Over a year ago my California girlfriend, Nancy aka The Wife of a Dairyman, who I originally met through social media a few years ago encouraged me to attend Blogher with her in San Diego. My working mom travel schedule was hectic and it aligned during the same time our daycare was closed for summer vacation. I could not do it. Then I changed my career this year, decreasing my business travel by 90% and I sunk into more family time with a new routine.
Nancy and I agreed a year ago that this year would be our year for Blogher in New York City. With the new routine and change in schedule, my husband encouraged me to attend for an opportunity to connect and see Nancy again but also travel a bit like I used to. Two other friends decided some blogging girlfriend time in NYC could not be passed up and agreed to attend with us. Leah from Beyer Beware and Aimee from Everyday Epistle are both true friends that I know outside of social media through past work experiences but we are good friends because of our social media and blogging connection. However, not all of these women have actually met in real life until this week. And we are sharing a hotel room together! We’ll be quite the crew after four nights together in Manhattan.
I am departing the prairies of North Dakota for New York City, where the grass once was green this year. It’s now dried out and needing rain. The skies are still blue.
It is small grains harvest on the prairies of North Dakota right now. Follow my mom’s GriggsDakota farm blog where she updates five days a week in the midst of delivering homemade meals to many daily.
While I am away the kids and my husband will be cheering for the USA in the Olympics, eating green beans from the garden…
and maybe even sneaking in some camping on the weekend.
By the time I return from four days at Blogher in New York City, it will be football season for our son.
My trip from North Dakota to New York City takes me out of my comfort zone, reminds me of why I blog and allows me an opportunity to connect with women who expand my thinking, views and perspective. Plus brands will be there that I love. The whole concept of thousands of women gathering in one location for a blogging conference with brands and sponsors surrounding us is exciting to me. I love people. I love marketing. I love the city, in small doses. But the real excitement for me is to be engaged and encouraged by my friends and new friends I will meet. I know by attending Blogher in New York City I will return to the prairies of North Dakota, 97 miles from Starbuck’s a better mom, wife, professional and maybe even a better blogger!
Next year’s location for Blogher will be announced this weekend. Who is joining us next year?
Look for Blogher updates coming from me throughout the weekend. A special thank you to my husband and family for the flexibility of allowing me, their crazy blogging mama and wife to jump off the prairie for a few days.
You Girls be safe and have fun Sounds like a great trip for four beautiful gals.
i know you ladies will have a GREAT time!
Have fun! Can’t wait to hear about 2013. I’m going to start prepping my hubby now so I can go. And maybe Ellen Duerr too!
You go girls! Have a GREAT time in NYC!