Random header image... Refresh for more!

314th Friday Blog Roundup (Meeting Bloggers Edition)

I’ll admit that the wishes made me weepy.  And that while I made my wish on something for myself, I also wish that everyone else’s wishes come true.

*******

I started running again this week which has made me stupid tired.  You know that kind of tired where you have to reread every sentence several times because you can’t remember the first part of the line by the time you get to the second independent clause?  By which I mean please excuse any typo-s in this post.

I was so worried to oversleep and miss my first day running that I woke up four times in the middle of the night to look at the clock.  And finally, at the godawful hour of 6 am, I trekked down to the basement to run indoors. (Please, I wouldn’t walk outside to the mailbox at this hour in my neighbourhood much less take a leisurely jog.)

And there was a cricket.

Okay, maybe it wasn’t a cricket, but it could have been an emaciated, red cricket.  So I ran upstairs and woke up Josh and told him about the cricket as if the house were on fire and he came downstairs and saved me.

And then I went running.

And discovered that I had gained four pounds in the five month interim between running routines.  I have felt the extra weight and it has made me miserable, so I decided to do something about it.  In addition, I went on a walk with the twins this week, and in the middle of the walk, I started having chest pains.  By which I should clarify that it was probably indigestion, but I started thinking about heart attacks and properly freaked myself out.  So, yes, running again.

On Wuhu Island.

Which is why, if I’m a little slow on the uptake for the next few days, you’ll understand that it is the fact that I’m still trying to make it work where I can watch Colbert and wake up at 6 am.

Like I said, stupid tired, emphasis on the word stupid.

*******

I got to meet up with a bunch of bloggers while in Boston last weekend.  Which rocked.  On Friday night, I had dinner with I Won’t Fear Love; Henry Street; Ultimate Journey; and Slaying, Blogging, Whatever.  So first, I got to eat dinner with these funny, sassy, smart women.  I seriously had no idea how much time had passed, but we were down there in the empty restaurant for more than three hours.


Then, on Saturday morning, I got to meet Keiko and her husband at the conference.  She is just as organized and smart and funny as you’d expect her to be from her blog.

And then, perhaps the creme de la creme moment, I was sitting at this table and I looked up and a few feet away was Natalie.  Which was 20 kinds of emotional and I feel so lucky that I got to hug her in person.  I wasn’t expecting to see her, so it was amazing to look up and see here there.

(This is me looking stunned)

Plus, the conference itself was amazing.  New England Resolve is so organized, and their executive director, Rebecca Lubens, who was heading the conference is this erudite, kickass woman who brought together a conference combining information with support.  The conference was like finding test answers inside a chocolate bar.

That last line made perfect sense to me with my lack of sleep.

*******

Instead of the Weekly What If: tell me which bloggers you’ve met this year (in 2010).  Or which bloggers you want to meet in 2011.

*******

And now, the blogs…

An Unwanted Path has a bleakly honest post about how she now doesn’t wish for a pregnancy insomuch as she wishes to not have another loss.  I love this thought: “But … I guess I’m grasping here. But, not getting pregnant could be a blessing in disguise. And maybe, just maybe, it means something. Or it could just be another sad mind-fuck on the path of infertility.”  It’s a brief, beautiful, sad read.

From IF to When has a post about what fertile women don’t know.  It’s a post that works best with the least amount of description.  It is something you need to read; to experience.

I Spy a Family has a series of posts for National Adoption Awareness Month and her post on fear was particularly well-written.  I especially love the last line: “If I haven’t done that, I would’ve missed out on the chance to parent the two people I love most in this world.”

Lastly, in a heartbreaking week, Hold My Hope has a post about needing a diet for the soul rather than the body.  She explains that she knows how to manipulate her body, train it, lose weight, gain weight.  What she can’t do is exercise that control over her emotional cravings.  I thought the analogy and the question was simply brilliant, and I wish I had a good answer to give.

The roundup to the Roundup: damn, running makes me tired. I got to meet a bunch of fantabulous bloggers.  Who have you met/who do you want to meet? And lots of great blogs to read.


27 comments

1 serenity { 11.12.10 at 9:58 am }

I am definitely seeing you in 2011.

2 tash { 11.12.10 at 11:03 am }

Just last month, Julia of I Won’t Fear Love and Niobe came to stay with me for a whole weekend! (SCORE!) And while they were here, we had a brunch with Angie of Still Life with Circles; TracyOC of Mommicked, CLC of Please Give Me Back my Heart, and their husbands and kids. ‘Twas awesome.

I’d love to finally meet up with you in ’11, Mel.

3 Kristi { 11.12.10 at 11:19 am }

I would love to meet Venting Vagina. We have struck a cool friendship and I love her point of view on life.

4 Shelli { 11.12.10 at 11:22 am }

I haven’t met anyone in 2010.

My wish list for 2011 is YOU. And I have a feeling that I will meet Calliope once she and her Mom make it to my hometown!

