30 Days of Thanksgiving 2015 - Day 4

{{ For the month of November, I will be sharing my blessings.  I want to express my gratitude, and I plan to post one thing per day that I am grateful for.  What better time to make each day a day of thanksgiving?! }}

Day 4/30 - I am thankful for opportunity, especially opportunities that are presented to my girls.  I feel like they are always getting to do some cool thing, and I love it.  

...helping out at a friend's barn, dancing at pro sporting events, geocaching, traveling to California, volunteering at a dog rescue, workshopping with world-renowned choreographers...

I feel like my girls have experienced more life in their nine and ten years than I have in all of my thirty-five, and for that I am grateful! 

30 Days of Thanksgiving 2015 - Day 3

 {{ For the month of November, I will be sharing my blessings.  I want to express my gratitude, and I plan to post one thing per day that I am grateful for.  What better time to make each day a day of thanksgiving?! }}

Day 3/30 - I am thankful for coffee.  Yes, I chose to express my gratitude for coffee before any of my family members.  Don't worry.  It's okay for a couple of reasons.  One, because this list is in no kind of order of importance.  And two, they totally get it.  

I love coffee.  I love coffee in all its hot, creamy deliciousness.  I am that girl who totally looks forward to going to bed at night in anticipation of that perfect first sip the next morning.  Coffee, to me, is a ritual, my morning meditation and for that I am grateful.   

30 Days of Thanksgiving 2015 - Day 2

 

{{ For the month of November, I will be sharing my blessings.  I want to express my gratitude, and I plan to post one thing per day that I am grateful for.  What better time to make each day a day of thanksgiving?! }}  

2/30 - I am thankful for mobility.  The ability to move my body is not something that I take for granted.  When I was 18, I was diagnosed with Palindromic Rheumatism (PR).  PR is a rare type of arthritis (very similar to Rheumatoid Arthritis) that causes sudden bouts of extreme joint pain and swelling.  Most days, I am totally fine, but when my flare-ups do occur, my daily life comes to a screeching halt.  Within a day, sometimes hours, my affected joint becomes swollen, discolored, painful beyond description, and completely immobile.  My flare-ups usually last about three days at a time.  During a good period, I may only have a few episodes per year.  In a bad period, however, episodes can occur weekly.  I never can tell. 

I spent this past weekend in bed, struggling for comfort and bearing the pain of a hip that just had enough.  I missed a lot because of it - Trick or Treat, a trip to Gettysburg, a hike with my family.  BUT, it's days like today, after the swelling is down and the pain is gone, that I remember how lucky I am just to be able to move at all, and for that I am grateful.   

30 Days of Thanksgiving 2015 - Day 1

I'm a day late in getting started but, oh well...  

{{ For the month of November, I will be sharing my blessings.  I want to express my gratitude, and I plan to post one thing per day that I am grateful for.  What better time to make each day a day of thanksgiving?! }} 

1/30 - I am thankful for October.  Fall is my favorite time of year, and I feel like this month, I truly got to experience the best of the season.  This October had a cozy feeling to it that I haven't felt in quite some time.  Changing leaves, hearty meals, pumpkin picking, golden hues, blustery winds, hot tea, family activities.  October was a delight, and for that I am grateful. 

Weekending in October

 

cool morning air.  blustery winds.  flannel and fleece. a fall fair.  shopping for impending cold weather necessities.  takeout lunch from a favorite spot.  hearty chili and warm cornbread with melted butter.  a relaxing evening all together.  

another cool morning.  a sundate adventure.  bright skies. baked good and cold brew.  a bike ride and sickie snuggles.  breakfast for dinner.  all wrapped up with marshmallows and s'mores by the fire. 

it's a rare happening, but this fall weekend was just as splendid as the words above make it out to be.  grateful. 

Introducing, The Creative Misfit Series

creative misfit  / kre.a.tiv_mis.fit / noun - an artist without a niche.
one who has not yet "found her thing."
an unclassified creative often accompanied by a feeling of flailing (see, throwing spaghetti against a wall and waiting for one of the noodles to stick).
someone who is experimenting with all things creative.

