Last weekend I spent a gorgeous weekend in Port Aransas, Texas, with dear friends, old and new. It was something like our 16th annual get-away, but I confess I've lost count.
There are only about 5 of us who have consistently escaped every year, no matter what was going on in our lives. But every year we have at least 13 women join us, filling three condos that hug the beach. Some are friends of mine from high school. Some are sisters or daughters... or friends of friends.
Once you're in, you're in...until you drop out. And some have actually dropped out! I just don't understand it.
I'll never drop out. Not voluntarily, anyway.
(We recruited a man to take our photo, then another man started taking our photo from a floor above. The owner/residents were so awesome and friendly this year!)
I need this annual retreat to the shore, to recharge and re-energize. (Thanks for this photo, Rae!)
He that will learn to pray, let him go to sea.
~George Herbert
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I have yet to even look at all the photos I took last weekend, and now another fun weekend is past. Our annual St. Mary's Oktoberfest featured great weather and a miracle win by the Texas Longhorns. (I think Father Joe put in a good word for us!)
Just one of many beauties in the classic car "show and shine". I dream of having an old truck one day...but mine will need a/c and electric windows.
A pet dragon!
That's the middle school principal you see swimming in the dunking booth. He had a line waiting to dunk him, as you can imagine!
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I have lots of sweet!s recorded over the past few weeks ...
... a cute couple secretly getting married ... your husband and brother-in-law making it home safe from a long canoeing trip in Arkansas ... tiny shells on the beach... sharing a room with your sister again ... a morning run on a beach with a cool breeze ... a friend texting you to be sure you saw the orange crescent moon rising over the water ... sunrise after sunrise after sunrise over the water ... slow walks with friends on a beach ... dancing ... lots of new clients asking for your help...
But what better way to end this sweet! post than with a photo of your oldest son drinking a beer after running the Chicago marathon? (I wasn't there - he posted it and I stole it to share here!)
But I'm so proud of him for conquering this challenge! (The marathon, not the beer!)
Way to go, Tommy!
I hope you all have a huge collection of sweet!s from the past few weeks, as well! If you don't, you aren't paying attention!
The unthankful heart... discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings!
~Henry Ward Beecher
