Scrappy Hearts

Project Life, Week 4

Here it is, Week Four, in all of its glory. I had a bit of trouble printing out photos this week so I wasn't able to pull it all together until this evening, but here it is! I really like the ability of printing photos at home, and for a project like this, I think it is the ability to print that helps me to stay on track with my weekly spreads.This year I decided to include the number of the week on the date card. I was so confused last year when I got behind that I didn't know which week was which. Unfortunately, that is something that happens even when I am not working on a project. I like the way the added information gives me a little something creative to add to my weeks without being overwhelming.

Week Four started on the last day of the NFL playoffs. The Giants won in overtime which caused me to get online, after the game, to order NFC Championship shirts. Sunday we were supposed to continue our training program, but there was still snow on the ground so we stayed indoors and made shortbread. Yum!

Monday was difficult, it always is. I am not a morning person. Lately I have been sleeping extremely late on the weekends which makes Mondays just a bit more difficult. Tuesday, another work day and then, physical therapy. The sky was absolutely gorgeous so I snapped a picture through the windshield and managed to capture the essence of the sunset. Wednesday, we ran. I think that says it all. I think I should also mention that I had a parent meeting afterschool. I didn't get home until after 5 and still, we ran. Yippee for us!Wednesday also allowed for a bit of sewing. Not really sewing, but a bit of cutting and planning. I don't bother to set up the iron, I just use a towel on top of the washer. Works just as well for what I need and it is very easy to set up and put away. Definitely a win win.

Thursday I always get excited for Friday. Just one more day of work and then Saturday! Friday we had a date night. Bobby's Burger Palace was delicious and then, reward dollar shopping. I just love shopping with my reward money!

The final day of the week, Saturday, sent me off to Joanne Fabrics for the felt and tulle needed for the applique class I am taking this Thursday with friends. I am so excited! The rest of the day was stay at home and organize. I am really making a bit of headway which makes me feel good. Oh, there was a bit of running and then back to organizing. This trying to get in shape is taxing on the body!

So, there it is, Week Four! I am liking the Amber Kit more and more as time passes. Originally I was afraid that the colors would be too bright, but it seems to work. Next year, I am definitely getting the Clementine Kit. It is a bit more subtle and I think it lends itself to black and white photos just a bit better. 

Things are Changing

Sometimes I don't think that's such a good thing.

Sometimes it is, I guess it is all perspective. But, this thing I'm talking about, not so good.

I have begun to eat like my husband. You know, proteins and carbs at every meal. Dinner every night. What's with that?

My body is excitedly taking it all in, and keeping it all in. My clothes are getting tight and new ones are not in the budget. So, I have to up my physical activity, yet again. I now have a seven day pass to LA Fitness, perhaps that's the ticket. Well, we will see...this will become my new mantra:

Exercise to stimulate, not to annihilate. The world wasn't formed in a day, and neither were we. Set small goals and build upon them.

Lee Haney

Not Quite Ready to Run

Today we completed day 2, of week three, of the Couch 2 5K program. This is harder than I thought it would be. I am hoping to build some stamina over the next couple of weeks because today was just a bit too hard. Really, it would be so easy to quit at this point but I am committed to completing the program. Anyway, we have a race to run and it's coming up! Wish me luck.

First Date Night - 2012

Not really sure if you could consider this a date night, but it was great getting out for a quick bite and just enjoying each others company. Mark had been hankering for a burger so off we went to try out Bobby's Burger Palace over at the Cherry Hill Mall.

I couldn't believe that they serve up a burger just the way I like it no roll, with a salad. Yum!Mark ordered an LA Burger with a vanilla milkshake, while ordered up a Dallas Burger, topless which comes on a salad. Delish!

A quick stop in the mall with reward dollars yielded a shirt for me and a rice cooker for the hubby. Then it was home for a viewing of Shop Around the Corner. Love that movie.

All in all, a great evening. TGIF

New Beginnings

There is a thrill that comes from new beginnings that cannot be matched by any other experience. Tonight, I am searching my stash and gathering my supplies for yet another new beginning and I am beyond excited!Just one week from today I will be trying something entirely new, landscape applique, and I can't wait. Tonight I spent my time searching for usable fabrics in my stash and pulling together different color schemes. I would really like my "Happy Village" to be a seaside village in beautiful shades of blues and turquoise but, what I found were mostly earthy tone-colored fabrics. Perhaps an autumn themed village is in the works. Hmmm, I could even include some pumpkins! Sew excited, excuse the pun, to learn something new. Color me happy! 

