Hollywood, FL, Birthday, and I remember when

This week the National Association of Independent Life Brokerage Agencies (NAILBA) held their annual meeting in Hollywood, FL.  It's NAILBA's 33rd meeting and my 22nd time attending.  I remember the first time I went in 1993.  I'd been hearing about this meeting from some of my

 colleagues and was so excited to go.  That year it was held in Chicago (which I had never been to previously), however it was the following year, 1994, that Jake and I went to Chicago to tour the town and see a Bears game.  That is the most memorable visit to that city for me.  It happened to be a Monday night game so it was being televised nationally, and it was also Halloween night.  We had a blast going to Nike Town, Uno's pizza, the top of the Sears Tower; we rode the El, then went to Soldier Field, in spite of the downpour of rain, wind and cool temperatures, and saw Dick Butkus and Gayle Sayers inducted in to the Bears Hall of Fame at half time.  Best trip to Chicago ever.

Back to present day, this NAILBA meeting gave me the chance to see many long time industry friends, including some of the SAGE members:

and of course spend several days in meetings, doing booth duty, and then drinking and eating.  It was a nice view from my room at the Diplomat Hotel in Hallendale Beach. 

I heard that I missed a serenade of Happy Birthday during the Charitable Foundation auction from the attendees.  Thank You to all.  That was super sweet.

Then the best thing of the entire week happened, I had mentioned to Joanne (soon to be co-Mother-in-Law) that I was in town and if she were free I'd love to get together for dinner.  Well turns out she was free and she brought Micaela along.  Then they treated me to a fabulous birthday dinner!  Thank you both for a great end to a long week and making my birthday special.


Final note about the week:  I used UBER car service for the first time on this trip.  I give it a 5 star rating.  So much cheaper than a taxi and friendly, professional people with clean cars. 

And then finally back home where the house maintenance project continues, the outside has been almost completely refinished and now has new coats of sealant and paint.  Much more to go on the inside but glad it's getting in shape.