Friday!! a preview of a file, and a sale

It's Friday! Yeah!! what a long, miserable week it's been. But it's finally, finally Friday!

So here's a picture of a file I've been working on. It should be up at cuttersmarket soon. Just a simple set of scrolls. I thought they'd be good for heritage layouts or anything just needing a little "ump" added to it.

How about a sale? From now til April 15th, buy any of my files at the cuttersmarket and get one file of equal or lesser value free. Just email me a copy of your receipt for the file you purchased and which file you'd like as your free one. Easy as pie.

Someone has asked for the flower in the spring file to be separated from the title. I will do that and post it to the cuttersmarket. Look for that file next week. Someone else asked me what font I used - I believe it's Fling.

Nothing major going on here. Just work, work, work. I did make it to the gym 5 days this week. Fat lot of good it's doing me - I've gained two pounds this week. :( This morning I messed up my hamstring and it's killing me now. Plus my foot is hurting. I thought my foot was doing better since it's not been sore all week. Wishful thinking I guess. I don't think it's ever going to stop raining. It seems like it's been nonstop for ever. Our yard is nothing but mush. Sorry I don't have any exciting news.

Later!

Pay It Forward winner!

Alicia P. was the first to post for the Pay It Forward challenge. Thanks for playing! I really love the idea of this, and may try to do it once in a while, so be sure to keep an eye out for it. Alicia's blog can be found here:

akporter.blogspot.com

so be sure to check her blog out later for her Pay It Forward. Alicia, check your email.

I have finally gotten a cut of the file that's up on my blog. Here's a picture of it. The download will be up for a few more days and then I'll submit it to cuttersmarket.com.

I've been fighting a migraine all day. I think I'm going to give up and go lay down. Figures, seems like lately I'm always sick on the weekends.

Til next time!

Pay It Forward

I was thrilled to see that I was the first to post to Chris's blog for her Pay It Forward challenge. You can check it out here:

http://visualdesignsbychris.blogspot.com/2008/03/weekend-and-pay-it-forward.html

So, now it's my turn to Pay It Forward.

I think this is such a cool idea. What a nice way to brighten someone's day! The first person to post to my blog that they will Pay It Forward on their blog will get their choice of two of my GSD files from cuttersmarket.com. Since I only have 17 files there to chose from, I'll include a mystery file I'm working on now. The only stipulation is, of course, that you have to pay it forward on your own blog. Be sure to post your blog addy in your post. I will post the winner and ask you to email me with your choice of files. Then, as soon as you post the Pay It Forward on your blog, I'll send you the files. Easy-Peasy.

Stephen put the shock collar on Annabelle last night. It killed me. I bawled like a baby when it shocked her. It is effective tho - she only barked three times before she realized what was going on. So we left it on her and let her sleep out in the fenced yard since it was 60 degrees over night. I don't think she barked once. And I got 5 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Heaven help me if she barks again with it on, I don't think I can take it.

At least tomorrow is Friday. What a long week it's been. I get my hair cut Saturday. It's long over due. I'm tempted to go super short this time, but I'll probably chicken out.

Til tomorrow! And don't forget to post if you want to Pay It Forward!

file link corrected and shock collars

First, I think the link to the free file is working now. I'm sorry I didn't check it closer last night. I was so wrapped up in the silly dog that I didn't do a very good job with my post. If you have any problems, please let me know. Also, if you use the file on a card or layout, I'd love to see it.

After another sleepless night, Stephen and I have decided we're going to have to do something about the dog. I lost count with how many times she woke me up last night somewhere around the fifth time I let her out. She wants to play. She didn't need to use the potty but once out of all those times. So, after much discussion, we decided to try a shock collar. I've always been totally against them, but I HAVE to get some sleep. I don't know what else we can do. While it's warm, we could leave her outside, but she barks when she's outside at night at the least little thing. And after her jail break stunts last night, I'm not sure I would trust her to still be there in the morning. So I guess we'll see how a collar goes. Wish us luck.

Still fighting this nasty cold. My head is clearer, but I'm fighting a migraine and I have pain in my back near my left lung. I'm guessing the cold is trying to settle in there. Seems any time I get sick, my left ear and or lung is affected and just won't clear out. At least I did get to the gym this morning. I'm finally to the point that I can run 3 miles, non-stop in just under 38 minutes. According to the trainer at the gym, I should be doing it in 30 mins. I have no idea how I'm going to shave 8 mins off 3 miles. Stephen suggested adding an incline to my run, but I'm terrified I'll trash my foot again. I can walk for a limited time on an incline without pain, but I'm afraid running will be too much stress on it. Any suggestions on how to increase my pace by 20%?

update -file

So here's the file. Sorry for the delay getting it to you. I hope you can find some use for it.

EXPIRED


Do not reduce it too much or it will tear. I'm sorry I don't have a preview, I've tried twice now and keep getting interrupted by the dog who has turned in to a houdini hound - she's gotten out twice just since supper.

Tuesday - still sick

I woke up this morning feel worse. I tried but just couldn't drag myself to the gym. So today has been a complete bust. Fighting a headache, sinuses are killing me, chest hurts - I wish I could just go home and go to bed. And I'm starving. I could eat a large DQ blizzard right now and still be hungry for supper. Unfortunately supper doesn't cook itself, and I know Stephen will be too tired from going to the gym after work to cook. I just hope Belle doesn't get up more than once tonight to be let out.

I have a free file ready to cut and then post for you guys. I'll do my best to cut it tonight and add to today's post. I hope some of you will be able to use it.

I can't wait for spring to get here. This warm one day freezing the next BS is getting on my last good nerve.

two sickies: the dog and me

I am so glad I was able to get Annabelle in to see her regular vet Friday. I'm convinced the other lady doesn't have a frakin' clue (yes, we watch Battlestar at our house) what's going on. Jeanine said her kidneys are fine, great for a dog her age, and she has no idea why she's still getting up two to four times a night. But the bad news is, her liver is getting bad. She wants her to take two months of meds and we'll check the liver again to see if the function is improving. 60 pills, $78. Ouch.

And I was sick all day yesterday. Got up, felt fine, when to the grocery, came home, started lunch, ate lunch, then oh no. What a nightmare. I haven't been that sick in a long, long time. I couldn't hold on to anything. I was so weak I could barely get up and down the stairs yesterday. I'm thinking it was a 24 hr bug. At least I'm hoping that's all it is.

