Blog Widget by LinkWithin

BOOK CLUB | July Selection :: One Good Deed A Day

Monday, June 29



Have you all been waiting on pins and needles for the July book pick?

With all of the life lemons I've been dealing with in these first 3 weeks of Summer, I'm even more grateful for the One Good Deed A Day book I picked out for the PNPF Book Club selection for July! I think it's going to be the perfect way to shift my focus from my own struggles + challenges to instead finding ways to add some sunshine to someone else's life.

I actually shared this book on my blog a couple of years ago and even did a giveaway.
Well...a couple of months ago I had a reader, who had won a copy, mention how much she and her daughter still love the book! My heart was touched and also a LIGHTBULB went off in my head!! It was then I was inspired to add it to the PNPF Book Club this year.


It's a darling book filled with daily prompts + ideas for how to do something nice for someone else.
They are super easy things like "holding the door for someone" or there are things that take a little more thought + planning  but all in all you just pick and choose what you want to do and then journal a little something about how it made you feel or even just a jot down the date you did your kind deed.

Ella doesn't know it yet but it's going to be our little Summer project.
Some things will be focused on our own little family.
Other things will involve neighhbors, friends and even a few strangers.
Looking forward to spreading a little light + love to others this Summer.
Will you join me?

You can order the One Good Deed A Day book from Amazon 
or you can win one by simply leaving a comment here on the blog.

Just tell me what one of your very favorite kind deeds is that you enjoy doing or have done for someone in the past that really left you feeling light on your feet and joy in your heart.

I'll pick a winner on Friday, July 3rd and announce it here on the blog so as to send you off into your long holiday weekend celebrating!! *wink*

If you have trouble leaving a comment please email me at pnpflowersinc AT gmail DOT com
Some readers have had issues with leaving blog comments and I've not been able to get down to the bottom or WHY...so maybe you all can help me figure that at!

If you've missed the previous PNPF Book Club Selections and are curious as to what we've been reading, you can click on THIS LINK or tap the link at the top of the page that says BOOK CLUB.
Love to you all!!
xoxo


KEEPiNG iT REAL
Although I'm late on announcing my pick - I typically try to give you all a heads-up by the 15th of each month, this book is actually intended to be used the entire rest of the Summer months. (or maybe for you it'll be for the rest of the year. - it's your call because that's how the whole guilt-free PNPF Book Club thing works. Read more here if you'd like to join in on the fun each month!!

LIFE | Life Lemons - Just Add Sugar

Friday, June 26


They say "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." Right?

Well I've encountered enough "life lemons" so far this Summer to keep myself sustained on lemonade alone, into the Fall and Winter months as well.

We are only in week three and although I could bore you with the details of

(1) Not having internet service for over 7 days after a neighbor cut my fiber optic line.
(2) Running around like a crazy person with a Summer schedule filled to over-capacity.
(3) Having our house struck by lightning this weekend resulting in no air conditioning, 8 or 9 blown GFI outlets, and most of our major appliances needing to be replaced...

I'm actually choosing not to get into all of that.

I won't focus on those little lemons because there's a far bigger lemon I want to share with you today. A lemon so sour and so bitter that all of those little "life lemons" I mentioned previously seem like minuscule pieces of lemon zest in comparison.

The big lemon I'm talking about is that Ella's preschool teacher from last year lost her battle to cancer on Wednesday, June 10th.

Those of you who follow me on Instagram or Facebook may have seen the post I shared a week ago about Mary. 


If you didn't read the post, I encourage you to take the time to do so.

I cannot tell you how very sad + conflicted I have been. Mary was diagnosed with Aggressive Triple Negative Breast Cancer back in 2013, beginning chemotherapy in April of 2013. By the time I met her and introduced her to my little Ella pie at the meet-the-teacher in the Fall of 2013, Mary had already lost all of her hair and was wearing a wig. Her pre-K students, including Ella, never knew her hair wasn't real and honestly, I didn't even know until someone else shared with me she was fighting cancer and still had a few more rounds of chemo treatments to undergo.

