Thursday, September 1, 2011

Convention in Washington, DC

Hope you all are having a wonderful week!
Our recent trip to DC was for a Shaklee Convention. Shaklee is the largest supplier of natural vitamins in the U.S. We have used their products for over 30 yrs. The U.S. Olympic teams use their products as well as the Space Shuttle program.

It was held here at the beautiful and HUGE Gaylord National Convention Center.
Around six thousand members attended.



They have amazing cleaning products. Oprah has featured them two or three times on her show. The Basic H is one of her "Favorite Things".

The White House uses the products as well.


The convention center is located on the Potomac River. Beautiful location.




We had some interesting speakers in those 4 days. One of which was Captain Mark Kelly that had just brought down the Endeavor Space Shuttle on it's last voyage. He showed a film of himself and his crew in outerspace. It showed him taking his Shaklee vitamins.   So funny to see all their antics in outerspace!
He is also the husband of Congresswoman Gabby Gifford who was shot in the head in AZ last Jan. He told us she is making progress on her long road to recovery.

It was an honor to meet and visit with him.





The next day we heard from Aron Ralston. The name may not be as familiar but I'm sure his story is!
In 2003 he was hiking alone in a remote part of Utah and climbed into a crevice and a boulder rolled in on top of his right arm. He was pinned there with no cell phone for 5 days. He did, however, have a video camera and small knife. He recorded himself each day telling his feelings to his parents.

He had tried earlier cutting through his arm with a small knife but could not get through the bone. On day 5 it dawned on him to break the bones in his arm (yes 3 of them) and then he proceeded to cut his arm off........ At that point the girl next to my hubby fainted dead away.  Yep,  he had to hold her up in her seat so she wouldn't hit the floor.
Aron ceased his speech and the EMS were called.
Aron did get to finish after a 30 to 40 minute break. Long story short he hiked 8 miles back to his truck.







Having a mechanical engineering background, he helped design his new arm with a "claw" like hand. This a real pic of him trapped, taken with his camcorder.



He's sitting here on the edge of the stage with Roger Barnett, the owner of Shaklee, waiting for the EMS to transport  the girl who fainted.

Hubby with Aron.  Good time for photo- ops!

The last night was a gala dinner. In the nation's capital it was a patriotic theme, of course.





Check out the violinists.



This is the owner and his family.  Roger and Sloan Barnett with their three children.  They are the sweetest people.  
Extremely interesting family to research.


Sloan is an attorney, consumer advocate, journalist, author, and the green contributor to the NBC's Today Show.




We are Directors in Shaklee and part of the trip was awarded to us!   That was a wonderful perk and we were so glad to have the opportunity to go.

Thanks for stopping by!  Hope you're having a wonderful week!

18 comments:

Sweet Meanderings said...

What fun - and excitement! It looks like you had a great time and heard some wonderful motivational speakers. I loved the pictures. Thanks for sharing!
Candy

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Looks like you had a great time. Poor girl fainting...that is a pretty intense story. And I love the violinists!!

xinex said...

What a fun convention. Looks like you met very interesting people. I saw the movie about Aron and it was very interesting and inspiring. What a strong guy! How neat to meet Capt. Kelly....Christine

Kristens Creations said...

Oh wow! You are taking some amazing trips! How neat to get to meat such interesting people. My brother saw the movie about the guy that lost his arm(his name left me)Anyway,he said it was really good. I can't imagine what I would do in that situation. I guess when you are in a matter of life and death situation you will do what you have to do. Thank you for your nice comments on the apples. I am going to set up an easle in my little craft room now. We will see how it goes. I hope you find time to paint sometime...however, you should have fun and keep taking those wonderful trips! Have a great day, Kristen

Happy@Home said...

Looks like an interesting convention in a beautiful convention center. It sounds like you were able to listen to some very interesting speakers too.

Sue said...

We have used Shaklee products for years, and enjoy them, especially Basic H, wouldn't be without it.
What a great trip Rose, enjoyed all the info. you have shared, I truly enjoyed this read. I love seeing all the places and people you and your dh get to meet.
Thanks for sharing, are you ready for some fall weather?~smile~
Sue

Jennifer said...

What great pictures...they always add so much to a blog!:) and, NO, I have not found mine yet! and we leave for vacation in 12 days. UGH

I have to admit - had I been there...the EMTs would have been lugging out TWO!! Oh my.

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

How exciting! Your photos are wonderful. It's always a pleasure to listen to a motivated speaker. The gala was decorated so patriotic.

Mom of 12 said...

Sounds like you had a great time!
Sandy

Nancy's Daily Dish said...

My in-laws have been Shaklee consumers and sellers for about 15-20 years. They love the products and use them all the time.

Every time I read about Aron Ralston I'm brought to tears because of the power his story conveys and the testament it is to a human beings will for survival. Very moving! Thanks for sharing!

Nancy

Sue said...

Conventions can be so inspirational and motivating, can't they? How nice that you got to see and meet so many people who made such an impression on you, Rose. :-)

Blondie's Journal said...

What an interesting and fun time you had...I am really impressed with your speakers...I would have loved to have been there!!

I just found your blog and love it!!

XO,
Janie

Babs said...

The Shaklee convention sounds very exciting and so interesting. I'll bet it's one you'll remember with wonderful guest speakers and the girl fainting. Hope you have a great Labor Day.
Babs

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Girlfriend,
I just loved catching up on your last two posts. What great pics all around.
Love the convention pics. Looks like you had a fabulous time. What an awful thing for the girl who fainted. It is a pretty amazing story of survival. Wonderful for you two to meet such interesting people. Love motivational speaches.

Have a great Labor Day.
Hugs, Celestina Marie

p.s. no Christmas decorating here for a few months. Trying to pull down the totes with Fall decor. LOL

Marlis said...

This really sounds like a wonderful trip.. Nothing like being in DC, convention included. Great photos.. thanks for sharing.. xo marlis

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

You have the most interesting trips, and also photos with celebrities!
You need a room to hang all those celebrity pictures, or at least a large photo album!

Katherine

Lois Christensen said...

Looks like you had a great time! And to think someone fainted right next to your hubby! The trip to Atlanta looked like so much fun as well! I have her cook book but have yet to see her show! Need to make sure I catch this weekend. Enjoy!

Bring Pretty Back said...

OH! What an awesome convention!!! I am so happy for you that you are so successful with Shaklee!!!
And what awesome speakers ! WOW!
Have a pretty day!!!
Kristin