pensieve.me

The still of early morn sets the stage--
Darkened skies awaken,
First to midnight blue, then softening to delicate pink.
Creation yawns and stretches
Signing welcome to this day.
Opportunity to
worship Creator
and delight in His masterpiece. If only these thoughts
would follow me
throughout my day.

Smaller than a bag of sugar, a thousand times sweeter

A not-so-funny thing happened while my husband and I were at his business conference in Atlanta this week:  we got a call that his youngest brother's wife, pregnant with their first baby, was going to have an emergency C-section seven weeks before her due date.

Leaving the conference early, we flew to South Carolina with our wheels barely touching ground to be with them.  When we arrived, after making sure our baby sister-in-love was fine, we got to meet the newest addition to our family.  Weighing in at a bitty four pounds, four ounces, he's just perfect.

He's the tenth grandchild in our family, which makes him special; he's also the only one to arrive in such spectacular fashion.

When he wrapped his teensy fingers around my pinky, he had ME wrapped around HIS little finger.  S i g h....

Just hours old, it's obvious he's brilliant.  Auntie Robin can sense these things.

I told Daddy Michael I counted, and David did, in fact, have ten toes--six on one foot and four on the other.  I think he was so dazed and confused, he missed the humor.

In typical PENSIEVE form, I HAD to photograph his feet.  Baby feet are the sweetest in the world.  I can't wait until I actually get to h o l d my baby nephew; that will be the BEST early Christmas gift ever!

To all my Twitter peeps who were praying for his safe arrival, thank you!  It was cool to know so many of you cared enough to do so :).

xo

Bliss, inspired and otherwise

BlissDom '08 ~ Thoughts & Recollections
(Not intended to make you envious; definitely intended to entice you
to attend next year's February event!)

[1]  Barbara Jones and One2One Network.  Color me impressed with the professionalism exuding from Barbara and her staff (Amber, Nichol and Arianne).   If you're a woman--blogger or not--do yourself a favor and click the One2One link. Navigate the site; join One2One.  THEN, come back and thank me.

As a woman, wife, mother and/or friend, you are a person of great influence.  Barbara's clients are taking note.

(L-R, Amber, Barbara, performer Jessie Baylin, Arianne)

Epson sponsored BlissDom '08 and there was no charge to conferees; as a client, they understand the potential influence women have in recommending their products.  The obviously professional shots you see on this post were printed with one of Epson's Artisan series printers.  Whiz!Bang!

[2]  Sleeping with frangers.  Three years ago, if someone asked my advice about whether or not to attend a blogging conference and sleep with a stranger, my response would've been "ARE YOU FREAKINCRAZY???  YOU'RE GOING OUT OF TOWN TO STAY WITH PEOPLE YOU'VE NEVER MET EXCEPT ON!LINE!????" 

It wouldn't be the first time I've eaten my words, though at least in this instance, they're imaginary and it doesn't count.

It was my pleasure and delight for it to work out for me to room with Karla, Emily and Nester.  I had briefly met Karla and Emily at SheSpeaks, and as well as I'm following blogs these days, I checked in with them from time to time.  Of course I'm in frequent contact with Karla (she's a co-founder of BlissfullyDomestic and my boss for Inspired Bliss), but I was still a bit nervous about four ladies sharing two beds and one bathroom.

(l-r, me, Emily, Karla, Nester)

I hit the jackpot.  Not only are these girlieQs engaging bloggers, they're wonderful p.e.o.p.l.e.  If any one of them lived nearby, I'd seek out their friendship.

Karla is thoughtful and considerate and amazingly industrious; no one will ever know the hours she has quietly poured into Blissfully Domestic, not seeking accolades, simply wanting the ezine to succeed.  She balances Alli's more flamboyant style.  I'm thankful for her encouragement and direction, she leads by example.

Emily's countenance radiates with sweetness and sincerity. It was a treat to observe her and her sister, the Nester; their relationship made me long for a) my own sister to live closer, and b) to take up blogging!  She's a rare blend of soft directness and encouragement, and her down-to-earth and approachable manner spill forth from her blog.   Chatting at the Sky should be added to your reader NOW!

