The energy of retreat is certainly building. I have had new registrations everyday this past week so I am guessing the special $150 rate is good for everyone. It sure is making me be very frugal however those that know me well know that I can be frugal and a haggler for a good deal.

We are going to be more environmental this time around. Those that have attended in the past are asked to bring their red bag back with them to carry home all of their Gratitudes. Our Knowledge Boxes will

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Retreat is a spiritual experience however part of being spiritual is also living in that moment in whatever we do on a minute by minute basis. Many of us have a hobby or a business that others enjoy. With the current economic times is important to many to be able to make the most of every moment as well.

I would like to open a discussion about individuals coming to retreat and bringing their wares. Would this detour you from your experience at retreat or would it be a welcome addition?

Off the top of my head I know that we have the following among us:

Jewelry in every way shape Bamboo items made from the bamboo at the center such as incense holders, flutes and wind chimes to name a few Athena Womanly Products CD's and Workbooks Feng Shui Kits Crazy Quilts Pendulums

I welcome your input if you would like to have this included. Perhaps as you arrive on Friday waiting for us to get started, Saturday afternoon prior to dinner and then on Sunday after we close are times that I think it would work for this retreat. I do not want to take away your Zen Moments (FOG/quiet times) as they are very important to the overall experience of "Finding Your Zen".

Word History: It is hard to believe that a word as Asian as Zen is ultimately an Indo-European word. Zen, which has been in English since 1727, is the Japanese pronunciation of Chinese chán, "quietude." Chán comes from Pali jh?na?, from Sanskrit dhy?nam, "meditation," from the Sanskrit root dhy?-, dh?-, "to see, observe." The Indo-European root behind the Sanskrit is *dhei?-, *dhy?-, "to see, look at." This root also shows up in Greek, where *dhy?- developed into s?-, as in Common Greek *s?ma, "sign, distinguishing mark." This became s?ma in Attic Greek, the source of English semantic.

With the above it does play into Zen by "to see, look at" and "sign, distinguishing mark" as all products are a glimpse of the woman behind them.

After much review of the budget and discussions with my husband on the financial side it has been decided that we are keeping the retreat scheduled for September 19-21, 2008 at the Margaret Austin Center in Chappell Hill, TX.

In addition to keeping to the plans we are also putting a Fortnight Promotion into effect. With the economic times we are currently in; we feel that since we have been fortunate enough to not be hit as hard as some then we will be giving back.

Fortnight Promotion
now through August 8
Special rate of $150 per person

We hope to help those who are struggling to be able to afford to go to retreat because we pride ourselves on finances not being an issue for a woman to feel spiritually renewed. Please let me know if you need any further information or assistance.

Well ladies I just don't know what to say but this economic crisis seems to be hitting very close to home at the moment. As of today I only have two people fully signed up to go to retreat and they are both new sisters to join us for the first time. I have six people that have put deposits down however some have not followed up after an email last week. I even extended out the early registration deadline.

I know it is more this time however I have just redone the numbers to see if there is anyway that I might be able to come down and honestly unless I cut down so much that it is not like the last one in the slightest then I could not come down. I would appreciate your comments on downscaling what is offered. Most of you know me to be very frugal and try very hard to give you the most value possible.

I am growing very concerned that we will not have enough to be able to make the cost of the center work out. I must cancel at least 60 days out in order not to be responsible for further payment. That 60 days is coming up next week so I must make a decision.

I welcome your input on where we go from here. I know many of you have said you are coming so I hate to cancel if you do indeed want to come. I am realistic so I see all the issues people are having due to everything being more expensive at the moment so I do understand if financial times just must prevent us from having at the MAC this time.

I have a couple of other options for a location that I could explore. Perhaps we could have it at Meg's grandmother's beach house however that will be limited to about twelve of us max. We could go back to Sam Houston State Park again...remember the little crawlers every time we raised the energy? Perhaps at Jylybean's camp however all of those will require a bit of a drive so would make up for the difference in costs in gas alone to get there.

I would like to open a dialog on the subject with all of you ladies.....

We are making a lot of progress on retreat as our early bird registration comes to a close next week. Please let me know if you are a past retreat participant and need to make payment arrangements so that everyone has a place that would like to join us.

