The move, the diet, the.....well, I'm not sure.

So, CJ and I transitioned on schedule. I didn't bring EVERYTHING (we are in one room) but Dad is going to let me keep stuff in the back room closet. Cool!!!!!! I need to go over and finish packing the stuff up and wash the bed lines and all. BUUUUUUT, I was asked to come back to my previous job. It is pretty much on call and they want me to do sales too. I can live with that. I am still working out the organization on the room, how to get the bed raised so I have more storage room (tried some risers from WalMart but the base of the feet didn't fit). I might have Mr. Billy make some. And, our clothes are neatly organized in Rubbermaid containers until I can get dressers. And bookshelves. I was thinking about finding a triple dresser (it will fit on one wall) and a regular dresser (it will fit on another). On top of the triple dresser, I was going to put a couple of bookcases on top for even MORE storage. And, also, put a small one on top of the other. It will come together. But, right now, I am at the shop and have to leave soon. When I get back to the house, Mrs. Kathy and I are going to call the internet place to see why I can't get WiFi for my computer, phone, etc. So, that is the update. Oh, and the diet part. Yeah, on a diet. I did great yesterday. I turned down bacon. I cried. Today, I had some grapefruit juice for lunch, oatmeal and toast for breakfast. I am not sure what is for dinner. I am going to snack on some pretzels when I get home. Probably dip them in some mustard. Just a light snack. I will work on a schedule for going to Ms. Elonda's to use the treadmill. Shifted and rearrange small things in the bedroom so I have room to do some interval exercises in the morning. Anywho, that is all for now. Gotta shut down everything and close up the shizzop, yo! Stay groovy peeps!!

We're Movin' On Up....Well, Over Anyway.

Well, just a few more days and CJ and I will be moving into another house in the neighborhood. I have made the decision that 2013, yeah, that bad boy is going to be mine!!! I'm tired of struggling every single month. Either because of a low paying job and/or certain checks either don't come in a month or only half of it. I made decisions in my life. I don't regret a single one of them. I didn't go for the career. Well, one that you get paid to do. I decided to be a stay at home mom and wife to two husbands. I love doing it. I love taking care of my family, home, hearth.....I used to bake all the time. I used to make made-from-scratch dinners. I used to sew things for the kids and home. I used to have my housework organized down to the tiniest detail. I used to make shopping lists and menus. I went to the kids school things every single time. I loved being there when they got home from school. I just loved being there period. Yes, I went through my times of where I didn't want to do anything. It is hard when you do everything you can, give up many parts of who you are, all to take care of a family and the one person you think would appreciate these things you do, doesn't. But, that is all in the past. I can't have that life anymore. I'm going to miss it. I DO miss it. But, it is over. It is hard giving up a dream. Yes, as silly as it seems to some people these days, all I ever dreamed about doing was being a wife and mom. But, this year, I am letting that dream go. I realize that it is never going to be my life anymore.
So, now to figure out what to do with the rest of my life. Not generally, but very specifically. Definitely a better paying job, school is going to have to be on that priority list, I may end up having to move out of state. I don't know. But it is something I am not putting out of the picture anymore. So, first step, move. After that, well, hahahaha, I have lists. It's my thing. I love making lists and being organized.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

When Everything Becomes Crystal Clear

Well, I was having some personal issues with the ex. And his wife. I kept wondering how in the world they were getting information about me. I mean, details very few people knew about. Well, this is what happens when you don't post regularly on your blog, people. If you have a blog, post or delete. Lesson learned. I didn't remember the previous post I made giving details about my new job and when my move was specifically. They had this information. I am still not sure if they were coming here themselves and looking or someone I know was doing it. Regardless, it doesn't matter. There is a thing that I always thought I lived by most of the time, but realized that indeed I was not. I was giving people free rent in my life and allowing them to "dictate" how I was feeling. People who didn't deserve this. Well, not going to happen anymore. My Nana passed away on the 13th of December and we laid her to rest on the 21st. A few things became very crystal clear to me and the above mentioned tidbits were the huge ones.
My ex husband's wife, while I am sure she is a nice person, I don't know her well enough to make any assessments about who she is. I am big on family. Regardless. Yes, I get mad at some people in my family. No, I might not want to speak to them sometimes, but, in the end, we are family. Now, even though I am not married to my ex anymore, for our child's sake, it was very important to me to try to keep in contact with his family. I stopped doing this a long time ago. Why you ask? Because they were doing nothing to keep in contact with our son. As much as it hurt me, in the long run, it will hurt my son even more. I consider this intentional hurt and no one does that to my kids. My son has half siblings through his father and his wife. They are adorable children. The issues I have had with her in the past have to do with her being just like my ex. React and speak without thinking first, apologize later. This last go round was not the first time but will be the last. I'm not mad, I don't hate.....I am pretty ambivalent actually. While nothing would please me more than to foster a relationship for CJ and his siblings sake, I can't trust the adults. They have both said and insinuated some pretty nasty things. While I haven't exactly been an angel on this, you would never hear me say any of them is a bad parent or don't love their children. CJ's dad does seem to have a problem paying the child support. It is very frustrating for me that the other children are taken care of at the expense of his son. I do suspect that someone I know and apparently trust is going back and giving them information. I don't know who it is. I don't really care, actually. A good way for her to show me she that the trust can be repaired, would be to tell me who it is. I won't say anything to this person. They are already forgiven and, while it isn't forgotten, it isn't going to consume my life. I feel no need to get back at anyone. There is no point in it, other than showing that they negatively affected me. Which they did at first, but now, it turned into a positive. But, by giving me the names, it would show me that she truly is earnest in fostering some type of, not friendship really, but neutral relationship so our kids can be more than just pictures on the refrigerator or sent through a phone.

