Friday, December 28, 2012

The Highlight Of My Year...Part I

It is hard to believe that another year has passed. Remember when you were a child and five minutes seemed to be an eternity? Now an entire year seems to have passed in only five minutes!

Overall 2012 was a good year, Cody and I are grateful that so many of you take the time to visit us and we thank you for your comments which always make us smile. We appreciate each and every one of you!

In 2011 the highlight of my year was attending The BlogPaws Conference which was held in Tysons Corner Virginia (where BlogPaws 2013 will be held!)
Click here to learn more

 The BlogPaws 2012 Conference which was held  in Salt Lake City, Utah, was supposed to be one of my main highlights of the  year, but due to my kidney stones clamoring for attention and forcing me to cancel my plans to attend the conference at the last second, it wasn't to be.

What WAS the highlight of 2012 was my having attended the "Meet Purina"  Blogger Summit that was held the first week of October in St. Louis. (For those that may not know, I am a member of the Purina Cat Blogger Panel, and I am also a member of the Purina Dog Blogger Panel). Why am I FINALLY writing about this fantastic experience  NOW? I told you! The year passed in five minutes and it seems as if I attended that event only last week!
Photo Courtesy of
“Nestlé Purina PetCare”

I knew that Meet Purina was going to be incredible from the moment the emails from Dan Koehler, (one of Purina's  Marketing and Public Relations aces) began. Every travel arrangement was made and paid for by Purina, the process flowed without a hitch!

When I landed in St.Louis, I was greeted by my own driver! I got the biggest kick out of seeing my name on a sign and being escorted to the ritzy Lincoln Town Car that would be my "ride."

I was then transported to the even more ritzy Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis where my accommodations were better than the condo that I live in!
My room. This photo doesn't
do it justice
There was a glass desk/table for a laptop
a coffee setup and flat screen TV

Everyone was raving
about the bathroom!
It was spectacular!
Check out the
rainwater shower!

The tub was sooo deep!
I am still upset that I
wasn't there long enough to use it.
YES I washed! In the shower!

I hurried to attend a rooftop "Meet & Greet" where one of the first people that I was FINALLY able to meet IN PERSON was Terry of Brian's Home. You know how we all only know each other by our cats? I constantly kept referring to Terry as "Brian." He responded graciously each time while my face turned scarlet with embarrassment!

8th floor of the Four Seasons
Outdoor reception
See the famous St.Louis Arch
in the background?
Terry (Brian's Home)
and one of Purina's
resident cats:
"Rocki"


The "Meet & Greet" was fabulous! I reconnected with some of my favorite people, Angie of Catladyland, Dorian of Your Daily Cute and I also FINALLY met the incredible Janiss, from Sparkle Cat!

Finally met from left to right:Jamie and Janiss
reconnected with Angie and Dorian!
Left to right: Dorian, Angie, Jaime, Janiss and Me!

I was thrilled to meet Jaime Lynn Smith  from Thoughts Fur Paws and spent a great deal of time chatting with her, actually Jaime and I became fast friends, we spent most of our time laughing and chatting together!
Jaime Lynn Smith and I
photo courtesy of Angie Bailey
and a few others were hers too I think!
I was also thrilled to re-connect with Tamar of I Have Cat, Stephanie of Catsparella, Felissa of Two Little Cavaliers, Paris of Cat Tipper and Dog Tipper, Diane of To Dog With Love (I was  deeply saddened to learn of the loss of her beloved Cosmo and send my  most heartfelt sympathy.)

This post was just the tip of the iceberg! Stay tuned!!

I will be posting The Highlight Of My Year...Part II soon!!! 



Disclosure: Purina completely paid for my trip, accommodations, etc. All opinions are my own.


60 comments:

  1. The hotel room looks fabulous! Definitely looks like you had a wonderful time. Can't wait to see what tops that!

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    1. Part II is the rest of the Purina trip...that is all I did last year....had too many lithotripsies for the kidney stones!

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  2. We think it's really great that you are able to meet up with some bloggers face to face. :)

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    1. It was. For a few of them it was a "re-connecting" which was great, others it was meeting for the first time. There were others we met too that we didn't mention and for that we apologize!

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  3. Superb Hotel !!! As a cat, I will be very happy on da couch and bed. You know ? Bath and shower , there are pretty dangerous place for cat like myself. I think Cody will think in the same way as me ; )

    and it's really nice to know you have a great time with all kitties' pawrents : ) Happy Holiday !
    Lots of love
    xoxo

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    1. Hi Puddy! Do you know that Cody NEVER sleeps on the bed? We can't figure it out! He never does! Ohhh I had a wonderful time with the kitties pawrents that is for sure! HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO YOU! xoxoxo

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  4. My human said the Purina trip was amazing too, and she was so happy to meet you!

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    1. Awww Sparkle my Mom was ECSTATIC to finally meet your human!

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  5. Great idea for looking back on the years highlights. Have a fabulous Friday.
    Best wishes Molly

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    1. you do notice that "highlight" is singular right? lol You have a fabulous Friday too!

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  6. I used to do a year-in-review, just for myself, to recap events, "life" things I'd learned, etc., but I think it's too depressing now. LOL.

    I'm glad you've got highlights to share!

    Happy New Year, Caren, to you and your husband and Cody, and all those you love.

    Purrs and peace.

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    1. I only have ONE thing to share!!! roflmao! Part II of this one will be soon.

      HAPPY NEW YEAR to you and the "boyz" too!!!!!!!!

