I learned a lot.  So much that I am exhausted and I am still trying to piece my head back together after it exploded from all of the excitement and information.  There is a ton of practical information that I came away with and I plan to share that in posts dedicated to each subject, so I can spread the love a little, but today I am going to share something much more valuable…what I learned about people.  (Clockwise from top left: Melissa, Allison, Gussy, Nester, Lorie, Laurie, Lindsey and me.) I learned that …Melissa is soft spoken, encouraging and hates to paint… …Allison is totally crazy and doesn’t mind if a semi-celebrity male grabs her leg to pose for a picture… …I not only envy Gussy’s bags, but her super cute hair… …the Nester loves bacon and wants a window seat when flying… …Lorie encourages people to act normal,

I have never been to a blog conference before and I had no idea I would get so many goodies.  We received this Blissdom Charm designed by the lovely Lisa Leonard in our welcome bags.  I’ve hosted a giveaway for her before, so it was such a delight to meet her face-to-face.  She is the real deal.  In addition to all of the goodies from the sponsors and vendors (like free ice cream from Blue Bunny, free undies from Jockey, a tote from Lands End, and on and on), bloggers are handing out treats.  I hit the mother load when I sat at a crafty-girls table for lunch.  I even bought a camera strap slipcover by Ruthanne from Eclectic Whatnot, just because I sat by her at lunch and her work is so beautiful.  I might ask for a necklace from Allora Handmade for my birthday and I’m definitely ordering some of her

Yes.  They are ALL REAL!  Sarah from Thrifty Decor Chick. Chris from Just a Girl and Becky from Infarrently Creative (Oh, I’ve got the goods on her.  Just wait!) Nester and Melissa from The Inspired Room. I snuggled up to Layla for a picture… …and she was just the goofball she is on her blog.  And she’s just as awesome and sweet and genuine as well.  They are all real and I like them even better in person, if that was possible.  I have more pictures to share, stories to tell, people to link to…all of that.  I had intentions to post more tonight, but it’s almost midnight and I have to be able to function tomorrow.  (Sorry about the quality of these pictures.  The lighting has been a challege here!)

I woke up  this morning to a snow storm.  Seriously?  Really?  Today of all days?  We left for the airport at the crack of dawn and drove along snow-covered roads to the airport.  I am a dork and took a picture of my plane in the snow.  Thankfully, it was on time.  We boarded the plane and went through the de-icing process.  Just as we were ready to leave, I heard the words that are only spoken on movies or on someone elses’ flight, “Is there a doctor on board?” People rushed to the back of the plane with tanks and tubes and the rest of us waited. The plane had to go back to the gate to let the paramedics on board to assist the person in distress. The process took so long that the plane had to go through the de-icing process again.  (The gentleman was ok.)  Our plane was

…I went to Wild Rose this morning to drop off a few things.  …I bought five French chairs, but I didn’t get to take a picture of them to share with you. …I went clothes shopping for 4 1/2 hours and only bought three things.  I came home discouraged and it’s possible I’ll return what I bought. …I ran, exercised and did awesome on my diet.  …I feel uninspired, tired and I have no idea what to write about. …I’m just going to share a few photos, because that’s all I have to share. Today… …is almost over. And tomorrow will be better. Are you interested in the Copy Me Challenge?  If so, check out Donna’s post today.  We’re waiting for my follower widget to hit 4000 and the fun will begin! 

…I went to Wild Rose this morning to drop off a few things.  …I bought five French chairs, but I didn’t get to take a picture of them to share with you. …I went clothes shopping for 4 1/2 hours and only bought three things.  I came home discouraged and it’s possible I’ll return what I bought. …I ran, exercised and did awesome on my diet.  …I feel uninspired, tired and I have no idea what to write about. …I’m just going to share a few photos, because that’s all I have to share. Today… …is almost over. And tomorrow will be better. Are you interested in the Copy Me Challenge?  If so, check out Donna’s post today.  We’re waiting for my follower widget to hit 4000 and the fun will begin! 

When I buy something, I rarely look at what it is… I always look at what it can be.  Take these two metal pedestals for example.  Great shape, great material, lots of uses.  I just hated the red “antique finish” on them.  It was too…manufactured.  I painted them a flint gray and then rubbed on a black glaze.  They now have a zinc quality about them, which is much better than what it was.  I have to fiddle with things.  I just can’t help myself. Just to give you a preview of what I’ve been working on lately, here’s a sneak peek of the piece of furniture I just finished and photographed today.  …hmmm…what is she up to?