Remember last year when I decided VERY last minute to attend my first blogging conference?

If you weren’t around back then let me tell you about this.

I went to BlogHer in NYC.

This conference is the MOTHER of all conferences.  There were over 5,000 people there.

I had fears.  I know, ridiculous as I live with three boys and all their reptiles and the reptiles bugs we use as food.

I couldn’t explain it.  I dealt with it the way I deal with EVERYTHING now.

I wrote about it on my blog.

When Did I Lose Faith in Myself?

Then I went.  I went completely unprepared and without knowing who my “people” were.

Then I came home and thought about quitting blogging.

Then I realized I have to continue on because when you hash out decisions in your life ON YOUR BLOG, you are probably a story teller in your heart.

I hashed the decision to continue out on my blog and honestly I had so much fun writing this story about my experience at BlogHer and sharing it, I knew that this was INDEED what blogging was about.

Ten Stupid Things I Learned at BlogHer

If you don’t blog but come by to read, (thank you very much) and at times wonder why people would throw their lives and thoughts out to the world I beg you to go read the above post comments,  (thank you very much for commenting because comments are sugar on the edge of an already yummy drink.)

The comments and the people that take the time to read them are why I blog.  The comments from that post make me smile and laugh more than I could ever dream to make people smile.

That is what I want to do here on “All That Makes You!”

I want to make you smile, laugh, think, love and cry.

When folks come by and connect and comment and share, (sharing is when someone sends you a second yummy cocktail with sugar on it because they like you so much) you get the warm and fuzzy feeling.  No smart butts, it isn’t from the alcohol!

I am not even drinking right now.

This year BlogHer is in Chicago, a town I grew up visiting.

I am so excited, as I have barely been in the city the last 20 years.

I am even going out to see the city on a Sea Dog Cruise.  Now I haven’t done that before! (More info below.)

Guess what else?

I HAVE PEOPLE!

They are cool.

Really, they are “cool” because I started a Facebook group and I named them

“Cool People Attending BlogHer.”

Hey, no one calls me cool anymore and I thought Greek letters might look odd on a bunch of women and men who may have children in college.  Since I was never in a sorority I would end up making some inappropriate Greek letter combination (because I am funny like that) and all the cute mom bloggers with their yellow chevron business cards with their monograms on it would hate me. 

A lot has happened in the last year since BlogHer ’12.

I Was Interviewed by CNN and Not for Mischief, Kind of Anyway

The Girl Who Cried Redbook, But I Really am in Februaries Issue, REALLY!

 

I EVEN HAVE TWO NEW BLOGS I AM LAUNCHING!

All That Makes You Travel 

All That Makes You Decorate

A year ago I wasn’t sure if I was a blogger.  I hated the word.  I still consider myself a story teller but I cannot figure out how to get y’all around my kitchen table to have a soda and share stories.  I may be willing to call myself a writer one day if I ever decide to learn to use proper punctuation.

I am even nominated for a “2013 BlogLuxe” award!

The SocialLuxe folks are asking for people to vote for their favorite “freshest” blogs and if you want to vote for me I promise to never Photoshop a picture of you, unless you want me too and all my best girlfriends want me to “plastic surgery” their family photos.  I can even “Angelina Jolie” you.  My kids are going to be so mad if their daughters turn out to look like me instead of Angelina.

You can quickly click on and vote for “All That Makes You” HERE 

Here I come BlogHer ’13!

Here I come Chicago!

Here I come “cool” people!

Abbie Gale at allthatmakesyou.com

email me at: abbie@allthatmakesyou.com

Here is some info I will be sharing on my travel blog about Sea Dog cruises:

Are you ready for an entertaining cruise experience along Chicago’s scenic lakefront? Come out to Navy Pier and let Seadog show you the city April-October, weather permitting.

Seadog offers four exciting ways to see and experience Chicago from the water:

Lakefront Speedboat Tour 
This 30-minute cruise along the shoreline offers a descriptive tour of Chicago’s famous skyline, while playing your favorite music. 
Extreme Thrill Ride 
This cruise is perfect for the dare-devil in you! This 30-minute ride features splash down stops, 180-degree turns, slalom runs and more. 
River and Lake Architectural Tour 
Enjoy historic views of Chicago’s famous landmarks and neighborhoods during this 75-minute cruise on both Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. 
Lakefront Fireworks Cruise 
Enjoy front-row seats to the spectacular fireworks display aboard our Lakefront Fireworks Cruise! Cruise along Lake Michigan with an exciting speedboat ride paired with an informative tour of the Chicago skyline, then end the evening with a dazzling fireworks show and top-40 hits playing in the background! The open aired vessel allows for panoramic views, providing a perfect view. The Seadog Fireworks Cruise is available on Wednesdays and Saturdays, running from Memorial Day – Labor Day.

Seadog is great for both individuals and groups. We offer customizable group events for up to 450 people. 
Seadog also features specific holiday cruises, such as Memorial Day, the 4th of July and Halloween. 
Not only can you enjoy a Seadog Cruise, but your dog can as well! Dogs ride for free, space permitting. 
For more information, please visit www.seadogcruises.com/chicago/ or call 888-636-7737.

 

 

 

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