Scrappy Hearts

One Year Ago

Actually, it was a year ago on April 2nd, but really, life has been busy! So, there I was, one year ago, attending a meeting of our small service organization, South Jersey for Change. Sitting, minding my own business, helping to plan upcoming events when it happened. Yup, out of the blue, I met Mr. Right. Mind you, I had no idea at the time. Actually, if you ask my friend Robin, she might tell you that I was doing everything I could to discourage further contact. But it happened. So one year ago I met this wonderful man.

And so, here we are. One year later finds us on a ferry traveling from one small island in North Carolina to a little town called Southport. I love seaside towns. I love taking ferries from one place to another. I love taking hokey self-portraits.

And I love Mark, for many reasons. He is kind, caring and with him I am more completely me. Yup, one year ago I met Mr. Right. I am one lucky lady!

Hanging with the Clown

Today our service organization, South Jersey for Change, volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House in Camden. Our job was to prepare dinner for the 40 or so guests that currently reside at the house. Eleven of our members volunteered and prepared a meal that was out of this world. Everything from grilled chicken and veggie burgers, baked beans, grilled squash, fresh peaches and a multitude of other dishes not limited to salads and pasta. Truly, our members out did themselves once again.  The best part of the evening, sharing time and laughing together while providing a very much appreciated service.
Ronald McDonald House provides a safe haven for families with children suffering from catastrophic illness. We met families dealing with infant heart disease, cancer and other life threatening diseases. How blessed we were to serve and have the opportunity to put our own lives and issues in perspective.  We are truly the benefactors of this type of service.
I consider myself blessed to be a part of such a committed group of people that believe, collectively, we can truly make a difference.

Saturday

Today brings with the chore of moving 3 tons of stone.  I know that it's not Saturday's fault but I was dreading the morning.  I think that perhaps it was harder to get out of bed today knowing that the stone needed to be moved. I will admit, the stone is pretty and once it is moved, the hardscaping in my yard will be done. For the most part, that is unless I have any other bright ideas!

I think it will really make the seating area/patio look great. My brother-in-law is picking up the first of my Adirondack chairs this weekend. Perhaps by the middle of this week I will be able to sit and relax in a finished garden.

Tomorrow is the Yard Sale and Band Concert sponsored by South Jersey 4 Change. I am so happy to be able to clean out the garage and send the stuff over to the sale. Yesterday I emptied one carload and my car is packed and ready to go today. There are just a few more boxes to go through in the garage. If you are in the area tomorrow stop by - lots of good stuff for a very good cause. We will be taking over the little strip mall where SJ Java is located. Parking will be at the building next door. A portion of the  money raised will go to purchasing the food that we will use to serve dinner to the current residents of the Ronald McDonald House in Camden, one night in August. Here's the inside of SJ Java after I unloaded my car. Poor Wes, it was his job to move it to storage.

This past week was very productive as well as fun. I introduced Amanda and Emma to s'mores. Emma knew exactly how to construct a s'more because of Max and Ruby, a show she watches. She wasn't so sure about toasting the marshmallow but in the end it was all good!

Gotta love the face of someone enjoying a s'more. Well, it's off to move the stone and clean the garage! Enjoy your Saturday!

Simple Quilts

With the help of Simple Quilts and many volunteers, SJ for Change managed to sew 82 quilts that were donated today to Project H.O.P.E. in Camden. A phenomenal success and a really enjoyable time.  Marjie had everything so well organized and everyone got right to work at 9:30 this morning. By the time 4:30 rolled around we were finished with the quilts and just cleaning the balance of the room we used at the library. 

 This is what 30 quilts looked like at 4:00. It was such a rewarding experience to see so many people from so many walks of life working together for a common goal.

So proud of the work we did. A special thank you to everyone that donated fabric, sheets and other linens. I am hoping that we will have the opportunity to do this again sometime soon.

Now I think its time to lay in the hammock!

