Bobby & the Melissai Sleep Deprived at BEDLAM

There must be some Jr. High Winter Retreats out there NOT called Bedlam...I have just never hear of them.

This year we took 7 girls from our group to the Bedlam up in Bancroft (aka Bangkok to you Mum!). After 5 long hours of lost and found driving we arrived...thanks Google map. The event was great. Our girls were assertive, funny and, as usual, amazing.

Prickley on the Outside, Squishey on the Inside

Here are some of the collectables that amuse me (Melissa). The McDonald's Narnia set came from Katie (thanks again...and sorry Carolyn!) and thanks to Tracy for the backgrounds. I couldn't resist Gandalf who booms "You Shall Not Pass!!!". Kip started off the whole collection with Janice, sans guitar here, who is my favourite Muppet. The most recent addtion is my cactus friend Polpettina (thanks again Kip!).

I've been thinking alot about Polpettina (Italian for little meatball) because in many ways I am Polpettina. Squishy on the inside and 'fun' prickles on the outside.

This isn't a new revelation. I've been racking my head for the past year trying to figure out why I am so self-protective. There aren't any obvious answers. I had a safe & loving childhood and yet I still hid behind 'my mother's skirt'. Fear has always been there. Fear of rejection and fear of invisibility. My double-edged sword.

A really cool girl at my church and I are starting a 'micro'group (only 2 or 3 people) where we hopefully will be asking each other tough questions. The whole idea terrifies and electrifies me. I don't do vulernable well. But talking to her and others, I've been discovering that this is the norm. You are all my cactus friends.