In case you missed it.

I am going to Chicago next week. In case you somehow missed that little fact, I am sharing it with you again. I have gotten to do some really cool things through my awesome job with the GS and this is pretty close to the top of the list. I am attending the National Conference on Volunteering and Service (NCVS), hosted by Points of Light. This is going to be a fabulous opportunity to learn new information (new to me!) about working with volunteers in all aspects of our organization. I will also get the chance to network with tons of other non-profits and ask others how they best serve the volunteers that they get to work with. Finally, there are some really neat speakers coming to the big plenary sessions - people like Kevin Bacon (he has his own non-profit...6degrees...check it out!), Barbara Bush, Jill Biden, Arnie Duncan (Sec. of Education), and J.R. Martinez (war vet, DTWS winner, and local boy to the Dalton, GA area!).

On top of my excitement to go to a city that I have never really* been to before and particpate in this really awesome opportunity, I won something too! I entered a contest for "doorprizes" basically..and won "a signed copy of A Good Man: Rediscovering My Father, Sargent Shriver (who - sidenote - founded the Peace Corps). But wait, there’s more! You also won:

· VIP Meet and Greet on Monday (this is for the opening session)
· Invitations to Points of Light Honors Reception (attached, you’ve been signed up, but please let us know you’re able to come)

· Reserved seating at the front of the room for the opening plenary"

Oh my gosh! I never win stuff (other than my awesome husband...it was a carnival game. I'll tell you that story one day...kidding.) and this is a pretty cool thing to win. I have asked if my three amigas (that are traveling with me) can come with me to any of those things cause I know they will be much more fun if I don't have to go alone!

I am sure that I will be doing lots of tweeting and Instagramming (are those really verbs?) so you can follow me over there. I will try to blog but will only have my phone so I won't do as much of that.

Follow me on Twitter for all the latest sightings and musings: love10984 (but I am hidden, for privacy reasons, so just request to follow!)
And on Instagram: stelmosweetness (the name of our honey!).

Excited and looking forward to it!

P.S. glad that I got a quality little camera last year! I am only taking a carryon and I really, really want to get some good pictures! Thanks fam for that fun gift!