In The Loop

One of my favourite things about social media is the sense of community that is created between people who, without the aid of the internet, would never have met. It allows you to connect with people you would never have otherwise run into, to create, to laugh and cry, to generally share with them in a way that creates a sense of belonging. That always seemed to be what i was missing when i suffering from depression - a feeling of belonging, to "fitting in " anywhere, and a morbid fear that i never would. And then i discovered the internet and found that there were lots of people who shared the same ideas as me, who liked the same things, and had the same passion for discussing/debating them as i did - they just, somewhat, unfortunately didnt live anywhere near me.

Just one of the group....

I thinks thats what i was hoping for so badly from my mothers group - to have a group of people who were tangibly " there ", women i could actually hang out with and feel like a part of. Sadly, as i have previously mentioned, it didnt exactly happen that way. ( Happily though i have made what i would consider one good friend ). Thats why i've been so happy to be able to join a group of women on Facebook and feel this great kinship with them with this pregnancy. Its a " secret " group - that is you cant see it listed on each individuals homepage, to protect the privacy of those who havent revealed their pregnancies yet - that was started via the Babycentre website. Basically its a group of ladies who are all due to have babies in August of this year ( or late July, for a few who's dates have changed ) - first timers, women who've been TTC for years, a few having twins and even one mum up to her 7th bubba! And the sense of camaraderie amongst us makes me happy, for lack of a better word. The atmosphere is comfortable enough to ask pretty much anything, from the TMI topics such as constipation or nipple discharge right down to mundane stuff like " Whats on everyone's menu for lunch ? ".

The only downside is ( as per bloody usual! ) none of the other lovely ladies live anywhere near me. So, like all the awesome blog conferences or Hello Blogger meet ups i've missed out on, i'm now missing out on cool lunches or pamper sessions with some hot mamas-to-be! But thats ok, because for now i've got a place to hang out, chit-chat about " The Biggest Loser " and post baby bump pictures, where i feel like i belong...

The Duck Avenger Forum + PKNA #31

Banker just went ahead and made another really cool thing: Our very own forum!

It's probably about time we get a place that's more convenient for discussion than the individual comment section. So go check it out!

Oh, and of course Banker also finished a brand new issue!



PKNA#31 - Beato Angelico

But seriously,
FORUM!

I Have Gone M.I.A

....well, not really. Today i am actually guest posting over at Accidental Wonderland. See, the gorgeous Ames has finally had her equally gorgeous second bubba and is hosting a whole bunch of bloggers to talk babies, boobies and all things mama-hood related!

Pop over, say hi, leave me a comment and if you arent already a follower you should do so because Ames is just a wee bit awesome!

I've got Schoolgirl Style?

In the midst of my crazy over the past few weeks, I met a new bloggy friend- Miss Melanie Ralbuski at Schoolgirl Style (and a Michigan girl!).

She is A-MA-ZING!  I've been stalking her blog and TPT store since the summer, marveling at her beautiful work and classroom decor ideas.  Little did I know that she would.... wait for it..... feature my classroom!  Seriously!  She emailed me back and said some very sweet things that just made my day.  If you haven't "met her" yet, you must- without stopping to get coffee- get to her site for some inspiration.

Here is a link to the super-cool stuff she said about our classroom:

 begging for love in the blog-o-sphere by Michele

Have a Happy Tuesday!