The Nester? Well, I had heard of her and her blog since SheSpeaks, but because I can't even keep up with my reader now, had resisted more than just an occasional visit.  Oh, my...MY LOSS.  She's creative and humble and encouraging and talented! Her persona draws you in and she might just be the most "unaffected" "top blogger" on the planet (her readership is phenomenal and I really think she could care less....).

[3]  Megan Jordan aka Velveteen Mind aka my Blog Nosh boss aka Miss Congeniality.  Megan drove up a day early so we could drive to Nashville together.  Chalk it up to my mad geography skillz that I thought the Tennessee Valley was "on the way" from Mississippi's gulf coast.  Then, again, Megan didn't check until the day before to know that, either.

(L-R, PENSIEVE (that's ME!), Heather (Queen of Shake Shake), Megan (Velveteen Mind), Tsh (Simple Mom).

Megan's smart and sassy and direct and convincing.  She's a committed supporter of the blogging community, and taught me a lot about the big picture.  If she's within arm's reach of a microphone, she'll share her two cents on just about anything.  Thing is:  girlfriend has something to say!  From discussing blog branding to recognizing the influence of bloggers, she's got a wonderful grasp on the medium and has the gift of communicating it to others.

[4]  Cutting my speaking baby teeth.  I was thrilled to sit on a panel with Jennifer (Playgroups are not for Children), Karla and Alli to discuss Social Media.  Though there are countless forms, our focus narrowed to StumbleUpon and Twitter and how they (and others) can and have changed the face of blogging.  It's crucial to become a community giver, not merely a user with an agenda.  Golden rule applies...doesn't it usually?

[5]    Jessie Baylin.  A natural beauty with a smokey & smooth voice reminiscent of Norah Jones that'll haunt you long after she's walked out of the room.  In a good way.  What a bonus to be treated to a mini concert!  Check out her website then buy her CD.  It'll make her day!

[6]  Mrs. Fussypants aka Alli aka Founder of Blissfully Domestic. While I think of Karla as Laverne or Ricky or George Burns, I think of Alli as Shirley or Lucy or Gracie.  And that is NO backhanded compliment to either (and NO front-handed insult), I love how these girls balance each other.  Alli is light and airy and over-flowing with ideas, and she readily admits her not-so-strongsuits. 

I'm convinced she's crazy like a fox.  THIS is who I see when I think of Alli--IRL, she's a starlet from the 40s or 50s--curly hair and a creamy complexion on the outside, shrewd determination on the inside.

(BRAVO AND THANKS to my SheSpeaks sistah Lisa B. for taking my idea and photoshopping it for me!)

[7]  Swag Bags. In addition to Epson sponsoring the entire day, bloggers received a bag overflowing.  Can you believe everything from the list below fit in one bag?

• 2 GB of Mozy’s online backup service
• 40% off of Celebrate Green! Book
• Bandaid cases
• Bookmark
• Cahootie games
• Calico Critters Playsets
• 20% off at comfedoutkaiser.com
• Cool People Care poster
• Favor Bucket
• Grammarbook.com
• Hotel Preston
• Jessie Baylin
• Jewelry
• Johnson & Johnson
• Jonothan Kingsbury Photography
• LaundryTree sample packs of soapnuts
• Little Lovey Duckies
• Mederma
• medicine pacifier
• Mommy Mixers
• Mr. Stinky Feet “Greatest Hits” CD
• My Family Meal Planners
• My Name is Isabella book
• One2One Network
• Precious Moments
• Sakura of America
• So Cozy Hair Care samples
• Two session coaching program called “Self-Coaching 101
• Verve Music Group
• vintage 80’s My Little Pony Set
• We Are Girls Who Love To Run/ Somos Chicas y A Nosotras Nos Encanta Correr book
• What Every 21st Century Parent Needs to Know book
• Yotta Bars

THANKS a MILLION!

[8]  Hotel Preston.  Billed as "the most delightfully uncommon Nashville hotel", I'd have to agree.  Forgive me, but I kept referring to it as the p*rno hotel.  Why?  I dunno, could it have been the low red lighting at registration?  various pink slips--literal women's slip-shaped art--around and about? the red, cheetah-print, fur-lined elevators?

It was a warm and accommodating venue, and in spite of my unsavory mental association (HILARIOUS when I mistook two women in the elevator carrying large, black canvas cases as exhibitors--they corrected me quickly by explaining the cases were massage tables, not exhibit displays!), it was the perfect location for a smallish gathering of bloggers!

