For the past few days I have been reading all my fellow Cupcaker’s blog posts about their experience from the weekend. I should have realized when you go to a BLOGGING convention you are going to be surrounded by talented writers but these posts knocked me off my enlarged-by-cupcakes butt.

The truth is, I can’t stop thinking about this conference/retreat/hangout. My mother always says that if you go to a movie and you find yourself thinking about it in the days afterward, it was a GOOD movie. To that adage, this was a great weekend.

To be honest, I was excited for Cupcake but I didn’t really know what to expect so I was guarded. I also admit I did some prejudging beforehand and was worried I wouldn’t have much in common with many of the women there. Like I posted on Monday, I had a great time and was truly blown away from meeting these women in person but when I left on Saturday night I didn’t feel regret at not staying the night or even coming back on Sunday.

Well that was then. This is now.

Now I find myself obsessed and melancholy. I can’t stop reading these women’s amazing blogs, whether they are recapping the weekend or just talking about the injustices of the world. I can’t get off Twitter. I can’t stop looking at the Flickr pool. I am trying desperately to get Madison Cupcakers together in February.   Thank god I have no plans to go to BlogHer.  If I can barely handle my feelings for these 28 women, think of what would happen to me after being exposed to 1,000 some bloggers. 

And I feel such regret. 

I so badly want a “Do Over!” I want to go back to that lodge in the woods and spend the night. Or at the very least go back Sunday morning and have coffee with these women. I want to pick their brains more. I want to snuggle their babies. It’s like that “Too Nice” boyfriend that you took for granted, now he’s gone and all you can keep thinking is, “What did I do? And how do I get him back?”

But I know this isn’t Back To The Future and I can’t go back.  I can, however, and will keep nurturing these Cupcake friendships via their blogs, email and Twitter.  And in addition, I will use all the gobs of inspiration they have given me.  By reading their posts the Writer’s Block that has been crippling me for months has broken wide open. I lay awake at night writing blog after blog in my mind. Granted I can’t remember jack the next morning but just that feeling alone is wonderful.  I’ll never have the talent that so many in this group have but watch out Cyberspace, consider yourself warned. 

So my lovely Cupcakers, until we meet again… I bought this page a day calendar to keep me in cupcakes for the next 351 days.

This past Saturday found me at my very first Blogger Convention; Cupcake. Although, as many other more experienced Cupcakers explained, this was really more of a “hangout retreat” than a stuffy convention. Whatever it was, I’m hooked. Sign me up for more!

I knew I had hit the big-time when I arrived. Here I was mingling with all these wonderful women whose blogs I had recently become addicted to.
Not to mention everyone TOTALLY knew me. “OH MY GOD! Can I touch you? Are you really the famous Princess Mikkimoto? Where is your crown?” 

Ok so maybe that only happened in my dream the night before but I was pleased when I introduced myself as “Becky” got a polite but blank stare and then promptly said, “Princess Mikkimoto?” to which the awkward look became a smile and a “Oh yeah! HI!”

Heather, Steph and Allison booked the most gorgeous lodge for the weekend.

There were 30 women who attended from all walks of life. Some wore their babies,

some took pictures

and some just ate, talked too much and made sure the Cupcake wine didn’t go to waste. (raising hand sheepishly)

Even though I was only there for Saturday, I met such amazing inspirational women. Some old friends (Ann, you aren’t OLD I just knew you beforehand) and now some new. Some close by, and some (sadly) far away.  (There are so many fantastic blogs that I didn’t have room for on this post. For the full list of Cupcake 2010 members head here.)

It was a wonderful day and one I’ll always remember. So will my ass from all those champagne infused cupcakes.

Oh and thanks again for the awesome swag bag.  Someone got really into it.  Literally.

See you all at Brownie ‘11!

**These beautiful pictures are courtesy of the amazing Crooked Eyebrow. Except the one of The Punk. That’s all me.

Dear Diary,

I have a new crush.  This morning I was introduced to the coolest, hippest, funniest person ever.  No, silly Diary, I wasn’t looking in the mirror.  And don’t worry Diary, I’m still very much in love with my boyfriend and still 99% heterosexual.  You see this is a Platonic Girl Crush.  I haven’t had one of these since I had my eyes set on Gwyneth Hartwig in the 2nd grade.

Her name is Ann.

I have actually met Ann before. In fact I knew her when we were kids.  She doesn’t remember but that’s ok.  I think.  Right?   I guess you could say “small world” except for the fact that the Jewish community in Madison isn’t that big.  Especially in the 70’s.  Our parents ran in the same Jewish Circle. 

And then Diary, a few months ago, my good friend Darcy said, “You have to read my friend Ann’s blog.  You guys would get along great.  She’s hilarious!”

Darcy was so right.  Ann’s Rants quickly became part of my blogroll and a favorite.  We became online friends but today Diary, today! Darcy put on her friend matchmaker suit and set us up.  We all met for coffee and that Friend Cockle of my heart just swelled.  