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  7. That sure looks like you had a great time. Love seeing all the pictures. Glad you had such a good time. Take care and Happy New Year

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    1. Marg it was fabulous! More to come! Happy New Year to you too!

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  8. This is really a wonderful post. What a great time! I look forward to Part 2!
    All the best for a great new year!

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    1. McGuffy Ann THANK YOU! Oh it was just fabulous! Part 2 is coming this weekend!!! all the best to you too in the New Year and Cody and I are thrilled to have met you!

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  9. Ahhhh...I would STILL be in that tub :)..SO glad you had this awesome opportunity after the Blog paws didn't work out...cat lover's dream come true...I know you had enough fun for both of us..I am staying tuned for the next post :)...Thank you for making my year bright Caren and Cody with your wondeful blog!!!Rosie and Topaz's Momma..Sue.

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    1. Sue I am sooo bummed because I never got into the tub! Awww you are sooo sweet! THANK YOU for those kind words. It was the "Kidney Stone Year From Hell" that is for sure! Thank you for always visiting us and for being such a great furiend!! Love you!

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  10. What a terrific wrap-up, looking forward to part 2! Mom's chuckling, 'cause she's often amazed by the fancy facilities in hotels, and takes pictures too!

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  11. What a terrific wrap-up, looking forward to part 2! Mom's chuckling, 'cause she's often amazed by the fancy facilities in hotels, and takes pictures too!

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    1. lol Prudence! It is pitiful when hotels are better than our home!! MOL!!!

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  12. Wow, it looks glorious!

    Oink oink,
    Katie and Coccolino the mini pig

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  13. That certainly sounds like a fabulous time and one that would make my list too Caren!

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    1. Hi Jen! thanks so much for stopping by but this isn't the post that I mentioned when I left a comment. The one I mentioned will be posted December 31st :)

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  14. cody...sew while yur mom iz livin de high life oh riley...we sir tin lee hope ewe were abull ta due de same !!!

    hay, grate pick sures cody's mom...we think de highlight.... part two iz gonna bee....

    hay look itz snak time...hope ewe all haza grate week oh end !!!

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  15. Pet people sure know how to live it up! Cool peeps in cool accommodations with cool cats! What more is there?!

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  16. Pet people sure know how to live it up! Cool peeps in cool accommodations with cool cats - what more is there?!

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  17. what fun (ok except the kidney stones part)..... mom says she is planning to attend Blog Paws 2013!

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    1. yeah it was the summer of kidney stone HELL that is for sure! I am hoping to be at BlogPaws 2013 as well! If I am able to go i am looking forward to meeting you!

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  18. I totally agree with you..2012 has come and gone in no time!
    I enjoyed a report from your Purina trip. It must be really fun to see many blogging friends in person!
    I wish you a wonderful new year to come!

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    1. Tamago thank you!! Part II is coming if I can get Mom off of her butt to write it! She said it was great seeing a lot of her bloggy friends in person! HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU!

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  19. I would love to go to one of these, but alas, I cannot devote the time to blogging that I should to become as famous as you!
    Kisses
    Nellie's Mom

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  20. My Dad was absolutely thrilled to meet you and he just knew how special you were...and he was right! That was one of his best trips ever". Happy New Year dear friends!

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    1. Awwww Mom is getting all teary-eyed!! She was soooooooo thrilled to meet your Dad Brian. He is even NICER in pawson, if that is possible! Happy New Year to ALL OF YOU TOO! We love you! Love, Cody and Mom

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  21. lol Isn't that funny, time is weird, sometimes it's on your side and sometimes it's not and boy does it ever take off without telling you. lol

    lol I peobly would have never left that hotel and would have told the driver to go to my house and pick up all my belongings and bring it to the hotel.

    WOW that's super nice!

    Happy new year sweetie! xoxo

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    1. lol about taking off....don't think the thought didn't cross my mind! Happy New Year to you too! xoxo

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  22. OMC!! Miss Caren! What a pawsome experience. I am sure Purina was fantabulous, but meeting up with the human hands that staff all of us paw bloggers, lucky lucky you! Mom says "see you in VA in May"...paw pats, Savvy

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    1. yep it was catabulous! As for May..we will see......hope so!

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  23. That was a great experience your mum is lucky. Loved the hotel room.. Hugs GJ x

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  24. Wow, looks like a great time and what an amazing room you had!! Lucky! :)

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  25. It reads like a suspense novel! Next time they have to invite Cody too ;-)
    Purrs

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    1. I don't think that Cody will be getting on a plane anytime soon :)

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  26. Very curious about part two!

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    1. Part II has been "live" since yesterday....part III (and hopefully the last lol) will be live today if I can get my act together

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  27. So glad you made it to the Purina event. It's not looking good for me to go to BlogPaws this year as that weekend in May is one of the busiest for group tours in Miami (I run a boutique tour business). But I'm more sad that I will not meet you!
    Christine
    www.riverfrontcats.com

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    1. Christine I am not sure about BlogPaws myself. There are a lot of factors to be considered so I haven't yet made my decision. I am hoping to go but am not sure. Even if we don't meet there I am certain that we will meet SOMEWHERE!

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  28. Wow! As highlights go, you can sure pick them! I hope to meet you at the 2013 Blog Paws. I had to cancel last year, but not under such painful circumstances.

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    1. Fisher that was my ONLY highlight for the year! lol. Hope to meet you too at BlogPaws 2013 but I haven't decided yet. Actually I am not sure that I will be able to go but we will see!

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