Thank you

Tonight I am in a very thoughtful mood. I just left the funeral home and that always causes me to ponder the "what if's" in life. Our NJS friend Shannon lost her father yesterday. She was her usual self at the funeral home this evening, maybe just a little more tired version of herself actually. It made me think, "What if that was me?" Would I act the same way? Isn't that what we as women often commit to being, a slightly skewed version of ourselves? We have our "public" face that we put on for the outside world, right? It is among our real friends though that we can be honest and say, "I'm tired."
I am grateful to all of you NJS girls, because I know that we can open up to one another and say. "I'm tired, frustrated, angry..." You can fill in the blank with any number of words. It doesn't matter, I know that we will always be there for one another. No. Matter. What.
That is what our group is about, even more than just scrapbooking. We are friends and we are there for one another as women. When the group first began, the "what if's" were very simple. What if no one comes, what if we don't make enough money to pay the rent, etc. I am grateful today for the harder "what if's" that come with knowing people better and being good friends. The "what if's" in real life are much more difficult. I am grateful for those "what if's", because I know that it means I am truly blessed to have an amazing group of women that I can call my friends.

I have a confession to make. I'm a compulsive list maker. Well, maybe two confessions. I also pack for trips way too early. I've already started packing for the retreat! I've been cleaning out my scrap room looking for things for the rummage, washing blankets, sheets, and pillow cases...all for a weekend away that doesn't happen for three weeks. That's what a normal person thinks. I think, I'm leaving in three weeks and I don't have very much crossed off my list!
That's why I'm so thankful for our scrap day this Saturday. I can put all of these lists down for a day and not go in and look at my suitcase three times a day to make sure that I really did put my travel hair dryer in there. (I know, can you say OCD!!)
October's menu is my favorite...soup and salad. YUM! This weather makes me want soup every day. I only have a few people signed up so far, but I will keep editing the menu below so that you can see what yummy goodies will be there for your to try. Can't wait to see you all there ladies. Good luck getting ready for the retreat, you know that I need some!

Shannon H.--Cashew Salad
Melissa--Cheeseburger Soup