So, consequently, I don't have that a file for you. I'm sorry, I'll try my best to get on something tonight, so please check back tomorrow. I'm always open to suggestions, so feel free to let me know what you think or need.

pup still sick

Annabelle is still sick. The vet found a small amount of blood in her urine this morning and traces of "something" else that leads her to believe it's kidney failure. So I have to take her back to the vet tomorrow for a blood draw to see where we go from here. It's not looking good. She is doing a little better at night at least. I just feel so bad for her. Stephen and I have talked and at least we're on the same page. We won't let her suffer. Unlike my mother, who let my childhood dog go blind, deaf, immobile and incontinent and still wouldn't put her to sleep. That dog died the most horrible death, finally seizing to death. There will be none of that for Belle at least.

I had hoped to have a free file up today to celebrate spring. But I didn't get it test cut. I'll try to post it tomorrow, so please check back. I'm trying to decide how best to promote my files. I'm thinking of a mini sale - maybe email me a copy of your receipt from Cuttersmarket and I'll send you a free file. Not sure yet. Suggestions are welcome.

Til Friday!

Any one want a dog and a card to share

First the card. I made this thank you card with the curly frame file from Chris Durnan. I love how versatile these frames are. Thanks so much for another wonderful file, Chris! Oh, and don't forget, you can see all of Chris's files at www.paperthreads.com.

I'm really starting to get worried about our dog. She's soon going to be 14, and she's been having accidents. Last week it had gotten so bad, I took her to the vet. They're not sure if she's just old or if it's an infection or worse. But they gave us antibiotics to put her on. Last night she was horribly sick, twice. I felt so bad for her. And for me too, because I got sick cleaning it up. I talked to the vet's office and they said give it another try tonight, but if she gets sick again they'll change her antibiotic. I swear it's worse than having a child. She whines all the time, barks to wake me up to take her out, and then barks to be let out so we can play at 4am. Any one want a dog?

Monday and a layout and a cake

Well, it's Monday, again. We survived the winter storm with only about 4" of snow. We were very lucky. The roads were almost entirely clear by 3pm Saturday. It could have been a lot worse. I hope that's the last of winter around here.

Here's a layout I did this weekend using Chris Durnan's file Seashells, borders and corners for the Wishblade/Craftrobo. I used glitter chalks for the shells, unfortunately it doesn't show up very well in the photo. This is the place that we had the awesome fish and seafood. I would have loved to have eaten there again before we left, but there was just too much going on. Next time we're in Green Bay, definitely.



Here are a couple of pictures of the cake I made when the Packers made the playoffs this past seaon. I was pretty happy with how it turned out. Altho my hands were cramping from pressing out all those little stars. You'll notice the white frosting I used for the "snow" at Lambeau Field. Anyway, it tasted pretty good, even if it didn't look as good as I had hoped.

Friday

I survived another week. A long week. Hard to get back in to the groove at the gym. I thought that the week off from the gym had helped my foot. I thought too soon. It's been aching all day today. Wishful thinking on my part I guess. I was able to run my full 3 miles today tho, so that was good.

It's snowing tonight. It started about 1 this afternoon. They're saying from 3 to 6" tonight. At least we don't have to go to work in the morning.

I'm working on a layout that I hope to finish tonight. It's from our Green Bay trip. It's pictures of the wonderful restaurant in front of the Lodge called Marty's Boston Crab. I have no idea how I'm going to get all those pictures scrapped.

Happy Retirement, Favre and a layout

Imagine how sad I was this morning to get the phone call from Stephen. I knew it was coming sooner, rather than later, but I had hoped it wouldn't come this year. Stephen called this morning to tell me Favre was retiring. After 17 yrs in the NFL, 16 with the Packers, he's calling it quits. I was so hoping he would come back for at least one more year, preferably two, since the team is so young and showing so much promise and talent. But I would never begrudge him his retirement. And best of all, we got to see him on opening day of his last season.

Happy retirement, Favre.

I indeed get sick. I missed work last Wednesday and should have probably stayed home at least Thursday, maybe even Friday too. But meetings at work forced me back in. My head has hurt non-stop for over a week now. All last week my left ear hurt so bad I just wanted to cry. But, fingers crossed, other than the headache, I think I'm on the mend.

I have a layout to share. It's using Chris's Workin' Out with Dumbbells file. You can find this file, and all her other awesome files, as well as her steal-of-a-deal membership option at:

http://www.paperthreads.com/store/index.php?manufacturers_id=12&main_page=index

This layout is a congrats to Stephen. He joined the gym two years ago and has since lost over 70 lbs! I am so proud of him. I think Chris's file was perfect for this layout. WTG Stephen!

Nothing else new. Work is work, busy and stressful. It's hard to work when my head has been hurting like this for so long. The weather definitely isn't cooperating. 72 on Sunday, thunderstorms and 65 on Monday, 35 and snow flurries today.

Til next time, happy crafting!

sick?

Say it isn't so! I think I'm getting sick. I woke up, felt like crap, got up, went back to bed, got back up, went to the gym, ran 3 miles, showered, came to work and have felt worse with every passing minute. My head is killing me, my nose is bleeding, and it's hard to breath, plus I'm coughing. I don't have time to be sick. Thank goodness I put a roast in the crock pot before I left this morning.

The weather is crappy today. Cold, wet, drizzle, snow flurries. Please send spring asap I'm sure it's not helping my head any.

Pretty boring today. I keep hoping Favre will announce he's coming back next season, but so far, no such luck. I'm already ready for football season again. I hate that the season is so short.

Monday

Well it's Monday, again. I swear time is just flying by, esp when it comes to time to go back to work. It was a wild day today. The internet was down for almost 3 hrs, so there was a lot of work that I couldn't get to.

I didn't get by the gym this morning and man, can I tell. I'm cranky, tired and just plain miserable. I find it nearly impossible to get up early on Monday's and get to the gym before work. I wonder how covered up it is tonight, and if I dare chance the crowd?

Yesterday was the anniversary of my dad's death. I can't believe it's been 8 years. I still miss him fiercely. I don't think that will ever get any easier, no matter what people say. So many what ifs, so many regrets. I should have went to his grave yesterday and put out fresh flowers, but I was too lazy and selfish to do it. Stephen works Saturday, maybe I can go then. I don't get by there very often, since it's an hour away. I miss you dad!!

Saturday! Saturday! Saaaturday!

Thank goodness it's the weekend! What a long week it's been. I swear they just seem to take longer and longer and the weekends keep flying by faster and faster.

