AWBU Weekend: Briefly

Another Arkansas Women Bloggers Unplugged conference is officially under my belt.  It was a great year: I thought the sessions were well thought out and diverse; there were inspiring speakers full of blogging wisdom and advice; and Ferncliff was just. Well, fun. Campy. Beautiful. Rustic.

The biggest take-away for me, this year?  Stop comparing myself to others.  I heard it from several speakers and from bloggers, too.  It was especially needed after a week of feeling inadequate and insecure with a side of mad, crazy crafting meltdowns {Pinterest FAILS, y’all}.  Please tell me I’m not the only one who has shed a tear or ten thousand over a failed craft. No, really. Tell me.

Emotions ran the gamut.  Nervousness-heading out to Little Rock to spend actual in-real-life time with other women bloggers who don’t necessarily know my weird idiosyncrasies. Exhaustion-as I fell into bed after hours of set-up.  I’m not even going to pretend I did much work.  Setting up tables and hanging a few paper bag flowers was so insignificant compared to what The Park Wife does to make this thing happen yearly.  She’s pretty good, guys. Relief-people might actually like me.  Meeting new people is overwhelming. Talking is intimidating.  Grateful-for sweet lady bloggers who stop to say hi, for huggers, and for sweet words of encouragement. 

Of course there are always some Duh Moments like when I thought P. Allen Smith actually remembered me from Bean2Blog back in May when he said “Hi, Gina.  How are you?” and then realizing that I was wearing a name tag. Or, when I nearly fell on my face with a tray full of quinoa samples as I tripped over an electrical outlet door on the floor. And, that time I tried to pound a sign into rock.  Good times {who knew Arkansas didn’t have real dirt under that grass?}.

And, finally-a shout out to new friends.  Barbara has lovely eyes for staring into and soft hands that were lovely to hold even though it wasn’t required of us. Terra was funny and adorable {sorry.  i know girls don’t like to be referred to as adorable. but, hey. #truth}.  Talya-who often comments here and on the Facebook page. She’s a gifted writer and even more sweet in person.  Georgiaberry whose name is so unique and yet I didn’t think to ask how it came to be.  Another awkward social fail.  Luckily, there’s always her blog, Facebook, and future meetups and perhaps I can redeem myself there.

So.  Here’s to better blogging and friendships online and off.  Here’s to another year of celebrating this silly blog I think about constantly.  And, here’s to you for stopping by and reading, for laughing at my stupid jokes, and for being a friend who is always there to listen.  Thank you.