Yeah, that's me...*confused*

You Are 45% Left Brained, 55% Right Brained

The left side of your brain controls verbal ability, attention to detail, and reasoning. Left brained people are good at communication and persuading others. If you're left brained, you are likely good at math and logic. Your left brain prefers dogs, reading, and quiet. The right side of your brain is all about creativity and flexibility. Daring and intuitive, right brained people see the world in their unique way. If you're right brained, you likely have a talent for creative writing and art. Your right brain prefers day dreaming, philosophy, and sports.

Are You Right or Left Brained?

I know "why" I'm confused. I'm a total "rule follower" but very organized regarding how I handle my tasks, etc. Oh...and pretty darn stubborn!

We decided to spend this weekend totally home. We've been running since Spring, or so it seems, and will travel again late this Fall. Yesterday was just wonderful, I spent the day doing 30 minute spurts of machine quilting (all my neck will allow), followed by 30 minute spurts of cleaning/organinzing my clutter. See? When the timer rings I get up and move, not ignore it and finish the seam like other right brainers.

I also finished my first sock. Not totally enthused with the Kitchener Toe finish, and neither is dh. I tried 3 times to do it myself, then asked my dh to read the directions over and over until I finished with all the stiches. I love the sock, pictures will follow another day, but the yarn was too bulky and I should have done the ribbing in a smaller gauge needle. I used 3.25 dpn bamboo, but heck, this was my first, what did I know!

We tried to get all our running out of the way Friday, and dh worked valently on getting the laundry caught up during the week. All that was left for this weekend was the weekly sheet load. DH worked on his "science experiment"...A SOLAR OVENfor camping! Here, the temperature was only around 225º, but with a little fiddling he achieved 260º, enough for the cup of tea which he presented to me!

I guess we are true midwesterners at heart and did a little "putting up for the winter", even tho we live in northern CA. Some of our running around included our favorite Omaha Meat Store, and picking up a rain-check of shrimp at Smart-n-Final a small warehouse store. Yes, I know there needs to be some airflow room, it does now, we've eaten a couple of helpings. We were able to get 26-2 people portions for $125. We buy from Omaha all the time, their meat quality is just the best, and it's all prepacked in individual portions. Someone forgot to remind us how small our freezer was and it was quite a challenge, but we did it!

Off to work some more on machine quilting my dd's last Chrismas quilt. I should have the MQ done today, and hopefully the binding made and attached. I'd L-O-V-E to get that darn thing in the mail today to Florida! Next project is MQ on a baby quilt to a family baby born in July...ahem.

I won't forget, will you?

Mt. Ranier

Sunday we spent the day driving to Mt. Ranier. I had no idea what to expect, and was not disappointed. The view was breathtaking, and we stopped many times along the way to enjoy the vista.

The sightseeing opportunities were just wonderful. We had binoculars and we could see teeny-tiny mountain climbers w-a-y up the glacier face climing towards the top of the mountain. I have no desire to join them, but I do love to "watch".

The beautiful Seattle skyline as we returned home from our trek.

Back at home, I've started getting my sewing stuff out. I have SO many things started and incomplete, it's embarassing. My oldest dd's Christmas quilt is first in line. I've only got 2 borders to finish the MQ on. What to do, what to do (next)?

More of Seattle

OK, so I fell in love with Seattle!

These first two pictures are still from Pike Place, the open market area. I have NO idea what kind of funky veggie the strange one on the right is, it felt like a broccoli-type tho. I'd eat it, lol.

Once a seafood importer, always a seafood nut! This cool shop is extraordinary because if you buy fresh fish here, the attendants on the outside literally throw the huge fish to the guys behind the counter to be wrapped or shipped. Of course, I was WAY too amazed to catch a flying fish with my camera. I could have stood there for hours, it was very entertaining!

This is the large boat we took to Tillicum Island. There were probably 200 folks on board, all ages, who travelled at 4:30pm over to the island for the sunset cruise.

We dined on salmon cooked on alderwood racks over an open fire. New potatoes, salad and a nice salmon shaped hunk-o-chocolate for dessert. A drama was performed after dinner about the history of the Indians in the area.

