Spheres of Influence

I've been talking about it for months. I've been planning for it for just as long. I've worried about it and I've even dreamed about it.

Influence! It's this week. Its THURSDAY! And I'm excited, and oh so nervous.

All those what if questions that go through your mind.

What is no one likes me? What if I laugh weird? What if I am intimidating? Or intimidated? What if my eagerness to connect with people bowls them over? (and not in a good way) What if I don't find anyone to eat with for any of the meals?

What if the bloggers I admire and have connected with online don't want to hang with me at all? What if no one is looking forward to getting to know me? What if the bloggers I admire online are not at all like their online presence? What if I disappoint people who read my blog and interact with me?

What if...

Well, the thing of it is...I am me. And I will be the one who

...is leading the running group because I opened my big mouth. No offense intended, but as I was perusing the FB discussion about holy yoga, I was busting a gut. Holy yoga sounds like a swear word. "Holy Toledo! Holy Yoga!" You get the picture.

is wearing black. Because I believe in the power of black. Slimming, goes with everything...LBDs are my love language.

is not wearing black on Friday. Because I found as awesome pair of thrifted pin stripe trousers. So, if you met me on Thursday and don't recognize me on Friday, just look for black again on Saturday, and Sunday.

is going to be wearing sandals all weekend. I'm the Barefoot Hippie Girl, and if I have to wear something on my feet in October, it is sandals-not boots or shoes.

is going to be rocking some amazing vertical stripes tights at the Stripes party. Tights and me...well, we are tight-when covering toes is necessary.

is going to be on the dressy side all weekend. Give me a break here. I love to dress up-especially when the variable of wearing offsprings' snot and such has been removed.

is going to be taking notes in my hot pink notebook with butterflies on it. I love my laptop, and I'm bringing it, but there is something about actually writing things down that cements it for me.

is looking forward to meeting Amanda, Nicole, Jen, Karina, Natalie, Virginia, Anne, Sheila, Jennifer, Chrissy, and....

is a morning person, though I'm not a big talker first thing in the morning. Show me the coffee, and then we are good.

is the person who is going to be snoozing through the late night meet ups. Seriously-my bedtime is 9:30.

is the woman who is 99% sure her house will still be standing when she gets home, but that it might (probably) be an all out disaster zone.

is the woman who is looking forward to some kid-free time, but will probably really start missing them around lunch on Saturday.

is the woman who hardly ever leaves home without her husband for anything BIG, and is not looking forward to this huge experience without him.

is the one who will be eating at meals. Nervous non-eater? Nope-doesn't describe me. I love food, and I eat.

is the one whose hair looks like she stuck her finger in a light socket. Its intentional.

is the person who is eager to learn and connect. To encourage and befriend. To be influenced and to influence.

That is why this Barefoot Hippie Girl is going to Influence.

See you soon!

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