Holding on to What is Most Meaningful

Last weekend I decided to have a garage sale despite the high temperatures that have been lingering for way too long. 

The prior weekend my husband and I had another go at the garage that never stops being a catchall for everything and anything. It was then that I decided what I would put out for sale along with some house items and furniture. 

I don't find it hard to get rid of things that have lost their usefulness except when it comes to my kids; no matter how old they get, almost 15 and 25, there stuff is sentimental because it is reminiscent of their childhood and coming of age years. 

Thinking back, those years and experiences tugs at my heart in unexplainable ways. I look at pictures and I just melt and want to go back in time. They grow up so fast! 

  

Despite the difficulty parting with sentimental things like my youngest's glider where we spent hours feeding, reading and gently gliding him to sleep, it was time to say goodbye.

Still in his room, only used to rest laundry waiting to be put away. Taking up way too much space in his small bedroom just no longer made sense. I had to let go and he couldn't care less.

So off the glider went with a lot of other things that no longer being used, hopefully to create new and beautiful memories for another family. I feel good about simplifying and making room for only the cherished memories and the most meaningful remnants of my life and nothing more. 

Do you struggle with letting go? Any suggestions for making the process easier? 

Another Journal to Fill

I created yet another journal that I hope will be filled with memories, reflection, random thoughts or whatever her fancy. It was a present for my mother for Mother's Day.

My mother's faith is a significant part of who she is so I used scrabble pieces and paper clips to form the section dividers. She loved it!!! And I loved making it.  

The best part is I used found objects found around my home.  It started with a box I repurposed from a package I received. It was the perfect size for the cover.

I layered the front and back with muslin using mod podge

to make the cover sane as I did for this one.

I used a scrapbook paper on the inside cover.

The library pocket was made from the corner of a manilla envelope. These days, I look at the mail I receive in a whole new way. Anything can be repurposed and upcycled.  I found a template for the library cards which I printed 4 to a page on heavy cardstock.

I couldn't find paper the exact size that I needed so I cut and trimmed  pages from a  half used composition notebook. 

Included labels and photos from her younger days to spark writing content.

Soon after I completed  it,  I was shopping at TJ Maxx and stumbled upon color pencils wrapped in a fabric holder that was almost identical to the cover! I thought they would be a nice compliment to the journal.

I have a thing for notebooks and journals with blank pages to fill and I love repurposing odds and ends to create something meaningful. There are so many ideas rattling around inside my head so I think I found yet another creative obsession calling:)

What creative obsession that is currently monopolizing your thoughts?

A Mother's Day Tribute

On this Mother's Day, I would like to pay tribute to my mom, Sara Mae. She grew up in Mount Union, Pennsylvania and had dreams that extended beyond the opportunities available in this small town.

Right after high school and three short months after her dad passed away, she took a job in Elgin IL at a publishing company for two years. It was there that she was introduced to a lady that helped her obtain a scholarship to McPherson College. With $100 saved, she traveled to Kansas by train, later to find out it was a partial scholarship and her savings was not nearly enough to cover her expenses. In addition to her studies she took on whatever jobs she could acquire to support herself and finance her education. She assisted the house mother at her dorm, cleaned a professor's home, ironed shirts for a doctor and worked in the cafeteria. She did whatever it took to make it through and she did just that.

Despite all those jobs, she graduated in 1950, on time!

Her mom, Rachel, had only a third grade education and yet her daughter was able to support herself and navigate college life and make it through successfully. Proud of Sara Mae, Rachel made the 1000+ mile drive with her classmates' parents to attend her graduation. Amazing!

Happy Mother's Day to all the mom's out there who give or has given of themselves in ways that words can't begin to describe the depth  and totality of their commitment and unconditional love.  Enjoy!

Handmade Journal Love

I made this special journal for a very special girl, my niece Jaden. 

The cover is a gessoed canvas, made from recycled cereal boxes and cardboard mailing envelopes. Although I used rubber stamps to embellish it, I hope she will redesign it and make it into whatever she wants it to be.  

Inside, is filled with all different paper types and sizes

and embellishments too!

I think I love the tab details the most. It gives it that extra little pizazz.

Positive messages, a must!

and prompts to stimulate thought. 

Most importantly, this journal is a place where she can write down her thoughts, get lost in her imagination, forgo perfection, color outside the lines and express who she is.

"Let your heart come out and play" as you "dwell in possibility" dear Jaden.


How about you? When, where and/or how do you come out and play?

Just Words

You know the saying. A picture is worth a thousand words. But does it work the other way around? Can a thousand words be worth a picture. To my recollection, I never published a post without a picture. I might have but I don't remember as I've been blogging since 2009; this is my second blog. You can find my first blog here.  Often, I have something to say with no pictures to accompany my words. Taking pictures diminishes my attention. It robs me of the present moment I am trying to capture. It keeps me from taking in each single minute of goodness. Quite honestly, it is the pictures that hold me back from blogging regularly and consistently.

So picture this. A group of women, moms, sitting in a classroom, a fairly large room, more empty seats than filled ones. They are attending a journaling workshop, one that I created and titled "The Art of Journaling". The intent, my intent was to introduce them to journaling, a practice that saved me in the hopes that it will offer them clarity, insight and resolution in their lives as well. 

I had no preconceived expectations. I had them participate in two journaling practices. I was blown away by their willingness to share their innermost thoughts and feelings. Their honesty and raw emotion generated laughter as well as tears. It was moving. It was powerful. I was thrilled by the authenticity within their words. I wanted to inspire them but I was inspired deeply.  I walked away thankful, appreciative and grateful for this opportunity as I dwelled in purpose, my purpose. I just wanted to linger in each moment. 

A post without pictures, telling a story rooted in present moment.  Although this isn't a thousand words, I sure hope you get the picture just the same:)

Gifted Memories

Can you guess what's in this box? 

 

Something really special that money can't buy.

It's a gift for a childhood friend. It goes without saying, her name is Patricia:)

Ready to see what's inside?  Drum roll please.

Letters, her letters to me during our college days way back when postage was 13 cents. Yes, I totally dated myself and I could care less. It was a time when long distance calling was cost prohibitive. 

During our last conversation, she told me she had little recollection of her college years. Immediately, I thought to myself, I could fix that. I can gift her her younger memories. Now that takes regifting to a whole new level:)

I kept her letters - a written account of her life, documented by her. I had a blast re-reading them, laughing and grinning through each one. If you have any record of your younger days, I'm sure you can relate. Hilarious!

It's sad that letters are no longer a part of our lives though; less intentional texting, social media exchange and email have rendered this very intentional form of correspondence obsolete. Once deleted, our very abbreviated digital correspondence disappears from our lives and lingers in the abyss of cyberspace.

But tangible letters are a joy to keep around and re-read, re-connect and re-visit. It's precious evidence of our lives much like the photos we take. 

How about you. Do you have a written account of your younger days or any part of your life?