Outside The Box

The meeting of the blogging minds.  Bloggers Anonymous Meeting.  Or the Breakfast Bloggers as I like to call us.  However you want to look at it, that is what happened on friday morning and noon and a little bit after noon.  Lordy I don't know how we do it.  Five women getting together for a 'quick' breakfast and ending up done at 3:00ish.  That would be pm not am by the way.  We're not that bad....yet.

I walk away fascinated each and every time we get together.  I also walk away with a little more knowledge of each lady.  Debbie, Emma (gone private darn it), Dawn and I met for breakfast this time instead of the usual coffee shop.  That's right.  Now we have two meeting places.  What was really nice this time however, was Aims was able to join us.  Then later on, Sirdar showed up for a bit.  Even though he wasn't feeling good and we didn't let him talk much, he stuck around to eat and it was great seeing him and being able to say hi.

As usual the conversation flowed like it was the first time we all met.  Always something to say, always a discussion to be had.  Each one trying to get to know the next a little bit better.  And it's what I love about these ladies.  A discussion can be had and then it's over with and the next discussion is on the table.  I like how we can say "I just don't get that" or "I don't necessarily agree" and that's it.  Accepting each others views and opinions.  A rare thing for women to do.  Sorry ladies, but so often it's true.

An excellent discussion this breakfast was on the subject of being put in a 'box'.  And for all you smart alecs out there it's not being put literally in a box.  A question was asked and everyone but one woman answered.  When pushed a bit she said it was because she felt people are often put in a 'box' if certain things are said.  Which, I believe, everyone at the table respected and she never did answer the question.  It did however create a fantastic discussion amongst the ladies.  You all know the 'box' right?  As a stay at home mom I know all about being put in a box.  As someone who only has a high school education and volunteers with people who all just happen to have teaching degrees or are geophysicists, etc., I am well aware I may be put in a box from the more educated people out there.  Religion?  Don't even get started on religion.  Each religion said out loud most likely brings a vision to your mind.  A box.  How about people who swear?  To those who don't swear, perhaps those of us who do are put in a box.  And vice versa.  Smokers, drinkers, knitters, bakers.  Each one, when said, forming certain visions in your head on what they are or perhaps what you've heard they are.  A Box.  It's endless really.

Now because I've always been known for being slightly outside the box, which of course means there's a box for that called the looney bin box no doubt, I have always answered loud and proud that I'm a stay at home mom.  Not as educated as the next person?  I may not be as loud and proud about not having a secondary education but I always say it didn't work out that way for me and I will tell anyone who asks.  I don't go further, I don't explain myself, I just say it like it is.  Does it mean I'm stupid because I may not have a degree?  I'll let you in on a little secret.  I volunteer with a lot of people who have degrees and I assure you having a degree doesn't necessarily make them smarter then me.  Which of course means I put a lot of the people I volunteer with in a box.  That would be the educated holier then thou box in case you're wondering.

So you can see we had an excellent breakfast because I'm still thinking of our conversations.  The great thing about it was, we could just discuss a great topic.  Each of us having an opinion on the subject, maybe agreeing, maybe not agreeing.  It didn't really matter.  Fantastic in my books.

And for those who have asked, the Breakfast Bloggers consisted of....

We have the two younger ladies, Emma and Debbie.  Both the same age I believe.  Then you have Dawn and I who are not quite a year a part but would make us 10 years older then Emma and Debbie.  And then we have Aims.  Who is older then Dawn and I by, well I won't say because I'm not sure if 'age' is a big thing or not.  Sirdar who came for a visit is Dawn's husband and he isn't much older then Dawn and I I'm guessing.  Then we come to the children.  Now it's only been a meeting of the blogging ladies, but children are definitely discussed once in awhile.  After all, four of us are moms.  Emma has four children ranging in age from babes to teens.  Debbie has two children who are not babies but not teenagers.  Which would make them a few years younger then teenagers.  Dawn has four children ranging in age from tweens to teens.  I have three children, teens and adults.  Ok technically all teens but once they turn 18, in my home anyway, if you're legally an adult then by golly you're an adult.  So one teen, two adults for me.  You probably thought I forgot Aims.  I didn't.  Aims does not have children so we made her sit at another table.

