Lesson 546: Where the Heart Is

Eloise has been on the fly this week,

and life doesn't appear to be slowing down any time soon.

If you are looking for me,

you'll know where I am.

I'm always where my heart is.

These awesome t-shirts were designed by Laurie--

captain of our Mom & Sibs Squad.

We'll be sporting them today as we watch

Sam's team play their first game of in the

 PA State Little League Tournament.

 Our hearts are bursting that this team made it this far!

They love the game, 

and play with heart.

They are so animated to watch.

Cameras are cool--

not for their modern day mechanics,

with sharp clarity

 and mind boggling zoom--

but for their ability to capture emotion,

and save a scene to enjoy for later enjoyment.

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Cameras are awesome,

and if you have one,

it does not mean you are a photographer.

Eloise likes to capture moments,

particularly nature scenes and candid shots

(I hate taking group photos),

but I am no photographer.

When special moments arrive in your life

like the Happy Train pulling up to the stop on schedule--

births, 

weddings,

graduations,

or senior photos--

hire a photographer!

It is money well spent!

Here are a few shots of the girls during their 

senior photo session this week,

taken by my good friend and experienced photographer,

Matt Kleck.

Anyone can purchase camera equipment,

and take a photography course or watch youtube tutorials.

But it's the person behind the camera that creates the magic.

Even when Matt tells you to wade out into deep water

to stand on a rock

because the shot will be breathtaking.

Matt's good nature and likable boy-next-door personality

make him easy and fun to work with.

He was very patient with Natalie

and would be a great person to use if you have 

a child with special needs or sensitivities like Natalie does.

Eloise got her own chance to take some cool photos this week,

which allowed me some rooftop views of North East.

I captured my own heart moment with this post

Erie Half Marathon selfie.

Completing the 13.1 loop this year

was my biggest sports accomplishment since Tough Mudder

several years ago.

After spending most of last year on light duty

due to my ovarian tumor discovery,

the surgery,

and recovery,

my toe joints lost a large amount of flexibility.

In order to get better at running, 

and in my case, not faster,

just endurance and miles,

you have to run.

But my feet wouldn't allow for that this round.

Eloise simply could not walk with my traditional training plan in place.

I had to make some changes.

I joined the YMCA and took to the pool.

My favorite workouts are the water boot camps.

My heart rate soars and there is no pressure on my joints!

I also started riding my bike with friends.

Park rides with Kristen Rocky are my favorites--

no cars,

just a lot of conversation,

and a steady uphill climb on the return trip.

This year the Erie Half Marathon was great!

It was well organized,

the volunteers were friendly and helpful,

the food was fantastic,

the shirts were awesome,

and the medal is still on display because it's 

so pretty and I'm so proud of earning it.

I asked my nephew Jack if he'd ride Raddy for me--

it's an Eloise coined term for someone who 

follows you on a bike on a long run.

It's a combo of Run and Caddy.

I paid him to get up early,

meet us at the peninsula,

and carry our stuff.

Because there is such a gap between myself

and my daughter,

Jack rode the gap numerous times

to give me updates,

(mommas worry)

and scout water stops and bathrooms.

It made the run enjoyable and the time pass quickly.

I owe a huge thanks to my workout group

at Team Adrenaline for the continuous encouragement.

Such a nice group of people!

I was high on my accomplishment days after the race.

Good thing,

because this didn't tick me off 

nearly as much as it should have.

To date, 

no one has admitted to the Brady-esque rule:

Mom always says, "Don't play ball in the house!"

But all fingers were pointing, not to Tiger

but to this tail wagging member of the family.

Josie needs leverage in order to stand after 14 years of chasing balls.

Perhaps she pushed up against it.

She couldn't even look at me in the eyes.

Guilty as charged.

The #FreeJosie campaign has already started,

but she's completely content in jail--

she doesn't move around too much anymore.

Weekend homework for plant specialists:
What is this flower?

I found it along the banks of the creek at camp--

growing all by its lonesome at the base of these leafy plants.

It was the only one I could find.

Reminder:

The second sale of Natalie Happy People T-shirts 

to support her participation in Barber Beast on the Bay,

will close July 29th.

You must order your own shirt online at this link:

Order by July 29th, CLICK HERE

We've received such a positive response,

and have such a high volume of requests,

you must order your own at the link above.

The shirts can be shipped to your home,

or I will bring back the local ones to my front porch.

This batch is due to be printed during the first week of August.

If you have time this weekend,

Root, root, root for the Home Team!

The brotherhood of boys who represent 

Harborcreek in the 11U All-Star State tournament.

Here is the link to the live radio broadcast:
Radio Link CLICK HERE

Scroll down the radio page to find 2018 State Little League Championships.
Find the Huskies game at game time
(first game is 7:30 pm Saturday, July 21)
and click LISTEN LIVE



Have a great week, Everyone!

XOXO
Eloise