Scrappy Hearts

Project Life, Weeks 42 and 43

Well, I am doing my best to catch up with my posts. The reality is that I did fall behind during the days and weeks following my accident. I found it very hard to write for extended periods of time. So, getting behind put we way behind in my posts. Tonight I am trying to catch up.Week 42 was actually the week immediately following my accident, way back in October. We were busy, trying to take care of my burns and trying to make sense of all the stuff we have in this house. Who am I kinding, we are still trying to make sense of the stuff. I kept my entries very simple, pictures and words.Documenting the healing process was also important for me. The top right photo is actually how my right hand looked in its first wrapping. The bottom right hand photo is actually one I grabbed off of Jessie's Facebook page. It is a photo taken by Seth's mom, I believe. She had a wonderful day on this Sunday and was so excited to share the details with me. I am so happy that I found a way to include her in our Project Life.Monday found us back at Crozer for my first outpatient visit. I have a photo here of the cheesecake we took home from the Cheescake Factory for a late dessert as well as the 2nd wrapping of my right arm. Mark took the bottom left hand photo of my impersonation of a high-strung bitty dog. I know it is a ridiculous looking photo, but if I cannot include such photos in my Project Life, where would they go?

The final photo is one of my signature self-portraits taken in front of Salt 'n Pepper in Philly on Mark's birthday.

That takes us to Week 43 and my first day "out." I didn't really last all day, but I made a valiant effort!Actually, Week 43 started on Saturday, the 22nd of October. We started by taking care of our technical trash by waiting in line for over an hour to dispose of an old tv and VCR. Then, it was over to Marlton and the Berry Basket Quilt Show. It was fun - I had not been to visit my quilting buddies since the accident and I had not been to a quilt shop. I was in heaven. We met my mom there, had lunch and really just enjoyed the show. It was during the show that we noticed a problem with my left hand and arm. The bandages were oozing and the dampness was really irritating the wounds. My hand was beyond sore. So, while Mark exchanged his birthday gift at LL Bean, I spoke with Dr. Ross at the burn center. My appointment was moved up to Monday and we set about our day.Sunday brought the moving of furniture and the putting together of furniture. Exhausting and difficult. I did manage to cook part of our meal on Sunday. I was allowed to place the sweet potatoes into the oven, but Mark would not allow me to take them out! I can't say that I blame him!Monday saw us back at the burn center. We had planned a visit to Bahama Breeze after our visit, but I was in such pain that I cried and begged Mark to take me straight home. Fortunately, he, being the calmer of the two of us, allowed me my break down and then drove us that way anyway. I just love Bahama Breeze! I spent the next few days recuperating from the debridement and trying to get ahead of the pain, again. We painted in Mark's office and spent our time on two different schedules. I took to napping whenever I was in too much pain or over-tired. We ate very few meals together and really seemed to operate in two different circles at this time. The very last photo for this spread is of our Autumn Splendor Maple as seen through the window in Mark's office. The tree is so big now and the leaves are gorgeous this time of year!

PROJECT LIFE 2012 UPDATE:

Well, the turquiose version and the amber version of Project Life are both available at Amazon at this time. Even the binders have arrived! The day after Thanksgiving I went ahead and ordered my Project Life supplies for 2012. I decided to go with the amber. Why? Well, for one thing, it was on sale. And, I was not sure that I could live with the boldness of the Cobalt version for an entire year. In any case, I love the colors in the amber set and I thought they would be a nice change.Although the kits were available the day after Thanksgiving, the binders were not. While I love the Project LIfe supplies, my binder did not hold up well during the year. I had decided a while back that I would order a solid color binder from We R Memory Makers and then I discovered that the Project Life Binders for this year are in fact made by We R Memory Makers. Hmmm. Well, before I discovered that I had already ordered a solid yellow leather binder. I actually thought I might tie a green gingham ribbon around the spine, I know - crazy thought. I am hoping that I will be happy with my decision. Right at the moment I am pleased that I have my supplies, at least the paper and page protectors.Making a commitment that lasts a whole year is big for me. I think I made the right choice!

