In one week {ONE WEEK!} I leave for the Blissdom Conference in Nashville. I am beyond excited. Thrilled, actually. I don’t fully know what to expect {it’s my first time going}, but I do hope to get a lot out of the conference. There are so many great seminars lined up, that it’s kind of hard to narrow down just want I want to participate in. But, I’m sure what ever I go to will be great.

1. Knowledge – From search engine optimization to editing your posts, the seminar descriptions look packed with information. And while I want to go to every single one, I’m sure I’ll be on overload before I know it.

2. Community – I’ve “met” some amazing women over the last year. Grown to really know them as they share their lives through their blogs. It’s provided me with a since of community that has been really incredible. I can’t wait to meet them in real life next week!

3. Networking – Along with the women I have “met” there are still so many great blogging women out there I haven’t. Having the chance to meet new women and expand my network is something I’ve been looking forward to for a while.

4. Creativity – I’ll be honest, I’ve been creatively dry for the last several weeks. Almost as though I’m on auto-pilot. I keep telling myself “Make it to Blissdom” because I’m convinced I’ll walk away full of wonderful creative ideas. Or at least I really hope so!

5. Seeing my family – Blissdom is held each year in Nashville – my childhood city. So going this year means I get to spend a little time with my family. Which is really awesome, because I miss them, even if it’s only been a month since I last saw them.

6. Staying at Opryland – Ok, this might be kind of a silly reason to be excited about Blissom, but the conference is held at Opryland Hotel. In all my years, I’ve never spent the night at Opryland. It’s like a daydreamy place – I had my senior prom there, I’ve walked through it’s halls dozens of times with my family – but I’ve never been lucky enough to spend the night. Until now. And as if it couldn’t get better, I get to stay with Alicia from Alicia’s Homemaking. Squeal!! So excited!!

7. Mama vacation – I’ll be gone for five whole days next week. Five. The longest I’ve ever been away from either of my girls. And while that’s a little sad, I’m taking Alicia’s point of view when she emailed me “I’m going to go SIX days without having to wipe down a high chair!”  Woot!

8. Having fun – While Blissdom is sure to teach me a lot, I know it’s not just going to be a boring classroom – in fact, it’s going to be a blast. Between the kick-off party and the pj party, I have a feeling there’s going to be a lot of giggling women all around.

9. Being myself – Writing brings out a part of me that nothing else seems to and I love it. So having the chance to spend time tapping that resource is such a great thing.

10. Fashion – Ok, since I made 2010 my year to bring out my fashionista, I’m pretty excited about some of the finds I came across between now and then. In particular, a gold necklace. Which might not seem like a big deal, but to me it’s huge. I don’t wear gold, so to do a gold necklace is a big step. I’ll be wearing it at Blissdom so let me know what you think!

If you’re going to Blissdom, what are somethings you’re looking forward to?

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