Due to three requests last week about a Girlfriend option like we had last time. You spoke and we listened....a new two registrations for the price of $360 is now available which reflects a $40 discount. We also have a top bunk option available at a $25 discount however these are limited due to space constraints within the individual rooms. Click here to register

We are considering leaving the bedding to first come first serve unless there is a health reason for one to be near a plug, restroom, etc. I welcome your comments on this aspect of the weekend.

I met with the Buddhist Monk today and have her blessings on my Fridy night program "Finding Your Zen". You are in for a treat however a follow up to Pxz's "Embracing Your Divine" last time is quite some shoes to fill!

The Red Tent Experience Retreat details are still being finalized which is schedule for March 13-15, 2009 to be held once again at the Margaret Austin Center in Chappell Hill, TX.

If you might like to take part in the planning stages then please subscribe to this blog thread as a place to talk about what you might like to participate in.

Well I thought I would take the opportunity to put together the menu online this time so that way you might all have the opportunity to comment on it. Smile, this blog might be a cool thing afterall!

Friday Arrival Snacks
Edamame, Sushi,

Friday Dinner
Eggrolls, Fire Within Soup (beets and carrots), Vegetable Stir Fry, Hoisen Chicken and Pineapple, Vegetarian Stir-fried Rice, Brown Rice, Vegetable Lo Mein, Coconut Sweet Rice with Mango

Friday Evening Snacks
Fairy Jasmine Tea, Green Tea, Something sweet, Something Else

Saturday Breakfast
Baked French Toast, Overnight Oatmeal, Zuchinni Frittatas, Cheeses, Assorted Fresh Fruit, Smoothies, Assorted Grains

Saturday Lunch
Minestrone Soup, Salad, Sandwich Bar (lots more choices)

Saturday afternoon Snack
Fruit Tart Bar - Small tart shells with assorted custards and fresh fruit.

Saturday Dinner
Salad, Chilled Cucumber and Yogurt Soup, Braised Beef Ribs, Miso Corny, String Breans, Bread item, Dessert Eggroll Bar

Saturday Night Snack
Whitney Bread, Fire Water, Sweet Item

Sunday Brunch
Individual Omelettes, Milann's Potatoes, Assorted Fresh Fruits, One other vegetable dish?, Rosemary Biscuits, Canadian Bacon

And so it begins...this is the way it always starts and it always starts big however as the time grows nearer some will be cut and others added so I welcome your input.

Well it has been a flurry of activity getting the last retreat finished up and getting the details of the next one figured out. I am sure my family is ready for the weekend so the PILE of decor in the dining room will get put away. Miss Randi is coming home from college next week so has agreed that we can make her room the Red Tent so I have someplace to put all those pillows and things (since she said at the holidays that she loved Austin and was not coming back to Houston). Smile.

I had a call from the Margaret Austin Center this morning which alerted me that I had misunderstood the cost for the center. What I thought was the maximum was actually the minimum. Sheesh! So, I am sorry to say that the Fall retreat is more expensive due to the center actually being twice as expensive as the last time. I want to thank the MAC for their kind hearted understanding on my mistake because had it not been for their generosity then I would be having rice and water with my family for the coming weeks. So, thank you for "letting it slide" this time! Another reason to love the center!

I look forward to seeing all of you in the Fall. The below are the tentative plans:

September 19-21, 2008 Margaret Austin Center Chappell Hill, TX Do you seek balance in your life? Do you yearn for the bonding of women? Do you seek serenity within? Tentative Activities: Finding Your Zen Within/Tea Ceremony with Tina Gentle Yoga with Penney Reiki with LauraAngel Tibetan Buddhist Mandala with Trace Feng Shui Workshop with Pxz My Mindful Meals with Milann Fire Ritual with Karen I would like to take this opportunity to say that I way under estimated on food this time so am already planning accordingly for next time. I am guessing that all the walking and high energy movement just greatly increased our food consumption because past retreats we ate like birds. Much more snack options and quite a bit more food at meals as well. Again, my apologies for the miscalculation this time. I have several sign up options available. Please let me know if you might need to work out any sort of special arrangements. Many of you said you would be coming back and several others said they plan to bring others so I anticipate selling out again. Click here to sign up