Type-A Mom 2011 Highlights

• Amy aka Teach Mama and Joanne aka Pundit Mom are not only fabulous traveling companions and drivers, they're brilliant writers with so much to say. To quote my eloquent friend Stimey, Joanne's new book, "Mothers of Intention: How Women & Social Media Are Revolutionizing Politics in America", " "highlights the ways that women and mothers are relevant, smart, and important. Highly recommended!" The best part of the book is that it's incredibly balanced -- liberal, conservative, moderate -- all voices are represented... And Amy, well, she makes me a better mother. Just today, I had to stop myself from saying "You know this!" to my daughter when she was reading because of Teach Mama's latest tips. She's the kind of mother I strive to be!
• Asheville has an artsy, foodie-friendly downtown, with scrumptious chocolate, coffee, crepe, and tapas places. I owe a special shout out to the Green Sage Cafe, which earns an honorary Pillow Cafe award for being an awesome neighborhood coffee shop where a wireless-less girl could grab a mocha and sit for three hours to work.
• Tissues are in order when Susan aka WhyMommy takes the stage. Her powerful acceptance speech at the Bloganthropy Awards blew the audience away and honored her 19 collaborators at Mothers With Cancer.
• Stacey aka Justice Fergie and I roomed together for the first time and realized we have So. Much. In. Common. Well, except her husband was a former college football player, and mine is a former college newspaper editor, but still! We even wore the exact same style of nightwear: a T-shirt (hers was of her business, mine of my kids' preschool) and print pajama pants.
• It's apparently unanimous: water polo players are beautiful creatures. Sheila and Fiona gave me the scoop, which was necessary for something I'm writing. Thanks, ladies. And also thanks to Amy and Joanne for humoring my obsessive research on the subject.
• My good friend Leticia aka Tech Savvy Mama looks amazing in colors, instead of her traditionally black wardrobe, thanks to her new Fresh Produce ensembles.
• Sometimes just having one amazing conversation a day is worth the price of going to a conference.
• Corolle Dolls and Mamanista graciously donated a huge bag full of mini dolls, so I can give them to A Wider Circle's Well Mother, Well Baby campaign.
• I'm a little bit crazed about lice awareness, so I might have frightened Child's Play Communications' account executive for Fairy Tales Haircare with my intensity on the subject.
• Some women are truly kindred spirits, and I wish I lived closer to them instead of seeing them twice a year at blogging conferences.
• Lastly, I am blessed with THE best regional group of fellow bloggers in the world. I'm not exaggerating. My DC Moms crew is fiercely loyal, supportive and kind. I wish I'd had more time to spend with Lolli and Jill (next time!). It was inspiring to be with Amy, Elena, Leticia, Joanne and Stacey throughout the conference. Whether we were eating delicious bacon and trout-filled meals or just brainstorming for our upcoming venture, you made this a memorable trip. (Ellen and Christina, you were great honorary DCists!)

Comments

[jodifur]

So jealous you got to hang with all of my faves!

[Joanne]

It must be brilliant to be able to enjoy your job as you do. Not only that you have a great bunch of friends to enjoy the experience with you.

[Berlin Society]

Enjoying work is a biggy in this life, not many people do enjoy their jobs. I would love a job where you get to interact with the people you meet and get on with work colleagues.

[Oliver]

I think it is fantastic that you are enjoying your work with all of your friends. I spent literally years, hating my job, until I went freelance and now do work as an article writer from home, this means that I get more time with my family, friends and enjoying life rather than stuck behind a desk with a bunch of people I don't like.

[Jo]

I used to work in an office doing a job I loved, then the management team changed and the company sold out and my job became increasingly more stressful. I took on the challenge and worked from home only going into work part time. I then made the break completely and thoroughly enjoy working for myself in a job I love, but the best thing about my work, is that I have the freedom to be able to enjoy my time, as I can choose the hours I want to work.