Okay, even though my mind is in a million different places, I'm going to finish the weekend update before I move on.

Every year (or sometimes every two years) the church officers and their wives have a retreat, kind of a "get away and do some planning" thing, but we also have fun. This year we rented a big beach house in Sandbridge (Virginia Beach), so of course there was walking on the beach, even though it was in the 40s, cloudy, and windy.

And since we were near Virginia Beach, we were serenaded by the jets out of NAS Oceana. When we lived here years ago there were two types of people: those who loved the jet noise and those who hated it. I never understood the complaints of those who hated it. The jets were here when you bought your house, right? So now that you've moved in, they should leave?

I always loved the noise. It's the sound of freedom.

There were actually a few guys surfing. I can't imagine how a thin layer of rubber kept them warm when we were bundled up and freezing.

The house was great: three floors, lots of bedrooms/bathrooms, a pool table, huge dining room, and a view of the ocean.

There are rumors that the church treasurer put himself through college shooting pool. He won't confirm or deny, but he's good enough.

The pastor plays defensive pool. If you can't sink a ball, block the other guy's shot.

And we learned a new card game: Hand & Foot.

We ate too much, stayed up too late, and didn't exercise, but it was nice to get away. It was also nice to come home and sleep in my own bed, eat normal food, and go to the gym, although I felt the effects of the weekend both on the treadmill and in Strive.

Now we're back to the routine, except that there's a warm breeze blowing in the window and a faint shadow of green in the tops of the trees and that's encouraging.

Be thankful ~

Karen