The after effect

This is the four of us, Myself, Lyn, Steph and Lynley, Thursday lunch time going over last bits and bobs for the retreat. I rolled up at Lynleys at 9 am and greeted her with, "We're having a retreat, aaaggghhh!" which became a catch cry for a little while, it eased the tension.

Thursday afternoon after lunch saw us settle into the committee bedroom/ apartment.Unloaded the cars of all the goodies that we required for the weekend and then set out to start packing goodie bags, 3 patterns, a survival kit, material, pens, pencils, note books, cards, discount vouchers, and 130 bags to fill.

Thursday night dinner was a relaxed and very large affair at an Italian restaurant, the name of which, at the moment, eludes me. It was a great chance to start catching up with old friends and make new ones before the retreat began in earnest.

Friday morning was another "We're having a retreat, aaaggghhh" warm up, then set up our magic helpers to set up the prize wall (every retreater came away with a prize and some of the luckier ones got two). A quiet lunch back in the room and get dressed for the registration desk. The four of us wore matching flannelette's at rego, with a purple ribbon in our hair. It was a back to basics theme after all and what is more basic than lounging in your PJs having a sewing day, this a lone was enough to set the tone, mood for the rest of the weekend. People generally relaxed, tried to do some hand sewing but mainly talked and laughed. Oh there was a little bit of siggie swapping happening too.

The whole weekend seemed to go by in a blur, prize draws, show and tell, swap challenges, meals (which were very ordinary). I won EQ 6 in one of the prize draws and I get home to show DH who then tells me this computer is not suitable for the program...bugger will have to read the book and be content with that for a while.

Monday was the bus shop hop. Five shops, Patchwork Cottage, Hand Crafters House, Carols, Homespun Workshops and Textile Traders. I spent a "Little" money on a few of these shops but then I did not have an airfare in the cost of the retreat!!!

Tuesday was a side trip with some of the retreat ladies out to Collingully just past Meckering. Another buzz of the CC. Found a pattern that did not call out to me more like bellowed my name. I can not wait to start that. ( My machine has just come back from being serviced.)

The retreat is over, and I have spent the day today, from 9am, sweeping, vacuuming, dusting and washing my floors. DH (gotta love them) has finally finished his new wall in the lounge.....I had gyprock and plaster dust every where...I had white furnishings, white upholstery, white carpet, white benches, kitchen, I think you get the picture.

After the craft fair yesterday, which for some reason just did not do it for me, we, (Lissa and I) got home to the smell of roast beef in the oven and a snowy looking man, who grinned widely and said "I finished the wall" after which he added a sheepish "Sorry about the mess."

I am about to tackle the mountain of clothes which are on the couch ready to be folded and put away, at least they are washed, in need of an iron, but washed. Oh and I still am Mum to the same number of children as when I left to go to the hotel.

I am looking forward to sitting in clean house tomorrow while kids are at school and playing with my purchases over the last few days.