I'm back from Silver Bella and am still in full recovery mode. I got home about 11:30 AM or so on Sunday morning and by noon, I was ready to lay down for a nap (I'd gotten up at 3:45 AM to catch my flight home.) I fell asleep instantly and didn't get out of bed until about 9:00 PM! HOKEY POKEY I guess this Bella needed some rest!!! And even with getting up at 9:00 PM, when I went back to bed around midnight, I fell right back asleep. It must have been just what I needed because when I did wake up around 7:00 AM, I felt rested and back on schedule.
Before I left for Silver Bella, I worked like a crazy woman gettings things finished up for swaps, putting together gifts, doing some last minute shopping, cleaning the house, etc. I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say it was all worth it! In return for all my work I got an absolutely magical and incredibley fulfilling weekend! Not in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that my entire weekend would be like one long Christmas morning! My whole Silver Bella experience, from start to finish was, as you can imagine, amazing, fantastic, fulfilling, glorious, and wonderful. Did I mention it was spectacular? It really was more than I could have possibly imagined it would be. The city, (Omaha, NE), the hotel, the shopping, the people (I'll be going on and on about that for awhile, I'm sure!), the instructors - I got to take classes with Kim Kwan, Rebecca Sower, Jenny and Aaron, Pam Garrison, and then there was Ms. Foof herself, Teresa McFayden. It was all just magical!
I'm sure I came off like a total goof at times because I was absolutely giddy as I kept meeting person after person. I got to meet people I've come to know, admire, and respect, all through blogging and e-mail. It was glorious seeing these online friendships come to fruition. There were also people I hadn't met before that I got to know and then became friends with. It was just amazing! There were times when I even felt some tears of happiness!
I have LOTS of pictures to show you but for now, just this one...
As I mentioned, one of the best parts of the whole Silver Bella affair was meeting all my favorite blogging and online pals. I was especially happy to see former bloggin pal, now BFF/partner-in-crime, Lilli. This weekend absolutely would not have been as fun if she hadn't been there to share it with me! And then there was dear Kari! I swear when I saw her, I felt like I was seeing a celebrity! We've known each other via our blogs for about a year and a half now and being able to finally meet and see her "in person" was SO thrilling! Quite an amazing woman.
It was the same with Wendy! I've only known this fabulous gal online and now I can say that we are now friends. Real friends in real life!
And I have to add in here that it is just so very fulfilling to realize that all of these beautiful ladies that I got to meet are, in deed, just as fabulous and sincere and sweet in person as they are online! Maybe even more!
I am still unpacking, uploading pictures, sorting through all my class projects and new treasures I bought at Second Chance when all us Bellas had our private "Gone Junkin'" party. I also have lots of treasures from the FABULOUS vendor fair to show you! SO much! So please come back by real soon!
Oh I did want to mention that I learned a very important lesson this weekend...when I am away, Glen is NOT to be allowed to go to any fundraising banquets! While I was at Silver Bella, Glen attended the annual Neuberger Banquet. While on the way home from the airport, he informed me of all the items he bid on...and won! Cha-Ching! Oh well...I can't be too mad...one of the items was an "indulgence" gift basket that he bought for me. The baskets includes some hair care products, candles, and a one and a half hour massage! Love that man!!!
Hey Honey! What a great photo of our lil' blog trio. Don't we look so giddy?
Enjoy Glen's gift. What a great guy :)
Posted by: Lilli | November 12, 2007 at 11:41 PM
Michelle!!!
I loved meeting you and our shopping day in Omaha--fun, fun, fun!!! What a fabulous time!!! What a fabulous Bella you are!! I am sighing the biggest happy sigh right now!!!
xo-Mel
Posted by: Melissa Lobdell | November 13, 2007 at 05:04 AM
Hey lady! Glad to see you made it home safe and sound. Your trip sounds fantastic! Can't wait to see all the beauties you made in your classes! Looking forward to all the pics!
Posted by: Cassondra W. | November 13, 2007 at 08:26 AM
You "met" the Artsy Mama!? How cool is that! I cannot wait to see all of the goodies and stuff!
Posted by: Gina | November 13, 2007 at 08:40 AM
Michelle, It was so great meeting you and Lilli in person. Wish we would have had time for that sit down at the bar! Definitely next year... Many thanks for all the goodness you have spread my way! You are sweet and fabulous!
Posted by: Julie G. Baxley | November 13, 2007 at 08:44 AM
Michelle had some fun alright hanging out with all of you in Omaha. Too bad she missed the Neuberger here, it was awesome. Michelle failed to mention that I met Elizabeth Kucinich there, and chatted with her for about five minutes. She's gonna be the next First Lady ya know.
Thanks ladies for taking care of Michelle My Belle, she came home exhausted and elated and all those good things.
Posted by: Glen the Husband | November 13, 2007 at 09:20 AM
what fun we had and it was so nice to meet you too. Gotta do it again next year!!
Posted by: Lisa | November 13, 2007 at 11:23 AM
Well that sounds like a wonderful time!
Posted by: Felicia | November 13, 2007 at 11:24 AM
Sounds like you had a great time and love that picture of the 3 of you. Can't wait to see the rest of the pix I have been peeking at Lilli's blog, too for pictures. Nice going Glen!
Posted by: Malou | November 13, 2007 at 12:21 PM
So much fun to meet you Michelle! It was a wonderul time!! xo natalea
Posted by: Natalea | November 13, 2007 at 12:34 PM