MDBT - 2011

ASTD 2011
in Orlando

Long-time readers know that MDBT = Mother-Daughter Bonding Trip. And that I haven't had the luxury of going on one with my sweet daughter for a couple of years now.  So, this past week was just ab-fab perfect in my book.

Missy M was scheduled to attend the annual American Society of Training and Development (ASTD) International Conference in Orlando. When she offered to buy my plane ticket (!) and let me share her room at the Peabody/Orlando (!!), I couldn't say YES fast enough.  Of course, between the time she made this offer and the time I actually stepped onto my Southwest flight out of Raleigh, an awful lot happened here at home.  Mom's health took a steep nose-dive (as you know by now), so we weren't sure this year's MDBT would even happen.

Way to go Mr. T!  He stepped up to the plate and hit a huge home-run when he said "you need to go...and I can stay with your Mom."  And, then Mom had a fairly good week after several really bad days.  So, it appeared the sun, the moon, and the stars were actually in alignment for me to go.

And go to Orlando I did!

I loved staying at the Peabody, especially because I'm from the city of the original.  When the bellman said "our ducks are better," I begged to differ.  Still, I couldn't get enough photos of the five of them and their fountain (photos, below).  Heck, I even killed the batteries in my camera by videoing the little waddlers, headed down to the lobby from their third floor palace.  I had to make a swift switch just to capture a video of them making their dash from the elevator, down the red carpet, to the fountain (above, left), all to the tune of Sousa's King Cotton March.  Loved it!  [Travel Tip:  Best place to view the ducks' march?  Head up to the third floor, called the Recreational Level.  You'll get to see the ducks before anyone else, since their "home" is on this floor, and they begin/end their daily journeys here.  And, you can get a great view from the balcony of the proceedings in Mallard Lobby below.]




Ducks in the fountain -

Lobby of the Peabody/Orlando



Don (real name!) the Duck Master -

Peabody/Orlando




Trisha's Toes in the
Peabody Pool

Then, I spent several sunny hours out by the pool (photo, left).  I had downloaded The Red Queen (all 19 or so hours...:), so the time flew by as I listened to one of my fav authors (Phillippa Gregory) being read to me.  I dearly love how she writes in a narrative voice...it makes you feel as if you are reading a present-day account or diary of 15th century England!

After M. finished her conference activities on Day One, we had an evening to enjoy margaritas at Don Pablos followed by a movie:  Pirates of the Caribbean, On Stranger Tides...or, Pirates 4, as it has been dubbed.  Arrrghhh, Pirates!   I just love these movies!!  Johnny Depp and Geoffrey Rush are as wonderful in their roles as ever. 

M. had connnected me with a vendor who provided a free pass to the ASTD expo (where the bazillion vendors were), and when I checked in on Monday, I was given a "Full Conference" badge...so I got to attend the morning general sessions and several break-out workshops.  I took advantage of my good fortune and learned a lot.  It was wonderful!  Just like "old times" when I was a trainer.  And, I noticed something special while I was there, too.  I sensed a more welcoming acceptance of consultants (as a whole) and coaches (in the specific).  So, when I introduced myself as a leadership development coach, I felt included in the group...and it felt goooood.

"Please Respect the Spell Limits" -
Hogsmeade Village
Universal Studios, Orlando

Of course, if one is in Orlando...and one is a BIG FAN of the Harry Potter books and movies, one needs to go to Universal Studios "Islands of Adventure" park to see how they have transformed a palm-studded backlot off International Drive into Hogsmeade Village and Hogwarts School.  OMG!  The snow on the roof-tops even looks real...no matter that it was 95 degrees that Sunday.

The "ride" that is inside the Hogwarts Castle is just fantastic.  As you walk through the Castle and approach the actual ride, you are treated to videos of Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Professor Dumbledore...and others from the movies...giving you a little hint of things to come.  Then, you are IN an IMAX theatre-like production, while being secured to your padded seat, and it really feels like you are flying.  We played in a game of Quidditch, for goodness' sakes! 



Dr. Seuss Land -
A favorite at Universal Studios





To be truthful, it was challenging for me because the gondola that your seats are attached to turns way over, making it feel like you are standing on your head...and that is never good for someone with positional vertigo.  No matter, I settled soon enough, and we were off to ride the Jurassic Park Jungle River ride (you will get wet...:).

It was a perfect professional development opportunity...a perfect bonding trip...and a perfect break in my routine that came at just the right time. Thank you, my sweet husband and our thoughtful daughter.  {Hugs!}

P.S. Guess what today is?  It's the second anniversary of our signing the papers to buy this house in HPNC!  Yep, we've been back in NC for two years now.  Amazing!  Of course, we have another anniversary coming up this weekend, but I'll write more about that in my next post.

P.P.S.  Most of you know how I feel about Basset Hounds ["heck, Gibbs, equatorial pygmies know how you feel about..."; love that quote from Abby on NCIS...:)].  Anyway, my friend Lucille sent me this link to a story of a recent rescue of Bonnie and Clyde Basset and their babies.  You'll love it as much as I: 
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/may/23/basset-hounds-flooding-knoxville-rescue/

The Tax Man Cometh...

The birds are singing, the flowers are blooming, the temperatures are rising. Oh yes, it's that time of the year! No, I speak not of Spring...I speak of (dum-da-dum-dum) tax filing season.

