Meeting Blogging Friends in Real Life

Next weekend I have the wonderful opportunity to attend the Proverbs 31 - She Speaks Conference (for speakers, writers, and bloggers), right here in NC.
I was going to share my explanation, but Lysa's vision is straight from the heart.

She Speaks Conference Site

I know, I know...pretty amazing all that the Lord is going to reveal, isn't it? I am so thankful for the vision of these women and their hearts of servant leadership.

Most of you reading only know me as a blogger.
A year ago, I could barely define 'blog'. In a ministry sense, I would have considered myself a speaker and worship leader. Little did I know how much I would grow to love connecting with women through this on-line virtual coffeehouse known as blogland.
Hearing your heart through comments is wonderful, yet I would love nothing more than to have you right here, sitting in my trash to treasure family room, sipping some Starbucks while I listen to your story.
So when I attend a conference with 600 women, there are a lot of stories to hear.
Listening to them all is an impossibility, but breaking down the large group barrier and meeting new friends is a very real probability. That is my desire with this post - to connect a few of the women attending She Speaks '09, and hopefully ease a few nerves of people going alone.
I know that the Lord is using this time of preparation to reveal His glory through the weekend.

I have been visiting blogs of those attending the conference and there are a lot of tentative women getting ready for this weekend. Somehow it brings back all those Junior High "cool club" feelings of fitting in, first impressions, let alone the "what do I wear?" dilemma.
Guess what? I hadn't even thought one little bit about my clothing choices until I started reading every one's blogs. Now you ladies got me all nervous. ;)

Since I am frugal blogger, I have to put in my two cents...I am devoting a whole Frugal Fashionista post to this weekend's conference. Yes, I am committing to wearing all thrift clothing...all weekend. If I'm wearing someone else's cast offs, you have no worries. :) So let's feel free to shop our closets, ladies. It's just not worth it to charge up those credit cards. It's amazing what gems can be found under all those piles in our closest.
Can you describe to me the outfits of ten women from church this past Sunday? Neither can I. Doesn't that put it in perspective? No one is attending to critique fashion finazze...we are going to share our hearts. (Climbing down from my soap box now, thank you). So please come find me if you have any Frugal Fashionista attire on at the conference. My camera is going to be ready to click and feature you right here. :)

Since the conference time frame is jam packed, we wanted to make sure there was a scheduled time for all bloggers to connect and meet in one location. Friday evening there will be a Blogger Meet and Greet after the speaker evaluations are finished. On the schedule it says "free time" (9:30pm) and I invite you to join all the bloggers on the veranda. (Doesn't that sound so "Gone with the Windish'...join us on the veranda? ;). At the registration table, I will have a reminder sign about our evening, but make sure to check in case there have been any last minute location changes.

For those of you not attending, you have an introduction right here to some wonderful ladies down below. For those of you joining us at She Speaks 09, please link up below to a specific She Speaks post or to your blog home page. Then, visit the new friend above and below you on the link list. Peruse their blog, leave a comment, and during the Friday meet and greet we will spend a few minutes finding our new friends. Don't worry, I won't make you do any "forced bonding" games such as clucking like a chicken to find each other. I gave that up with my youth ministry days. :)
This will allow you to put an instant face and warm body with that blog header/avatar picture.
Want to go a step further? Share one thing in your comment or by email that we can be praying for in this final time of preparation. It takes a lot to get out the door for a weekend, so let's lift each other up as we anticipate all that the Lord will do through our time together.

For those of you on Twitter, we are using the hashtag #shespeaks throughout the week to keep updated. Many of us will be tweeting throughout the sessions/weekend, so come join in on the fun.

When we return, I invite you back here to share the stories and pictures of all that we have experienced. Are you getting excited?

Now come, link up and pass the word to other She Speaks 09 attendees. I can't wait to visit your blog this week, and then meet you on Friday evening. :)

"Planning" my own surprise party...

Here at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam, I was going to let this March 3rd sneak by like any other day with non the wiser, but...I didn't want to pass up the opportunity to thank you all for sharing a special spot in my life.

