{Scroll to the bottom for the linky...}
I've yet to meet a Blogger I didn't like.
And I have met a fair few bloggers by now, I can tell you.
This week I got to have Leonie and her three kids come to stay with us for two nights.
While she was here I threw out the invitation... a Bloggy Party, come one come all!
Of course it rained.
But still they came.
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| Liz and Sima J travelled all the way from Whangarei to hang out with us |
Many pots of tea were downed under the remnants of Pizza Planet.
Hungry kids inhaled cupcakes and popcorn then retreated back to their corners...
The boys playing PS2... or room-trashing...
The girls painting signs...
...and then having to scrub the paint off the floorboards. Yep, they did.
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| Delissimon |
And always a pleasure to meet more bloggers.
Did I mention already that I have yet to meet a blogger I didn't like?
Love the Blog, love the Blogger. That's my theory.
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| Rebecca from Becca4Love - all the way from Sydney |
There's something about Blog friends that goes deeper, faster than RL friendships can.
Is it because we bare our souls to the world so that when we meet for coffee we go quickly beyond the surface chitchat?
I think so.
I now understand how people can meet and fall in love for real on the internet. Totally get it!
I love my bloggy friends.
They are no longer just "bloggers" to me.
They are friends.
Generous, real, down to earth souls. You know who you are, I love you all.
I barely even blog-knew Leonie when she sent my newly gluten-free daughter a parcel of treats all the way from Australia. Who does that? Lovely Bloggers, that's who.
Leonie also organised the Softies for Christchurch, and hundreds of bloggers have sent homemade lovelies for the kids of NZ's earthquake-devastated town. And how about Gail organising the Walk for Christchurch, which has raised thousands for the earthquake victims? The Wellington Bloggers who jumped on board and did it in their town too? Can't wait to meet you girls, I just know I'm gonna love ya.
I don't understand the rumours I hear of blog-nastiness in other places.
Personally I've never seen it.
Is it because here in New Zealand we are so small it would be hard to be anonymously nasty?
Is it because money hasn't come into it here yet because there are no super-bloggers competing for advertising bucks?
Hmmm. Could be.
And I love you all. On your blogs, and in Real Life.
I've met so many lovely blog-friends in real life.
PaisleyJade, Weza Anya Gail and Me for bloggy coffee in "Wackworth" (as Widge called it; tee hee). Surreal.
Lunch at the PaisleyJade house with all the family. A wonderful fun-filled riot.
Then my favourite of all... A Weekend with Widgey among many others listed somewhere below.
So I am reviving the Bloggy Friends Real Life Hookups Linky.
Not that it went anywhere but it got a bit hidden from view.
Here's a new grabable button. And below is the linky with all the past hookups. I'd love you to add your blog-friend tales to our linky list {grab the button too}
And if you are ever in my town, I'd love to meet you, pour you some tea, offer you a scone... can't wait to meet ya!
Oh Simone, you are SO super spesh and I love who you are. I love ya! The kids can't stop talking about Monday, we had such a lovely time (can you tell? it took us hours to leave). Thank you for your amazing hospitality skills. xx
ReplyDeleteSimone, you've brought tears to my eyes with this post. You are such a beautiful and special friend and I am ever so grateful to have met you.We had a wonderful time at your place, you're intuitive invitation was an absolute blessing!
ReplyDeleteIt is so true, bloggy friends are extra special and the barriers have already been broken down. I too haven't met a blogger I didn't instantly like.
I also am SOOOO grateful to you and the other auckland/whangarei bloggers for your amazing friendships, you have all made my return to NZ all that more special.
Thank you, thank you, thank you Simone for being the special person you are.
xxx
*sniff*
ReplyDeletewhere do I start???
First, i have to express the immense joy I feel inside when I read of these bloggy get togethers, especially because they include some of my favorite people.
But yes, bck to the joy...immense bursting joy along with the joyful tears!
Second i love love love how these women have just poured onto you, Simoney, such gratitude and admiration. This is truly a gift you have..opening your home and heart to others to come together in community. Such a special gift. I hope you know and embrace what a special amazing woman you are. So so truly lovely.
And I can't wait ....I truly can't wait to be one of those women, sitting in your window seat chatting over tea with you...laughing crying and enjoying each others company. I know it will be love at first sight.