And of course, the sunset.

We had a great time with family, it's wonderful to be a part of it.

Tomorrow a few pictures from Mt. Ranier.

Seattle's best

If you know me, you know what I love.
C-O-F-F-E-E
We were in Seattle last weekend visiting family and I was able to go to THE ORIGINAL Starbucks store...the mother ship. It was wonderful, and wonderfully delicious.

We visited the public market, Pike's Place and I fell in love with these brightly colored strings of various peppers and garlic. Such a treat for the eye.

On totally another subject, does anyone have any ideas for turning a living room into a studio? Of course the front door opens right there into the room, but I have been given the go-ahead. Me thinks someone has realized that there is a frustrated artist just about to go postal. It's in both of our best interests!

DD says my blog posting is unreliable. Cross my heart (again) I'll try to do better.

"I can make that"

Have you ever said that?

Pretend you never have.

Pretend you are NOT a craftsperson.

Strike that sentence from your vocabulary.

Otherwise...

>
>
>
OH! Be brave, go ahead...
>
>
>
You'll end up making THIS darned purse for your middle daughter!

So...middle daughter, DON'T LOOK IF YOU WANT TO BE SURPRISED!
>
>
>

After I was almost finished, aka, leaving the hardest part for last I asked my hubby, "WHAT AM I DOING?"
His reply? "Making a purse from junk."

Guess I need not be making one for myself.

File this under the catagory, "Fun, but not worth drinking 10 Capri Suns for"


At least I did something creative today. Yesterday I worked on my knitting (socks) and tomorrow I begin with the "gang" in the 1 hour of dedication to quilting.

Letters from my soldier

So...my soldier reported for duty in early July. I've had one phone call, I actually missed my first call, can you believe it?!

She is 19. Isn't she too young to learn to shoot a rifle (she calls a "weapon") and learn the ins and outs of a gas chamber? Didn't I just send her off to her first day of school, or take her to Driver's Education?

No, she is just the right age to learn about our country, learn what it takes to keep us safe...and keep us free...and just plain keep us. It was her choice to do this, and I am one of her strongest supporters. Her personal reasons for joining aren't nearly as important to me as her dedication and commitment to herself and her country.

Her letters home are my most precious possession right now. I linger just a moment at the mailbox each day, sorting and resorting thru the mail, hadn't I missed one? Is there anything stuck between the sale papers?

My second daughter has made me SO proud by taking the lead in making sure our soldier (her younger sister) has everything she needs and desires. Odd requests for toilet paper and "supplies" keep coming, and my daughter never fails to send her something bright, crazy and cheery...not to mention substituting eye cream with chocolate syrup since candy is forbidden, lol. The bond between my girls is cement, tho they'd be the first to argue "just because".

Thank you girls, you make your Momma very, very squishy inside!

2.249 and tired dogs!

According to the pedometer site from Dorothy, that's how far DH and walked this evening. I am soooo out of shape! I've lost more than 1/2 of the weight I wanted (42 off, 30 to go!) but seriously need to get some of this saggy baggy stuff taken care of. D'oh! Exercise? That should be spelled with 4 letters, lol. I like exercise about as much as I enjoy a glass of water. I DID tho, decide to take the "long route" instead of the short-cut, and I DID think of a walk all on my own. Credit given where credit due. Pathetic? You betcha!

Off to the hot-tub and early bedtime. I've been to a brunch-party-thing all day and have a out-of-town Producer in for a private shoot Mon-Wed. Need to make sure everything is in order for his early arrival. Got any ideas how to keep everyone at the Studio QUIET for 3 days?

What NOT to try!

Each year our family has a gathering of the "Sisters". We bring gifts, we eat, we catch-up on the past year, we eat, we giggle and laugh....oh, and we eat.

This year was a family reunion type of gathering, sometimes it's just "the girls". I decided to make towels with the logo we've been kind of using. I had to stylize the logo a bit to make it work on the towels...and then it didn't even do that well!