Never did I think that ladies I have never met would feel like "friends," nor would I be able to deepen my friendship with people in real life because we share a bit more openly on our blog - especially when we blog the beauty AND the bedlam.
I wanted to have you all ponder my age...forever...but I admit, I am entering this dark, and dangerous, new decade.
If I wanted to keep it a secret, I wouldn't be able to show off what I have been enjoying for breakfast the last few days
(and all the pics had the dreaded age on them).
I am not even a chocolate cake lover, but this six layer little sinner, made by a French pastry chef at this Bistro, has been tempting me daily
(whew, it's finally gone - someone had to take care of that.)

We laughed when they brought it out because I think he was going to have a heart attack that my sweet sis in love defaced his creation with the candles, and roses.
The fun twist behind this surprise party was that I "planned" the date, time and place myself.
I direct a home school group and we try to have various ladies' nights out.
Well, with my evening scheduling being so crazy lately, I have postponed the date two other times, and knew that I couldn't cancel this one.

I announced the date only one week earlier (so they were fast), and that this coffe night would hold, no matter what...even if only one other person could come, I was going to be there.

It was a really busy day, I taught the pre-teen girl's Keeper Club how to make home made pizza,
and arrived home with just a few minutes to spare.

Had I known that pictures were awaiting, I would have used that time to change my "fat" jeans and shirt, fixed my bad hair day, and put on some make-up, but I was just meeting those friends that you share your bedlam with - you know those kind?
The kind you don't change your clothes for?

So yes, they got me good...which is rare....

I am so blessed with friends, old and knew, with whom I can share life.
Friends who email me with frugal deals, and cut coupons with me, friends who laugh at me but love me anyhow, friends who have stuck by me through financial disasters, but encourage me along the way with all the amazing things that the Lord has done, friends who have been there through the births of many children, and celebrate the joys and blessings of mothering,

friends that allow me to just be....

My sweet sis wanted me to be Queen for a Day...and you can bet by the end of Thursday evening, my daughter had claimed that crown for herself. :)

This girls night wouldn't be complete without acknowledging that sharing life with this best friend is a joy, even if he says I'm now officially middle aged.
In my heart I don't feel middle aged. I'm told I don't look middle aged...but could it be true?
Is he right? UGH! :)

The Lord has wonderful plans in store for my hubby and me during this God Watch period of our lives, and I know that in His time He will reveal them.
So now we wait....
I wouldn't want to go through this with any one else.

Thank you all for making this transition into middleage hood so...ah...manageable. :) x0x0

Blissdom update

*If you're coming over from the Fashion Friday post, scroll down.
I am beginning a regular Frugal Fashionista post about dressing in designer outfits for under $15. I began receiving many requests for tips on shopping the 2nd hand stores without looking like you did. :)

For those of you that just read my blog for fun, and info, and have no interest in blogging - my sincerest apologies. :)

I spent the last three day meeting many of the friends who live in my computer....and I can't even begin to touch on them all. Nor do I have the time to explain the processing that goes on with an event like this since I should be schooling my children.

Seeing as it was in Nashville, I did most of my processing with Emily and The Nester on our eight hour ride home. I have known them for years, but the opportunity to share, and pick each others brains about everything having to do with life, may have been worth the whole trip.
Heathalee (who didn't come to the conference but came to meet all of us... she's a doll), Me (with my $1 comfiest ever pink shirt and $5 jacket), Emily, the Nester

I am someone who loves to cherish friendships in real life. I never thought I could actually make friends on line (that might not be potential balded headed stalkers posing as a mommy blogger), nor that I would appreciate the depth of closeness one could feel when you "meet" for the first time, and it feels like you've known them forever.
It's possible, probable, and perfectly wonderful.

I roomed with Kimba and Rhoda (we missed you, Kristy), who I have already gone on about in past posts...both are just like you would think they are.
Talented, inspiring, and a blast to be around.
I think Rhoda and Kimba still love me even though I kept waking them Saturday night when they were trying to sleep - so sorry.

Some of favorites friends in the hall. Susie Harris commented on my first ever blog post...will love her forever because of it.
She and her sister, Missy, are another wonderful duo (like Emily and the Nester) to watch and wish you had a sister relationship like them.

Sandy (4 Reluctant Entertainers) and I both have a passion for hospitality with our families, and you will be blessed by her wisdom.

