A couple of weekends I had the chance to meet some wonderful ladies. In the beginning I was all excited in taking this journey but as the day became closer for the trip I was getting very nervous and almost backed out. But there were some things that were going on in my life at the time and I decided that the trip was something that I needed even though it may not have been the best weekend for me to leave. I missed the biggest arts and crafts festival locally and a baby shower.
I agreed to pick Christine up at the airport on Friday so I left work around 1:00 p.m. As I got closer and closer to the airport I was getting really nervous because I had not met Christine only had small conversation with her prior. Once Christine arrived I went to shake her hand and introduce myself and she didnt take my hand, instead she gave me hug and at that moment, I was very eased. We talked the whole way to the cabin. In fact, she needed to stop at Wal-Mart for a few items and I dont think we really watched for a Wal-Mart because of us chit chatting until we got close to the cabin.

We drove on several back roads in search of the cabin. I passed the road with balloons which was our "sign" to turn and Christine spotted them so we turned around and took the gravel road that lead us a distance into the woods. I heard ladies mention a certain movie title and yes that is what I thought of as well. But we followed the balloons and was soon greeted by Stepwitch, Zen and Beth who were sitting at the picnic table.

We unloaded our luggage and tried to start a fire and we wasnt successful. It took Stepwitch who had started fires many times to give her touch and POOF we had our cozy fire that burnt until Sunday.

Stepwitch had sent an email prior to the weekend event of what our menu would be for the weekend. Syepwitch, there was not a meal that was not delightful. You were the best host. The steaks, the pepper chicken (which I recently fixed at home-thank you), the hamburgers, the morning breakfast,,, were all so delic. You rock girl!

Melissa arrived late Friday night, just in time for our conversation around the fire. I found myself thinking deep within me and also listening to the ladies and found out that we have so much in common. We were all there for everyones advice, listening ear and shoulder and meet everyone. I have felt lost for sometime now and felt that my advice really was not worth giving, but you ladies, get it! You get me! I get you, we all understood and for once it felt so good to be able to grip or complain and someone totally understand how I fell.

Saturday we took a road trip for Beer, Bait and Batteries (BBB) and we ventured through several little towns because no one seemed to have bait or beer at the same place. And we came upon Pee Wees Super Tight Barbershop and for me being in Tennessee, nothing surprised me as to what you could see but some of the other ladies got the biggest kick out of that and it was so comical to hear them talk about that the remaining weekend.

When we got back to the cabin, we discussed going fish, since we finally got the bait, but the fire drew us in and before we knew it we had spent the entire afternoon around the campfire. We roasted wieners and made smores. Us ladies can turn any campfire with wieners into a unforgetable moment. But again, we discussed different situations and how we have been effected, and what we gained from situations or what we lost from that. I have to say that I have stuggled for years and it is hard trying to find that happy medium or your place when blending your family. I would have to say that I wanted to throw the towel in and their are days that I can be strong. We all came together from our struggles. Thank you Dawn for creating a space for us to come together and Thank you Stepwitch for giving us this time of inner peace at your cabin.

Saturday night Stepwitch and Dawn played the guitar and it took me back to when I was child. We used to go to my grandmothers and my dad and uncle would play the guitar and we all sang along. That time was recreated for me and it just warmed my heart. We all made our paperheads that we decorated to resemble the person may be not so close to us and we tossed them in the fire and for me my head that I created was such good anger management. lol. I had such joy making my paper head exactly how I see that person..... hee hee...Saturday night was a short night for me as I had to many jello shots and screwdrivers that I found myself snug in bed. I think I was the third to go down. (lol)

Sunday morning came really fast, and we ate and everyone began taking their showers and packing. I knew my time with my new friends was coming to an end, but I was also excited to come home. I was going to take Christine back to the airport but Zen and Beth were going into Nashville so I was able to leave earlier and begin my journey home. Melissa and I left at the same time and we followed each other all the way to Nashville.

On my way home, I thought about the weekend and what I had received from the last few days. I probably recognized the fact even more that I have to be happy. I cant solve every problem and my life will not be perfect or even close to perfect. I realized that troubles will continue to come and I realized that I have new friends that I can relate to and who can relate to me. I realized that our life is short and our children will be grown adults one day and they have been our followers their whole life and we can guide them and try to put them on the right path but that doesnt always happen for they are their own person. It takes strength and courage and communication and alot of love to keep blended families together and blended families are probably the hardest to keep together because we are all different. I realized that I loved my husband more then I imagined and I could not imagine life without him even though he totally gets on my nervous sometimes. So for all this Im going to continue to fight, to be disliked, to be respected, to be loved, to be hated and all the other titles that I have received.

Stepwitch, you have truly been an inspiration to me. I remember calling you and all I really needed was to vent at that very moment. You listened to me and gave me some encouraging words. I have gained many excellent friends from this. In fact I cant wait for Retreat III and if it is somewhere different then Stepwitch's cabin,, can she still cook?? lol

Again Thank you YA-YA's