I just returned from a whirlwind weekend in Hot Springs for Arkansas Women Bloggers University, or AWBU.  It’s the 5th year for the conference, and my second time to attend.

Last year was extraordinarily great-  I met great people, learned a ton, and had a great time.

And I didn’t think it was possible, but this year was 10 times better for me than last year.  I was able to catch up with friends, ate some great food in my former hometown, stayed at a beautiful historic hotel. But more than anything, this year’s AWBU made me change my mind about blogging.

The beautiful Arlington hotel was our home for the weekend

Let’s start with the friends.  Before joining the Arkansas Women Bloggers, I had made a few friends blogging, mostly people who were just like me – newlyweds, young, no kids, similar interests.  But joining ARWB gave me a world of fantastic friends.  Friends who are cattle farmers, who are teachers, who are professional writers, who are so knowledgeable and so giving of their knowledge. It’s such a blessing to have them in my life. Being able to laugh, talk, and learn together this weekend was truly a gift. We also had a ton of fun together playing games and being silly.

My friend Janeal is a friend I wouldn’t normally have. She’s a meat scientist at U of A and a cattle farmer. She blogs about everything meat you need to know (it’s super interesting!). She’s funny and I love learning from her. And when we were tasked to wear derby hats in honor of Hot Springs hosting the Arkansas Derby, she did this. 🙂

I was able to hit up some of my favorite eateries around town during my stay.  Since I grew up in Hot Springs, I have plenty of food memories I wanted to revisit.  I had a healthy, delicious lunch at Cafe1217 before the conference started, indulged in pancakes and homemade sausage at the Pancake Shop, and had a lovely dinner on the patio with friends at Rolandos.

On the way to the Pancake Shop, a man told us to look at the rainbow. I’m glad he pointed it out! We were talking so much, we probably would have missed it!

I also made some new friends this year. Along with meeting some bloggers I had only known online (I’m looking at you Julie and Kelcie!), I brought a new friend along. My friend Holly had talked with me about blogging a while back, and I told her the best way to learn and get connected was to go to AWBU.  And we had a great time together.

Holly and I in the First Security bank photo booth

One of the best things about this community is their willingness to give back. All 85 or so of us got together Saturday evening to pack over 10,000 meals for local families through The Pack Shack.  Somehow, they made this incredibly fun (I mean, we stopped packing food at one point to do the YMCA!), and it was so very fulfilling to help our neighbors.

We make hairnets look gooooood

So much of this weekend was just about being in the presence of great women.  I get to know these ladies.  They are business owners, freamers, and doers.  One of the highlights was spending a greatg fantastic conversation. It’s such a respectful, open tions and endless laughs as well.

In the presence of greatness.

One of the fantastic perks of the conference is that our leader, Stephanie, makes such great relationships with companies around the state and they donate AMAZING goodies for us to try.  Riceland rice, Mountain Valley Water, Aromatique potpurri, and the three of us even won trips to Branson thanks to a budding relationship with the Branson CVB.

Headed to Branson, baby!

 

And lastly, what would a conference be without some learning? ha! The focus this year was mostly on writing (which I need!) and had some great presenters.  Mari Farthing‘s session was totally inspiring to me, and so was Stephanie Clinton‘s.

Stephanie Clinton presenting on blog envy

 

Through the great sessions at the conference, I’ve come to the conclusion that I need to take this little space a bit more seriously.  I have great pride in the writing work I do for my job and for freelance clients…but often, I’m slapping up posts without even editing them here! I love this hobby, and don’t want to suck the fun out of blogging. But I want to do my best for me. Those of you who read deserve to read my true thoughts, my best work- not whatever I can crank out. That’s how AWBU changed my mind about blogging. It made me realize that even though this is a hobby, I can be purposeful and strategic and care.
The weekend was fantastic, and I’m having a serious case of “back to life, back to reality” (I hope you sang that!) today…but once I get all the goodies put away, the bag unpacked, and I make a plan, I’ll feel ready to take on the world. Or at least my corner of it.

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