Dinner night out...Melissa from the Inspired Room....always a joy!

Meredith from Like Merchant Ships is a new found blogging friend. We share our love for frugal homemaking. She is wisdom personified, and such a sweet, gentle spirit. :)

So many others to mention, but I am sticking with only those I had a picture of....bummer.

Frugal Fashionista UPDATE:
I know I said I would do a whole fashion show of all my designer clothing outfits for under $10, but I forgot to take pictures...ugh. I will have to re-dress and do this for real. Not the re-dressing part....just the fashion show. I think we'll have to do a frugal fashion week. :)

FRUGAL FASHION SNEAK PEEK
Dressy tank top - $1 - yard sale
Earrings - $1 - yard sale
Shawl/wrap - $2.50 (with the brand new price tags on) thrift store

Pants - $1 - yard sale
Nine West leather boots - $2 thrift store

This is the epitome of casual dress, and I hate this is the only other picture I have, but the whole outfit with the leather BASS shoes,
Anne Klein Jeans, and fun shirt that looks way better in real life.....
$10.

Sheesh...I don't even have the buttons done. :)

I think I can, I think I can.....

I have minutes to get ready for Blissdom - literally.

I was up til 2:00am making those cookies...and then got to the end of that fabulous recipe, and realized I hadn't added the brown sugar.
I went back and added it, but at 1 am, it wasn't quite as funny as it is now.
And I consider myself a Queen of Multitasking. - HA!

The dishes are still in the sink.

My kids are asleep, and need to get started with school.

I am leaving the house a wreck...so sorry honey. UGH!

I am not packed.

I WANT to go to triple coupon weekend at Harris Teeter, and yet I am sitting here saying "good bye." (We've decided I need a real life if I am so sad over missing Triple Coupons...which I am).

But in spite of all that, I want you to know....I wish you were all coming, and I could meet every single one of you in real life.
And then you could ask me "how do you do it all?" in real life, and I wouldn't have to tell you about my dirty dishes on this blog.

Emily, the Nester, and I are leaving in an hour to drive to Nashville for the Blissdom blogging conference.

I'm bringing my laptop (well, my hubby's...but it's all the same, right?), and I'm sure I'll learn from all these ubber talented high executive bloggers,

how to post cross country.

I might even learn how to become a "real" blogger.

What's a "real" blogger?

One that is not constantly typing off her posts minutes before she hits "publish."

One that actually edits....

One that sits down with some themes in mind....

one that......

Sheesh, I better stop, or I may psyche myself out from going - NAW! :)

(edited to add) Chuckling as I type because this post accidentally published in the middle of a sentence. Having serious laptop issues....this real bloger is.....

I am excited to share all that I learn ...blogging has become a bit of a surreal experience, don't you agree? This conference will legitimize it for me, and hopefully teach me how to take it to a new level.
The best part is that it will be nice to have my friends jump out of this computer. :)

Now that I have procrastinate even more time away..I am off to pack.

Yes, some ladies have been shopping for months for this conference,

and I am going to sport my thrifty wardrobe.

For fun, I am only going to wear all things purchased second hand.

Can't wait to walk you through some designer wardrobes - all under $15 with shoes, and jewelry.

Now, off to find those in my closet....shouldn't be too hard. :)

Merry Sitsmas sistas

There is nothing I like more than sitting by the glow of the twinkling tree lights, sipping scrumptious hot chocolate, and enjoying the warm friendship of other ladies.

Well, The Secret is in the Sauce ladies are doing their 1st Annual Merry Sitsmas today, and since I can't have the other three right now, this is the next best thing.
I am joining in...not only because I love meeting new ladies, but because there is a $200 Target card as a give away.