Post Halloween and All It Entails

Well, Halloween is over. I was sweating it a bit. I hadn't started my job yet, I was down to less than $40.00 in the bank account and no child support check for October. But, thankfully, Kroger had what I needed. Fake blood and one last "wound" left. CJ wanted to be a zombie. Easy peasy! We got a T-shirt, ripped it in a few places of his choosing. I let him muck it around in the dirt a little bit. I applied the fake blood and laid it outside to dry. When Trick or Treating time got close, I just changed out his shirt, applied the fake wound, put blood on his face and arms, applied some eye shadow blended to the max and Presto! Instant Zombie! He got a LOT of candy this year. I do the thing my parents did: dole out the candy. He has been REALLY good about that!!!! So, because he hasn't badgered me about it, I make him an offer of more candy. Just a couple of pieces at a time. If things go like last year and all the previous years, he will forget about the candy after about a week. Then remember it intermittently. :-)

I have been doing a TON of crocheting lately. The difference between now and before: people are actually paying for my things! I am making some charity things. But, for the most part, I'm getting paid to crochet! I am going to throw up some pics and all later today. I started my job on Friday. It was only the orientation. Today, it is computer testing. The good thing: I have a job. Bad thing: it only pays $7.25 an hour and is less than 30 hours a week. CJ and I have to be out of dad's in January. It occurred to me just a short time ago that the date he gave me was right after the holidays. January 5th. So, I am not sure what I am going to do. Right now, I am not worrying about it too much. I have to get through his birthday on Sunday. I am thinking about asking him to postpone it until the next weekend. We shall see.

Look back later today for an update with pictures on what I am making and how you can purchase what I make, if you desire to buy something. :-)

Have a groovy day!!

Again and again and again....

Yes, it is official. I totally suck at keeping a blog. Not just a little bit. I mean epic suckiness!!!! EPIC!!!! OK, I will TRY  keep this up. I really want to!! I like looking back and seeing my journey. I used to keep journals. Well, they were actually  more like stories. When there was a lot going on inside my head, I would write one or two things down in the journal. To help problem solve, I would write out scenarios of what could happen. Not that the things actually happened. It just helped create a picture in my mind to see things and consequences and all that stuff. I stopped doing that when my first husband didn't believe in the right for me to have any privacy whatsoever. I had stopped doing it for so long that when I was with my second husband, I just never did. Sometimes, when I was writing these different scenarios, I would write down some detail that didn't seem important in real life, so to speak, but took on a whole new perspective when I was seeing it on paper. In retrospect, I should have started the journal thing with my second marriage. But, that's the past. Thank goodness! So, anyway, the last few weeks have been tumultuous to say the very least!! Tragedy, revelations, rejection.....*sigh*. Today, I am bummed. I think it is just all that and PMS combined that have me down.

I have been crocheting a lot lately. Right now, I am making some hats that were ordered. My sister and her friend are doing the Bark for Life here in our town. They had a booth at the Seafood Festival. I decided to whip up some beanies with a paw print applique. I was planning on giving most of the money to them. My sister's friend said, no, you give us 10% and the rest for you for your supplies and time. I still feel I should give them more (and, FYI, I probably will). The beanies for my friend Kim are almost ready to go. She has a friend with a 5 year old little girl. This little girl has a brain tumor and is going through chemo. I made some plain beanies and made some detachable flowers. I am going to make some more flowers so she can mix and match. I am also going to make some fabric flowers as well. BUT for now, I have the beanies and a flower for each. I am ALSO making some beanies to send to a friend of mine who is in Afghanistan right now. I asked him if he wanted me to make some things for him and his soldiers. He told me instead of for them, if I could make some hats for the local kids at the hospital there. I have some made. I try and do at least one a day or every few days. 

Anyway, it is time for me to finish up some paw print pieces to sew onto some Bark for Life hats. I have some more things I want to write but time is slipping away and I need to get them done. In the meantime, stay groovy my peeps!