Had a rough work out at the gym yesterday morning before work. It was really hot in there, and I got too hot. My hammy started cramping up, and I just couldn't do the 4 miles I had intended to do. I did get 3 in, but it cost me. My foot hurt all day. We had unexpected guests at lunch. Fridays we go out to our favorite restaurant and relax as a treat for making it thru the week. We had already ordered and started in on our appetizer when my inlaws came in and joined us. It was nice to see them, but it was also rather creepy. They said they drove by to see if we were there, since it's Friday, and when they saw our vehicle they decided to stop. It was nice visiting with them, but even Stephen said it was a little weird that they just showed up unannounced. I gave blood after work last night. Bruising already, but then that's to be expected with me. Got up this morning, cleaned up the kitchen and straightened a little in the house. I had to wait for Stephen to get up before I can run the vacuum. Looks to be another lazy weekend here. Maybe I can work on some projects later.

Happy Saturday all!

Long time no see!

So much for blogging on a regular basis, eh? Well, I'm going to do better from now on. Maybe. Hopefully. Well, at least I'm going to try.

We've been having some wild weather here, 65+ one day, 25 the next. Luckily we missed a huge winter storm last night. We had a little bit of freezing rain and that's it. Thank goodness! While we've had a relatively mild winter, I can't wait for Spring.

I'm back in to the gym routine, in spite of my foot still hurting. I'm not losing any weight, in fact I've gained 2 lbs. But I'm going to pretend it's muscle mass in my legs - I've gone from being able to run 2 miles at a time to running 3 to 4 miles at a time. My speed has increased a little, but my endurance has really gone up. I can run non-stop for 50 mins now. And while that's not terribly impressive, I'm darn happy with it considering how old I am and how over weight I am still.

I'm on a design team for a wonderful lady who makes the most fabulous cutter files for the Wishblade and CraftRobo. You can check out her website here:

http://visualdesignsbychris.blogspot.com/

I'll post a few of the things I've made with some of her great files for you to see.












Nothing really new here. Work, eat, sleep, go to the gym, work, eat, sleep....getting older and older and I have no idea where the time has gone.

a few more pics

thought I might post a few more pictures from our trip.




This is of Favre coming out of the tunnel. Can I just say one more time how much I love our camera? LOVE the zoom on that puppy. The tunnel that the players come out of is at the opposite end of the stadium from where we were sitting. I think if we're lucky enough to go back to another game sometime, we need to get the additional zoom lense to use with it.



This is a picture of the jets that flew over the stadium as the Banner was ending. I think it gave everyone chills. I've never heard anything so loud as when they flew over. Stephen and I talked about it and of all the games we've been to, none have had more impressive flyovers than this one. The jets were lower than we've ever seen before and flying faster than any other game we've been to.



As we were walking over to the stadium from the tail gate party, we saw this vehicle. It belongs to the "Packer Pope". This is a man who dresses up in Green and Gold "robes". I have a picture at home, somewhere, from our first trip to Green Bay that I'll post later. He and his wife were so cool, they posed for us to take their picture. The "Pope" was at the player autograph signing too.


This is at the tailgate party. After we'd walked back to get warmer clothes since it was drizzling and the temp was dropping. If only we'd known it was going to clear off by the end of the first quarter and be so warm and sunny that our faces would get sunburned! As it was, Stephen ended up burning up in his sweatshirt. I had a jacket on, thank goodness, so I didn't get too terribly hot. A little about the tailgate parties put on by Packer Fan Tours - they're awesome! All the food you can eat and all the drinks you care to drink. Music, including special tailgate tunes like "the Bears Still Suck" and "Our Favre". A great time, absolutely great.

And the last one for today. This is Stephen with William Henderson at the players autograph party the night before the game. Stephen has been a huge fan of Henderson's for ever, and we were thrilled to find out he was at the party even tho he was no longer a team member.

It was a sad night in our house Sunday with the Packers collapsing and getting beat by the Bears. I hope that wasn't a sign of things to come this season. Oh, and my new co-worker that just started Monday? She's a Bears fan who moved her from just outside Chicago. Oops!

reports of my demise were premature

I AM still here and among the land of the living. Just super swamped, both at work and at home. Can't seem to find time to do much of anything. I can't even find time to decide on the first batch of pictures I want to scrap.

But boy did we have a great time! The game was wonderful, the weather was fallish, and the great citizens of Green Bay, well, they were great as usual. You know they have to be sick of Cheeseheads and tourists and fans, but everyone was super nice to us. Here are some pictures:

This is during the game, obviously. LOVE our new camera. The zoom on it is amazing. We were 16 rows back so we were pretty close to begin with, but even at the far end of the stadium the pictures turned out great.





This is from our lunch at Curly's Pub. The absolutely best nachos I've ever had. We really wanted to try the O-Line burger, but it was 40 oz and we didn't think even on an empty stomach we could handle it and the "bucket of fries" it came with.







A nice couple a few rows behind us agreed to take this picture. I didn't even realize at the time that I was standing on a row of bleachers and that Stephen wasn't. Oops! Well, at least we're not totally mutt and jeff in this picture.







This is while we were waiting in line to get in to the tailgate party. A nice couple from Southern Mississippi snapped this pic for us. We ended up seeing them in the hotel bar on Monday night and had a really nice chat with them, while Stephen discovered the Green Monkey (I'll post the recipe tomorrow). LOVE the new jersey that Stephen bought me at the Packers Pro Shop. He bought me a black one at The Jersey Store the next day. I'll have to model it later and post a pic this weekend maybe.

Last one for today. This is us in front of the statue of Curly Lambeau in front of the stadium, right outside the Atrium and the Pro Shop. A really sweet man that lives in Green Bay offered to take our picture. Of course he said "eh, you two aren't from around here are you?" and we all had a good laugh. After taking this one, he offered to take a picture of us in front of Vince Lombardi's statue (I'll post that later too) so we of course took him up on that as well. This was from Friday afternoon, about 30 mins after we hit town. We checked in to the hotel and went straight over to the stadium and Pro Shop. It was very nice, cool, windy and sunny. I swear the whole trip my hair was in my eyes more than where it belonged. I finally gave up trying to keep it behind my ears even.

Well, that's enough for today. I'll try to post more tomorrow. I figure I have enough stories and pictures to fill up the blog from now til the end of the year.

Happy Labor Day, foot, football, and shorttime-ing

Happy Labor Day weekend everyone! I hope you have a safe, happy holiday!

We went to the football game last night. We had a nice time, even tho the Packers got beat. The starting offense only played for two series, and the starting defense only played one series. When you take in to consideration that the Titans played their starters in to the Third Quarter, it's no surprise the Pack got beat. It tried to rain a time or two, drizzling for a few minutes then stopping, but there was an incredible breeze blowing. By the time we got home (12:40am) my foot was killing me, again. It's been hurting for a couple of weeks, but the 1 1/2 mile walk one way to and from the parking lot to the stadium trashed it. Why 3 miles walked outside should be all that different from the 2 1/2 miles I run and the 1 mile I walk in the gym at least 3-4 times a week is beyond me. Thank goodness I made an appt two weeks ago to see the podiatrist this next week before we leave on vacation. I'm hoping and praying that he'll give me another shot.

