Not Tellin'

This past weekend I spent a relaxing, enjoyable, low key, fun filled weekend with a group of women from our Sunday school class; in a cabin, in the middle of NOWHERE. ("Nowhere" translates into no cell phone reception, no WIFI, and the nearest Walmart was 1 hour away, in our town. So, if you forgot anything it better not have been important.)

And with that, I'm not telling you anything else. See, our little group has a phrase, "what happens/is said at the cabin, stays at the cabin."

Now, you may be wondering what exactly is a group of God fearing, Sunday school attending women, many married, and many with children, may be trying to hide.

Really, nothing. When it comes down to it, we are rather boring.

However, we talk. We talk about everything. We share our frustrations with husbands, children, jobs, ourselves, life, ... about everything.

We can talk about everything because there is no judgment from our friends. We can talk about everything because we know our conversations are confidential. We can talk about everything because not only will we receive commiseration from the group, we can also talk through the problems. We may not arrive to any solution, but really, talking alone can achieve a lot.

So, what did we do this weekend. We talked, we watched a movie, we hiked, and napped, and ate, we did lots of eating. We talked some more, we laughed, and ate, and enjoyed each other's company.

We also shared one bathroom. Nine women and one bathroom, now if that isn't close I don't know what is.

The Difference Between Men & Women ... Take 2

About this time, last year, I wrote this little piece about how women would plan a weekend away, compared to men.

Well, my girlfriends and I are packing up for another weekend, and again the emails and FB messages are flying.

Thank goodness none of us Tweet ... oh wait, another blog post idea!

Anyway, the meals have been assigned and the menus planned; down to the nitty gritty details so no two menus overlap. Yes, that last part may need professional counseling.

Who is bringing what in the way of paper plates, napkins, cups, bottled water, and the coffee. I do believe everyone is bringing coffee, at least everyone who drinks it.

It has been confirmed, again, that the cabin has sheets and towels.

We haven't over-organized the alcohol. That is just a given, everyone who drinks it will be bringing it.

And notice I said "over-organized." The ability to admit a problem is always the first step to overcoming the problem.

I love it that my girlfriends are also Type A. Well, at least some of them.

It wouldn't work if we were all Type A. We couldn't all be friends.

Come to think of it, all the Type A'ers are leaving early; because we can, and so we can arrive early, and set everything up just so. And, then enjoy a glass of wine to celebrate our Type A personalities.

Someone remind me what this post was about originally?

Either way, I am soooo looking forward to a weekend with the girls.

Oh, and did I mention there is no cell phone reception where we are going? Every mom reading this will understand.

BLISS!

This can't be healthy?




Yes, that is one stick of butter melting in my skillet, with a little bacon grease (cooking in my newly replaced Pampered Chef skillet. It is worth it to pay a little extra for pans with a life-time guarantee. Just sayin'.)

I was making this:

Pioneer Woman Quiche.

And, it was delicious!

Yes, a picture would be nice, but I didn't take a picture of the finished product. We've already discussed the issue of my lack of pictures featuring the completed food item here, moving on.

I also made this, this weekend:

Crustless Spinach Quiche.

Again, no picture, welcome to my life.

I also made some of these:

Pioneer Woman Cinnamon Rolls.

And, added a little of this on top to one pan:

Raspberry Cream Cheese Cinnamon Rolls.

Why did all these recipes come from the Pioneer Woman site?

Right now, it is the best place to find delicious recipes.

Why did I make all this food for the past weekend?

Because of this:



Yes, I obviously took a picture of a table covered in paper, and tools, and hands moving around the table paper, tools and pictures. No, I did not take a picture of any of the ladies sitting around the table, if I had I may not be here to tell the tale.

Showers? We were scrapbooking this past weekend. Scrapers don't need to take no stinkin' showers, there are pages to complete, and phone calls to make to friends who are also scrapping for the weekend across the state and brag about how many pages we have completed. Scrapers are serious, and competitive.

But we do have fun.


