What happens in Vegas........

After a whirlwind of travel I am home for an extended period of time. I think. Okay, we'll see. Anyhow, at the very least I know I will be home this week and I have an opportunity to reflect. I am in the midst of recovering from living it up in Las Vegas. My version entailed speaking at two blog conferences - Blog World Expo and SITScation, meeting new and wonderful people, one night of dancing, meeting Guy Kawasaki, and seeing Cirque du Soleil. All this and not one dollar was lost gambling because being a tightwad has it's perks!

While traveling can be exhausting and time away from my family can be difficult, it reminds me of the most important aspect of blogging for me. Community. This weekend I met friends old and new and spent true quality time with individuals that I believe will be my lifelong friends. Two of these new friends are Rachel of Single Mom Seeking and Lindsey of Rock and Roll Mama. I've long admired Lindsey from afar and we met in July at BlogHer and spoke briefly at Type-A Mom but in Vegas we were able to break bread together and enjoy quality time together. Lindsey is an advocate for women advocating for themselves and I am truly glad to have her friendship and to knowing her is a constant reminder to value my worth as a woman and a mother. Rachel is a brand new friend. She is the author of the book Single Mom Seeking and I don't think that I have ever met a kinder or gentler spirit. The three of us dished and dined together after all speaking on the Niche Blogging Panel for the Mind of Moms track at Blog World Expo. These two women are intelligent, funny and witty. I look forward to spending more time with them in the future.

The third friend I met was Dale. She was an attendee at SITScation (The Secret is in The Sauce blog conference) and like Rachael has a wonderful spirit. As a matter of fact, Rachel introduced us and we walked Dale to her room after the SITS opening night party, I knew I wanted to spend more time with this lovely lady. Her blog, A Stroke of Living chronicles her life and story of overcoming a stroke at an early age. I admire her positive attitude in the midst of adversity and for anyone that says "I can't" you should be ashamed because Dale has proven we can accomplish anything we put our mind to. Dale and I attended Cirque Du Soleil's Mystere together and had a wonderful time.





Despite a long day at the conference, neither of us could contain our joy at the physical feats that seemed to defy possibility that we witnessed on stage. Although this is my third Cirque du Soleil show, as usual I was enthralled by the performance. Mystere is full of tumbling, high flying trapeze work and comedy. Things that I have come to love about their shows. One of the things that really impressed me was the original music and the ability to see the musicians sing and play instruments above the stage. This is something that is unique to Cirque shows and truly adds to the experience. I have to give a big thank you to Cirque to Soleil for providing the tickets to the show. I am a long time fan and Dale and I enjoyed it tremendously.


Vegas is a beautiful memory - although there were some sights there that had my eyeballs burning (especially some of the women "working" the casino) it was a great experience. I am still recovering and most of yesterday I spent napping and hanging out with my sweet boy. When he and Daddy picked me up at the airport, Mekhi said "I am so glad you are home Mommy!" My heart just about melted. All day yesterday we lounged around the house watching movies and enjoying each others company. It was priceless. I am looking forward to getting back in a groove here on the blog and look forward to giving you updates on all of the wonderful things that I have been up to!

Comments

Cynthia said…
Renee. It was so nice meeting you at SITScation. I want to thank you for your presentation. It was so helpful and inspiring, especially for those of us who are rather new to blogging (7 months and 400 posts). You have a terrific speaking style that bursts with enthusiasm.

Your original "cutie booty" is too cute. I love the picture of the two of you.
Anonymous said…
Sounds like such a great time!!! Thanks for the links to the great blogs!!!
You kick butt as a speaker, girlfriend! It was so nice to meet you in person. I bet Mekhi was glad to have his mama home, my boys were too! Hope to meet up again soon!
Knit Purl Gurl said…
So thrilled I got to hear your speak and got to meet you at SITScation! You are one busy lady, indeed and a true model of what bloggers should aspire to. :)
Felicia said…
It sounds like it was a wonderful time! I'm so glad you are back safely.
Sherri said…
Sounds like you had a fabulously busy time:) I know Mekhi was thrilled to have you back and have good hang out time with you.
Anonymous said…
The girl about town. So glad to have you back home :)
You lucky girl; Cirque Du Soleil, Vegas.... and best of all, Mekhi!
strokeofliving said…
What a lovely post Renee. Thank you for the lovely exaltation the Cirque ticket and for considering me to be a new friend. You are powerful and dynamic person with whom to spend an evening. I look forward to building our friendship as well and I'm humbled by your invitation and interest in my blog.
You guys got to go to Cirque du Soleil? How lucky! Those shows are fabulous, aren't they? So glad I got to meet you at SITScation.
Welcome home Renee! I'm blushing as I read your post. Wow, thanks darling.

I'm the one who feels blessed that you and Lindsay took me under your wings (It was my first time in Vegas! Hello!).

Thanks for taking me to the SITs Party -- and you already know that I'm in awe of your speaking abilities. Wish I could have heard you at SITs.

I'm thrilled that you and Dale went o the Cirque. Woo eee!
So fun meeting you! What an amazing amount of time you have spent building your community! Thank you for also for mentioning Wordful Wednesday! Really appreciate that. Now, get that much needed rest! :)
MaricrisG said…
I look forward to the day the two of us can hang out together. You're life has been a great adventure and it's great to read all about them.
N. Angail said…
I have an award for you! Come get it on my blog. http://momaandbaby.blogspot.com/2009/10/my-first-blog-award.html
Liz Mays said…
You really have been on the road a lot!

I saw Cirque in Orlando a few years ago and I don't think I've been so entranced by a production before or since. I loved it. I'm sure Mystere was equally fabulous.
Renee. Thank you so much, I'm really honored to have you as a friend and so glad we had the time to sit down and get to know each other better. I'm in complete awe of the wealth of experience you bring to this world, and the balance and truly steady attitude you rock at all times.

Just...wow. You are all that and a bag of chips in my book, and I'm glad to hear you say you deserve what you're worth. Represent, Mama.:) xoxo, L
Laura Levitan said…
You said it so perfectly.....it is all a memory now but a wonderful one!
Krystal Grant said…
Oh how I wish I had the opportunity to go to Vegas with you guys. I'm so glad you had fun on the trip. Cirque Du Soleil sounds amazing! Keep Posting.
I am so glad to hear that you had such a great time meeting friends and catching up with others.

I would love to see a Cirque show -- nice!

Popular Posts