My Week in a Nutshell

Working at least one day this week.  Continuing my search for a full time job.

Reading Flood by Andrew Vachss.

Doing at least one creative thing each day.

Making fish tacos.  I've never had them before, but they look yummy in the picture in my Weight Watchers    book.  I might make a sweet corn salsa too. 

Working out as much as my back will allow.

 

I didn't get the pictures of my materials and supplies for my brush carrier taken.  I spent most of the  day reading my magazines, trying to get caught up.  I have to work tomorrow, but I'll try to get it done tomorrow evening.  I'm going to try to get the pieces cut tomorrow too.

Who doesn't love a wedding??  I certainly do, especially one that has all the pomp and circumstance of a royal wedding.  I DVR'd it and watched it Friday night.   The media kept referring to Cate as a commoner.  I do understand what they mean, but there is nothing "common" about her.  She is an exceptional young woman.  It cannot be easy being scrutinized by not only your fellow countrymen, but, by the entire world.  I wish them a long and happy life together.

The broadcasts on CNN didn't really show a lot of the damage the tornado did in Ringgold.  There are home videos on youtube.  This is one of them.

     

    

My Week in a Nutshell

Looking for a full-time job.
Going to Walmart for dog supplies, lots of flippie chips and pig sticks!  LOL
Checking out Walgreens for Sinful Colors nail polish, it's 99¢ this week.  There are some beautiful colors!
Sewing and knitting for a few minutes each day.  I'll finish the knit top today.  I just have to hem the neckline.
Watching a few favorite TV shows while I ride my stationary bike.  Continue training for the 5k walk Weight Watchers is having in May.
I think I'll work on my 101 Things too.  I haven't done much work on the list lately.

Burda

 I received the May issue of Burda Style yesterday.  Way earlier in the month than I usually get 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 finding 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 also 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 pretty good with accuracy.  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'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 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 a workout plan, lower body, upper body, and a run/walk shcedule 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)

arrrrrgggggg!!!!!

In the past three weeks I have regained nine pounds. It's stress eating because I'm having a difficult time finding a job in my newly chosen career. When I first started the paralegal course attorneys were practically begging for paralegals. The school wanted to send us out to work then. The attorneys didn't care that we had just started, they needed help and were willing to work with us and teach us how they wanted things done. Now, some of the attorneys want as much as ten years experience in litigation.

I have decided that I must do something more to lose this extra fat. Weight Watchers is helping, but I have to do more. Sooooooo........I'm starting Body for Life tomorrow. I have done the program in the past and it worked for me. I am posting my "before" measurements and a "before" pic. (oh NO!!!!!) I will also be posting my workout routine and my diet on a daily basis. On the 9th of each month Every four weeks I will post my results (measurements and a new pic) for the previous month. I will re-evaluate my routines at this time.
So here is the starting point....
Date 9-Sep-2007
neck 14.75..........hips 43.5
U chest 41.5.......R thigh 23
bust 47..............R knee 15
L chest 38.75......R calf 14.75
R bicep 14.25......R ankle
R wrist 6.75........L thigh 22.75
L bicep 14.25......L knee
L wrist 6.75........L calf
waist 37.5..........L ankle
abs 45.5............Weight 189.4

I know, I know, TMI, but bear with me. It WILL get better!
I just took the pics for my journal. I just want to cry. I must have been in severe denial as to how I really looked. Know how you look at your body, but don't really see it? It's really difficult to overlook flaws when you're looking at a pic.

Tomorrow

Is my last day of work. Only 8 hours to go. Funny, I'm feeling a little anxious about it. Looking forward to it too! I have two assessments I have to complete tomorrow and then I'll just be there to answer any questions my replacement may have.
I'm still attending my Weight Watchers meetings. I've lost 11 pounds so far. It's a start. I'm not being obsessive about it, eating too much of some things I shouldn't. But as long as there is a downward trend I'm happy. My goal was to lose 5 pounds a month and so far, I'm meeting that goal.
Starting tomorrow I'll be able to work out on almost a daily basis. I'm looking forward to that too! I love to exercise and workout with weights. I like feeling strong...being strong. Before I injured my knee and had to have surgery, I worked out six days a week.....had a 6 pack! LOL Looking forward to having one again.
Looking forward to having a new wardrobe too! I've talked a lot about the SWAP storybook. I'm holding off sewing anything until I'm about five pounds from goal weight. I'm still collecting patterns and fabrics to make the new wardrobe. I'm watching What Not to Wear getting ideas for clothes that will look good on me. I'm also checking out magazines such as Vogue and Glamour. Although Glamour may be a little too "young" for me. I think I could adapt some of the fashions to suit me.
I'm also going to get started on "The Artist's Way" tomorrow too. I've been putting that off until I have some free time.
I want to make the most of the three-four months I have off. there is so much I want to do and I'm not sure if I'll have enough time to complete all my goals.