Scrappy Hearts

Six Months Ago

Six months ago I was learning to negotiate the fine art of marital co-habitation.

Six months ago I was just starting back to work after a burn accident that taxed my body both physically and emotionally.

Six months ago I was starting back to physical therapy to restore range of motion to my right arm and right leg due to bursitis in both.

Six months ago I could not run for 60 seconds.

Today, feeling very blessed for all of the changes that have taken place during the past 6 months and now, feeling ever so grateful for this life I am fortunate enough to live.

Project Life, Week 19

Week 19, I cannot believe how quickly this year is flying by! After completing this week's spread I began to notice that we a doing more during our weekday evenings. Must be as a result of spring and the longer days. This week was no exception.Sunday we spent time on the much needed yard work. I even let Mark do a little bit of mowing. That is so not like me, but as I get older I realize I cannot do it all. And, to be honest, it is nice to have someone to share the outside chores.

Monday I worked hard at school to get my desk cleared off and ready for Tuesday. I cannot say the same for the tables in my classroom, but my desk is definitely clean! Tuesday I decided to take a self-portrait of myself in my bedroom mirror immediately after taking my run. My running schedule is pretty much what it has been through the winter with Monday always being a day off. I need to revamp my training and mix it up a bit. For now I am just happy to keep running in my schedule with everything else that seems to be added.Wednesday evening was the fundraiser for Amanda's Panda's, my nieces walk team for Autism Speaks. We took the ride out to Southampton and squeezed in a trip to the Green Top Market, and for dessert, the Evergreen!

Late Wednesday evening Mark's friend arrived from Seattle so Thursday was an out to dinner evening. I love the way our table was reserved, a pink post-it with Mark's name. The meal was delicious. It is not often we go out for Thai food and we always have a great meal. A little time was spent hanging out on our stone patio, sharing a couple of glasses of wine. Very relaxing.

Saturday was a full day. Mark brought me flowers and french cruellers for breakfast. A very long visit to Home Depot, yard work, a home cooked meal and an evening at the theater. I love that we have season tickets to the Ritz. It is always a good night out and the shows are always enjoyable. A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is particularly funny and they did a terrific job with it!Week 19 included journaling and pictures. Not much more was needed and that makes me happy. Simple is best! I for one am happy that I now have a place to put our playbills, I have too many stored in boxes to continue that method of organization.

I stopped by Jenny Myerson's blog this evening and she too kept this week simple. What I find most important is the journaling of the everyday stories of our lives. When I have time to scrap more completely, it is the stories that I will most appreciate.

As usual, I am going to share my link over at The Mom Creative where Jessica has shared her pages from Week 18. I love her use of inserts and stickers on the smaller photos. It makes for a very appealing spread. I am hoping that I will have an opportunity to take a look at other people's posts from this week, I just love to see all of the creativity and to soak up the ideas.

As always, if you are the least bit interested in Project Life, I urge you to check out Becky Higgins' site. I just love recording our family happenings this way. Takes the stress out of the process and allows me to go with the flow. Just love it!

Flurry of Activity

That was my kitchen yesterday, Mother's Day. Jason was busy at the stove working on a reduction, Mark spun between the stove and the counter making the potatoes, and me, well, I put the beans on the stove and settled back with a great glass of wine.

Everyone in the kitchen. That's just where all the great times happen!

Quote for Today

When I say be creative,

I don't mean you should all go and become

great painters and great poets.

I simply mean

let your life be a painting,

let your life be a poem.

-- Osho

On the Wall

To be honest, since last Thursday evening, nothing has changed on the wall. Now, that doesn't mean that nothing is getting done, it just means that not enough has gotten done.

In a manner of speaking.

But, plenty has been accomplished. I have moved forward on my 30's Thangles blocks. No new ones have been completed, but I am busy working on the half square triangles.That all happens right here on my washing machine. And, that takes a great deal of time.

The other reason I have fallen a bit behind on my sewing is the the current state of my sewing table. It is not conducive to getting work done.Many other things have been accomplished, just not sewing. So, tonight I will spend a bit of time unearthing the machine and perhaps something will be sewn. In any case, I keep moving forward.

Amanda Panda

When my niece Amanda suggested to her mom that they start their own walk team for Autism Speaks, my sister jumped on board wholeheartedly. They are now in their 3rd year and the support she receives from the community is heartwarming.

Tonight we attended a "dine-out" for Amanda's Pandas at The Red Lion Inn in Southampton. The owner, Steve, has been a long time friend of Amanda's Pandas. Last year he supported the team with their first ever "dine-out", and this year he graciously offered to host three nights of support. Mark and I drove out to The Red Lion Inn where we were happy to support Amanda and her team. Her mom and sister, Em, were along for support. But it was Amanda really took charge. She set up her table and spoke to nearly everyone that entered the restaurant. That is huge for a child with a diagnosis of autism. It just goes to show you what is possible with a little help from friends and family. 

