Tuesday, May 30, 2006

#s 44, 66, 67 and 68

I've always been a girly-girl. I love make-up, clothes and shoes, especially high-heels. Always loved dressing up.

I'm doing a What Not to Wear type wardrobe. I want to love and wear everything in my closet. I want to look great in everything I have. I also want to have clothing appropriate for every occasion. I've already purged almost everything I can't/won't wear. I have a few things that have sentimental value. Things that my Mom bought me. I'll never part with those. I'll keep them put away. So I consider #66 completed at this time. As I lose weight I'll get rid of the clothes that no longer fit and they will be replaced. As I sew and replace those items I will put the reviews on Pattern Review.

I watched a Tyra Banks' show a couple of weeks ago. A guest's makeup and brushes was cultured. OMG!!! You wouldn't believe the vermin growing there! It was truly disgusting! So, I decided right then to replace all my make-up and brushes. Currently I don't wear make-up very often. I used to wear "full face" every day. But I will when class starts. So looking forward to that!

LOL I comment on that paralegal class in almost every entry.

Monday, May 29, 2006

Planning

I've been looking at the 101 things list. There are a few things I have changed. I decided that they just weren't important to me. Such as the top 100 movies or books. These items have been replaced. I removed enlist the help of a life-coach. Let's face it...I know what I have to do. I know how to make a plan to accomplish what I want to accomplish. I also removed analyze my successes and failures. I've decided failure isn't an option!

Looking at my list, I see I need to have a plan. I can't just go willy-nilly (great word! lol). So now I have another list of things I need to buy, things I need to research and appointments I have to make. I seem to want to accomplish everything at once, so I need to set up a time frame also. Some things I know I can't do until I have finished the paralegal course and change jobs. Other things on the list depend on completing a few listed items, such as diving and doing a mini triathlon after I learn to swim. I am off to a slow start but am sure I will be able to complete everything in the time allotted. It would be awesome if I could complete it early!

I'm also thinking some of these things need to become habits. reading the paper and the Bible, getting my nails done, facials, taking photos, cooking new recipes...etc. These are all things I used to do on a regular basis.

I seem to have gotten out of the habit of doing a lot of things I use to do. It's like over the past few years I have lost me. I'm not the person I used to be and I want to get back to being that person.

Wednesday, May 24, 2006

101 Things in 1001 Days

Another "challenge" I discovered from another blogger is 101 Things in 1001 Days. This is a list of 101 things that could realistically be accomplished in 1001 days. Her list included educational, professional, charitable and just for fun things. Soooo....I am taking on another challenge...101 Things in 1001 Days.

You can see the rules here. This is apparently where it started a few years ago.

I love the idea of making this list so that I have something to look at to remind me of the things I want to accomplish. Many of us see something on tv, hear about it on the radio or read about it and think, some day I'd like to......and promptly forget about it. We live out our lives day to day and only look forward to major events. I think this is also a way to celebrate the little things as well as the big things.

As I complete an item I will make it bold. My list is greater than 101 items. Some of the things I've been working on for a while, such as cataloging my photos, CDs and DVDs. Some things are just important to me and I think needs to be on the list.

I can do this!

What fun!

Ever the one to get distracted when reading email, I managed to find a blog where someone was challenging others to read 1-2 books a week. Each person will make a list of the books he/she is planning to read. Now, at the beginning of the year, I vowed to read one book a week. I haven't kept up with the reading. I believe that making myself accountable to others may make it easier to get all my reading done. Some have also suggested books to read, such as books by the same author, or books of poetry, books with the same theme, books on the same library shelf etc...I will try to complete the books I have already started. I've only started two that are on my list. I have a LOT that I want to read.

I buy, on the average 5-6 books a month. I have books on a variety of subjects. The "Dummies" books are some of my favorites. But I think most of them might be too long to read in a week. I don't particularly like to read novels. Maybe that should be my challenge, to just read novels. I do have a few of them.

One of my other challenges for this year was to take a knitting class. I learned to knit when I was 11-12. I wasn't very good at it and soon other things occupied my time. The local Joann's has classes and it would be fun to socialize with others who are learning also. The person that suggested the reading challenge is a knitter. I hope we don't have to be a knitter to join!

