Why is blogger

being so difficult to edit html and post pictures too?  What a pain in the ass.  I hate when my posts aren't neatly aligned.  OCD.  LOL  In the overall scheme of things not a big deal, but, damn.  It should just work the way it is supposed to work.  It won't even let me cut and paste.  Does anyone know what is going on? This is just pissing me off.  Sorry.  I suppose I could try using a different computer.  But, again, it should work the way it is supposed to work.   So if it appears correctly ya know I edited it on my laptop. Anyway.........                                                                                                 

Okay,  I didn't sew Wednesday, Thursday or today.  But I did do something creative.  Wednesday I drew up simple plans for a display for my nai polish.  Yesterday I went to Lowe's and picked up the materials and supplies.  It took me a couple of hours to make the display.  As you can see there are two shelves I still need to put the fronts on.    I have to go back and get another piece of molding.  I didn't realize that the piece I got was only eight feet long.    This is basically a practice display.    I'll make another, bigger one in a few months and curve the upper edges on the side pieces and put a saying and/or some sort of carving above the top shelf.  Overall, Im pleased with the way this one came out.   

 

Today I did a fill in on my nails.  The ones on my left hand were really good. I hardly had to file at all.  But the ones on my right hand, looked like they had been done by someone who rarely picks up a brush.  The creative part came in when I did my nail art.  Nothing fancy today.  Two shades of pink polish layered over one another and black and gold stripes on four of the nails.  I did better putting down the stripes with my left hand than I did putting down the acrylic.           

I have been enjoying watching Criminal Minds lately.  I enjoy the interaction between Penelope Garcia, played by Kirsten Vangsness and Derek Morgan played by Shemar Moore.  Who I might add is one fine male speciman. mmm mmmm mmmmmm  LOL

Tomorrow, I'll be going shopping at Sephora.  There is now a Sephora inside J.C. Penney's at Tyrone Mall. Sephora is one of my favorite places to shop.  LOL    I'll probably go to Joann's too.  I think Simplicity patterns are "on sale" for $1.99 this weekend.          

            

Sewing

I received the May issue of Burda yesterday.  Way earlier in the month than I usually receive it.  I was totally underwhelmed.  I didn't find anything I wanted to sew.  Used to be I would find several things I wanted to make, lately, I find, maybe, one thing.  I'm considering letting my subscription lapse.  But then I think what if? There is an issue with numerous things I want to sew and I have to spend the time looking for the issue and then not find it.  I don't mind spending the money.  And I do enjoy looking at the magazine, even if I don't sew anything from it.  I really enjoy the style pages and the decorating ideas.

I spent most of my sewing time yesterday getting my cover-stitch machine re-threaded,  (It's been a while since I've used it.) and testing on scrap fabric.  I'll baste the hem in place before I stitch it.  Usually, I just eyeball it, and am good with accurately folding back the same width.  Does that make sense?  LOL I think today I'm going to pre-wash the tricot and a knit fabric for my next top.  It's McCall's 6282.  I have a cream and black leaf pattern jersey, similar to the fabric on the short sleeved dress.

There are a couple of patterns I want to get when they go on sale at Joann's.  Butterick 5575,  Simplicity 2224.  I think a pair of black pants (2224) to go with the top from 6282.  I love the jacket from 5575.  I think it looks almost like a vest and blouse on the pattern envelope.

I'm still having back pain.  Hard to sit for long periods of time as well as stand or walk.  Some of the pain from the herniated disc and some of the pain is from arthritis.  The arthritis is not limited to my back though.  The worst is that it is in my hands.  They are so stiff and achy at times, it makes it difficult to do a lot of things. Stretching helps, so I stretch several times a day.  I have an appointment with my chiropractor in an hour or so.  I had Girl on her leash when she lunged and it hurt my back, yet again.  It seems that it only took a few seconds to undo all the progress I've made over the past several months.  

I started Weight Watchers back in October 2010.  I'm about a third of the way to goal.  I haven't started a formal exercise program yet.  Just a little walking.  I still have my old workout plan, lower body, upper body, and a run/walk schedule here.  I'll just decrease the weights and work back up to the weights listed here.  

Yesterday

Yesterday. Last evening, really. I didn't post because I spent the few minutes it would take to type a blog post, knitting. I didn't have much to say either. I wasn't going to do another two line post that tells of my newest cast on, or how much I was loving the scarf, just so I could say I did a post every day in December. I will keep the NaBloPoMo badge on the side bar to remind me I need to follow through though.

The weather here in St. Pete today is much cooler, and it's raining. I rarely wear jackets or sweaters, and I haven't owned a winter coat since I moved here from north Georgia in 1980. I don't miss having to put on a coat just to walk down to the mailbox. I do, however, miss looking stylish in a new coat, scarf, and gloves. I still have a couple of coat and jacket patterns on my to do list: Vogue 1129, a trench coat that I don't see on the Simplicity site at this time, and a cardi-wrap. And after glancing at the sites, I see a couple more patterns I want to put on my list, McCall's 5937 and McCall's 5815. I don't check out the new patterns the way I used to. I'm going to spend some time perusing the websites of the "big four" pattern companies later.