Wuhu Island… yeah. I’m going there with you again. Funny thing- my son was playing it yesterday and I had about 100 excuses why I didn’t do it with him. You inspired me to go back to the island, but I think I’ll start off bicyling first. I swear I will.

5 Felicity { 11.12.10 at 11:23 am }

I think I want to stop reading infertility blogs in 2011. It’s not you, it’s me.

6 Mrs. Hope { 11.12.10 at 11:28 am }

wow, thanks for the mention. needed it today.

7 Mrs. Hope { 11.12.10 at 11:29 am }

oh, and I’d like to meet so many. they seem so far away.

8 The Barreness { 11.12.10 at 11:43 am }

I was thrilled to meet La Belette Rouge!! What an amazing gift that was. I also am now a fan of The Life and Times of KitVonD, both ladies attended my art show and I am thrilled to now know them both!

9 Esperanza { 11.12.10 at 11:45 am }

I got to meet an amazing blogger friend, and her beautiful 12 week old twins just last week. It was great. She is the first and only blogging buddy I’ve met. Sadly, the Bay Area doesn’t have as many IF bloggers as Chicago, or maybe I’m just not looking hard enough…

10 loribeth { 11.12.10 at 11:46 am }

Haven’t met any of you in 2010, but would love to meet some of you in 2011 (& Mel, you are top of my list!). I have met online friends in the past, and this year, I did meet several women I’ve “known” on an online scrapbooking forum for 5-7 years. That was fun.

11 HereWeGoAJen { 11.12.10 at 1:13 pm }

Let’s see, I met so many different bloggers at the Atlanta Resolve Walk and then dinner that night. Meeting Julie was extra awesome because her blog was what taught me that blogs exist. Bloggers are my people. I wish we all didn’t live so far away from each other.

12 JJ { 11.12.10 at 1:17 pm }

I have a running list of bloggers that I have met on my blog–I call them my Cabin Crew 🙂

I added EIGHT new bloggers to my list of in person meetings in 2010.

Ive been trying for ages to get together with Sully (http://highfshlevel.blogspot.com), and I hope that works out soon.

13 Guera! { 11.12.10 at 1:52 pm }

oh my gosh I would love to meet Death Star from “A Woman My Age”. If just a tiny fraction of her strength, self-assurance and wisdom could rub off on me …..I get the impression that she’s one of those women, who after spending an hour with, you walk away feeling fulfilled.
And Mel, I would like to meet you. And there’s a few others I would love to meet as well. Lori at “The Road Less Travelled”. Andie who doesn’t blog so much anymore. Too many to name….

14 Keiko { 11.12.10 at 2:36 pm }

Mel, it was just amazing to meet you in person. I totally was a bit starstruck at first, not going to lie, but you’re so down to earth and awesome it didn’t take long to warm up at all! Also? Your keynote? Genius. Thanks for your kind words here – it was really neat to be able to meet one of the first bloggers I came to when this whole infertility mess started for me.

I’ve also met Elana over at Elana’s Musings… she actually comes to my Red Tent Temple because I wrote about them so much! She is fabulous and I’m glad we’re able to share RTT together. I’ve also met Jes from Baby Bump Bound twice now, Julie from A Little Pregnant, and Pamela from Coming 2 Terms/Silent Sorority. You know, once I started typing this, I don’t think I realized just how many bloggers I’ve met this year!

People I want to meet… Gil at The Hardest Quest. She was the first person to say, “Oh hi, fellow infertile. This is the blogosphere *points, my mouth hangs open, the rest is history* You’re welcome.” Sonya from Mud & Lotus. Suzy from Not A Fertile Myrtle. Oh, and I totally want to meet Infertile Naomi from 999 Reasons to Laugh at Infertility. I suppose I should prolly let these fine women know that 🙂

15 Mic @ IF Crossroads { 11.12.10 at 2:53 pm }

I’ve had the great fortune of meeting a few bloggers this year!
I’ve met Trinity from Three is a Magic Number:http://andtherewerethreeinthefamily.blogspot.com/ and Kari from Baby Steps: http://karisbabysteps.blogspot.com/ and A from Another Barren Blogger : http://barrenblogger.blogspot.com/ and I hope to meet Christina from Curse of the Chewed Buddah if we can ever coordinate our schedules: http://curseofthechewedbuddha.blogspot.com/
I love having met these ladies IRL and I hope to meet you one day Mel 🙂

16 Annie { 11.12.10 at 3:18 pm }

This year I got to meet up with Angie of I’m Trying to Live…, Baby on Mind, and Oak of the Elusive Embryo!

17 Katie { 11.12.10 at 3:37 pm }

Thank you so much for mentioning me, Mel! I’ve met several bloggers this year – JC from Steps to Baby, Holly from Ready to be a Mom, and Erin from Our Hearts Desire. I hope to meet more this year, including you Mel. 🙂

18 Kristin { 11.12.10 at 4:37 pm }

Oh, I was so lucky this year. I met so many of my favorite bloggers in New York this summer. I’m afraid to start listing them because I know I would forget someone.