As the "designated filer" for our family, I prepare to prepare the returns...starting in January when I typically purchase the software as soon as it hits the shelves at Sam's Club. Because I have a sole proprietorship, I buy the TurboTax Home & Business version, to have access to the forms I need. Then, I start collecting the documention I'll need to file the three returns (ours, Mom's, and Maredith's)...gathering the necessary forms, etc.,...and waiting until the time is right to tackle this annual chore. Well, the sun, moon, and stars were in alignment yesterday, I guess, because I started the ball rolling...working on Mom's return (finished it in the afternoon...it's really a simple thing), followed by Maredith's (a bit more complicated, as she was a student for part of the year, then a full-time employee...and she was a resident of Tennessee for part of the year, then a resident of Kentucky...and she had moving expenses to report...and educational expenses...and she bought a house...you get the picture). Still, I managed to finish hers by bedtime, thanks to our cellphone connection to help clear up some questions I had. Now...that just leaves our return...a bear because of the business expenses, etc.,...so I'm taking a break to blog!

While checking my CNBC.com portofolio (I'm down to under $1 million in value today...bummer), I came across the trailer for the newest Pirates of the Caribbean movie with Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow...looks to be a rollicking addition to the previous two movies. I attached the link (below the posts), so you can see it, too! Arrgghhh!!

Well, I did my part last night to help Devon Smith make her Great American Dream a reality! I had received an email from Dr. Larry Little at Guardian Angel Basset Rescue, giving us a 'head's up' on this new ABC show. Thomas and I watched it last night, and then I used every phone in the house (two landlines, two cell phones, plus my internet connection) to cast my alloted 25 "votes" (you're allowed 5 votes per phone number or email address) for Devon after she made it to the two finalists on the show. By the way, I do hope she makes it, as her dream is to create a Senior Basset Hound Retreat! Go Devon!! (But, I wouldn't recommend the show...hosted by Donny Osmond, no less...as it is just silly. The guy that "competed" against Devon initially wanted to open "Chicken Heaven," a theme park devoted to chickens...and the guy she's a finalist against wants to have a full head of hair! It was almost too much to watch.)

OK...back to the taxes! (Uggghh!)

Welcome to MO, Spring!

Drum roll, please!! I am pleased to announce that we are finally welcoming our first daffodils. I had wanted to post a picture last week, but I couldn’t get out and take one for the SNOW that was falling!!! Of course, today is a fabulous first day of Spring, breezy with highs in the high 70s. >>>>Be sure and scroll ALL THE WAY DOWN the page (below the posts) to see the video I took of a cardinal at the feeder off the deck in the back yard!<<<<< Love it! Well, I love it as long as the tornado sirens are silent!! Thomas is in Minneapolis, where it’s a bit cooler, shall we say? He’s scheduled to fly back in tomorrow, when thunderstorms are forecast…bummer.

We’re still waiting on the results of Thomas’ most recent test to determine the reason he’s anemic. Remember, he had to swallow the PillCam last Tuesday (see my previous Post)? He said it wasn’t so bad swallowing the thing, but he didn’t particularly care for having to wear the “recorder/transmitter” box around for 8 hours. He hopes that this was the last test he will have to take, but I’m still hoping he’ll have to take at least one more. I don’t think anything that a PillCam finds can be an easy thing to fix, do you? He thinks I ought to post the pictures they took of his small intestine on my blog…hmmmmm…we'll see.

How ‘bout those Tigers??? [Click to hear the fight song>>>Go Tigers Go!] We are so excited that Memphis made it to the NCAA Regionals/Sweet Sixteen! They’ll be playing in San Antonio on Thursday, and if they beat Texas A&M, again on Sunday (against the winner of Ohio State vs. Tennessee…uh-oh, who’s Nana/Momma/Edith going to be yelling for if Memphis ends up playing Tennessee????). Sure do wish we could see ‘em in person. Oh well, we have tickets to the Mid-west Regionals, here in STL, to be played on Friday, with the finals on Sunday. Should be some good games, especially since we’ll see the “Cinderella Team” Butler playing last year’s winner, Florida.

Well, I must report that I dropped down considerably on the CNBC's Million Dollar Portofolio Challenge...all the way down to the 85 percentile after the weekend, with a bounce back up to the Top 51% yesterday...ouch! I had taken a chance on Six Flags (SIX) and on Ligand Pharma (LGND), but both let me down. No matter, sold 'em and moved on! It's only money...and not even that, is it? Trading has no cost associated with it...the way you win on a weekly basis is the greatest percentage gain, so "losers" drag you down. I've still got positions in IMOS and BGP, and added CNXT today. I'm learning so much! While the Challenge isn't about investing at all, since it's trading that wins the game, the lessons I've learned on research and fundamentals, and paying attention to Earnings Dates, will help me with my own investing. Plus, I never miss a chance to earn "Bonus Bucks," and that offers me another opportunity to learn...and "earn!" Wish I could do that in real life!!! Anyway, my goal isn't necessarily about winning the game (although I wouldn't sneeze at either a weekly win...$10,000, or the top prize...$1,000,000!); my personal goal is to put Warren Buffet's advice to work:

1. Rule #1: Never lose money.
2. Rule #2: Never forget Rule #1!