Update - better U, Organized Christmas, etc.

So sorry I have vanished off the face of the earth for three weeks. Football season is always crazy, but this year is even more challenging than normal.

In case you don't watch the news, Atlanta is drowning. We have had more rain in the last month that we probably got all of last year! We are very fortunate not to have had any serious damage, while some people have lost their homes and a few lost their lives. So I'm not complaining, but it's true that rain like this can throw a wrench into the best laid plans and make everything take longer than normal.

Then there's the sickness. Holy crow, the wave of illness in all three schools has been incredible. Again, I have been so grateful that none of my kids were seriously sick and just had the nuisance nausea, headache, cough, sore throat. Just when we thought we were through with the H1N1 cases, a stomach virus knocked down a big percentage of the elementary school. Crazy!

So I haven't been updating much. I haven't been walking much with the weather and kids being home, so I haven't lost much. But I'm still on the MYM plan with Jillian, and I'm still moving in the right direction.

I was reviewing my progress today. At the beginning of summer, back when I started Better U, I was at my highest weight ever. If you remember, that's when I gave up the diet Coke and all fast food. It was kind of disappointing to see that, by July when I started walking really regularly, I was only down 0.9 lbs. Then we started walking several miles a day. I was even more disappointed to realize that, with all of the ups and downs, I weighed exactly the same in August when I started Jillian's plan as I did in July.

So it's not like I haven't tried. But now, on the MYM plan, I am down 19.9 lbs since June - 18.8 lbs of it since August! My BMI has dropped from the "obese" range to merely "overweight." And I have lost at least 4" off my waist, bringing me very close to that magic number (35" for women) that reduces your risk for diabetes and all kinds of other health problems.

I'm a believer!

The Houseworks Holiday Plan is making teensy tiny baby steps of progress. Last week was supposed to be for your closets. I did go through most of my closet and try everything on. I had a huge giveaway pile, sadly not because I've lost too much weight but because even if they fit they are hopelessly out of style or worn to threads. (Did I mention I hate clothes shopping?) I have a small pile of things that need to be mended (mostly buttons that popped off the waist - how embarrassing!) and a few things that just need desperately to be ironed. The good news is that I have plenty of things that now fit if I get invited to a formal event. How many black dresses does one girl need?

I've barely touched my sewing machine and have a guild challenge due in November. I have another birthday quilt to finish, although the participants are not really cooperating (as usual). And I have to quilt the signature quilt for my cousin. And my camera isn't working well.

I guess I have my work cut out for me. But it looks like it's stopped raining, so I think I'll take Daisy for a quick walk first.

Have a great day! And let me know what you're up to.

Quilt Shop Visit -Sweet Home Quilt Co, Conyers, GA

Thursday I had the "privilege" of driving an SUV full of 7th graders over to Madison, GA for a retreat. On my two hour drive home alone, I decided to channel Allison from Within a Quarter Inch, google "quilt shop" on my phone, and indulge in a little quilt shop therapy (in lieu of the alcohol others suggested). What a great idea!

(I apologize in advance for the quality of these pictures. I am having camera trouble and took all of these with my phone!)

I found the Sweet Home Quilt Company in Conyers. This beautiful 109 year old house is gorgeous enough to walk through and enjoy, even if it weren't filled with fabric! It took me several trips through just to take it all in. I love that they had samples everywhere, kits and bundles and patterns and ideas as far as the eye could see. But what made it so special was the way the house still looks like a house...

The antique hoosier, just like one my mom used to have...

The (still working) footed bathtub. The previous owner lives nearby and claims to have taken many baths in this tub. In the tub are "all or nothing" bundles from the end of the bolt at $5/yard.

The kitchen where baskets and jars hold notions, patterns, and fat quarter bundles...

And the iron bed that belonged to the owner's grandfather when he was a boy.

There were little touches all over that caught my eye. This window treatment from grapevine and antique hankies is so cute I might have to duplicate it!

A tiny hallway where a line of fabric and some notions are tucked away...and apparently the cat has come in from the rain!

The hooks for a display of purses and totes along the banister...

And finally the parlor where you check out. I restrained myself and didn't do too much damage, but oh the temptation! When I left, I felt so much more relaxed and ready for the rest of the trip home.

Next time you find yourself on a long drive, try doing a search for a shop. You never know when you will stumble across a gem like this that turns your whole day around.

Houseworks Holiday Plan Week 5 - House Room Week

On to Week 5 of the Houseworks Holiday Plan!

It was another week that really needs two, so it's a good thing that this week is all about the Guest Room and hospitality. After so many years of doing this plan (and so few actual guests) this room needs very little of my attention. I keep a permanent hospitality basket in my guest bath, and the room itself stays pretty clean since it is on my main level.

That's good news, because the kids' rooms and toys could use more attention. I did have them all clean out their drawers and closets and do a pretty big clean, but it still needs Mother's eye to bring it up to par. Plus the toys in the basement really need a big sort out, and I just didn't get to that.

I did tuck away all of my patriotic quilts that I use as decoration from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and pulled out my fall decorations.

Is this helping at all? Is anyone else following along or even thinking about the holidays yet? Or am I just annoying you?

Hope you have a wonderful week!

another better tUesday!

Apparently there is some weird cyclical thing going on with me. It's Week 5 with Jillian and MYM, and I am down another 5.1 lbs, for a total of 17.4 since mid-August!

My biggest challenge this week was going to my cousin's birthday party, catered by a yummy Mexican restaurant. Luckily it was set up as a buffet, so I made a plate with grilled onions and peppers, black beans, grilled chicken, fresh salsa, lettuce, tomato, and just the tiniest bits of cheese and sour cream. It was delicious. I totally skipped the chips and cheese dip, and since it wasn't on the tables I had no problems. I was also very proud of myself for passing on the homemade birthday cake that looked great.

