As I sit here chomping on Chick Chocolates, something else I need to review when I get home, I contemplate the great question on the bloggy minds: Was the women's blogging conference Blissdom09 worth booking a plane & hotel room, flying away from family and the comforts of home, and joining several hundred other women talking about our common passion of blogging?

Honestly, I mean completely honest now, I would have to say, if I really had to spell it out for you, I would lean quietly into your ear and whisper the word: YYYEEEESSS!!! And, then your ear drums would be blown because my "YES" wouldn't quite be a whisper but instead a resounding shout because when you give a woman a chance to leave the norms of her daily life, as much as she loves her children and husband and perhaps day job and join women who love the same thing and talk about the same thing and muse over the same thing, whatever that same thing is, you get a beautiful thing.

I want to take this opp. to THANK Alli from Mrs. Fussypants, whose brainchild this conference was and to Barbara Jones of One2One Network for sponsoring and running the conference so incredibly. The panelists were too varied to thank by name but you all were wonderful with so many great things to say. Pictures will have to come after I get home.

I can't neglect to thank Jo-Lynne from Musings of a Housewife for encouraging me to come (and for the ride to the airport) and for Sarah from RealLifeSarah for rooming with us. (Ohh, and while the TY's are being spread on like raspberry jelly on a fresh baked croissant, I have to thank Maria Bailey of "Mom 3.0" for sponsoring our room. What a great lady.)

A few of the things I learned in Nashville include:

1) A room of women go a little crazy when faced by two gorgeous young singers (named Ender Thomas and Nathan Pacheco from Yanni's Voices Tour). Thank you guys!

2) Book deals and audience go hand in hand: You need to be able to show a publisher that you can help sell your own book. (At the moment I heard that, I remembered why I started blogging. I heard that little fact last year and thought blogging could become a way to develop an audience so that when I did write a book I would have enough sympathy readers to at least pay the printing. But blogging became so much more to me, I totally forgot why I started it in the first place.)

2) Readers count on your rhythm — so DEVELOP one & stick with it if you can.

3) MEDIA KITS are very important when talking to advertisers!

4) Sites that do reviews & giveaways should have some sort of policy spelled out somewhere for PR people to look over. It helps them know what you are looking for and not bother you if their programs or products don't match your requirements.

5) PR & blogging is like the wild, wild west. Everyone is trying to figure it out.

6) Twitter is becoming increasingly important in the overall picture of the blogger's connectedness to the greater society.

7) Write asking yourself "What will readers take away from this?"

Have a great product and it will win out no matter what.

9) If I twitter everything I am doing, my husband is able to see it and comment. But, I love him so that's okay too. I really appreciate him taking good care of our two cuties this weekend!

What I personally got out of it:

1) LOTS of business cards – round, square, small, tall, glossy, smooth.

2) LOTS of greats moments connecting with familiar faces – putting the voice to the name.

3) A chance to meet my faves and make some new acquaintances. (GREAT to meet you Moriah and to see you Lisa, Dawn, Alyssa, Annie, Shannon, Robin and so many MORE!)

4) A chance to meet tons of frugal bloggers which I am hoping will REALLY help me with the new Frugal Living column I write for our local paper.

5) A much needed vacation where I met very cool, inspiring people at the same time.

6) FODDER for at least a couple more blog posts.

7) A chance to get a mani-pedi at Le Jardin in Collegeville before going. Lovin' the OPI color "Lincoln Park After Dark." Only one small chip so far! I hear light is in for the spring so this was my last chance to get a dark color manicure! I feel so pampered!

I thoroughly enjoyed meeting and getting to know so many of you! Definitely something to STRIVE to attend next year, if I can get away with it again