In case you got a big, nasty WARNING page shouting at you when you attempted to visit my site… FEAR NOT.

The site has been scrubbed.

But since it was reported as a problem site, we’re still working on getting those nasty messages removed.

Sigh.

Why a hacker would target little ole me, I have no idea.

But they did.

Thanks for sticking by me.

I’m feeling the need to address the elephant in the room. I want to talk a little bit about that thing we all wanted to get into but DIDN’T. That thing we are all mopey and stressed out about.

That thing we didn’t get an invitation to attend. (And by we I mean me, and maybe even you.)

Ouch. It stings.

Getting an invitation means that you are special. It means you are important. It means that you are SOMEBODY. And not getting an invitation… doesn’t. Or so we let ourselves think.

Here’s the thing to keep in mind… you ARE somebody. Just because you weren’t included this time, that doesn’t mean you don’t matter.

Deep inside you know exactly what I am talking about. You know that you are being overly sensitive and possibly irrational. You‘re feeling vulnerable and uncertain.

Trust me, I know.

Image via Glenda Otero

I felt the exact same way when the news rolled out across Twitter. I frantically checked my email and spam boxes. I stalked the hashtag. I started mental comparisons between myself and the bloggers who made it in. (It was slightly pathetic, I admit.)

Once it became clear to me that I did not warrant an invite, I went through a dramatic, albeit short-lived,  period of self-doubt and depression. “Why do I bother to blog, anyway? I’ll never be as talented or influental as them. I can’t believe I even thought I might have a chance. They probably don’t even know I exist. I should just call it a day and give up.”

Yes, friends. I actually considered giving it all up. As in shutting down my blog and never returning. 

And for what? For an invitation.

Sigh.

It is so hard in this blogosphere to keep everything in perspective.  My (and/or your) lack of an invitation wasn’t a rejection… there were simply not enough to go around. There are a ton of bloggers out there and only a finite amount of openings.

Someone is going to have to sit this round out.

And that someone is … us. Plain and simple, really.

Social comparison is a dangerous trap that many fall into online because it is so easy to do. The truth is, we all need to be extra guarded and vigilant when it comes to our self esteem or we will end up unfulfilled and unhappy.

Compairing yourself to others is nothing short of toxic.

I personally plan to give a mental high-five to all of the folks proclaiming their excitement over being included in this year’s festivities. I encourage others to do the same. They deserve to have a fantastic time! Who knows? Maybe next year we’ll be the ones who get a surprise in our own in-boxes… or not.

I am incredibly humbled and excited to announce that I have been selected as a 2012 Stiletto Woman in Business Award Finalist for Mom Entrepreneur of the Year, Social Media Influencer of the Year  and Blogger of the Year.

*Blink*

I know. Even typing that sentence is surreal.

Seeing my name listed among so many other incredible women, takes my breath away, to be sure. (You can view all of the finalists online here.)

In case you are unfamiliar, the SWIBA Awards (Stiletto Woman in Business Awards) are an initiative of Stiletto Woman Media which focuses on empowering women in business.

CEO Karlena Wallace had this to say, “The Stiletto Woman in Business Awards honors the monumental efforts of everyday women business owners, particularly those operating smaller entities that often go under the radar. These leaders redefine conventionalism and create their own success, all while changing lives.”

Wow.

Although I personally do not feel I deserve to be included in such a prestigious group, I do heartily applaud what this organization is all about.

Empowering, coaching and mentoring women is a passion of mine. (No matter what side of the fence I happen to be on at the time.)

My heartfelt appreciation (and shock) at becoming a finalist in the 2012 SWIBA Awards.

You know that slogan, “America Runs on Dunkin’?”

They created that for me.

If there is one thing this gal is obsessed with, it is Dunkin’ Donut’s coffee.

I know there are Starbucks loyalists out there cringing and shaking their fist at me right now and frankly, I don’t care.

We are a Dunkin family.

So, imagine how thrilled the hubby and I were to be invited to a DD social in my town. (If I hadn’t resolved in 2012 to squelch the “squee” response, I would definitely go there.)

We had a great time, mingled with some fantastic folks and even got a chance to taste a bunch of menu items we hadn’t tried yet. (Incidentally, sausage pancake bites are to die for. I prefer to think of them as diet food. As in, essential to my diet.)

Thanks @dcdunkin for a really fun morning!

I got an interesting offer from a blogging colleague a week ago asking me if I would like to host a live Best Buy holiday event on the East Coast.

Um, let me see….  HELL yeah?

You see, we are Best Buy people. In fact, my husband may love Best Buy more than he loves me.  I’ve never really asked. I think it is because I don’t REALLY want to know the answer. Ahem.

In any event, we were thrilled to be a part of the holiday social media extravaganza. Our event was one of two live parties being held that evening in tandem with the SITS Girls #BestBuyHoliday Twitter conversation.

What a fabulous time we all had!

Not only did we get our own personal “geek” from their Geek Squad (who was hilarious), we also got a chance to play around with the Kindle Fire, Fitbit, Asus Tablet, Sony – Cyber-shot 16.1-Megapixel Zoom Digital Camera,  Hard Candy Cotton Candy Maker, HP – Laptop / AMD E-Series Processor, as well as Beats By Dr. Dre Limited Edition Headphones From Monster and tons more…

A techie’s dream holiday party, to be sure. The only downside? Adding to our holiday must-have list!