Third, i just wanted to say that I have not experienced that blog meanness that you speak of, though I have heard about it. You could have a point about your smallness, but here I am in Canada not experiencing that either...though in saying that I am not a competitive blogger and I do value deeper connection with the women i blog with.
Anyways time to grab a tissue...
feeling the love here...as always
Simoney, you have always been so real about where you are at and sometimes things have not been as easy as others, but I hope through the love poured on to you today you feel just how special and amazing you truly are!!!♥
love and light
*sniff*
ReplyDeletewhere do I start???
First, i have to express the immense joy I feel inside when I read of these bloggy get togethers, especially because they include some of my favorite people.
But yes, bck to the joy...immense bursting joy along with the joyful tears!
Second i love love love how these women have just poured onto you, Simoney, such gratitude and admiration. This is truly a gift you have..opening your home and heart to others to come together in community. Such a special gift. I hope you know and embrace what a special amazing woman you are. So so truly lovely.
And I can't wait ....I truly can't wait to be one of those women, sitting in your window seat chatting over tea with you...laughing crying and enjoying each others company. I know it will be love at first sight.
Third, i just wanted to say that I have not experienced that blog meanness that you speak of, though I have heard about it. You could have a point about your smallness, but here I am in Canada not experiencing that either...though in saying that I am not a competitive blogger and I do value deeper connection with the women i blog with.
Anyways time to grab a tissue...
feeling the love here...as always
Simoney, you have always been so real about where you are at and sometimes things have not been as easy as others, but I hope through the love poured on to you today you feel just how special and amazing you truly are!!!♥
love and light
Love this soooooooo much Simoney!!! I am still amazed at how quickly bloggers get on and how close we can all be. I think you hit the nail on the head re the openess bit. Looks like you guys had such a fab time and so wish I could have been there!! Rebecca was my inspiration to start blogging in the first place. Yay for blogging buddies!
ReplyDeletexoxox
YAY I LOVED coming down to meet you all!! Thanks for being so hospitable to us and our noisy messy kids!! Def have to reciprocate sometime! Was a great day had by all - and I love how bloggers just seem to get on so well - so long as there's tea and nibbles haha :-)
ReplyDeleteSimone you are an awesome hostess, you make people feel so very welcome!! I have loved meeting everyone, and look forward to meeting up again.
ReplyDeleteThank God for bloggers - you have made our move to Auckland so easy. How cool that hubby and I can join in on a night out, hang out with you and your families. Come to a church and feel right at home with so many welcoming blogger friends. And Rangi and Bubble LOVE your kids. So yip I think bloggers are amazing friends xxxxxx
I too have been gobsmacked by the foreign reports of bloggy-bitchiness. I think you have hit the nail on the head with many of the reasons that it doesn't exist over here (thank goodness!) Looking forward to the next Chch bloggy get-together... when are you coming down to visit us? ;-)
ReplyDeleteStill reeling over the dream that I stayed AT YOUR HOUSE!! IN YOUR PJS EVEN!!! haha
ReplyDeleteLoved meeting all you guys. and I loved meeting sammy but maaaan that pic of me is baaaaaaaaaaaad
Love seeing all these bloggy hookups. And still live in hope that one day it'll be me. Just waiting on Leonie to name the BIG day and the flights will be booked!
ReplyDeleteWowzers what a fabulous time you all had! It's like a modern day version of pen-pals united!! So many positive people living their lives in the best way they can, all supporting one another and inspiring in their own way. Bloggers rock! Can't wait to meet some of you one day x
ReplyDeleteO dear, not sure how I managed to miss this one??! I know we talked about it on FB but...
ReplyDeleteAnyway, looked so fun, sorry I wasn't there : (
I have LOVED all the bloggers I've met in real life. But it does help, surely, that I go out of my way to meet up with people who *seem* lovely online. I will certainly keep your offer in mind if I make it to your side of the world! :)
ReplyDeleteWow I've been blogging for a couple of months now and have connected with lots of overseas mums. But who knew there were so many right on my doorstep!! I need to find me a Wellington blogger meet up ASAP! Thanks for sharing I found you through Kiwi Mummy bloggers. Stop on by and say hi www.sweetpeasylvie.com
ReplyDeleteSylvia x