Scrappy Hearts

The View From Saturday

Celebrating My Son

Last night, Mark and I headed over to Philly to meet up with Jason at Monk's Cafe. Even though it was the evening of his birthday, he was working. Since he couldn't come out with us, we joined him. What fun we had. Drinking beer at Monk's, hanging out across from Doobies, riding shotgun in his new car and then dinner at REX 1516. Fun. Energizing. Exhausting. Everyone was celebrating Jason's birthday. Everyone was celebrating Jason.

The common theme for the evening, "he is a blessing." Many people sought me out, introduced themselves to me and then let me know how happy they were that I had Jason that day, 28 years ago. "Thank you," they said, "We just love him."

How it warms my heart.

The truth is, I knew what a gift he was from the very moment he was born. I consider myself very fortunate to have been chosen to be his mother. I have been awesomely blessed with this little family of mine. And, we in turn, have been blessed to have each other. Here's to Jason and Jessica with a special thank you for making me the person I am today.

Just Terrific!

Today that is, truly terrific!

It all started with the gift of a flower from one of my students and it broughtback such memories. Did you ever do that, wrap a flower stem in a wet paper towel and then wrap it in foil? I know I did! Well, my little friend did the same thing today! How sweet the gesture!It survived the day at school and made it to my kitchen windowsill. How pretty it looks! It just makes me smile.

Then, quite unexpectedly, one of my students asked if he could give me a hug today. I was shocked. He has a spectrum disorder, avoids touch and has difficulty expressing his emotions. I gave him a hug and then he told me how much he likes me and that he wanted to show me with a hug. Wowsa! Today was a banner day as far as I'm concerned!

Two more days this week and 48 until summer, hoping for many more like today!

Project Life 2013, Week 14

Yippee! It is well before dinner and I have my Project Life spread done for last week. I cannot believe it! Actually, it was quite easy to pull last week together, there were very few pictures taken! I really wanted to include some photos from Jess, but until I get my printer working, that is a bit of a process. I consoled myself by saying, I can always add more!As you can see, by the title card in the upper left hand corner, I made a mistake. I did what any like minded person would do, I covered it up! Sunday I spent some serious time in my studio cleaning and organizing, I love when I can see the carpet and very few piles!

Monday and Tuesday I spent some serious time trying to pull together my Project Life spread for the week during my spring break. Since my printer was not working, that deciding what photos to order before I was really ready. I think, when all is said and done, I will probably need to do a mini-album to capture all of the stories from our little visit to Long Island!

On Tuesday, the daffodils finally bloomed. That warranted at least a couple of photos! The balance of this week's spread features photos taken on Friday evening. It is all about Bunkey!

My dear friend was forced into early retirement due to her diagnosis of neuro-endocrine cancer. It was devastating to her. So, instead of wallowing in self-pity, she registered for college to get her degree in fine arts. Now, she already has her masters degree and her doctorate in nursing, so it's not like she's a slacker, but she was determined to re-invent her life. On Friday we ventured over to the spring art show where she had two pieces selected for display. When all was said and done, she was awarded first prize in mixed media for her mini villages quilt, Anguilla. As if that wasn't enough, Mark and I then ventured over to The Village Quilter where Bunkey also had her first Little Jo's quilt on display. The bottom line is, the right page is all about Bunkey, and it needed to be just that!In the end, I will be adding a few of the instagrams that Jessie posted from her week, but I am happy that the balance is done. As spring moves towards summer, there seems to be more projects and less time. Staying on top of Project Life is a goal for me.

Again today I will be linking up over at The Mom Creative. Ali Edwards has some recent posts featuring her Project Life pages as she catches up from a slow start this year. Don't forget, if you want to learn more about Project Life, please stop over at Becky Higgins website.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week!

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At least I am hopeful! The weather was gorgeous today and I think that helped!

I left work once I was able, and headed out to take care of business. The food shopping. Then it was home where Mark had made a delicious dinner. We are really embracing our new vegan lifestyle and Mark enjoys trying out new recipes that he creates on the fly. Fortunately, he has real talent in the kitchen and the food is usually delicious!

