One year ago, it was a beautiful evening in Bentonville,Arkansas. I was enjoying the company of the Walmart 11 moms and discussing with them all the cool new blog things going on in the world. I never really knew what a blog was back then, nor twitter, nor any other social media thingamajig. I was doused with words I had never heard before back in the little Pittsburgh suburb where I reside. Twitter? Facebook? Blogging? Mommy Bloggers ? Twhirl ? Tweetdeck? Digg? Stumble upon? technorati ? WHAT ARE THESE ??? I wondered in amazement. These ladies were BIG TIME into this, I mean, they even had business cards!!! WHAT??!!! Mommy’s with Business cards ? They were such a great bunch of ladies. We had toured Walmart HQ and Coke and some other places and had a great evening. They all came with laptops and camera’s and flip camera’s and twittered on cell phones. I remember how awkward I felt. How out of the loop. What was this all about ?

I was sent to Walmart with another group of ladies from a survey group called Communispace. They do exclusive surveys for companies, and I had been chosen to be a part of the ones for Walmart. I knew nothing about blogging.

WOW was I emerged into this lingo they spoke of. I felt like I was from another planet. I never heard these terms, these Internet places. Heck, I was happy I knew Excel and Word ! I remember taking notes like crazy. I mean, these ladies were talking about their little bambinos at home, and how fun it was to do product reviews, and it was just a group of ladies I wanted to know more about and get more involved with.

THEN it happened… I was invited to a PJ party in the one hotel room. In that room was none other than Jessica Smith (from Jessica Knows), Katja Presnal (from Skimbaco Lifestyle), Amy Allen Clark (from Momadvice ), Colleen Padilla (from ClassyMommy ), Christine Young (from From Dates to Diapers), and Tara K (from DealSeekingMom), there may have been a few more, but I cannot recall all of them. (Sorry if I missed you) I remember looking up their websites and reading them back in my hotel room, and reading and seeing all their beautiful sites and reading about all kinds of things that I was soooo interested in.

Some of the other elevenmom’s I met who have helped me immensely along the way are Lucretia (Geekmommy), Jen (Frugal Upstate), Lynnae , Deninse Sawyer(Centsible Sawyer), Lori (A Cowboy’s Wife), Alyssa (Kingdom First Mom), Linsey (wise bread) Monica (Mommy Brain Reports) and THE Consumer Queen (Melissa Garcia).

It was such a fun night, I asked sooooo many questions, I am sure POSITIVE I got on all of their nerves. BUT They answered them with kindness and a way I could understand. I remember writing down like every word, trying not to miss anything. I wanted to be part of this group of woman, powerful woman, woman like me who were all moms and wanted to better things for consumers, who wanted to change the world one blog post at a time. Who wanted to help others with their savvy saving tips. I didn’t even know who these ladies were but in that short time a year ago, I knew I wanted to be like them. For I too wanted my voice to be heard as a Consumer Mom who wanted to Save money and let companies know what I like and what I thought could be made better.

I had also met Mr. John Andrews while there. He was like in the know of everything. Everyone at Walmart knew him, he was like BIG MAN ON CAMPUS ! He rocked ! He treated us like royalty(and still does even today). His impression on me was like no other man’s in the world of business. He could meet with the Big Whigs at Walmart, but still was very much interested in what us moms and consumers wanted. He was like a fearless leader for the Walmart 11 Moms. He caringly toured us around Bentonville and told us about Brands and companies and just was so intelligent I was in amazement.

I remember being on the shuttle bus thinking about all of these ladies names and I think I may have even asked out loud what could a good name be for me ? I talked it over with the Communispace Moms and we were all thinking about some names I believe. We were all thrilled of finding this group of woman. It felt like we struck oil, right in Bentonville! We went on a tour there of a Walmart store and I remember looking around at the “Plus Size” clothing to try and find a t -shirt souvenir for me to take home. In disgust I couldn’t find one. I was upset over the offerings in the Plus Size Department at Walmart. I remember even thinking what can I do to make a change here ? Plus Size Woman don’t want to be covered over in some moo -moo and put out to pasture. We want what non-plus size woman want in the way of fashion but with a little bit more material. And then…like a light bulb from the God’s of General Electric themselves:

“THE PLUS SIZE MOMMY” was born !

I went back onto the shuttle and said, “I want to blog about Plus size woman and things, and I am going to be The Plus Size Mommy”, I think I heard a couple of laughs but someone did say, I don’t think there are any blogs for that, or at least no one had heard of any. I was so proud, lol (I am still smiling).

After going back to the hotel Katja helped me create a Twitter account and I named myself “@plussizemommy“.  She also told me how to create a blogspot blog and after I came home and emailed all of them a few more times to bug them, The Plus Size Mommy became a reality and Alive as ever.

