Blogher ’10 was truly awesome. For all of you non-bloggers, Blogher ’10 brought together 2400 bloggers to discuss, learn from and celebrate our influence as bloggers. Leading up to last Friday I was excited like a child with a brand new backpack, lunch box and first-day-of-school outfit. My initial goals were to meet as many of my virtual friends in real life, but after only seeing one or two folks I knew online, I redirected my efforts to learning as much as possible. I hopped from session to session, because I wanted to attend them all. The above picture was from my favorite session, Creative Writing (lead by Lisa Arens and others).

The room was packed, and we wanted to learn how to write better blog posts. I learned that hubby should be proofreading all my posts (he’s asleep right now, so probably not this one) for two reasons. One, I need to be open to his criticism and feedback, and two, that way I won’t publish something that he’s uncomfortable with living on the internet for ever and ever. I also learned that writing is a skill, and that I have so much more room for improvement. There are people called ‘professional writers,’ and they know all about these rules. Rules such as grammar, spelling, punctuation, tone, rhythm, focus, syntax, and structure. Well, I knew about the first three, can’t always say I apply them properly. Anyway, I was invigorated to learn more about these writing guidelines so that my posts can be more interesting to read. I learned that active voice is so important to use (I think I wrote that sentence in a 100% passive voice). Amateur writers use way too many words to say the simplest thing, and we should vigorously strive to omit unnecessary words. I was challenged to see if deleting my first and last paragraph strengthened my blog post. I have so much to learn (Creative Writing for Dummies is en route to my house as we speak).

I met No Todo Yago in the men’s bathroom. Yes, I just said the MENS. We chuckled at the ingenuity of transforming (aka placing a curtain over the urinals) the men’s loo into a women’s water closet. Chuckle.

My lunch was a yummy lentil soup, followed by three berry tarts for dessert. I bounced around the afternoon sessions, but of course was drawn to the web design session. There I learned of the current migration of users from blogger to wordpress. I also learned that my skills may come in handy. Several folks were seeking designers and programmers to create custom themes and then write the php and css for wordpress. I spent three months last summer designing and programming this blog’s theme until I was satisfied. Perhaps I will sell this skill, or maybe I will just write an advice column on my business’ unfinished website. Oh, I forgot to mention, I ordered business cards for my blog from Vistaprint, and they totally rocked. I got to hand them out to Chookoolonks and Afrobella.

The last session I attended I learned about the magnificent benefits of photo composition. The most interesting take away was learning how to use lines to enhance a photograph. I practiced on the way home, and the subway staircase was my best outcome. Whaduya think?

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Cheers

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The movie was about a real-life blog, about cooking some 500 or so Julia Child recipes in one year. The one thing I did not have in common with the movie, cooking, is something hubby loves to do, oddly enough. In fact, he is a really excellent chef. And I saw chef, because he has the technique, skill, creativity and passion I see on the Food Network. If you know me, you know how picky of an eater I am. I used to create a line of separation between my peas and corn on my plate. If any corn touched my mashed potatoes, the yellow and white mixture remained untouched and uneaten on my plate. Somehow, hubby’s creations and my taste buds have become more and more in sync. A few days ago hubby made some sort of chicken pasta, with fresh basil, cilantro, green peppers, hot peppers and host of vegetables (all mixed together), and I ate it, asked for more pepper, and then had seconds (and no, I’m not pregnant). At times, I think it would be so exciting to cook with hubby. Or better yet, I could just be his sous chef, because he’s the one with all the culinary talent.

Anyhow, loved the movie. You should see it if you have not already. I mentioned cooking and blogging, but the third topic -marriage- the one piece that I want to write more about, I will decline in doing so. You see, blogging becomes complicated when people who you do not want to read your blog read it. Julie, the girl in the movie, wanted to share the ups and downs of marriage with her readers, but she only shared the peaks and never the troughs. Part of why she did that is out of respect. I chuckled when they had an argument and her husband shouted ‘and you’d better not write about this on your blog!’ I’m sure hubby has said those identical words to me. I could identify with her, and for that, I enjoyed the film.

