I found my bliss at Blissdom

March 28, 2013 by · 1 Comment

follow-your-blissThis weekend’s trip to Dallas was exactly what I needed.

I’ve been to many conferences over the years but I have to say, Blissdom was the BEST ONE I’ve ever been to.

Alli , Barbara, Paula and crew did an amazing job. This conference lived up to all my expectations and more!

I’ve been dreaming of attending Blissdom for the last couple of years now so I had pretty high expectations .  This weekend far exceeded my expectations on so many levels.

I learned a lot at Blissdom – about social media , about this community and myself too.

One of the amazing things about Blissdom is the women that are part of this community. Everyone was so nice, warm and inviting. It didn’t matter what you did , who you were or how many Twitter followers you had. You were instantly part of this community . Actually it was more like being accepted into a loving family.

This year’s motto for the conference was ” follow your Bliss . “  The content of the sessions and the keynotes were focused on exactly that.  After each session I attend I felt inspired and motivated . I felt like I could take on the world and I had an entire community of woman who would support me at every step of the way.

I found being inspired and motivated to take the next step and go for my dream of being a speaker and author. (More information coming on that soon )

Today there was a lot of chatter about “mean girls” at Blissdom. Maybe I was at a different conference because I certainly didn’t experience that. All I know was that I  had a blast and the ladies I hung out with were awesome and so much fun! (The 40+ group can still ROCK y’all )

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    So many choices … SQUIRREL!

    March 18, 2013 by · 3 Comments

    Let’s get this party started… Blissdom is this week.

    I’m very excited about finally getting to attend this amazing conference and I can’t wait to spend 4 glorious days in Texas with many of my bloggy friends and make so many new friends!

    However the ADD part of my personality is starting to freak out a bit.

    In case you didn’t know – yes I was officially diagnosed with Adult ADD March of 2012. It is on the mild/moderate side of the disorder but it still wreaks havoc on my daily life. Throw in a 4 day trip to a HUGE conference and you get a “little bit” of anxiety.

    Honestly – just looking at the schedule gets me overwhelmed. They are so many things going on at the same time and so many things that I want to do while I’m there. I want to connect with old friends, meet new friends , talk with the Conference partners , take photos , learn …. ACK! Squirrel.

    so-many-choices
    The one thing I’ve learned over the past year with this ADD stuff  is I have to have a plan for things like this. It’s sort of like the old business adage – Fail to Plan… Plan to fail.

    Now I know that I won’t fail at Blissdom but I do need to have a plan in order to get out of this conference what I want! If you are like me – then you need one too.

    My Plan

    1. Make a daily schedule but be flexible (its also a vacation too!)

    2. Have some down time if overwhelm starts creeping in

    3. Bring LOTS of business cards, camera, phone , notebook , ipad AND NO LAPTOP !

    4. Don’t try to live tweet or blog about the conferences — just take notes and enjoy the moment.

    5. Have fun!!!!!

    If you’ll be at Blissdom – make sure to come by and say hi. I promise I don’t bite. : )

    Tango

     

     

     

    image source – Liz Derbes (Thanks Liz!!)

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      Happy St. Patrick’s Day

      March 17, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

      irish

      ” St. Patrick’s Day is an enchanted time — a day to begin transforming winter’s dreams into summer’s magic.”

      Hopefully Spring comes soon — as we are expecting another blizzard here in North Iowa. This has been a really weird winter for us. It was so mild for so long. January came along and brought the cold frigid temps and now we are getting the snow and LOTS of it!

      I’m so glad that I get to get out of the frozen tundra and head to warm, sunny place that is Dallas, TX for Blissdom! only 4 more days till I’m with my people!

      It’s a pretty sure bet that I won’t be writing anything while I’m at Blissdom but will be posting pictures on InstaGram and my Facebook page -  I plan to soak up as much sparkling goodness and love as I can while I”m there!

       

      Tango

      image source – Amanda Donovan / Pinterest

       

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        5th time is the charm!

        March 11, 2013 by · 2 Comments

        BD13_SidebarBadges-305 years ago, I found out about Blissdom. I heard that it was an amazing conference for women and several blogger friends highly suggested I go the following year.

        That’s how long I’ve been trying to make it to Blissdom. I assure you it wasn’t for a lack of trying.

        I’ve always been a big fan of Alli and Blissfully Domestic. One day, I got the opportunity to start writing for them and them ultimately was made an channel editor in January 2010. At this same time, my husband deployed to Afghanistan. I was determined to try and make it at least 2 days to Blissdom , even if I had to bring the kids. Well that year didn’t work out .. too many deployment issues and other things.

        During this time, i got to know all the other editors really well and we became very close. They shared the ups/downs of the deployment , listened on the bad days and made me laugh when I didn’t think I could. I love those girls so much! They are my “people”182673_10151487109695990_981397938_n

        Thankfully, my husband came home from Afghanistan in May 2010. (with all original parts ) Since I had to miss the last the previous year’s conference, my hubby promised I would make the next one. However, after my husband’s tour in Afghanistan, he realized he was done with the Army.  We left active duty Army in November 2010 and moved to small town Iowa that following month. Blissdom was in January 2011 that year and there was no way we could afford for me to go. For those keeping track, this would be disappointment #3.

