#SHRM14 Day 2

Today was crazy busy! Started at 7 am with great session on evaluations, then Tom Friedman, met up with some colleagues from Altru Healthcare in Grand Forks, great information from vendors and ending the evening at EPCOT at the HRCI reception. I'm a bit in information overload, so for now, I'm just going to share photos.

Off to the HRCI Reception at EPCOT!!

I really am learning :)

#SHRM14 Day One

Here I am at the SHRM Conference in Orlando! I can hardly believe I'm really here, but it's been quite the trip! I was originally to arrive yesterday, late, but an overbooked flight in Minneapolis lead to an $800 flight voucher if I would spend the night there. And of course, I jumped on that (perfect for our trip next year!)

I got in today with enough time to check into my hotel, take a shower and get over to the convention and hear Robin Roberts' keynote address. She was funny, emotional and had some great insights, including:
*God has 3 answers to prayers, yes, not yet and I have something better in mind.
*your destination may not look like you thought it would.
*I was grateful, but not content.

I am still in awe of just how many people are here. The vendor fair was crazy busy. I got lost a couple of times but still ended up with 2 bags full of stuff. Fun stuff to take to the girls, a couple of books to read, and lots of drinks and snacks.

When I got back to the hotel, I walked over to Downtown Disney -- so much stuff and so many people.

Tomorrow is going to be another busy day. Lots of great sessions, more time with the vendors, and maybe even another 17,000+ steps!

My Weakness, #ReasonsICantLoseWeight

I love bread. I would give up all other vices for bread. I believe I could live on bread, cheese & wine. I doubt I would be successful on a gluten-free diet (and honestly, I pray I don't have to try!) I especially love sourdough bread, but for a long time I was afraid of it. Not sure why, I do just fine with making regular bread. But I really only LOVED the sourdough you can get on the West Coast. Store-bought sourdough just isn't the same.

Then, Pinterest happened, and I stumbled upon a post for this bread that doesn't require yeast in the starter or when actually making the bread. Who would have though that was the key??

Don't be fooled into thinking you can do this quick. This bread takes TIME. Like all weekend time. You want to be sure your starter is frothy and thick. You want your dough to have LOTS of time to rise, rise and rise some more. I usually start Friday evening and bake Sunday morning. If you dare to take it on, read the recipe, 3-4 times, then read it again. Follow the recipe (except the part about waiting to add salt -- I've been addin the salt with the rest and it's been fine each time). TAKE YOUR TIME. DO NOT RUSH.

But oh man, it is SO worth it because this is the BEST. It reminds me of my past life, when I was single, working for the airlines and when I would spend extra time in San Francisco on the Wharf and go to Boudin Bakery for clam chowder in a bread bowl. I plan to spend time this summer making bread bowls, freezing them, and bringing them out in the fall for chili (as I'm probably the only one in my family who would eat clam chowder).

I Would Like Some Cake

I made the mistake of letting Jessie scroll through Pinterest before her birthday. Luckily, I had already scoped it out and was able to push her to pick the cake I had kinda already decided on.

Blue Velvet, cream cheese frosting and some blue candy melted to look like ice. I totally cheated on the cake and got a box mix -- more because I knew Jessie would want to help and if she spilled too much, is only be out a couple of bucks [though I totally expected my counters to be stained blue for a while!] I also under-estimated the amount of blue candies (blue raspberry Jolly Ranchers) I would need so we ended up with less ice than I wanted.

Jessie got her little Frozen set (minus Hans who is apparently somewhere in the house) to put on top. "Dey are stuck in the snow!" according to Jessie.

She loved her cake! I'm glad I let her help; I loves seeing how proud she looked after finishing.

Happy Happy Birthday Jessica Fae!

My sweet 4 year old!

A study in contradictions (as most 4 year olds are):

Independent, yet still very much a Momma's girl.

A girly-girl. Who loves Spider-Man, Robin & Hawkeye.

Loves her princesses and wants to be beautiful while playing in the sand box.

Can't understand why she has to go to "sctool" EVERY DAY (while Sissy is on summer break), but misses her teachers on the weekend.

I do love being your Momma and we are blessed to have you in our family, even when we are frustrated with you (or you with us). I can't wait to see what God has planned for you!

Changes?

Progress!! While my weight continues to fluctuate, I feel like I am seeing some progress in the mirror. I need to work on my eating habits. My Vegan for Lent was extremely unsuccessful. As I'm standing in line to wait to pick up my latest Bountiful Basket -- which I really decided to do because we NEED to eat more fruits & veggies and I need to be more deliberate about just serving them. Taking an apple or orange with my lunch each day will help me from grabbing Cheez-its. I'm swearing off pop. I probably need to take some time away from wine. Drinking my calories is such a weakness.

I know I can't do this alone. The spirit and flesh are weak!! I have started beginning my days reading through the Bible on my phone and my prayers include strength to eat right and not skip the gym. I know with His help I'll get there. And even if my weight doesn't change, at a minimum I'm healthier and can keep up with the girls!!