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A Shorter Story
I am a 30 year old baby buncher of two boys (Repeat 4 & Shortie 2.5 years old). They are 18 months apart and a total handful. I have been in a committed relationship with my husband for 11 years and still enjoy his company. I love spending time with my family, hanging out with other Mommy friends, and online scrapbooking. I was a working mom, a stay-at-home mom, and now I am working again.

On this Journey Called …Life
Ms. Understood doesn’t post a bio, so head on over to her place to learn more about her.

I Should Be Folding Laundry
My name is Beth, I am thirty-three, I have a seven-year old daughter, a six year old son, a husband of ten years, a very messy home and now a baby boy named Elijah. We reside in Northwest Indiana, which may seem very boring to you, but it really is, you would be right.

I love that I’m alive and able to do little things, like watching the clouds move on a sunny day or the big things, like watching Seal move up on stage.

I love taking pictures. I’m pretty much an amateur, I use the Nikon D80.

In December of 2007, we found out we were pregnant with twins, the excitement and love that we felt for these gifts was beyond measure, we were truly blessed.

Unfortunately, our worlds came crashing down on us, on February 25, at nineteen weeks pregnant, we learned of their deaths. On February 26th, we held James and Jake in our arms. Our hearts were broken. And really, they still are.

This blog is a place for me to share. Just share what’s real in my life, whether it’s laughter or tears, I have this blog, and that is a gift to me.

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I recently received the following note in my blog inbox:

We have not gotten to speak at all since contact from the {name withdrawn} blog and email. I had a million questions for you about MLT and NYU (my first choice) then. I hadn’t started MLT yet then, but now we have gone through our first seminar at the end of last month. I know I don’t have to tell you how great it was- meeting my cohort, and new brothers and sisters on this journey ahead.

I now have a new concern though, and I thought of you. I’m not sure if you had your sons during business school or MLT. But I just found out that I’m pregnant. I am a very goal-oriented/keep-to-my-plans person so my automatic decision was to not keep it. My mom, boyfriend, and others are very excited and of course want me to keep it. I’m not sure now but I thought about the fact that I would be 5 months at the 2nd MLT seminar this July and 7 months at the 3rd one this Sept. Was anyone pregnant during the MLT process? Were you? How did that affect the MLT process and the business app process? How supportive was the MLT staff? In July we’ll meet all the admissions officers, and I don’t want that to affect my standing with them.

Anyway, I may not be pregnant the next time we speak, but I wanted to get your input.

I asked this young woman to call me, and surprisingly she did. It was date night, and I took the time I usually spend with hubby to share my thoughts with her. I told her it was my preference for all babies to live, and that it was wonderful that she had support, but ultimately she had an abortion. I wish she hadn’t, but that is now between her and God. I will say that I am glad to answer questions, but please know that I am a Christian and I support life. I will not provide a comforting ear so as to make you feel comfortable choosing death. I will advise you to pray, seek counsel and research the alternatives. My answer does not change person to person. I feel a certain responsibility to respond to notes and questions because I choose to place bits of me and life on the web, and because of that I am glad that she wrote me. I hope that as other bloggers honestly share themselves in this sphere, that they remain true to themselves and understand there is a little weight that you bear when people share their goals, their questions, their problems and what inspires them. I accept this, and tonight I wanted to share a little bit more about me and my beliefs in case I haven’t before.

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Mommyland.net

The first is mommyland. She defines herself by the following: “I’m a 20-something on a journey to “mommyland” – and I have finally seen those two elusive lines on a pee-stick. After eleven months and three rounds of Clomid, we are PREGNANT. Our little girl is due 7.2.10. Join me on my journey.”