Captain's Log, Stardate 01.12210

Yeah, I know, I haven't updated lately. I truly have been busy with crafts. I have some pics but can't find my camera to post them. Lovely, isn't it? I am sure it will turn up since I haven't taken out of this bedroom, but alas, it has disappeared. Things tend to do that in this house but always end up being found. Pixies? Fairies? Ghosts? Who knows. It can't be me and my older age. Nah, it can't be.
I have found something very addicting. Crocheting with wire. Now, I am doing just a simple chain stitch with beads, combining strands of chains to make a bracelet and I even made a necklace using two strands. I made some earrings. Again, a chain stitch, beads and a slip stitch. I did attempt to do something a little bit more complicated, but I think I need to use a smaller gauge of wire. At least until I get the feel of this new thing. Then I can use bigger gauges.
I also learned a fabulous new crochet stitch: the Tunisian knit stitch. I am soooo excited about this one!!! I love how knit things look. Love it! I can't knit. I would need to sit with someone who does know for about a week and just do nothing but knit to get it. Yeah, yeah, I know. But it is easier when you are first learning to have someone tell you if you are doing something wrong as you are working. Back to the new stitch. Here is a link to the tutorial I used: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_Au16WDHVE I just chained a few to go on my regular crochet hook to see if I could do it. I could. And I was so excited I had to post it on Facebook. hahahaha OK, regarding the link I posted. I have used tutorials by Theresa before. I recognize the voice. There are some great ones. I love the slow motions that are done so you can see it very well. The tunisian knit stitch (they have a purl one as well I haven't tried........yet.) uses either afghan crochet hooks or what is labeled tunisian crochet hooks. I do not have these........yet. But you can bet your bottom I will soon. So, I am off to Ravelry to look for some patterns to try out and get the hang of this new found discovery of mine.

What is your major malfunction?

Well, I just realized I hadn't posted anything about my headband project for the nieces. Well, the reason for this: my sewing machine is being impertinent. I know it just needs to be cleaned. AND I thought I had  more plastic headbands. Nope. Just one. So, I have put this one on hold for a little bit. At least finishing them. I will continue to make more of the flowers, though. That way I have them all done.
Anyway, I have been making the bracelets from the previous post. I made a black one with a black and white flower button for my boss' daughter. She is going to wear it this weekend, tell me how it does as far as a teenager wear and tear. AND she is going to show it to her friends and hopefully they will want to buy some! Extra cash!! CHA-CHING!!!!!! Now I realize it won't be much extra cash, but a little can go a long way with me. Even $20 extra a week or whatnot. Being a single mom, everything counts!
So, without further ado, the black crocheted bracelet:

So, there it is. She loved it! Thank goodness!!! And I want to apologize for my dry skin. I have eczema and it can get a little ashy. Anyway, I am going to make some more. My bestie, Gina, politely asked demanded one. hehehehehe 

Crafting at work

Well, I have a day job. Although I love what I do, it doesn't pay enough. Until I get a car, I am kind of stuck because I can actually walk to work. Ah well, anyway, sometimes when a job is in the laser engraver, it can take a little bit of time. Today, I brought some stuff to crochet. Sometimes, especially this time of year, we get a little slow. Well, today wasn't, but I did have a job that took a little over 10 minutes in the engraver. So, I whipped out some yarn and the pattern I printed out and whipped up this little gem:

It took me a little longer than 10 minutes because I was on the work computer trying to get a program for another one of our engraving machines to work (no luck). I found the pattern for this on Ravelry. I have to watch myself on there. I have over 200 projects in my queue. hahahahah I made a few others last night. One a nice bright red wool, a fuzzy white and some other yarn that is like a skinny chenille of brown, black and a thread of silky brown twisted together. The first one looks nice. I might pimp it out a bit more by adding a bead or something to the middle of the circles to give it some character. The fuzzy one is cute. I am not sure where one would wear it. The last one, the bracelet came out the bigger size that the pattern gives. The one pictured is made out of cotton yarn. 

I was going to clean tonight, but I am beat! I didn't get to sleep until after 5 am this morning and I had to be up less than 2 hours later to get CJ up and ready for school and then get ready for work. So, after I fold the last load of laundry, I may help myself to a glass of wine and settle CJ down and relax while crocheting. I am going to make a few more of the bracelets and then maybe some hats? Eh, who knows. Oh, and I am definitely going to stay away from Ravelry! Yeah, right.

Oh here is the link to the pattern for the crochet bracelet: 

Pink Sparkle Crochet Bracelet 

You do have to sign up for the site, but it is worth it. :-) 

