midwest bloggers meet-up

 About twenty-five of us Midwest (and a couple from KY, too!) bloggers met

 up yesterday at Room 363 in Naperville, IL.

The lovely and sweet Jen Rizzo (standing) organized the meet-up. We went

 around the room introducing ourselves, then milled around the store for a couple of

hours ~ shopping, talking, and enjoying a continental breakfast.

I have no problem introducing myself to others. But if it requires any more than 

that, especially in front of a group, I almost freeze with fear. I don't know what

to say and gibberish seems to tumble from my mouth. We were supposed to

tell a fun fact about ourselves; something that would be a surprise. I couldn't

think of a darn thing off the top of my head! Everyone else had such great and

interesting things: Teresa used to be a clown; Barb has a glamper; Peggy is a 

military wife and has lived all over the place, including Alaska. KariAnne even

chased a robber out of K-Mart! I think what came out of my mouth was something

ridiculous like, "I can't think of a surprising fact about myself. I'm pretty much 'what 

you see is what you get.' " Oy. On the way home and even while lying in bed last night,

I kept trying to think of something that I could've told them. Isn't that terrible? So

here's what I came up with:

• I've been writing poetry since I was 12 years old.
• I used to have rats as pets.
• I like to play tricks on telemarketers when they call (disguising my voice as a foreigner; trying to order a pizza; playing music for them).
• I wish I lived on lots of land so I could have a horse, a donkey, a couple of sheep and goats, and chickens.
• And KariAnne has nothing on me....I once chased a drunk guy down the street in Mexico because he stole my 7-year old son's Happy Meal toy out of his hand!

Anyway, the store we met in - Room 363 - was filled with gorgeous displays.

A delight for the senses anywhere you turned.

This cabinet would be perfect in my bedroom. I didn't dare look at the price!
 

The one thing I did treat myself to from Room 363 was this Tru Blooms perfume.

I'm very picky about perfume, especially since I have allergies. It can't

be too heavy or overly sweet. This one is perfect for me - light notes of rose,

 lavender, white oriental lily, and violet.

There are some really talented and generous bloggers out there.

Jen passed out tote bags full of little gifts from each other...there was

nail polish, home baked treats, a painted Easter canvas, this gorgeous necklace...

a handmade shamrock...

and even the cutest little pot with wheat grass seed that we can plant!

After we got "kicked out" of Room 363 (Mark, the owner was gracious enough

to let all us women descend upon his store for a few hours), we all went

our separate ways for lunch and shopping. I went out to lunch with none other

than Penny from At Home in English Valley (it was SO wonderful to finally

meet Penny in person ~ if you remember, we were supposed to meet for

thrifting last week and I had to cancel because of my sister-in-law's passing),

Lynne from Irish Garden House, and Barb from Babs Just A'Babblin.

 On the way home, I just had to quickly stop at Savers. I found this

great mama hen and chick butter dish (Otagiri, Japan). Think she's

happy up on the fridge with a couple of roosters?!