Spring Reflections are Pudde-wonderful

While waiting for blooms,

I'll take the rain, sunshine and puddles

as a sure sign that

greener days are soon to follow!

"spring....when the world is mud-lucious...and puddle-wonderful"

e.e. cummings

Joining James for

Weekend Reflections

It's Now or Never!

"It's my life

And it's now or never

I ain't gonna live forever

I just want to live while I'm alive.

It's my life."

Bon Jovi


Sometimes a good "kick" out of the comfort zone
is all it takes.
When the landlord decided to sell our rental,
we didn't fully believe 
that we were ready to take
the home-ownership plunge.
Good thing we got the boot
and had to take a leap of faith.
The flight wasn't completely smooth,
but the landing has been delightful!

Truth be told,
this one leap
has filled me up and has me looking
for that next big jump!




Joining Kathy for
Song-ography

Good. Random. Fun. {week 14}

For any of my friends who follow me on instagram

{@scrapbookmom17}

you know this has been a crazy week!

We. Have. Moved.

It's real.

It's official!!

On Wednesday, the night before we signed all the mortgage papers,

I went to "my" pond with my big girl camera for a wander.

To breathe...and to see the mama swan on her nest.

A beautiful, peaceful sight.

Papa swan was swimming nearby ~ he never strays to far from the nest.

The golden light added magic to the scene!

I stayed at the water's edge until the setting sun painted the sky...just for me.

I lingered with my favorite, arched branches...
the leaves were just beginning to sprout and I drank in the simple silhouette.
Just the moments of peace and quiet I needed before the craziness of the next days began!
This was good. Very, very good.

Over the next three days we signed papers, got keys and moved countless carloads of little stuff to our new digs.
And then came Sunday.
Our "rent-the-big-truck" day.
We woke up in our new home to a snow covered back yard.
Thanks, spring, for the random weather!
Snow. Winds. Extremely chilly temps.
Oh well, you can plan and plan...then you just have to roll with it!

So, what's a little snow?

We're New Englanders, after all.

HOWEVER,

when you arrive at the U-Haul facility to pick up your truck

AND THEY DO NOT HAVE ONE for you,

you start to loose your marbles!!!

Thanks, U-Haul, for the random delay.

Alas.

In spite of these glitches,

a truck was found, the sky cleared and our move was completed.

Whew!

Either our old house is really small, or the truck was really big...crazy, right!?!

Thanks to one husband, one son, one son-in-law, three young friends, one boss
and my darling daughter, we got all the stuff from one place to the next!
Thanks one and all.
{also, few things look more random that lots of furniture trying to find a new place to call home!}

Through it all,

the most fun I had was standing on the 2nd floor deck directing traffic.

As everything came off the truck,

my job was to tell people where to take it.

So. Fun.

And this guy.
We had our little mascot with us all day.
May I just say,
he makes every party just a little more fun!!

Here's to a great week everyone!!




Joining Tamar for
The Good. The Random. The Fun.

Love That Dirty Water

"Well I love that dirty water

Oh, Boston, you're my home"

Dropkick Murphies

Yesterday I shared about the thing I've loved the most about our current home...

Today I think I'll share the strangest thing about the move we're making this weekend.

We will no longer be living in Massachusetts.

Let that sink in a minute. 

I will no longer be a Massachusetts resident.
I will have a New Hampshire license. And New Hampshire plates.
Yes, I will have a New Hampshire address!!

None of this is bad, mind you ~ it's just kind of hard to wrap my head around. I'm looking forward to new discoveries. Of course. And my husband really likes "their" state motto ~ Live Free or Die. {I can say "their" for a few more days...then it will be "our" state motto} See. Weird. At least I think it's weird. 

Now, we will be right on the MA border in a town FULL of people that commute to Boston every day for work. So I am being told that it's still OK to call myself a Bostonian. Which is a good thing. Because this city, as you know, has my heart. Truth is the new house is hardly any further from down town Boston than where we live now.......it's just that pesky "in an entirely different state thing" that has me a bit, well, nervous. 

Whatever the case....here we go! Off to a town where we don't know anyone. Yet. To finally "settle down" in a home that our friendly bankers will soon allow us to say we "own" ... Yup. My head is spinning! 

When all is said and done, there is one thing I know.
When the moving dust has settled, I will {happily} call New Hampshire my home state.

But Boston will always be My Home Town.

Sharing with Kathy for
Song-ography

Good Random Fun {Week 13}

Well folks.

This is IT.

This is the week.

IF all goes as planned,

we'll have keys in 

THREE DAYS!

If I had to choose just ONE thing that I've loved about living where I am now,

it would be the discovery of this place.

This pond.

This sanctuary.

I'm grateful that we're only moving about a half an hour north of here,

and that I will still be working right around the corner from these sights...

It won't be quite the same,

but this place has become a part of me.

I'm sure I'll be back to visit.

Often!

{Here are a few iPhone shots I got this weekend. Sigh}

Joining Tamar for

The Good. The Random. The Fun.