The New Year Is Upon Us

Well, New Year's Eve is but a day away (give or take some hours). It is usually a time of renewal for people. We resolve to change things in our life to try and make it better. What I think most (myself being included in this group) fail to do is have a plan of action to carry out and hold up these resolutions of change. I stopped making resolutions years ago because I never stuck with them. We always have great intentions. I'm going to lose 25 pounds........you start out good, but then don't follow through. You have to look at the change you are making as a lifetime and not just a year. So, today, along with the sewing and ironing I have to do today, I am also going to  make a nice little 2012 plan of action. I am going to make a master list of all the things I want to do, numbered. Then have separate lists of a plan of action to accomplish these "goals" (I put that in quotations because it is taking the place of a resolution). Some of them I may not have a plan for because I am not sure what I need to do to get it done. BUT, you can bet your bottom dollar I will look it up and research it. Of course, my list will be done in order of importance. I actually may be able to do one or two or more things at once. I mean, I need a car and that is priority number one, but, I plan on using the tax money to get it. Obviously I have to wait a little longer, but, hey, no problemo. I can do some of the other things on my list until I get that one done, BUT my main focus is getting a car. Then, the second thing, is to get another job! The one I have, though I love doing it, isn't paying me squat! I cannot accomplish number 2 unless I get number 1 done first. So, until I get number one done and I can't move on to number two, I will see if I can get some of the other, smaller things done.
This year has been a humdinger for sure. I have had some ups, but mostly lows. But I still had ups! I want to make 2012 be the year I look back and think, "Wow! That was a FANTASTIC YEAR!!" In order to do this, I have to make some changes, reorganize some things, cut things out of my life and bring in some new things. Pretty much just like any other year only I will have a plan! Now, I know that "the best-laid plans of mice and men, oft go awry", but some (most!!!) will be flexible for those little curve balls life loooves to throw through your window. I have learned, mostly towards the end of this year, to not let a lot of things get to me. I am trying to learn to be a lot more positive. I can't be positive all the time but I have definitely learned to try and find a silver lining to everything.
So, you all get to be subjected to read about my journey through this year, the changes I will make and even the things I fail at doing. I like seeing something that someone failed at. NOT because I like seeing people suffer or get a kick out of others failures, but because it reminds me that everyone makes mistakes and can move on from them.

Busy Busy Busy

So, I have been a little busy. I run the gambit.......one day busy, busy, the next, very lazy! :-) But the last couple of days I have been busy. First I want to tell you about a craft (sorry!! I forgot to take a picture!) I made for my Grandma Dee. She is in an "old hag's home" as I affectionately call it and she just laughs. She is always wanting updated pictures of the grandkids, great grandkids.........So, you either have to get something printed in the size of the frames she already has or figure out where she is going to put another frame. Well, I made her something where it is a no brainer!! I went to the dollar store and bought a cookie sheet ($1). I covered the bottom of the cookie sheet in fabric I already had with some Mod Podge. Once that was dry, I glued two ribbon ends on either side of what I declared the top and tied them in a bow. The magnets were made like this: I had some little 1.25" half marble things I got at the dollar store specifically for this. They are in the floral and vase section. I found a nice print online and saved it. I opened it up in Corel Draw (you can use any graphics program). I then made circles 1.5" in diameter. I found a nice scripty font and put her first name initial in the middle. Hit Print. When this was done, I stuck some Mod Podge on the flat side of the marble and stuck them in the center of each circle. When this was dry I cut them out around the circle I had printed out. Then I trimmed this excess. (now, you can use an exacto knife but I don't have one YET!) Anyway, I glued some small circle magnets I had bought at WalMart on the back and when all of this was dry, put them on the cookie sheet. I got one of those 3M hangers to put it on her wall in her room. I put a picture of me and CJ on there for her. Merry Christmas Grandma! SHE LOVED IT! Kept showing all the nurses what her granddaughter had done. So, maybe next I will make her some fancy corner bookmarks since she looooves to read....
OK, onto what I am working on now. I took a couple of pictures of the beginning stuff for you. I am making pleated fabric headbands. Here is what I am doing:
I cut 4 of each fabric (for two nieces) into 10 to 11 inch by 3 inch rectangles. The reason the length varies is because of the pieces of fabric I used. The reason for 4 of each: they are getting two of each piece of fabric. One is going to stay plain. The other is going to have a velcro dot to interchange flowers. OK, back to the fabric. I put a piece of lightweight iron on interfacing on the backs of each piece of fabric. It does not have to be exact. It is just to make a more stable middle. I then folded the pieces in half, right sides together and ironed.
I am also making fabric roses. I cut all my pieces I was going to use to make the roses (there are plenty of extra roses for something else I want to do). I went ahead and knotted them at the ends and now I am in the process of ironing them in half. This makes it easier for me to turn and twist the fabric and have it look right.

There are many tutorials for making these online. Google can be your best friend in this instance. I find it easier for me to handle the fabric by ironing them in half after they are knotted. It doesn't have to be a perfect ironing. Just enough to having it already in half for the most part so when you are wrapping and twisting, you don't have to worry about it being off. 

Now, to make these, I use fabric glue. I found the BEST stuff!!! OMG! I am in love with this stuff.

OK, why do I love this stuff you may ask? Well, the first thing would be precision! The end is pointed and only a small amount will come out. I can get the glue exactly where I need it and the amount that I need. Second, it dries pretty fast. I found mine at WalMart for about $3. 