I'm continuing to work on my SWAP storyboard. Just when I think I've got a working one, I see where it could be improved on. I've also ordered more fabric. A lovely pink, gray and white striped lightweight stretch poplin for a shirt. I'm waiting for a sale at Joann's to get patterns. Simplicity patterns will be on sale next week. I keep a list of the ones I want on my PDA.

Well, off to do some work on my story board!

Friday, May 19, 2006

SWAP

I really dislike staying up at night when everyone else is sleeping. But, I need to so I will be able to sleep on Fridays, to stay up for work Friday night. It just seems to add to my depression.

So...I've worked on my story board for SWAP tonight. Since I will be starting my paralegal class in a couple of weeks, I figure I will need a totally new wardrobe. Jeans and scrub tops just won't be appropriate. The old plan for summer just won't work. I've taken a lot of ideas from WNTW's Stacy and Clinton. I've made notes on what I know to look good on me and will try a few of their ideas for my body type. I love to dress up and can hardly wait to start the class, meet new people and have a new job.

Thursday, May 18, 2006

That '70's Show

Okay. I admit it. I LOVE That '70's Show! It reminds me of my high school days. We even had the cute foreign student. I'll never know how he ended up in Dalton, GA though. Hank was from India and spoke perfect english. Our "Hyde" was named Dave and had the requisite curly hair and smoked pot. We had a Jackie, Eric and Donna, although ours wasn't as good looking. It brings back strong feelings of nostalgia. Back when life was fresh and young and anything could be accomplished. It's sad to see the show go. Yes, I know there are repeats and it's on DVD. But it's just not the same, just to know there won't be any new episodes being made. Well, I can hope there will be reunion episodes.

There are other shows that are having their last seasons...Will and Grace and ??? I have only seen one episode of that show. Looking back at other sit-coms.....I haven't watched many of the more popular ones. I watched Friends once or twice and Seinfeld maybe twice.

Lots of shows are having their season finales this week too. The CSI's....love those shows. Especially the one set in Las Vegas, Grissom is my favorite. OH! and love, love, love Horatio Kane on CSI:Miami!

Wednesday, May 10, 2006

more thoughts

After having this blog for 2-3 weeks, I realize that this will be more than just about my sewing and creative yearnings.

Okay. So I haven't started Body for Life yet. But, I am riding my stationary bike and reading while doing so. Multitasking. I also half-heartedly listen to a tv program.

It seems as though I don't have enough time to do all the things I like to do. My nursing job just leaves me exhausted. It takes me a day or two to get over working weekend nights. Have I commented on how much I am looking forward to getting out of nursing and working as a paralegal? LOL

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Yipeee!!!

Everything is set for me to start the paralegal course on June 6th. I can hardly wait! I've got to get a business casual wardrobe. Nothing I have is appropriate. So, I've got to go shopping. I'll probably sew some items too. I should use this for my SWAP.

I'm also thinking about starting Body for Life again. I did great losing weight when I was on it before. I really do like to exercise, but I just got out of the habit after I had knee surgery. I have a stationary bike, a treadmill, some free weights and a gym membership. So there is not a good reason I can't be working out.

Ramblings

Work was a bear this past weekend. All the paper work has to be changed over for the beginning of the month. In a 12 hour shift I barely had time for a 15 minute break to eat something. I was so tired when I got home I just fell into bed. And on top of that I contracted a respiratory infection.

Yesterday I went for the admissions interview for the paralegal course. Today I have to take my paperwork for a Sallie Mae loan. I'd rather just sleep all day. Classes start June 6th and run until August 1, 2007. They are night classes. I wish they were during the day. The class wouldn't last as long and I could get out of nursing sooner.

On the bright side, I have a stash!! I have acquired several lovely onionskins from Emma Onesock. A couple of cottons from Candlelight Fabrics and a nice lycra piece from Fabric.com. I also got some swatches of fabrics that I like a lot and will order some next week.

I've been thinking about the storyboard for my SWAP. It's taking a lot longer to get together than I thought it would. Due to the fact that I have to order fabrics and wait for them to arrive to see if they really coordinate. I haven't really found anything I like at Joann's.

I order books from Amazon about twice a month. I've been reading a lot about altered books and journals. So, this last order included Altered Book Collage and The Decorated Journal. I have tons of ideas for altered books and the like. I'm starting to collect items such as paints, tissue papers, charms etc for these.