Brandcation…Why I Just HAVE to be There!

Are you passionate about something?  For me, it’s writing.  It’s my outlet.  I dream about the day that we have a house on a hill overlooking the ocean and my office has one entire wall of windows so my desk can face those windows and I can stare at the gorgeous view while I write.  Yes, that vision had a little help being formed courtesy of the movie, Something’s Gotta Give…you know, that great movie with Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton?!?  Oh yea and Keanu Reeves…can’t forget about Keanu!

Anyway, as I was saying…writing is my passion.  In 2008 I decided to start a blog.  It just so happens that Momdot was also starting out and I put my name on a linky they had on their site and joined the forum.  Little did I know that by doing that one simple thing I was introducing myself to a great group of women and men who not only knew a lot about the blogging world, but they would also become really great friends of mine.  When my husband lost his job this past year, it was that community of women and men that listened to me vent, prayed for me, and virtually wiped my tears.

Right now Momdot, Minnesota Blogger Life with Levi, and Toni from Just Stop Screaming are hosting an amazing giveaway.  One ticket to Brandcation with lodging AND $100 to go towards food and travel expenses.  Let me tell you, I want this ticket bad.  Like so bad that I would be willing to do anything for it.  Well almost anything!  On an more serious note, I want to go to Brandcation because not only do I want to network and talk about blogging with people I consider blogging experts, but I want to officially, face to face meet my friends; the people I have spent the last four years talking to.

I tend to shy away from things like this because I always have this insane fear of “what if someone doesn’t like me“, but I’ve learned over the years with this community that I don’t have to feel this way.  I can be who I am and some may not like me, but at the end of the day I’m me.  Winning this giveaway would mean the world to me.  I’ve entered many things in the past for things like new kitchen or laundry room appliances and while those things would have been awesome to have gotten, this means so much more because this is something for me.  I can use this to better my blog, but most importantly I will be a better person after meeting everyone else going.  You don’t spend the past four years talking with people online without realizing how great they all are and how much better you are for knowing them.  I truly believe some of our greatest friends are those that we haven’t officially met face to face.

Now, of course I can’t end this post on a serious note.  That would not be my style!  Besides all the wonderful things I mentioned above, I also want to win this giveaway because my husband is ALWAYS traveling for work and he tries to tell me that traveling for work isn’t all it’s cracked up to be and I don’t believe him.  Not for one second.  You get to watch whatever you want on television; you get to sleep alone and not listen to someone else snoring (though, for the record, I don’t snore.  I think he wakes himself up from HIS snoring, and then blames me); and you get to have peaceful meals.  And while I won’t be watching television if I get to attend Brandcation, I can tell you, without a doubt in my mind, that this work trip will be all that and more!

Don’t you want to see this smiling face in October…in the flesh?!?

So thank you for the opportunity to try and win this giveaway.  I know you don’t have an easy job ahead of you, but I am truly honored to be given the opportunity to try and win.

Disclosure:  This super cool giveaway is sponsored by Momdot, Minnesota Blogger Life with Levi and Toni from Just Stop Screaming