Now they have asked everyone to post their Christmas Card, and that is LOL funny to me because it's not Dec. 24th yet...why would anyone think of Christmas cards at the beginning of December?
But since they are - those crazy ladies....
here is a very warm Balancing Beauty and Bedlam greeting from my family to yours.
Entering this new world of blogging has been a blessing (and a distraction :), and I look forward to many more Sitsmas with each of you new found friends.
(and if I haven't "met" you yet....this is our year...).
(this was just this past Friday in Boone, NC)
Since I may be the only blogging lady that doesn't have all her Christmas things Martha Stewardized yet, I thought I would show you...
the "I think I can, I think I can"
state of my family room.
I left it like this just as my eldest son exclaimed,"I hate Christmas decorating, it's so stressful. It's worse than studying for final exams."
And with that...I said, "Let's take a break."
Well, there may have been a few other words exchanged as well, but the a for mentioned seemed more acceptable.
Let me tell you, we had some light "issues" and it was frustrating.

Slowly, we're getting there.
We'll finish. If not tomorrow, then the next day or the next....
and just when I make everything blog worthy for you all, I'll leave for the Superbowl game...such a bummer!
Are you one that has to get it all done in one day?
I HEART you ladies, and wish I were you!
And yes...those are two sofas situated in tandem just for my family room.
They are holding various Christmas decorations.
Theater seating, anyone?
Yep, there's a bedlam story birthing here, but I just can't share it. :)

Oh, and they even want us to post a little poem or something creative.
But since I have no time
and can not be forced to rhyme,
I think I will have to pass...but alas, alas....
"Hark," the blogging angels sing ,
"Jen, you'll save a dime.
Oh, now they've crossed the line.
Because in my mind I sing...Target, she is King!

Oh, wow...that was pathetic, but it's midnight and I have to get the link up, and I don't want to edit. :)

Blogging Beauties

Yep, since I am always a day late...or a week late for that matter,
I am finally getting around to bragging about how awesome connecting in blog land can be.

Now, I realize that you are already aware of this fact or you wouldn't be drawn to this virtual world, but let me highlight a few of the finest.
One of my favorite things to do is connect with like minded, authentic women.
The blog world is full of them, and it goes completely against my nature to only "know" you through a computer screen.
I have the privilege of knowing a few dynamic bloggers in real life (in fact, we are/were all from the same church, although not everyone knew each other....downside of a big church), and when I found out that Kimba's sister lived in our town, and that the Spray Paint Guru was coming to babysit..in our home town...in the flesh....I was all over that.

The End result....ME - The Queen of Forced Bonding organized a brunch with a bunch of blogging beauties! (...hmmm, pondering how my Queen of Procrastination title disappeared immediately for this event)
Trust me - absolutely no forcing or procrastination was necessary to get these ladies together, and if you all lived close, you SO would have been invited.
There are many of you who I WILL meet in real life....
Sitting in the back row is me, Kimba, Jill (who is a dear friend that I sucked into lurkdom...no blog), Emily (seated by the urn),
In front, Lauren (a complete cutie getting married in just a few short days), Kendra (the foodie we all know and love), and the Nester.
And yes, we all used Emily's group picture since she was the only one who got her self timer working, so if you've seen it on a few other blogs....oops.
Since I was going for the alliteration with the Blogging Beauties title and not accolades, I will say that these are all beautiful women...authentic, passionate, down to earth,
and just plain fun to be with.
Our time flew, and not nearly enough stories were shared.
Here are just a few random pics.

Kimba gives a spontaneous tutorial, while Kendra is contemplating how she can spray paint her old cookware.

Here I am smooshed in between two of the sweetest sisters known to man kind. Since I don't want to embarrass them and gush too heavily, let's just say that I know things about them through their blogs that just bless the socks off me, and it's just an extra blessing knowing them in real life.
Can we actually get together a bit more despite our busy schedules?
I believe I was attempting to talk the Nester into doing some bedlam moments for my blog.

She politely declined the bedlam moment, and replied something about just wanting to hide in her decorating cave... hee hee
(And what's the deal with a new fancy camera if I can't even figure out the right settings...(sorry for the sea sickness. )

And.... the guest of honor was this fast new friend.
I will tell you though, that I am incredibly upset that I met her because our time together was way too short, and now that we have bonded, I am mourning the fact that I will only get to see her a few times of year.
Have you ever felt that way about someone?
You just know that if you lived closer, they'd be the one you were calling spontaneously for coffee? Yep, that her.
And together we would solve all the world's problems, since neither of us would actually post anything controversial on our blog. :)

Kimba - thank you for being a blessing to so many in blog land!
You are a treasure!