So, this is where I am on my project so far. I hate ironing but I still have a bit to do. The rest of the project I will add either later today or tomorrow. And yes, with pictures. I ahve the battery to my camera charging as we speak. 

OH yeah, forgot.........

I made a pretty good homemade vegetable soup a few days ago. I used 99% fat free chicken broth (I am sure you could use vegetable stock if you don't do the meat thing), carrots, parsnips, celery, cabbage and diced canned tomatoes. That was all I had on hand. I didn't salt it because I don't like a lot of salt and the broth had enough for me. I just cooked it all until it was done. I also added dill. I looooove dill!!! Can't get enough of dill. I put it in my egg whites when I make them for breakfast, I use it in most of my cooking! It lasted quite a few days. My 6 year old boy even loved it. Next time, for him, I am going to add some corn. :-) It is virtually fat free!!!
<<<<<<<<<<<<EDIT>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
OK, I did eventually make some more and used corn. I left out the parsnips because I didn't have anymore. OMG! It was sooo good!! I love vegetable soups with a chicken stock base. You can add as little or as much as you like and still get a fantastic soup!!!!

The number one reason to get the flu shot..........

Reason number 1: YOU WILL EVENTUALLY GET THE FLU!!!
I have been very ill. Two weeks ago Thursday, I got a little fever. I didn't think anything of it because, hey, I've gotten them before when I have had a cold. So, I took something, went to bed. I woke up Friday morning and was still running the fever and I was very sick. I got CJ off to school, got ready and went into work. I keep my digital thermometer in a zipper bag in my purse because I will always know where it is. So, I had taken my temp and it was over 101. No biggie, took something and went into work. I was so sick, I could barely do anything. Took my temp again, it was over 103. Oh crap. So, I took some extra strength tylenol and rested my head on the desk in the back and napped literally for about an hour. My fever went down and I was sent home. I went to bed. I woke up and went and got CJ from after school care. I was so grateful it was the weekend. My fever stayed over 101 the whole weekend. Most of the time it was 102 +. One time it was up to almost 104. I was so happy CJ was old enough to do some things himself. I went in to work on Monday with barely any fever but still ill. Well, here we are 2 weeks later and I am just getting to 100%. It was the sickest I have ever been in my memory and I do NOT want to ever be sick like that again.
To update you on my crafting: I started on Grandma's present. I got a cookie sheet from the dollar store, used some fabric that I already had and Mod Podged it to the cookie sheet. Now I just have to print out some printed paper cut some circles out, Mod Podge them to the clear half marbles for vases and such and glue on some magnets. I will then print out a couple of pics to put on there for her. I am going to get her a photo album so when she wants to switch out pictures, the ones she wants to take down can be put in the album.
I have started on crocheting some hats for my nieces. They use a double treble stitch and when they are done, ribbon is woven through those DTR stitches. I plan on using velcro to make them interchangeable. Also adding velcro dots and they can add flowers, etc to make them pretty. I am also going to do some headbands (probably two each). One to use for pleated fabric strips and velcro to change them out. Also one for just putting flowers, bows, etc on. I want to make them interchangeable so they can change them for their outfits.
For my friends Gina and Daphne, I am going to make a "book" of making your own cleaning supplies and cleaning hints and tips. They have their own cleaning business. I thought this would help them out and save them some money in the process.
For my sister and my cousin, I think I will make some infinity scarves.
But, for right now, I am working on the crocheting. I found some patterns I ordered off of Etsy. One for booties and one for hats. Both creators give permission to sell what you make. So excited!!!!! I can't wait to start making some of these and selling them.
Well, I am off to watch a movie and crochet some hats!

Dear Monday, I hate you. That is all

Generally, I don't really hate Mondays. I don't necessarily like them, I have just accepted that they will be. Today, I hate Monday. I didn't want to get up to work out. At 4:30 am. I got a late start which threw me off. I didn't shave off any time, however, for having not worked out since Wednesday, I didn't gain any time either. The ab challenge is going to have to be done tonight or tomorrow. I am not ashamed to say I just didn't have it in me!!! I didn't get to sleep until after 1 am. So, I am about to take a little nap before I have to get CJ up and ready for school. I really just wanted to make sure I got at least this in my blog today. It is going to be a crazy two days at work. I have to complete a job that takes 20 minutes per item. NOT looking forward to that at all. I do have some other things I will be doing while the job is in the laser engraver. But I should have all that done before the day is through. OK, off for a nap and then to update tonight on the crafty part of this. :-)

EDIT:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Here is a photo of what the 2 Week Ab Challenge entails. I think what I am going to do is time myself and just try to shave off some time. Then the next challenge do an arm and upper body one. THEN do the Ab Challenge again only this time try adding some more reps instead of shaving time. Eh, we will see.

The girl's tumblr site, as you can see, is on the bottom of the picture. I highly recommend you check out her page!!!

