A {Scenes from Bootcamp} SBOW

Happy Friday!!!!

Some of you may recall last Friday’s {Firsts} Sound Bytes where I mentioned that I was headed to my first Bloggy Bootcamp, and this week I’m feeling the aftermath. The combination of information overload, a short work week and the beginning of E’s spring sports have truly wiped me out. Which means at 5 p.m. today, I will be cracking open a beer, putting my feet up and letting the weekend calm engulf me in its embrace. 

So, how was my trip to St. Louis?

Well, I’m glad you asked, because this week’s Sound Bytes are the Top 10 Things I heard at Bloggy Bootcamp.

10. “Welcome to the Gateway Arch.”
Upon my arrival into St. Louis the glorious arch welcomed me into the city, and I was lucky enough to make it to the top during my short visit. I can cross that one off the bucket list. While it was neat going to the top and seeing the city, I spent all of two minutes up there before heading back to the hotel for happy hour.

9. “So what do you blog about?” 
I believe I was asked this about a million times and each time I stumbled, I mumbled and I still couldn’t REALLY give a definitive answer. So, if you are a loyal reader and would like to offer some insight to that question I’d totally appreciate it.

8. “Would you like to go to dinner?”
Yep, I asked a fellow blogger {stranger} to dinner that very first night. You know how when you meet people and you just click, that’s how it felt when I met Kim from Rubber Chicken Madness. She was my partner in crime the rest of the weekend.

7. “The washer just crapped out. What kind do you want me to buy?” 
This was a text received about mid-morning on Saturday as I was trying to concentrate on SEO. Let’s just say I’m glad I wasn’t home for that fiasco and I won’t be doing any laundry until our new washer arrives on May 1.

6. “As bloggers we must reach up, reach across and reach down.”
This statement really hit home with me. It means reach up to find a mentor, reach across to find friends and reach down to help someone else. I think this rule can be applied everywhere not just in the blogiverse.

5. “Squirrel”
Story of my life. I often lack the ability to stay focused.

4. “Please don’t Tweet that.”
I think every one of our speakers said that at least once, or twice.

3. “You should really switch to WordPress.” 
I heard this the moment I handed someone my blog card. And after hearing it at least a 100 more times at the conference I have hired the talented Napwarden to create a new look for the blog and move me back {don’t ask} to WordPress.

2. “Fake it till you make it.”
Oh, so true. If you want to be successful you need to act like you already are. I forget this ALOT and I need to remember to believe in myself, because if I don’t how do I expect others to.

1. “If you shut your computer they will come back to you.”
BAM! There it is the statement of the day. The one that had myself and the lovely Tiffany Romero in tears. There needs to be a balance between work and family and I need to remember to close the computer and spend quality time with them. Oh, and Wednesday nights will be a lot more exciting too.

What did you hear at Bloggy Bootcamp? Or this week? I’d love to hear it.

Whew! That was my trip, and as I drove home my head was swimming and my heart was full.

And when I walked through the door I heard the BEST Sound Byte ever.

“Welcome Home Mama.”
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I also want to thank all of you for your sweet comments on my Mamapedia article. As I sat and read all the comments tears welled up in my eyes, and I realized as women we really just need to love ourselves more, because we RULE!