Shorttime-ing. That's me for sure. I'm soooo ready for vacation. I can't wait to get away, from people, from work, from this town. I've been having a hard time staying focused, and I find myself thinking of all the things I need to pack and be sure are ready to grab the moment we can leave.

I frequent a site called sparkpeople.com. It's for weight loss, healthy living, exercise and support. I found a blurb on there that really hit home today. I'm always crushed any time someone asks me when my baby is due or if I just gave birth. I need to try to remember this instead:

Reading your own thoughts into someone else’s words
Example: Someone made a mildly critical or unsupportive remark to you, and you feel completely devastated. Reality: The more bothered you are by such remarks, the more likely it is that you are being overly critical of yourself. When you treat yourself with respect, what others say won’t matter nearly so much.

migraines and rain and football

It shouldn't come as any surprise that I spent all of last night huddled on the couch in agony with a migraine. My eyes were so messed up from the weaker contacts that I had a headache inside a half hour and a migraine inside of 45 minutes. I took everything I could think of and couldn't get rid of it. Jerk doctor.

We did wake up to a nice surprise. We got a little bit of rain. Not much, and not nearly what we needed, but at least we got some. Maybe a quarter of an inch. Never mind we're over 10 inches below normal and in a severe drought. The rain also brought some cooler temps, which is a welcome relief to the 4+ straight WEEKS of 100+ degree temps.

Tomorrow night we're going to the Packers vs Titans pre-season game. We weren't expecting to go, and it was a wonderful surprise when the owner of our favorite restaurant called us to ask if we needed tickets. Gotta love that! I hope no one gets hurt tomorrow night. The Packers already have several dinged up players, so I'm hoping that nothing else goes wrong. Go Pack!!

I hate doctors!

Can I just scream now? For about a month now, I've noticed I have trouble reading street signs and seeing distances. It's been about 18 months since I've last been in for a new script, so I figured my eyes were getting worse and I needed stronger contacts. Imagine my total disbelief when the eye dr tells me my script is too STRONG and reduced my script by .50 in each eye! I said, so even tho I can't see distant NOW you think I need weaker lenses? Yup, that's what he said. So then I have to write him a check for $75 and feel like I've been robbed. I told him I never would have come in to see him if my eyes weren't WORSE and I needed to see better. Oh, and his answer to me not being able to see my computer monitor was "just take your contacts out". Hello? He expects me to take my contacts out a dozen or more times a day? Or else wear glasses, which I hate. I could have snapped his scrawny butt in half right then and there. I should have refused to pay for that BS. Oh I'm so mad!!

So I've had these "better" contacts in for an hour and of course I have a horrible migraine now. Can I just say I hate men?!

Thursday and new files

I have some new files uploaded, including a football word art that will be perfect for those football kickoffs that should be starting this week around the country. Check them out here:

http://www.cuttersmarket.com/gallery.asp?mnum=020

Here's a pic of the football file:


It's hot. Hotter than hot. This is week 3 of solid 100+ degree days. Not factoring in the heat index. It's been miserable. Our air conditioner started acting up, so we had to call someone to service it. Not looking forward to that bill. I've been in a real rotten mood lately, to the point that I want to tell everyone to shove off and leave me alone. When did the world become so intolerant of different opinions? If you don't agree 100% with what everyone says, you're a horrible, stupid person. And I'm sick of two faced "friends". I thought I had a really good friend at work. Boy was I wrong. Doesn't take much to make you realize you can only truly count on one person in life.

Vacation starts in 336 hours and counting. I cannot wait. We're going to the Packers home opener in Green Bay and I CAN NOT wait! (Hence the new football file posted, and the new ones that should be up in a few days). ;) Go Pack Go!

One good thing, after three weeks of being stuck at 169, I'm finally down to 165. I swear this is killing me!

Monday and new cutter file

Another weekend has flown by. I'm just stunned that as I get older, the months and weeks are just flying by. I've created a new cutter file and it's posted at cuttersmarket.com. Here's a picture and a link:

http://cuttersmarket.com/gallery.asp?mnum=020&cat1=Sports

I hope to add a few more scuba related files in the coming days. Stephen is now officially certified to scuba dive without an instructor. He's very excited. He, his boss and a coworker all passed.

I'm struggling with the diet/weight loss thing. For two weeks now I've had a horrible pain in my side when I run. It usually eases up after about 15 mins, but it's a killer until it does ease up. I've thought it was just a stitch in my side from lack of oxygen, but this weekend it bothered me all day Saturday. Last night we played some Wii sports. I was fine with the bowling, but when I tried the tennis, uh oh. Major pain in my side. It doesn't help either that the stupid scale has stalled again, in spite of watching my food and exercising like a mad woman. *sigh* No way I'll be able to lose 15 lbs before the fall at this rate.

Yesterday was very hard, another father's day without my dad. I don't know that it will ever get any easier. Seems like I should be able to just hop in the car and go see him. I do miss him so.

Almost two months??

Has it really been almost two months since I last posted an entry? Man, life has a way of getting busy. I'm pleased to report that, knock on wood, I think my foot may finally be healing. I had to go back to the podiatrist a couple of weeks ago because my foot was flaring up. But another shot and threeweeks later and, knock on wood, I'm much better.

And I'm slowly making progress in the Get-Healthy department. I'm down 14 lbs since March 29th - when I was finally able to get back to the gym with some frequency. Here are some "from a year ago" comparisons:

June 7, 2006 June 5, 2007 Difference:
Weight: 194 - 176 - 18 lbs
Waist: 43" - 41" - 2"
Hips: 52" - 48" - 4"
Neck: 14.5" - 13.75" - .75"
Thigh: 21.75" - 21.5" - .25"
Calf: 16.75" - 16.25" - .5"
Chest: 43" - 42.5" - .5"
pant size: 24W - 16W - 4 sizes
speed: 3.5 mph - 4.5 mph - 1 mph

Now I know this isn't that impressive, but I've only been hitting this really hard since March 29th.
And while it's ONLY 18 lbs and 8 inches, it's better than I was a year ago. This weekend I picked up a pair of size 16W pants off the clearance rack and they fit! Here's a picture from roughly that time period.

I'll try to get a new picture and post tonight.

And I also owe you guys a free GSD file. I'll work on that tonight as well, and try to get it posted in the next day or so.

cold and a new gsd file

Apparently we're now paying for our mild winter. It's been cold here, freezing for April. We've had a frost warning over night for 5 days now, temps have been below 32 at night. I had to bring my tomato plants in - thank goodness Stephen didn't want to till up a garden spot this year so I had put them in pots!

