Amey!
I went to
Arlington last year for the first time. I usually go to The Woodlands. It was total divine intervention and God's prompting that led me to go to Arlington, because I would not be using HOD if I had not. The speakers and workshops were phenomenal. I learned so much .....
I hope to go next May 2009 so can you wear one of those signs the drivers do at the airport: "HODie here" so I can identify you ??!!
Funny story about Arlington this year:
I was familiar with DITHR [Cathy Duffy's 100 Top Picks !!! and I am a book lover] and had seen some advertisements in some magazines. But other than that, did not know much about the rest of the HOD guides. I knew I wanted to hit the HOD table before the conference was over, but it was so gigantic and I went to lots of speakers so my time was easily eaten up. I walked up to the HOD table and it was literally one hour from the entire convention being over for the whole weekend. This lovely and gracious enthusiastic woman greets me warmly and with a big smile. So I ask the greeter to please "
tell me all about it". [did i mention my feet were killing me by this time!] She gives me a wonderful and professional genuine presentation. At the end I said, "wow, this sounds good for my boys, you must have used this for a long time, you seem really familiar with it. So I guess you really like it a lot." And she looked at me with a sort of puzzled look and I think for a moment was at a loss for words. Then she looks at her badge with her name on it in big letters and then holds up the cover of one of the guides and says very humbly something like, "Well, I am Carrie and I wrote them! And I have all boys, too" I cannot tell you how silly I felt and we had a good laugh together. I was sold ! I did not actually place an order until three months later and it was a decision I had been working on heavily for two years [you know, research until you are blue in the face and paralyzed with indecision...]. I kind of had narrowed it down to SL and MFW and I new I liked R&S and CLP, but in the end HOD had our family written all over it
[I like Charlotte Mason, Biblical worldview/pricipled, living/real books, creativity, fun, easy, classical christian flavors and LHFHG seemed to sort of satisfy those for me and for a five year old]
I sure hope HOD will consider coming to
The Woodlands/Houston. I would think very few of the people that go to Arlington also go to The Woodlands/Houston. It is always in mid-August. Maybe you could have some of us man the table while you run to the bathroom or eat.
Let's spread HOD all over TEXAS
Since I live in Mexico I need to plan pretty far in advance to get plane tickets etc. and I am also trying to coordinate with a couple of girlfriends to meet me there. Just wondering if you knew your plans yet? I think you were in Arlington TX this year? That would work out GREAT if ya'll did that again. Or even better, come to Mexico! 
Thanks for all your hard work!
But alas, there are our own dc to homeschool now too, so perhaps that will be for another season in life. I know Mike and Carrie will probably be putting up their schedule for conventions after they've received confirmations from each location. Thanks, Amey! 
I hope I'll get to meet you girls there. 