(HT to Secret Agent Mama for the slip picchas.  Check out her photo stream at Flickr for more BlissDom '08 pictures!)

[9]  Four fantastic, interactive blogger panels and keynote speaker Lynn Terry (Click Newz).  The conference atmosphere, with an intentionally casual design, encouraged participants to take part.  I'm not sure this would work with a larger group, but the intimate setting was great for discussion.  In addition to the panelists, everyone had something of value to add to the conversation.

Lynn shared her inspiring personal story of triumph over trial; we were treated to something special.  Lynn cultivates enthusiasm in those around her--she's an advocate for women and a cheerleader to all.

[10]  Making the connection between cyberspace and real life.  Bloggers "get" bloggers.   It was invaluable hearing from people who've been there, done that, ARE there, ARE DOING that. 

• Hear what others had to say about BlissDom '08.  Then make plans to attend next year's event as soon as details are posted.

• There's no substitute for attending a blogging conference where you can meet the people you're already reading, make some new contacts, and network with those who understand from the inside out.

 

p.s.  There are so many others I'd like to mention, additional photos I'll post soon.  It was FABULOUS meeting ALL of you and thank you for talkin' about me behind my back.  This time, it's a good thing :).

 

And I thought I was artistic? Sheesh!

Thanks to Secret Agent Mama who sent me this uber-cool blog surcie.  She captured my unofficial photo shoot at BlissDom, then crafted a photo-mosaic just for fun.  Hmmm, I wonder what happened to the photographer's pictures!!!

Comprehensive BlissDom recap should be finished today.  Yes, it's long.  No, you won't wanna miss it!  :)

"Your mom likes to take artistic pictures, doesn't she?"

~ Blisstini ~



Hotel Preston, BlissDom '08, October 18, 2008. Berry-infused sugar
rimmed the glasses to give these cocktails
(or mocktails, depending on whether you're an "avec-" or "sans-" alcohol girl)
an added kick.  They weren't just pretty, they were pretty daggum tasty! 

(The post title is derived from a comment from my daughter's teacher
when I foolishly made a WRONG ASSUMPTION!)

More Wordless Wednesdays
Even more at 5 Minutes for Mom

What happens when you "assume"...

On occasion I photograph happenings at my children's school, and while I'm good at taking the pictures, I'm not so great at passing them along.  The memory card in my camera has photos dating from Labor Day; some, I've previously uploaded and deleted, but mixed among my personal shots are several school events.

After shooting a luncheon for sophomore girls yesterday, I was disgusted with my procrastinatory photographical delays, so I handed the memory card to my daughter and asked her to upload the pictures they needed for yearbook; then bring the card home. 

It's the same card I used for Blissdom '08 this past weekend, and I needed it to complete a post.

Wait a second...IT'S THE SAME CARD I USED FOR BLISSDOM--A CONFERENCE HELD AT A HOTEL BAR, COMPLETE WITH A COCKTAIL HOUR AT THE END OF THE DAY! 

Ai yi yi...!  I just assumed they'd copy only the pictures from school events, not the whole dang card.  My daughter greeted me today after school with a "...it sure was 'nice' having everybody see pictures of me wakeboarding and your martinis..." and thank goodness she couldn't remember at that moment what else came up.

I'm scared to look at the card.  I KNOW what I'm capable of photographing!!!

Before I could complete the sentence--"I just assumed they wouldn't upload the whole card..."--Rachel said, "You know what happens when you 'assume'..." and I realized she does, in fact, listen to me after all.

So, can someone tell me if that's a good thing or not? ;)

YIKES! YOU CAUGHT ME WITH MY PANTS UNZIPPED!

You know how it is when someone shows up on your back door for a surprise visit, and the breakfast--and lunch--dishes are still in the sink (and on a reallyREALLY bad day, the ones from the night before)??

Or say, you're a sassy, sweet young single thang dressed to the nines, and while strolling your best-loved aisles of your most-adored bookstore, you run into the most darling fella you've stumbled across in ages, made much more so because of his beautiful eyes and warm, engaging conversational skill--only to realize the pepper in between your top two teeth was complimented by dried, foamy half and half on your nose from your caramel machiatto...