Exercise is frustrating. I've been busting my rear for a month now and only lost 2 lbs, which keep trying to come back. I've hurt my thigh ( I think it's a partial tear), and my foot still flares up most days. I'm never going to lose weight in time for our vacation at this rate. :(

I submitted a new file for the Cutters Market. Here's a picture of it. It should be up in the next day or two. You should be able to find it here:

www.sussann.cuttersmarket.com

I hope to do a few more "coffee" inspired files in the next week or two.

Vacation time is here. I'm off work next week and I'm soooo looking forward to it. I'm burned out, stressed out and need some me time. I just hope it warms up so I can work in the yard some.

gsd files, walking and spring

I've been working on some new files. I'm going to try posting them on www.cuttersmarket.com. Here's a direct link to my store. sussann.cuttersmarket.com It may take a couple of days for the files to be posted, so please check back from time to time. Any files you'd like to see made, especially titles, drop me a comment and I'll see what I can do.

I've been working out again. Fingers crossed, I *think* my foot is good to go. I went to the gym a couple of days a week for a couple of weeks and didn't end up in agony. So last week I went for it. I went 4 days, did 60 mins, 45 mins, 40 mins and 40 mins. I even jogged a little each day. I'm so hoping this is the answer for my foot. Altho I have to say, dieting and exercising makes for a horrible depression!

I guess it's really spring - or maybe that should say summer. We've had 4 days in a row of 80+ temps. We went from needing the heat to needing the air conditioner. It won't be long before we need to get the lawn mower out and tackle the yard. The first time mowing always seems to be the hardest because everything is in such horrible, shabby shape. I have some tulips that have bloomed, and a few daffodils. I'll take some pics and see if I end up with anything blog-worthy.

two new cutter files

I have a couple of new cutter files to share. The first one is an arrow - U shaped. I know we can't cut chip board, but I still thought it might be nice to have. Maybe cut two of it, and layer them with pop dots in between?

The second file is a belated Valentine file. It's a heart with the words Be Mine welded to it. It has a mat also.

I'll try to add pictures later tonight. I haven't scanned in my cut files yet, so I can't post them just now.

Here are the links:

http://www.4shared.com/file/11575404/ee70580b/arrowU.html - EXPIRED

and

http://www.4shared.com/file/11575403/7014cda8/Be_Mine.html - EXPIRED

I went out with the girls last night while Stephen was at scuba class. We had dinner and went to see The Astronaut Farmer. It was okay, but would have been a better rental in my opinion. It was nice to get out and do something with the girls.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. I'm so glad it's Friday. VERY long week and I'm dog-tired. Too bad the temps are supposed to plummet over night. It would have been nice to work out in the yard tomorrow.

A quick layout and some thoughts and a GSD file

Here's a quick layout I did for a challenge for a group I'm in. It uses Club Scrap paper. Just a quick, down and dirty layout, but at least I scrapped a little.

Nothing new here. Stephen was in a little better mood last night. Thank goodness. Wednesday he came home from work to discover I had bought him a box of Samoa Girl Scout cookies (I won't eat these because I hate coconut) and he lost it on me. Yelled and screamed, told me I was trying to sabotage his diet and how dare I not be support of him. He really was an a** about the whole thing. I took them to work yesterday and gave them away. Ungrateful snot.

Still not feeling too good. My sinus infection is some better, but the infection part doesn't seem to be clearing up. I have two days of antibiotics left, so maybe that will finally knock it. My foot is feeling better. I hope to start trying to walk again next week. I'll have to go slow and see how it feels. I have to get back in to some sort of weight loss regime. The podiatrist told me last time I saw him to stay off the exercise bike, so that really limits what I can do.

And it's Friday. Thank goodness! Seems like such a long, miserable week. The weather is starting to warm up and we even have sun today. Sure wish I could be home on the deck, reading or scrapping.

And lastly, here's a GSD file for Wishblade and CraftRobo users.

http://www.4shared.com/file/11140634/2d361752/birthday_with_mat.html - EXPIRED

I'm sorry I don't have a picture to post. I forgot to scan the cut file last night before I watched Grey's. It's a birthday cake with the words Happy Birthday. I hope some of you can use it. Please let me know if you have any comments or suggestions on it.

Valentine's? Bah hum bug!

Or at least that's apparently Stephen's opinion of the holiday. The first of the month, I suggested that, if he got a wild hair to buy me flowers at the last minute (like he normally does) to not, that there was something cheaper from Wal-Mart that I would really rather have. He said he hadn't planned on doing anything but a card. So I said that's fine. And then he said we might go out to eat the weekend before or the weekend after, since it was a week night and things are so busy and crowded during the week on holidays. Okay, sounded fine to me. Until Wed night when I tried to give him his Valentine's day card. He had a fit. Said it wasn't time for them. Said we were doing cards this weekend when we went out to eat. Ah, uh, okay. Whatever. Makes zero sense to me and really hurt my feelings, bad.

Fast forward to this Saturday. Bear in mind I've been sick all week and didn't feel like going out to eat this weekend. He mentioned about 3pm, "oh, we need to do Valentine's cards but my card for you is downstairs and I don't want to have to go down and get it, we'll do them later". Ah, okay, again, I guess. So I'm seeing really quickly that it's too much effort for him to have to walk down the steps to get my card. Gee, that really made my hurt feelings better. So I take my card down later that evening and he never mentions it again. Sunday he mentions in passing "we didn't do cards" and "why didn't you remind me"? Well you know, big guy, if I have to remind you to give me a card, then it really doesn't mean much does it? But I didn't say it. STILL he doesn't go get my card.

This morning I am getting ready to leave for work and find a card by my keys and purse. It's not a valentine's day card. It's a generic "love you" card. He wrote inside it something lame about how he doesn't need a holiday to be told when to tell me he loves me or some other BS like that. And he doesn't even sign it love Stephen - he signs it "your husband". I'm just crushed beyond words. I KNEW he had forgotten to get me a real card, and this just proves it. I'm so hurt and upset I don't know how to express my feelings. I know it's "just a holiday" to him but he KNOWS it's not to me. How dare he cast my feelings in the mud like this? Men!!

check out my friend's digital kits!

Check out Amy's digital kits!!

Is she just not the most talented? You can find Amy's kits here:
http://www.the-lilypad.com/digitaldesigner.aspx?mid=25

I love this snowman kit. I hope we get some snow this year so I can scrap with it.

And then, check out this one! I love this one too.
Stop by and check her out!