I don't know all of the details of Mary's ongoing treatments or the specific timeline as to when things occurred but I do know over the course of it all, following the completion of chemotherapy, she had a double mastectomy and then had reconstructive surgery. Mary scheduled her chemo treatments and surgeries in such a way so as not to miss very many days of school. She loved her students and I truly believe she focused her energy on showering them with love and learning. I never once saw a frail teacher trying to hide pain or sickness. I only ever saw a smiling, happy, kind + patient, vibrant woman who truly loved what she did and enjoyed her calling in life. She never let on she was in pain nor did she let any of us know she didn't feel well.

Ella thrived in Mary's class. She looked forward to going to school everyday, loved her teachers (including Ms. Fennel, Mary's wonderful assistant) and really developed a love for learning.

Mary is on the right. Ms. Fennel is on the left.

We finished out a wonderful year with a fun Pre-K graduation party and Mary organized a Pre-K Reunion that same Summer for her students to meet her and Ms. Fennel up at the local High Five Frozen Yogurt. (see below)

Mary is on the right. Ms. Fennel is on the left.

The reunion that Summer provided the opportunity for everyone to swap hugs, share some laughter and spend a little time with each other before the kids entered Kindergarten that Fall.

It's my understanding that some time just after the new school year started in the Fall of 2014, Mary developed a cough which was later determined to be lung cancer. We were all devastated but never did I ever think Mary would not overcome it.

Every time I think of her and her courageous spirit, her beautiful smile and how dear she is to my little Ella, I am brought to tears. And yes, I used the present tense of how dear she "is" not "was" on purpose because truthfully, I cannot bring myself to tell Ella her beloved PreK teacher isn't going to be in the halls of the school this Fall handing out warm hugs to Ella and the rest of the students who were lucky enough to have had her as a teacher.
I. just. can't. tell her.

So here I am...
back to the simple and ever-popular adage:
"When life gives you lemons, make lemonade."

I whole-heartedly agree that we need to
find the good...
look for the silver linings...
count our blessings...
and so on when life gets tough and we are faced with trials + struggles.
Mary was certainly an example of someone who applied this to her own life.


But I have also learned over the last week, through a couple of unexpected twists + turn of events,
oftentimes it takes borrowing "sugar" from your neighbor to turn those lemons into lemonade. 

Let me explain...

The Instagram post about Mary automatically posted to my Facebook page when I originally shared it. Close friends of mine left comments. Friends of friends left comments. Mary's friends left comments. Teachers from the school left comments. Some people shared the post to their own timeline spreading it to even more people. People I didn't even know left comments.

All of a sudden my tiny, insignificant post became a hub of comfort + conversation among people who were hurting. People were looking for consolation and thus formed a sense of community among strangers + friends. This is the SUGAR I'm talking about.

I was in awe and humbled by the 2,500+ people being reached by this one post. I had no idea how far-reaching it would be and that it would resonate with so many that knew Mary. My heart was truly touched and I, personally, felt comfort through connection. Again, SUGAR.

And then....

In the sea of all of the beautiful comments thanking me for sharing my feelings and thoughts and words about Mary, there was a name that caught my eye and stopped me in my tracks...Margaret Shark. 

I recognized the name immediately...Ms. Shark!
The fantastic Pre-K volunteer Ella adored.
The wonderful woman who would show up to the classroom every week to help Mary and her pre-K students with fun craft projects.
Ms. Shark...Mary's mother!!

The rest of the words on the computer screen and frankly the physical world around me melted away as I focused in with a sacred-like reverence on the comment she left:

"I cannot begin to tell you how this touched my heart. I know I posted, but just reread this and got chills. You so nailed my daughter. I am proud to call myself her mom. I know Ella will grow to make you as proud."

As you might imagine, I was in tears.
I felt so humbled and so grateful for her words;
Grateful through the chain of comments and shares on Facebook that my one little post had made its way to Mary's own mother. And even more grateful she "approved" of the words I chose to describe her beautiful Mary. It meant so very much to me. (SUGAR)

Fast forward to Mary's funeral service on Saturday, June 20th.
I decided I would go by myself so J could stay home with Ella.
I've never attended a funeral alone so this decision was not something I was looking forward to. However, my desire to honor Mary and her life strongly outweighed any hesitation I had that might keep me away.
I walked into a church overflowing with people who loved Mary!! (SUGAR)

I was handed a program but didn't look at it right away as I was full focused on the nearly impossible task of finding an empty seat. I managed to make my way over to a partially empty pew on one side of the church. I avoided eye contact with anyone and focused solely on getting to my seat and getting settled and most importantly, maintaining my composure.

