I can really relate to you on many levels here. While I am a pretty social person, there was defiantly a fear that Saturday. The cocktail party was really hard for me because I was late and it was hard to break into a group without feeling like I was being obnoxious or rude. Who the hell cares who Crystal of Crystal & Co is… kwim? (I did not do a good job developing relationships before the confrence which I should have done.)

Anyway, I really gained a lot that day. I do want my blog to be a business for me while being a resource for mom’s. Ballsy for me to say I am sure, but hey, what are we if we are not honest?

Excited to be a part of The Blogging Mavens!

@Elaine, Four years! Wow – impressive! The community is amazing. It’s so much more fun than I ever imagined.

I’m sorry we didn’t get to meet, too. Next time, for sure!

@Jennifer, Well said. Reading the comments on this post has made it very clear that we all need to do only what we can, when we can – we need to keep it fun for US. That’s what matters!

Great meeting you and having dinner together!

@Jennifer G., Thank you so much. Email me any time!

@Amy ~ Eat. Live. Laugh. Shop., Well, it would have been really hard to laugh at YOU, since my mouth was full of cheesecake, too!

If you decide to go in a new direction, I’ll follow you all the way! Keep me posted.

@Joey @ Big Teeth & Clouds, I love it. You organize it, I’ll be there!

@Melissa (Confessions of a Dr.Mom), That really sums up how I feel, too. I don’t get a lot of the ins and outs, either, but I love reading – and writing – so here I am!

I have some of the same feelings you do but I always try to remember that the MAIN reasons I blog are for myself and for community. I’ve met some truly amazing people since I’ve been doing this. People I call good friends. It really is quite the phenomenon.

I’m sorry we didn’t get to connect while in Austin. Maybe next time… 🙂