Picture Pause

Not sure what "pause" would look like in a picture, but I am thinking it might look a little like this. Tonight, after our Couch to 5K run and dinner, I am looking forward to "pausing" just a bit. Taking it very easy, this middle of the week evening, grateful for the opportunity to "pause", just a bit.

Project Life, Week 3

Have I mentioned how much I love Project Life? Well, this week is proof positive that it works for me.Keeping up to date on anything is a challenge for me. Even, at times, I have difficulty maintaining my journaling for my Project Life. But, it is manageable. I can catch up if I fall behind a day. I also in the habit of taking pictures every day so, I always have something to talk about. 

Week 3, started with a football Sunday - love those. We also managed another day of running the Couch to 5K program. Sundays are my favorite day. But Week 3, also had a Monday off. Yippee! One of my photos for this week I downloaded from someone elses post on Facebook. I love the headstone announcing the Green Bay Packers death by the NY Giants!Sewing was a large part of my life during this week. I finally set my machine back up and took to sewing the bindings on quilts that have been sitting here since before the accident. Hand sewing has been recommended by the therapist that has been handling my wound care at the burn center so, handsewing it is. I didn't realize how out of shape my left hand really was, especially my thumb. It really hurts to sew, but the alternative is not an option.

Jason and I had a much needed date night during this week. We visited one of our favorite spots, The Devil's Den. Friday night I fell asleep sewing. The bottom picture on the left is Emma's quilt that I was sewing on top of my quilt from the same pattern. Saturday brought the first snow of the year and the delivery of Emma's quilt to her. I still may add an insert into this week that features the photos taken of all the daisy chain quilts with their respective owners.About Project Life 2012. I do not have the monthly dividers as they were out of stock at the time I ordered my Project Life kit. At this point in time, while I love the dividers in my 2011 album, I am thinking of using a 6x12 page protector, that I fill with a scrapped something, to indicate the change in months. We'll have to see where this project takes me this year! 

Notes from a Marriage - Nine Months In

Boy oh boy. Nine months, and they said it wouldn't last! Ha!Actually, no one said it wouldn't last. I think they said, "she'll drive him crazy." And, perhaps I have. But, nine months in and things are going well.

We have negotiated space in this small house and are very happy with the results. We have both decided, simultaneously but not together, to hold off on any more work in the house. We feel the need to get into a routine and see how we actually live and use the house before we try anymore organizing.

Mark is busy writing, every day and he has a handle on the bills. That was a job I hated! Me, I still go to work teaching second graders, but I no longer have to do all of the household chores myself. That being said, I do love laundry and vacuuming. We take turns cooking and my husband always does the dishes. Another one of those chores that I despise. Me, I always take out the trash, another chore I enjoy, go figure!

I am trying to learn to relax, that's not going to well, but I have taken the time to do what I want on many occasions and that is refreshing. Together we have started the Couch to 5K program, not that we love running, we are trying to keep active. Our first race on March 17th, we'll see if we make it.

We have started attending yoga once a week, which we do love. We try to spend some quality time together everyday. That is not always easy but, we make the attempt.

And, from my perspective, nine months in, things are looking pretty good!

I Made Her Day

And I had fun!

Today I delivered Miss Emma's Daisy Chain quilt to her and she was thrilled. Now we all have our Daisy Chains, that is me and the girls. Emma says we still need to make one for her mom, Aunt Suzy, Mema and Jessica. I think she just likes shopping for fabric, not that I blame her!

Here we all are, me and the girls, and our daisy chain quilts.Mine was the first, then Amanda's, then Liv's and finally, Em's. I think this is a better shot of the quilts themselves!Finally, a photo that allows you to really see what Emma's quilt really looks like.Now it is time to tackle another project. I have pages of projects in progress and it feels so good to be sewing again. I need to get going so that I can send more of these quilts on their merry way. 

WooHoo! Date Night!

Yup it was. The first date night with number one son since the accident. Boy did we have fun. Lots of catching up to do. Lots of football talk. Lots of just us and it was great. Our old hang out was busy, put we were able to secure a table by the fire which was nice and cozy on a chilly night like tonight.Catching up and sharing schemes is always good. I just love my Jason!