Or maybe worst of all, you write an excoriating post about something (or someone) that made you spit nails, except your intention was simply to vent your frustrated emotions, and instead of "save to draft" you accidentally click "publish" and when you discover it the next morning, you've had your highest comment count EVER and though you now delete the post, it's already in 10,000 readers' readers? 

Well, that's exactly how I feel.  Sans the 10,000 readers.

It looks like a bunch of new friends are visiting my little blog after BlissDom '08, and I'm eight shades of proud (not!) for the whiz-bang of a front page I've got up right now...

• a survey for your favorite TV maid
• pictures of my own self mutilation
• proof that Paula Deen is trying to kill me s l o w l y and with a smile on her face (again!)

Oh, dear.........PLEASE COME BACK LATAH!  Read my 100 Things!  Check out the Trifecta series in my left sidebar!  Subscribe to me in a reader or via email SO YOU WILL EVENTUALLY REALIZE "this" isn't actually the best of Robin @ PENSIEVE.

Prettypretty please?

Pitiful Excuse Warning: 

1. My kids were on Fall break last week and I was livin' more than I was writin'...
2. I was w o r k i n g on important stuff.
3. I had a conference to get ready for!!

T h e n,  a g a i n, there was Bittersweet Momology...and a recipe for the Best Apple Pie of the Universe*, so m a y b e it wasn't a total loss....

Anyways...THANK YOU if you ARE a first-time or newish reader.  Let me know you checked in, how you found PENSIEVE, and give me a way to get back with ya.

And stay tuned from some SERIOUSLY whiz bang posts...as soon as my husband goes back to work and I return from his conference in Atlanta.

Durn...that sounds like another P.E.W.!

**according to my family :)

But isn't this win-win?

It's well documented IRL and IBL j'adore caramel macchiatos from Starbucks.  Weighing in at 490 calories the way I like 'em (breve, made with half & half instead of anything "less than"), what's not to love?  As described on their website, caramel macs are a "signature Starbucks® beverage...a creamy mix of vanilla and freshly steamed milk marked with intense Starbucks® espresso, topped with velvety foam and our own proprietary buttery caramel sauce".

It's the buttery caramel sauce that makes ME melt every time.

But for my every day morning coffee?  Starbucks doesn't make the cut.  When I've tried their coffee in-store, it's too strong--it tastes like I'm licking an ashtray (and no, I haven't actually ever licked an ashtray, but Starbucks coffee is how I imagine it'd taste). 

Instead, it's Dunkin Donuts.  Every day.  Twice a day.  Sometimes three times when I'm needin' an extra caffeine jolt.

Apparently, I know what I'm talkin' about :).

If you're checking in for the skinny on BlissDom '08, I can sum it up in one sentence:

If you weren't here...you missed an amazing event. 

Do what you can to clear your February '09 calendar; another conference is in the early stages of planning, and you'll want to be there, trust me!

Thanks to all who attended, hosted and spoke, all of you had much to add to this one-of-a-kind gathering.  It was GREAT putting names with faces with blogs!

OF COURSE I'll write more later, but today I'm traveling back to real life :).

To my wonderful roomies?  Karla (Looking Towards Heaven), Emily (Chatting With the Sky) and Nester (Nesting Place)--I had NO idea how much MORE special y'all would make the weekend; I'm missing you already!  To Megan (Velveteen Mind), my Blog Nosh boss and traveling companion?  You're the frosting on the cake--spending time with you has been delicious in OH! so many ways!  To my Inspired Bliss/Blissfully Domestic Bosses Karla and Alli?  What a team y'all make!  To Barbara Jones and your team of professional women?  Impressive, professional ladies!

LOVED the weekend, can't wait for the NEXT BlissDom event, and many thanks!! 

More details soon, please stay tuned....

When I watch these shows, I reallyREALLY want one of these...do you?

After my macabre, graphic photo post, in typical stream-of- consciousness thinking--my ironing looks like a sharpei's coat, I need a maid, how do you find a "good" maid, WHO can afford a maid after filling up your car, where's Alice when you need her?--I felt compelled to ask you: 

Who's your all-time favorite television maid/butler?

Register your vote below and feel free to elaborate (or remind me who I left off) in comments.

Photo credit:  Rantings of a Creole Princess