OK, I venture to say that every blogger aspires to be in the big leagues. Maybe not, but I do! 
I work very hard on my blog everyday. Yes, I am seeing a big pick up in my loyal readers and companies are finding me to ask me to do reviews. Yes, I have reached the short term goals that I set for myself, but those bigger goals don’t seem even a smidgen closer! I want to go to the BlogHer convention! Not because of where it is… sorry, but New York City is not real high on my list of places I would like to go. Don’t get me wrong, I DO want to visit New York one day, but I would want to go to BlogHer 2010 even if it were in my little hick town! Why?
1. Networking! I feel that even though I take every webinar I can and research and ask questions, I still have tons to learn (ex: how to find sponsors for BlogHer 2010 LOL!). I want to be able to sit down with influential bloggers and just chat!
2. Classes! I don’t even know if they have classes, but… I am sure they have to have round table discussions and the like. I want to go armed with my Busy Body Book and my Notebinder so I can take notes! I want to be able to come home and start implementing the stuff I learned!
3. Mom… my mother was my business partner (long time ago) and it was so nice to have someone to bounce ideas off and to hold my hand. 
I want her to go to the conference with me and get into it. I need a partner in my blogging, but she is the only person I really trust with my baby. And the only person I know who would spend countless hours each day working on something like this for absolutely zero pay.
4. Goodies! Ok, I am an honest person so I have to put this one in here. I love giving things away and I like receiving things. I want the swag that gets given out at these things. LOL!
5. Cute button… I want one of those HUGE buttons on my blog that say, “I’m GOING TO BLOGHER 2010!” 
I could just put one up, huh? LOL! Kidding…
With all that said, I can’t do it! I am in S.O.U.T.H Alabama, so I would need flights to NY and from NY! The conference fee alone is more than I can afford! Let us not forget the hotel… they are so excited that they were able to get rooms for 199 a night. OK, I am a small-town southern girl! 54.99 is a good price, 39.99 is a GREAT price… $199 is EXPENSIVE! I would need 3 nights! Since I have a long flight, I would have to fly in Thursday… because if I am going to BlogHer, I can promise you that I don’t want to miss even a minute of the conference! I looked it up, according to Orbitz my flight (round trip) would cost between 400 and 600 dollars. What am I up to?
Conference: $200
Hotel: $600
Flight: $600
**Blog Education: Priceless
Don’t forget Taxi’s, meals, Swag (I can’t go unarmed, can I?), business cards to rep MY blog, etc etc etc! Oh well, looks like I will be watching it from this side of my computer again next year! No big, I am not bitter.. kind of bummed that I get to hear all my bloggy buddies talking about it for an ENTIRE year knowing I am not going…. Ahhh, life is like a box of chocolate, rotten chocolates (grin). (Oh wait… and can we double it so I don’t have to go alone? I am not particular… my mom or my husband. Actually let’s go with mom so DH can watch the boys! They need some male bonding time!)
***DISCLAIMER: Yes, I want to go, but this was all written in a bit of humor so I hope no one is offended at my blatant whining***
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About Kelli
You cannot give up on it a year in advance. You couldn't have done all the wonderful things you've done in life if a year before them, you looked at it and said, it's too hard and threw in the towel.
You can do it, make a plan. 1400 in a year? So that is a little more than 100 a month. Can you pick up something for $100 a month?
I don't know if you believe in God, but I would pray about it. See if He could give you a clear message.
Kelli, I feel exactly like you do. I think ( No I KNOW) Blogher would be a great learning experience. I am pretty new to the blogging world, but I passionate about it and when I am this way about anything, I want to do all I can to make it a success. Alas, I am not losing hope or taking my eye off Blogher '10. I'm doing all I can to promote my blog and make it something readers can't live without. If it's meant for me to be at Blogher, it will fall into place for me. Good luck!
Connie,
No sponsor by January, then I won't be going. 
I am not saying 100% that I am not going, but I wouldn't even begin to know where to find sponsors, how to approach them, or what I need to do FOR them. LOL! I am doing my research but the early bird ends in Feb. So, I have set my cut-off for Jan.
Yes, 100 dollars extra a month is a lot for a family of five on one income… a public teacher's income at that.
Margaret,
Not sure if people can tell, but the entire summer has been devoted to growing and becoming a business (albeit not a very good one in an accountant's eyes) and no longer a hobby. 
I hear you 100%. I told my husband last night that I have to decide if this is my job or my hobby. It has been my hobby but if I expect to make more than NEGATIVE money on it anytime in the future then I need to begin to treat it as a business, no longer as a hobby.
I would love to go to Blogher 2010. But money is the deciding factor. I am right with you on the sofa with this post.
BeautifulWreck,
When my blog bash is over, I will be contacting some of these companies about sponsoring me. 
I don't know about you, but I learned tons from the party last night.
"BeautifulWreck,
When my blog bash is over, I will be contacting some of these companies about sponsoring me. 
"
I don't know about you, but I learned tons from the party last night.
WTG…that is the spirit. You can do this. And if it doesn't work out, then it doesn't work out.
I think you are amazing from what I've read so I just wanted to tell you could do it. Maybe saving a $100 a month wasn't the way but I know if you make this a goal you will be better for it.