There's nothing new going on here. My foot still hurts, I'm depressed and can't get motivated to even do the stupid bike at the gym. I'm feeling old and useless. And alone. Stephen signed up to take diving lessons so he can get certified to go scuba diving. Never mind we don't live near the ocean. Supposedly there are "lots" of places he and his friends can go diving during the year. I guess I should be grateful that he's not out getting drunk or carousing with a woman. But instead I feel alone and left out. How sad that all of my friends are miles and miles away. I'm sure this is just my winter funk. My turning another year older and no one cares pity party. But it's getting harder and harder to get through each one.

2007

I can't believe the year is gone and we're already 16 days in to the new year. It seems like just yesterday we were talking about the July 4th holiday. I never believed my parents when I was growing up, but time really does fly as you get older.

Here's my first & second layouts of 2007. The title/paper piecing is a file that I got from The Wishblading Well for the Wishblade/Craft Robo. That was my Christmas this year - a Craft Robo. I love how easy it is to cut anything. Now to learn how to make my own stuff!





I went to the dr on the 28th. I actually saw a different dr, one who was known to give shots in the foot for planters fasciata. I have to say, it was one of the most painful things I've endured, a shot right in the heel of my foot. It helped for a couple of weeks, but now the burning in my foot is back. I have an appt to see a podiatrist on the 17th. I'm hoping and praying he can find a more permanent solution, but I'm not holding my breath. It's frustrating me so much, and making me very, very depressed. The bike at the gym kills my knees and I'm not burning hardly any calories when I do it. This weight is never going to come off.

some fall pics and thoughts

This is the tree behind our garage. I think it's the prettiest it's been since we bought the house. I was so afraid we weren't going to have any color at all this year, so it was a nice surprise to see some red's and yellow's on our Maple tree.

I love fall. I love the crisp bite to the air, the cooler mornings, the break from the heat and humidity. But I hate the time change. I hate coming home from work in the dark, I hate that we have such a short fall and then winter is on us almost immediately.

We've already had a couple of fires in our fireplace this year. It's just been so cold at night. It got down to 31 last night, and I'm so not ready for that.

I looked at the calendar this morning, really looked at it, for the first time in a few weeks. Thanksgiving is three weeks away. Let me say that again THREE weeks away! Hello? How did it get to be the holidays? And Christmas? Christmas is 52 days away. Thank goodness my Christmas shopping is all done!

My foot is still messed up. It's hurting, even with my Nikes on all day long. I'm out of meds, and the dr was pretty clear that I shouldn't come back before two weeks are up. Needless to say, I'm not getting on the treadmill, and I'm scared to step on the scales because I've been as hungry as a rhino lately.

Packer Pumpkin

I found these neat NFL pumpkin patterns at NFLShop.com. We've only carved one pumpkin so far, but I thought it was too cute. I have two more pumpkins waiting to be carved, so I guess we'd best get with it tomorrow.

It's been a rough few weeks. I'm back up a pound, and I'm so disappointed. I've managed to mess my foot up pretty bad, so bad I finally broke down and went to the dr today so I could get a note. A note that will hopefully convince my bosses that it's okay if I wear sneakers to work instead of dress shoes. Rather hard to lose weight when you can't walk. *sigh*

our new "baby" as Stephen calls it

Friday we traded in my car for a new Liberty. Stephen calls it "baby". Funny, he names all his vehicles and I haven't named any of the cars I've driven. His first new truck was "Big G". The truck he has now is "Double B". We drove it to my hometown Saturday so I could change out the flowers on my Dad's grave. I think we're really going to like it.

I've had a rough couple of days already this week. My legs were hurting me so bad Monday and Tuesday (from working all weekend shoveling gravel) that I could barely walk on the treadmill. And while today my hamstrings are better, I've been craving sweets so bad! I'm afraid I've sabotaged myself this week. *sigh* Maybe I can do better tomorrow.

I'm excited about Lost tonight. And I've been enjoying Studio 60. Grey's.....well, I'm still not sure. I'm still ticked about how they handled the Denny/Izzy thing, I'm very ticked about Mer and Derek, and I'm not too happy with how the first two episodes have gone. Time will tell I guess.

Today's quote: Follow the path of your heart.

Finally!

Finally! Finally! Finally!! The stupid scale has finally moved! It took 35 days, but the scale finally is down a pound (185). I've been so frustrated and upset, ready to give up and just say forget it. But finally that stupid scale has moved. Here's hoping the next pound doesn't take as long to come off.


Enjoy what each day gives you.

I've left my little quote display on this quote for a week or so, hoping it would inspire me. Instead I look at it and think how hard it is to find something good in the day when so many things suck. So maybe it's time to list 5 good things about today and flip the quote.

1. The sun is shining and it's a beautiful day (even if I am stuck inside all day).
2. It's Friday, and I don't have to get up early in the morning unless I want to.
3. Fall is here. The air is crisp and it's cold in the morning when I get up (45 degrees this morning) so maybe the heat is finally gone.
4. It's payday.
5. I don't have a headache or migraine today.

Storms and donating blood

We've been having really bad storms last night and we're expecting more all weekend. So far we haven't had any more damage than a few limbs down. Altho today we're under a flood warning and they're calling for more severe storms than last night and possibly "very large" hail.

I donated blood Thursday night after work. I guess I'm going to have to quit donating. This is what my arm looks like this morning. It still hurts too. I have a really bad knot where the needle was and pain up in between my elbow and wrist.

I think today will be a lazy day. Maybe some scrapping, maybe a nap. Maybe just nothing. :)

.....and 27 days.....

......so now we're at 27 days and I'm at 186. I'm all over the place. Monday I was back up to 189. Yesterday I was down to 185.5. Today back up to 186. I'm just so damn frustrated I can't stand it any more. This is so freakin' unfair. I'm busting my ass and I can't get a break.......

Stephen tells me "you're toning up tho and looking better". Yeah? How could you tell? Is my fat not as flabby as before? Is my gut only disgusting instead of majorly disgusting? Is my ass getting any smaller? Ah, no. So shut up!! I don't care if I'm so toned I could bounce a quarter off my stomach as long as it still looks as fat as it does now.

I honestly think I'm ready to give up on this. I've been dealing with a sore heal for two weeks now too. It feels fine so long as I can wear my Nikes, but as soon as I put my dress shoes on to go to work, it's hurting again. By the end of the day I can barely stand to walk on it. And why? All so I can burn 400 calories in the morning and STILL not lose any freakin' weight....

......okay enough of my pity party, I'm done for the day......at least tomorrow is Friday......that's about the only bright spot I can see today.....

