Blog On MOSI 2015

Two years ago when I went to Blog On I was an absolute state. My partner was at home in early recovery from Meningitis. He still couldn't regulate his own temperature, he was in agony, on many different tablets and slept for about 21 hours a day. I left him and my small boys at home under the care of our 5 teenagers and panicked all day. Last year I got to relax and enjoy the event. This year it was my first big blogging event since Elspeth died, the first time I'd see lots of people who I count as friends, and I have a hernia that makes it look like I'm smuggling a saucepan. It's fair to say I was a bit scared. I nearly survived the whole day, very nearly.

Laura (TiredMummyOfTwo) had very kindly offered me use of a quiet room if I needed a break, Sim (Simslife) had got a last minute ticket, and we were picking up Jen (MyMummy'sPennies) en route. My hernia operation had just been cancelled, so I had that to fret about instead thankfully - as well as the fact that my partner was at home not only with our 2 little ones, but also with Sim's daughter. 

As soon as we arrived I saw familiar faces, familiar scenery and the table of amazing raffle prizes and I relaxed. I won a couple of prizes on the Tombola, had some lovely Brioche Pasquier breakfast and settled into the day.

Initial keynote was with Nickie O'Hara - Time Management - which I'm delighted to say started a little late... I really do need to set myself a schedule and stick to it, I'm absolutely rubbish at doing what I think I will.

After the keynote the room was fairly slickly divided into two and we were in the You Tube session. I've been doing video reviews longer than The Brick Castle has existed, and we've had some great successes with our Penguins In Peril video (won a play kitchen), Gross Magic Review (over 106,000 views), and recently our Mother's Day video won us a £250 voucher. However I genuinely don't want to be a vlogger, so most of what they said just sounded scary!

The next session was Photography with Jenny Soppet-Smith (Cheetahs In My Shoes). I'm a fan of Jenny's, I've heard her talk before, and I was delighted to get some good common sense tips for people like me who don't even own a camera.

A makeover for the lovely Susan K Mann, who I was delighted to finally meet in person

Lunch was a bit of a blur of talking to PR's, Brands and Bloggers - and a couple of egg sarnies - before the afternoon session Advanced Blogging, with Nick from Bring Digital. This was a good session starting with some pre-prepared questions from other Bloggers who have a similar level of knowledge to me - asking questions that I also want to know the answers to.

The afternoon break saw the cutting of the gorgeous bright red iced cake - kindly supplied by Hungry House. It was delicious...

I was also lucky enough to win a belter of a prize in the raffle - a Microscooter!!

The last session of the day was 'Niche', and Lifestyle was the obvious choice for me. This was a little more of a beginner's session, and coming into it after Advanced Blogging didn't quite work. I was shattered by this point and ready to go home, the room was big and the speakers had no microphones, and I have to say I didn't give it my full attention.

Three of the best - hard-working bloggers - Nadine (Jugglemum), Kerrie (WifeMumStudentBum) and Susan (SusanKMann). 

Laura ended the event with a speech that signalled the only slightly premature end of my day. She spoke about the blogging community, and how much support she personally had received when her daughter was ill with Cancer. I only managed to attend Blog On MOSI 2015 because of the support I knew I had from other bloggers. I'm only still blogging because of the support I've had from other bloggers, and when my partner had Meningitis and I was scared and alone at 2am it was other bloggers who were awake and there to listen to me. Since Elspeth died last August, it is online support from friends all around the world that has given us the strength to keep going. And I cried. And I couldn't stop. So Colette (We're Going On An Adventure), Steph (SeeingSpots), Sim and Jen whisked me out of there and arranged my goody bags and stood with me until my partner came to take us home.

I understand why Laura continues to tell her story, and will continue to years into the future. It's because you can never be thankful enough. 

I went to Blog On to learn, but first and foremost I wanted to be there for everyone who has held my hand for so long, to show them they didn't waste their time. Thank you.

It was excellent, and I'm delighted I went, and more than a little proud of myself for doing it. Thank you to everyone who made it the day what it was. Until the next one....