Blog Buddy Appreciation Day 2011

It’s my favorite holiday- BLOG BUDDY APPRECIATION DAY! BBAD!!!!

So much has happened since last BBAD. Most notably that in the last year, I GOT TO MEET MY TWINNER! Right after I got engaged I started chatting with Twinner and always hoped to one day meet up. Because of a pug event, she was coerced to come to Indy last fall. And finally my dreams came trueeee!

I’m surprised Twinnie didn’t steal Dixie Bugg!

Twinner now has a fancy new blog (and also cool new glasses!) but she is the same stellar Twinner that I’ve grown to know and love since early 2009. Sadly my inability to gchat during the work day causes me to miss her more than usual. But she will forever be one of my best friends. I still can barely believe we got to meet up this year. I hope for many more fun meetups with you Twinner!

Another blogger I’ve become very close with this year is Hannah from Gator Tales! I text and gchat with Hannah almost daily. We have our things we chat about (Hannah you know what I mean, and it’s not just 23andMe!) and I love that I can be myself with Hannah. In many ways we are different, but in others, we are so similar. It’s wonderful to have a friend like Hannah that I can learn from, but also commiserate and laugh with. Hannah, I really appreciate how much joy you bring to my life! You make me snort with laughter, but can also lead a really intelligent conversation with me. I need more friends like you! Come visit Indy!

Being on Weight Watchers also brings me closer with some bloggers. Most notably is KMSull from And Now, Lights. We text all the time about WW and our points. Her sage advice helps me feel better when I’m not at my best, but also guides me. She is full of ideas when I need them, and really cares about how my day is going. When I was dropping off from Weight Watchers around new years, I would get texts all the time from her- and mostly avoided them, because I felt guilty about not tracking anymore. I’m so glad I picked it back up and developed an even better friendship with K. I would be lost without her! K, you are an unwavering strength for me in this whole “diet,” but also in life in general. You’re a wonderful person and I know very few people who are as genuine are you are.

I also need to shout out to my other healthy eating supporters. There are a ton of you. Most notably are Sara from Wrapped in Happiness, Alyssa from Double Chin Diary, and “Sally” from Completely Random Sally. Sara often takes the time to email me after I comment to discuss the post/comment in more depth and also chat about what’s going on with us. Her emails and direct messages always brighten my day. Alyssa makes me laugh ALL THE TIME, which is great because the subject of weight loss isn’t naturally fun. Her attitude is contagious. “Sally” also is super supportive of me (I still have to add you and text you back!!) and happens to post amazing recipes that she’s tried- stuff that isn’t too crazy, that you could easily make at home. You guys keep me honest and keep me going, and I couldn’t do it without you!

Something I’ve learned this year is that, without gchat especially, my relationships with blog buddies ebb and flow. I have not talked nearly enough with my bestie, aka Laura from Happy Hour With a Housewife. Girl, I am sad that another year has gone by and I haven’t gotten to meet you yet. I suck at answering my phone (I blame the time difference) so we don’t get to talk as much as I’d like. 2012 Vegas trip is GOING TO HAPPEN! It’s the same way with Steph, who hasn’t returned my calls in weeks. : (  It’s hard when you care a lot about blog buddies but never see them.

It is different when you know bloggers from outside of blogging though. I know MK from real life (uh, SORORITY life) and follow her blog MK in Wonderland religiously. Especially with baby Ace on his way, I love being able to peek into MK’s life even though we haven’t spent time together in ages.

That’s so old schooooollllll… yikes.

There’s something about following a blog where you know the person. Sometimes you laugh because you can just hear them saying what they’re writing. Other times you are excited to learn something new about an old friend. Blogging has brought me closer with MK over the last year, and I am so grateful for that!

There are tons more blog buddies out there that I am thankful for. You guys all make me laugh often, think hard, and challenge me. There are SO many of you that I’d love to meet, or even just chat with more. You all have so very much to offer me, which I realize more and more. Thank you for blogging! And for reading these crazy rants. You blog buddies of mine mean the world to me, and I couldn’t do this without you.

Now it’s your turn to celebrate BBAD! Tweet with hashtag #BBAD, and blog about the holiday. Why did you start blogging? Who inspires you? I can’t wait to read all your posts! And remember to post a link in a comment on yesterday’s post to be entered in my giveaway!