OH MY!!! We are in trouble!!

Can't get enough of His glory!

Besides the 3:45am start to my day,
who could have imagined that such beauty
could have turned to bedlam so quickly.
Our Once Upon a Family's Operation Happy Home 2008 began on Thursday.
It started so innocently, and with such affirmation.
(Just out a shout out to Karen)
The Leadership Council marveled at her amazing name tag design.
Yes, she is quite proud - they match Lorle's new book cover perfectly, in case you're wondering.
We began with a congratulatory toast to the Leadership Council -

a group of upstanding, mature, adult women leading a company
(please, remember that)....
(Jen Smith, me, Sally)
It was a time for Lorle to thank us for making a difference in the lives of families....for desiring to see family culture changed. Well, it

got us remembering special traditions that we have shared with our own kids. We are traditions consultants, aren't we? We celebrate life's simple moments.

One woman shared how much fun it was to christen hotel beds by....well....
Jumping on the bed....
So we all thought that would be the most fun ever...all 10 of us.....
Did you know that 10 minutes of all out belly laughter is equivalent to 2 hours of REM sleep?
It's true....go have a belly laugh,
just squeeze hard if you've had kids the good ole' fashioned way.
Some of us were wetting our pants.
Sorry, just being truthful and blunt...I want you to fully experience what happened next,
so I am setting the stage (and sharing a little bedlam).
Have you ever seen grown woman having so much good, clean, fun? We are celebrating the simple pleasures of life.
Until the bed broke.
Literally... I mean really broke....the bed in the presidential suite.
You know those really expensive suites that I could never afford?
I mean, one minute we were having the most fun ever
(tangent...should we tell our kids...
don't we always tell them you should never ever jump on the bed?)
And then the entire thing collapsed onto the floor.
Lorle ( OUAF founder and CEO) and I were laughing so hard we could barely stand up.
Below we're trying to figure out what to do.
We're a family values company, shouldn't we be honest?
On the other hand, who would have thought that they had any real wood bed frames left in hotels? That's not our fault, is it?
Well, I checked...no other room had a "real bed" except the fancy schmancy suite.
All the other rooms in the WHOLE hotel have headboards nailed to the wall with iron frames, but NO, NOT this one.
Yep, I told you it was broken.

This is sweet Santiago that had been serving us, and was attempting to captures pictures of the whole bed jumping incident until it broke. I have been having problems loading pictures, but we got a different picture of him right after it broke and he was assuring us (in the little English he knew), that it was OK....he saw nothing.
This was before the fact, when he just thought we were crazy women.
And just so you know....this was clean fun, no drunkenness allowed.
So what did we decide? Don't ask, don't tell.....
That's my story and I am stickin to it.
But just in case your conscience is bothering you...don't worry, mine would be too.
We're fessing up....but just how should we put this little incident....hmmmm?

Thank you ...to the third power!!!

Third power? Do you remember what that means?Just a little math to get your fuzzy brains thinking this weekend. If you don't want to think, you can scroll down for the yard sale treasures.:)

I am excited to say that I have received my first ever web award, and I thank Lauren 100 times over. She used to baby sit for my kids. We lost touch through the years, but found each other again through the web...isn't technology amazing? She is getting married in Dec. and is the sweetest, cutest thing ever...oh, to be young and in love (clarify...I am very much in love, it's the young part that is debatable).
Now, a little math quiz for you.
If Jennifer P (who is 'famous' in blog world) nominated Lauren (who will now be famous in blogland), and then Lauren nominated me...does that make me famous?
Remember....if A=B, and B=C, then C=A.....
Anyone remember which property that is?
This home school mom needs to dust off the summer cobwebs.

Now, I nominate a few other blogs that I have enjoyed getting to know, they save this great award to their blog, you mention who gave it to you (me:), and then you pass on the love.
I begin with Notes of Sincerity. Tricia Anne is also new to blogging and we have SO many things in common. I am sure we'd be fast friends if we lived close by.
Savvy City Farmer is just the neatest lady with more 'know how' in her little pinky than I could ever hope to have, and I still mourn the yard sales to end all yard sales that she had and didn't invite me to. So what if I stumbled onto her blog after it had taken place...I can still dream, can't I?
New Every Morning is a fellow NC gal with such a sweet heart, and amazing taste to boot.
Just a girl has taken blogland by storm, and posted the sweetest tribute to her son for his birthday. A momma's heart ranks high in my book.:)
Last, but not least, Pages of our Life. She has let me plagiarize one of her home school posts on my other blog and I wish she could join the CC group that I direct.:)
Thanks ladies for making my entry into blogging this month so enjoyable. When you're famous, don't forget the little people....hee hee.