My biggest smile - when the Wii said "that's overweight" instead of "that's obese" for the first time! Yes, my BMI is under 30. w00t!

The walking was tough this week, and only getting harder. In case you are living under a rock, Atlanta is drowning. We walked in the rain a lot last week, and got in 17 of our 20 planned miles, but so far this week we haven't made it yet due to the lovely addition of thunder and lightening, plus schools and roads being closed this morning. Little details like that.

Stay dry, my local friends, and have a better tUesday!

Houseworks Holiday Plan Week 4 - Close to Home Week

We're rolling into Week 4 of the Houseworks Holiday Plan, and it's finally starting to feel...well, not totally insane. The weather (at least here) is getting cooler and the leaves are starting to change. Now that it's officially fall, people won't look at you like you're crazy when you mention thinking about holiday plans.

I was working frantically on a birthday gift quilt this week (can't wait to show you!), so I didn't do all of my chores; but, the major dusting, vacuuming, and cleaning out under the bed in my room feels so good! I turned the mattress, washed everything on the bed (including dust ruffle, mattress cover, pillows - everything!) and cleaned the fan. Sweaty, dirty work but heavenly when you go to sleep at night.

Week Four is Close to Home Week. Brutal. The deep clean this week is the kids' rooms. I don't know about you, but that alone just might kill me. Luckily the boys are old enough to do a lot of it themselves. Gracie just gets overwhelmed and needs me there by her side to help her decide what to do about a lot of things. Then, just when you feel the need for medical intervention, you're supposed to declutter the toys. Yippee. But won't it feel nice when it's done? Yeah, let's focus on that.

There's much much more at the link, as usual, but this is my focus. I don't even know if I can stick with a day to day list this week - I may just have to wade in there and call for reinforcements if it gets too bad. If I don't post by next Sunday, please send the Marines! LOL!

There are less than 100 days until Christmas. Can you believe it?

Hope you have a wonderful week!

not my best tUesday...

On to week four with Jillian and MYM, and it wasn't my best week.

Although I only missed one day of walking in the craziness, and I didn't eat anything I shouldn't have, there was something amiss. I gained 1.5 lbs. My DH lost 1 lb.

Looking back, I think there were multiple factors:

• I got a little cocky about meals, portion sizes and timing. Instead of eating off Jillian's menu, I started thinking "this looks about right." And instead of eating every four hours by the clock, there were at least two days where I completely missed a meal. Several days I varied my eating wildly due to the unusual schedule.
  
• It wasn't as hot, so I wasn't drinking nearly as much water as usual.
• Cyclical weight gain - although the timing doesn't seem right, four weeks ago is when I gained 2.6 lbs after a great week. 5 weeks before that I was up 3.5 lbs. These are the only times I have gained, and all three times I thought I was gearing up for a great weigh in. I'm not sure this is the culprit, but it's an interesting pattern to watch. At least the numbers are getting smaller!
  

I am going back to the basic menu, and writing down my water consumption. Obviously I can't help if my body goes nuts, but I can try to compensate with diet and exercise.

My biggest challenge this week was working the concession stand at our school's family picnic. I was selling (our) pizza for over three hours, and it smelled delicious. But I never had a bite! It looked great, but I had no NEED for it.

The fun thing that happened this week was that I fit into a pair of shorts that I haven't worn in four years!

My friend with the flu is gradually getting better. She has been walking part way with me the last two days and trying to rebuild her stamina. She lost almost 10 lbs in a week with H1N1 and a week in bed, but I think I'll pass on that method! Hopefully this week will be back in the routine and back to negative numbers!

I hope you have a better tUesday!

Houseworks Holiday Plan Week 3 - Me and Mine Week

Week 2 of Houseworks Holiday Plan was a little tricky. Between the kids having both Monday and Tuesday off school, and Gracie being home sick Thursday and Friday, I don't feel like I got a lot accomplished.

One thing I did check off the list, which feels great, is cleaning out the kids art supplies cabinet. It is really just three shelves of my pantry, but had been crammed with partially used paper, dried out markers, and the stray can of beans that wouldn't fit on one of the higher shelves. I pulled it all out, pitched an entire trash bag worth of junk, and organized it into one big bin and one shelf for paper, books, and kits.

Week Three is Me and Mine Week. It is a huge week with lots of important tasks too important to skip. The big clean is the Master Bedroom. I don't know if you're like me, but that's always the last room to get any attention. I love this week because my room finally looks loved, but it is a huge amount of work!

The other big job is to inventory the gift closet and wrapping supplies. If you send holiday cards, you have a lot to do this week as well. I will have to discuss whether we want to stick to our resolution from last year not to send them to anyone with an email address, or if we are going to cave to peer pressure and mail them again. The waste of paper kills me, but I do love getting pictures of my friends' kids. Decisions decisions!

• Monday - Declutter MBR drawers, cabinets, and shelves.
  
• Tuesday - Begin holiday email list and letter. Put pictures to include in one folder.
  
• Wednesday - Deep declutter and clean of MBR Closet
  
• Thursday - Inventory gift closet; add any possibilities to the Master Gift List.
  
• Friday - Dust and vacuum MBR, moving furniture and cleaning under bed, etc.
  
• Saturday - Update framed photos, decor, etc.
  

What is your bedroom like? A haven for rest or the dumping ground for the rest of the house? This week, take some time to make it into a place you love to be, your own little island of serenity.

Hope you have a wonderful week!