This past weekend I got away from home. I retreated with a bunch of gals I'd never met (and one I had) to the town of Helen, Georgia. It was a BLAST.
I am a part of a great online community called ScrapShare. I can't really think of the appropriate words to describe this community. But, if I ever run away, I want to run away to the town of ScrapShare, USA. If only such a place existed!
Anyhow, back to the retreat.
About 18 or so of us gathered at Unicoi Lodge for a weekend of scrapbooking. As I unpacked and settled in to start working, it hit me: I'd forgotten to bring the photos I needed to finish my wedding album. I was mad at myself for being so careless (I had made a LIST, after all!), but I decided to just finish what I had brought and make myself available to whomever needed help.
I think I enjoyed myself more working on other people's layouts. I helped my friend, Malinda, finish an entire album and get halfway through another one. I loved it. It was so much fun! I also was entrusted with some photos of a new friend, Bev, for whom I did two double page spreads. I was honored that these two ladies would consider my work worthy enough to be in such a precious family heirloom.
It's been a long time since I was in the presence of adults (without kids!) for longer than an hour or two. This weekend really refreshed my soul. As we drove away from the lodge, I said to Malinda, "I think I finally remembered how to have FUN again. I haven't laughed so much in a long time." I needed that. I needed to laugh until my jaws hurt. I needed camaraderie. I needed to just be needed and feel needed and appreciated by someone other than my family. Thanks, Georgia girls.
I can't wait to go to Texas next month to meet more ScrapShare sisters and have MORE fun, but it's those Georgia girls that I'm longing to be with again...and soon!
3 comments:
Just had to drop by and read your blog again - this time, I KNOW you! You rock, girl! Thanks so much for the wonderful pages you did for me! What your readers don't know is those were some extremely sentimental pictures and you did such an amazing job with them - you made a tribute to the first man I ever loved, my Daddy - and I'll never forget this past weekend! Can't wait to laugh with you in Texas VERY SOON!
Mmmmm.....Just wait till you meet us gals in Texas......
Dars from Wa- going to Texas to be a "Texas Girl" Even if for one weekend a year!
It was fun to come over to the retreat, if just for ONE day. It was great seeing you again & can't wait for our adventure to TX. But them Georgia gals are something special :)
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