Tuesday blahs

My funk continues. If someone should happen to read this (which I don't think anyone does anymore) I won't bore you with the details. Let's just say, more of the same.

The weather has cooled off here. We had rain yesterday and today it's nice, sunny, around 70. There's a hint of fall in the air finally.

Club Scrap has announced their digital kits will be available starting 9/25. VERY excited about that. I hope it's as great as I think it will be - COULD be - any way.

Wish it was quitting time. So tired, of every one and every thing. :(

19 days

It's been 19 days since I've lost any weight. Worse, I'm back up to 188 this morning. I've been yo-yoing most of these 19 days, but never below 186. I am so depressed I honestly don't know how I can continue. I've been busting my butt these last three weeks. I've even increased the incline up to 7.0 this last week, which puts me up in to the "Endurance" mode on the treadmill - which means I'm burning about 120 more calories every morning before work. All it's doing is making me hungrier. Seems the more I exercise and burn, the hungrier I feel. I've been trying to eat right, and when I do allow myself a treat, it's low fat/low cal (like fat free ice cream or a low fat brownie).

Plus I'm back at work. That doesn't help anyone's attitude. Being on vacation just reinforces how much I hate this place and the people I work with.

And my headaches are back. I had a horrible one Saturday and a full blown migraine last night. I give up. I guess I'm going to stop taking the Topamax. To take it at a level that seems to control the headaches, I'm a basket case of nerves. I can't afford to see a Neurologist right now, so I guess I'll have to live with this for a while longer.

So, who wants to join me in my pity party? :}

Friday!!

Finally!! I was beginning to think Friday would never get here. What a long, lousy week. The scale has been kicking my butt this week, and I've been extra diligent, extra good on food, and busting my rear on the treadmill. As of right now I'm back up to 188. *sigh*

The only good thing I can post today is that as of 5pm I will be on vacation. What a long time coming too. I'm so ready for some time off. Stephen is off just Monday and Tuesday, and has to work Saturday, so that's a bummer. I hope to get some things done around the house, and maybe some scrapping done.

I have a good quote today on my desk - Smiles are for sharing!

rollercoaster

Seems I'm on the rollercoaster again. I swear I've gained and lost these same three pounds my entire life. The stupid scale keeps yo-yoing, and it's about to drive me nuts. Doesn't help that I'm starving this afternoon. I'd give anything for a blizzard right now.

I did manage to do a layout this weekend.
Not very inspiring, a lot like my life! LOL! Sorry for the glare. The pics under the glare are of the salsa being mixed in one and sampled by Stephen in the pot in the other.

I thought we were going to get away for a couple of days over the Labor Day weekend. Stephen decided he didn't want to spend the money, so I guess we'll stay at home and do nothing, like we do every time we're off on vacation. I know we shouldn't spend the money, but it would be nice to get away for just a day or two. He did at least promise me that we wouldn't do anything with the nephew-from-Hades.

My knee is still hurting. I wish I knew what I did to it. I didn't walk on the treadmill this weekend, and I didn't walk as hard as I normally do yesterday, but it still was hurting me pretty bad. So this morning I walked as fast as normal and I can't tell that I've made it any worse. Definitely not better, but not worse. It's so darn frustrating. Oh, and I had a stupid migraine yesterday too. I'm not convinced cutting the dosage of my pills was the answer to my problems.

so impatient

That would be me described to a T. When I want something, I want it right now. No waiting. I'm being too impatient with this weight loss - I know I am. No doubt in my mind. But that's the way I've always been. All I see is the end goal.

With that being said, I'm very please to say I was down 2 lbs when I weighed this morning. So it looks like it may be taking 9 days to lose 2 lbs. That's not too bad, but not too good either. Esp not when I have so far to go. If I keep at it, push hard and don't lose sight of the end goal, I can be at 160 by Christmas. Maybe. Maybe. Maybe.

I'm also impatient when it comes to the migraines. The dr really ticked me off yesterday. She pretty much made me feel like I was stupid and I felt like she was blowing me off. Her answer is to cut back on the dosage of the medication I'm on. Never mind I had to up it to keep the headaches at bay. Her reasoning is that maybe since we stopped the daily headaches that the cycle is broken and maybe the lower dosage will keep them gone and stop the wild mood swings. There's that word again. Maybe. Maybe. Maybe.

I can now say I am 1/3 of the way to my goal. That's something at least. Right? A third of the way there? That sounds better than 1/4, but not much.

I thought my knee was better. In fact it felt pretty good yesterday. This morning it's killing me again. I'm so frustrated. I had hoped to walk or maybe try the Tae Bo dvd tomorrow to keep in the routine. I figure I need to add some more exercise somewhere. With my knee hurting worse than it was earlier in the week, I don't see how I can do that now. *sigh* Maybe......

the short lived, skinny me

This was me for a short time in the summer of 2000. I had lost so much weight and felt so good. Then my dad died in February 2000 and I tried so hard to keep it together, and did for a few months, but I was lying to myself. By early fall, I was back up to 160 and by Christmas, the damage was done. I don't know if I'll ever see 140 again, or if I'll ever be able to get in to a size 12 skirt. It's so hard, and I'm so frustrated. Esp when I'm doing everything I'm supposed to be doing and the weight isn't coming off. Worse still, the migraine meds are driving me nuts. I upped the dosage, which the dr had okay'd me to do, and now it's messing with my cycle. Even tho two dr's have told me that it won't affect my birth control pills or my cycle. Funny, the drug manufacturer says it can and it will and it is! Can I just say I hate drs? And to top it off, I've done something to my stupid knee. No idea what, no injury that stands out in my mind, no searing pain or impact or bruising. It just plain hurts. But I walked again today anyway. Not that it's doing me any freakin' good.

I've decided I must work with the most insensitive, cruel, self-absorbed witches in the world. One of my co-workers made homemade cookies and brought them to work. She has no idea I'm on a diet. Neither does another girl I work with. She offered a cookie to everyone in the office except me. She can't claim she was trying to be nice and not tempt me because she doesn't know I'm dieting. She was just being rude and excluding me. The other girl that doesn't know I'm dieting, she bought a bag of candy and passed it out to the others but again excluded me. Why is it that fat people are overlooked, excluded and treated as tho we have the plague? Why can't people realize we have feelings too? I didn't want the stupid cookie or a piece of the candy, but it would have been nice to have been offered something, included like everyone else. I swear I could disappear and be missing for days before any one would ever notice. And I know it's not all in my head, because those same girls and bosses I work with that treat me like crap now, treated me so much nicer back in 2000 when I was skinny. And treated me like crap back in 1999 and before when I was fat.