        By now I was determined that 2012 would be THE YEAR! I needed to see my “people” not to mention take in all the great content that is Blissdom.  I was going….No matter what. I bought my ticket, booked the hotel room, hubby had the week off  and actually thought – “Oh my I’m actually going to go to Blissdom this year”

        Well apparently the universe had other plans for me being so cocky — 4 weeks before I was to leave for Tennessee , my husband tells me he doesn’t have the time off and HE has to go out of town for a business trip.  (cue the over-dramatic Noooo! ) Disappointment #4.

        My friend (and business partner ) Becky had heard me talk about going (or rather not going ) to Blissdom that we decided that THIS YEAR we were both going.  You see – Becky and I have known each other since 2009 and we’ve never gotten the opportunity to meet.

        So this time , I wasn’t taking any chances. I told my husband he better not have to go anywhere from March 21-24 under penalty of death. I booked my ticket asap, booked my flight asap and hotel room too. I had backup plans for backup plans.  There was a small amount of time where it looked like Becky might not be able to make it thanks to a mission for her hubby and the Navy. Even that worked out this year – AMEN!

        I leave for Dallas and Blissdom in 10 days — plans are still in place. I’m actually going !!!  Something that has been in the works for the last 4 years is finally going to happen! ( Thank you Universe for finally giving me a break!)

        This year’s event will be awesome and spectacular I’m sure  — but for me it’s going to be the best 4 days ever for I finally get to be with “my people”!

        Tango

         

         

         

         

        P.S. – If you are going to Blissdom (and we are not connected already) – leave your twitter id in the comments and let’s plan to meet up!

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          Filed Under: Family Life, Just Tango, Special Place in my heart · Tagged With: ,

          We are all unique and definitely good enough

          March 11, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

          You are definitely good enoughYesterday, I went to a local women’s conference (oh and there was shopping too ) here called the Bloom Conference. I was originally attracted to it b/c it was a day away just for me and of course the shopping part!

          When I  saw that one of the main speakers at the event was Lisa Whelchel (for those youngins’ that read my blog – She played Blair on the Facts of Life tv show) I’ve always liked her and thought it would be cool to hear her speak . (she was great and so funny!! ) I asked Tanya , one of my local friends , to go and we were off early yesterday morning.

          I was really excited for a day away just for me and we don’t often get conferences/events like this here in North Iowa for often.

          The event was put together very well and they had lots of different vendors to choose from . Now the main speakers were not free ($15) but they also provided small mini-sessions available for free. Quite honestly – I think there was something for everyone at the conference.

          Even though this conference was more a religious-based one (not that there is anything wrong with that) – I guess I was just surprised how religious it was. I have to saw most of the speakers appealed to me more on an inspirational and motivational level rather than religiously based.

          The founder of the conference Kim Reutzel (of Burt, IA ) really impressed me with her personal story of  sacrifice, bout with depression , etc. Her story itself is an inspiring one .

          I have to say what Kim said truly spoke to me . One of the things she talked about that we (as women ) have a tendency to judge our worst with someone’s best.

          Why do we do this ? 

          We all have different skills, abilities, etc.  We can’t we just support others without feeling the need to judge ourselves against others.  We need to remind ourselves that each and every one of us are unique and we aren’t meant to be like someone else.  We are good enough to be ourselves even with all our flaws and imperfections.

           

           

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            And the Oscar goes to….

            February 25, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

            oscarsThe hubby and I figure out the best way to watch the Oscars… DVR it! That way you can skip (if you want to ) all the annoying speeches that talk about politics, etc.  Honestly – it’s really the only way!

            First the first time in a long time , we were able to watch the Oscars and actually enjoy it.  I have to say that Seth MacFarland did a fantastic job as host. He was really funny with his jokes and only a few of them didn’t go over well.  I don’t know there is something about his voice — he just sounds like a voice- over for a commercial or something.

            Some of the women fashion choices were really questionable. What was that dress Selma Hayek was wearing ? It looked almost painful. However all the man candy looked good like Bradley, and of course , Mr. Jackman. (what man in a tux doesn’t look good seriously ?? )

            I have to say I loved the live performances of Adele’s “Skyfall” and of course Les Miserables’s performance with the entire cast. (Mental reminder — get Les Mis on Blu-Ray when it comes out)
            Some other noteworthy  moments for the night was Argo winning for Best Picture , Ang Lee beating Mr. Speilberg for Best Director. I really felt bad for Jennifer Lawrence slipping on her dress and falling on the steps to get her Best Actress award. The other thing was it just me or did Kristen Stewart look like she really didn’t want to be there??

            The worst moment of the entire night (in my opinion)  was when Michelle Obama came out to announce Best Picture. What does she have to do with the Oscars or the Academy for that matter?  I thought the usual honor goes to someone who has won a Best Picture Oscar previously? Regardless, what was the “military” props behind her for ?