Back to the Grind tomorrow evening

So, this is our last full day at Jennifer and Robert's. I love them and their girls like they were my own family. Our story another time. So, I'm wasting time being very productive going through Pinterest. Finding lots of cool crafts, recipes. I even started a Wedding board. Yeah, yeah, I know. I'm muy loco!!! But, there are so many things on there and I do have a daughter who is 18 and will get married someday. I may start doing a binder. OK, anyway, I saw this one pin come up and thought, hey, I could do this! You see, I am trying to add some interesting things to my workouts. So, I came up on this and thought, hey, a 14-Day Ab Challenge? Why, yes, Challenge accepted! Here is the link to the pin on Pinterest: 14-Day Ab Challenge. Here is the link to the original web page this came from: PiecesInProgress. I do plan on going through her whole Tumblr page (I haven't done tumblr YET!!!) just to see what I can see and if I can get even more great challenges! With doing just walking, I haven't really used my exercise notebook lately. BUT I really do need to amp it up a bit. So, I thought, why not use this ab challenge as a way to do just that!!!! I will definitely do it AFTER the power walking. I may do some before bedtime as well.
I really do  love exercising...............after a while. When I am first getting back to it, however, it isn't that I loathe it. I just have a hard time finding the motivation to do it! So, I am now searching for something (don't ask me what, I will know it when I see it), something to help get me motivated. I want to reach a "resolution" BEFORE New Year's. I call it my End of the Year Resolution. That way, I don't have to make any at New Year's. I never really do anyway. Very few people I know, myself included, actually keep theirs. But this year, it may be different. My Plan For The New Year. I can write out the things I want to accomplish and list them by priority. Not only that, but HOW I plan on accomplishing them! My first one, I can tell you, will be to  GET A CAR!!!!!!!!! Once I get my tax money, that is the first thing I am doing with it! Next on the list, SIGN UP FOR SCHOOL. And, while I am doing that, FIND ANOTHER JOB!!!! Wow, I guess I have a list even before.
OK, anyway, I keep running of the topic as my mind does it's usual randomness, flitting from here to there. hahahahaaha so, I just checked out her tumblr page and it is definitely worth a look for exercise and nutrition!!! So go on, you know you want to!!!!

Thanksgiving

CJ and I had a good time yesterday with Jennifer and Robert and their brood. We went to their neighbors for Thanksgiving. No cooking, helping with the cleaning...........CJ was glued to their XBox. I have many things to be thankful for this year. I have my CJ, I have a job, I have a roof over my head (thanks dad!!), I have my health, CJ has his, I have the best friends a girl could ever ask for, I don't have a vehicle BUT I am thankful that I will have the opportunity to get one when I get my taxes. My life could definitely better, but I know it could be worse. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
I did make some things yesterday. I will post some pics later today. I did the project a little differently. I made some little pleated ribbon and fabric accessories for a head band. I made two of each (well, one of them. The other one ended up being too thick and I broke a needle on the sewing machine). One to stay plain. The other, I put some velcro on the top of it and you can change out different fabric or ribbon flowers. Instead of using the elastic headband, I used a plastic one and glued some velcro to the side of it. Samantha actually really liked them. So, I am going to make some more today for my nieces.
Well, off to get CJ some more cereal. He is going through a growth spurt and tends to eat a person out of house and home at this time.

The Blahs

Today was a pretty blah day. I literally had to force myself to get up and do my morning power walk. Once I got going, though, I was good. I didn't shave any extra time off but I'm ok with that for now. Work was mentally exhausting. I did get one thing accomplished today: I got the lists for my Homemade Christmas binder done. At least for the things I have printed out so far. I do plan on adding more things to it. Today is a short post.
But, my lists: I did these up in Word. I centered and underlined the name of the craft, listed the supplies needed on the left, made a black outline square and put that at the end of each supply. That way I can do my checklist of things to get. I pretty much know who I am making what for so I do have somewhat of an idea of how much of everything to get. I didn't decorate the binder yet. But I think I will. It might not be until after Christmas. I am going to do it up nice on the front and have a clear pocket to change the year out. I ran out of sheet protectors and thought, hmmmmm, I have a lot of dividers for binders. Why don't I use those instead and I can attach something clear to the front of those and then slip in lists and patterns OR use sheet protectors for the patterns if one is needed.
 So far I only have one I am going to have to make a pattern for and a couple more I am going to have to figure out different measurements. The one I will need to do a pattern for is a pair of gathered leg warmers for little girls. I think my nieces would look cute. Plus, I have plans on modifying that by refashioning old sweaters and use the arms. Maybe make some matching sort of accessories with the rest of the sweater. There is a matching fabric flower to go with. It doesn't look too hard to do. I just need to make sure I get the elastic right. Guess I will have to go buy some cheap ugly on sale fabric and experiment. Then I am making a jersey and stretch lace headband. Need to figure out sizes for these and figure out how to make them.
OK, so anyway, I'm heading to bed. It's back up in the morning for some booty melting power walking!
See ya on the flip side!

