Simple Kind of Life

Crystal and I enjoyed seeing and talking to Colleen once again, at IZEAFest in Orlando. On the Sunday following the convention we were planning to join her and other bloggers on a Universal tour arranged by IZEA, but I was so sick I couldn’t even get out of bed.

I sent Colleen a message Monday saying I was sorry to have missed the fun day with her, and said we were heading toward Florida’s West Coast for a few days of fun in the sun. Colleen said she lived not far from where we planned to go and asked if we’d like to meet for lunch. “Absolutely!, we said! This is Pine Island Beach where Colleen suggested we go for a day of sun and sand.

It was so lovely there, but that big cloud in the sky finally covered us right over and the air cooled rapidly. As the day progressed, we decided dinner might work in with our plans would meet her at a restaurant, but then she invited us to her house for a barbecue. We were oh so ready for real food after eating in restaurants for 5 days and enthusiastically said YES!

We arrived at their house about 6:30 and were enthusiastically greeted by Colleen, her husband, 3 children and 3 dogs, and she was preparing dinner. Her house was immaculate, her children extremely well behaved, very welcoming and helpful! Her youngest daughter was making the salad!

Colleen is a very well known ‘postie’ who writes ads for IZEA advertisers, AND she is the most successful, highest paid ‘postie’. I know she must work very hard at it to be in the number 1 spot – and has remained there for two years +. ‘Mommy Bloggers’ are not always highly regarded in the blogging industry as they blog about themselves, their family, daily living, pets, shopping, travel – you know – the day to day events which Mommy’s take care of while holding down full time jobs, going back to school, being involved in the childrens sports events, school events, church events, being supportive of a working husband, shopping and generally organizing life. Did I mention Colleen in one busy, busy Mommy Blogger??? She works 5 days a week, driving an hour each way!

Colleen calls her blog ‘Simple Kind of Life‘ but let me tell you – her life is far more complicated and busier than most people I know, yet she was the most laid back, organized hostess in the world. You might like to read how this Simple Kind of Life Mommy Blogger spent 8 hours with the BIG MONEY BLOGGER, John Chow (from Richmnond in Beautiful British Columbia!

The five of us enjoyed dinner out on their screened deck, (the girls were attending an event for the evening) talking, laughing and reminiscing about PostieCon 2007 and IZEAFest 2008.

Colleens husband, who didn’t have to work the next day, invited Crystal and I to go out to play ‘beer pong’ and we’d have loved to go, but it was a fair distance away and already late for us. Besides we both needed to dry out our beer laden, partied out bodies for a few hours! After Colleen printed out driving directions for us and made suggestions on a few places we might enjoy, we said our goodbyes.

I LOVE NETWORKING! I feel as though I’ve once again used networking to great advantage, turning a friendly blogging acquaintance into a personal family friendship.

Thanks for your hospitality Colleen – you are the ‘Hostess with the Mostess’ and I can’t wait to return the favor when you and your family come to visit our lovely area in BC!