Next up, fixing the printer. I have been at a loss since my photo printer started to give me problems once again. I think I have it figured out, but now it doesn't seem to be reading the printer cartridges. So, I decided to upload my photos for Project Life, Week 14. I will pick them up after work at Walgreens tomorrow and then the spread will be complete!

Then, the pool and 700 yards, which went pretty well considering all the complaining Jackie and I did!

Now, home and ready to head to bed. Tonight I am snuggling up with a baby quilt that I hope to have finished by Wednesday. Here's to creating balance, completing projects, making time to exercise and just enjoying this magical life!

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Right Now...

working in the yard,

quilting, by hand, a birthday present,

sewing the binding on a few projects,

preparing for a busy week between school, training and outside commitments,

grateful for the late arrival of spring,

contemplating a change in my training schedule,

getting ready to celebrate birthday month with my kiddos,

roasting more vegetables than I ever thought I would,

savoring our new vegan lifestyle,

welcoming more sunlight into the house,

reading The Magical Path,

planning for a weekend away with my BFF,

anticipating the 5K in Washington DC next weekend,

folding the last of the laundry,

celebrating a magical life.

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Back to Running

Tonight is was back to running. Actually, since I have merged my 10K and my tri training, it was supposed to be a bike, run brick. No such luck. 

Tonight was a 76 minute interval run with the longest and the fastest time coming at the end of the 76 minutes. But, I did it. 6.25 miles in 76 minutes with 14 minutes of walking thrown in for good measure. Not bad. Tonight I am feeling like I could possibly run the 5 mile vineyard run this weekend, so glad that I don't have to!

My event schedule has just added another run. In April I have a 5K in Washington DC on the 13th and the 5 mile vineyard run on the 28th. So far May only has the tri on the 26th. June has a 5K on the 7th in the evening, a mock tri on the 22nd and a tri on the 29th. The summer is light on events while we try to figure out exactly where we will be, but the fall is really shaping up. Looking at 1 tri, a 5K trail run and the Philly Rock and Roll Half marathon, finishing with the Bridge Run the first weekend in November. Provided my knees and my hips hold out, all is good!

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Project Life 2013, Week 13, Not Quite

This week's spread has been difficult to pull together. The week ended with a road trip out of town and combine that with a non-working printer, it makes for a very difficult job to pull my Project Life spread together in a way that truly tells our story. So, here it is, partially complete.This is actually the left page with the back of a 6x12 insert on top. The end of last week, which was also my spring break, brought a couple of events that warrant a bit more story-telling, both with words and pictures. I couldn't figure that all out after working today, our meeting with our investment person, a 500 yard swim and school work. Not to mention a quilt that needs to be finished for a quilt show on Saturday, just a bit too much. So I will let it rest for a couple of days.

So far, I have decided that the photos from our Thursday evening in Philly, with Jason would be included in a 6x12 page protector along with a 4x6 journaling card. That seems fine so far...Friday we took a road trip to Long Island, by way of Brooklyn to pick up Jessie. I thought that I had ordered photos that woud allow me to include one larger insert with photos. I thought the front could include Friday photos, and the back would include Saturday photos, but that was not working! Too many little stories from those two days! I will probably have to minimize what I include in Project Life, and then create a mini-album to share the complete story. I will ponder that thought while I work on a couple of other projects that are a bit more important at the moment.My original thought did not work. Above is the insert with photos from Friday and Saturday and none of it really flows. I must rethink this!Above is the unfinished right page and well...the rest is to be decided. Not to worry, I am not feeling any pressure. I am just at the wondering stage, and that will soon pass!

I wonder what you do when the spread doesn't "work out" the way you had envisioned it?

Tonight I will be posting over at The Mom Creative and I will post the finished pages when they are actually, finished!

Quotes I Love

“I glanced out the window

at the signs of spring.

The sky was almost blue,

the trees were almost budding,

the sun was almost bright.” 

― Millard Kaufman, Bowl of Cherries