Of course, when I finally looked down at the beautiful program and saw a lovely photo of Mary on the front, my plans for composure went right out the door.


I flipped the program over and got lost in the brief summary of Mary's life and the family she left behind...most specifically, her three beautiful children: Jacob, Katherine and Addison. The words I read describing Mary included "brave, loving, grace-filled, giving of her love, she was a positive and contagious spirit, putting the needs of others before her own, a great example, she made an impact on the world and she touched so many lives". The words were all so right and true. (SUGAR)

The sadness of it all was overwhelming and I finally peeled my eyes from the program and looked up. I sat silently watching the slideshow of photos of Mary being projected for everyone to enjoy as we all waited for the service to begin.

Once the music announced the start of the service and we were asked to stand and sing some of Mary's favorite selections, I could scarcely contain my emotion despite my attempts to hold it all in. I felt I could burst at any moment and found myself continuing to fixate my stare on Mary's three children and husband for most of the service. I studied their faces, knowing the excruciating pain in their hearts and knowing all too well the harsh reality that there is only more pain to come and more grief to work through together with all of the "firsts". (the first holiday without her, the first birthday celebration alone, the first Mother's day without a mother by their side, the first day of school this Fall without their mom and so many other life events Mary will now miss). It's all so heart-wrenching.

But there we all were...gathered together on that Saturday afternoon to celebrate Mary's life and pay tribute to a woman who had so much to share...and so much to give...and had so many people who loved her...and she them. (SUGAR)

Following the songs and bible readings and words from the pastor, a young man named Jacob stood before the congregation and bravely shared how Mary's influence and example had touched his own life and the life of his family.

Then Mary's stepdad stood up to speak on behalf of the people who knew and loved her most...her family. He shared warm memories and heartfelt sentiments from Mary's children, her husband, her mother, her stepdad and her brothers.

Just before he ended his comments with one final thought from Mary's mom, I heard him say something along these lines, "A mother of one of Mary's students posted this about Mary...
"Ella's pre-k teacher from last year... "

I recognized the words immediately as my own and sat stunned in silence taking it all in.
I struggled to hold onto the thoughts in my head as they began spinning out of control as I tried to wrap my brain around the fact that Mary's stepdad was sharing my post as part of Mary's memorial service. I could not contain my tears or emotion and just buried my face in my hands, wishing J were there with me to witness what was happening.

I felt a melting pot of emotion in an instant...humbled + grateful + dumbfounded + astonished + completely taken aback + confused + thankful for the SUGAR pouring in on me at that moment.

I was immediately transported in time back to a similar instance when I sat in a funeral service years prior as a high school student.  It was a service for a high school friend named Tim who's life was taken in a tragic automobile accident. I had written a poem in Tim's honor and gave it to his family. His older brother ended up reading it during the funeral service.

It was in that moment of remembrance that I felt an awakening of sorts realizing the impact I've had on others through my ability to convey my feelings and thoughts. It was a quiet and very emotional moment between myself and God. Something inside me came alive as I sat in that church pew despite being surrounded by sadness + loss. For me, there was suddenly a profound awareness that my words have actually provided SUGAR in the lives of those around me.

The service came to a close just as quickly as it had begun.
We all filed out of the doors in quiet reverence to meet on the church lawn for a butterfly release in Mary's honor. I'd left my sunglasses in the car so there was no hiding my tear-stained face or red swollen eyes. I really didn't want to speak to anyone because I knew another round of tears was only a blink or two away but I had several people approach me to acknowledge the fact that they knew I was the one who'd written the post mentioned during the service. (SUGAR)

I tried to thank them genuinely but instead stumbled over my words trying to overcome the awkwardness I felt in that moment knowing I wasn't there to be recognized. I was there to recognize Mary.

As I sat crying in my car before driving home to my family, I felt a slight shift away from the suffocating sadness. Buried beneath the tears and the pain there was without a doubt some underlying healing that took place among the friends and family gathered together that afternoon. (SUGAR)


As I've continued to reflect on that day and all of the beautiful and tough moments associated with it, and as I continue to think of Mary and her kindness and warmth, I've came to the conclusion that we're all just makin' lemonade. Sometimes we are holding the lemons and sometimes we are holding the sugar. It's the coming together that results in the lemonade.

