I apologize, Dear Reader. I can’t shut up about the Type-A Mom conference.

Imagine a slumber party with 200 of your closest friends, and throw in some business elbow-rubbing, pats on the back, fun, and learning. That’s kinda what it was like.

I met so many wonderful people at the Type-A Mom that I can’t possibly name them all, but I’m going to try. I’m also going to link to all of their sites, and I hope you’ll check them out.

I spent most of the weekend with my dear friend, Allie. We should be sisters.

Except that she’s Canadian, and we aren’t actually related. But aside from that, we could be sisters. We stayed up late into the night every night, chatting and laughing like teenagers.

The photo above was taken by Dawn, who I met at my speaker dinner at Bouchon. She is the mother of eight, and I loved every moment that I spent chatting with her.

I would never have guessed that I’d have so much in common with a mother of eight, but really! I did, and I loved her.

I wish I had a picture of Sarah and Shannon. Sarah and Shannon rescued me and Allie when our shuttle driver ditched us at the airport. His replacement ditched us, too, but Sarah and Shannon drove to the airport to pick us up.

This is Julie, Alisa, me, and Allie.

Julie could be the coolest person and the best writer that I have ever met. Every single thing she writes is brilliant. I was thrilled to make her acquaintance (in an unfortunate speechless fan sort of way).

Awkward moment of the conference #17 – When I approached her, Julie was standing and chatting with Alisa. I assumed that Alisa was Julie’s friend, but I didn’t recognize her URL, so I didn’t probe. A few minutes later, I heard Alisa introduce her site to someone, and I nearly fell over. Alisa writes Project Happily Ever After, another site that I adore!

Photo courtesy of Rick Bucich at Tiny Prints

I have talked to Barbara Jones many times over the past year or so, and I’ve always hoped to meet her. I missed her at BlogHer, and I didn’t want to make the same mistake twice. Barbara is even more friendly and even more beautiful in person than she is online.

One night, the gorgeous woman above approached me and said, “Oh my gosh! You’re Feels Like Home! You’re kinda famous!”

And I was feeling pretty good about myself.

Then she introduced herself as Amber, and I had to return the compliment because, seriously, she’s a lot famous. It turns out that she’s also delightful and smart and an amazing photographer.

Awkward moment of the conference #43 – I thought that Rick from Tiny Prints owned the company. He doesn’t. This came out while we were chatting with Amber about photography and bloggers and mints.

Photo courtesy of Rick Bucich at Tiny Prints

Almost as long as I’ve been blogging, I’ve been reading Pensieve. Robin Dance is glorious and lovely and real. I had the fortunate opportunity to sit next to her during our speaker dinner at Bouchon, and then we spoke together at the Blogger’s Balance session.

Chris is one of my editors at Foodie Mama. She is finishing a book on suburban gardening, and she raises chickens and a host of other animals, all while taking care of her children and grandchildren (who I believe all live with her). I was really happy to meet her.

Awkward moment of the conference #61 – I moderated both of the panels on which I spoke. It was no big deal for me since I am a teacher, and I speak in public all the time. Or so I thought.

Until I introduced Shannan as the author of the wrong blog. D’oh! I did, however, remember to announce Angela’s pregnancy.

No awkward moments on this panel. Thank goodness! Robin and Melanie were both wonderful to speak with.

This is Robin, myself, and Amanda posing with Michael, the chef/owner of Bouchon. I thought he was fabulous and fascinating. After leaving France, he lived in Texas for 22 years, and then retired to Asheville. If you’re ever in the area, you should look up Bouchon.

Other people I loved but don’t have any photos to show off include Danielle, Lucretia, Marissa, Caroline, and Tiffany.

And I noticed something. Everyone was much more beautiful in person.

We should meet up and have slumber parties more often.

Happily shared at Tell Me Thursday, Things I Love Thursday, A Thousand Words Thursday, Show and Tell Friday, Hosted by Cecily, Friday’s Foto Finish Fiesta, and Hooked on Fridays