I can't take credit for coining the phrase "creative misfit."  That honor goes to Ms. Amanda Sandlin, an artist and entrepreneur living in Wellington, New Zealand.  I'm girl crushing on her big time because she says (and lives) things like "See the world.  Create endlessly. Stay wild."  and "Follow all curiosities."  Watch this video to be totally inspired.

As I watched Amanda's video, I could feel my smile growing and my excitement rising.  This is me!  THIS is SO. Totally. ME!  I am a creative misfit.  I love experimenting with art (and I hesitate to use the word art to describe what I do but will continue to use it, simply because I don't know a better word to use).  My art is elementary at best and varies from hand lettering to coloring in books to writing to collaging magazine clippings on inspiration pages.  I'm all over the place, and that has always bothered me before.  But not anymore.  Thank you Amanda.   

I am a creative misfit, and I am 100% okay with that.  I will continue living a creative life and persuing my art 1.) because I want to 2.) because I think it's good for my girls (and everyone else) to see me flail and carry-on with something I'm not necessarily good at and 3.) because it brings me joy.

With that, The Creative Misfit Series is born.  Every week, I will share a piece of my art.  Not because I think I'm some fabulous artist but because of the three reasons listed above.  My hope is that by sharing my work, you will be inspired to follow your own creative path.

With love, 

Shelly

The Creative Misfit, Volume 1

{{ Every week, I share a piece of my own creativity.  Not because I think I'm some fabulous artist, but because experimenting with all things creative brings me joy.  My hope is that by sharing my work, you will be inspired to follow your own creative path. }}

This week I discovered hand lettering.  I think I'm in love!  This is my first (non-practice) attempt.

   

Marshalton Triathlon 2015

Never, in my almost eleven years as a mother, have I gone on a bicycle ride with my family.

This was the thought that ran through my mind as we were lined up at the starting line of the Marshalton Triathlon this past weekend.  There's a first time for everything though, right?! 

The Marshalton Triathlon is a ten mile event including bicycling, canoeing, and walking.  Considered one of the country's longest continually running triathlons, it is a unique race for both participants and spectators.  From costumed competitors to cowbell-ringing cheerleaders, the Village of Marshalton is full of excited energy on race day.

Our team, The Lucky Dogs, began the race, the first half of the bicycle leg, at the back of the pack.  The two plus mile ride was all down hill.  As much fun as it was zipping around turns and cruising past horse fields with the wind at our backs, I couldn't quite ignore the thought in the back of my mind reminding me that the return half of this leg would be quite a different experience...

With rosy cheeks and frozen toes, we completed the first bicycle leg and made it to the canoe portion of the race, parked our bikes, and walked to the Brandywine River.  Now it was time for a first for the girls.  It wasn't until we were at the dock and Ella asked, "how do I get in," that I realized neither girl had ever been canoeing.  They took to it naturally, and both of our boats made it the three miles down river successfully.  Any chill we felt from the bike leg was rowed away at this point, despite the windy weather.  The canoe leg took the longest, probably a combination of wind that brought us to a stop even though we were paddling our hardest, and traffic jams from inexperienced canoers who blocked the way.  No one minded the long paddle though.  In fact, at one point along the way, Gia declared that "we should do this everyday!"

Once we made it down river and docked our canoes, we took off for the walking leg of the race.  The two mile walk through scenic Chester County really was lovely.  One of the rules of the Marshalton Triathlon is absolutely no running.  So, we were in no hurry and stopped to enjoy the views and snap selfies along the way.

Finally, we made it to the second half of the bicycle leg, a two plus mile return trip, up hill and into the wind, back to the Village of Marshalton.  It was not easy.  Sean was the only one who didn't have to get off the bike and push at some point, but we all made it.

Crossing the finish line of the Marshalton Triathlon with my Lucky Dogs was a pretty great feeling, and I am super proud of my little family for accomplishing it together.  It was a day of firsts for all of us, and I love that we have this memory to hold on to.  Thank you Marshalton Triathlon for not only a great event, but also a unique experience for my family to remember.

With Love,
Shelly

Welcome to With Love, Shelly!

