Friday, July 24, 2009

I'm Not Afraid, Either

When I discovered, lo so many months ago, that there would be a BlogFest in Virginia, well.

My heart just did little pitty pats.

Although my sense of geography isn't stellar, I was able to realize that there was potential for much visitin' with some of my favorite bloggers ever. She would be at the LoveFest (she did not disappoint) but she and she would be in the general vicinity.

Or at at least it looked like it on GoogleMaps.

I cannot tell you why I find it so exciting to put a face to the people who live in my computer. But I do. I think it maybe because I sound like such a dork in e-mails; maybe if you were to meet me in person I would have the opportunity to show you that I'm an endearing dork.

Truth be told, I have spend the better part of this morning trying to figure this quirk out (the meeting part, not the dorkdom)- and still can't really wrap my head around it. Maybe, like a lot of other things, it's just better left inarticulated.

After some furious back-and-forth emailing, I was able to wrangle a face-to-face meeting with the fantastically sassy and altogether lovely Not Afraid To Use It. We (OK, just me...) will forever refer to this meeting as the Great Panera Summit of Ought Nine (See what I mean? Dork Alert!).

NATUI and I have been blends (blog + friend = blend) since I first started writing. I'm not quite sure how our paths crossed, but man oh man, I'm sure glad they did. She and I share a similar sense of humor which can readily be shorthanded (i.e. merely having to say the line from a movie -no further explanantion required), and she is quite possibly one of the most intelligent, introspective, decent people I have ever had the privelege to know.

Reading her posts, something immediately resonated with me. She is a mom of two small children, stuck in the back of beyond, knowing no one in her community.

I have been that mom. I got it. I was the mom who gave up her 'career' (such as it was), who spoke candidly, who didn't fit in, who wasn't ready to bow to the clique, who was perceived as the uppity city girl. It was the loneliest damn year of my life.

When I started to read her musings, I loved the fact that she was - indeed - not afraid to use that keen mind of hers, consequences be damned. All I wanted to do was to give her a big hug and tell her that it would all eventually shake itself out. Without too much comprimise or conformity.

Having traveled cross-country with my erstwhile companion and press secretary, I knew that I couldn't pass up the chance to meet, even if it meant giving up part of my BlogFest itinerary and driving 4 hours to meet (as would she).

So it came to be.
Representing Canada: BvonB.
Representing BFN: NATUI.

Check it out on Wikipedia: The Great Panera Summit of Ought Nine (Really!).
(not.)

Not only was I fortunate enough to meet her and her charming husband, I was honored to be mesmerized by her two beautiful children, LittleBird:
as delicate and ethereal as a fairy princess...

and LittleMan:
Their demeanor, their openness, their sweetness is heartwarmingly delicious, and a real testament to the loving upbringing they are experiencing and to how genius their mom is. If I could have bottled those moments we shared snuggled together, I could make a fortune. Instead, I'll just have to be satisfied with waiting for that drawing that LittleBird promised me, and with always being reminded of LittleMan whenever I wear my 'Woggle Goggles'. Sigh.

You didn't need my hug, NATUI. I can see for myself that you are strong and resilient and all-around kickass.

You are doing just fine. I'm not afraid to say it.

19 comments:

big hair envy said...

NOW I understand why you left us for a time.....good call;)

Unknown said...

What a great side trip to meet a blend....lord, I LOVE it!!

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

She sounds delightful, so glad you were able to hook up in spite of the harrowing drive back.

Shelley said...

Countess BHE: It was SO worth leaving you for a time (even though most of that time involved LeMans-ing around on the S14...)

Countess of The Land Mass: Amen to that, sister.

Shelley said...

Countess CBW: Harrowing? Puh-shaw.

Merely a few gently-winding country lanes, a brain-dead GPS and no cell phone connection.

Piece of cake. ;)

Mental P Mama said...

What a wonderful post! And so worth that side trip;) Beautiful shots of The Great Panera Summit of Ought Nine!

Shelley said...

Countess MPM: Ah, you've heard of it, then. We're expecting double the attendance in '10.

I was hoping that Anderson Cooper would report live from Panera, but alas...

Noe Noe Girl...A Queen of all Trades. said...

That is great! You really made the rounds on this trip! She is coming next time right?

Unknown said...

What a great opportunity! Glad you could fit in a side trip to meet some swell folks.

Daryl said...

Well worth the side trip ...

Patois42 said...

Oh, yeah, I'd definitely go for that side trip.

Country Girl said...

So THAT'S where you went on Saturday morning! I was wondering, you know . . .
And Tracey lives near me!!! She lives in the next county over and is right now on her way home from Maine. I've been following her Maine trip all week because we're gearing to head up to the very same area in a short time.
What a small world we live in. And I am so glad to have met you!!!

Shelley said...

Countess NNGrrrl: I hope she can come next time - lord only knows the shenanigans the 2 of us could get up to...

Countess Grandma: It's true what 'they' say: Luck is where opportunity meets timing.

Countess D: I feel like I missed a fair amount of blog-onding on Saturday, but whatyagonnado?

Countess Patois: I wish I would have had company for the car ride back; next time, speak up!!

Countess CG: So THAT's where I went on Saturday morning! I am trying hard to fight my jealousy that you live so close to the Divine Miss T; she seems like such a lovely woman - and so talented! Not unlike some other ladies I know from that state...:)

Audrey at Barking Mad said...

OK so THIS was the sidetrip where you got to see a whole lot more of Chesapeake Bay than you bargained for? *lol*

Looks like the slight side trip off the beaten path was more than well worth it. Plus, bonus...I went out to the blogs you've linked to and I think I have a couple of new blog crushes developing. Thanks!

Shelley said...

Countess Auds: Oh, honey - these ladies are extremely crush-worthy!!

abb said...

What a nice time for both of you! Wasn't all that meet and greet fun? I miss it a bunch.

Shelley said...

Countess TSA: Me, too. No fair that the time passes so slowly until we meet again.

Not Afraid to Use It said...

Shit woman. This post got me all teary-eyed. So much for my tough posturings. It was totally worth the drive to go and see you. I hope one day we'll get to visit you in your stomping grounds. You mind emailing me the full-sized pics so I can get them printed? LittleMan with your Woggle Goggles is awesome! LOL

As for LittleBird, I think I scarred her for life. See my post. Gah.

Shelley said...

Countess NATUI: Both you and I know that you are just a l'il ol' marshmallow on the inside. But you can definitely rock the hardass. I'm buyin' what you're sellin'...

I hope that we'll meet again in my neck of the woods!

As for the WG picture, I will send it anon.

Big hugs to you and your beautiful family. xxoo

 
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