Friday, September 11, 2009

9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance

Never Forget...

Make today a day of service and remembrance, in honor of all who lost their lives and those who were left behind to grieve.



Need ideas? Visit 911DayofService.org.

To all of the survivors out there, my prayers; and to the members of our armed services and the families who support them, you have my gratitude for your sacrifice and prayers for a safe return home.

God bless America.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

WannaBees Field Trip - Intown Quilters

The WannaBees went on a field trip today to Intown Quilters. We were in search of the perfect focus fabric for our first ever challenge/group quilt. I was very excited, since I've never made it to IQ before, and have heard the rave reviews. It did not disappoint!

Lynn was my cooperative model, showing off some of the fabrics she chose to go in her block. Don't you want to just run your hands down that wall behind her? I didn't even know where to begin.

They have a selection of batiks to die for, and a bright, well-organized shop that is a delight to roam. I loved the wide selection of books and patterns and fabrics, and the staff was so helpful - even when we pulled out a bunch of bolts and lingered awhile.

This is the half-price room in the basement, next door to the huge room where they teach classes. I could have done some serious damage here if I hadn't been on a strict plan to buy for my block and stay focused on the 9,246 UFOs I have waiting for me at home.

This is what I finally chose. The blue and the little Kaffe Fassett fat quarter (the picture doesn't do it justice) on top will be in everyone's block. The coral-y looking one just called out to me. All in all, I thought I did pretty well on my resolution since I was the only one who didn't leave with a shopping bag! Of course we finished off our day with lunch so we could chat some more.

If you're ever in Atlanta, be sure to stop by Intown Quilters. It's definitely worth the trip. Thanks for coming with us, if only via blog.

Monday, September 7, 2009

tUesdays just keep getting better!

Week three update with Jillian and MYM.

They say doing something for 21 days makes it a habit, and I can see it happening with this food plan. I don't even think anymore about what in the world I'm going to eat for breakfast, snacks, or lunch. Dinner is still the only meal where I have to do much planning, mostly due to the ever-changing schedules for sports and carpooling.

My biggest challenge this week was that it was my turn to work concessions at the varsity football game. I was surrounded by all kinds of yummy greasy junk food, candy, popcorn, soft pretzels, Cokes, and chocolate for hours. I brought my water bottle and had a salad, and never ate another thing. I am still amazed that it is not more tempting.

My biggest smile for the week was that someone who doesn't know I'm trying noticed I have lost weight. That feels awesome!

AND...I have lost 4 more pounds (13 lbs in 3 weeks)!

This week will be tricky with the walking. I went alone yesterday, and will probably have fly solo all week since my buddy's son is sick with the flu. Hopefully he will recover quickly and won't share it - it sounds pretty terrible! We have another friend who walks with us sometimes, so hopefully I can get together with her since it is much easier to get motivated with someone else.

I hope you have a better tUesday too!

Quilters Beware - Ann Champion's Cautionary Tale


Click to read Ann's story about "winning" a contest at Quiltmaker Magazine. It's a sad lesson on the importance of getting contracts in writing, even when you are dealing with normally honest and upright people like other quilters.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Houseworks Holiday Plan Week 2 - Calendar and Creativity Week



The first week of Houseworks Holiday Plan went pretty well. I have purged and shredded and freecycled and pitched like crazy. I didn't get my French memo board made, but the office is clean. My Master Gift List is made (and trimmed significantly). I have a few ideas and will add more as time goes on.

Week Two is Calendar and Creativity Week. The highlights for me will be a major clean and purge of my crafting area, an endless task. This includes taking an inventory of UFOs (GULP!) and if there are more than four (IF! HA!) then promising not to take on any new tasks. This is also the week to make a list of "gifts to make" and collect the patterns and materials required. I believe the only thing on that list will be the same as every year for the past umpteen years, which is to finish my mom's quilt. This year I hope to cross it off my list!

The other big job is to organize the calendar. We don't travel out of town for any holidays, but I do use this week to schedule service for the furnace, piano tuning, exterminator, and carpet cleaning.
  • Monday - Pull out fabric, dust shelves and bins, and refold/stack.
  • Tuesday - Schedule appointments and organize calendar through December.
  • Wednesday - Empty, clean, declutter, and organize kids' art cabinet.
  • Thursday - Organize books and notions; make a stack to give away on blog or at guild.
  • Friday - Go through UFOs and make a list. Decide if any could become PIGs.
  • Saturday - Decide on gifts to make and bundle supplies and patterns together.
What is your creative space like? Neat as a pin and ready for your next adventure? Or always creatively messy? Do your homemade gifts get done in time or are you searching for a substitute on Christmas Eve? Looking forward to comments.

Hope you have a wonderful week!


Saturday, September 5, 2009

Going Green - Organic Cotton Tampons

Throughout September, join Seventh Generation to help save women's lives. For every person that registers, $1 will be donated to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund (up to $22,000).



Tuesday, September 1, 2009

a better tUesday with Jillian Michaels

It's been another week with Jillian and MYM.

In the book, she claims that after two weeks of eating this way, you'd never go back. I laughed at that two weeks ago, but am starting to wonder if she's right.

I am still not hungry. I am still walking Daisy like crazy (20 miles last week!). I'm starting to be able to go to the grocery store without having the book in my hand. The more energy thing must be finally kicking in because, while I'm still falling into bed at night, now it's because I come home from my walk and clean and get stuff done all day. Just last week I was coming home from walking and collapsing into a heap until I could muster the energy to shower!

Our biggest challenge this week was the third grade social. They have these mixers at the start of every school year so that the parents can get to know one another. Everyone brings an appetizer, and the alcohol flows liberally. Although drinking tempts me not at all, a table of spinach dip and mini quiches has been known to waylay me.

Our plan to get through it was for my walking buddy and her family to come over early so we could enjoy a healthy meal together. We made the most filling and satisfying one we've found (yep, those pepperjack burgers!) so we wouldn't feel like we were missing anything. Then we brushed our teeth and set off for the party. I set my appetizer down (homemade hummus - who knew it was so easy?) and left the room where the food was. I got a cup of water and made the rounds, visiting with all of our friends. By the end of the night, my friend and I had only had water and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

And my most fun moment of the week? I went shopping with my walking buddy. I had to return a birthday gift to Talbots. For my birthday party, I had bought my outfit there. The skirt I originally tried on and loved was just a little too casual for the party, so I reluctantly left it in the store. But on Friday it was 25% off and I had a credit! Joy! They didn't have my size. I decided to try the next size down, just for grins. I couldn't have been more excited when it fit, easily! w00t! My friend tried on a sweater that swam on her, and ended up going down two sizes before finding the one that looked right!

So I guess you want numbers:
My friend has lost another pound, for a three week total of 16.5 lbs.
My husband has lost 1.5 more pounds - and I have to note that he did not go to the social and only drink ice water. Ahem. (9.5 lbs in 2 weeks).
I have lost 3 more pounds ( 9 lbs in 2 weeks)!

I also measured my waist. It is tricky to measure on yourself, and last week I wasn't sure, but now there's no denying that I have lost at least an inch!

No doubt about it now, something is working. It's like a snowball rolling down the hill, too, because the more I lose the more motivated I am. We missed our walk on Friday due to pouring rain, but went out Saturday afternoon in the heat of the day to make up for it, something we've never done. I truly missed it.

I hope you have a better tUesday too!
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...