Super Weekend

The view from our hotel room. The 401 is on the left side there.

Our snack stash...we definitely didn't go hungry !!

"The gang"...thanks for a super time ladies, let's do it again next year!

Well, Sharon, Jenn and I had a terrific weekend together down in Toronto. The hotel room was nice (although the bed took a little getting used to...it had a remote to make it firmer and softer). We got to eat out all weekend (yay, no cooking :). The conference itself was pretty good, some amazing speakers and some that I really wondered if I'd learned anything new from them, but overall a great time.



My favourite speakers were Ann Douglas (Mother of all baby books), she's coming out with a new sleep book this fall; Teresa Pitman (author of many books like "Best Evidence" and also writes articles in Great Expectations magazine. My favourite speaker though was Erica 'Frickin' Ehm (self-titled). She was such a wonderful woman who shared so honestly about her struggles and triumphs as a mom. She also reminded us that we are so much more than moms, we are daughters, sisters, lovers, girlfriends and people with passions that we want to pursue. Check out her website at :

http://www.yummymummysite.com/index.cfm?PID=15491&PIDLIST=15491

She's got style, she's got attitude and tonnes of heart. I was so mad at myself for not taking my camera to the conference on the first day because I really wanted to get a pic taken with her. I had her sign my conference book, but I had taken so many notes she barely had any room. So she wrote: Dear Melanie..you're such a keener :) Thanks for listening, Erica Ehm. I gave her a hug and told her that she was an inspiration. In many ways, she stands for a lot of the things I've been striving to achieve with my 'edeva girls'. I also have a desire to get women involved in community and to be open and be able to share about their struggles, their dreams, their passions. A lot of things that she talked about I could relate to. I have yet to take the time to really check out her Yummy Mummy club, but I can't wait to! (unfortunatly it may have to wait until I'm home from Colombia).

Oh yeah, about that, I'm feeling a little stressed because I still have a lot to organize before tomorrow evening, but I'm sure I'll get it all done. Today when I went to get some american money the bank was all ribboned off with danger tape and there were cop cars galore. Apparently someone tried to rob the ATM. Great, now I have another thing to do tomorrow. I know this is going to be an amazing trip, I'm just really dreading saying goodbye.

I have been so blessed by all the friends who have called, sent e-mails or little gifts to let me know they're thinking of me as I leave. You guys are so awesome, thank you so much!!!!! I can't wait to connect with you all when I get back. Check in to see if I happen to be able to sign on, but don't count on it. If you don't hear from me in Colombia I'll be back online December 1st.

Love Y'all, (or should I say "Yous" after all I'm from Huron County :),

Mel