First I fused the black hearts onto the dolls then went on and fused web onto the cotton doll shape then tried to fuse it onto the towel. The towel had high nap so it just wouldn't stick well. Ended up doing a buttonhole stitch around the shapes. It looks only OK, but I sure wasn't going to choose another gift!

Performance Review

I've completed almost six months of employment at my new place. Gosh, the time has flown. OK, so that's not news I guess.

It was probably the least stressful, least anticipated, MOST refreshing Performance Review I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED.

I am an all or nothing type person. If I don't feel I'm doing my best, I bow out. I was scared to death when I started this job and was FULL of doubt and questioned my self-worth. I almost ran away scared from this position as Administrative Assistant to a Community Television Station.

OMG, I just love it! Six months in, and I'm totally captivated. It's not a hard job, but it sure has it's peaks and valleys of stress. Huge deadlines and the show goes ON. My title is more like Chief, Cook, & Bottle Washer, but that's ok. Figure I have had 24 years of motherhood training to prepare.

My job involves keeping track of everyone and "all" the money, lol. I put "all" in quotes because we are non-profit...there is no "all" if you know the business. I thankfully don't have to make many business decisions...just keep track of it all.

So back to the Performace Review, sorry I strayed. If typical corporate style, the Executive Director (my only boss) had emailed me a template to complete...What have I accomplished, What did I think my biggest accomplishment was, blah, blah. OK, so I filled that paper and added MANY more lines! He was totally complementary of my accomplishments, work-ethic and maturity, yeah, yeah...but I guess what impressed me the most was that he said I possessed the ultimate cheer factor. Always can deal with stress, don't let the little things bother me, and get to a successful and positive outcome. Ya know what? I think THAT'S what I'm most proud of. Not to mention that I've taken an office that was in moral shambles and am half-way to revamping just about everything. The Board of Directors had just about elimated the entire Staff last summer. New ED and all, it was an emotional year to have to follow in it's footsteps.

It made for a wonderful close to the week. Not to mention, we have also finished our first complete session of Summer Camp, new session and new kids next week. Oh, that and I'm looking foward to my Sisters Family Reunion!

ONWARD!

A study of my diet

I use a program called CalorieKing for my diet journalling. I have lots of limits, but the software keeps it all graphed and has almost everything already in the database. This includes many of the restaurants we frequent which is important because we eat out at least 3 or 4 meals each week. The database is updated frequently too.

These are the limits for me, considering my BMI. As long as I continue to loose weight, I keep the BMI entry the same. When I plateau the BMI gets adjusted according to my new #s.

1396 calories
168g carbs
111.5g protein
min. 25g fiber
40.5g fat

Today I've consumed 903 calories, I'll likely have a Beef Jerky snack this evening, not because I'm hungry, I need to boost my protein level!

My meals today:
Breakfast
Wheatena
strawberries
fresh pressed apple juice, nothing added
Lunch
White flour wrap (LaTortilla-see note below)
corned beef
celery sticks
apricot
Snack
apple
Dinner
1-1/2 sausages (Hillshire Light)
white flour wrap
salad w/lowfat dressing

I consider 2 foods our "wonder foods". LaTortilla White Flour Wraps and Beef Jerky. The wraps have only 90cal., 3g fat, 8g protein, 20g carb and a whopping 13g fiber. We give away the carbs to gain that pesky fiber, we are always on the low side! Beef Jerky is something I've loved since being a kid. 80cal, 1g fat, 12g protein and 6g carb. Oh yum!

My downfall is water. I have NEVER liked it. We've turned to the fruit flavored carbonated ones and I do drink a little bit more, but it gets expensive. I'm going to have to start forcing it I guess. Maybe before each cup of coffee I have to ingest 8oz of water? Hmmm, interesting proposal.

Any ideas?

Never enough time!

Will this be done Thursday by 4pm? Considering I have a Chamber Mixer to decorate for, and OH! I work, remember? Sheesh!

Laz, our Sports Director, is leaving after 17 years of service. He told us that in no uncertain terms were we to give him a big send-off. They did do a big shabang for his "Sweet 16" years of service anniversary, so we surrendered to his wishes this time.