These days I'm really slow in my knitting and my sewing. I have a purse half done. I have the fabric and pattern laid out for the cardi-wrap, but haven't actually cut it out or started sewing it yet. I've blogged several times about the SWAP I wanted to participate in a couple of years ago. It was the reason I started this blog. I have the patterns, and most of the fabric I want to use. But, haven't started to sew anything.

Part of it, is just because I don't have any energy. There is some depression here, and I think that is because of my weight, my back pain, and stress. A vicious circle. I also believe that it is up to me to do something about it since I have named the problems. I need to own them and do something about them. Is this TMI? Maybe. But, I need to do something to change my life.

I'm a big believer in self improvement. (I love reading self improvement books, using one thing from this one, and another thing from another one.) So, here is a list of things I'm going to do (and it may change as time goes on, but at least it's a start.) I'm going to start going back to Weight Watchers, I'm going back to this gym and this gym. (Yes, I have a membership in both, and haven't been using them.) Some things I like about one and some things I like about the other. Maybe this will motivate Walt to start going again too. When I get medical insurance I'll go to my doctor and get the usual lab work, x-rays, etc..done. I'll also address depression and arthritic pain with him. Until then, I'll continue to take Tylenol, which does give me some relief from the back pain.

I also believe that I need to do something creative everyday, sewing, knitting, crocheting, altered art, etc... And I haven't been doing that until recently. So, I'm going to continue knitting, but I'm going to sew every day, even if it is just one seam.

I will be posting about my diet, workout, knitting, sewing, and other artistic endeavor until I have made all these a habit again. And this time I won't stop. It isn't how many times you fall, it's how many times you get up. So starting on Monday, I will be embarking on my self improvement program. This will give me time to write out menus, go shopping for food, get a workout class schedule from both Lifestyle Fitness and Shapes to determine which classes I want to attend, and get a new Weight Watcher's meeting schedule.

Wish me luck! LOL

My greatest point is my persistence. I never give up in a match.
However down I am, I fight until the last ball. My list of matches shows
that I have turned a great many so-called irretrievable defeats into
victories.

Bjorn Borg
(1956-, Swedish Tennis Player)

Shopping!!!

I went shopping this morning. I LOVE shopping! I had to get some electrodes for my TENS unit. Got an ink cartridge for my Dell printer and went to Barnes & Noble. I couldn't find the book I was looking for so I went to Borders where I did find the book. Organic Body Care Recipes. We studied aroma therapy earlier week in class. I was already familiar with it, but this class helped expand my knowledge. We are also required to make three items and display them in a basket for a project. I started making mental notes as to the colors, scents, and items I wanted to put in my basket. One of the scents I want to use is lemon. It smells so fresh. I am thinking I will use the colors purple and white. I want to make a small purple eye pillow. Among the other things I'm considering is an eye cream, bath salts, bath bombs, and soap. I may change my mind after I read through the book I got today and my text book, The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy.

I went to Weight Watchers today, I'm down half a pound. I'm not disappointed with the small loss, any loss at all is better than staying the same or gaining.

I have two sewing WIP (works in progress). They have been lingering on my sewing table for over a year. I love sewing, but just don't do it as much as I used to. I love doing other things too. I read other sewist's blogs and admire all the projects they sew. I'm ok with the fact that I'm not a prolific sewist. There is a cardi-wrap sew-a-long on Pattern Review. I've had a McCall's cardi-wrap on my WIP list for several months. I have the material and the pattern, but haven't actually cut it out. I'm going to see if I have enough material to make Simplicity 2603 instead.

The Biggest Loser starts the new season on Tuesday. The previews are showing one of the "losers" from last season coming back. He was one of my favorites and I was disappointed when he was voted off the ranch. He was working so hard to lose the weight and get healthy. I'm so glad he's getting a second chance.

Not much

has been happening. I'm continuing to study for the CLA exam, working out on a daily basis, and looking for a job.
I always look forward to attending my Weight Watchers meetings on Saturday mornings. The leader, Connie, is very nice. She is a lifetime member, as is all of Weight Watchers' staff. I was hoping I would lose two pounds this past week to make it 40 pounds. However, it was .4. I'll take that!
#53 on my list of 101 Things is to change my hair colour and get a new style. Last night I changed my hair colour from Ľoréal Féria
#51 Brazilian Bronze (a medium brown) to #36 Chocolate Cherry (a dark burgundy). I love this colour! I've been looking for just the right shade of red and I finally found it. The Brazilian Bronze looked red on my hair, but it wasn't red enough. I do LOVE red hair! I've decided not to change the style any time soon and keep it long.












edited to include picture
I went to Joann's for their pattern sale this morning. It was crazy, as is usual during their pattern sales. They had Simplicity and McCall's on sale this weekend. I got Simplicity 3684. I love white blouses with jeans. There were other patterns I wanted, but didn't have time to check the catalogs, and I didn't have my wishbook with me. I did get the new issue of Martha Pullen's Sew Beautiful magazine. I love this magazine and the childrens clothes. Although I think it's a little unrealistic for most children to dress like this, even for "dress-up". Because I don't have any young children in my life I'm planning (it's on my never ending list of things to do) to use these lovely patterns to sew for my much loved size two walker doll and my preemie baby doll.