 Hello and welcome to With Love, Shelly!  I'm Michele, a wife and mom living and loving in Chester County, Pennsylvania.  My days are filled with home-schooling my two young ladies, Gia and Ella, caring for my elderly grandmother, holding down the fort when my firefighter hubby, Sean, runs out the door, and occasionally teaching yoga when my schedule allows.

This blog is my creative outlet.  I plan to use this space to share my writing, thoughts, and photographs.  I crave a place to share my story and gain confidence as a writer.  So, you can expect to find bits of everyday life, creative writing, poetry--a journal of sorts--but most importantly, a positive place to find my creative voice.

When I was trying to come up with a name for this blog, I asked myself how I would like to be described.  What would I like people to think of me and the way I live my life?  "With Love" is the first thought that popped into my mind.  I found this quote years ago and have continually worked to make it true for my own life:

She lived simply.  

Her life was dedication in motion, 

an example of devotion.  

She inspires to live presently and with love.

It seemed only fitting for the name of my blog to represent the way I choose to live my life, from the heart, with love.
  

It is my goal to write frequently, share twice weekly, and inspire others to follow their own creative calling.  Thank you for reading.  I hope you'll be back soon!

With Love, 

Shelly

Currently: September 2015

Considering: 
The idea of taking a writing course has been on my mind quite a bit recently.  I've looked into a few classes at the local community college, but nothing works with my schedule at the moment.  I found an online course, called "Write to Flourish," taught by one of my favorite bloggers.  I'm hoping to signup and get the creative juices flowing!

I've also been thinking a lot about my morning routine.  It is just NOT working for me (probably because I don't really have one).  I have been thinking about ways to make my mornings more than just barely bearable.  I'm looking for ways to create a sustainable routine to start my day in a positive and energetic way.

Looking forward to:
This weekend's activities!  On Saturday we are going pumpkin picking for the first time together.  Because of everybody's crazy schedules, this has never been possible for the four of us to do together before.  Then, on Sunday we are participating in a local triathlon, which I am equal parts excited for and nervous about.  It should be a fun time biking, canoeing, and walking together despite the fact that the only preparation I've done for the event is have t-shirts made.  We shall see...

Loving:
FALL!  I seriously love fall and not in the basic all-things-pumpkin sort of way.  The cold weather months are my jam.  I pretty much become a hermit in the summer because I can't deal with the heat and the bugs (ok, really just the bugs).  So, once the cool weather starts to roll in, I feel free again!  I'm loving the cool mornings and open-window nights.  The leaves are beginning to change and everything feels new again.

Reading:
Big Magic.  I haven't been so excited for a book release in ages.  I have read, loved, and been inspired by Elizabeth Gilbert's writing since Eat Pray Love was published.  I'm slowly making my way through Big Magic because I just want to soak in all the words.  Especially ones like "And you have treasures hidden within you--extraordinary treasures--and so do I, and so does everyone around us.  And bringing those treasures to light takes work and faith and focus and courage and hours of devotion, and the clock is ticking, and the world is spinning, and we simply do not have time anymore to think small."  Yes. 

Teaching:
I'm not teaching any yoga classes at the moment.  Now that Fall is here, I need to buckle down and set up some classes.  Last school year, I taught 2 classes per week for teachers at a local elementary school.  We met after school and practiced among the books in the library.  Dreamy!

We are homeschooling again this year, and my girls are in 4th and 5th grades.  We are in our fifth week, and I'm enjoying our experience much more this year.  We switched things up from last year, so I am no longer creating their curriculum on my own.  We chose different programs for each girl, ones that are more suitable for their very different personalities and learning styles.  Ella, my goal-oriented, self-motivated learner is enrolled in a cyber school, and Gia, my free-thinking, progressive learner is using an independent, self-paced curriculum.  Finding educational options that match the girls' personalities has made all the difference!

Wearing:
I am not a fashionista (it is afternoon now, and I'm currently still in my jammies), but I am loving the cooler weather and the fact that it is now ok to wear pants and long sleeves.  I did this all summer long, mind you (because bugs).  So now that it's finally cooler, I feel like my outfits of choice are more acceptable.