The List

I have started my Homemade Christmas list. I actually did this last  night. I went through all my pins on my Crafty Endeavors board on Pinterest, went to the original page, copy and pasted the tutorials into word and will be printing them today. Well,  most of the things anyway. I have some unused 3-ring binders I am going to put them in. I might decorate the binder all Christmasy. Once it is all printed out, I have some sheet protectors that I am going to put each craft into. I am going to have a master list of what craft and who it is for. Then another one for for the supplies needed for each craft. I am going to break them down individually. The list of who it goes to on a small piece of paper and the supplies for each craft on a small piece of paper. Those are going right on top in the sheet protector. Both supply lists are going to have what I need to get, what I can use to substitute and what I already have. Any craft that needs a pattern, that pattern is going in the sheet protector for that craft. Hopefully, this way, I can get it all done! :-) If I have time, I will package them really pretty. Otherwise, it will be gift bags with a bow and a tag. hahahahahahaha
So, I am off to find more crafty things I can make this year for people. Most everyone will get homemade. My dad is going to be really hard to do for, but I will NOT give up!! I will find something to make for him! *fingers crossed*.

No workout weekend.

Well, I was thinking about getting up this morning to work out, but decided not to. I am starting to feel a little under the weather. And, Ok, OK, I wanted to sleep in!!! Every week day I get up wake up at 4:30 AM. I roll out of bed anywhere between 4:45 and a little after 5. I am up until about 11:30 PM or midnight. So, I thought, as long as I compensate my eating for the day around the fact that I am not working out, then I will be OK. I may end up walking tonight, which is alright. Maybe I'll just start exercising at night on the weekends instead of in the morning. We will see.
I know I have been talking a lot about exercise and all on here and not much of anything else. BUT you will definitely see more craft posts on here! Like I have said before I found Pinterest. My new addiction hobby. I have a board called Crafty Endeavors. This is where I put most crafty stuff. Some things I put under clothes because, well, they are clothes. Some I put under Pimp Your Pad, because they have to do with making your house a home. You get the idea. Well, today is organizing day for me. I deemed it this when I woke up this morning and decided not to work out but I needed to be productive. So, I am making my list of things I need to do today. One of those things is to find things to make for people for Christmas and make that list. I am also going to use some of the nice little weekly planners to print out.
So, later today, because I  know how interested everyone is, I am going to post my lists of things with links to the fabulous ideas. :-)
OK, I will leave you with this picture of a Nike Ad. It is fabulous!!!
Please remember no one has the same body type. Some women were meant to be curvy and THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH CURVES! Embrace your body type and quit trying to go for one that isn't yours!!! Strive to be fit and healthy, not skinny. Not everyone is meant to be skinny. And not everyone is meant to be curvy. Just love yourself for who you are! If you want to make some changes, you really do need to love yourself first. If you don't change your mindset, no matter how "skinny" you are, you will still have the same mindset! 

I Shaved This Morning

No, I didn't shave my legs. I hate shaving and will avoid it at all costs. Since it is winter and some days cold and some not, I will err on the side of caution for the extra layer of warmth. BUT, what did I shave you ask? Well, I will tell you. I shaved a minute and a half off of my walking time with NO RUNNING involved! That's right! A whole minute and a half. Now, I know it doesn't seem like a lot, but it is! I just did one simple thing: I pumped my arms faster when I was walking. When you walk, as you well know, your left arm will move forward as your right leg is moving forward. So, I just pumped the arms faster. Aaaaah sweet victory!!! I may make my 10 minute mile by New Year's! That would be a fantastic way to start 2012. Still no interval exercises. I am not sure what is holding me back from doing them after my walks. Maybe I am just so pooped after. Or maybe I am still a bit lazy. But, I am going to make a concentrated effort to add them AFTER Thanksgiving, which happens to be my favorite eating holiday! So, I will probably NEED to add them after. hahahahaha
A little story about why I am amping up the workouts.............
I have a cousin, Sherry. I love her, I truly do. Things haven't always been great in her life, most due to her own doing but some things were beyond her control. Regardless, she is family and loved unconditionally. Well, sometimes she says things that aren't very nice. Some of the time this isn't due to what she says but how she says it. So, I started exercising again around the same time she started going to my brother in law for personal training. One day we were in the kitchen and (this was before I did walking) I was telling her about the brutal torture of interval exercises I put myself through and how I can sooooo feel it in my thighs. Thinking we could exchange pity parties about our exercise regimes.............Well, she was like "this is different. We change it up and it isn't like watching the same video every day." I told her I didn't do that. There are routines to do but you can take the individual exercises and make your own routine. Well, she said, "He has us using the medicine ball with the handle." I said well, there are exercises on this web page (Body Rock) that do use one. I just don't have one. Then she was like, "Well, the treadmill........" I cut her off and said interval exercises give you the cardio. Ok, no biggie. Meh, whatever! So, a couple of weeks go by. There is a man in the neighborhood who some days is standing out in his yard in the dark and he just watches me. Doesn't say good morning when I say it or wave or anything. He just stares. It has creeped me out to the point I am thinking about getting some pepper spray. Yeah, big time creeped out. So, I was telling her about this. I mean, it really does scare me. Did she show concern? Oh no. She proceeded to say "So, I guess this means you're going to quit walking now". My answer: "Un, no. This means I am going to get pepper spray. Why would I quit walking in the mornings?". Sherry: "I don't know." Yeah, this ticked me off royally!!!! Again, not what she said but how she said it. It is hard to convey in writing (typing) how something was said. But, believe me, I am one to give people the benefit of the doubt. So, if something bothers me this much, it was said in a not nice way. Anywho, it made me mad enough I felt a gauntlet was thrown down. Challenge accepted! So, it is my personal mission to not only get in shape but do it better and faster than her. Just to show her that you do NOT need personal training to get it done. I do NOT need to follow someone else's exercise and eating plan in order to do this. AND, just to throw it in her face. She has much more weight to lose than I do. Mine is more of a lose 20 pounds and get parts that jiggle when they shouldn't firm. I know this is a little vindictive but hey, I'm not perfect. So, this is my motivation. THIS is what helped me shave off that extra time this morning. THIS (among other things, of course) is what is getting me up before 5 am and going out no matter the weather and sweat my butt off!!!!!!
Eating: So far today I have only had my coffee. I keep some stuff at work so if I don't get a chance before I have to be at work, I can just eat there. I have some soup for lunch and to snack. I have some oatmeal, granola and some Greek yogurt at work as well. Oh, and grapefruit. So, that should get me through my work day.
Speaking of that, time to get up off my booty and get there!!!!
So, before I go, I will leave you with this: Find your motivation. No matter what it is, find it and use it when you workout! Think about it all the time. Think about it when you want to put something in your mouth you KNOW you will regret eating. BUT if you do happen to go off the wagon for one meal, do NOT let it keep you down. Just start again the next meal.

