…there are reasons I never let pictures of my hind quarters be taken. EVER. I’m talking to YOU, AMY!

I had limited chances to wear the pieces AT BlogHer because the tanks didn’t work with many of the shirts I’d brought for either neckline or strap issues (which HELLO! They have style options on their website I’m crossing my fingers to get to try)…but I’ve worn them since I got home so I could really tell you what I think of them and they are fantastic for muffin-top issues.  Which I have. My daughter told me so.

THANK YOU, CAT, STEFANIA and YUMMIE TUMMIE!!

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Bling? Oh, I HAZ IT!!!

Sorrelli Jewelry was kind enough to bestow up on me these gorgeous pieces.

A bracelet and a ring that brought incredible amounts of praise and for someone who’s not a jewelry hound, these pieces go with everything and anything.  And REALLY? Do these pieces not totally speak for themselves?  It made me feel like a princess to put on my beautiful dress and wear this incredible jewelry.

Can I just tell you that there are never enough opportunities for 35YO women with three kids to feel like a princess.

THANK YOU, LILY AND SORRELLI JEWELRY!!

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On a quieter note, with no stinking picture to mark the occasion, I finally got to meet Angela while I was in Chicago.  Angela is the amazing lady I met through one review opportunity and friendship blossomed.  Angela’s friendship and generosity led to my chance to attend BlogHer with HP’s support. And I cannot thank her enough…and you too, HP!  BTW? Don’t forget, Angela, I totally licked that one computer, so it belongs to me now, right? RIGHT?

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