We decided to give him a special gift instead! Can I ever just SAY NO? Um...NO. See? I can say it, just don't like the sound of it I guess, lol. Hopefully it will generate some leads tho, I'd really like to get this business back up and running.

Off to decorate some signs for the Mixer, woo-hoo...(OK, so I love it, lol).

Never enough time!

Will this be done Thursday by 4pm? Considering I have a Chamber Mixer to decorate for, and OH! I work, remember? Sheesh!

Laz, our Sports Director, is leaving after 17 years of service. He told us that in no uncertain terms were we to give him a big send-off. They did do a big shabang for his "Sweet 16" years of service anniversary, so we surrendered to his wishes this time.

We decided to give him a special gift instead! Can I ever just SAY NO? Um...NO. See? I can say it, just don't like the sound of it I guess, lol. Hopefully it will generate some leads tho, I'd really like to get this business back up and running.

Off to decorate some signs for the Mixer, woo-hoo...(OK, so I love it, lol).

40 and still rollin' on

A big F-A-T forty pounds gone. Aren't I the proud one?!

The ongoing diet and lifestyle change is still in the works. DH has lost 47 and is in "his last 10" to loose. He wants to stay between 160 and 170. I will get to 150 and not exceed 160. We've been on this track since January 1. A winning combination of healthy eating and food journalling.

I've lost 40 twice before, but I am now at a weight where I've never been "down to" on previous diets. Those diets were both carb elimination diets. I never learned how to get to the maintainance part, and missed the carbs terribly. All my previous no longer fit. I've gone down 2 full sizes, gosh it's nice to shop off the rack!

Todays meals consisted of lots of goodies...fresh pineapple and Cheerios with Skim milk for breakfast; DH and I met for lunch and each had a very large Chinese Chicken Salad and a diet Snapple Tea. For dinner we sauteed shrimp with garlic and onion, served with 6oz rice and frozen vegetable medley. I won't need a snack, but if we do it'll likely be beef jerky. All day (without the jerky) I've only consumed 1100 calories. I've not gone without any food groups, and have kept the major players at their correct levels (carbs, fats, proteins & fiber). I'm convinced it's the only way to go.

Celebrate with me and do a Happy Dance. Go do something good for yourself and feel me smiling for the both of us! I couldn't do it without your support.

Airing of the Quilts 2006

I joined with many quilters across the world in Airing of the Quilts today. Check out "2006" on that link. I neglected to put up the one I'm working on...*sigh*, maybe I'll cut and paste that "on the fence" for next year, lol.

The one on the left was made as a going away present by my bestest friends The Serial Quilters. It's on our bed in the summertime (we're blanket heapers in the winter!) The rail fence on the left was a gift given to my dh as a Christmas gift. It was from a swap on About.com.

Enjoy!

Last Weekend

Over Memorial Day Weekend, if you take:And add one now very slim DH:Zip it up in a cozy (and thankfully VERY dry):You get to see this:
Because you're taking the wrong dang road down the backside of the mountain. You can't end just "a little off course" either. What started out to be a 75 mile round trip ended up more like 230, lol.

Had a blast, froze our hineys, ate like fools (while still on our diets!) and didn't want the weekend to end.

That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it!

I know now, "I have arrived!"

I come, most recently, from a very small town, 20,000 people. A place where everyone knows everyone else. A place where you can't get into trouble without everyone reading about you in the local police report. A place where the worst crime is mailbox smashing. A place I consider just short of heaven to have raised my three daughters. People recognize your voice in the next aisle of the grocery, your kids get tattled on if they've been up to no good, and you know every Coach, Teacher and Administrative Board Member by their first names.

Exactly one year ago I went westward, WAY west. 8^)

I have spent the first year kind of out-of-sync. I went from knowing everyone to being a total stranger. I met a few of hubby's co-workers, but commuter traffic is hell and people come from a really vast area to work in Silicon Valley. Haven't hardly sewn, read a little, but just couldn't sink my teeth into much.