Gather Your Strength

It was the first Saturday in January.

The yoga studio was very still. Sun was streaming in through the front window and we were a small group of three. One sweet teacher and two of her {favorite} beginners. There was warmth. A warmth that came not only from those sun beams, but the warmth of sangha.  A warmth created because we were a mutually supportive group of practitioners. Because we gave each other a sense of community and belonging. And of acceptance.

Midway through our time together, there was some rustling and chirping in the tree right outside the studio. Three bluebirds had come to join us. Perched only for a bit, they added energy, support and - yes - even a bit of magic - to our practice on that ordinary Saturday morning. As our spirits accepted this sweet serenade of encouragement, our confidence grew and our bodies found a wee bit more strength.

These past few days, as I've shared the sense of weakness and worry that seems to be accompanying me on our current house-hunting journey, many {many} bluebirds have flocked to the tree that's right outside the window of my heart. And I hear you rustling and singing to me - lending your support along the way. Each text, email, blog note, hug and phone call make a difference.

Thank you - to all of my bluebirds. You help me to gather my strength and rise up.

Joining Kathy for Song-ography
and linking to
Wednesdays Around the World

Icy Reflections

Sometimes the simplest things take my breath away.
Take some frozen water.
Add a bit more water that's oh-so-frosty-but-not-quite-frozen.
Toss in a fallen branch.
Mix all this with a sunshiny, blue sky kinda day
and the result is beautiful.
Magical.




Linking to:
Little Things Thursday
Writer's Workshop
and
Weekend Reflections

Black & White Wednesday ~ Branches

On Sunday, when I escaped to the pond,

I was hoping to find some snow atop the bare winter branches.

Instead

I was delighted to find the branches on top of the snow!

Please join in and share your

Black & White photos!

{Good Random Fun} Week 4

The Good

 Sunshine after a snowfall.

Sunday was an exceptionally peaceful day to wander around "my" snowy pond.

The Random

There weren't very many people out enjoying the snowy scene,
but there were plenty of critters to keep me company...
including the one I brought myself!

The NOT so Fun

This Patriots fan was heartbroken yesterday.

And I know.

The Patriots aren't very popular.

And many felt like it was karma. Or payback.

I've almost written many things here over this past year about this team.

And about Mr. Brady.

But I know there's no changing people's minds out there.

I feel proud, however, to be able to say that today as this teem takes the loss there will be

NO whining,

NO blaming faulty tablets,

NO blaming the refs,

NO finger pointing,

NO trash talking.

Nope.

Respect for the other team will be communicated.

And - to a man - each coach and player will take their responsibility,

own up to their errors,

and vow to return and fight another day.

That's what I love most about my home team.

Joining Tamar and Friends

Oh, I'll be free....

"Look up here, I'm in heaven

I've got scars that can't be seen

I've got drama can't be stolen

Everybody knows me now...

This way or no way

You know I'll be free

Just like that bluebird,

Now ain't that just like me?

Oh, I'll be free

Just like that bluebird

Oh, I'll be free

Ain't that just like me?"
David Bowie

Lazarus

Linking up with Kathy

{Good Random Fun} Week 2

The Good

I managed to get some more boxes packed.

And to begin the daunting task of sorting, organizing and {perhaps} selling off

some of my HUGE selection of scrapbooking and craft supplies!

I {of course} want to set up a workshop space wherever we move.

However...

if I'm taking my own "lean and mean" challenge seriously,

there's some sorting, sifting and lightening that needs to go on here!

The Random and the Fun

I very much enjoyed the ice that was at the edge of the pond last week.

It's as if the pond was melting out from under the frozen bits,

and the result was some interesting, albeit random, icy sculptures.

As usual, the fun was in the photography!

Joining Tamar and Judith

Reflections on an Icy Pond

{Horn Pond, Woburn, MA}

Honor the space between no longer and not yet."
Nancy Levin

I love this pond.

For all that it has shown and given to me these past few years.

I love these images...

the space between frozen and melted...

the space between daylight and darkness...

between yesterday and today.

My hours around this pond have filled me with images of the

"in between"...

...of the life that happens between seasons.

Images of how fluid this life-journey of ours really is.

Since we found out that we were moving,

the thought of being further away from this place is, by far, the hardest.

Whatever comes, I will honor this in between time.

And continue to cherish this space.

Joining James for

Weekend Reflections

Black & White Wednesday ~ Winter Berries

A winter bird and her berries.

Horn Pond, Woburn, MA

Join me and share your Black & White shots!

I'm also joining Communal Global for

Wednesday's Around the World

This is the New Year

"Say everything you've always wanted,

Be not afraid of who you really are."
A Great Big World

Hmmm...

food for thought.

I don't think I'll ever ever ever

be able to say everything I've always wanted.

My mind works overtime.

Has more thoughts, ideas, opinions, commentaries

and stories

than anyone could ever have time to tell.

I can, however, decide to say the important stuff.

To not shrink back.

Mostly,

I want to

ALWAYS EXPRESS

the positive stuff.

To tell people they are loved.