I don't have a name, I'm just fat girl.

new traditional layout

I did this layout this weekend. I'd been working on the journaling for a while. It's "If Belle Could Talk". I was inspired by a scrapping friend to do an "interview" of our dog and record the answers. I thought it was a nice twist on the "record what your dog does" layout. The tag was a RAK from a friend. I used Sassafrass Lass stamps on the title and on each question as bullets.

The weekend sure went fast. Seems like I was just here at work a few hours ago. I got my hair cut (not what I wanted done at all!) and ran a few errands on Saturday. I've upped the dosage on my meds (the dr had told me I could if I needed to) to try to get the last of the stupid nagging headaches to go away and I'm not sure I like the moodiness it's caused. I'm overly emotional. But then, I think some of that could be that I found some pictures this weekend from when I lost all my weight back in 1999/2000. I think I posted about the huge fight I had with Stephen over not "supporting" him in his weight loss. Finding these pictures made me realize, he didn't have one nice thing to say to me. I can't recall him ever telling me he was "proud" of me for losing the weight or how good I looked (and I did look good - I'll have to post a picture) or to keep up the good work. I believe all I got from him was the same "I'm jealous of you" that I had given him a few months ago when he yelled at me for not being supportive of him. I'm just so sick of the double standards and the BS that's going on. And sure, he's lost 40 lbs and I've only lost 21, but you'd think he could give me some support and tell me way to go and keep up the good work once in a while too. Instead all I get is "keep at it, you'll get there eventually." Excuse me? Hello? What the heck happened to being supportive?

....blue got worse.....

so on the way home from work Monday, I had to stop and pay the water bill. They have a drop box that has these poles on either side to keep you from running over it. My car is very low to the ground and I'm short, so I have to get close to the box or I have to open the door and risk dinging the door to put the payment in the box. I was feeling so bad (dizzy, sick at my stomach, had the shakes really bad) and probably had no business driving in the first place, but I wasn't paying close enough attention apparently. I got to close and when I went to pull away, I scraped the back of the car against one of those poles. Dented the wheel well on the drivers side. I was so mad at myself. I started crying and I could stop. I mean, I cried for an hour and a half and litterally could not stop. I think it was just the last straw, stress, hormones, the new med, the fact that I messed up the first new car I've ever owned, I just broke.

Today is a little better. I'm pleased to report I don't have a headache. Knock on wood. I'm up to 35 mins at 3.5 mph on the treadmill. As short as I am, that's nearly a jog for me. Today was really hard tho. I think I have a stone bruise on my left heel. And I've tweeked the muscle in my right thigh. It's tight and sore, but I still kept at it. Being old sucks, in case I have said it lately. But at least I'm not crying hysterically today. That's always a plus. :)

......blue.......

....that would be me.....blue.....deeply, completely, tee-totally blue. Completely in a funk. So far down I can't even see the light at the top of the hole I'm in. And I have no one to talk to about it. No one who will understand. You see, after losing those four lbs from starting the new migraine meds, I've not lost a single ounce. Not a half an ounce. And I've been good. Very good. I've been walking. Speed walking. 3.4 mph on the treadmill 5 days a week. Watching what I eat, being good. I've tried to talk to my husband about it. All I get from him is "you should exercise for the sake of exercising and improving your health, not for weight loss". People tell me I'm eating too little food. Then they tell me I'm eating too much food. Sorry, you can't have it both ways! 1300-1500 calories a day. Enough water to float a battle ship. And I'm stuck at 190. With no one to talk to who'll understand. No one that has a shoulder I can cry on. No one who will just listen without passing judgement. *sigh*

.....so.....I'm blue....so very blue.....and no end in sight.......

Be thankful for what you've been given.

This is so hard to remember. It's so easy to get caught up in the "I wish I had this" or the "my life would be perfect if" game. So today I'm going to try to look at the things I should be thankful for. But first some business to take care of.

Three winners were chosen for the digital drawer contest. Big surprise, I wasn't one. One was a baby layout, which I knew would happen. I guess I just don't have what it takes.

I canned 9 1/2 quarts of tomato juice last night. I was so tired when I was done I couldn't keep my eyes open. It will be so nice to have fresh juice for chili this winter tho.

That job I applied for about 3 weeks ago? I emailed them about a week after I sent my resume, telling them how excited I was and asking if I could schedule an appt for an interview. I got a HATEFUL message on the answering machine stating that they were waiting to get all the resumes in before making any appts and they'd be in touch. Nothing since. No email, no phone calls. So by showing my excitement and asking for an appt I screwed myself out of a chance for an enterview. Jerks. Of course if they're going to be that big of jerks, it doesn't sound like a place I'd really want to work anyway.

I've been getting back in to the walking and diet thing. I walked Thursday, Friday, Monday and Tuesday. I got up to walk this morning, but Stephen was in bed sick with a sinus headache, so I didn't do it. The treadmill makes so much racket, and I have to have the tv on or I go nuts, so I'll try to walk after work today. I'm still at 190, but I'm seeing results. I took my measurements this morning, and while the tape measure doesn't show I'm losing inches, my clothes tell a different story. I put on a pair of dress pants today that aren't tight, but the way the pockets are made, the pockets have always flaired out. They are too freakin' big!! The pockets now lay right and I could actually use a belt! WooHoo!!

And here's a quick layout I did last night with a Free Pea kit from Rhonna Farrar from Two Peas in a Bucket. I just love her work!



So, now for the some of things I'm thankful for and take for granted:

* a job that, which I don't like, does help pay the bills.

* a home, a lovely, if older home, that has a modest monthly mortgage payment and will be ours in roughly 12 years.

* a husband, who loves me unconditionaly, who frustrates me, brings me great joy, and who I truly would be lost without.

* a wonderful mother in law and father in law, who treat me as tho I'm their own child, even if I don't agree with all of their decisions.

* my health, if my only major complaint is headaches and migraines, I am so very, very fortunate.

this and that

* I entered my drawer in the contest. The contest closed last night. Not sure when the winner will be announced. I don't stand a chance of winning, but I did at least have fun making the project.

* The new med they gave me seems to be helping, knock on wood. I'm still having a few little headaches, but they seem to respond to regular meds. I have had one migraine, but to be fair, I'd only take four pills and there wasn't hardly any med built up in my system.


* The new med seems to have a lovely side effect of weight loss. I lost 4 lbs in the first week I was on it. Gotta love that. That makes me currently 190, the lowest I've weighed since 2000.

* The new med has a nasty side effect. It makes soda, all soda (diet or regular) taste like crap. I thought coffee was going to be okay. I had a cup on Saturday and it tasted okay. I had a cup this morning and nearly gagged.

Today's quote: Find life's treasures in simple pleasures.