Post from: Petroville No scraping.

Wish Upon A Cherry Blossom

Share it:

© Kimberly for Petroville, 2010. | Permalink | 8 comments

Add to del.icio.us

Search blogs linking this post with Technorati

Want more on these topics ? Browse the archive of posts filed under Beyond the Woods, Blog Life.

This wasn’t my first time staying at The Inn at Perry Cabins in St. Micheals, Maryland but it surely proved to be the most inspiring.

And did I mention that we had the place all to ourselves? Oh yes, we were totally spoiled.

The Savvy Sisters can throw one hell of a conference. I’d like to go ahead and make my reservation for next year.

Can we do that, Marsha?

We were fortunate to learn from:
Jodi Otte
Mika Beth Edwards
Marta Locklear
Kelli France
Jessica Grieves
Catherine Clay
Melanie Mauer
Tanya Lemay

The speakers were amazing and as you can see below, there was more than just speaking going on – lots of hands on learning…and ooohhhing and aahhhhing.

I learned so much that I can’t even remember it all. Good thing I took lots of notes and video!

The women on hand, both the speakers and the attendees, were amazing as well as oh-so-kind. I am still all tingly with savvy sister fairy dust from the experience…

Post from: Petroville No scraping.

A Very Savvy Photography Workshop on the Waterfront

Share it:

© Kimberly for Petroville, 2010. | Permalink | No comment

Add to del.icio.us

Search blogs linking this post with Technorati

Want more on these topics ? Browse the archive of posts filed under Beyond the Woods.

One year ago this weekend, my kids and husband were in here while I stayed in Virginia and did the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do – put Lillian to sleep. Tomorrow it will be one year to the day that she died. Sometimes, I get choked up because I feel like can’t remember how she smelled. Other days, I fully expect to see her stretching out in the sun on the rug when I wake up in the morning. Needless to say, I continue to miss her terribly and with my whole heart.

Last weekend, I was choked up as well but in more of a 911 kind of way. We were holding our annual Jazzercise potluck New Year’s party at my house and had just filled our plates when something went dreadfully wrong inside of my esophagus. What I thought was just a harmless bite of brie baked in pastry transformed into a cement dam inside of my airway. I was choking.

Never mind that I know the Heimlich maneuver or that I was surrounded by a room of women who are trained in it as well as CPR but instead of rushing in for help or giving the international sign for choking (which never even occurred to me) I ran away from everyone in a panic. My screwy thought process was to keep drinking water until the clog passed however my anxiety tripled when the water I was gulping went halfway down, hit the brick wall of brie and then made its way back up and flying out of my mouth. And I realized that I could not breathe.

It was the lack of air that made me decide to scream for help but when I tried, no sound would come out. So I did the only logical thing, I started beating on the walls. This failed to get anyone’s attention so I put my fist at the bottom of the middle of my ribcage and threw myself at the wall. It was a painful act but it eventually gave me enough of a jolt to trigger a coughing fit. That led to the deadly appetizer eventually shooting out and left me sounding like an 80-year old chain smoker for the reminder of the night.

Let me just tell you that when the party starts with you almost dying, it gets pretty darn crazy from there. I mean, after you save your own life, you feel like you owe it to yourself to celebrate.

And that we did. Possibly too much…

Post from: Petroville No scraping.

Choked Up

Share it:

© Kimberly for Petroville, 2010. | Permalink | 10 comments

Add to del.icio.us

Search blogs linking this post with Technorati

Want more on these topics ? Browse the archive of posts filed under Beyond the Woods, The Danes, Vacation.

“Mourning the loss of a loved one is always challenging and difficult,” says Heather Fitzpatrick, who lost her dad seven years ago.

“As a mother of two young children, I was trying to cope with death and understand that my dad was gone forever, while at the same time seeking to comfort my broken-hearted mother and grieving daughters.”

It wasn’t easy, but she found a unique way to get through those early days and months of tears and heartache. She created a story about a dragonfly and how every time she saw one it meant her dad was close by, watching over her, like an angel sent from Heaven.

Heather recently created a book, The Day I Saw A Dragonfly, based on the story she shared several years ago when mourning her dad’s passing. Told through a child’s eyes, in a child’s voice, Heather poetically shares her story that was inspired by her daughters, Madison and Mackenzie, who at the time of their grandfather’s passing were just four and three years old, said: “Mommy, why do you feel bad?”

Heather crafted a story about how whenever they see a dragonfly, it means their grandfather has come back to visit them. And after her mom passed away, the girls were comforted in knowing the dragonfly sightings meant their grandparents were close by.

“My story comforted my mother and children,” says Heather. “To this day, I always have my eye out for dragonflies, and see them in places you wouldn’t expect to see them! They are so beautiful and precious.”

Post from: Petroville No scraping.

Bringing Peace on the Wings of a Dragonfly

Share it:

© Kimberly for Petroville, 2009. | Permalink | 3 comments

Add to del.icio.us

Search blogs linking this post with Technorati

Want more on these topics ? Browse the archive of posts filed under Beyond the Woods.

1. I am so blessed to have such an amazing family. My children are bright, loving and talented girls who light up my life on a daily basis. My husband loves me despite my flaws and enjoys my sense of humor like no other. My mother is the person I can always count on 100% to be there, to listen, to care. My sisters are my best friends. My cousin is my sister. My brand new nephew and sweet baby Josie take my breath away.

2. Tonight, my dear friend is throwing me a birthday party at her house and many of my favorite people will be there to celebrate and drink too much wine. Let me just say for this the record: People that throw me parties? I adore forever.

3. Speaking of friends, I am ever so thankful to know who mine are. They are incredible women and I love them to insey weensy tiny bits.

4. I am so grateful to have this space to write. I am even more thankful that you read and comment. You, my interweb lovelies, are also extremely important to me. Without you, I would still be inside my shell questioning myself. You took my voice seriously and for that I am eternally grateful.

5. Did I mention my husband? Yeah, I dig him.

---

For my birthday, I’d like you to tell me what you’re thankful for today. Pretty please?

Post from: Petroville No scraping.

36

Share it:

© Kimberly for Petroville, 2009. | Permalink | 42 comments

Add to del.icio.us

Search blogs linking this post with Technorati

Want more on these topics ? Browse the archive of posts filed under Beyond the Woods, Flam Damn Fam, Me... Just Me, Wacky Wedlock.