We did take a break Saturday. We showered, changed out of our pajamas and sweats and headed out for dinner.

What do you do to find bliss in your life?

Love and Kisses

Sorry to drink and run, but I'm off for a weekend away with friends.

We are attending the Extraordinary Women Conference. Amy Grant is performing. Stormie Omartian is speaking, as is Candace Cameron Bure (Full House fame), Natalie Grant is also performing.

Oh, did I mention Amy Grant is performing. I've been an Amy Grant fan, for like ever. Yeah, bet she never heard that one before.

So for two nights I get to sleep in a hotel room, with no children. For three days eat meals in peace.

My bag is packed. With at least 2 cute outfits, I think. And extra shirts. I'm a mom. Since the moment we become pregnant we learn to pack extra shirts. I'm capable of putting together one nice outfit, but that is on a daily basis. When I'm packing, and standing in my closet, and planning clothes for two days, I'm stumped. I also think of all the items I don't have, that if I did have I would be dressed cute as a button.

A good time to take a break and have some God time. Maybe study a verse or two about being grateful for what we have. The God provides what we need, and though I'm sure he doesn't begrudge anyone a cute outfit, it is a moment when reality and stewardship needs to be remembered.

The dishes are clean. The house is picked up. There is one load of laundry in the washer, and hopefully will be in the dryer by the time I leave. That will probably remain in the dryer until next week, nothing new, home or not.

Soon I'm leaving. I'll pack up the car. Give EM a hug and kiss. Give Hubby a hug and kiss, and many thank yous for the weekend. I will realize I forgot to give JT and ED extra big hugs and kisses when they left for school.

Face it, when a mom goes away the hugs and kisses are never big enough.

I've packed the camera, hopefully I'll remember to use it. And yes, the batteries are charged.

Did I mention Amy Grant is performing!

Happy Friday, have a good weekend. Though I'm running out of the door please stay awhile. Head back over to Home Sanctuary for more Company Girl Coffee.

Girlie Weekend

I had a great weekend away, with the girls, in the middle of no where, with lots of laughter, food, wine and fun.

Now I know why our town of 40,000 is called a city. Our town has the closest Walmart to where we were staying in West Virginia, and that is an hour away. In fact, our town has two Walmarts, it must feel like big city shopping to many. And, there is no cell phone service where we were. Not that I'm complaining. No phone, no goodnight calls to the kids, calls saying good morning, and calls from Hubby asking for the pediatrician's phone number. Not home, don't care, don't want to know until after the fact.

OK, so my girlie weekend was two weekends ago. Life happens. And, the weekend was exactly what I needed before facing this past weekend. (Which I already posted about, click over to read about our busy, busy weekend.)

Before I share some pictures I have a few more additions to my post "The Difference between Men and Women." Women in our group were offering to bring a variety of spa tools; foot scrub, foot soak tubs (the ones that make bubbles), paraffin dip, .... I wondered "what would the guys bring?" GPS. And everyone would have their own. NO SHARING.

While telling Hubby about the weekend I said that the guys should plan a weekend away. The problem is, he pointed out, guys don't plan "just a weekend away." It has to have a purpose. Hunting, Geocaching, Golfing, an organized Men's Retreat, ... or whatever else guys do.

Girls, we don't care. Simpler the better. No schedule, no activities. Lots of friends. Lots of food. Lots of wine. Lots of movies, books, crafts, sleeping, walking, wine, eating, sleeping, ... you get the picture.

Now, here are pictures from our weekend:

Our cabin is in the background. We stayed at Lost River State Park. The cabins were nice and the staff was friendly; though next year we hope to reserve a larger cabin, with two bathrooms. Eight women and one bathroom, you do the math.

Another math problem. Two nights and a cabinet full of coffee, tea and hot chocolate mix. You know, just in case some freak snow storm, in the middle of April, stranded us there for an extra week or two.

Two nights and lots of food and wine. Always be prepared for that freak snow storm. (This picture does not fully display the amount of food and wine we brought.)