Speaking of friends, if anyone is interested in supporting our team, we will be walking at Bishop's Gate on Rt 38 in Mt. Laurel, on May 19th for Autism Speaks. Consider joining us, the more the merrier!

Project Life, Week 18

Run the Vineyards was the first day of week 18. We had such fun and did really well. Mark and I were both #1 in our age groups. Terrific accomplishment. I was just happy to have run the entire 5 miles. Afterwards, we sipped wine and just relaxed. It was a beautiful day and it was good to be outside in it!

My layout for this week was a bit different. I wanted to include the race results for both of us, so I added and 8.5 x 11 page protector for them and then I needed a place for our bibs.Mark had taken a great photo that included me in the background and I really liked it. I had it printed 8 x 10 and placed it in a page protector facing the race results.

On the back side of that protector I included our bibs and timing chips.Other than the race, it was a rather ordinary week. Monday I made a stop at the Little Shop, not sure now what was looking for. Hmm. It was also our last night for free iced tea at Dunkin' Donuts. Tuesday, after work and dinner, and a run, Spoon Me for two-punch Tuesday. It is very expensive, but delicious.Wednesday was an ordinary day at work and a pleasant evening at home. We had planned on a movie to take advantage of the $5 price on Wednesday. We saw Footnote, which we enjoyed. Since dinner was late, we decided to pass on the popcorn. A movie just isn't the same without popcorn. Just sayin'. Thursday saw the return of the Craft Girls Get-Together. Bunkey and I had planned on getting together and Sharon joined us after a very rough day. She actually saved a visiting teacher's life. A really scary experience. We shared cupcakes before she headed home to de-stress. Bunkey and I sewed and I managed to squeeze in a 3 mile run.

Friday, we stopped at Fridays and enjoyed a meal with a coupon for a free entree. After that it was a couple of errands. A stop at the Asian market and the surplus book store before heading home to watch The Holiday. I loved that movie. I think it was because I loved the houses in England. I could definitely live there if the climate was more inviting. I ended the day with the latest issue of Quilt Shop Sampler. A perfect Friday evening.

Saturday, National Scrapbooking Day. Cindy and Eileen joined me for our second annual celebration. We had such fun and I believe we accomplished a great deal! I did a page that I absolutely love. I also started to put the finishing touches on my summer mini album and my week in the life album from last July. At least now the cover has a title.

I am still working on my Week in the Life Album from a few weeks ago. Trying to decide on a layout. My old photo finisher is out of business and I am searching for a place that will do high-quality square photos. Well, I have time with it!

I am busy preparing for company, so I did not have a chance to see what others have posted this week. I am going to share my link over at The Mom Creative where there is a guest post by a member of the Project Life Design Team.

As always, if you are the least bit interested in Project Life, I urge you to check out Becky Higgins' site. I just love recording our family happenings this way. Takes the stress out of the process and allows me to go with the flow. Just love it!

Today

Was just a regular sort of Sunday here at home. I changed the sheets on the bed, did the laundry and graded some papers. Then it was time for the outside work...

Mark convinced me to let him do a bit of mowing so I acquiesced. He did a darn good job.The yard is looking pretty good, but it is going to require a bit of weekday work on my part to get it looking really great. Tonight I am making a list of plants to purchase and drawing a picture of the yard and deciding where to put planters. But, as of today, this is the way the yard looks. That makes me happy!

National Scrapbooking Day

Today National Scrapbooking Day was celebrated here in our house. Well, Mark didn't exactly celebrate with us, but he did handle the grocery shopping so that I could get the house ready. We couldn't have partied without his help.

This was the same little group that gathered last year, Cindy, Eileen and I. We all contributed to the food and we all had projects to complete, or begin. It was good to be together again. I haven't scrapped in ages, and I don't think I have seen my friends in months. We had a good time. So good in fact, that I failed to take a photo. 

I worked on my summer mini album, keeping a list of photos that I need to print. Then I moved onto my Week in the Life Album, 2011. I started the pages for the 2012, Week in the Life Album and finally, I did a challenge layout from Big Picture Classes Creative Crop. I love my layout and I am happy that I was able to tell the story of my children's relationship. I am still downstairs scrapping and that feels good.

On the Wall

Well, as you can clearly see, the patriotic quilt is still on the wall. I am really struggling with the best way to pull it all together since the measurements in the directions really do not work. I decided not to stress about it and just move onto another project.

Actually, I have several projects in the works. But, new on the wall is 6 months of my 30's buck a block from 2009, I think. I am loving how the little squares are turning out. I have been very methodical about the trimming and sizing of the blocks and it has truly paid off. The blocks seem to be going together effortlessly. They look so cute!

I have six more months of blocks to complete. Then, each of the blocks receives a star border before being joined together into the quilt top with the sashing and cornerstones. This is one quilt I really can't wait to complete!