OK, ok, WAKE UP! Sorry, got lost in thought.

Tuesday, hubby and I were in the grocery after work. A voice came from behind me, scaring the bejabbers out of me. SOMEONE KNEW ME, they said, "Hi, what are YOU doing here?" I HAVE ARRIVED. May sound trivial to you, but I just haven't realized until now what was missing! This little thing was HUGE to me, and made me very happy.

I'm carving out my new slice. I have a great job that I really, REALLY enjoy. I'm learning how to be a "commuter". I've finally started to sew again. (I still really don't know where the best quilting stores are.) Hubby has been my best friend, my rock. Good thing we kinda like hanging around together!

NOT TO MENTION...2 people, yes 2...actually told me to update my blog! You missed ME? ME? Amazing.

All is good, I have arrived. (And having the same cell phone provider as my kids really keeps the costs down, lol.)

The Best of Both Worlds

Never in my wildest dream did I ever think I could enjoy two of the things I hold so dear...spending time on the patio in the fresh air and sewing on quilts!



Last Sunday I had the banquet table put up on the patio so I could get my daughter's quilt basted. After finishing the layering and basting I realized the afternoon was still young and wondered if I could actually start on the quilting? No, I didn't want to go inside...could I? Out comes the sewing machine and all the supplies I needed and off I went. I completed 3 of 16 blocks, but am well on my way. I was/am so excited to get it this far (it's late, what a suprise!).



I love the varigated thread I chose, it's quite thick but thankfully it plays well with my bobbin thread. I'm stitching in the ditch around each wild block, then will do cross hatch from the first border out thru the second border.

First of the Season

Can you smell them?

The house definately smells delicious while the berries are drying in the dehydrater!

We bought these on Saturday afternoon, at the first roadside stand I've seen this season. I hope to do about four more flats. It yielded two sandwich size baggies jammed full of dried strawberries. They will be awesome in our morning hot cereal.

I have a blast with the dehydrater. I've done beef jerky and fruit leather...not to mention bushels of apples. I couldn't ever keep up with the apples with the kids around. Big or little, they'd keep taste testing!

If you've tried the dehydrater, bring on the recipes!

Escargo en automobile?

(Enlarged to show detail!)

To say it's been a little wet in Northern California is an understatement. We had somethhing like 35 days with rain since March 1 which either broke records, or came darn close.

This 1" snail was found at the top of the passenger side window on DH's car which is kept in the garage. It only gets driven rarely, last time was 6 days ago!

We were lucky enough to enjoy a lovely partly cloudy day today, we went into SF to see a fellow workmate perform in a Taiko Drum performance. It was AWESOME! We also enjoyed marvelous Japanese food and Annual Cherry Blossom Festivities and booths.

Over the hill but not 1/2 way there!

Since January 1, 2006 I have lost 31 pounds. To many, it seems like it's not such a big deal. To me, it is HUGE. To get to my goal weight, I need to loose a total of 72.5 pounds so actually I'm not even 1/2 way there. Calculating my average loss, I should reach my goal weight in November.

I am a big girl. Only 5'5" on a good day. My BMI was described as "morbidly obese", enough to scare me for the final time. Oh, like you, I've tried a few diets before. I did Weight Watchers and lost 30 (got pregnant, lol). I tried South Beach twice and each time lost 40, but never learned how to eat a healthy way that could last the rest of my days. Fad diets can be successful, but if you don't learn anything, then why bother!

My success this time is accredited to Food Journaling and being totally honest with myself. My DH and I keep a food journal thru CalorieKing . There is a free 14-day trial if you're interested. I am a firm believer that if you can finally get to the point of admission that you are "morbidly obese", and understand that your quality of life may be diminished by your own eating habits, then you are ready to be totally honest and take charge of yourself. No one drove me to Burger King or McDonalds but ME.

I am eating and eating, and very rarely are hungry. I finally am capable of understanding and applying nutritionial label information to our journalling, it was all Greek to me before! DH and I try to limit our restaurants to once during the week, and once during the weekend, and try to pick places where we will have the greatest opportunity to make good choices.