Pulling it Together

Not that that's what's happening, but I can always dream, can't I?

The reality is, I have given up. That's right, for the first time in ten years I have cancelled my annual tree trimming party and it is breaking my heart. I just can't do it.

My accident coincided with the arrival of Mark and all of his belongings. Unfortunately, most of his belongings are right where they were when he first got here. There-in lies the problem!

The organizing of my house for the party takes all of my energy, even in a good year. This year I am a bit under-energized. Is that even a word? Really, most days it takes all of my energy to get out of bed, get through the work day, my physical therapy and well, that's about it.

So, we chip away at the house bit by bit. I am hoping to have one tree up by Friday so that my nieces can help me put on the ornaments. It is too big a job to decorate a 10 1/2 foot tree on my own. So, there will be a tree and the mantle will be decorated. But, the remaining six trees, they may stay packed away this year. And, I will be okay with that...I hope!

Small Business Saturday

Yesterday, Saturday, we took the day off. Yup, we did nothing in and around the house. We took the gorgeous weather as a sign that we were meant to be doing something out and about. So, out and about we went.

In actuality, the impetus for our journey was probably the Magical Mistletoe Tour being sponsored by a few of my favorite quilt shops, a good enough reason in my book!The quilt shops on the tour each offered a quilt pattern for one row of a holiday quilt. At The Little Shop the other day I picked up the row with presents. Yesterday, at Pennington Quilts, I picked up the tree row. Mark went to town with my camera inside Pennington Quilts. I love the holiday quilts in non-traditional colors. I also love some of the newer fabrics line featuring unusual color combinations.Pennington was the home of one of my favorite little restaurants, back in the day. I could never remember the name of the place, but yesterday, Mark figured it all out. I guess he got tired of me ranting on and on about the delicious soup. Apparently the restaurant is closed but the woman known for the soup now sells her soup at the Pennington Market. Guess where we headed next...Mushroom, butternut squash and a chicken soup all made the cut. We also picked up a fresh tropical salsa and had quite the feast in the car as we drove up to Clinton for our next quilt shop.True to form, I got lost on my way to Kindred Quilts, it always happens and I don't know why. This is one of my favorite quilt shops. Mark had never been to Clinton and it was just serendipitous that they were having their Dicken's Festival.

After picking up my quilt pattern and a couple of pieces of fabric we ventured "downtown" to take in the sights.Clinton is an old mill town. The mill sits proudly as a museum just on the other side of the river. The small bridge, which is always adorable, looked especially festive decked out in its holiday splendor. I love the soldiers and the pine roping.Main Street was also decked out for the holiday. They were even offering horse and buggy rides. I love the way the bells jingled as the horses clomped through downtown, carriages and shoppers in tow.Self-portraits are my thing. I can't resist taking a shot of Mark and I, especially when I can include a landmark in the photo. The old mill behind us is perfect for just this sort of shot!

Mark had a hankering for a burger at the Red Horse Cafe. Not that we had ever been there before, but it looked intriguing and, it was a small business. Perfect.Our dinner was delicious and the little cafe, quite homey with its still autumn decorations. 

The drive home took us into New Hope, Pennsylvania and down along the Delaware River. A bit of a detour but all good fun!

On our Saturday trek we supported local small businesses. The quilt shops, the Pennington Market, the Soup du Jour lady, the local coffee shop and the Red Horse Cafe. A very successful day in my book! Not to mention, it was fun! I can't wait for our next little adventure!

Thanksgiving

We gathered for Thanksgiving at my sister's house. Jason had taken the Chinatown bus down from New York City Thursday morning and we picked him up at the Patco station in town before heading over to Jen and David's. 

We had a wonderful day together. Delicious food, great company and football! Jason crashed during the football game and Sadie joined him. I think they both found the most comfortable place in the house!

