NICHE Conference

Missy and I got back late last night from the annual NICHE conference and WOW, was it ever good! Every year I look forward to attending and every year I am SO glad that I did.  This year was certainly no exception.  The conference speakers were wonderful.  We especially enjoyed Todd Wilson, Zan Tyler, and Sonya Shaffer.

Laura and Missy in front of the church -
home of the NICHE conference

Todd Wilson from Familyman Ministries was truly hilarious.  His talks had us laughing out loud.  But, he also knows how to cut right to the crux of an issue.  Missy and I bought all the CD's of his workshops so we can listen to them again and share them with our husbands.  I also signed Marvin up to receive the weekly email that Todd sends out to encourage Dads.  Do yourselves and your husbands a favor and sign them up.  :)  Good stuff.

Todd Wilson

Zan Tyler was also wonderful and touched our hearts with her workshop on "How God uses our weaknesses and limitations as homeschooling Moms".  Wow.  We purchased Zan's book called "7 Tools for Cultivating Your Childs Potential" and I would highly recommend it to all of you, as well.  

Missy and I also spent a great deal of time at Sonya Shafer's booth for Simply Charlotte Mason.  I have been on their email newsletter list for quite some time now and have always loved their products demos online, but this was the first time to be able to take a look at their products in person.  They were worth the wait!  Sonya has a terrific new resource available called "Laying Down the Rails".  It is a handbook of sorts based on Charlotte Mason's techniques and writing concerning forming habits in our children (and ourselves).  We also love the looks of her new online CM Organizer.  For less than $9 a month (if you get the yearly subscription) you have an online resource that allows you to organize, plan and record all the books, activities and resources you use with all your children for the year.  It works with YOUR schedule in that it keeps track of activities, etc. that have been accomplished and simply reschedules anything you don't get to.  You might want to take a look - especially since you can sign up for a FREE 30 day trial.  

Missy with Sonya Shafer of Simply Charlotte Mason

As always we enjoyed browsing the curriculum fair - although this year was devastatingly hot in the 2 (un)air-conditioned gyms.  Ugh.

We definitely kept to our regular schedule of having Friday night dinner at Hu Hot Mongolian Grill, although this year we ended up not being able to get a table until almost 9:00 pm.  We realized that the atmosphere does indeed change at that late hour on a Friday night.  Missy and I were enjoying our dinner and conversation when someone tapped me on my shoulder.  I turned to see a grizzled old redneck holding a flask-like glass of some scary looking alcoholic drink right under my nose.. "Here! Try a taste of this!"  Oh my.  I firmly said, "No thank you!"  After I turned back toward Missy we overheard one of the other rednecks say "Oh, they're only drinking iced tea!"  Luckily, they left soon after that.  :)

Of course, the redneck encounter sort of went hand in hadn't with our semi sleazy hotel... oh my!  I can definitely say that we won't be staying THERE again!  Talk about deception!  Their name includes the name of a well known family tourist attraction and definitely implies that they are located nearby.  Well, nearby means the exit PAST the tourist attraction.  Hmmm.... then, when you pull in you see a nice new entrance that has been constructed onto a really old 1960's ish motel.  Of course, the photo on their website is of the nice newly constructed entrance!  ugh.  We were truly wondering what to do when a couple other carloads arrived to check in.  They looked like nice families/couples so we thought it would be okay.  The rooms were... interesting.  Full of new fangled technology like THIS...

Just think - not only can you call the maid, you can even listen to N.B.C, A.B.C and C.B.S on this new fangled technology!!  Just disregard the rust...  :)

Well, at least they had shampoo (since I forgot to pack mine).  That is, they sort of had shampoo...

the hotel's courtesy bottle of shampoo... half full.  Yuck!  

Then, there was the free continental breakfast which consisted of a counter with fruit loops, corn flakes or bread, but no place to sit down.  While we were fixing our toast the nice lady from the front desk popped over and began setting out some prepackaged donuts while apologizing for letting the supply run out.  (That's okay, really.)  She said the oddest thing had happened that morning... a group of 4 rooms that were booked for a few days had come down this morning (following their first night) and abruptly checked out.  Missy and I just looked at each other.  Perhaps the mystery wasn't so hard for us to solve.  

Honestly, the hotel room wasn't dirty, the staff were nice and the location was not unsafe.  So, it wasn't a TOTAL disaster.  However, we don't plan to visit that hotel again.  :)  But NICHE?  NICHE we TOTALLY plan to visit again, and again, and again!  :)

5 Comments

missy
Now, now, Laura. Remember our therapy sessions about this hotel? Breathe deeply and repeat after me: it's all a matter of perspective. Is the glass half-empty or half-full? Remember we were there for less than 12 hours, it was clean, it was in a safe neighborhood, and there at least was hot coffee in the morning. Also, by your own admission, factor in your extreme dislike of any hotel (even 4-stars). And since it was $40 cheaper than other hotels in the same "star" category (2-star), we got to spend more at NICHE. Really, what's not to like?!? :)

On the other hand, your description of NICHE was right on target: yes, NICHE really was as awesome and as wonderful as you depicted. Maybe next year more will join us and attend?!? It truly is life-changing and invigorating.

Sunday, June 8, 2008 - 06:18 PM
Kerry
Next year can you take your RV???

Sunday, June 8, 2008 - 08:07 PM
Laura
Yes, Missy - you are correct. Perspective does play a role. :) And my perspective is that I do not like grubby old places! (or grubby old men at Hu Hot, for that matter!) :) :) Thankfully, it was made bearable by the presence of a dear friend. :)

Plus, you do have to admit that even YOU rolled your eyes at the speaker box and the shampoo. :) :) :)
Sunday, June 8, 2008 - 09:08 PM

Laura
Kerry -
The RV sounds like a GREAT option to me!!!!! :)
Sunday, June 8, 2008 - 09:09 PM

Jodi
oh my! At least you were able to make the best of it. Half full shampoo in the room, ugh!
Saturday, September 6, 2008 - 12:30 PM