I guess my point today is for YOU to take a good look at yourself. Do you like what you see? No time like the present to take charge of yourself. I can't describe how I felt this morning, getting into a new pair of pants and not being cut off at the waist by the button..or not having to leave the shirt untucked because the pant's pleats are stretched to the max.

I am happy that I am taking care of ME. Very happy.

Borders "ON" - check!

I have gotten the second set of border strips onto the Bippety Bop quilt pictured a few entries ago. I have also gotten the back pieced, ironed and ready to go. Just need to pick up some batting and get it sandwiched, hopefully this week. I think I will machine quilt with a varigated thread and mimick the wonky square pattern, getting smaller as it approaches the center. I think the outer border will be a utility grid pattern, I expect this quilt will be roughed up a bit.

No more cold piggies!

I made slippers from this pattern probably 20 years or more ago. (And haven't knitted since!) I've yet to find a satisfactory pair of slippers at the department stores lately so I got busy and made the $4 variety.

I think I need "Knitting for Dummies"...a really basic book with simple patterns. I think I'd like to try something else! I learned to knit in an afterschool program in 6th grade. We made a headband, then graduated to a winter headband/skiband. Unfortunately my skill level remained there with simple knit and purl. I'm thrilled I can cast on and off and knit 2 together, lol.

UFO Before pic

This is for the PICK 4 UFO Finishing project on Quilt Studio

Grown-Up Fun

DH's Birthday Wish: For both of us to go to Dave N Busters for playtime! We enjoyed awesome Ceasar's Salads and hit the midway for the carnival games. Best carnival I've been to without getting dirty! I'd never been there before and was pleasantly surprised. Skeeball is one of my favorite's, that machine kept spewing tickets, we just couldn't resist. We ended up seeking out a little girl who was playing games with her Daddy...and gave her our 89 tickets. Hope she had a great day too. (89 tickets will buy you 8 rubber erasers or 8 gummy octopuses...um, NO!)

Draw a Pig!

Ok, so I took the bait. Great exercise at drawing with a mouse. Whole thing just made me smile. Who cares if the answers fit, I just love reading some one else's opinion. Guess that's why I'm spending so much time reading blogs!

See my Pig!

Click here to view my test results.

Try your hand at it! Draw a Pig

Draw a Pig!

Ok, so I took the bait. Great exercise at drawing with a mouse. Whole thing just made me smile. Who cares if the answers fit, I just love reading some one else's opinion. Guess that's why I'm spending so much time reading blogs!

See my Pig!

Click here to view my test results.

Try your hand at it! Draw a Pig

To Border or Not To Border...HELP!

This is a kit called BippetyBop that I purchased from The Glass Thimble while living near Columbus, Ohio. The kit was cut short and in order to do the first inner border, I had to add a fabric (the dark multi-colored fabric). This was the first pieced border I've ever done.

The pattern then called for a single color 2.5" border (of which there was NO fabric for) so I was going to punt and use the rest of the pieces leftover. I don't think I like this outer border period, and think I'll just bind in the dark multi-color and be done with it.

What is your idea?

(I don't have enough of the dark to do a full 2nd border, but do have enough for binding if I'm careful.)

Barbara's Box

You seriously need to look at this link. Barbara from Sweden is one clever girl. I think I'll make one this very weekend. Anyone have any idea of the thickness 1000g of cardboard is? Cereal box? Fluted box? Hmmm!


Barbara's Blog about life and quilts: Instructions on how to make a box

Thanks Barbara for the complete instructions and great photos of your work...keep creating!!!! I'm at your mercy!!!!

You Passed 8th Grade Math

Congratulations, you got 8/10 correct!

Could You Pass 8th Grade Math?

I've snagged this quiz from someone, and I'll be danged if I can find out who it was...SORRY!

Math was a breeze (during regular schooling anywho) and Geometry I could have done with my eyes closed. I've always wondered if that's why I love to quilt!

I guess I've gotten a bit rusty, I struggled thru almost all the problems. Either I'm rusty or tired, after all it IS only 6:30am!

