Something wierd is happening here...

So this week I am in Florida, I heard it was 40 degrees at home this morning...it was 85 here today...not trying to rub it in or anything ;-)

I would like to say I am enjoying the time away from the daily grind and work hassles, but well, I have this little shop...and it is run by this lit up box...oh wait, I think the lit up box actually runs the shop...and it's cranky owner...and although I am like 4 states away from home, that stupid box, and this little joy that lives in my pocket called a cellular device are ruining my fun.

I arrived in Florida on Monday afternoon, and Ted and I met up with his sister and her husband who happened to be visiting Florida but live in New Jersey for dinner. We don't get to see them often enough, and sitting in the sunshine on the deck of Bahama Breeze restaurant, overlooking the gulf, listening to beachy tunes and laughing at the top of our lungs was the highlight of our trip so far.

I was put in charge of planning a mini conference for some members of the National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops, an organization I belong to...so that means this year conference is on the BEACH!!! We stayed at an adorable little compound off of Siesta Key beach in Sarasota Florida. 5 mini cottages painted Florida colors; flamingo pink, bright yellow, and my personal fav. turquoise. The cottages are decked out with quirky "Florida" antiquey things, and being resalers, we all enjoy the funky nature of our dwelling place. It is less than a block's walk to Siesta Key Beach...world famous white sand beach...it is truly a sight to behold as the sun sets on the water...amazing.

I was told that a condo on the beach in Siesta Key will run ya about 5 million bucks, so I've been hanging out with a lot of rich elderly people the last few days. I feel just a little out of my league in some ways, but mostly, I am meeting just regular people...yeah they seem to have some spoils in life, like the couple riding their personal segway scooters on the beach...but they are warm and friendly and they smile and take time to chat...they are retired...they are not stressed out over money...they are all tan...life is good.

I'll make a long story short here, the lit up box that runs my life got a virus...aww poor baby got sick...one of my employees downloaded some stuff she shouldn't have, and I nearly lost the hard drive. (Know anyone looking for a part time job?) So, my poor mom, who does not love the little box very much in the first place, called while I was drinking fresh squeezed orange juice with my honey at an outside table, of a cutesy little breakfast place.

What to do...no computer...it has to go to the computer Dr. next door to get treatment for it's newly aquired virus. I don't know how it takes so much effort and time for us to figure out that we could probably do something so silly as to add things up on a calculator and make change without the box's input, but eventually we come up with that brilliant plan, and it all works out in the end.

Mom did a great job of handling the situation, and I got a little smarter, and turned off my cute little cellular device.

I'll just stop that story right there for now, but I'll fill ya all in on the rest of the conference events sometime soon.

So here's the wierd part. While I am sitting with dear friends I get to see twice a year at best, talking shop, learning really good stuff to help improve my business, ON THE BEACH (I'm a fan of the beach if you haven't noticed) I start to get this funny feeling. I'm a little lonely. It is Tuesday night and I miss my Women in the Word. I miss their laughter, and all the great insights they share with the group. I wonder how their week is going, and I just MISS them greatly.

And Wednesday morning, I actually shed a few tears (I should probably mention that pms may play a small part in the tear shedding, lest you think I'm a hopeless case) I need my fix of the women in my life, who share their hearts with me, and even more, I need my fix of God's Word which I suddenly realize has been absent nearly all week long.

Heavenly Father, all I can do is give you thanks and praise for the work you do in our hearts through WIW. You have taught me the true meaning of the Family of God thru the love of my sisters. I needed that lesson, I needed these women, and as always You knew what I needed long before I did. You are so awesome. Thank you...