You see, for most of us, when we are found left holding life lemons we usually have to borrow sugar from our neighbor in order to make the lemonade. (friends, family, and positive people in our life).

And then there are those special people, like Mary, who manage to hold an entire bag of lemons while simultaneously sprinkling sugar on the rest of us!

We love and miss you Mary Clemens!! Thank you for your beautiful light!!

And thank YOU ALL who faithfully come back to my blog to read and listen and share with me. YOU add so much sugar to my own life and for that...I am grateful!!
xoxo

KEEPiNG iT REAL
It took me all week long to write this post.
I developed a cold on Sunday and just wanted to stay curled up in a ball on the couch as much as I could. I'm just now feeling better but I still think if I had been feeling myself it would've taken just as long, with all of the emotion tied into it. Do you think that means I should avoid ever taking on the task of writing an actual book? It'd take me YEARS to ever finish it.

One more thing...stay tuned for the "makin' lemonade" art print and t-shirt design I've been inspired to create from all of this. Just my way of turning lemons into lemonade!! More on that to come...

FREE | Let's Bake + Eat Cake Art Print :: The Cake Blog

Tuesday, June 9



Here's this month's FREE printable I designed for The Cake Blog!
Not only can you print it out but it's also available as digital wall paper for your digital devices!!

Soooo cute, right?
Click here to download them all for FREE on The Cake Blog!

There are so many cute cakes I'm excited about that have been posted on The Cake Blog lately.
I'm sharing my faves just in case you have missed them:
Flamingo Cake
Hello Summer Watermelon Cake
Confetti Throwing Cake #1
Confetti Throwing Cake #2
Orange Creamsicle Cake 

xoxo,
Jessica

KEEPiNG iT REAL
The digital design of the "Let's Bake + Eat Cake" was a last minute change from a really cute chalkboard version  I had originally created. I'll be sharing that one on the blog soon for all of you chalkboard lovers!!

INSPIRE | A Fruitful Summer :: Lara Casey

Monday, June 8

 

I'm participating in something really beautiful this Summer...
something uplifting...
something inspiring...
and frankly, something I NEED!

I'm thinking there are some of you out there who just might benefit from participating in this too!


Do you remember me mentioning Lara Casey before...
when I introduced you to the Lara Casey Power Sheets?

Well, Lara Casey's "A Fruitful Summer" series is a 5-week guide to "stronger friendships, joyful connections + new adventures!" 

It's FREE and all you do is sign-up online (BEFORE WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10TH) and you'll receive a beautiful .pdf guide, cute printable checklists + FREE Summer Art Prints.

Read more about the purpose + inspiration behind this Fruitful Summer Series RIGHT HERE!

So what do you say?
Are you ready to make your Summer fruitful?
I really hope you'll join me.
There's nothing to lose and so very much to gain!!

xoxo,
Jessica

KEEPiNG iT REAL
I'm excited about doing this...
and a little uncomfortable at the same time.
I'm sad to say it's been YEARS since I've focused on friendships.
Some of the reasons stem from the busyness of life, a small business + kids.
But truthfully, much of the reason includes pain + hurt from past friendships
AND not having the energy or desire to cultivate friendships due to
my own insecurities with regards to how messy my life has been through the years.
One thing I've come to know...
It's by pushing past fear and awkwardness that REAL transformation occurs.
And I'm ready.

SHARE | Summer Fun List

Friday, June 5



It's the first day of Summer and Ella is already asking to make a list like we did last year.
I LOVE her!!

So....I did a quick update to the cute printable Go. See. Eat. Make. Do. Summer list I made last year ...


Again, you can keep this as simple as you want...only choosing 5 things to check off for the whole Summer.
OR you can get all crazy and create one for each month or even crazier - one for each week during the Summer months.

Either way you choose, you can download the free printable RIGHT HERE!

Love you guys!!!
Enjoy!!
And if you use this free printable + love it, tag me (@pnpflowers) on social media so I can see what you're doing with your littles!!

KEEPiNG iT REAL
It's been a busy week...last week of school.
A fun week...cute party for Ella's last day of Kindergarten. *throwing confetti*
An emotional week...Ella's last day of Kindergarten. *wiping tears*

CopyRight © | Theme Designed By Hello Manhattan