Back in the Saddle

Ok, ok, I've been officially back from vacation since Monday morning (4:30 AM to be exact) - I just couldn't bring myself to really start writing again. I had good intentions, I promise, I just couldn't decide on which story to start out with.

Do I tell my loyal readers about the Baja jeep adventure where we literally did see the most beautiful place on the earth (and where Jenny ate it on a coral reef thereby exposing the fact that she's not so very graceful after all)?

Or do I tell them about getting unknowingly snookered into a 90 minute timeshare presentation at Sammy Hagar's beachside villa?

Or should I mention the guy at our own resort who insisted on strutting his "stuff" in nothing but an electric blue speedo and a matching Nacho Libre Mexican wrestling mask?

Hmmm...so many choices. I think I'll have to sleep on it. Suffice it to say, we're back and we had a great time.

Hasta Luego, mis amigos.

Rice a Roni....(just try and not finish the jingle - I dare you)

Let me just say...for the record...San Francisco is one of the coolest towns I've ever been to. Literally.
We just spent four days there (in JULY you might note) and never once did I take off my sweater. In fact, I came this close to buying one of those $9.99 fleece jackets they sell on the street to stupid tourists like me but my pride held me back. I became one of those annoying people who no matter how cold it is and no matter how blue their lips are, won't admit that they are chilly.
As a team, ScreamFree worked at and attended the Smart Marriages Conference. It was four days of learning and networking - a great chance to see and be seen. I loved it, but I am warning everyone around me - I don't want to hear the words "needs" "intimacy" "connection" or "communication" for at least a month. I just don't think I can take any more cardigan talk (see "therapist jargon").
We got to meet some of the biggest names in the industry like Pat Love who wrote Hot Monogamy (yes, her name really is Love and yes, she sees the connection) and Gary Chapman author of The Five Languages of Love. You wouldn't recognize them on the street - or even in a bookstore - but at this conference, they were like rock stars. Seriously - everywhere they went, a buzz followed and swarms of grinning cardigans fell all over themselves to shake their hands.
I only stepped on one old lady to meet Pat Love. Oh, get over it - she was fine - her cane broke her fall.
This week, Hal and I are on vacation - a real honest to goodness vacation without kids OR LAPTOPS!!!!!! We are celebrating 15 years of marriage and we have three rules this week. We are not allowed to talk about:
1. ScreamFree
2. Our Kids
3. ScreamFree
Pray for us - there might be a whole lot of silence that first day. :)