OH my Goodness!

If I show you MINE, will you show me YOURS?

When I moved this last time, I packed 30 boxes sized 16x13x13 just with my fabric and accessories. DH set up the hall closet just outside my sewing room for it's storage. I have a closet inside the sewing room filled with "stuff" to the brim. Guess I'm going to have to start sewing again sometime soon to deal with this stash! 8^)

Habit Forming

Front

Back

This is a long thought over craft that I have finally gotten off the ground. Well, sort of anyway. This is my first practice piece using recycled wools that I had purchased at Goodwill and had shown several entries ago. I have never even seen anyone rug hooking, so I am pretty much all on my own here. I take that back, I did watch my Grandmother hook masterful pieces of art, but I had to have been 5 years old, possibly less!

I've looked and looked for wool rughooking blogs but have come up almost bone dry!

Next I will purchase a proper frame (I'm using an ash quilting hoop presently.) and some better wool. I think many of my complications have come from a loose weave. My first project will be a small rug about 24 x 30 for in front of the back slider door. I will put our "monogram" on it.

YIPEE-YAHOOEEEEEE

I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it, 200, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it, I did it!

And I'm in it for MORE, MORE, MORE!

22.5 lost since Jan 1, 2006, 50 to go!

I wait like a child on Christmas morn waiting for Quilter's Lounge to "open" to post our weekly weight loss figures. I have passed a milestone and have lost (never to be found again) 20 pounds in the last 9 weeks.

The Quilter's Lounge is a great support group, give us a read sometime!

Another ONE bites the dust!

Yeah baby!

I've lost a whopping 19 pounds since January 1 and I am thrilled to pieces!

I have struggled with my weight for 30 years, never really finding a "good enough" reason to stop the 3-5 pound/year weight gain. A year ago, October 2004 I married the best reason ever. Now I NEED to be fit and healthy, I want to spend most time possible with this guy! He's in this quest with me, making it ever-so-simple. Who knew it could be this easy, not to mention fun?! It's all about food journalling and healthy eating, no fads, no going without, learning how to make better choices within limits.

Army Reserves

Anyone who has been related in any way to a prospective recruit will share the twang of my heartstrings. My youngest daughter-19yo is preparing to sign-on with the Army Reserves.

Above all, I am proud of her decision. Right next to that is the mixed feelings I have about all the rest that goes along with said decision. Nothing more needs to be said, does it?

Please keep her in her thoughts.

Do I only photograph quilt tops?

Gotta laugh! I am such a procrastinator, I only manage to snap a photo while a quilt is in the "top only" catagory. I'm always sewing the binding on, and attaching the label just before running out the door for it's presentation. Am I alone?

This baby quilt was done for a friend's newest arrival near Houston, TX. Never met the gal, but did business with her every day for a couple of years solely on the telephone. What a captive audience we were for each other, and being in the same business we shared even that in common.

(No, I have any idea why my pic is so small, I'll have to pull out that CD again and get a better copy!)

What a concept

Color My World

I am just sure my photo cannot do justice to the beauty around me, but wanted to record for posterity's sake, my world. Welcome to it.

This is a view over my back fence the other day. *sigh* It's as beautiful as I feel, I'm in LOVE!

Slippin' Away...

My Goodness! Time flies so fast!
My learning curve at work has dulled a bit, I'm officially "busy". Working for a Non-Profit driven company has an interesting spin, like none I've ever experienced. I'm trying to keep my nose to the grindstone and shine with what I know the most about and I know I'll be fine. But can we hurry up that process PLEASE?

I've included a post today of a new hand project I started. I needed something to work on in my lap during lunch and evening TV time. My Grandmother passed to me the love for Cobalt Glass and her vast collection of Blue Willow China, so it seemed appropriate that I choose this book when mentioned on About.com. These blocks are now 6.5", they will be trimmed to 4.5". It is a Dear Jane style but in reverse applique. I guess it's worth mentioning that I've never done applique at all, lol...so please forgive me. Oh, and I'll get good at that too...purdy soon.

Have a terrific day!