We are a unique and diverse bunch of ladies.  Each one going through different stages of ours lives.  I do think this shows you what kind of a group we are though because no matter what stage you are in your life, whether it be with babes in arms or not even having children, whether you are younger or older, no matter what your views or beliefs are, if you are a man and yes, even if you are an arm crosser.  In our group?  All are accepted.  Although there's never any guarantee you won't be made fun of at any given time.  We can sit for hours on end talking, discussing, joking and laughing.  I guess you can say we have now created our own box.  The Breakfast Blogger's Box.  Which I won't say five times in a row, but I would be proud to wear on a t-shirt any day.

Comments

[Frances]

Sounds like such fun.
I also did the volunterring with people with degrees things - twice.
I only had two years of college while everyone else had at least two degrees.
I swear to you Joy I had ot be the voice of reason every time. Mr. Two Degrees would start arguing with Miss Three Degrees and it would go on and on and on.
LOL all I needed was the striped short and whistle.

[Karmyn R]

I just think that having the Bloggers Breakfast is great.

And sadly - those boxes exist. I think you can get out of the box, but only through each individual contact you make.

[SJ]

Sounds like you all had so much fun! I wish I was closer so I could join in on the fun!

[Emma]

If people are willing to fly to BlogHer, they should definitely be willing to fly to Edmonton for a bloggers breakfast/lunch. Frankly, I could have made a weekend of it.

Great post Joy, and I had a great laugh at the "arms crossed"

[Debbie]

We're so lucky to have not only met but to have actually hit it off as well. I'm feeling all gushy and grateful for our group right now. :) We're a great group of ladies, if I do say so myself! Oh, and Sirdar is, of course, a great guy. Maybe we should make him an honorary lady for the sake of blogging. ;)

Soo looking forward to next time. And the summer when we can have gatherings outside around the fire. And I might even invite you and Aimes!

[Dawn]

Wow, you always do such an awesome post on these things. I am so glad you wait until the rest of us have written before outdoing me. Wait....that might just be it, you read mine and had to out do me;-). Seriously, this was so wonderful and it was such a great time. It is marvellous we can have these discussions, a little ribbing, and have great laughs and go away from it and think and grow until the next breakfast meeting.

[Dawn]

Oh, I made those poppyseed bars from your previous post, and took them to our event and they were great. Will be making that recipe again and again.

[Joy T.]

frances - try throwing in a geophysicists and watch the fun begin. Good grief.

karmyn - I think you've hit it spot on. We have to give people a chance and get to know them before putting anyone in the box we automatically 'assume' they belong to.

SJ - I wish you were closer too!!

emma - That's right about Blogher, but I say we'd be a much more relaxed and fun group. No offence to Bogher gals. We love everyone here at A Spot of T and it's already been proven we love everyone at the Breakfast Bloggers. And maybe eventually one day, the Breakfast Bloggers will make a weekend out of it. I bet it would be a riot.

debbie - I couldn't agree more and we're a group I really appreciate. As for Sirdar, he's just the sweetest man. His kindness really shines through. He could definitely be an honorary Breakfast Blogger. But because I'm mean and all I say we make him wear a big pink fluffy boa while he's at breakfast. What? It's that or he sits at another table like we make Aims do.

dawn - Darn it. You're on to me. I really hope we have some more great topics like this one. To be honest I was either going to write about this 'box' topic we discussed or the topic we discussed on, if we come across the same on our blogs as we do in real life. Because that was interesting to me too. And yea on the poppy seed bars. I'm trying to figure out how to convert them to a lemon poppy seed bar.

[aims]

Hmmm - if I leave a comment - will you be able to hear me from my place over here on the other side of the room where you guys stuck me??

Sigh - I've always been the 'odd man out'. Why is that?

And here you are thinking you are the odd man - arms crossed an all! You didn't have to sit at another table! (pout)

So I'll shout this!! I HAD A WONDERFUL DAY WITH YOU GALS! Can you hear me? (and Sirdar too)...

