FoodMed Seattle

One year ago, my new friend Patti who I only knew a little invited me to Seattle for sight inspections (looking for the perfect hotel and restaurants for a conference she was planning). Of course I said "yes" to an expense paid girlfriend getaway and one of the unexpected results was that it led to a very fulfilling career as her meeting planner assistant.

Six months ago, I traveled to Phoenix to assist with CleanMed. I was a basket case. I had no idea what I was doing. It was difficult and exhausting, but I learned so much and it was also exciting and gratifying.

I spent the whole summer helping Patti plan smaller conferences, which she attended and I did not (actually, I ran around having all the fun I could pack in with my kids on the weeks she traveled). I learned so much every step of the way. Some days my mind was so tired when I left work. It was nice to have the mental stimulation.

Last Wednesday, we finished FoodMed, the conference we chose a hotel for one year ago. I was one million times less stressed than I was at CleanMed. the people were lovely just like the ones I met at CleanMed. The topics were inspiring, mainly centered around how to make healthy food accessible to all -- beginning with serving it in our hospitals. Everything was a success. The meals were amazing. The hotel is gorgeous. And, tomorrow I go home to start a new adventure.

It looks like we close on the new house Monday. I feel very at peace with this move. I hope it means we are making the right decision. It's exciting to see what blessings and challenges will come with the move. Another big change is that im taking time off from my meeting planning days until if and when the business picks back up. This brings a lot of emotions. After the initial shock of losing my new job (which I did not think was temporary) wore off, I began to feel grateful to just be the mom again. I've missed our little outings to the library and the Treehouse and I've missed home cooked dinners and volunteering at the schools. But, I'm also stressed to lose the income and I'm trying to maintain my faith that things will all work out somehow - as long as there are good desires in my heart.

I'm slowly learning that it really is better not to have all the answers in life and appreciating the joy of having so many things to look forward to.

Like working plumbing in my new house. (haha)

I'm really excited for that and its nice to have it to look forward to.

Anyways, its been a real treat to be in Seattle this week. The first night, we went to a restaurant that was so fancy they whisked our food away to keep it warm if someone got up to use the restroom. On day two, I worked like a crazy woman for twelve hours straight but really enjoyed a fair trade chocolate bar and a soak in the hot tub and visit to the eucalyptus steam room at the end of the day. On day three, I actually left the hotel for an invigorating walk down to Pike's Market. I love that amazing farmer's market on the water's edge. Today, we wrapped things up. The conference is over. Patti and I had a lovely dinner at the Steelhead Diner to celebrate. In the morning there is an early yoga class, then it's to the airport and back home. Back to real life for me. I love those kids of mine and hope they are excited to see me.

**Updated to add - they were excited to see me! Wow, were they ever excited. So many hugs and so much sweetness it almost made me want to go out of town more often just to get the big welcome home. We had a fabulous weekend together and now it is Monday night. We close tomorrow. We might not get keys until later - so we might only have Friday night and Saturday to move everything!!! But, I hope we will get lucky and get the keys on Wednesday night as we had planned. Either way, we will be out of this house and into the new by the end of Saturday. I can't believe we are leaving this home after twelve years here.