Baby Makin{g} Machine

Next we’ve got Future Mama of Baby Makin Machine, who describes herself as: “I’m a career-driven wife living in Texas. I’ve been happily married for five years and am the proud parent of a 2-year-old Sharpei-mix named Snoop. Come June 2010 though, I’ll have human Spawn of my own!”

Mrs. Miscellaneous

Third on the list I’ve got Mrs. Miscellaneous. Her about me reads as thus: “I am a mother, wife, sister, daughter, friend, just trying to make the best of each new day that I’m given. I try to do good to others always. I am big on fairness and justice. I NEED balance and harmony in my life and will create it if it’s not already there… And if I can’t accomplish that (which is rare), I bounce. Simple. I am a Libra, what more can I say?”

Tifi (pronounced teefee)

She enthusiastically describes herself by the following: “Greetings! I’m Dee. I have four children and a weird eye condition! I love exclamation points! I was a vegetarian for a while, but that didn’t work out b/c I like bacon too much. Sorry, little piggies! I used to live in Yeehawsville, TX, but I recently moved to Civilization, Virginia. I used to be a sahm that wanted to be a wohm, now I’m a wohm that wants to be a sahm. Change is good! That’s what I’ve heard anyway… I love reading and dance. I do the former almost too much and the latter definitely not enough. I knit, sew, and bake occassionally. I’m not particularly good at any of it, but I can angle my camera well enough to make it look like I have some skills! If you want to know anymore about me, you’re going to have to subscribe or read the archives. OK, OK, I’ll give you one more nugget. I came in second place in the 3rd grade spelling bee b/c I spelled “families” f a m i l y s. I’ll never spell it wrong again, for sure!”

The Vanilla Bean

This mom-to-be keeps her profile short and sweet: “I am a 30-something mom-to-be. I am a bookbinder, and wife to my wonderful husband. I love to read, spend time with friends, and drink wine (when I’m not pregnant, of course!)”

The Walk to 40 Weeks Photoblog

And best for last is Pacing the Panic Room’s maternity series “The Walk to 40 Weeks.” It’s a photoblog photographed by an awesome dad named Ryan Marshall. He says this about himself: “Sometimes when I stare at my wife I feel so lucky I actually shine like a pot of gold. I have decided that I am going to make my living writing stories and as a working photographer, so I’m going to. For those of you that have not been reading from the start I am a husband, a Step-Father to the super awesome Littlest Buddy, and new dad to Tessa Tangerine our baby girl that arrived in June ”

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I have found the cutest custom purse hooks, and I am giving one away! In order to be entered into the contest, please nominate my blog “spelhouseLove” for the “Best Designed Weblog” category in the 2010 bloggies. You have to nominate two other blogs for a total of three nominations total so make sure that you nominate other well deserving blogs besides yours truly (but preferably in a different category). Your official giveaway entry is a forwarded email of your 2010 bloggies vote verification AFTER you have clicked on the link in the email (forward emails to jolawn at spelhouselove dot com).

You can submit extra entries by doing one or all of the following AND commenting on this post:

-Following spelhouseLove on Twitter

-Tweet about this giveaway: “I nominated @spelhouseLove in the #2010bloggies http://2010.bloggies.com/ for an etsy giveaway”

-Post about this giveaway on your blog

-Subscribe to my blog using the RSS link in my header

This giveaway ends January 12th at 10PM EST. The winner will be chosen using random.org.

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If you’re not familiar with The Bloggies, they are the preeminent and longest running awards for bloggers. Please nominate spelhouseLove for the “Best Designed Weblog” category, and tell your friends to nominate this blog as well. Nominations close January 12 at 10PM EST, so submit yours today. I will let you know if I make it as a finalist!

You have to nominate two other blogs for a total of three nominations total so make sure that you nominate other well deserving blogs besides yours truly (but preferably in a different category). I nominated http://deliciousdays.com for best food blog and http://thepioneerwoman.com for weblog of the year. Thank you!

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