If you could have been in my brain on the way home! Well for one thing - it would have been lonely in there - but it did have lots of stuff going on in it..I thought about all of the topics we talked about (that I could remember anyway) and gave them a good rehashing. Then I put some of them in a big box and tied them up with a big bow and labelled it. I put some others in smaller boxes and shoved them away for another think another time.

And what did I get out of all of it? Well - hopefully not a ticket from that policeman in the median who tagged me as I flew by at 140mph....dammit!!

[Musing]

Hi, found you thru Michele's site.

Your Bloggers Breakfast sounds wonderful, and I relate to what you said about being in boxes.

I've got four kids (17 to 23) and was a stay-at-home mom for eighteen years. And though I've self taught myself enough to earn a couple of college degrees, I still feel judged sometimes for not having one.

[Sirdar]

Gee thanks ladies. I feel so special. Not only did you let me into a box with you....I mean booth, you even let me say a couple of words. Nothing special about said words but it was a breakthrough none the less. What I really appreciate is that you are voting me in to be an Honorary Lady. Wow....nobody has ever done that for me and lived before. I might just surprise you at our next meeting :-)

It was great to meet all of you. Look forward to the next time!!

[lisa]

I love that you all get together! It must be great! I also love that you all are so different with the common denominator of blogging and yet you all get along and enjoy each other!

[Joy T.]

aims - sorry what did you say. I can't hear you.

musing - LOVE Michele! Glad to see you for a visit. To bad they didn't have self taught degrees because a lot of us would have a handful of them I'm sure.

sirdar - But you have to wear the pink boa or I'm telling you, it's another table for you :o) Seriously though, it was really great meeting you. I hope you do make it for another visit and I'm sure the ladies will promise to be nice and take it easy on you. *snort*

lisa - It's pretty amazing really and what we wouldn't give to have YOU amongst our little Breakfast Bloggers!

[Pam]

Can I join the box? I mean club? Sounds like my kind of group, from the great conversation to the breakfast that lasts until 3pm!
;-)

[jill]

Your ability to run a copy machine is inversely correlated with either your # of degrees, or your level of management. Seriously, I've had to bail out so many 'smart' people because they couldnt figure out they were out of paper.

and of course, they think if you just have a bachelor's degree, that you're an idiot. in fact, as far as i can tell from what everyone around me says, your JOB says how smart you are. SO... if you're a janitor, you're stupid, if you're a CEO, you're a genius...

[bermudabluez]

Glad y'all had a good time at the meeting. Only wish I could have joined you!! I think I'd like to be in your box...

[Karina]

Joy, I had dinner with two of my college girlfriends on Saturday night and we have the same type of situation when we get together. We only see each other about twice a year, so we normally sit and talk, laugh, joke, discuss, whatever for hours and hours. Usually to the dismay of whatever waitress' section our table ends up being in (but we tip very well to make up for it).

Even though we're all the same age, all three of us are from very different backgrounds and in very different places in our lives, so we too have a lot of those "I just don't get it" and "I don't agree" type of discussions, but always walk away hugging and smiling, and feeling better for having gotten together. There's really nothing quite like that!

[Heather]

It's so cool you guys get together!!!! It'd be so fun to have a blogging get together from time to time! Glad you guys all get along great IRL!

[she]

*sigh* I almost wish I'd passed on the romantic weekend thingy and made it to breakfast. ALMOST. Gotta get the time in with the hubby when I can.

[canadianflake]

this certainly sounds like a deverse and interesting group...wish I lived close enough to join y'all...

[Debbie in her lucky patch]

Sounds like you all have fun. :)

I hate that the "box" or "labels" exist. I hate being put into this category or that. I am me. I am a stay at home mom too. I do have some college education. As you said, just because someone holds a degree does not make them smarter than you. ;) Some of the dumbest people I know hold a degree or two.

[tiger lamb girl]

Yeh. Boxes. Hmm. I hate them and yet find myself doing it too. Sometimes.

I'm so much more than my smoking, swearing, Christian self. Really. I am.

[Pamela]

I so agree with you about some educated people who think they are just king t*rd of the Sh** pile.
Okay.. I'm in the swear box, aren't I. Hee Hee Hee.