Cherished.

To express the gratitude that fills my heart!

Yes.

Most of all I want to shout out all the good stuff.

As far as not being afraid of who I really am?

Well.

That's a good one.

A really good thought.

A thought I'll carry with me across this old wooden bridge, 

through my favorite woods

and back into my real life.

No.

More.

Fear.

Sharing with Kathy

New Year's Day

Winter reflections on Horn Pond

are perfect for this

quiet New Year's day....

...as I seek wisdom,

set intentions

and

surrender.

Joining James for Weekend Reflections

Tiny

"True life is lived when tiny changes occur."
Leo Tolstoy

As I settle into the mat beneath me, I hear a familiar voice encouraging me to choose an intention. "Let it come to you," she says. The room is quiet. We are ten ~ ten yoga newbies. In this moment, we are alone and we are together. We are weak and we are strong. We are scrambled after a long day, and we are letting go. We inhale. We exhale. Right hand over my heart. Left hand covering my belly.  Breathe. Deeply. Breathe. And with the next exhale I choose 'breathe' as my intention.

Slowly, gently we are led through the poses. Each shift brings new awareness. Some positions seem designed to soothe. Designed for me. Some poses feel unnatural, awkward. Each shift brings new awareness. With each shift, I listen to my breath. Must remember to breathe. Now I am standing. And this next shift is to one leg. I am wobbly. Finding my balance isn't easy. The young woman leading our practice stands like a pillar on her one leg. As I inhale I think, "I can't. Is everyone else in the room standing firm like that or wobbling like me? I better practice this at home to be better." And then I exhale. Breathe. Focus forward. Inhale again.

And as I exhale, I let go. I accept. I am here. I am doing this. I am breathing in. And wobbling on one leg. And next time doesn't matter. Stronger doesn't matter. This moment, this deep breath. This is me, right now. No self-judgement. No evaluation. Just breath and acceptance.

And with this shift, this tiny internal change, comes the whisper of new life.




Sharing today with Kim and Kat

A gift...

I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. I sure did! We had four days away from our normal routine. Four days of family, friends and home cooked feasting! I enjoy preparing our Thanksgiving meal ~ and even more since I've learned to cook with real, whole foods. My homemade cranberry sauce is my new favorite thing. The gluten free, honey sweetened crumble I've mastered is a close second! ...but I digress.

It's that most wonderful time of the year. That time when we add events and people and projects and decorating and charitable service and on and on and on. It's that time of the year when our lists have lists. And when saying no seems, somehow, to render us un-festive. And no one wants to be that person. I sure don't.

The question we've got to ask ourselves as we head into December, is ... at what cost? All the preparations and plans .... will I allow all this goodness to cost me my health? To render me exhausted? Or will I continue to get my eight hours each night? Will I, amidst the madness, take time for myself so I can exercise and find moments and places of peace? What will I choose?

I know, for me, that the hours I spent outside this past weekend were precious to me. The time to walk and climb and tune into nothing but the rustling leaves and chirping birds fed my spirit just as fully as the Thanksgiving feast fed my belly. And four straight days with no alarm clock....well that was just a small slice of heaven!!

So I'm going to try and remember this basic. To sleep. To rest. As I head into this season of celebration and gift giving, I'm going to remember that I have the choice. I have the power to give myself a very precious gift...that gift of good health and self-care.

Joining Kim and Kat

Thanksgiving Weekend

I had a really lovely weekend.

Four straight days at home.

Full of family and feasting, football and fun.

With plenty of time to myself.

And you know what some good "me" time always includes...

yes, you guessed it.

Time at my favorite pond.

On Sunday, I was snuggled under a warm blanket...

enjoying coffee and some re-runs

and not feeling like I wanted to venture out into the cold.

I was undecided.

You know that place ~ knowing the good you ought to do, but not quite sure you're going to do it.

I unburied myself long enough to clean the kitchen, 

and then stepped outside with a bag of trash for the outside bins.

Funny thing...

Sitting in my driveway,

just taking a little rest in the sunshine,

was an elderly couple.

Completely random, never-before-seen elderly couple.

They were seated in the little chair part of the walkers they were using.

So I headed over to say hello.

Turns out, they were out for a stroll...and had never wandered as far along the sidewalk as they just had.

Didn't even know the sidewalk went this far!

Just the sweetest pair.

Well, I knew then that I'd venture out for a walk. Because if they could push themselves to get out of their comfortable, safe, warm home on this sunny November day...well then so could I!

It's no coincidence, I think, that as I walked the pond on Sunday

I saw many elderly folks.

Some with a spouse.

Some with a friend.

Some on their own.

It's as if the universe was sending me an object lesson!

Keep moving, Adrienne.

Keep moving.

So that as you age, you can grow stronger and remain active.

Well, universe...message received. Thanks!

One of our holiday weekend traditions is making sure we find the time for a puzzle.
This was a fun one!
And pretty enough that it might even rate a frame!

Hope your weekend was a fun one!




Joining Tamar today for some
Good. Random. Fun.