When I was little, the word “shoot” was off-limits, the word “stupid” was not allowed, the word “hate” was spank-worthy, and don’t even get me started on curse words. My conservative family did not believe in sheltering, but tried to teach respect and Christian values by eliminating foul language from our vocabularies and that meant the “gateway” words, too.

Going to a public school meant our community of church friends was broadened and our little eyes were opened. (Don’t even get me started on the stack of adult magazines we found by the bus stop when I was in kindergarten…now THAT lead to some interesting teaching moments back at home!!!) As a naive youngster, I not only heard words that my mom and dad had told me were naughty, but I started seeing hand gestures that I knew were used with ill intent, but didn’t quite grasp.

Enter the middle finger…

It took me YEARS before my dexterity allowed me to properly flip the bird. I liked the instant gratification of burning someone without having to use any of the off-limits vocabulary. I knew that with anger in my heart, the finger wasn’t really acceptable, but frankly, I didn’t really ask my mom permission to use it. And as a result, I got really good at it.

At some point, I was busted or told that I could no longer flip/flick people off anymore and the silly little gesture went away until I was an adult. Now the bird is only used on the freeway in downtown LA for humor’s sake with family and friends. But, I still feel naughty when I do it and occasionally, my mom will sternly say “Jennifer Beth”, which of course is code for “you’re embarrassing me in front of people I know and love.” : )

Yes, the third finger still implies malice and I swear I’ve been conditioned to wince when I see people do it…which makes this all the funnier. I SWEAR (Jennifer Beth, you should NOT swear!) that every time I break a nail, it’s the middle finger. If I believed in karma, I’d have a hard time not believing this was my fate. ; )

So, what about you? Do you have any hang ups from childhood about certain words or gestures??? Have they followed you into adulthood, too?

By the way, if you’re interested in tips for better blogging, authenticity in writing, and carving out an online community, Sarah Markley is doing a series right now that you should check out. I happened to pop on over there as I was working on the draft of this post and realized I needed to scrap it and begin again by telling a story to engage my readers! Maybe you’ll find something great over there, too!

This last Sunday, Blog Sugar took place. It was AWESOME. It was INSPIRING. It was the COMPLETION of many months of planning.

When Rachel, Andrea, and I started meeting, we would have great dinners and yummy wine; the event seemed AGES away. Then crap, it was here immediately. However, through the whole planning process, we had fun and knew Blog Sugar would bring special women together who all loved blogging, meeting new people and sharing new experiences, but most importantly, loved the Lord.

I was honored to participate in the process by coordinating our sponsorships and also by speaking about making better first impressions through improving blog photography. I also was able to play host to my buddy Ruthanne, who came all the way from Arkansas to be our official photographer. The speakers had a dinner the night before the event at Andrea’s and I got to meet some really incredible women!

I’ve been to a blog conference in the past and this one just felt different; partially because we were like-minded (for the most part), partially because I was involved in the planning, and partially because I knew VERY few women there.

Wait, what was that?! Ya, this outgoing, blogstalking, twitteraholic felt somewhat lonely at the conference…and I think it was good for me. It was humbling and allowed me to feel what a lot of other people may have been feeling. And I now know how to better care for those people next year. It also reminded me that this conference and my involvement wasn’t about me. And as our keynote speaker reminded me, my blog is not about me, either.

SOOOOOOO many thoughts and feelings and experiences are rolling around in my mind, and frankly, I’m in a bit of a sugar coma. It’s good and I’m feeling stretched…it’s growth people, and it was brought to me through a blog conference and I’m so thankful. : )

image courtesy of Ruthanne Photo

So, how about you? Did you have a big stretching moment on Sunday? Did Blog Sugar move you, too???

PS – I wish I had died my hair last week (the greys are back in a MAJAH way), I had a giant zit on my face (thanks for photoshopping me, Ruthanne!), and the cute blingy tunic I wore kept falling apart and snagging on everything…it’s currently sitting in the trash…thanks Loehmann’s!

PPS – Just a reminder to look for the horse ding-a-ling. ; )

PPSS – We are DORKS.

Somehow, through the magic of the interwebs, I met two amazing women (Rachel and Andrea) about a year and a half ago (maybe more, maybe less). I knew right away that we had things in common…Jesus, our outgoing natures, our easy ability to laugh and be sassy, and a love of wine; all things that I find necessary in a good friendships. ; )

Rachel hosted an event called Blog Sugar, then the next one became a much bigger event and Andrea came on board. After they brainstormed about turning the mixer into a conference, I was asked to join the team. And for about 9 months now, we’ve been meeting regularly, emailing enthusiastically, and texting, talking, and overwhelming ourselves with the mission before us. However, working together on this project has turned these girls into true friends and the event is finally here!

On Sunday, about 200 women and a few lucky men will gather. The conference is all about blogging, learning, fun, sugary sweets, God’s presence in our daily (and online) lives… My personal goal is that this conference will be impactful by way of creating relationships!

If you are attending, I CAN’T WAIT to meet you. If you are attending my presentation, I hope I don’t put you to sleep. If you are sponsoring, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. This has been an awesome experience, but a big undertaking. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to be involved and we truly pray that this will be a fantastic conference with a little something for everyone!