I've been sewing a pair of boxers for Walt. He got fabric with the Dale Earnhardt logo on it and the number 3. He was a huge fan. Now he's a fan of D. E. Junior. I am still in the dreaming and planning stage for myself. Stacy and Clinton from TLC's What Not to Wear say that you should dress the body you have, not the one you want. But I don't want to spend a lot of time fitting clothes to a body that is ever changing. I still have about 35 pounds before I get to goal weight. Until then, I'll just spend a few dollars to get a small but functional wardrobe. Burda World of Fashion has gorgeous patterns every month. Two that I love, are this dress (even though I'm not a "tall") from the November issue and this top, although not in this color, from the October issue.

Shopping!

I went to Joann's Fabrics today after Weight Watchers as is my usual routine. Since Simplicity patterns were $1.99 each, I got 4084. I'm planning to use it for the Pattern Review trench coat sew-along. I'll be using this fabric. I love the colour. It coordinates with several fabrics I got last year when my SWAP was going to include shades of purple.





So much for predictions. LOL I had lost one pound at weigh-in today. Not disappointed though. I always consider the alternative.

Today’s menu: my usual breakfast, a mocha frapaccino during the meeting, a “cinnamon bun” protein drink, a Lean Cuisine Spinach and Mushroom pizza, and some sushi.
I decided to take a break from exercise today, too. I’ll make it up tomorrow by doing the aerobics and an upper body workout. I won’t be able to workout on Monday due to an appointment with my chiropractor.

musings

I love James Lee Burke. I especially love his Dave Robicheaux series. These are the kind of books I like to have on hand for a few months before I start to read them. Then, I read them very, very slowly, because I don’t want them to end. I always have a “NOLA” themed weekend where I have a dressed fried oyster po’boy or crawfish etoufee and listen to zydeco music.

There is a trench sew along on Pattern Review. I have some periwinkle supplex that might make a nice trench. I might get a pattern this weekend and try to sew-a-long. I like McCall's 5525 and Simplicity 4084. It seems as though several other sew-ists like the Simplicity pattern also. It's from the Threads magazine collection.

My diet has consisted of the same thing for the past three days. I’ve been looking for some easy recipes that are high in protein. I’ll need some variety for dinners. I don’t mind having the same things for breakfast and “snacks”. Oatmeal, cottage cheese, ham, and pineapple is my favorite breakfast. The protein bar isn’t the greatest, but it’s tolerable. It certainly isn’t as bad as some I’ve eaten. I’ll also get a few ingredients to use in my protein drinks also. Different flavorings and fruits, etc I did my upper body work out today. Tomorrow I’ll do aerobics again and on Friday I’ll do a full body work out. I read a few pages daily in my old Muscle Media or Energy for Women magazines to help with motivation.

The man who can drive himself further once the effort gets painful is the one who will win.

Roger Bannister
(1929-, British athlete, first person in the world to run a mile under 4 minutes)

The Weekend

I'm enjoying my weekend off. I can't remember the last time I had a weekend off. I'm really gonna enjoy these new hours.

I got up early Saturday morning and went to Joann's Fabrics. I got a Doll Reader magazine and a couple of patterns. They had Simplicity patterns on sale. I used my 50% off coupon on the magazine. I didn't find any fabric I really liked on first glance. I didn't have time to browse. I had to get back home for a mini-physical for some insurance I'm getting.

So this woman comes to my house to ask a few medical questions, get my BP, weight and draw blood. She looks at my arms and asks me if "they" use a butterfly when "they" draw blood. Now, I have vessels the size of a water hose, no one EVER has difficulty getting my blood. I don't know what she did but, it hurt like a bitch when she took the "needle" out. Now I have a HUGE dark purple bruise (okay, hematoma)on my left arm, and it hurts a LOT when I straighten my arm.

This morning I went to my sister's house for a while. I tried to get her PC unfrozen. Rebooted several times, but it still came up on the same webshots pic. No desktop, no task bar. It didn't freeze until she downloaded one of my pics I had displayed on the webshots site. It's an old PC, with Windows 98. I loaned her a laptop.

101 Things Update:
#98 I spent a few minutes picking up pots and putting away the hoses so the front yard doesn't have the PWT (poor white trash) look as much as it did. I've got to get measurements next weekend and make a graft to plan out the landscaping.

#78 I will learn more than 50 new words with this paralegal course. So, I'll mark this "in progress".

I'll try some of the recipes next weekend. Butter chicken and maybe Crème Brulee or Tiramisu. I might make some bath bombs too!