The hour and a half felt like 5 minutes.  We laughed, talked about ours kids, relationships and bored Darcy to death with much talk of Twitter, blogs and Cupcake 2010.    She’s going too!   

Ann brought along her adorable “Almost Three” son, and after he coughed all over the pastry display case and almost stole a muffin, we decided it was probably time to go. 

I think it was a great first meeting, minus that one small embarrassing moment, Diary.  At one point I may have called her son a cow.  BUT DIARY!  it was just because he was chewing some food and then spit some of it out and it reminded me of cud… yeah you don’t get it either.  Shoot.  Well Ann looked at me and said, “Did you just call my kid a cow?”  And I turned the color of Rudolph’s nose. 

It’s OK.  I don’t think she was really mad.  Right?  RIGHT DIARY?!  I’m pretty sure we can get over that transgression.  Especially after I give her the other half of my “best friends forever” necklace for Hanukkah. 

It was a good day, Diary.

Until tomorrow,
Me

p.s. do you think if I give her that BFF necklace she’ll tell me where she got those super cute boots she was wearing? Yeah…me too.

Wordless Wednesday (this one’s for you Lisa!)

Our weekend up north was a great finale to a great summer. Even though we were spending two nights in the murder capital of Wisconsin and quite possibly all of the Midwest, we had a blast.

Remember that light and fun family movie, Silence of the Lambs? Did ya ever know it was based off a real character, Ed Gein? A nice little gentleman who decorated his Plainfield, WI home with furniture made of human skin and bones? Yeah, Plainfield is oh, a mere 30 miles from this cabin. So while Matt and I were taking a walk on Sunday morning and a siren went off, we knew it couldn’t be just a random tornado drill. No sir, that’s the siren they use to let you know a murderer is on the loose. Therefore, we hightailed it back to the cottage least we be made into a couch and love seat.

Can I tell you about the fishing?  There was much fishing happening. SO MUCH FISHING! Even though words can’t truly describe how much this Princess hates to fish, I hung out in the paddle boat until I had one too many casts almost hit me in the head. After I saw a hook with a big nasty night crawler pass by my eyes for a third time I finally said as calmly as possible, “Excuse me, could you please get me to shore. Like, NOW!”

Both nights we had wonderful bonfires. And both nights, all the boys showed their true pyro tendencies. In fact before fire pit #2 Matt suggested we get the boys REAL sparklers instead of their “red-neck-sticks-on-fire” sparklers. But eh, when in Rome…  Luckily no one was burned. Or rather no human was burned. Sadly I can’t say the same for those poor innocent marshmallows.   Those boys were a marshmallow’s Ed Gein.

Since Ben found his inner fisherman, he decided to have one last fishing expedition on Monday morning.  Did I mention the only person, the entire weekend, to actually catch a FISH and not a WEED was Matt, when amazingly enough he didn’t have a gaggle of children around him yelling, “CAN YOU PLEASE PASS THE WORMS!” and “MY LINE IS TANGLED AGAIN!” and “WHERE ARE ALL THE FISH?!?!?”

Luckily Matt and I were standing right off the dock as my very light 9 year old made such a powerful cast out that it literally propelled him into the lake. Right off the front of the dock. Matt and I were busy gazing into each others eyes talking about current events when we heard a “KERPLASH!!” and both of us flew onto the dock where Ben was just coming up from the gunky lagoon while choking out a,  “HELP ME! HELP ME!”  Matt being the hero, and thankfully freakishly strong guy that he is, pulled Ben straight up on the dock. Where his mother tried incredibly hard to not hug her freaked-out-caked-with-lake-muck boy. Hey, I held his hand! And said very calming words as I took him straight to the shower.
The mildly humorous thing about this is… um the water where he fell in, is really shallow.  In fact in his “I’m Drowning!” hysteria, Ben forgot that he and Michael were WALKING around that area the day before.  Regardless, that kid sure knows how to end the trip with a SPLASH! Get it? GET IT? I’m here all week folks.

It was such a fun weekend that we are thinking about making this an annual thing.  Right Lisa?  Lisa?  LISA?!

Remember the time I missed out on BlogHer Chicago 2009 and was so sad?  Remember the time Sister Cousin Amy was here for Camp Runamukah?  Remember when I used to have time to post timely posts?  Remember when I was a decent enough writer that I didn’t have to use the same word multiple times in one sentence?  Remember the time I didn’t ask so many effing questions!!?

Grip gotten.

OK so when Amy was here for Camp, we decided to have our own BlogHer conference with our then virtual, now REAL friend Ann (Zeghsy) who also happens to live in Madison. 

We are pretty sure our conference was just like the Chicago one.  Almost.  Close.  75% like it, for sure!

Just like Chicago, we had a group of Bloggers; Zeghsy, myself and Amy.  

Just like BlogHer Chicago we ate gourmet food (Noodles and Company) with refined company (two nine year old’s, one six year old and a one very fine three year old.)