I have evolved my blog over the year. I went from Blogger to WordPress and have met tons of great people along the way to guide and help me. I am on Twitter with over 6000 followers and I have posted over 390 blog posts. I have Tweeted over 27,000 Tweets (Yea, I talk a lot) I like to be social, thats why being involved in social media makes so much sense for me, and I am the happiest blogger ever ! I also do not just write about Plus Size topics, although this is a passion of mine) I have broadened my writing to include many other topics.

I have made so many friends. I have been to 4 conferences, traveled to 6 new states that I have never been to before and hope and plan to go to many more. I have met over 20 celeb’s IN REAL LIFE, Through twitter I have connected with 5 celeb’s that I talk to on a regular basis. I have networked with over 100 companies. I have over 560 Facebook friends, and over 1,473,900+ connections on LinkedIn!!!!

I have made over $15,000 between sponsorships, products I reviewed , and revenue off of my blog (via consulting, ad’s, or by hosting giveaway’s). And only God knows how many countless hours I have put into it (way to many according to some). I have also recruited at least 3 fellow bloggers by telling them about what I do, and helping them get set up. (How is that for blogging Kharma!!!  )

It has been a long rode, with lots of ups and downs. A road I am finding that many haven’t yet traveled, and one I am still navigating. But all in all it is one I hope to never stray from.

I love the people (fellow bloggers rock), I love the companies, I love to find out about and tell others about new/improved products before they are even on the market, I love the travelling to conferences, I love the small breaks away from home to travel, I love to give things away and make others so happy when they win something, and I love to write and have my voice heard.

More people who I would like to thank who have been there and supported me along the way, and if you have been there and I forget to mention you, please do not be offended, there are so many people!  - My children, who put up with me on the computer sometimes when time slips away and I have to eventually just close the lid and come to play. My Husband, who also puts up with me missing cooking dinner at times, or not having the housework done. My mom, who has been helping me to take care of my children and family, and who is there to watch the kids when I go on my trips to conferences. Kim (craftymamaof4), who is always there for me with a shoulder to lean on every time I feel like quitting my blog, and for every time my blog gets hacked and I am fed up. Jerri Ann (mom e-centric) again for being there for me, her and her husband helped me so many times, through so many “hacks” and getting my blog back up and running and her being there to lean on when I am disgusted.

Barbara Jones (One2One Network) and Ali Worthington (Blissfully Domestic) for giving me tons of inspiration. Blissdom 09 was the first conference I went to and learned so much. I fell in love with these ladies, they are smart, sweet, and have all the qualities I look for in a friend. If you don’t know Ali, your totally missing out, she is beautiful, intelligent, and just knows exactly where she wants to be. Her southern voice is to die for and so sweet, I could just sit and listen to her speak all day long! Barbara is such an inspiration to me, she is one of the hardest working ladies I know. She is so gentle natured and very intelligent indeed, I just love to hear from these ladies.

All of the staff that I have met at Collective Bias, there is Amy, Rebecca, Jay, John, and Lucretia (and many more) they are all great to work with on projects and keep me going.

There is a long list of others that I totally appreciate but for the sake of time I cannot link to all of you, but PLEASE feel free to comment and link to this post. These people who have helped me through(and they may not even realize the support they have given me) are: Anissa Mayhew, Amy Bair, Shannon Powell, Sugar Jones, Erin Jeanny, Brandy Tanner, Danielle Smith, Elizabeth Norton, Alaina Frederick, Sandy Jenney, Pensieve Robin, Mary Davis, Leah Segedie, Dwan Perrin, Momfaves, Fiona Bryan, Michelle, Amanda H, Melissa Smallwood, Niri, Kelby Carr, John Chow, Nicole (Holymoleynicoley)Jyl J. Pattee, Carissa R., and I am so sorry if I left you out there are so many others. All of these people somehow have impacted me during this first year, and I love you all for it!

People who I would also like to thank are PR reps and brands and people from them like Jessica Kane,Rick Calvert, George Smith Jr., Ted Rubin, Allison Sands, Allison Blass, The Tanka Bar Crew, The Healthy Choice Brand and PR reps, Victoria (You ROCK!), Megan from Twittermoms, Marie Denee, La Grande Dame, Sinuate Media Team, Bonnie McGuire, Julie Dodobara, Catherine Wood Hill, Lee (from Ocean Isle), #GNO, Krystal Franklin, Jakks Pacific, and so many great others who have been with me along the way.

*Jakks Pacific was the very first product review and giveaway I did on my blog, during last Christmas! It was for a Girl gourmet cupcake maker!!! Thank You Jakks! *

I THANK YOU for coming along with me on my journey, and hope you will continue with me. Afterall a blog that is not read means nothing. I can only be a great blogger with great subscribers and readers like YOU.

THANK YOU !!!   ((((((HUGGS))))))

The Plus Size Mommy

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