Feel the Burn!

So, I forgot to blog yesterday so I will do yesterday and today's, well, today............
November 16, 2011:
I added running in VERY short spurts to my routine. I did about 2 each lap but it was hard. Not the actual running part but I have crappy ankles. It felt like someone was shoving spikes up my ankles each step. I haven't shaved off any time yet. *sigh* I do about 13 minutes miles walking. I wondered what the problem was if I was adding running to it. I should at least shave off a few seconds.
November 17, 2011:
Got a bit of a late start this morning. I am usually up and out the door by 5:15 am. This morning it was about 5:35 am. So, I only did the running in short spurts thing during the first lap. I wanted to do an experiment to see if I could figure out why no time was shaved yesterday. Second lap I did the same time. I think I know why. I am slowing down my walking after I do the run thing. Sooooooo, tomorrow morning, I am going to have to really pay attention to the whole walking after I run thing. I am hoping to at least build up to running one of the laps completely by New Year's.
My eating:
I was trying to eat 6 small meals a day. I do well with that but some days I just can't get to some of the meals and end up pigging out. It is healthy food, but I still feel like I am eating too much of it. I am going to see if I can make something up that is very low in fat and carbs but high in nutrition that I can carry around in my purse in case I do find myself not able to eat.
This morning I had egg whites with a slice of low fat sharp cheese. I seasoned with a little dill.(I looove me some sharp cheese) I also had half a ruby red grapefruit. For lunch at work (I usually have a small mid morning snack that I couldn't do this morning) I had a salad: spinach leaves. a couple of tbs. crushed Pecans, about 3 tbs. of crumbled low-fat feta, 2 tbs. of white oninon chopped, cherry tomatoes, and a couple of TBS. of raisins. Unfortunately I left my dressing at home. (Right now I am using a balsamic vinagerette. I had the spray kind, ran out and put some from another bottle into the spray bottle. I use much less.) I went to the little coffee/sandwich shop next door. They made me up some oil and vinegar. It was good, but I like my stuff at home better. Oh, and I added some fresh dill sprigs to the salad as well.
For my drinking: I had a bottle of water during and right after the workout. I then had my coffee. When I got to work, I had a bottle of water with lemonade mix and I am, as I type, drinking another one.
So, that is what is going on today. I am pretty tired right now. I am looking forward to the weekend. Hopefully CJ will sleep in on Saturday! Oh, wait, I added Saturday to the exercise regime. I was thinking about doing Sunday as well. I am still not sure. I guess Sunday will be my rest day. Alright, anywho, hopefully I can get to some crafting here this weekend. If not, then DEFINITELY during the Thanksgiving break.
EDIT, EDIT:
Can't believe I forgot this!!! I did the sock bun thing again on the night of the 15th. This time I put my hair up in the ponytail, put some mousse in it and then wet my hand and run it through the ponytail. When I was getting ready for work, took it down and it looked great. The curls were still there this morning when I woke up with my usual bed head (I think a bird nests in it when I sleep). I am going to try a bigger sock for maybe some bigger waves. :-)