2 Things I'm Excited and also Freaking Out About.

1.)  May 7 I am the SITS Featured Blog.

I am so, SO honored to be a featured blogger.  The SITS girls are a great group and I have met so many wonderful bloggers through their network.  Not to mention how awesome the 31 days to build a better blog program was.  And this is such a great chance to really get my name out there.  I have to admit I've really been enjoying watching this blog grow beyond just being read by my family and friends.  So I'm beyond excited about this opportunity.




But also?  I'M FREAKING OUT. 


It's like this.  If I was having a major party at my house with lots of people I've never met I would clean every inch of it.  Even really stupid places like behind the couch and under the bed.  I might even iron my pillow shams. I was just raised that way.  And chances are I'd stress out over each and every one of those dumb things...

On May 7 Life in Cleveland is having a major party.

Sidebar must be cleaned up!  Headers must be aligned!  New Social Media Icons must be made!  Subscribe buttons must be prettified!  IT MUST BE PERFECT GAAAAAH!

Look I even made a fancy button you can grab:

<div align="center"><a href="http://www.lifeincleveland.com" title="Life in Cleveland"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdj_HGp848111Ed7QPnvVMJ7G2mWDWk4FharlEzcgpdNiYR6bCMHMAsxvnf4lzQeEZ3Zkr8GVG5-KnubAVh3gbmLv0ZpdxatWQVqEGXYeqWtXrx1xfBOG0mvfLRiROxXC5oLBH/s1600/lifeincleveland150x150.jpg" alt="Life in Cleveland" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

And what it all boils down to is this:

What if they don't like me?  What if they think this is all crap?  What if the party is a complete flop?

So I'm keeping busy stressing about the dumb stuff so I don't freak out and shut the whole thing down.

It did get me to set up an advertising page, though.  So that's fun. By the way it's super, SUPER easy to buy ads with the way it's set up and I"m about to get a ton of traffic so... Just sayin'

Edited to add:  I'd really love to fill up a few more sponsor spots before Monday!  So if you use the code SITS25 you can get 25% off any of the spots!  Also if you are a Cleveland based business/blog use the code HAPPYINCLE and you get 50% off!  Have to spread the Cleveland love.

2.)  This weekend I'm going to the Kentucky Derby

Us at the Derby in 2008.

I am so, SO excited about this weekend.  I'll be gone Fri-Sun for a bachelorette / shower weekend of fun with my ladies.  That includes the Kentucky Derby. YES.  I went once before (here's the post about it) and it was a BALL.  And funtimes aside I'm a little bit excited for some solid time away from the kids.  Meals uninterrupted!  No diapers to change! 2 nights in a row with noone waking me up with a crisis!

But also?  FREAKING OUT.

Because what happens when someone wakes up with a crisis?  And I know the answer is Matt.  And he is going to do a wonderful job and I am so lucky to have him.  And he's gone out of town for several weekends on his own for various bachelor party-type events.  And this is my first time away for more than a few hours since I was pregnant with my 1 year old:

Me with Dimitri Martin in the Washington Airport.  The last adventure I went on w/o the kids.  I was 9 weeks pregnant at the time.

I know that time away is good for everyone but... OMFG THE GUILT.

You know I"m totally going to take my first steps in the 48 hours you're away from me, right?

Because even though I know he will rock it doing it all yourself suuuuuuuucks.  Especially when one kid is solidly in the WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY WHY phase and the other has earned the nickname Sir Edmund Hillary:

Pictured:  The first non-walker to ascend these stairs.  Also what happens if you turn your back on this kid for a second.

Deep down I know that everyone will be fine without me but worry about them is just part of the deal.

Something tells me the Mint Juleps will help with this worry thing.

Anyways.... good stress is MUCH better than bad stress.  What does everyone think of the blog spruce up, btw?