Good night.

It has been a good night. Did the lawn and the trimming before the rain - yay! Did some food shopping so that I have fruits and veggies in the house - yay! Stopped at the Scrapbook Station where they have in the new Bazzill Swiss Dot cardstock - double yay! (Also 25% off everything!)

Now I am packing up the car and getting ready for the SJ for Change and Simple Quilt service project tomorrow.  I have all my sewing machines ready to pack in the car - just need to find the walking feet. My trunk is filled with donated bedding of all kinds and there is more in the garage that needs to make it to the car. So excited that this is happening tomorrow.  Our goal is to make 50 quilts to donate to Project H.O.P.E. If you are in the area of the CH Library on Saturday and have a little bit of time - stop by.  As they say, the more the merrier.

I am happy to have this weekend off. Plan to do some gardening and catch up on the housework. I have also set a goal to remove more of the wallpaper in the downstairs bathroom. I also plan to just spend some time enjoying my yard. I am loving the way my roses have really blossomed.

I think I need to plant this shrub rose all over the back yard. I am loving the color. I think pink roses are one of my favorite flowers, them and daisies.  Well, I had better get back to the task at hand. Tomorrow morning will come awfully early and I am so not a morning person.

The Cutest Quilt Shop Ever

Today I visited the Mullica Hill Quilt Companyfor two reasons, one - I had never been there and two - I was trying to secure support the service project currently being undertaken by South Jersey for Change and Simple Quilts.  Annette, the owner, was very receptive to our project and will promote it to her customers.  I left her with about 20 flyers in the hope that with her help we will be able to garner enough interest to have quilters show up at our event.  I suggested to her that perhaps it can be considered a road trip.  If three or four quilters volunteer from each shop in the area then I am sure that we have enough people to complete the project.  50 quilts in one day is a lofty goal that I am sure we will meet.

When I think of owning a quilt shop - it's on my list of things to do, I envision a shop that looks like this.  I also want my quilt shop to feel like this, welcoming, helpful and available (if a shop can be). You know the kind of place I mean - the place that feels like an old friend.  More than anything, during tough economic times, I believe that the small business owner that creates a welcoming helpful atmosphere will do well in spite of the economy.  Heaven knows quilters have to quilt. Annette is only open 2 years but already has quite a following and it is not hard to see why. I wish her the best of luck and thank her for helping South Jersey for Change pull together our little quilting event.

Responsibility

When we teach about government in the 4th grade, we talk about the responsibilities of citizens in a democracy.  How important it is for each and every person to do "their" part, to speak up when injustice is seen and to lend a hand whenever possible.  Some of my 4th graders get it, not all adults get it. I am blessed to have connected with a group of like minded adults and I am so excited about our upcoming project.  South Jersey for Change and Simple Quilts are working together to benefit Project H.O.P.E. in Camden.  The goal is to create 50 quilts that will be distributed among the homeless in South Jersey.  Not the pieced together two years in the process kind of quilts, but simple quilts designed to be warm and serviceable. We have made arrangements to rent the large community room in the Cherry Hill library on May 30th.  What we need: volunteers to help cut, sew, and gather materials to create the quilts, donations of clean used bedding, sheets, tablecloths, washable draperies, fabric, mattress pads, bedskirts, etc.  As you do your spring cleaning please keep us in mind.  I will gladly pick up any material you wish to donate.  Join us by volunteering your time, our next meeting will be May 7th at 7PM, at South Jersey Java, 1201 Haddonfield Berlin Road.  You can also drop off any materials you would like to donate at SJ Java while you stop in for a cup of coffee or a latte.  Email me if you have any questions and I will forward you our flyer.  Or better yet, email me if you would like to volunteer your time.  We are looking for about 40 participants on the 30th - I will be there and I hope to see you!  Here are just a few photos of our last meeting:

I am so happy to have found this group, please consider joining us - you will be glad you did!