Sunshine is Good for the Soul

Well, it's been four days where I've been discontected. I've finally found internet access and thought I'd catch up. It has been refreshing to be out of the loop for a little while.

Florida is wonderful. The weather has been nice and it has really recharged me. The seminar is also well worth it. I feel like I will come back with a fire lit under me - something I haven't felt in my job in a while. I am out in the boon docks - so it is nice to have a car. The retreat center doesn't believe in good coffee, but the Starbuck's down the road is quite a treat.

I arrived on Wednesday night and spent the night in Altamonte Springs FL. What a beautiful city. The hotel where I stayed was on a lake that had a walkway around it. The walkway was full of walkers - it was very nice. I shopped at the mall and tried on many swim suits. Swim suits don't look any better in FL than they do in WI. I even tried on a $140 model - thinking it would do something. Hmmm - NO. So I'm still on the hunt.

Last night after our conference ended for the day we drove to Daytona Beach. What fun to put my toe toes in the sand. We ate on the beach and bought souvenirs for the kids. Good times.

Tonight there is an optional session to exam your own life - I'm going to pass. My life is pretty darn good and I will get more out of exploring FL than I would sitting in a conference center. The conference is made up of all women - interesting. After talking with most of them, I find that my job situation is pretty good. One women got a call that she lost her job while she was here. Another is from Superior and was telling me how desperately she is trying to get into the WI tech college system. Many are divorced with interesting tales. I keep thinking how lucky I am to have come from a stable home, have a loving husband and two great kids. Stepping out of my box for a week has really showed me how blessed I really am.

My family misses me. We have been calling and texting. It will be nice to get back home tomorrow night.

BTW - if you haven't heard - I called into NPR on my way to Milwaukee on Wednesday. Richard Clark was on discussing his new book. I actually got on the radio to ask him a question. So I am kind of cool - except they called me Betty instead of Debby.