BlissDom '09 - My Take

I was really, really nervous when we first arrived at BlissDom '09. I don't really do crowds all that well, and the only other people I *knew* that were going to be there--besides the Nester and her sister, who I don't technically really know--were at the mall looking for Mac lip gloss. That meant that I had to make small talk or be friendly or not look so stupid with just my daughter, Kelly, alone. But right off the bat I said two stupid things. One was in the elevator to two of the guest speakers--no, I didn't know they were guest speakers at the time because I didn't do my homework. They tried to be friendly and asked who we were, to which I answered, "Oh, nobody, we're just the invisible bloggers." To which, now I know, White Trash Mom said, "Don't worry, everyone will relax a bit after a few drinks." Yeah, that made me feel better right off the bat seeing I don't drink anything stronger than sweet tea--which the hotel did not serve.

Then, lucky me found an earring on the floor. I thought it would be a great idea if I made a game out of finding its owner. I would just mingle around and inconspicuously glance at everyone's ears. That ice breaker went over real big. Do you know how much hair bloggers have? Well, let's just say, lots. I approached one friendly-looking lady and asked her if she was missing an earring. She looked at me with a puzzled look and grabbed both br**sts. One of her companions asked her why she did that. She didn't know. I didn't know either, but it was not the response I was hoping for. I turned the earring in at the registration table.

There is something very uncomfortable about people making eye contact with you only to swiftly look away because yours is not a face they recognize from blog world. It makes you wish you were invisible or did drink. Eventually, Edie and Leigh Ann did arrive with shiny lips and powdered noses. Kelly and I felt like the paparazzi or something. We happily carried their bags, thankful for something to do and secretly hoping that the Edie lovers would embrace us as well.

Possibly the third dumb thing I said, I had actually rehearsed. I knew exactly what I was going to say when I saw the Nester. Yessiree, baby, I was not going to blow this opportunity. Honestly, the first glance I got of her made me go weak in the knees. I didn't say anything. I think I went back to my room to use the potty. Then, as providence would have it, when I got off the elevator after pottying, there she was again. So, I mustered up my courage and put out my hand and said, "Hi, I'm one of your birds. You know the one with the black and white stairs." Instant connection. Yep, that's what it was. It was then and there that I knew I had to give her the present I brought her. Only first, I had to finish it.

Unfortunately, the crafting session in the car had not really gone as expected either. I forgot the old folk glasses and the batting and the proper needle and the pliers. And then there was the small issue of carsickness. But it was for the Nester whose motto is "It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful." So I took an I-can-do-it attitude and finished that stinking bird present because she deserved it.

The Nester actually read the little card first that reminded her of her famous motto about not having to be perfect.

Then, check out that face. That was not even the staged one that came later because someone's flash did not go off. I think she liked it. Giddy here. There is another really, really great shot of emotion on the Vintage Squirrel's camera, but she hasn't sent it to me yet. Just you wait!

This is when she realized that it was really personalized--meaning I chopped up the map of North Carolina just for her.

We're connected. The ice was broken.
I loved BlissDom '09.
Now I was no longer invisible.
I was the bird person.
I had requests.

I'm opening up shop.
Soon.