Jessica was not with us this year for the holiday and I know I was not the only one that missed her. Mark joined us this year, our first Thanksgiving together!  Seemed strange not to have Jessica with us, but I know she had a wonderful time at her holiday celebration and I know we will all be together at Christmas.

Thanksgiving is Jason's favorite holiday and I think I would have to agree. There is something about a day set aside for the primary purpose of reflecting on all of our many blessings.

We have so much to be thankful for. Feeling truly blessed!

One More Visit

Today I was back at the burn center. Construction at the in-patient burn center appears to be complete and the facility appears to be up and running. What a blessing.

Christmas has arrived at Crozer. The place is looking pretty festive!Although my left hand is still sporting a bit more red than I would like, I wouldn't go so far as to call it festive. If it looks sore well, that's because it is. My thumb, in particular,is having a hard time healing.The problem is, I keep ripping the new skin from the back of my hand and thumb. Certainly not on purpose, it just seems to happen. On Sunday I was taking a box out to recycling and sliced my thumb. So not good. But, today Dr. Ross and Marla gave me a special spandex glove to protect my hand. I still need to use suntan lotion or spray everytime I head out, but the glove protects the skin from additional bumps, rips and bruises.Mark and I really feel at home in the out-patient burn center. We always get the same room and we always see the same people. I am so appreciative of the care that I have received and I know that my last visit to the center will be bittersweet. I have at least one more appointment scheduled, in two weeks. I need to be measured for a special glove that will help with the scar tissue on my left hand. Unfortunately, my left hand, the one I write with and sew with, was the hand that was the most damaged by the flames. Keeping it moving and healing with a minimum of scar tissue is going to be key in terms of being able to resume my "normal" activities. 

Tomorrow I am six weeks out from the accident and I am feeling really blessed that I have healed as rapidly as I have. My body still needs a tremendous amount of rest and, for the first time in my life, I am not going to fight it. I am going to do what I need to do!

Project Life, Week 41

As it turns out, Week 41 was the week Mark moved in and I had my little accident. The week started off really well. Saturday we did a bit of organizing in the house and some food shopping. We actually decided not to move anything in until we had a plan. Sunday Jason came over to help with the unloading of the truck. Everything from the truck fit either in the house or the garage and, we still had room to walk around. Amazing.Monday I made a stop at the post office after physical therapy. The maple trees were in glorious color, I just had to capture them with my camera. We spent a quiet night at home, I was exhausted from work and physical therapy, not to mention sore as can be. Tuesday started like any normal day. I was off to work by 8:20 and the day was really not too bad. I decided to cook one of my favorite recipes from the summer, roasted chicken thighs and root vegetables. Delicious.

Unfortunately, at some point, and I am really not sure when that happened, my shirt caught on fire. Well, I guess you could say the rest is history. The picture at the very top of the right page was taken in the emergency room at Virtua. Actually, both those pictures were. There are no photos of me in the emergency room at Crozer. I was taken by ambulance and because of the nature of the burn center, the rooms are kept sterile and the only items allowed in the treatment rooms are those sterilized tools and bandages used in the debridement and wrapping of the wounds.

The rest of the week passed in a blur. I can remember feeling pretty good on Wednesday, probably as a result of the drugs. Thursday reality hit home. I spent most of the time trying to get ahead of the pain, it did not go well. I had no idea how much it would hurt. I had no idea how tired I would be. I had no idea how long it would take until I was feeling better. It is now six weeks. I am just getting my energy back. I am just beginning to be productive. It was much harder than anything I have ever experienced.

I must say, that the photo of Mark and I in the bottom left hand corner, me sporting my new Mia look, is pretty good. My dear friend Robin stopped by on Friday bearing gifts from my colleagues at work and that made my day. I spent most of my time laying around praying for the throbbing to stop and worrying about the bandages on my belly wounds. I am so glad the worst of it is over. I am so happy that the feelings and emotions from that week are recorded here in my Project Life album. It helps me to be mindful of just how far I have come. Tonight I am feeling blessed.

