ReviewRetreat 2012 THIS is why you want to send me!

I love being able to review awesome products on my blog.  That wasn’t my original intent when I started www.cattleandcupcakes.com, but, I find that sharing not only my life, but also the incredible products I find,  is what my blog has morphed into.  I didn’t think to myself one day “Hey, I’m gonna start a review blog!”, it kinda just...well, happened.  And I think that's pretty common.  Which is why many of us need help-we have NO IDEA what we're doing!

When I found out about ReviewRetreat 2012, I was immediately scheming how to bribe my husband into letting me go.  I was trying to figure out what foods to cook, what outfits to wear, and what to say in order to “Butter him up” enough to let me go.

But, in reality, that’s a lot to ask, and I understand that really, the presumable answer would be “No, we can’t afford it.”  Because, in reality, we can’t afford the gas, the hotel, the ticket, the food, and everything else.  Being a blogger is not only hard work, (Believe me, I didn’t realize it was this hard when I started) but it can be expensive, too!  But you guys, I CAN DO THIS.  I know I can.  I can make this blog work-I just need to be able to get some insight and advice from some of the others that have traversed this road before!  

When I heard about the Reviewer’s Retreat giveaway, and knew I had to enter. (And pray!) This conference has an incredible line-up, y’all.  One speaker, specifically, is one of my “Bloggy role models”.  She also happens to share my name.  Kinda.  Just a different spelling-I think it still counts, right?  Well anyway, it’s Meagan Paullin from Sunshineandsippycups.com.  Her blog is a wealth of awesome tips and inspiration.  Getting to rub elbows with the likes of her, and some other awesome review bloggers, would literally spin my blogging world on it’s head.  I’m absolutely positive it will help me become a much better blogger.  I have so many questions about blogging that just aren’t easy to answer, and I know that the speakers attending this conference would probably have the answers to every single question I have.  Because, you see, not many people REALLY understand blogging.  It’s hard trying to discuss the hurdles with non-bloggers.  I’d love to just sit among other bloggers (Meagan Paullin, Piera Jolly, and Amy Bellgardt, yes, THE Amy Bellgardt!) and just bask in the knowledge that everyone around me has BEEN THERE, and to be able to soak up their knowledge like a little country beginning blogger sponge- It would be SO refreshing.

Also, really, I need a break.  I haven’t taken a vacation since, well, I’ll say 5 years ago.  I didn't get a honeymoon, and farming really prohibits long vacations.  I am overworked, underpaid (LOL), and I could use a few trips down some crazy wedgie-inducing waterslides.  The last time I went swimming in a REAL POOL?  I can’t remember.  I’ve been cooped up on this farm TOO LONG!!!!  I live to have a pizza delivered.  Really.  I haven’t had delivery in YEARS.  The closest the delivery guy will come is about 20 minutes away from my house.  I'd kiss the deliveryperson that came to my house square on the lips. 

Not to mention that this time, right here: 

Is very precious, since it’s the only time I can really get anything done on my blog.  I frantically type emails, upload photos, and type reviews while this happens, at a frenzied pace.  I realize there is a REASON why I can type 90 wmp. (I kid you not)  If I could have a WHOLE WEEKEND of time to focus on my blog, can you IMAGINE the awesome things I could get done?

And most of all, I want to go to ReviewRetreat so I can KEEP being a SAHM and not missing out on these moments:

 So, please, gods and goddesses of ReviewRetreat, I wish wish wish that you’ll choose me to come hang out at ReviewRetreat.  Your generosity will NOT go un-noticed, or un-appreciated.   I’ll bring cookies!!!