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.  

Football and other Ramblings

My Saints lost to the Dallas Cowboys on Saturday night. It was inevitable that they would lose sooner or later. I’m not upset. They have a record that any NFL team can be proud of. Next game is against the Bucs. Whose record is 1-13. The Saints have already beat them once this season. Just sayin'.

I'm having a bit of trouble with my camera and haven't been able to post the pictures of the project I made for my aroma therapy class. I'll post them as soon as I can.

Back on the 5th of this month I posted about some changes I was going to make. Well, as I usually do, I have changed my mind about some of them. I did go on a diet, but, I didn't go back to Weight Watchers. WW is a great eating plan, but I didn't think I could do it just yet. I decided to go on a low carb diet for a while. As of Monday the 7th I have lost 16 pounds. I haven't had any grains, ie bread, flour etc...no potatoes, no starches. I have tried to eat healthy fats also. And....I have had minimal to no arthritic pain since then. I feel like I'm slowly getting back to my old self. I haven't been to either gym, but I am riding my stationary bicycle each day.

I still haven't been sewing, but, I have been knitting and crocheting. Slowly. I'm just now learning how to decrease on one of the scarves I'm making. I have some knitting shows on the DVR and watch them as the mood strikes. I have a list of projects on Ravelry. There are a few things on Knitty I want to knit too. I hope to complete at least one of my projects by the 31st. Some knitters can really crank out the projects. That wouldn't be me and I'll probably never be a fast knitter, but it's something I really enjoy.

This week I'll be:
1. knitting
2. listening to Christmas music
3. reading How To Read a French Fry and Other Stories of Intriguing Kitchen Science by Russ Parsons
4. AND waiting for Santa!

My Mother's favorite Christmas song was "Little Drummer Boy". She loved to sing along with it when it came on the radio. I'm gonna miss spending Christmas with her. It was her favorite time of the year, and mine too. I love shopping, especially at Christmas, even with all the crowds. I did the last of my shopping today. This is the latest I've ever done my shopping. How is your shopping? Almost finished? Or waiting until the last minute? Only four more days til Christmas!

Friday, Day 12

I will be attending my Weight Watchers meeting tomorrow at 10 o’clock. I’m predicting I will loose at least 2.5 pounds. I won’t be disappointed if I don’t though.

Today’s menu: my usual breakfast, an “apple pie” protein drink, protein bar, and a green salad with steak strips and avocado with fat-free ranch dressing, and a 0 point bowl of veggie soup.

Here is my upper body workout for today.

Life is not always what one wants it to be, but to make the best of it as it is, is the only way of being happy.
Jennie Jerome Churchill
(1854-1921, Mother of British Prime Minster Winston Churchill)

Diet and exercise

Today’s menu: my usual breakfast, a “Cinnamon bun” protein drink (I really like this particular flavor), my protein bar, and a chicken with curried fat free mayo and raisins sandwich. I know I’ve got to start eating more or I will stall early on in the game. It’s just that I can’t find anything right now that has a lot of protein and that is quick and easy to fix I want to eat. I’ve been looking at recipes, but nothing calls out to me.

Here is my lower body workout for today.

You Are a Pegasus

You are a perfectionist, with an eye for beauty. You know how to live a good life - and you rarely deviate from your good taste. While you aren't outgoing, you have excellent social skills. People both admire you - and feel very comfortable around you.

What Mythological Creature Are You?

Do or do not. There is no try.
YODA

SWAP

I worked on my SWAP storyboard this evening and finally got it finished. It's pretty ambitious, but I'm not in a hurry to complete it. I’ve chosen the patterns and the fabrics I want to use for each one. I do have a few of the fabrics on hand. I won’t call it a stash. My colors are going to be grey, black, white with burgundy, pink and red accents. These are the patterns I’ve chosen:
pants-black-Simplicity 4273 view E
pants-grey-Simplicity 4135 view A
pants-burgundy- BWOF 1/2006 102B
pants-herringbone-Simplicity 3690 view A
gauchos-grey-Butterick 4861 view E
skirt-black-possibly McCall's 5330 view A
skirt-burgundy-Simplicity 4787 view C
skirt-grey/red/black print BWOF 8/2007 113 B
jacket-grey- McCall’s 5193 view A
jacket-black-Simplicity 4273 view A
jacket-burgundy-McCall’s 5529 view B
vest-grey-Butterick 4815 view C
vest- herringbone-Simplicity 3690 view D
top-black/red/pink print- Simplicity 4112 view B
top-white-shirt-McCall’s 4922 view c
top-black-Vogue 8152 view B
top-garnet red-BWOF 9/2007 101 B
top-gray/red/black print- Butterick 4789 view A
top-grey-Vogue 8151 view A
dress-grey-jumper-Simplicity 3673 view A
dress-red-Vogue 8280 view C
dress-black-New Look 6429 view combination of C & E
dress-black/red/grey plaid McCall's 5466 view B
trench-periwinkle-possibly Simplicity 4084 view C
jacket outer-black with animal print lining-Vogue 8307 view A
Like I said, it's very ambitious. As soon as I get closer to my goal weight I can start fitting and sewing. The Simplicity trench and Vogue jacket I can go ahead and make, since they won’t require precise fittings. Living in Florida, I have plenty of time before it starts to cool off.

My diet today consisted of basically the same thing I’ve had since Monday. My fav breakfast, a protein bar, today, and a strawberry pineapple protein drink. Last night and tonight I had baked skinless, boneless chicken cut in cubes and mixed with raisins and curried mayo. I LOVE curried mayo!!

I did the 20 minute aerobic session today. I have also been doing "vacuums". I believe this is a yoga position, many of you may already know about it. I
"relearned" about it when I got the Body Flex tapes several years ago. I didn’t think just breathing would help me loose weight or tone up, but I did think it would help me to "breathe better". It did and this position also helped make my abs smaller.