The happy and relaxed ladies out on the town. I didn't think we looked that different from the locals, but apparently we did as was verified by the number of stares in our direction. Or, maybe they were wondering why these women kept trying to cut one another's food, or "shushed", told the person down the table to sit down, stop talking, don't chew with your mouth open, .... A mom is always a mom.

Movie Night! 80's movies were the main feature during the weekend (80's classics, 90's movies reliving the hey day of the 80's or 80's movies reliving the hey day of the 60's). Oh, and Hugh Jackman feature.

The Difference Between Men & Women:

A Weekend Away:

How men organize a weekend away, and how

women(may)organize their weekend differently.

Planning the Weekend:

Men: Anyone interested in a guy's weekend?

Women: Anyone interested in a girl's weekend? I called Venue A and they have these weekends open. Email me if your interested and your weekend preference.

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What to Pack:

Men: Hey, the place comes with linens.

Women: The place comes with linens? What type of linens? I'll probably pack a blanket anyway, and I always take my pillow. Towels? Does that include towels? Oh, and is the kitchen stocked? Well, I'll bring dish soap anyway, we have a travel bottle from last year's vacation, oh and I also have hand soap. Coffee filters?

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Meal Planning:

Men: There is a restaurant near by for dinner. I'll bring donuts for breakfast, who's bringing the coffee?

Women: Since there are 8 of us let us divide into 4 groups of 2 and each take a meal to plan and prepare. There is a restaurant near by so that can take care of Saturday dinner. Attached to this email is a sign-up sheet for meals.

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Transportation:

Men: See you there.

Women: Check-in begins at 4, when does everyone want to leave. It doesn't make sense for all of us to drive separately, so let's divide into 2 groups. The first group is leaving at 4 (after we arrange childcare till Hubby gets home and organize their meals for the weekend.) The second group is going with Sarah. Each group can arrange their meeting spot and who is picking up whom. Later group, let us know what time you plan on leaving so we can have Friday's meal ready when you arrive.

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Regardless of how the weekend is planned will everyone have a good weekend? Yes! Just don't forget the coffee!

What A Mom Needs

Every woman needs it, a break. Mine came this weekend. I met up with three girlfriends for our annual scrapbook weekend.

First I stopped at the outlets and froze my butt off found some good deals, and some splurges. (However, when Hubby called me on Saturday that our computer was frozen due to a virus and he was heading out to purchase new software I wondered if I should return everything on my way home.)

This has been an annual event for the past four year, both shopping and scrapbooking. It is fun reconnecting, seeing the past year(s) in pictures, sharing stories and family updates. We swapped "worst mommy ever" stories, "craziest conversation with a child" stories and "most creative comeback when you child asks you an awkward question" stories.

And yes, we did some scrapbooking. In fact we did a lot.

Do you get a break? How? It doesn't have to be a weekend, maybe a day dedicated to rest and relaxation. Leave a comment telling your favorite break story.

If You Forgot, Or Haven't Heared Yet ...

Do you burn more calories walking in the cold? This was the question I (repeatedly) asked myself as I walked around an outdoor outlet shopping center today.

I'm away for the weekend!!!! No kids, a little cooking, lots of eating, sleeping in and scrapbooking. What more could a girl ask for? Oh, right. We also have have lots of chocolate and alcohol. A weekend made in Heaven, just forget that it is 4 degrees, or below, outside.

So, while you wait with baited breath for Monday, when I will share more about my glorious, almost in Heaven weekend y'all have an assignment.

GO GIVE BLOOD ... or at least make an appointment.
Do you like the red color? Totally tacky I know!

Manic Mommy is hosting a virtual blog blood drive. All the details are on her blog, along with the great prizes you could win if you enter.

Off with you now! Be good members of society and help fellow mankind by giving blood. Yes, Hubby that means you too. (Since I can't give it is up to Hubby to enter us in the competition. However, he is being difficult. Grrrr, stupid Mad Cow rule.)