What would a Saturday be without sharing my amazing finds...I have to save the best of the best for another post because I need help from you all, and want to have the time to solicit it.:)

Whenever I find little baskets, cute container or trays, I pick them up for when I bring meals to people or if I want to give a friend a "I'm thinking of you" expression of love. I will paint this metal tray black and it will be perfect to give to someone "just because".
There's a beautiful crystal doorknob that you can't see very well....for the girls' room, a few "classic" movies. After our "singing in the rain" experience/post, this is a must see for the fam. Cute swim suit for next year, and balancing on their cute booties is a clip rack to hold my Homemade Gourmet products when I do booths. That is a find for me.

I picked up these four pictures for $1.
They are in great shape with beautiful mats/frames that I will paint and re-purpose.
Cute black planter...definitely change that out, and this 'American Girl' doll sofa for $1.
Yes, that's right...a BUCK!!
Please SIT DOWN...
if you have any girlies in your home because I may make you covet, and that's definitely not my intention.
At another yard sale, I also purchased SAMANTHA in mint condition with 6 Pleasant Girl outfits....yes, 6 PG American Girl doll outfits for $30. That is a find of the century!
I have been trying so hard to sneak and get a picture but it will be for this cutey for Christmas. Every time I get near the closet with the camera she wants to know what I am doing.:)
Just imagine that we've already purchased our great, new camera...are you imagining? Good...remember that I am redoing the girls' room (yea, yea....I've been saying that forever, but do you know how hard it is to get around to painting all by yourself?)
Sorry, I've tangented....look closely, there's one of those cute crystal beady type things and great green fabric...$2. Don't worry...that is not a mistreatment. It's just been thrown up there so you can see the "Before." (ha..that's a good one, they'll never know).

A cool wall hanging from the Bombay Company. Do you know how much that probably sold for retail? My price - $1. I am going to lightly wash it out with some black. Yes, I know it's not rotated...couldn't figure it out....turn your neck and deal with it.:)
So cute...the flipflops, not the pedicure.
My daughter couldn't schedule me in for an appointment yet.
Cute chair pads, table cloth and cool plastic dish (one that I can leave at someone's house)
$2 total.
Can you tell my girls are loving this. They insisted on every picture.
Candles....I LOVE CANDLES!!
I have an entire cabinet devoted to candles, and candle holders.
You think I am joking...no. Why don't people burn candles? Too expensive? Not when you pick them up second hand.
I NEVER pass up a candle and many times they are brand new.
All of the ones in this .69 basket (hee hee) are brand spanking new and were in the boxes.
We eat every evening meal by candlelight even if it is pizza or mac and cheese.
I am going to do a whole post about atmosphere
at the dinner table because that is one thing I do right.
It sets such a soothing atmosphere....oh, I could go on and on....I'll wait.
I can't wait to use those candy cane candles....everything in the basket...$3
(including the adorable glass butterfly holder which is much cuter in real life).

I bet you all thought I had no bedlam moment to share....you're wrong.
Look what I happened upon in my front yard.
For all those of you who aren't rocket scientists...this is one of my outside plant stands.
Do you see any flowers? Anywhere?
This is a planter....an empty planter.
Do you see a few dead flowers in there somewhere?
I won't bore you with more pictures, but my flowers are scattered through out the yard.

Meet Rex, and his son, Jack.
Jack lives next door with my brother, but he decided to come and "play."

Like Father like Son. Is it all about them?
Have they no respect for all the work I put into my poor little pitiful flower attempts....grr...I choose joy...really.:)
God saw fit to grace me through this lesson.
Walmart just put all their hanging baskets on sale for $2/piece!:)
Come back when I reveal my really amazing find...even better than the AG doll.