Shandon Women's Retreat

"But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled." ~ Titus 2: 1-5 (ESV) 

What a great Friday and Saturday with one of my "bestest" friends and being around sisters in Christ.  The Colonel nicknamed my friend Lisa and I "Lucy and Ethel."  Alberta's husband has nicknamed us "Thelma and Louise" since we took a road trip together.  I promise we did not kill anyone, but I almost died from laughing so much.  Oh, the joy of a person who can put a smile on your face and make you laugh until your jaws hurt.  

I wish I would have taken more pictures but here are a few to journal the weekend.  

After the ice storm last month where Atlanta residence were gridlocked on the Interstate for hours, I decided not to take a chance.  I packed a few snacks in my duffel bag just to be safe.

After even more thought, I also packed some fruit and toilet paper--just in case.  :)

I set my GPS in my car and headed out to pick up Alberta!!  Let the fun begin!!

This is Alberta leaving the hotel after being there for only five minutes.  It seems we ended up at the wrong location.  Alberta even called to make sure we were going to the right one as we had two different addresses.  The desk clerk told her we were correct.  We were not.  HA!  We unloaded everything only to have to walk it back to the car.  I don't know why, but I find things like this hilarious and laughed all the way back to the car.

We finally arrived only 25 minutes late but still in time to hear this beautiful lady lead us in worship through music and song.  She had a beautiful voice.

Welcome and introductions...Amy Peterson

The ladies that organize retreats and Women's Nights Out at Shandon do such a wonderful job with decorations and setting the atmosphere.  This weekend's theme was "Being Refreshed."

A few "props" for the photo booth

Waiting our turn at the photo booth

Yoga in the back corner, facials in another corner and manicures in another...As refreshing as all of these activities were, it was spending time with sisters in Christ and hearing His word that truly refreshed me...

Maria Owens (and I think that is her sister in the blue)

Alberta and me...I LOVE that lady!!

Beautiful Ladies

Say "Cheese"

I got Alberta to try sushi for the first time Saturday.  I only eat the California Rolls, so I guess I'm not a "true" sushi eater.

The look on Alberta's face in these pictures just cracks me up.  I just love her.

And here she goes.....

Biting the roll....

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha...This look is priceless!!

I saw this at the mall while Alberta and I were tooling around.  It is a massage with water and you don't have to get undressed.  It looked neat.  I did think that it could be a little claustrophobic feeling though.

A new aquarium opened at the mall at Concord Mills.  The twins want to go to the Great Wolf Lodge for their birthday, so I was thinking we might be able to visit the aquarium which is near the lodge.  Not sure about that yet.

I had never seen one of these "refreshment" machines where the beverages slide to a drop box.  I took a picture of each step as the bottle traveled.  Alberta looked at me and said, "You are country, aren't you?"  Hahahahahahaha!!

Since the Colonel kept the boys while I went on my retreat, I thought I would take them to see The Lego Movie Sunday afternoon to give the Colonel some time to himself.  The Roosters really liked it.  I heard good things about it, but fell asleep when that older gentleman's Lego head fell off and didn't wake up until the movie was almost over.  I just didn't enjoy it all that much, but I think I was just tired.

And this was my last treat before starting my diet...I LOVE Firehouse meatball subs...Yummy!

Workout and dieting blog posts coming soon I'm sure!!