            When Clinton announced Lincoln at the Golden Globe – that made more sense. After all, he was a President introducing a movie about a President. He didn’t have any military personnel behind him to support his presence. The other thing that sort of set me off is that Mrs. Obama didn’t even say a word of thanks for any of the current CIA operatives across the globe  or the military troops that are still in harms’ way.  Ben’s acceptance speech was stellar though!

            Overall – I thought this year’s Oscars crew did a pretty good job. I’d give them a B-

            What did you think of the Oscars ?

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              Life is but a journey

              February 17, 2013 by · 7 Comments

              lifeisbutajourneyOne of my favorite quotes is one from Marilyn Monroe – ” Sometimes good things fall apart so better things can fall together. ” I love this quote for many reasons but mostly it became my mantra for many years in my 20′s.

              There was so many times (over a span of over 5 years) that I thought – “my life is crap and its not going to get any better !”

              I had to keep the faith that life would get better. I had to believe that there was good things waiting to happen for me. The journey that I was on at the time was one that taught me many life lessons. Ultimately, the things in my life did get better and I have a great life now.

              There will always be some bad times.  Our life is meant to be a journey of the good and the bad. It’s what we do during that time – that makes a difference. Our lives and ourselves are not meant to be perfect – how boring would that be ?

              Tango

               

               

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                Still the one

                February 14, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

                182673_10151487109695990_981397938_nMy husband, Dan,  and I have been together for 16 years now and I love him more today than I did then. He entered my life at a time where I didn’t believe in true love anymore. I didn’t even feel I was worthy of another man’s love. At that time in my life, I recently been to HELL and back again in the relationship department. Actually I didn’t even know if I was capable of loving someone again.

                Then Dan entered my life and everything changed. At the time, I didn’t realize it but I had found the greatest love of my life and my soul-mate. I was bound and determined to not fall in love again. Little did I know – there were other plans in store for me.

                However, my husband charmed his way into my heart, showed me what true love really was  and broke down the walls I had built.

                He showed me how to laugh again and that I was capable of loving again. I will forever be grateful for that.

                Dan,

                You’re still the one I want to love forever.

                You’re still the one I want to wake up with every morning and snuggle with every night.

                You’re still the one I want to share my dreams with, whose hand I want to hold when fear sets in -

                You’re still the one whose shoulder I want to lean on when I need support.

                You’re still the one I want to encourage to make your own dreams come true,

                The one I want to comfort when you need a source of strength.

                You’re still the one I want to hold close always.

                You’re still and always will be the one , the only one , I want to love forever.

                 

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                  Dear Teenage Tango

                  February 10, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

                  16-tango

                  I’ll be honest , the next few years are going to suck. Your strength and resolve will be tested. You will experience a loss like you never dreamed of. The life you imagined for yourself will start on alternate path. It’s not a worse life than you thought it would be  – it just different.

                  OK that is the bad news.

                  Remember — You were meant for much bigger and better things in your life. Bigger than you ever dreamed of.

                  The good news …  this bad part of your life so early on will prepare you for what lies adhead in your adult life.

                  It will change who you are in such a profound way. When you become a wife and mother years later, all you’ve been through will help you be the best wife and mother you can be.

                  Your past experiences doesn’t define you. It what you do with that experience does.

                  Remember that when Kiersten is in Pediatric ICU following her emergency brain surgery or when you haven’t heard from your husband in 4 days while he is deployed to Afghanistan.

                  You are so much stronger than you realize.

                  As you have said many times – You’ve got this!

                  Tango

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                    Kids and privacy

                    February 7, 2013 by · Leave a Comment

                    Privacy-teensPrivacy and teenagers are always a constant battle. While I try to respect my daughters’ privacy, sometimes it is just not possible.

                    Social media makes this battle with privacy even more difficult. With my girls’ using social media tools (Blogging, MixBook, Facebook, Instagram), it becomes a daily balancing act  to respect their privacy but be able to vent/share about my life as a mom.

                    I’m well aware that the things I write about my kids, the things they do,etc are forever on the internet as soon as I hit publish.  It’s one of the reasons that I use nicknames for my children here on the blog and many times in social media.

                    However, most of what I blog about  won’t come up in a Google search under their names. I did that on purpose. If they want to publish things about themselves , then they can make that decision themselves.

                    The scary thing is the amount of information, pictures, etc that parents post about their kids. I feel bad for those kids when they go to get a job, apply for an apartment. Certain issues, situations and the like  just shouldn’t be shared about your children ! As my grandfather used to say, Less is more.

                    The other side of it is what kids are posting and the amount of information that they are sharing. I remind my girls all the time about what they are sharing online, the type of pictures that they are posting. I’m sure many of these kids that are “oversharing”  just don’t realize (or haven’t been taught ) about the basics of internet safety and privacy.

                    So how can you protect your kids privacy online?

                    Here are some ideas to get you started:

                    1. Use nicknames for your kids on your blog or when using social media

                    2. Don’t share it publicly if you don’t want your kids to know about it

                    3. Think twice before posting pictures , sharing specific information about your kids (not to mention yourself )

                    4. Educate your kids about the dangers about positing too much information online and how it could affect them later on in life.

                     

                     

                     

                     

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                      Filed Under: Family Life, My Kids Rock!, Social Media · Tagged With: ,
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