Just like BlogHer Chicago we also had wild and crazy activities.  However, substitute wine and Cosmos for ice lattes and Diet Coke.  In addition substitue panels of amazing women talking about their lives, with going to a huge playground in a feeble attempt to talk while the children played.

Also like BlogHer Chicago, BlogHer Madison had some great photo ops…

taken by our very talented and skilled photographer. 

BlogHerMadison was so fun that we might just make it an annual thing.  Yes, just like that other (real) BlogHer. 
Although next year, instead of Madison or New York, the destination will be Seattle! 

Who’s in?  Reserve your non-existent $0 tickets now!

I am officially The Tired.

This carefree, swinging-single lifestyle is exhausting. And even though I miss my kid something awful, it’s also quite fun.

Monday night was really the only low point of the week. I got take-out, rented a movie and hunkered down at home. Ready for a cozy quiet night in. However “cozy and quiet” quickly turned to “sad and lonely” as soon as the food was gone and the movie was over.
It was just then when Ben called to say good night. I was determined not to let him hear me cry, but I knew I couldn’t hold out much longer so I quickly said, “Um can I talk to Grandma, honey?” When my mom got on the phone I lost it.

SOB
“I miss him so much!”
SOB. SOB.
“I hate this! Our house is too big and quiet and I won’t make it through the week….”
Sniffle sniffle SOB. SOB.

At some point she put Ben back on the phone and since he knows me so well he knew I was crying, so he too started to cry. At which point Natalie gets back on the phone and says in her best Jewish Mother Don’t Pull This Shit voice “REBECCA! Pull it together! Now your son is crying hysterically and you need to fix this. Oh man he’s a wreck. Fix this!”
So when Ben got BACK on the phone for convo numero three-o, I proceeded to make him laugh, tell him I was fine if he was fine and promise him a pony and batting practice with Prince Fielder if he stopped crying.

Ever since that night, I have successfully pulled myself up by my bra straps and embraced this all too rare week with the gusto of a 21 year old on Spring Break in Cabo.

Tuesday night I went to Ben’s Little League playoff game. (yes, I was fully aware that my player wasn’t there but HEY! That’s my team too! Plus I love the other mom’s…) After they won I went to dinner at this fabulous hole-in-the-wall Thai place with my friend Jackie. With a belly full of amazing Pad Thai and a perma smile from our talks about our kids, I met my friend Steve at the bar in my backyard for a drink. Or four.

Last night I went with my friend Vicki to Concerts on the Square. So much fun! We started out with some great cold white wine and were so wrapped up in conversation, (and of course the great music) we didn’t realize until too late that the food stands were all packed up. Luckily there was one popcorn stand still open. I have now realized that Carmel Corn + Cheese Popcorn + Wine = HEAVEN! Don’t knock it till you try it folks.

Tonight it’s off to get my way grown out and very gray hair did. After that, another Game Night with The Boys. Although I promise tonight will be an early one as tomorrow my BABY COMES HOME!

Not to mention I have to figure out how to get Prince Fielder back from Cincinnati in time to meet us at the batting cages.

Last weekend found Ben and I yet again in the woods with our friends Eric, Janine, Ben and Alison.

We went to the same campground that we did last year, but this time around Janine and I reserved, in January, an extra large campsite (which is actually two sites into one) and one that was very close to the super duper fancy potties.  That simple fact made my bladder shake with glee.

Friday night we decided to go to the local restaurant for their famous fish fry.  Sadly, we weren’t the only ones with this bright idea because the place was packed!  And since there was one short order cook using one small grill, the wait was so long I saw Ben start to grow facial hair.  Luckily the view was beautiful and the kids were happy with their crayons and Pepsi.

Saturday morning, after waking up at 7:00 am (someone seriously needs to invent shades for tents) coffee was a necessity.  The coffee I remembered to bring.  The coffee mug?  Oops.  Luckily I had my handy dandy trusty Telly Tubby cup.  Because really, what says “I’m a Ruffing It Kind of Girl” more than a Telly Tubby cup?

By 10:30 I couldn’t stand it anymore and took the boys down to the beach.  Where we proceeded to spend pretty much all day frolicking in the water, playing in the sand and eating copious amounts of pb&j.

This was my view that day.  And my idea of heaven…

A full day in the sun and fresh air done tuckered us out.  But if you ask me, there is no better way to spend a summer day.

The weekend was great and we so lucked out with the weather.  Late Saturday afternoon, when we could no longer pretend the thunder was “just a plane” it did start to rain.  As we made a b-line to our tents I had one hand on my kid and the other on the wine bottle.  Um, hello!?!  I have priorities!  Luckily it only rained for maybe 3 minutes.  Afterward the skies cleared and the weather turned cool.  That night in the tent with my boy by my side, I had the best night sleep I have had in a long time.  And no, it had nothing to do with my very dry wine.

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday