2014 Retreat News

I don't have any earth-shattering excuses for being absent so long, just the run-of-the-mill life stuff that we all face.  Problem is that the longer I go without posting, the harder it is to actually do it because I somehow convince myself that I have ALL that explaining to do.  And the days run into weeks, and the weeks fly by, and then it gets just utterly ridiculous.  And that's where things stand today.  So I'm just going to start with where I am, and we'll go from there.

The February retreat was beyond fantastic, far exceeding my expectations (even though I try not to have any); great instructors, fabulous attendees, perfect weather.  Really, it was magic.  DJ took this pic of some of the attendees one fine day, in-between lunch and class (like herding a bunch of long-tailed cats in a roomful of rocking chairs!)  Maybe next year, I won't let them in for lunch unless they get in the group shot first!  Better yet, I'll bribe the all with my famous Journey cookies...yeh, that's it.

I'll dig up some more photos and include them in another post, but I mainly want to draw your attention to the Winter 2014 Retreat.

I'm thrilled that the Presentation Center is welcoming us back on Feb. 27-March 3, 2014.  They even said they'd arrange the same mild weather for us!  And I'm beyond excited to have some of my favorite instructors back, as well as a couple of 'newbies' (but not new to AAJ, as they were attendees at the inaugural retreat).  Returning are DJ Pettitt, Katie Kendrick, Albie Smith, Stephanie Lee, and then Mindy Lacefield and Danielle Daniel are co-teaching a class. (Check the links on the left to go to their website/blogs)

We're still finalizing the workshops, but they're sounding really, really good!  I would NOT want to have to decide which one to take!  (I know I'm a tease, but I can't help myself)  The classes will be on the website toward the latter part of July, with registration opening on August 26 at 7pm Pacific time.  I hope you'll mark your calendars and sign up early; we had a full house last February and I expect it to be the same this time around.  I promise to post more class info here as things get firmed up, so stay tuned...the website is slowly being updated as well.

In other news, grandgirlies are growing and are as delicious as ever; Max is managing to stay out of trouble in the new neighborhood; new fence is up and hardscape and arbors are next, along with landscaping.  Once that's done and I can look out and see green (yay!), I'll focus on the inside.  This house has turned out to be more of a fixer-upper than I had anticipated, but it's all good.  All this hard work keeps me out of trouble...mostly.

I look forward to getting 'my voice back' and hanging out here more often!  Have a wonderful and safe holiday weekend, if you're stateside!