I would really like to meet Mrs. Gamgee from Hobbitish Thoughts and Ramblings.

19 Vee { 11.12.10 at 6:22 pm }

I got to meet the gorgeous Bea from Infertile Fantasies twice this year and she even met Max! Although I had met her once before that too.
I am hoping to meet Eden from Life … it’s nothing like the brochure before the year ends.

I would love to meet you Mel, you are the top of the list and Annacyclopedia and Gill and Serenity and Kir and……I could go on and on…. I think you are all due for a trip Down Under! 🙂

20 Nelly { 11.12.10 at 7:26 pm }

Two of my favorite blogs are featured!! YAY for them 🙂 I haven’t met any bloggers – ever. I’m new and kind of a recluse.

21 edenland { 11.12.10 at 7:44 pm }

I met you. And Loz. And soon I will meet Vee …. I will give her the biggest hug from you. XOX

I met some fantastic Aussie bloggers this week, at the Inaugural Sydney Bloggers Festival. I spoke on some panels. You do know, Mel ….. I credit you with my whole blogging career? Realz. If I hadn’t connected with you, hadn’t been embraced and accepted into this community …. I wouldn’t have kept going. I wouldn’t have found my voice. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

XOX

22 Mrs. D { 11.12.10 at 8:18 pm }

I started my blog in 2010, and it somehow has become my home. Somehow, that home (my blog) has made its way into my heart. Now, I look at my blog more than I look at how much I need a manicure… crazy how life and priorities change.

I’ve met (and followed) so many incredible women this year… Jes, Rebecca, Dana, and many, many others. I feel naive that I never knew that this community existed, but, the best part is, the second I needed it, I was welcomed with open, warm arms. And I will NEVER forget that.

Mel, I have followed you since the beginning. THANK YOU for being here, for continuing to share your thoughts, and supporting those who need it most.

23 Mali { 11.12.10 at 9:18 pm }

I’ve been blogging for several years now, but have only just begun to think about infertility blogging. (It’s my “coming out.”) Living in NZ makes it harder to meet people. But I’ve met friends from support group forums in the UK, and I fully intend meeting some of my non-fertility blogging circles. (Oddly, several of us have no children, through a variety of journeys). And of the infertility bloggers, I’d love to meet you, Pamela, Loribeth from Road Less Travelled, and Lisa from Life Without Baby.

24 Bea { 11.12.10 at 11:22 pm }

Sigh. One day I will travel to your neck of the woods and we will dance happily in the meadows. Or the basement (do you have anything dancy on Wuhu Island?). Anyway. It is on my one-day list, for sure. Or you could come here, either way, but I don’t have a wii.

Thanks for another roundup, and I hope your body gets with your program soon and you start to feel that extra energy you’re supposed to get from being fit.

Bea

25 Leah { 11.13.10 at 9:51 am }

I feel like if I got together with the TOOTPU gang, it would be like meeting you all over again. It’s been waaaaay too long. I’m so beaten down, so tired, so overworked, I can’t wait until 2011. I actually wrote a post listing all of the things that are sapping me of my energy and time, but didn’t publish it because who in the hell only posts every 6 months and then blatently begs for words of sympathy? Okay, we all would. But I suck so bad in 2010 that my plan to Be Better in 2011 shouldn’t be all that hard to accomplish if my watermark is Leah of 2010.

Anyway, the highlight of my blogging existence was meeting you. I’m not blowing sunshine up your ass, I’m serious. But then everyone else — LJ, Mindy (my brother from another mother), Sunny, Meghan, Shelby, Jen, Caliope, Laura, Karen, and all the others I’m too lame to list right now — were just icing on the cake.

The second biggest highlight of my blogging escapade was to meet JJ. And, shithead that I am, I haven’t emailed her in probably a year. I need to do something amazing for her to let her know how much I still love her. The blanket she made for Liam is his favorite and every time I see it I think of her and smile. I need to tell her this.

Who do I want to meet? Alexa, Becky, Serenity, Stacie, Geohde, Chris, My Reality, Delenn, Kami, Farah, Portia, Erin (my true cyclesista), and a few others. Looks like I’ve got to get my shit together and attend some conferences, eh?

Miss you!

26 one-hit_wonder { 11.14.10 at 6:19 pm }

i’d like to meet wiseguy from Woman Anyone. not only do i think she’s cool but she was the blogger who made me resume blogging when i had given up.

27 Baby Smiling In Back Seat { 11.15.10 at 7:57 pm }

In 2010 I met three bloggers that I’d already met in 2009: you, Lori, and Dora. I also met lots of “new” bloggers in NYC after BlogHer including Calliope, Kristen, Niobe, Eden, N from Two Hot Mamas…

I’m totally up for tagging along to BlogHer 2011, so I’ll meet lots more next year!

(c) 2006 Melissa S. Ford
The contents of this website are protected by applicable copyright laws. All rights are reserved by the author