 

Project Life, Week 40

Finally, I have made it to October. It has been a long haul. If you remember, the first week in October was the week my dear hubby was to move to NJ. Well, he did, I guess the rest is history. This is where I really began to be bogged down with my Project Life Album. Fortunately, that did not last for long.October 1st was the first day of Week 40, how serendipitous! I was still trying to organize and purge for my husband's arrival, not that I ever made any progress. Sunday was my birthday lunch out with my mom - we just love having lunch at the Robin's Nest in Mt. Holly. I especially loved the witch they had erected in honor of the Witches' Ball that takes place every year in Mill Race Village!Monday there was my visit with Bunkey and on my way, a rainbow! Sweet! Tuesday, my 53rd birthday. Bunkey and Rucci took me out to dinner - a great time was had by all! Mark was busy driving his way across country as I celebrated. My students presented me with flowers, so pretty and a definite bright spot in my classroom. Wednesday I started physical therapy for the bursitis in my hip and the problem with my rotator cuff. Thursday - postal love! I received the October kit, Field Guide, from Studio Calico. Can't wait to scrap! Mark and I talked on and off all day as he drove from Olney, Illinois straight through to New Jersey. I went to bed around midnight and he showed up at about 2:30am. So happy he is safe. The last photo for the week is a view of his rental truck from my rear-view mirror. Everything is falling into place. The rest of our lives begins, now!

Project Life, Week 39

Week 39 was also the last week in September. It was a very full week as weeks go. The weekend, the start of my Project Life week's brought more time spent trying to organize and purge. Something I absolutely am no good at. It was hopeless. The work week was interesting. No electricity at school for the first half hour or so on Monday made it a very strange day indeed. Then there was my sewing time after school with my dear friend Bunkey. Unfortunately very little sewing got done and we spent way too much time enjoying a very rich meal out. So pooped that I had to call it a night!Tuesday I received a gift from my principal, a book for my second grade classroom. I also found out that I was named Teacher of the Month for the month of October. Woohoo!Wednesday was the last day of school for the week due to the Jewish Holiday. I ran over to IKEA to pick up some items to help me organize. (Insert laugh!) I also had a great meal with Jason at the Devil's Den. Jason flew to Denver on Thursday for work. The last picture is a picture that one of his buddies posted on Facebook. Jason was tagged in the photo so I was able to steal it, so to speak. I have wanted to include pieces of my children's lives in my Project Life and this seemed a little too easy. I have done it several times since and I just love that I have a part of their stories in this album.

With Thanksgiving just a week away it seems that we should be getting close to the time where next year's Project LIfe items will be available. I can't wait to formulate a plan for next year. I just love the simplicity of the process and I absolutely love that so much of our lives is recorded, in story form. At my age I find that I forget the details just a bit too easily!

Postal Love

Yup, today I received some postal love. Unfortunately, when my favorite mailman knocked on my door, my husband answered. I know this because my husband told me that my "boyfriend" was looking for me. Ooops!

Well, if the truth be told, I probably order items that are delivered by the US Postal Service just so that I get to see my favorite postman. So sorry I wasn't home today!

But, lookie what I got! That's right, more scrapbooking stuff. Like I need more - but who's keeping track?Most of the items I ordered were on sale and can be used for a multitude of different projects, including my December Daily Album which I cannot wait to begin. I just love Jenni Bowlin and I just had to order her fall bingo cards. I am thinking of doing a Thanksgiving mini-album. You never know - it might just happen! At least I am ready should the time appear and the inspiration hit!

eleven - eleven - eleven

I just love the way today's date looks when it is written out in word form.

All in all it was a great day...

At exactly 11:11 am this was us;driving to Sandia Peak. A thirteen mile drive that took us to an elevation of 10,678 feet.